Hoosierbuck

That would have worked on me, no doubt. I'd a fell out of my chair. BUT...I have to agree that at the start of freshman year, I would not worry about it yet. Get your good study habits in place first. Make friends with lots of kids. I ended up marrying one of my high school friends turned girlfirend over 16 years ago, been together ever since HS, which was 1988! HB

The other half of the rifle transaction with too_pointer is happy, too. Mike Gets high marks, and I would deal with him again in a heartbeat. Good communications, especially. HB

I would mention that he had granted you permission and ask if he had mentioned that to her, and if she was ok with that since she is the boss now. But I think I'd wait a little bit, but not too long. HB

The prayers are continuing, sir. HB

My best shot with a rifle...well, I don't shot at long range like some of you guys. The areas I hunt really not conducive to it. The longest rifle range I have been to is only 225 yards. I have shot some nice groups there with my .338 Win. Mag. I shot a yearling deer in the neck at 75 or 80 yards on a dead run (broadside) with a muzzleloader. I shot a 170" buck at 12 yards, left handed, after he came in on the "wrong side" and I flipped the gun to the other shoulder. Again with the muzzleloader. I head-shot a 13 striped ground squirrel at 35 yards out a second story window with a scoped 77/22 and CB longs. I shot another one of those little buggers at 35 yards with an iron-sight mini-30. That's really about all I got. I have enjoyed reading your stories. HB

Cool! Quite the accomplishment, you should be proud. HB

Excellent teaser! Can't wait to read the story and see the pics! HB

I totally understand, William. Thanks for the acknowledgement and kind words. HB

Made the local paper today: http://www.heraldargus.com/articles/2010/08/26/news/local/doc4c745ffdd143c253509823.txt He got a picture of my good side-my son Isaac! HB

She has brown eyes. Unless she is wearing contacts to change it and somehow running like mad back and forth from Okieland to Hoosierland. Could be an estranged sister or something...Wouldn't THAT be a trip. HB

I am in the same boat as lots of you in several regards 1) My wife is type A and works her butt off-all the time. Any time spent not working on something is..well, wasted for the most part. 2) My wife in fine with me hunting in theory, and in October. In reality and January, she is ready for the season to be over. 3) She does love the meat, and loves me enough that she wants me to do what I enjoy doing. She is actually pretty great about putting most of her gripes aside and letting me go hunt. I just know that no matter how early I get up or how tired I am I better not be a poop. I better get my stuff done around the house. I better not blow off important family stuff or church. Aside from that, I hunt all I can, and make it up to her in the off season! HB

Quick update: My friends have gotten me just over 20% of the way to my goal in just a few days. Please consider helping out. www.woundedwarriorproject.org HB

I agree that you don't NEED a titanium broadhead. You don't need a new bow that shoots 325 fps. The old one that shoots 290 will kill them just as dead. As long as some folks are willing to pay it, though, companies will develop stuff that is very expensive to design and manufacture, and then add a nice profit margin. As hunters, we are part of that equation. Be smart, and buy what you can afford. HB

I thought you were going to say that the note read, "I'm sorry I hit your truck. I am writing this because there are people watching me. Good luck with that." and that's all...so, you are right, could have been worse. HB

Hello Friends! Chris Fronk here. Today is August 22nd. In one month I will turn 40 years old! I have been very blessed, and I want to thank some of those who have blessed me; my Creator and Redeemer, my wife and kids, my parents, my friends. You have all blessed me, and I thank you. Another group that has blessed me are the brave men and women of our armed forces who have laid their lives on the line to secure the blessings of liberty and security to me and those that I love. In honor of my birthday, and their sacrifices, I have teamed with the Wounded Warrior Project to give something back to some of our nation’s heroes. Here is what I am doing, and what I am asking you to do! I am going to mark my birthday by marching (well, as a civilian I guess I am just walking) 40 miles on September 22nd. The wee early hours will find me saying a prayer outside Valparaiso University’s Chapel of the Resurrection. From there I will walk to the courthouse in downtown Valparaiso, then on Highway 2 toward LaPorte. I will walk past Westville, then on into LaPorte. I am hoping to make the courthouse in LaPorte around noon. I will continue on Lincolnway (Hwy 2) until it intersects Highway 20, then take 20 on into New Carlisle, and end at Kate O’Connor’s Irish Pub. Good Lord willing, I will enjoy a bit of birthday cheer in a more normal fashion before heading home with my family. What about your part? I have set up a page at WWP central for you to help me reach my goal of raising $2500 for the Wounded Warrior Project. Click on the link below or cut and paste it into your browser to access my donation page. http://WWPProudSupporter.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=308932&lis=1&kntae308932=DEE0A96C7A0A404F83737C4D5E0E69AC&supId=289247829 Or...you can go to WoundedWarriorProject.org and then click the tabs in this order “get involved” then “”fundraise” then “”sponsor a participant” then enter “Fronk”. The Wounded Warrior Project is a 501c(3) non-profit (tax deductible donations!) that began as veterans supporting their wounded comrades by providing small backpacks with simple necessities that would not necessarily accompany the warriors to hospitals. It has grown from that to include counseling and vocational training and all manner of services to wounded veterans. Please explore their website and you will see why I am supporting their mission. I really and sincerely want to reach my fundraising goal, but I need your help to do it. Will you help me celebrate my birthday and our freedom by saying thanks to some of those who have paid the price? Thank you all for what I know will be very generous support. Chris

A 4473 is a Federal form, and as such it seems odd that IL law would dictate when one would or would not be necessary. Muzzleloaders (not Encores, though as the frame is adaptable for use as a true firearm) are NOT considered firearms by the BATFE. As such you can mail order them. Also, I would presume, you can buy them outside of your own state of residence. The IN/MI/OH thing is an agreement under state law to allow our residents to purchase firearms in neighboring states. IL is almost as bad as California for infringing gun rights. HB

I am so conflicted...which party do I identify with??? HB

I wasn't sure I would be able to beat Matt, as speed isn't exactly my forte. Every year could be the last year I beat him in anything. Greg can spank me in a race of any real length like a 5 or 10K, but short sprints are mine. (For now.) HB

I like to put a couple bagels with ham slices and thick cut cheese in the toaster oven, take those, a piece of fruit and some coffee with me and get in the truck and go! HB

So, my wife's family is pretty competitive. Everything turns into a contest. Her brother and his family from San Diego were up over the 4th of July. His son is the oldest of the grandkids, our nephews and nieces and kids. He is a big kid, and as teenagers are wont to do, pretty sure of himself. His mom loves it when his uncles are around to knock him down a peg or two, and we do it in a fun, loving way. Still, it's got to hurt a little when your almost 40 year old uncle who is built like a bread truck flat out beats you in a footrace! Matt, Chris and Greg on the starting line-click for the video. Feel free to laugh at us, we did!! HB

...and some folks tout the benefits of kissing a horse's rear end to keep one from licking chapped lips, but I don't partake of that either. Of course, I do have pickles, and I don't have a horse, but you get my drift. So, yes, Norm, you are weird.

Good trade, kemosabe! HB

It's a girl thing. They don't want a guy unless another girl shows interest. Pack mentality. Here's a thought...aren't they "ex" for a reason? Go find someone who's flaws aren't immediately known to you. HB

Check your e-mail/pm's! Thanks! HB

I had my '98 Dakota sprayed, and the liner had a few dings in it from pitchforks and such, but I am sure they would have fixed it had I asked. I had that truck with liner for almost 10 years before I sold it, and was happy with the liner. I had my new truck sprayed, too. I put a ding in it the second day by sliding a skid with a nail sticking out the bottom across it (didn't know about the nail at the time, of course.) I'll take it in pretty soon and ask them to fix it. It is tough stuff. HB