fly

I'll bet Ken knows someone? This past spring for turkey season we had someone with the forum ID name of "moon" create one. It looked very good. If Ken doesn't know anyone I'll see if I can find out who moon is and ask her.

I'm pretty new around these forums and not to many of you know me. However, I'd appreciate it if all you praying folk would remember the family of a 33 year old man from Montana named Aaron. I just found out from Aaron's wife that he died on the 11th from a cardiac arrest. I initially met Aaron on-line about 1.5 years ago. He was a Christian who loved his family, the beauty of nature, and helping his fellow man. A lot of you here at RT (whom I've never met) remind me a lot of him. Aaron expended a lot of energy helping me with my bear hunt in Idaho this past spring where I met him and his family for the first time. He drove me to his "favorite spots" gave me elk and moose meat, and even had sweet feed (bait) bought with his own money ready and waiting when I arrived at the hunting site. It's people like Aaron that could re-instill one's faith in humankind. Aaron leaves behind his wife and 3 kids ages 8,13,&16. >Frank

I have no problems with either, just wondering what you all prefer? I imagine most of us generally try to eat the game we harvest, but what if CWD or something like that made it to risky to eat the animals we so love to hunt? Thanks Frank

I'd also keep the date. Best time of the year in IL. If the rut isn't in full swing yet you'll still get the bucks cruising and looking hard. Don't forget to hunt mid-day that time of year. How many times have you heard the weatherman forecast rain it ended up being sunny all day.

You sure don't waste any time! Great job Randy. How many bucks can you harvest in Wisconsin?

Before shooting I'd wait for the angle that presented the antler spread (can't tell from the pic). My first impression is that he's a shooter. Antlers look thick, decent tine length, and symetrical. I doubt there would be much in the way of deductions. I generally guess lower than others, but this time I'd say he'll gross in the 130's and net right at 130. If he doesn't make P&Y I'd be surprised. I'd say he's a 3&1/2 year old.

Depends on where you're at. I'd say in IL most buck groups are broke up by mid-October.

Sorry to hear ya got a sick kid Tim. I'm doing the same thing with my daughter tonight. I'm up waiting for a fever check before going to bed. Motrin every 6 hours. It sure works better than Tylenol on my kids.

Wow! That's pretty cool. No need to check on avid express. I can't tell you how many hours I have spent placing power point slides in taped guest speaker videos thinking to myself... If only I was editing the RT hunts. Something like watching Tim place a shot through the lungs of a 16 pointer at 200 yards and getting so excited he jumps out of the tree and is hanging upside down from his safety harness (unhurt of course). Well thanks Rodney. You have given me a new found enthusiasm towards my work. Who knows??? Maybe someday:)

Hi Jim. Welcome! Meeting half way! Now that's service! I reviewed your site and those are some nice looking mounts and your prices are incredible. I'm in the Alton IL area and have been trying to get my first black bear for some time. No luck in Idaho this past spring but maybe next year. I checked around (Idaho) and no one will touch a life size black bear for under $1000.00 and most are around $2000.00. You ever done a life size bear? I may be interested in figuring out how to get one to you if I fair better next year. >Frank

I brought this up a month or so ago and decided to go with the HS tree stalker. I have had a time getting a large vest to my local Cabela's store in St. Louis. They told me today it would be ordered and in the store wihtin 10 days. (My promotional cash card has to be used in the store). I've heard the mesh on the pro harness can get caught on the bark of some trees and the price difference is significant. I tried the small treestalker vest on and it seemed very light. I just hope the large isn't much heavier. Ken, you're right the reversible vest seemed surprisingly heavy. More than just a 1/2 pound.

I hear ya, we got hammered in IL today as well.

Welcome Rodney. I hope to see your work in next years MB video where Tim downs an IL giant. I was wondering what type of video editing software you use for your videos? I use Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 (about $800.00) to edit videos for the University I teach at. How would CS3 compare to what you use?

Hey swampy, it sounds like the video and the web story don't match up. Makes one wonder??? I wouldn't think many people would encourage a running shot at a bear which is probably why the web story indicated a non-running shot (sugar coating). I watched this years HS hunting video with Craig Morgan today. Only got to his first hunt where he spine shot the buck. From the look of the shot I doubt that deer died quickly. In the past I shot a doe in just about the same area. It was paralized and couldn't get up. I quickly got down and cut the trachea putting a quick end to the suffering. Morgan stated in the video he was going to let that deer lay in the ditch, or give it some time, or something to that effect. The next scene shows him next to the dead deer. I sure hope they didn't let it lay in the ditch dieing from a spine shot (which could take some time) when they easily could have finished off the paralyzed deer quickly.

First Blood! At least the first I've seen. Great Buck! If only IL. would open in Spt.

I can't help but think of Eddie Salter's shot on an early monsterbucks. The shot was in the rump, but the deer was quartering away. Waddel and Greg Miller (I believe) helped retrieve it the next day. Eddie didn't pretend. He knew he made a bad shot and you could actually see the worry in his face. He was so happy to find it the next day. That's real hunting and I thank RT for avoiding the sugar coating.

I was feeling like that 4 weeks ago. I got it real early this year. The weather is hot and humid right now and I'm kind of in a lul. No doubt once those cool crisp mornings return (in a few days to a week) I'll be giddy again.

Looks like the still water behind you on the first pic would be a great dry fly area. Love cathing trout regardless of the size.

I went to Utah (SLC) last week for work, but found a little time to do some fly fishing in the Provo River. The river has brown, brook, cutthroat, and rainbow in it. Pictured is my largest trout to date (a Brookie). Thought you all might like the pictures. The water fall is called Bridal Falls that falls into the Provo. Frank

Good suggestion. I think I'll try that. Anyone know if TIDE makes the widest-mouthed bottle?

If the DNR will not do anything, I'd be taking matters into my own hands. Nothing Illegal, but there's nothing wrong with placing some tire flattening devices out. Just get the landowners permission. You may also want to check with the landowner about no tresspassing signs.

SteveB: nice photo work! Buckee Steve: Eye'll bet those prongs will be keeping an eye out for you from now on. (I know it's a terrible play on words, but eye couldn't resist). Way to go! I'm very happy for you.

Nice start. You might think about adding a forum or two?

Way to go Buckee!

Question to answer is: Why would the deer want to leave the 300 acres of state land to get to your 20 acres? Do you have something the deer need? The basic needs for deer include food/water/cover. Looks like about 5 acres of your 20 is timber (in the swamp). It also looks like the 300 acres is mostly timber. If the 300 acres already has water (which you say it does) I'd concentrate on providing food. Especially food that will be available when other food types are not. I'm not into food plots, but I've heard late season food plots work great. I'd also suggest allowing at least a narrow strech of thick cover to grow from the road to the swamp area. That might bring in deer before darkness hits. Good luck!