wildthing

well...what is the terrain below the stand? Is is sloped, valley, brushy, field, open wood? I personally would go up another 3-5 feet, but if the tree gets to thin...you might want to think about another tree. At 10-12 feet, not that you can't pull it off, but you may be alittle more vulnerable to detection...you are going to have to be stealth-like and calculated in your movement. It might work in the early season if you have a lot of leafy background cover. In the later season, when the leaves drop, you might stick out a bit.

hunting is no exact science...but rather a lot of theory through trial and error. I personally may give it a few days, but maybe not a whole week. I have hunted spots before repeatedly and have spooked deer in and out of areas (accidently) and have still seen them during my set and within bow range too. As a matter of fact, my brother and I both shot big bucks out of the same stand last year...after spooking deer too. Also, when the rut hits your area...just be in the woods...all the rules are broken...just hunt!

I'd say don't give up on the fight! If you had success with the father, and there were no issues, then convey that to the some and talk to him. If there is too much traffic on the property...that is not your fault...that is there fault for giving to much permission. Tell them you agree with them and that you'd like to be the one that helps manage the hunting activity. Maybe discuss some sort of lease if you have the money. If you have had success and done nothing wrong to the property, but "too much traffic" is the issue...you need to find a way to be a part of the solution from the inside looking out...not outside looking in! If you can't get it secured this season...keep up the fight

like they say...what goes around, comes around...it cam back around for OJ. It is time he does some jail time...what a loser...talk about a fall from grace!

fellas...time to hunt! Hey...can any out there comment on the quality of the Cuddieback Digital Camera - No Flash model? I was looking into getting one...but wanted to see what my fellow hunters had to say about them! If anyone can post pics too that were taken by one...that would be much appreciated! thanks...

you hunting out of a treestand or ground blind? Early season, deer are still relatively in their summer travel patterns...a decoy may be less effective. During the pre-rut and rut...you may have more success pulling a shooter into range. There is no exact science...the only thing you can do is try.

Congrats on the job! I am a technical recruiter in the Pittsburgh, Pa area and that is why I am in this business...it is very rewarding helping someone to get a job... If anyone on the forum is an IT professional in the Pittsburgh, PA region and needs a job or is looking for a new job...send me a pm and we'll talk. good luck in the field this year fellas!

jdawg...I sent you a pm regarding the quad. please review and let me know. talk soon.

any of you guys out there own any bikes with camo patterns on them? Do the patterns scratch / scrape off easy or are they pretty durable? I heard the some of the bikes that had camo first put on them a few years back scratched and chipped off pretty easy. Can anyone comment?

I am still up in the air...all the bikes seem to have their own advantages and disadvantages...price may be the buying factor.

well...the seasons are getting started in various places around the country! I look forward to hearing some more testimonials about the rage. I have been everywhere in the last 3 weeks looking for the Rage and every store has been sold out! Let's keep this thread going with info...so far so good...there has been some great insight...I want to see some pics of entrance/exit wounds and reports of shooting performance!

less than 2 weeks until the first day of archery in PA...can't wait to let the arrows fly!

Unless you are a machinist and work well with your hands and metal, I wouldn't make my own lock on stand...Dicks Sporting Goods sells a Comfort Zone hang on stand for approx. $29 when on sale. You can't put a price on your own health and well being!

congrats on layin' the smack down!

Do you have any neighbors, friends, or friends or friends that you can cozy up to and get permission to hunt? I avoid state gamelands and other public areas for just that reason. I feel your pain! I'd try and find someone with some private land and ask respectfully.

Yes...Tim is very friendly and from what I sensed, very passionate about hunting, the outdoors, and representing Team Realtree.

ultratec1...you are singling out one state...Iowa...in my comment, I never made a specific comment as to a state...I said the midwest. I also didn't say in any way shape or form that that was WHY or the MAIN REASON the midwest has bigger deer either. Obvisouly, there is good nutrition and good sportsmanship too...that is the hearland of the county and main farming area. But you cannot deny that the deer industry and hunting has changed and that not all the deer taken that are trophy caliber and we see in print and marketed are fair chase either. There are high fenced areas that are hunted and better genetics have been altered. If this was not the case...there would be no market for deer farms. The fact is, regarding the main point of this thread, is that PA is a "potential" trophy caliber state is the regulations continue to protect the deer and hunters continue to become better sportsman.

misses happen...but you need to forget about it and don't let your mind think about it again. The excitement that even a doe can bring is why we hunt! Learn from your mistakes, take a deep breath, and focus on the shot. Stay calm and stay focused on the shot...you get her next time!

Tim, Thanks for taking the time to talk to me this past Saturday at Cabela's in Wheeling, WVA. It was truly a pleasure getting a chance to sit down, drink a coke, and discuss with you valuable insight into becoming a Prostaff member of an organization. Your insight was much appreciated and I will take some of your tips and run with them to see where they might lead me. Good luck this season and I look forward to talking to you again soon. Bobby (aka Wildthing)

we have 120's to 130's running around my area. Unfortunately, my area also just got hit with EHD...1000 reported dead deer...with countless more to come. Not to mention every farmer that lives around me hate deer and claim crop damage and red tag their farms. That makes it very difficult too...no bargaining about game management with people that could truly care less...I can only do my part.

I took at look at the an '08 Yamaha Grizzly and Kaw Brute force...8K+...pretty nice, but VERY EXPENSIVE!

I agree with Strut10. PA has a great hunting history, with a vast group of hunters each and every season. In order for this state to become a true trophy state, we need to collectively practice game management and be sportsman enough to let the younger, quality deer, mature. This is why I advocate hunting on Sundays in PA...either part of or all season for archery and gun, because more time will be afforded to the hunter that feels the stress of filling his/her tag with the first deer that walks into shooting distance. Go Steelers!

yes...you are right. I don't know all the laws and regs. myself. I really don't know a whole about the regulations and how the process works completely. I know the deer are not sold in our state or PA.

I took at look at the Grizzly '08, 700cc in camo last night...it was nice!

I agree with most of the comments made thus far...I think PA is on the right track. I live about 25 miles west of the city of Pittsburgh, on a farm, and have seen some drastic improvements since the antler restrictions went into effect. I think there is good potential if the PA hunters continue to do the right thing. Unfortunately, there has been a recent outbreak of EHD in my area, putting the herd in jeporady. Hundreds of deer have been found dead. Thus far, I have not yet found any on my farm...I pray for cold weather and frost. Let's not forget either that the "deer industry" is one growing tremendously. By that I mean that a lot of the deer found and hunted in the midwest states have been brought in from outside breeders to spread the genes too. A friend / neighbor has a fenced in area that he breeds deer with a few of the 190-200+ class deer that he owns and sells the bucks once they hit 2 1/2, 3 1/2, or 4 1/2. Prices range between 2k-4k per buck. Yes these area have big deer and good nutrition, but also the outfitters are running a "for profit" business so you know they are going to continue to improve the genetics so as to keep the paying hunter coming back for more. In part, small or large, that is why these midwest states get all of the hype and marketing that we see on the videos, magazines, and television.