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I suppose no one else is dreaming about big bucks yet. I normally don't start this early, but since I bought a little boat I've been scouting some new places to hunt this fall that you can only get to by boat. Anyway I'm getting pumped way too early this year. Still have 3 more months!

green 2 and no hesitation

Pass until next year then between yellow two and three

Marginal on size, but if I was shooting he needs one more step to clear the little tree and get that shoulder out of the way.

Been in this situation and success both times. I'm going between yellow 2 and 3.

Blue 3, late season only. Early on I'm waiting fort something bigger.

yellow 3, but he's never going to wait for me to pull and shoot.

Green number 3

Last night I was dreaming about bowhunting in a cornfield on the first day of bow season. I shot a doe first and then noticed a buck behind her. I snuck back a couple corn rows and there he was a beautiful 10-pointer that had it all. Mass, tine length, and width. I got buck fever (in the dream!) and made a bad shot. I was so sick about it, I somehow managed to rewind the dream and take the shot again. The second time I made a perfect shot. The deer ran out of the corn and into someones house. I followed the blood trail (through the house) and found it in the carpeted bathroom taking his final breath. Anyone else ever been able to control your dreams?

95% of the time I bow hunt alone. I take my kids sometimes and I have been bow hunting with a friend a couple times on his property last season. As my kids get older I imagine I'll be taking them more, but I have a couple more years yet.

I tried the gobbler call after reading Alan's (Rhino's) posts about his success. It works when used at the right time. 19 lbs10 inch beard1 inch spurs

I've heard the smaller (younger) ones taste a lot better than the bigger ones. Any truth to that?

You afraid of field dressing or the haul in?

As encouraged.. Stay away from Rocky boots! I love my rubber Alpha Burley's, but they are no good when the weather gets cold. In addition I had a 1.5 year old deer smell the boot marks where I walked in while wearing them last season. Nothing is scent proof. Best deer hunting/turkey hunting boots I've ever owned pictured below. Going on my 3rd season and still waterproof. Cabela's snake boots.

Different situations call for different tactics. I've shot 3 deer over 130 inches and had never seen them prior to shooting. Scouting can be defined differently. I don't scout for a particular deer but I do scout for areas that deer frequent. I also scout for trees that will work well with a climbing tree stand. I see the advantage of knowing what type of deer the property one hunts holds. If you frequently see 150-170 inch deer on the property (via binocs, trail cams, whatever) then one might want to hold off on a 130 incher on opening day.

Last day of the season means I already have enough meat so I'm most likely trophy hunting. I assumed that waiting wasn't going to bring the buck in closer so I picked to not shoot. There is always next year and I'd hate to make a bad shot, not find him, and then there would not be a next year. BTW... This happened to me in the 2007 season. Only difference is the buck was just in range at 30 yards (see my avatar).

My shot with a firearm is between the third and fourth blue dot (from top). However, I pass on this one. Looks like a 110 inch 2.5 year old to me.

All this time I just assumed Matthews was better.

Sorry to hear about the wreck, but even worse the cars that just drove by and the time it took for emergency vehicles to get there.

This might be of interest to you: http://www.realtree.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86831

I primarily bowhunt in Greene. I primarily gun hunt in Union. I also bowhunt some in Madison, Montgomery, and Macoupin counties.

A mesh would likely cause my mechanicals to open (Rocky Mountain Gator XP). They fly close to field points when the blades are not open, if they were open they would have to be less accurate. Although I never plan to find out for sure.

I don't use camera's because they would just get stolen. I use my off season scouting time to find new areas to hunt. One can never have too many places to hunt.

Not sure what you mean by; "there is nothing there on the trigger". Look at your shells and see if there is any type of indention on the primer after pulling the trigger. If there is then the firing pin isn't getting enough force to ignite the primer. This is most likely from fouling in the bolt. Stick a pipe cleaner in the firing pin hole (in the bolt) and see if that's it. You may want to run some oil on the firing pin as well. I know you said it was cleaned, but a lot of people forget that step and 870's are known for what I just explained. Cost me a deer one year.

My one and only. I was turkey hunting and looking for sheds and shrooms. My first shed in over 10 years! I never really looked for them until this year.