IllinoisHunter

I'm thinking of switching to a fall-away rest this year, never used one. Do you all have any suggestions? I hear good and bad things, most of the bad things I hear have to do with slapping noises that can be fixed with felt, etc., inconsistent arrow flight and the arrow hitting the rest. Should I go with a full containment rest or not? One other thing that's held me back is how the arrow sits - or doesn't sit up on the rest when hanging in the tree. I'm in love with all the positives I hear though. I shoot a standard Mathews Switchback at 65 pounds.

Yea, I've got it set-up on public ground. That's why its the 1.2 mp $59 special. I've been using it for over two months and gotten a lot of good pics. So far got 4 bucks and tons of doe's on it.

Here's another pic.

I shot at this guy last year on public ground and it looks like he's back and has even added a few inches. Unfortunately, last year I hit a limb and the arrow went under him...way under. I'm hoping to get another crack at him with a little more daylight. Since I only have one side and partial of the other, what do you estimate his size at.

I'm trying to upload a picture to the site and I keep getting this message: Error creating thumbnail! Error code: 1 Command: "/usr/bin/mogrify" +profile "*" -size 100x80 -quality 60 -geometry 100x80 -unsharp 10 '/home/realtree/public_html/img/500/thumbs/101309_bigun_3.JPG'

Hey guys! I just bought myself a 454 Casull and I'm looking for a place to go on a nice handgun hunt that isn't too expensive in 2008. I live in Illinois and have never had a chance to go out-of-state on any kind of hunt. Any suggestions on outfitters or places? Deer, Bear, Elk or whatever. I would like to find somewhere reasonably priced so I could bring my father along as well.

Congratulations! It's a great feeling, isn't it?

I would agree with the high hit theory. My dad an I had a similar situation take place this year. He shot a 9-pointer and said it looked like he hit a little high. I told him to get out of the woods and wait for me to get there. I got there about two hours later and we started the search. It was dark and we only found a pin drop of blood where he hit the deer. After 2 hours I found the deer laying, not 90 yards from his stand. He hit one lung and clipped the aortic artery, I think. Anyhow, that deer lost virtually no blood outside of his body, not even a sign of blood on his fur. Upon field dressing it, it was apparent that all the blood filled inside of him, messy!!! Sorry to hear about your loss. That's the first time I've ever experienced a high hit, no blood situation.

That's beyond a monster buck, that's ridiculously massive. Wow!

Don't worry, he'll be back. Granted no other hunter gets lucky. I had a similar situation take place a few years back, and eventually shot that buck about two weeks later. Good luck!

My dad just called me and said he shot a nice buck. It was semi-quartering to him at 15 yards, and he had a good view of the heart area. Well after he shot the deer jumped, but when it walked off, casually, it was carrying its front leg. Do you think he should start tracking or wait until morning? He got a complete pass-through. I asked if he thought he got leg only, and he wasn't sure.

Man, you guys are pretty close. My guess was low 130s, but when I got to measuring him he turned out to gross 149 and net 143 6/8. I was shocked! Score doesn't mean all that much to me. I was just glad for the opportunity.

I'd have to agree. Those G2s and G3s look to be about 12 inches. You may even get close to 150, depending on deductions. Congratulations, man! That's one awesome buck

Great job guys. That makes me scared of the reaper.

Congrats! I think those 5 yard shots are the toughest.