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That's great that your dad records your hunts. Well done I might add. Congratulations on your first public ground buck.

My thoughts exactly.

The number of deer I've seen this year is down compared to previous years. I too am seeing more young bucks than doe's this year. I've let every small buck walk and once I had 1 doe from each of the 2 farms I hunt I let the does go as well. The buck I took this year was from public land so he doesn't factor into the ratio. My dad didn't get a deer this year and wants one. Therefore I'm once again hunting for one more doe or mature buck. I think the number of deer is down across much of the US and holding off on excessive doe harvesting will only boost the numbers.

Congratulations! Well "Joe" I can see your enthusiasm and passion for deer hunting in you posted pictures. I (as well as many others in the forums) are lucky to share that passion. I'll hunt hard in the rain one day and see nothing. That night I'll swear I will not go back out in the rain for the rest of the season. Two days later I back out in the rain because I just can't get enough! It's an addiction and I love it! I'd say more, but I got to get out to the woods because I have an either sex bow tag that's burning a hole in pocket. >Frank

I've been reading up on ML scopes. The nikon omega seems ok, but Leupold makes a new ML scope that may be better? The new ultimate slam. The advertisements indicate it's accuate regardless of the load used. It runs about the same price as the Omega. http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-shooting/products/scopes/shotgunmuzzleloader-scopes/ultimateslam/

Idaho also allows baiting. Watch out for black flies in Canada.

At first glance the head makes that deer look like a cow elk. Congrats.

Congratulations with the 2 for 1. That happened to a guy several years ago. He shot a mature doe and took out the 1/2 year old behind it as well. He had a either sex and doe tag. Had to use the either sex tag on the 1/2 year old which I was glad to see he didn't mind doing.

I'm having trouble figuring out the age of the deer with the pics. One deer over three years? Is the bottom picture the first sheds? How old was he when you got the first sheds (3 1/2)?

Congrats on your yote! That seems a bit high, but maybe not? Main thing is that you're happy with the finished product.

Congrats! He has some tall G-3's. 130

First and most importantly I like to see respect for the animals hunted show through in the hunt. I like the stuff leading up to the hunt (prep work). I like to see the excitement and shaking experienced by the hunter (just don't over do it). I like seeing the involvement of kids. Showing goofing off at camp or jokes is ok for extras, but not during the hunts.

Must have taken forever to get them arranged that way.

glad to hear your hard work paid off.

Maybe in IL Hemorrhagic Disease "black tongue" problem from last year is really showing in the numbers this year? I also wonder if coyotes and the ice storm played a part? If the numbers are low, unfortunately I'll bet we'll be seeing more restrictions on the bow season. Currently there is no limit on doe tags.

Not sure, but I think with all the extras I might go as high as $600.00. Everything is down with the economy being in a slump.

This was my first time seeing a camospace site. Yours looks great Ken. I hope I signed it correctly? >Frank

Your land / your call. Are there not regs on hunting a certain number of yards from a dwelling where you are from? Certainly the distance would be sufficient enough to keep them off your driveway?

Hunt food plots or bean/corn fileds. Stay back about 20-50 yards in the thickest timber/cover or low spot around. The big bucks will likely not enter until dark, but they might skirt the edges just before. That's how I arrowed an 11-pointer on the last day (Jan 17) of last season.

Congrats in keeping that freezer full. Don't give up on that buck yet. It ain't over till it's over.

Well the IL second season is over and now I'm getting the bow back out to fill my either sext tag. I hunted hard Saturday and since few deer were being seen and movement was little to none I did some walking and tried to catch a doe bedded down. At 1030 I jumped 1 and it stopped at 50 yards broadside trying to figure out what I was behind the brush. I took a little time making sure it wasn't a button buck, but after she moved her head I knew she wasn't. I aimed and fired a gimme shot. To my surprise the deer ran off seemingly untouched. That's because she was untouched. I completely botched the shot. While I looked for blood a second doe jumped and took off. After a miss like that I decided against a running shot. Anyway, I'm thinking about a shotgun scope for next year.

As long as the wound doesn't get infected I'd say he'll make it. The cold temps will help.

Same here. I have another mount that turns left that I want on an opposite wall.

If he didn't have 12 points I'd say 1.5 years old. With 12 points I'd go with 2.5 years. Likely a B&C in 1-2 years

I've got the Rem. 1100 youth. It's a great turkey and small game gun, but would need a rifled barrel for deer which runs over 200.00 new. The kick is a little much for my 7 year old daughter. Probably another year or two and she'll be using it. I went with a Remington Genesis ML for her for next years deer season. They are on sale at Cabela's bargain cave currently for 144.99 (less kick than a shotgun and cheaper than a rifled barrel). BTW... Not sure if you saw my nice 8-pointer I posted in the deer hunting forum, but I shot it from the stand I bought from you last summer.