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Thanks for the suggestions. Most people around here don't like coyotes much but wouldn't be fond of seeing a dead one out on display either. Now if I lived in one of the uptight local sub-divisions that require non-colored christmas light displays and portable basketball goals only I'd hang it up just to get their yote (I mean goat).

Winchester turkey load 3" number 4.

Welcome to the forums whitetail fanatic. Like you I shot an old Bear bow for years. Mine was the whitetail 2. I purchased it in 1988 and hunted with it until 2003. I went with the Bear TRX (Realtree was sponsering back then:D) and love it. I too have heard good things about the truth 2. For the money Bear bows are hard to beat!

Looks just like the one I passed on this year waiting for a bigger buck more typical here in IL. Great buck!

Snake boots go just below the knee so they can get a little getting used to. Went camping last summer at Rend Lake. The northern part has some good looking turkey country. Pretty flat for the most part, but you could run into some mud if there are heavy rains this spring.

Good point Frank, why criticize? Hey SwampDog everyone has their opinion which we all respect here on the forums. Be careful with saying things like "it is still a joke". This can easily be taken as criticizing.

I took my wife to Bass Pro in St. Charles and found some turkey hunting clothes that fit her. No way would mine even come close. When it comes to boots (I'd suggest snake boots if hunting in IL/MO just for peace of mind) you really need to try them on. Get a moisture wicking away sock and a thicker one. Cabela's (Mills mall) has a nice selection as well. Prior to going look on-line (Cabela's / Bass Pro) and you''ll get a better idea of what you're looking for and save some time at the store. Glad to hear your husband is taking you hunting. It's important for you to be comfortable while hunting or the experience will not be as enjoyable. A good comfortable pair of boots is essential for turkey hunting since you may be covering a lot of territory and hill climbing. Make sure you do a couple short hikes prior to season just to break in your boots a little. Good luck and welcome to the forums!

I've given a lot of patients Ambien in the hospital. It doesn't really help them get to sleep, but does help them stay asleep. Wierd story... too bad.

I use my older soney handy cam for filming my hunts and it works, but I hate all the beeps. I put tape over the speaker and that helps knock down the sound. When I upgrade to the next camcorder no doubt I'll get one with at least a 60GB hard drive and say good bye to tapes.

Nope, using my new ML Santa brought me for Christmas. This will be my first hunt using Blackbowder! Going to Union county IL for the day.

I'm not 100% sure about the integrity of the US/Mexico fence, but basically every U.S. animal is "trapped" by water or fencing. Even if there are holes I don't think Panama allows deer to cross the canal.

I'm going to take my bow in to the shop and have them work it over. General cleaning and possibly a new string if I need one. I'm going to be purchasing a ground blind for next season. I have never hunted from one, but believe I need to move to areas that don't have adequate trees for a stand. Not sure about lighted nocks yet. Other than that I'll probably keep things as they were this season.

Weight: In 2006 I arrowed a huge 10-point that must have weighed close to 300 pounds live weight. I didn't get a weight on him but believe him to be bigger than my 8-point from this year that field dressed at 205 lbs (260 lb. est. live weight) (1st picture below) Horns: In 2007 I arrowed an 11-pointer that officially scored 162 and 2/8 inches (171 & 2/8 Gross). He only weighed 150 lbs. field dressed. This was probably the oldest deer I've shot. The taxidermist said at least 5 & 1/2 years old. (2nd picture below)

Good luck! Saturday's my last day as well. Lookin for a doe to fill the venison gap in my freezer.

I know there are several states still in the running, but as of the 16th I know many archers are now looking foward to next season. As of a couple hours ago my bowhunting season is now over. Just at (or maybe a little past) legal shooting light a deer came into my stand exactly the same as the 11-pointer I shot 365 days earlier. The deer I saw tonight did not have antlers. I'm not sure if it was a doe or buck that had shed already. I initially pulled on it, but decided not to take the 20 yard shot due to low light and the chance the deer might have been a buck. It was cold (5 deg F) and windy (10-20mph)! However, I saw several deer at 4:45pm moving (just not my way). Too far to tell what they were. I thought these frigid temps would have them up and about and they were. It's been a tough season that's for sure. I feel very satisfied in combating the elements and being rewarded with one last encounter and opportunity and then deciding against taking a marginal shot. I'd like to thank everyone here for commenting on my harvests (including stories) this year and responding to my questions. If you'd like share how your last day went. >Frank

I'm considering it. If I really thought they would make a difference for me in recovering an animal I would.

Congratulations! Now correct the title of your thread and erase (no pics).

Good news! I know a lot of people in Idaho will be happy. they indicated to me last spring that the elk population was being reduced significantly because of them. I'll bet Idaho will soon have a wolf season! Let us know when it happens Orlan.

No snow here near St. Louis (IL side). Just flat out cold in single digits. We haven't had a good snow all year. Haven't even had a chance to get the sleds out. It gets cold, but in a day or two temps back in the 30-40's.

I've been around about a year now and have been in a couple threads about this. From my memory the majority fall under the line of thinking that to each their own as long as it is legal. It may not be for everyone in every situation but if it's legal why crticize anyone for it.

Nope. Sorry, no interest in one here.

Sounds like the rules your friend stated prior to the hunt were not broken so there should not be any hard feelings. Perhaps your friend is having second thoughts about the rules and if so he should tell you. I'd call him and find out.

Since I gained permission to bowhunt the farms in big buck country IL three years ago the good Lord has kept the fire burning in me. I'm constantly trying to figure out how I can find a few hours to hit the woods even when I'm not seeing much. Prior to that I was very frustrated and would take long breaks from bowhunting. Prior to 3 years ago I had seen a total of 2 bucks that would score over 120 inches (that's over nearly 20 years of bowhunting)!! Granted I didn't bow hunt that much because most years I had to drive several hours to hunt public land. When I did hunt I'd often never even see a deer. Bowhunting this way would have either caused me to drop it altogether or appreciate the things you mentioned arrow2. Well I'm still bowhunting so you know which way it went for me. Glad to hear you did as well.

Got some nice G-2's there. Great looking mount.

Totes, duffles, half of my gun cabinet, a metal rolling clothes hanging thing-ama-bob, and some hooks screwed into the rafters for me. All in the basement near or under the stairs (after this coming weekend).