billygoat

We often find much discussion over which bow brand is better. Even more commonly, we squabble over which accessories are more apt to improve our chosen bow brand. I for one have always been a Hoyt man. It is what I started shooting, and it is the bow I swore I would always shoot. Likewise, I hunted with Gold tip arrows, Cobra sights, and Muzzy products… I swore by Realtree Camo, and wore nothing but Rocky Boots. Over the past year, I began to realize, that something in my setup was a miss. As I increased the amount of shooting I was doing, I began to take note to an increasing amount of erratic shots? Mind you, I have only been archery hunting for about 6 years, so I am , for all practical purposes, a novice. However, I have been hunting in excess of 20 years. When shooting, I would notice 4-10 exceptional shots, then I would fall off on 3-5 shots. As one would expect, I sought the advice of local proshops. Fate, being as it is, would have that the VTECH, which I purchased in 2005, was actually too long for me… way to long (2”). This discovery occurred around mid June, and the reality of “quality” equipment, finally hit me. After the 2005 hunting season, I was able to purchase a Hoyt VTECH. When I purchased my VTECH (belle), I prided myself in being able to purchase of “quality” bot. A top end bow! Certainly, this was going to improve my shooting, and before long, I would join the 300 club. As all of you know, this was not the case. Instead, my shooting steadily declined. As my shooting declined, so did my confidence (not only in myself, but in my equipment). In spite of having all of the right equipment, I still couldn’t shoot. So what to do? Here I sat, mid June, with another archery season quickly approaching,. I certainly didn’t want to break in a new bow now (did I?) I considered the options~ 1. Don’t hunt (not an option) 2. Hunt with your current equipment (hope for the best, and hope you don’t injure an animal) 3. Bite the bullet, purchase equipment that fits, and bust your tail to get it broke in by the upcoming season. As you can imagine, I chose the later. I looked at many bows, spent time shooting several bows, and then was fitted to the right bow. I changed my sight, but kept my same arrows… I crossed over to a new broadhead and rest, but wear the same boots! So what is my point? Brand hype is merely that, HYPE! All of us can find a brand we like, and shoot it well, and 9 times out of 10, it won’t be the same brand. However, every brand is able to make a quality piece of equipment (and most do). This doesn’t change the reality of fit, though. If your equipment does not fit you resulting in lack of confidence in your equipment… you have one option: replace it. It truly broke my heart, to hear professional after professional, tell me to “sell my bow”. I prided myself in making that purchase, and I prided myself in knowing that the brands I chose, would put deer on the ground. As I look back, I realize a new reality: It is not the brand that defines the quality, rather it is the hunter, who defines the brand. We are all “our brands” best sales persons~ that is why we shoot the brands we shoot. At the end of the day, however, do not be afraid to change… especially when the “lack of change”, may result in an injured animal. My whole hunting setup, was changed as of July 10, this year. I have invested countless hours into shooting since that time. Arrows (in excess of 500) have exited my rest… and confidence is compounding daily. Certainly all of us, need to no the right time for change… but don’t be afraid of it… you might be surprised with what you end up with!

Nice looking setup moon.

Well, folks... I've been out of the loop a while~ In spite of some personal hardships, life is back on the fast track and going good as ever. I have spent the last two months gearing up for the WI bow opener, and am now honing in for the final few weeks of preparation. I was fortunate enough to purchase a new Drenalin, this year, and might add I love it! Since I last visited, I have enjoyed the beaches of Mexico on two occasions, the wine from Napa Valley, and several wonderful camping trips. Hope to spend some time chatting with many of my "misplaced" friends, and wish you all great luck in your upcoming seasons! Looks as though Realtree has done an abundant facelift of their web page also! I guess I will have to spend some time figuring out the new format. Billygoat

Hey guys... longtime, no talk... I am selling my little one... the VTECH is up for sale See it at AT or PM me for pics. It is SUPERCLEAN... LH Draw 29.5-31 Weight 50-60 I will sell barebow TYD for $350.00 or all the bells and whistles for 500 (TYD) See the listing at: http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=523103 Thanks for looking... if you know of anyone who might be interested, please pass on the word. Billygoat

All right, everyone. WISCONSIN DEER & TURKEY EXPO Dates: March 30-31-April 1, 2007 Alliant Energy Center 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way Madison, WI 53713 Perhaps, members from WI can try and meet on Saturday or Sunday? Any takers... I am sure I can count on Shane!

Re: Cought on Camera Ahhh, heck... like some have said, he's 80... Find out the families email addresses... send them the pic of the old shrivled up man, then to the local sporting good stores... might want to send it to the nursing home to (so the old ladies can start talking about him)

Re: Leaving Wisconsin Travel safe craig... good to hear it was a success.

Re: Wall Mounts Good laugh's there 'buckee'. The second one, well, I'm sure most of us probably need to be in that addiction group!

Re: Breakfast Sausage: I just got done making some bkft sausage... actually found a high mountain kit. It turned out pretty good. A little sagey tasting, but overall pretty good. 50/50 pork/venison. Now it's off to smoke some jerky!

All right guys, who makes it, and what's a good recipe. Just use Eastman's or high mountain???? What has worked for you?

Re: Maybe heavy SNOW Sounds like the entire midwest could see a little white stuff by Friday... should make for an interesting end to WI's season, and start of IL and IA... good luck

Re: my girlfriend got her first deer Congratulations to the girlfriend...

Re: I Put The Smack Down On One...(Pics) Congrat's griz.

Re: Food Saver Products, Who Has One? I Love mine.... couldn't imagine packaging deer without it! Keep's my jerky fresh, meat fresh... really works great to marinade your tenderloins!!!!

Re: Grandpa passed away, funeral is on Sat. [ QUOTE ] You can sing off key Saturday if that makes you feel better [/ QUOTE ] Nice... very nice! Maybe I ought give it a try! Thanks everyone, for your understanding, prayers and support.

Re: WISCONSIN GUN OPENER! Best of luck to the WI hunters. Be safe... and if you in a tree, where a strap.

Re: OH NO!!!! Rough start to the morning, ey griz! guess you should have had the coffee before you went to the computer! Hope the rest of the day gets better.

This is a topic that I thought I might not even post (mainly because I didn't want people to think I was an insensitive BUTT), however, as it continues to eat at me I need to vent. My Grandfather passed away this AM, and typically that would call for hord's of condolences. Truth be told, though, the death was a blessing, he was 91 and honestly... not a nice man. The truth is, he was a very mean and hurtful man and a "blessing" barely begins to describe his passing. The real sucky part is... my Mother (his daughter) and my Grandmother, have asked me to be a paul bearer and sing at the funeral.... This is a man that most people in my family, if not publicly, secretly held many hard feelings toward. The worse part of the funeral is that it is Saturday... on WI gun opener. I'll be honest, i considered denying the offer to participate, but out of respect to my mother and father, will (grudingly).... I know it sounds cold and calous (and it is)... just know I'll be in the woods Sat AM and IMMEDIATELY after the burial.... The man's final act to bring MISERY to my life... fortunately it is his last...... Disclamer~ those of you who know me on this forum know me to be a straight shooter. Trust me when I say, the feelings toward this man are warranted, and I am not typically quite the "hateful" person that I may appear in this post!

Re: How many rounds do you take? Let's see... Iowa Shotgun: 5 in the gun and an extra box (10) Wisconsin Rifle: 5 in the Chamber, a box in the truck! Wisconsin Bow... 3 in the quiver (why not just bring 1?) In the last 5 years, the most times I have shot at any one deer was 3 (and I hit him in the boiler all 3 times... he just wouldn't go down).

I guess, it is safe to say that the rut is in full swing. Since last Sunday Morning, the Buck's have been hard after the doe's and we have seen much more activity. In fact, we have seen at least 2 different 160+ bucks, and roughly 6 115-130" buck. Here is the question. Last night, I had a 125" 8 point at 35 yards, just inside a brush line. I needed him to come about 5 more yards, for a clean shot. I hit the can once and turned him back toward me. As he stood there (just up wind), he was completely calm and engaged. A few minutes passed and he didn't move in, so I grabbed the grunt call, and blew a mature buck grunt. HE BOLTED.... gone! This is the third 2 1/2-3 1/2 year old this week, that I have run off with the grunt tube??? What gives? Do you think they have been taking a beating from the more mature deer in the area, and are now running scarred? I will be heading out soon, hopefully my luck will change!

Finally.... after waiting all fall, it's here! VACATION! 10 days! I can't wait... 3 more hours of work and it's "5 o' clock somewhere"... off to the woods to have a little fun!

Re: 2 bucks fighting after coyotes took a chunk ou That video was actually about 20 miles from where I grew up, and 40 miles from where I live now. The DNR issued a tag to the hunter for the already dead buck, and allowed him to place his archery tag on the buck that was still alive. Nature is cruel... thank god for hunters!

Re: Shot the new Hoyts! What are the spec's on the Vectrix... LIKE I "NEED" a new bow!!!!

Re: Songs that take you back "jack and diane", and sweet home alabama

Re: 4x4 or 8 Point, etc. total points here... unless there a mulie, then it is side to side....