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Jarvis taxidermy in IL does great work, but informed me (up front) it would be 3 years before I got my deer head back. I'd never wait that long so I went with a guy that stated 6 months. I called at 6 months and it wasn't done. He stated another month or 2. I called at 8 months. It still was not done so I asked why. His explanantion was acceptable. It was almost 1 year before I got the mount back. Sometimes unexpected events come up (family/health issues). However, I'd be taking legal action long before 7 years went by. It's so important to take game to established/trusted taxidermists.

If you do get permission let us know your approach to the landowner. Good luck!

I have some moisture wicking socks that are better than cotton, but I'd think under armour would be a better way to go.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I'll make a trip to Cabela's and try a few on. I'm leaning towards the treestalker.

I bought the x-large Cabelas back pack with the hydration system and straps to hold your rifle/bow for bear hunting in Idaho. I never used it. We used one camp site that was not far from a dirt road. I preferred using my light waist/day pack that allowed me to walk (nearly straight up) without a bulky back pack on. If I had killed a bear I would have used an ATV to get it out. A pack like that is good when you are taking camp with you as you hunt/travel or if you have a long way to hike before getting to your camp site. Think about how you're going to hunt and what you will need the pack for. Will you have one camp site set up or will it be mobile. How far will you hike before getting to your camp site? Will you use the pack to get the meat out or do you have another way planned?

I'm considering shelling out 134 bucks for the HS pro-safety harness for tree stand hunting. This harness has the mesh in the front. I'm currently using the safty starps that came with my summit tree stand. They are not easy to keep organized and on occasion the leg starps come undone when I'm walking into my stand. I was wondering if the HS pro is worth the money. HS also sells the treestalker harness for half the price. What is about the HS pro that makes it better or at least more expensive? Does it have something to do with the mesh? Thanks Frank

I've been shooting one for about 5 years now. I've harvested about a dozen deer with it. It's been a great bow for me and I'll likely keep using it for another 5 (or until my wife surprises me with a new Hoyt or Mathews for Christmas). I'll have it another 5.

Awesome! I'm trying to figure out how much and on what to get my gift card.

Are you ready? I imagine so as long as you have some more arrows.

N.C. boy and all other out of state RT forum members... as far as I'm concerned we're glad to have you.

In most of the stories I hear of poachers getting caught it is often because of showing the deer off (including posting pictures on the net). Not a bright idea. I guess it's something the male black widow spider goes through. He knows there's a good chance he's going to get ate by the female after mating, but he can't resist the urge.

Gotta agree with Tom here. For the October bow season a buck that is not P&Y will safely walk past me. In the November gun season I hunt public land with my family members. I'm still looking for a 130 class deer or better on opening day. If I haven't harvested a buck by the second day of gun season I would take a doe or any decent buck (100 class). Big deer are few and far between on the public land I hunt and it sure is nice to have a deer hanging at deer camp. As of last year I try to avoid shooting all 1.5 year old bucks.

Welcome to the forums. Bowhunting is a lot like everything else. You get what you pay for. Check the RT classified forum, you might find some items you need. I'd also ask your pro shop what they recommend. They have seen your bow and will know (I would hope so anyway) what will work. A good thing to do is figure out how much you have to spend and go from there. I have a 25.00 tru-glo sight I picked up on clearance at Wal-Mart that works well for me. However, when it comes to arrows, rests, and loops I stick with my pro-shop.

As a nurse I've been exposed to several chronic pain clinics in my area. I feel for anyone with chronic pain. I'd have to say Orlan makes a good point about pain associated with burns. The good Lord has blessed me with good health. I had a bridge placed over a decayed tooth a couple years ago. The anchor tooth (a molar) became infected and began to drain. The bridge prevented the abcess from draining and therefore continued to build up under the bridge. Of course this all happened on a Saturday and my dentist office wasn't open until Monday. He did order me Vicodin, but it made me severely nauseous so I had nothing for the increasing pain from Saturday night until Monday morning. By Sunday night the pain was so bad I was trying to pull the bridge out myself to relieve the pressure. Monday morning came and I was in the parking lot waiting for my dentist to arrive. He saw me first (without an appointment) and I was never so glad to get a root canal.

You're brutally accurate Randyman. I know I'd sure love to hunt elk, moose, and other high dollar big game in other states but currently can't afford the license/permits even if I got drawn. So I stay home and hunt elk and moose on the computer. The super-sportsman in New York sounds like a great deal for non-residents.

That's great. I saw the add from BassPro indicating where all the pros would be. I believe Mark Drury was or will be at the St. Louis location. I've never had a face to face meeting with anyone famous in the world of hunting. Not sure if I ever will? Nice to have the pros and members of these forums to fill that void.

Not sure when buck groups break up in MI. In IL. I have only seen a large group of bucks still together in October on one occasion. I wouldn't count on it.

With the cool temps in IL. this week I'm getting the deer hunting bug bad! I went to the farm I hunt on and got 3 tree's set up for my climber. I also went to Wal-Mart and purchased my buck/doe combination deer permit for $26.00. I was then reviewing the regulations for updates/changes and saw that non-resident deer permits are over $400.00 now! I believe this is the first time deer permits have ever been this high. Any other states close or more?

October 1st in Illinois. This week was cool (60's in the morning). I can feel fall! Wish I was hunting right now!

In the early 90's I shot a 6-pointer right at 40 yards. Looking back it was a stupid shot because I had only practiced up to 30 yards. I placed the vitals a little below my 30 yard pin and let the arrow fly. Luckily the arrow found the heart and the deer dropped after about 70 yards. Lately I have only taken deer at or inside 30 yards. I'll probably stay with that this year.

My goal each year is to harvest 3 does and 2 bucks. I rarely get 2 bucks.

If they released the deer into the wild and it survived would a hunter be required to use 2 permits or just one?

As far as spring turkey hunting and getting with the times... Illinois needs to make some changes as well. No need to worry about hunting Sunday's for me because I always get a first season permit which is Monday-Friday (only 5 days)! In addition we have to knock off at noon! Sure there are late drawings for other season permits that are not filled, but where I hunt I generally get one shot.

I like the spot just south (maybe 50 yards) of the eastern most star legz posted. Looks like the creek pinches in close to the corn field. You'd get deer traveling north/south. I'd think they'd be bedded south (neighbors property) and head north to the corn. If my guess is correct I'd avoid that spot in case of a north wind.

I quote Tominator. In addition did know you can harvest 2 bucks with your bow in Illinois? Walmart sells a combination buck/doe tag and you can buy as many as you like. From my understanding there is no limit to the number of permits you can buy. Regulations indicate you can only harvest 2 bucks in one season (no limit on does). My plan is to shoot the first 125" or greater buck I get a good shot at. The second buck (bow or gun) would have to be a real monster. If any fellow Illinois residents have heard differently let me know. I have not read this years regs yet.