MUDRUNNER

The weather here has cooled off! I'll be able to get my first sit of the year in tomorrow morning.

It finally feels like fall here in Illinois! Two days ago the high was 84....today the high is supposed to be 49 lol. Plan for tonight are to get to bed early. Plans for tomorrow morning are to get up at 3:30, head to the farm, and go shoot a deer. First sit of the year & the weather looks great! Tomorrow afternoon we may go pick apples & grab a few pumpkins. Evan's 12th birthday was Tuesday, so he is having some buddies stay the night Saturday night. Emma has a team bonding thing Saturday night, and a couple of scrimmage games on Sunday if the rain holds off.

Most of my stands just have regular 20' climbing sticks. Like William mentioned, I pick them up after the season for around $30-$40. I tried the stagger step ones that are each separate a few years ago, but really didn't care for them. I feel more comfortable climbing a 20' stick that is all connected. I usually pick my stands up on sale after the season too. I don't really ever add to my collection, but like you mostly just replace my old stuff over time. I do know that I am done with the $29 compact hang on stands lol. Now that I'm getting a few years on me I need something a little more comfortable.

Well we made it to another Friday. What are the weekend plans The wife has to work tomorrow morning, so it's just me & the kiddos. It's kind of a slow day for us tomorrow so I wouldn't mind getting my first sit of the season in, but a high of 89 & thunderstorms chances will keep me from getting that done. I'll probably go through my gear tomorrow just to make sure everything is ready to go. Sunday morning we have to make pizzas for my daughters softball fundraiser. Evan has a football game Sunday as well. Sunday afternoon the family is getting together at my Grandpas for dinner.

As beautiful as that is I suppose it's a sign of things to come lol. Man, what a view though. Like William, we have been way above average sitting around 90 degrees for highs & 70 for lows. The weatherman says change is coming in the next 10-12 days, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Well today is finally opening day for bow season. It's finally October, but sure doesn't feel like it. The highs are supposed to be in the upper 80's to 90 degrees all week, so I'm not burning any vacation time this early in the season.

Wow that's load of doves! I don't know that I've ever eaten anything better than a grilled dove breast wrapped with bacon and stiffed with a jalapeno pepper. Sounds like a great time minus the snakes lol.

Last Friday of September! What does everyone have planned for the weekend? By youngest turns 5 tomorrow, so we are having a little family birthday party for him tonight. He's excited for cake, ice cream, and presents. Tomorrow & Sunday Emma is in a local softball tournament. Sunday Evan has a football game and my wife has to work the concession stand. Sunday is also our 18th wedding anniversary, but won't have much time to celebrate that this weekend with the kids going every direction this weekend. In my down time I need to change the oil in the Suburban and shoot the bow a little.

Congrats on doe #2! Your freezer is full and my season hasn't even started yet lol.

We are inching closer to deer season here in Illinois! It looks like a busy weekend for us this weekend. Tonight Emma & Evan want to go to the Highland/Triad football game. It's sort of a rivalry game around here I suppose. We live in Highland, but my nephew plays JV for Triad and it sounds like he will get to dress for the Varsity game tonight. I finally got the parts I need to fix my garage door opener, so will most likely try to re-assemble that tonight so we can park in the garage again. Tomorrow night is the Homecoming dance and my bride has to work, so I have to bring my daughter to get her hair & makeup done tomorrow afternoon. After pictures & we send her on her way we have a wedding reception to go to. Sunday Evan has an away football game and Emma has a JUCO softball showcase tournament in Springfield. How is your weekend shaping up?

Wow that was fast lol. Congrats! Looks like a nice big doe. I need to get up to the farm for some last minute preparations, but it's hard to get too excited when it's still 93 degrees. It's been an oven here for the last few days, and looks like we still have a few more days to go before it cools off a little.

What does everyone have planned for the weekend? After work today I'm going to hit the gym, grill tonight, and drink a Stag beer or two. Tomorrow I need to mow, and it appears that garage door opener took a dump so that needs some attention. We will probably go visit my Grandpa in the afternoon for a bit. Sunday is our usual softball practice for Emma, & Evan has a football game. After a nice break from summer it looks like things will be warming back up this weekend.

Alright, alright, alright. I have a few weeks to go before bow season opens up here in Illinois. I still have some prep work to do before the season gets here, but definitely ready for October and some cool fall air.

Man, that's awesome! Congrats! Looks like a great time. How is gator to eat? I don't believe I've ever eaten it before.

Kevin is a good guy. I took a South Dakota pheasant to him about 15 years ago and been using and recommending him ever since. He's done all of my shoulder mounts and most of my euro mounts. His prices are very reasonable & he does some nice work. I love what he did with the base/scenery on your bear....very nice detail in there.

Awesome! Post some pictures when you get everything finished. They can be a pain to install. Having a shop and mechanic at your disposal is a definite plus lol. All but one of the lifts that I've put on have been in my garage with hand tools & floor jacks.

Sweet! Looks pretty darn good Frank!

It looks like rain all day today & tomorrow, so not much getting done outside this weekend. They are talking 2-5 inches. On the bright side it looks like this front is bringing in some cooler weather at least for the next week or so. My wife works tomorrow so me & the kids will probably just hang out. Sunday Evan has a football game & Emma has softball practice if the fields don't get flooded out.

I have installed 7 or 8 different Rough County lifts over the years. I have no complaints on them, but there fit & finish probably isn't quite where Fabtech & BDS are but Rough Country is a little lower priced kit. Check out Top Gun Cutomz too. Are you doing the install yourself or having a shop do it?

As of tomorrow we are one month away from bow season starting up! What are everyone's plans for the Labor Day weekend? Planning to relax a bit & grill tonight. I need to do some work around the house and shoot the bow tomorrow. I'm sure the kids will want to shoot the crossbow some too. Sunday is my little sisters birthday, so we are going over there for lunch & swim for a bit. Evan has a football game tomorrow evening. Monday we are off for the holiday, so I plan on sleeping in a little & enjoying some down time.

This year is looking good! Some great bucks. I feel like we will be seeing your picture with one of them in the next few months.☺️

It looks like our Direct TV bill went up again. Everytime it bumps up we call them and get it reduced a little, but still feel like we are over paying. Between everyone in the house we watch maybe 15 channels total. We have 6 TV's in the house so not sure if there are many options out there that make sense. Local channels & sports are pretty important in my house as well. I see Direct TV has a version called Direct TV now, there's Sling, Roku, etc. I'm open to any input or reviews.

Holy smokes! That big boy was looking for anything to get it's claws into. Good luck this weekend!

Turned out nice Frank! I always talk about doing it myself, but don't think I would have the patience to get the job done right. Out of curiosity what do you do with your euro mounts? I have a pretty decent collection scattered around the house but no real good way of displaying them.

Wow. Amazing scenery. I have never been out there either, but need to pack up the kids & head that way at some point. There are just some things in nature that you can't see any where else.