fly

Sounds like you're hard work is paying off.

Welcome! Great place to hang out.

Thanks Gary, I've been looking all over for it. Finally someone has stepped up and decided to poke some fun my way. I guess that's a good thing. Now if some more of you want to step up I'll have reason for retaliation. Right now, it's just you Gary.

Looking at that buck makes me want to eat some cookies. Nice looking mount.

Used to smoke back when I was in the army. Started chewing to quit smoking and finally quit that as well. I have found deer to be spooked the most by bacterial odor. Chew/dip can cause them to be alert. They may not run away, but they will be more cautious which could cost you an opportunity. I wouldn't hunt deer with someone who smoked or chewed.

Just wanted to let you all know I changed my user name from (flyerla) to just fly. My avatar is the same and several members referred to me as just fly anyway so I doubt many will even notice. I also wanted to thank everyone for being such decent people. It's been a year now since I got involved in the forums and I'm a lot better off because of it. >Frank

Can't wait to see how they turned out Frank! I'll be checking the taxidermy room.

Still using my old Bear TRX so I'm sorry but I can't break down any doors. I will blow it apart for someone with my 300 Remington Ultra Magnum power level III (given no one is inside of course).

Been hunting the S.F. in union county for 20+ years now. There are some big deer there, but it's not easy to come home with one. Historically the best time to plan a bow hunting trip is in the first two weeks of November (prior to the firearm season). I've had the most luck around the 14th/15th. There are state forests in the area you can hunt as well such as the trail of tears state forest. The TTSF has a nice road through it and some ideal locations for camping. The S.F also has several nice campgrounds. ATV's are not allowed, but in the state forest the conservation officers will use one to get your deer out for you. The state guys are really great people! The federal officers tend to be more interested in distributing fines. Make sure you're legal! I have the best luck hunting in the most remote areas possible. The state and national forests see a lot of hunting pressure during the gun seasons which keeps most deer at 2.5 years or younger. Your best chance to find a mature buck would be to hike in at least 1/2 mile from a road and preferable a full mile. Get some maps from the ILDNR. You'll find areas with water holes and open areas that were created back in the 30's-40's during/after the depression. I have the best luck in the mornings hunting hilltops or saddles. The deer tend to go high and in heavy timber in the mornings. In the afternoons they travel down to fields. The hike in can be tough, with the drag out being even harder. You might think of IL as flat, but in union county it isn't. The hills are steep and all over the place. Attached first is my 2008 seaosn buck I took on the opening day of the IL gun season in the S.F. The others one is buck taken by a hunter camped next to us. Out of about 20 hunters in the campground these were the only 2 mature bucks taken during the first gun season (3 days). My hike in was 3/4 mile and it took me 6-7 hours to drag my deer in. He weighed 205 lbs field dressed and was 3.5 years old. I've got some more pictures of a S.F. buck in the Deer room (look under Knife Valley).

We'll keep the prayers coming.

I've never been out looking, but plan on it the first chance I get! Sounds like something fun to do. I've been hearing people state they are seeing a lot of deer with only one antler so now is the time here in South/Western IL.

I got 21 of them right.

Glad to hear of the improvement. Keep it up! What's your grading scale like? Ours used to be 60-70=D, 71-80=C, 81-90=B, 91-100=A. (D's are considered failing grades in our nursing program) It was changed 2 years ago to: 76-84=C, 85-92=B, 93-100=A. I have a lot more C's now (I primarily teach nursing pharmacology and advanced medical/surgical nursing), but other courses have remained about the same. I attribute some of that to grade inflation.

What years do all those deer span? Congratulations! Some great animals you've harvested there.

Not sure about TN, but here in IL I'd say the body looks like a 2.5 year old. The antlers would make me think 3.5 year old, but we all know how deceiving antler growth can be regarding age. I'd go with 2.5.

Hard to tell, but I'd say he's a shooter next fall.

Happy Birthday Smackdown.

Sure would like to see a picture of that! I'll bet you don't hear the end of that one for some time.

Since I was old enough to hunt, that has always been the one animal God put on this earth that I would like to hunt the most.

Viewed the images and I couldn't get through them all. Tragic. Makes me realize how much we take for granted each and every day.

I sure would have Tim. During the Saturday seminar Nicole was having trouble with her laptop. After the seminar I attempted to help her with it. We never did get the DVD her production crew made to work properly. I did get to talk with her for a while though. She is from the Carbondale IL area and we both went to SIU Carbondale. Of course I was there about 10 years earlier than her. They have a new forum out. I'm not sure how much Pat uses it, but I've seen Nicole post on it. There's not much there yet, but if you know Pat you might want to drop in and say hi? The link: http://www.drivenhunter.com/DTVForum/tabid/61/Default.aspx

Congratulations Chris. Wish a smooth transition for you!

I figured you didn't Diane, which is why I wrote: "I urge all posters to refrain from judging the opinions of others." I thought someone might take offense and say something silly to you. No doubt Steve is your knight in shining armor and up for any challenge, but since I'm likely related to him "knife fighting and all" I felt the need to keep a possible situation from occuring. Gary your picture is making me think of spring bluegill!

Let's see mine is a Red one. It's a Verizon LG. I just got it last week. It was free with a 2 year plan. So far it takes decent pictures and does what I need it to do.

I've often thought about giving some to the local schools for kids to learn from. I'm always surprised at the number of poeple I meet that had no idea that deer lost their antlers.