fly

Looks like that Tom must have escaped some danger in the past with those missing tail feathers. Glad to hear his luck didn't hold out. Congratulations!

A Nissan never looked better! Congratulations!

Welcome to the forums and the wonderfully addictive world of hunting! Best sport there is whithout a doubt. As the others mentioned I'd encourage you to start with a safety course. Then get used to your equipment (gun, tree stand, safety harness, etc...). Practice marksmanship, then start out hunting something small like squirell. Then when you are comfortable handling a gun/bow in the woods and can hit what you're aiming for look into hunting bigger game. Start gathering information on areas you can hunt. Review maps and hunter access points. Most DNR's will send you maps and other hunting information in the mail free of charge. Be sure you know the rules and regulations regarding the animals and areas you'll be hunting.

She looks hooked to me! Congratulations to you both.

Welcome and congratulations! Looks like you must of had a face mask on. If not, then you missed a spot.

Well Tonya I suppose I posted too soon! Congratulations on Tom number 2! Ya just never know when there is a silent gobbler just around the corner.

That bear has great markings. Congratulations!

Well I've got a scent lok and a scent blocker suit. Got them on sale or as gifts. After seasons of use I honestly don't know if they work (even a little). In the past I was under the belief that they helped "a little". My new approach is to reduce sweat which I believe is more attributable to human smell that deer are afraid of than anyhting else. Moisture wicking away clothes, light breathable material when it is warm, and even changing clothes once I get to the stand is what I do now. No more wasted time activating clothes in the dryer.

Yes I wear orange during the gun seasons and it is required by law. In the early mornings when walking in at dawn I use a flashlight and generally whistle something as I walk in (especially when I'm on public ground). Same if I'm walking in at last light.

During gun season do you place orange over your blind or not? Does your state require it? This is not published in the IL. hunting digest so I asked a state conservation officer and he said it is required on state land. I believe this holds true for federal ground but I'm not sure? What do you all think about using orange on a ground blind during the gun season when hunting private land where it is not required by law?

Don't ask... because the next post will be someone wanting to know what the dog something or another was doing in your belly button. This thread is much like this lady bowler:D

Great videos there. I'd love to get one, but given the areas I hunt I'd just be buying some dishonest person an early Christmas present.

Bloody Mary! Of course you'll have to make sure she'll live up to the name.

Just think.... Right now that brute is eating well and packing on the pounds and inches! Likely he's on his way to be a 160 inch deer (or bigger) this fall! I'd be dreaming about running into that big boy in (only 5 more months)!

Illinois is one of the worst states to live in from a personal freedom perspective (#49). Not a good future for our troubled state. Criminal leaders and a DNR that is ruled by the almighty dollar. Wrote my Congressman about a bill that would require gun owners in IL to have gun insurance. I forget the amount something like a 100,000.00 dollars. his reply was all about how he supported the 2nd ammendment (cool), but nothing about the bill.

M wife bought me a Buck knife that has one so I use it. At times I have a different knife with no gut hook and it does just fine. My favorite knife to gut a deer has a pointed tip as the Buck Hunter has. I use the gut hook, but only because it's already on the knife. I wouldn't carry it otherwise.

So should the string be changed every ???? shots or every ??? years (depending on which comes first)? If I only shoot 1000 shots in 3 years should it still be changed? Just wondering when I should change it next time.

Hey Gary glad to hear of your lung improvement since you stopped smoking. Way to go partner! Gas is going up here in IL., but no where near what it was last year. This time last year it was almost twice what it is now. I anticipated it to go up as demand is always higher in the summer, but hope it doesn't get near the 4 dollar mark again. I guess we will see.

Last spring I was scrambling around looking for bait and realized there is a ton of it out there "free" if you just know where to look and don't mind swallowing that pride. I go to local businesses and get all the free grease I'd ever want. Some have grates making it more difficult to get the grease out of, but some don't. Funny how I never noticed grease containers until I started bear hunting. Most supermarkets will give you their old doughnuts that you can then freeze as well. I'll start stocking up for next spring right after Christmas.

Thanks for the feedback all. I take good care of my bow and wax the string frequently. I've never noticed a broken strand but I have noticed some freying. I shoot a lot in September (maybe 200 shots) then in October and November more like 50 per month. I'd say it had about 1500 shots on it over 5 seasons. Sounds like I did the right thing getting a new one. I'm getting new cables and strings. Actually the pro at the shop suggested I go with "first string" so I did. I've never heard of it, hope it's a good one?

Went to the shop to day to have my 03 Bear TRX tuned up. The pro asked if I wanted a new string. I had no idea they could get so expensive! Initially I said no, but started thinking about what could happen if the string broke. This would be my 6th season using it. It didn't look that bad to me, but after I got home I searched the forums and looks like a lot of archers change the string every 1-2 years. Just wondering when you all change you strings? While I was there I shot the new Admiral by Bowtech. It was a shooter alright. Fast, smooth, and no aftershock.

Last fall I saw a flock of bearded hens (about a dozen). They are rare, but pretty cool to find out in the woods. Congratulations to you and your son.

Rem 870 express with rifled barrel and iron sights.

Nice way to spend the day Gary!

Storms today so of course the deer were out last night. I spotted 6 male deer all with 1-3 inches of antler growth. They all looked like yearlings.