fly

I drove the car and it rides great. There is a rattling sound when the AC / heater fan is turned on as well as a couple additional minor problems. I made an offer 1,150.00. I should know tomorrow. I checked at wal-mart and sure enough the refrigerant is there for 6.99 a can. It is different from the freon I used to use in my 69 Ford Fairlane I had in the 80's. I suppose it is some other substance (not freon)?

The puppies are all spoken for. Thanks for your help in finding them a good home. >Frank

Well with gas prices at 4.17 for reg. unleaded I'm thinking about purchasing a new car (primarily for my 60 mile drive to my hunting area this fall). I'm test-driving a 1994 Mazda Protege DX 4-door sedan. It only has 114,000 miles. Minor hood damage from falling limbs and it needs a new front tire. The owner states she puts a can of refrigerant (from wal-mart) in the AC every summer. She says the AC has a slow leak, but the mechanic couldn't find where. I thought refrigerant was not stocked on shelves because of environmental concerns? I'd say the car is in fair to good shape. The lady is asking 1500.00. I'm thinking about offering 1300.00. Anyone know much about the Mazda Protege? Thanks Frank

Looks great! I see you have some nice tools to get the job done as well. Good tools make all the difference.

Happy 4th to you as well Tim. Hope ya get a chance to visit St. Louis some time, I'd like to stop by and bother you. Frank

I've read a lot on this issue and have found a variety of opinions. Generally most of the information I've read states any typical whitetail set-up works for black bears. Most important thing in my opinion: hit where you aim. Second: use at least 55 lbs. I've never shot a bear, but have hunted them. I went with the Rocky Mountain Gator from Bass pro.

A lot of times the turkeys won't come in for me because there are hens calling and the gobblers go to them instead. Everything I try in the mentioned situation hasn't worked for me. I do have luck when there are no hens near the gobller or if by luck I'm between the gobbler and the hens. The only time I hunt in open fields with decoys is when I hunt low prerssured private land. When I hunt public land (most of the time) I never have luck in fields. I always do better in the timber. When the situation allows I set up on an elevated position from where the gobbler is. That way I have the advantage of seeing him before he sees me. A lot of times I think gobblers do come in, but the hunter just never sees him. Once a gobbler is headed your way, make sure you are hidden well, and don't move a muscle until shot time.

I saw the ballistics you mentioned, which is why I was so shocked to be shooting so high. If I'm on at 50 yards, why the drastic change at 100-200 yards? Perhaps it was just me or a bad shell or something? Maybe I'll go to Missouri and find a shooting range and zero it in at 250 yards (using a sled). Then see if it drops at 50-100. I'll have to go to Missouri because Illinois doesn't have a long range shooting range that I know of. I've seen the off the porch gang signature for some forum members but I'm afraid I don't know anything about it?

Being from Illinois there has never been a need for me to shoot game at long distances. Rifles cannot be used to hunt deer and I don't hunt anything else in IL. that a rifle would be used for. Recently I've started black bear hunting in Idaho. I love it and plan to continue. I have a Remington 300 ultra mag and shoot the highest power level (power level 3) bullets. I sighted the rifle in at 50 yards because I was anticipating a shorter shot since baiting bear is legal in Idaho. However, I also want to spot and stalk if the opportunity arises which may mean I'll need to make a 3-400 yard shot. Like I mentioned I'm dialed in at 50 yards. However, I took some longer practice shots and found I'm way off. At 100 yards I'm 8 inches high and at 200 yards I'm so high I'm over the target completely. What's going on? How should I sight my rifle in for shots 40-400 yards? If anyone knows of a good long range shooting book I'd like to know. Thanks, Frank

Keep eating and growing!

My dad brough over a picture of the 2 pups. here they are.

I bought a viper from a forum member a couple months ago and the shipping (from northern IL to southern IL) was about 50 bucks.

I checked the website ohiobucks posted. There were several "successful" hunters pictured with their megabuck. Many had very unhappy looks. Must of just realized how much they owed. Any hunting show should abide by a code of ethical shooting. Too bad some do not.

I buy the 15 dollar bow tag just in case I see one while deer hunting. The fall bow deer and turkey seasons are about the same three month time period. I sometimes take a turkey call with me. Last fall I was able to get a nice gobbler about 50 yards from my tree stand. Just out of bow range. Maybe this year?

I posted more information under classifieds. Check it out if interested in a 7-week old lab pup. >Frank http://www.realtree.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74211

My fathers chocolate lab had 7 puppies about 7 weeks ago. We got one (trout) and there are 2 left. A chocolate female and a black female. I promised muggs first shot at one and have sent him a pm. I'm waiting for his response. There will be at least one left if anyone wants to drive to Worden Illinois to pick it up. The puppies have had their first shots and are full blooded lab, but no papers. My dads chocolate lab came from a breeder. However, she had wide hips upon x-ray that placed her at risk for hip displasia (common among labs from what I hear). The mother is a couple years old and has no signs of hip displasia currently. My dad wasn't interested in papers. Anyway the father is the neighbors yellow lab that does have papers. My dad plans to put an add out this weekend, I don't think they'll be around long. Let me know by pm if you can provide a nice home for some cute puppies.

I got a new set of spalding clubs that was in that range. Of course that was about 10 years ago now. They work fine for me. Several of my friends have the big name clubs and never did much better than I. Perhaps I shouldn't mention this, but back in the day I used to go to the golf courses at night and wade in the ponds for golf balls (about 50-75 balls a night). I actually found a couple very nice clubs that way as well. I've seen some really nice (and cheap) clubs at yard sales as well.

Agree with all about climbers over hang-on. If you still want a hang-on, gorilla or summit would be fine. I'd advise staying clear of the cheap ratchet straps you find with cheaper hang-on stands (Wal-mart). You may also want to look at summit buck steps. If I ever went with another hang-on I'd forget the heavy ladder sticks and go with the summit steps. http://www.summitstands.com/catalog.aspx?catid=treesteps >Frank

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Andrea, the rainbows were incredible. They were small compared to the ones in flat Illinois. I didn't get a picture of it, but there was a double rainbow that stretched from one hillside to the next (about 200 yards). You could see where it started and ended. I looked for the pot of gold, but nothing. Now I know there is no truth to the old saying.

I placed some pictures of the trip under the photography forum for anyone interested.

I had to add the rainbow.

No bear pics unfortunately.

All you fixed bladers need to expand your minds.

A 171 from Louisiana! Great accomplishment and welcome to the forums.

Yup, lone wolf makes a great lightweight climber from what I hear. I couldn't afford the 300.00+ stand and went with the Summit openshot. It's light and an easy pack in. The seat is not comfortable after 3-4 hours, but this years model has a new fold up design. Possibly more comfortable? I love mine for those long walks to get to my evening hunting location.