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Wow! Looks like an old deer there. Hope he didn't expire.

In all my years I never would have expected to have my grammar corrected by the maker of Tink's 69! Thanks Tink.

I know if I were getting a new bow and I did not have to worry about money I'd be looking at Hoyt and Matthews. Up until recently I would have swayed towards the "dark side" (Matthews), but today I'm leaning more towards Hoyt. Tomorrow I may go back to the dark side? Every bow I've owned (2) have been made by bear. I currently use an old TRX that Bill Jodan used to use. I really like it and have killed about a dozen deer with it. Currently Bear has teamed with Primos and they have some good bows out there for the money (at least that's what I have heard).

It may have reached 90 a time or two over the past 20 years I've been bowhunting in October. Not uncommon for mid-80's during the day, but usually drops into the 70's by evening. I guess I'm still to passionate or crazy because generally I hunt when I get the chance regardless of the weather.

Yes one of the largest I've seen. You can't tell real well from the picture, but on the right he had an almost matching (a little shorter) drop tine.

That's a great point. Ok from now on when I say "it is a nice day" what I really mean is "GET READY THE DEER ARE COMING!":D:D:D

The answers are in! Here are the responses I received from Pope & Young: Pope and Young, I'm a member of the Team Realtree Forums. Several members (including myself) were dabating some issues regarding the fair chaise affidavit and the rules for eligibility. If you could answer these 7 questions I would be most appreciative. I will then post your response on the RT forums for others to review. 1. Would an animal be eligible for entry if a hunter was filming the hunt and reviewed the footage after the shot to determine if the animal should be pursued that evening/night, or the next day? It would be eligible as long as the camera was not attached to the bow 2. Would an animal be eligible for entry if a trail/game camera was used to locate the animal one or more days prior to the day of the hunt (not the day of the hunt)? It would be eligible as long as the trail camera did not transmit the photo electronically, ie. you had to go out to the trail camera to retrieve the photo 3. Would an animal be eligible for entry if a flashlight was used to locate an animal at night after it had been shot and killed? No problem on using a light to find the animal. 4. Would an animal be eligible for entry if lighted knocks on arrows were used No, it would not be eligible if there is a battery installed in the arrow Rule 7 states "by the use of a bow or arrow to which any electronic devise is attached". 5. Would an animal be eligible for entry if a rangefinder was used on the animal prior to the shot? (Would it be eligible if only trees or other markers were ranged, not the animal?) No problem if the rangefinder is not attached to the bow. 6. Would an animal be eligible if a game ear (such as Walker's game ear) were used? No problem on accepting an animal. 7. Would an animal be eligible if a drive was being used and the drivers were communicating with the standers via telephone or walkie talkie? If the communication was "it is a nice day" - no problem. If the communication was "GET READY THE DEER ARE COMING" the animal would NOT be eligible.

I thought you all might enjoy seeing some more public land bruisers from IL. I didn't know the hunters, but they were camped in the same campground. The hog head with the long brow tine was from the 07 season (warm that year, notice the ice).

Not just a great buck, but great photo as well. No tongue hanging out or masive amounts of blood, but not too posed either.

Way to go. Hope to get some snow some time this year here in IL. and fill a sled of my own.

I've been thinking about doing that myself. I live near St. Louis. Wher are you going and what do they charge?

Bear bows are all I've ever had. Hard to beat for the price.

The gold tip in the middle came with my ML. In addition the ram rod tip is the same. I placed a patch around the tip of the glod tip and ram rod and ran it in and the patch came out attached to the tip every time:). I suppose the rounded tip is so snug in the barrel and the little etchings grip the patch allowing for removal. Has anyone had an instance where the patch did not come out with the rod? I never would have thought to do that. I sort of figured there might be a trick.

Thanks for coimmenting Randy and Tim. Hey Gary, I e-mailed the following questions to P&Y: 1. Would a animal be eligible for entry if a hunter was filming the hunt and reviewed the footage after the shot to determine if the animal should be pursued that evening/night, or the next day? 2. Would an animal be eligible for entry if a trail/game camera was used to locate the animal one or more days prior to the day of the hunt (not the day of the hunt)? 3. Would an animal be eligible for entry if a flashlight was used to locate an animal at night after it had been shot and killed? 4. Would an animal be eligible for entry if lighted knocks on arrows were used? 5. Would an animal be eligible for entry if a rangefinder was used on the animal prior to the shot? (Would it be eligible if only trees or other markers were ranged, not the animal?) 6. Would an animal be eligible if a game ear (such as Walker's game ear) were used? 7. Would an animal be eligible if a drive was being used and the drivers were communicating with the standers via telephone or walkie talkie? I'll post their response when/if I get one.

I'm sure you guys are getting tired of hearing from me, but I have one more question. After the shot how can I run a patch down the barrel (and get it back out) using my ram rod? Do I have to buy an adaptor that screws into my ran rod that allows a patch to be inserted into it? I have adaptors for my shotgun and rifles, but they don't fit my ram rod. Before I buy one I was wondering if there was a trick I was missing? A picture of the ram rod I have is below:

Great advice to be had here. Every archer is different and those differences can impact shooting form. For example: I had the same issue that you described. It took me several days to figure out the problem. It was that my glasses would slide down my nose just a bit after a few shots once I began to sweat. This in turn caused my anchor point to change just a tad, but enough to get my arrows off. I'd adjust my pins and be on target. I'd wipe the sweat from my face and be off again. It's a good idea to have a pro watch you shoot or film your shooting because you may not know what you are doing differently between shots.

1993 was quite the year for flooding along the Mississippi! I was in the IL National Guard at that time and spent all summer vaccinating soldiers and sandbagging in 90-100 degree humidity. I took some really good pictures of the devistation from a helicopter. I think they are still at my parents house? I'll have to ask my mom if she's seen them. Flooding is common around here.

Glad to hear the deer was harvested. Sorry it wasn't you. I couldn't see any images.

I was bow hunting in the rain tonight. All I got was wet. The 2 deer I shot with my bow this year did not produce a blood trail so it didn't matter if it was raining or not. I harvested them both within 150 yards of the shot the next morning. The nights were cold so the meat was fine. I like the idea of the little balloons. Thanks for all the comments.

We've heard from Steve, wonder where Tim and Randy are? Mark, I never thought about the use of a rangefinder. Good point. The electronic game ear would also be in question. I guess we could even go as far as to include the use of a flashlight for night recovery. It could get pretty rediculous. I sent an e-mail to Pope and Young last year asking about how they calculate the gross score. They responded and stated there is no such thing as a gross score only a final net score according to their club. I think I'll send another e-mail asking about the use of these electronic devices discussed here. I get back to you all with their response. As far as being an ego thing... Yea, I suppose for a lot of people it is. I'll tell ya what though, after all the years of taking small deer and mounting the antlers on plaque's (every deer I've harvested is a trophy worthy of remembering to me) and being kidded by my relatives for harvesting small deer (they called it the wall of shame); it sure is nice to take them into my new "man room" and show off my P&Y hall of fame! >Frank

The St. Louis arch is already up and everyone has seen plenty of pictures of the deer I've taken here in IL. so here is something a little different. The Piasa Bird first seen by Lewis and Clark on the Mississippii near Alton IL.

I'm not sure, but I'd be honored to be related to Steve. There is a longer version that one can't help but shake their head to. Perhaps in February when things get cold and boreing around Illinois I'll post it along with some pictures (after I find a scanner). I wasn't trying to be Rambo, I just had a strong desire to keep the deer from dieing a drawn out death (likely to hungry coyotes). My intentions were good, but my decisions and methods were pretty messed up. I assume it weighed about 150 pounds and I'll tell ya a 150 pound deer can pack a punch!

Congratulations! Heck of deer there. I'm surprised no one has made a funny comment about the sleed yet.

Nice pics there. That deer from 4 years ago must have been an early season buck with those yellow blooms?

Remington Genesis. 100 grains american pioneer powder. 250 grain sabot hollow point. Winchester triple seven caps. Thanks for the info guys. The Winchester caps get a little stuck sometimes and since I have no finger nails I have a little trouble getting them out as you mentioned William. Is there something different with the Remington caps (perhaps the lip is larger or something?) Luke, what about the CCI primers? Are they easy to get out? I did have to use the tool to get the Winchester primers out, but I just figured that would be the case with any primaer as the carbon builds up.