wildthing

Thanks for the details. I am gonna definitely try to make it. The Sportsman Warehouse event I found and have it marked on my calendar already. Much appreciated!

I scout a lot and from a distance. This year, I have seen a variety of bucks in different areas of my farm. Every time I scout, I try to learn something new about the deer on my property (i.e age, habits, etc.). Plus, scouting beats watching television any day of the week.

That video didn't even look real.

Thanks for the feedback guys! My fear of course is that the broadhead doesn't open and I end up simply woounding an animal. The last thing I want to do is be at full draw on a shooter buck and second guess my equipment. Thus far, I have been using Muzzy, 4 blade 100's. I am the type of person that doesn't run to the store and buy the "latest and greatest" because usually the mechanics need a little fine tuning so to speak. Please keep me updated if you guys hear anymore info...good or bad! Good luck this season.

Nice PA bucks, but wouldn't make P&Y this year at least. They lack the overall tine length. I shot a 9 point very similar last year in archery. He looked huge coming through the woods, and even still when I retrived him, but after drying he measured at about 115. Maybe give him 1 more year...as tough as it might be to do.

I would say in general, height is a preference. I usually go 15-18 ft. Good camo, wind direction, and scent control, back ground, early or late season, and topography should be taken into consideration. I practice my movement in the tree so that when a deer is coming, I have my body motion under control.

It was not in my immediate hunting area. It was about 8-10 miles away from my house...very near to a local fair ground. Yes, very sad to see. I was happy to see that the people involved cared enought to try and take immediate action to put the deer out of its misery. It was easily a 4 1/2 yr. old, mature deer.

The WB is the best rest, in my opinion, hands down! I have been using it for the last 3 season and can't imagine using anything else. No problem with speed, accuracy, or fletchings. I like it because you can draw and let down without the arrow jumping off the rest. Also, you can turn you bow side to side for various angles and the arrow won't come off the rest or be really affected at all. If you shoot a TON, eventally the whiskers will wear out and need replaced, but you have to shoot a TON. I have been shooting mine for 3 seasons and really no problems. It'll be a good buy!

I was heading to a softball tournament this past Saturday morning, when I saw a motorcycle and truck pulled off to the side of the road. As I approached slowly, I could see and animal moving and kicking its legs violently on the ground. As I pulled parallel to the truck, my heart dropped with what I saw. It was a really nice mainframe 8 point buck, in velvet, with about an 18 inch inside spread and some nice tine length. The accident had to of just happened. The gentlemen on the scene called the police to come and put the deer down. I had nothing with me that could have made the process any quicker. It was an unfortunate sight to see...especially this close to the archery season. It made me think for a second...these big bucks are hard enough to find in the woods...let alone to hit with a car at this time of the year. In my 29 years on this planet, I have only seen 2 big bucks killed and laying on the side of the road. Both of those times, it was during the pre-rut and rut so it was somewhat understandable that an accident involving a big buck may occur. But never during early August. Has anyone else out there seen or heard of any accidents involving big bucks at this time of the year?

everything you can imagine...and then some! Actually, I need to go through mine and get some stuff out of there.

I was wondering if anyone could offer a honest, first person, testimonal of the Rage broadheads...not an opinion. I was thinking about using a mechanical broadhead for the first time this season, and like the mechanics behind the Rage, but I don't want to buy based on hype and fancy ads...especially because they aren't cheap. Any factual information is much appreciated!

Yes, I have one. I love it. Previously I only used the ones that came in the boxes with the stands I bought. I had straps going every which way and could never get the darn thing on in a neat and timely manner. Aggrivating! I just bought my HSS last season and boy oh boy was I missing out. A couple of clicks and boom...I was ready to go. Plus the vest should have some pockets in it to put some calls or various items in too if you want. It is definitely worth the investment! It'll save you time, energy, and aggrivation in getting to your stand in the morning. Plus, I actually feel SAFE in the tree now.

I have the 3 arm model and have had no problems with mine yet. But I bought the same exact one as a gift for my brother-in-law and he used it one time and one of the bolts busted right in half the first time he opened the arms. A simple bolt replacement and new nut did the trick. No problems since then. They are a handy tool. Good luck this season with it.

some people just never learn. He obviously wasn't standing in line when God was handing out brains. Good thing he PLAYED for the Titans! GO STEELERS!

I thought police were supposed to "Serve and Protect". For some reason, I never feel safe with cops around. To many idiots out there with badges! This is a truly sad bit of news and the police officers should be held accountable to the fullest extent...no expections, no excuses. Hunting 101 teaches you to see beyond the target you are shooting at. Chances are the snake wasn't harming anyone or anything either to begin with. Complete idiots!

Bowhunting, to me, is a craft and skills that needs consistent practice. I practice almost every day, but the objectives and intensity change. What I like to do is plan my practice, mentally and physically. What I mean by that is that instead of just going out into the yard and shooting randomly, I take a note pad and pen and plan my practice ahead of time. Maybe I warm up with a few rounds at 15, then get into my workout rounds of 20, 30, and 40 yards. Whenever I am comfortable, I make a note, and where I need practice, I make a note and practice more of those shots. I try to envision my shots, my angles, my reaction time, my full draw hold time. I practice my mouth bleats when practicing. I practice in the heat, wind, drizzle, low light, and calm conditions. I also have a ladder stand in a tree in my yard that I practice shooting out of. I think that all of these areas of practice have played a part in my success because it gives me "real" practice and I feel comfortable in the shots I am taking. In summary, I would say practice with a plan and take notes. Let's face it, almost never are you going to be in the woods, on an 80 degree day, in shorts and a t-shirt, standing on level ground at full draw taking a clear 20yard broadside shot! The more you can put yourself into a "real" hunting condition, the more comfortable you will be when the opportunities present themselves during the season. Your practices will be more fun, more challenging, and your success in the field will increase!

I just joined this forum last week, so my comments are a little late to your first post, but I can definitely relate to your food plot efforts! My brother and I made the committment after last season that early Spring '07 we were gonna be "on top of things" with food plots. We had a 2 acres area targeted. The problem was, we only have basic equipment: 18 HP tractor, roto-tiller, push mower, rakes, old box springs covered to drags...old school stuff. We spent the early spring burning old weeds and grasses, removing timber, etc., etc. When the time was right, we struck and spent an entire weekend getting the dirt prepared and the seed planted. Physically hard work...yes, but mentally I had the images of big bucks in mind! I have a lot of good video footage and visual morning / evening sighting of nice bucks and does using the plots. Hard work still pays off! Good luck this season!

Thanks for the heads up fellas and thanks for the welcome to the forum! There is nothing better than having bowhunting whitetails and Steelers football to occupy our time! I actually live on a farm about 30 minutes west of the city, near the Post Gazette Pavilion. Where at out east are there shoots? Monroeville? Plum? I am going to have to try and find the Sportsman's Warehouse event on Google or something. Thanks for the heads up!

I guess a better question is "Why shoot a 90 lbs. bow?" Especially if hunting most North American game. Do the Realtree boys shoot 90 lbs bows? Does Chuck Adams shoot a 90 lbs bow? Do the Drury's shoot a 90 lbs. bow? I have never in my life spoken with or seen any televised, accomplished archers shoot a 90 lbs. bow. If they don't, and the native americans didn't, why should I is my philosophy. In my opinion, Bow hunting is about taking an ethical shot with a focus on shot placement. I shoot a 70 lbs bow, and when it get a little cold outside and the body gets stiff in the treestand, even that can be too much...and I am 29 yrs. old, 5'9, 185 lbs and played college football. I would have been as critical of the statement as you were. Not necessary. The arrow needs to kill the game, not just put a whole in it! I would have told that guy to stay on range and out of the woods!

Hey folks...archery season in PA is only a few months away! I hope all of you are as pumped as I am! Anyways, I wanted to see if any fellow bowhunters from the Pittsburgh, PA area knew where any 3D shoots take place on a consistant basis. I'd like to get into 3D target shooting to improve my skills and keep the competitive juices flowing! All insight is welcome!

Trueball is the way to go!

Do you have your property posted? I live in Western PA on a 133 acre farm that I try to manage for wildlife. A few years back, I simply came to the conclusion that is was absolutely necessary to post the entire farm with "Posted, No Hunting" Signs. The surrounding property owners are not really hunters, but allow other people to hunt their property. Whether intentional or not, I was having too many encounters with strangers on my land. I try to give a fellow hunter the benefit of the doubt and avoid confrontations in the woods, but enough was enough. Now, no one has an excuse for being on my property. Bight yellow 'Posted" signs, every 6 feet are prety hard to miss. I agree with everyone else. Move the camera and call the authorities.