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Tim, I sure would love to hunt with you or the forum members. Deer, bear, boar, pronghorn, elk, moose would all be of interest to me (not turkey). However, I can say as far as paying an outfitter I'm not interested these days. It basically comes down to money. All I can afford are DIY hunts.

Did some 4 wheeling off route 12 just West of Missoula in Idaho. Some good trails around the white sands camp ground (about an hour from Missoula). It'll be next year (spring 2010) before I get that way again. Unfortunately the Missoula resident that showed me the trails died of a heart attack last fall.

Welcome to the forums! I'm still learning same as you, but I'll share what I know. Tips: Hunt where there are a lot of mature bucks. Gain access to prime area by kocking on doors, leasing land, or hunting remote parts of public land. The more mature bucks in an area the greater chances you have at outsmarting one. Tactics: Hunt often, but hunt smart. Don't overhunt any one particular area. It's always good to have multiple places to hunt that allow you to change your hunt plans at the last minute in case the wind changes or a farmer is combining or something. Stories: Check out my story in the Deer hunting room titled knife valley. Several lessons I learned from that experience.

Looked a great time there Tim. Great deer! What he end up weighing/scoring? Is he on your wall yet?

Same here. I'll wager I've ran into you MUDRUNNER in the grocery store or Walmart and never realized it.

Yup, I was just going to say I think that's how it went. Whitetails in the wild was the first, then the MB videos came out with Monster Bucks of North America being "MonsterBucks 1". I just ordered Whitetails in the Wild, Monster Bucks of North America, MonsterBucks II and MBIII from Amazon. Paid about 26 bucks for all 4 including shipping. Too bad they are all VHS and not DVD.

Hey Chris, congratulations on a fine bow. Glad to see "The Kat" hooking a brother up. I can't wait to see the first whitetail you take with it!

That's some funny stuff there. I need to get photoshop. Sure glad you guys don't mess with me. Yawl must know better.

Thanks, I'll look around ebay and see if I can find them sold by themselves.

Oh yea, I posted on it. Back then the majority went with non-typical. Thanks for the reminder.

Hope the construction goes well for you Chris. I like the plan.

I have been looking for some of the earlier Monster Bucks videos and have had trouble finding II and III. I know MBI was called "Whitetails in the Wild" and MB IV is for sale at the RT store but what about MB II & III? Were they titled Whitetails in the Wild II and III perhaps? Thanks

I know what you're saying (Doc and Onedia). I too need a combination of characteristics to impress me. I would have prefered an ordering style (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc...) but that wasn't an option. I was afraid that turning on the multiple response feature wouldn't produce anything interesting because I figured all the choices would have been selected. I know my dream buck has them all! I've never harvested a gnarly non-typical so until I do that's what I'd prefer.

So do you find it to be accurate when shooting from an elevated position? I'm sure Chris is correct about Nikon which I must say surprises me. I too considered the archers choice, but could only afford one rangefinder and I also needed one for bear hunting in the mountains of Idaho. I went with a standard Cabela's VLR (Bushnell) for 169.00 and it does what I need it to. I just have to remember to compensate when I'm in a tree at an extreme angle. If the Nikon does both for a reasonable price then that's great.

Great looking land ya got to hunt on there. I can see why you're out there a lot.

It didn't fit in the poll, but do you prefer typical antlers or non-typical?

I'd be glad to review it for you if you'd like. Since it's coming from a RT forum member it wouldn't seem so much like work.

Funny, but if any of them received federal grant money I'd stop laughing real quick.

Think I did to. Probably ought to add another 10 inches. He's a lot thicker than I thought originally and some sticker points I also missed.

Thanks and count me in.

Could go on for a while on this topic, but I'll keep it short (sort of). Hunting means diferent things to me. Shotgun deer season is about sharing the outdoors with my family (primarily my dad) and a few friends some years. Having a roaring campfire and a lot of funny stories about the past. Bow season is me alone. Many times I take advantage of the solace to commune with God. I never get tired of watching his artwork in the sky at sunrise or hearing his symphony as the creatures of the forest awaken. The time alone is calming to my soul. The success I've been granted has done wonders for my confidence. Being able to figure out travel routes and then place a stand in the ideal location. Clearing the lanes where I think the deer will come from. Then waiting many long hours and finally getting to within 30 yards of the animal I'm after and making the shot count. Now that's satisfaction at its finest. Spring bear hunting last year in Idaho was about taking an adventure with a new friend and learning a completely new way to hunt. I was not able to harvest a bear, but gained a new friend and experience for future hunts. Next year my daughter will attempt to take her first deer during the youth firearm season. My son will be following right behind. I have no doubt that involving them will add yet another spin on what hunting means to me.

That's great! Think it'd be a bow for me.

Have a great and safe trip Tim.

Sureshot posted a story a week or so ago about his deer attack that encouraged me to share a similar experience. Buckee (I'm sure you'll be right at home as you read it). I wasn't sure if the lounge was the best place for it, so it's posted in the deer hunting room under the thread titled: Knife Valley. It's long, so check it out when you have some time.

Darn it, I tried to edit and I made another post accidentally. If an admin is around please delete this one.