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I own 2 Remington shotguns (a 12 gauge pump 870 express deer) and a (20 gauge pump wingmaster). In my opinion the wingmaster is the better gun, but the 870 is a very good deer gun. Over the past 10 years the only problem i have had is that I didn't clean the bolt after the first season (I shot a buck). Two weeks later during the second season I went to shot a doe and "click". It wouldn't fire because the bolt was too dirty and the firing pin couldn't reach the shell. I now clean the bolt well after every use and the problem has not happened since. I also own a 300 Remington Ultra Mag and a Black powder (Genesis). I'm a big fan of Remington.

No way would that happen in my neck of the woods. The rapid rails were gone in late November at the Wal-Mart near me. I checked tonight and all that was left was some duck hunting videos and a few other duck hunting items. No deer hunting items at all! Like that every year. Glad to hear of your find.

Sorry to hear about you father. I read your story in the bowhunting room. Great story. That blood trail was something else! Congratulations on a well deserved deer. I've still got a buck tag and a couple weeks left for the archery season, but I think things are wrapping up so... I'd like Team Predator to know that this contest has certainly added a lot to my season. Whether we come in first or last place it has been a pleasure sharing stories and pictures with all of you. >Frank

Went out and introduced myself to muzzeloading today. Really cool! I started with 100 grains of powder, but found the kick a little much for my daughter who will use it next season. I went to 80 grains and it felt much better. Now that I have the hang of loading and firing it's time to get serious about sighting it in. I didn't start trying to place my shots into groups until after the first 4 shots. At shots 5-7 all were within an apple at 50 yards, but I'd like them to be within a quarter as ML are known for. I cleaned the barrel initially, but not after any of the 7 shots, so before I go buying different powder or adjusting my load I'd like to hear what you all think about the frequency of swabbing the barrel when sighting in???? Thanks, Frank

Way to pull it out on the last day! :)

Nice story, and buck to go along with it!

Sounds like you have a great family there! Sounds like one of those moments that makes it all worth it. Nothing that heart felt happened at my house, but there is a long standing joke that I have to endure EVERY year! Every Christmas (and some Thanksgivings) I fry a turkey and have the usual crew come over who make fun of my turkey carving. This year was no exception. It started the moment I made the first cut this year. "What are you doing to that bird Frank". "How long is he going to take this year." "You can butcher a deer, but when it comes to turkey...." Well about 30 seconds into it I attempt to hand off the knife and fork to a heckler and they all move back and give some lame excuse like: "It's your house man, you gotta carve it." I endure the comments until finally there is enough meat on the plate for them to get in line and start eating. Everyone is generally finished and throwing away their plates by the time I can finally eat. Of course my wife then points out the trash needs emptying. As I take out the trash I endure more comments like "That turkey was really good, when it was hot (more laughter)." Funny how some traditions never die. Next year we'll have pizza.

Missing shows like the one you mentioned Kandi is the only thing I miss since I got rid of cable a little over a year ago. Maybe I'll catch a show or two on Sunday's at 4:30pm at my dads house.

Congratulation to MW, that's a stud of a deer. I've seen him start a new thread some months ago, but that was it. It's too bad he's too busy to be on more because the people on the forums have a lot to share (oh well, his loss).

Hope the new cable does the trick. I know what you mean about the boxing game. My 6 year old son got the biggest kick out of kicking my butt yesterday. He told everyone how he knocked dad out twice!

Nice finishing touch for the 08 season! I have one last chance to use my new ML in January for a late season antlerless only weekend.

I haven't hunted much this year with my shotgun. I did take this 8-pointer on opening day of the IL firearm season. Remington 870 Express (no scope).Remington sabot deer slug. About a 50 yard shot from a summit climber that I purchased from a RT forum member.

I use this rest as well and have no intention of changing. My pro shop reccommends using feathers (not plastic vanes). They did a pass through test and found the plastic vanes wouldn't pass through the WB when dropped, where feathers would.

Thanks everyone. Yea I learned a lesson for sure. I took my 06 buck to the same taxidermist and his price was about $385.00. I picked up the finished mount in Oct. 2007 and paid off the balance. He never mentioned his prices were going up. Just 3 months later (January of 2008) I assumed the price would be the same or close to $385.00. I never would have thought his prices would go up 100 dollars. I now know to do three things: 1. Ask what the price is regardless of previous prices. 2. Ask for the skull (age determination). 3. Ask for the antlers until the taxi needs them. (I have heard of taxidermist shops being broke into and the thief taking the antlers). In addition I don't have to wait a year to find out the official score.

Santa brought my kids one as well. I had my 13 year old hook it up. It was up and ready in minutes. I'd still be cursing it. Mario part 8 huh? I'll have to look into that one. Right now we've just been concentrating on the sports game that comes with it. I like the game types that involve the entire family. Any other suggestions???

There was an x-files episode about that. A nude wild women running around in the woods eating homeless people. I think it was titled the Jersey Devil and it was during the first season.

You said it Tink! I thank God every day for his blessings (including freedom). Merry Christmas to all!

I'm sure that Rudolph and his friends thank you.

I asked her and she said I was good (not great). and wyohunter: give me a week or two.

Well, in the past I have drooled over all the man room pictures I've seen. Santa (my wonderful wife) finally brought me one of my own! Thanks Santa, You're the best!

This is likely the highest scoring buck I've taken to date.He only weighed 175 lbs. field dressed, but then I harvested him in mid-January (2008) so he may have been rutting hard and lost a lot of weight. The taxidermist thought he was at least 5.5 years old. I didn't think to have him save the teeth (dumb move on my part). After I filled out the paperwork the taxi indicated his prices went up to $485.00! I really like the mount, but have found a new reputable taxi that charges $350.00. I'm having him do my big 8 from this year. So what do you all think of my high dollar 11-pointer?

That's too bad Tink. In IL we can pick up road kill deer, but can't finish it off if it isn't dead yet. A cop has to do it. That's a strange law as well, but perhaps they are trying to save a person from injury. It's been around a while now, but some years ago I heard a sound clip of a guy calling 911 after deer came alive in his car. I believe he was in a telephone booth. If anyone has a URL to that clip I'd love to hear it again.

Glad to see you had a great season! Congratulations!

Thanks to all for the helpful tips. That deer aging teeth tool is pretty cool. I see it is on sale in the bargain cave at Cabela's for 24.99. Too bad I didn't see it earlier (would be a great Christmas present).

I'd say the picture of the deer with the broken G-3 are the same deer. If his rack was intact I'd say he'd go 120 inches gross. The other deer (broken brow) would be closer to 100-105 inches gross.