fly

Started bow hunting in 1988 with an old Bear Whitetail II. In 2003 I bought a Bear TRX and still use it today. Matthews will get the check for next bow. Hopefully it won't be another 15 years.

Same here. I just make sure I activate my clothes in the dryer prior to the hunt.

I take it you use a peep? If not you should consider. It's likely the torque other have already mentioned. One addition if you shoot wearing glasses. I had that problem once. I took my bow to the bow shop and had it tuned up. I shot in the air conditioned building and my problem was solved. Later that week I was shooting outside and started sweating. I didn't realize it, but the sweat caused my glasses to slide down my nose causing me to alter my shot slightly, but enough to consistently shoot left. I now wear a band that keeps my glasses in a fixed position.

I'd knock on the new owners door 1st. Sorry to hear about the loss.

I hear ya, so far looks opening week is going to be pretty wet. Good luck! >Frank

I started bow hunting in 1988. Had no idea what I was doing since no one I knew bowhunted and realtree forums were not available. There were several years I didn't bow hunt much because I didn't have a decent place to hunt. For over a decade I kept throwing away unfilled archery tags and learning what not to do. Finally in October of 2000 I shot my first doe (massive initial blood trail) but lost it in a corn field once the bleeding stopped. I shot/harvested/and tagged my first archery deer (6-point) in 2003. Got my first doe in 04, and a 10-point (P&Y) in 06. Last year was my best year to date with an 11-point (P&Y) and 2 does. That's a total of 6 for me. Just wait till this fall, I'll be in double digits!

Whitetail or Muley

Buckee, you and all the administrators have been GREAT! Actually just about everyone here has been helpful and thoughtful. I've only been here for a couple months, but already feel a sense of belonging. I can't imagine why anyone would complain:confused: >Frank

Go to a pro shop like everyone suggests! Since you're new I would avoid Cabelas or similar. I have not had good luck with combo kits. 2 years after buying a bow and combo kit I had replaced everything except the bow. I'm going to warn you, once you take your first animal with a bow you will almost certainly be hooked. If you go cheap now in a year or two you will wish you had bought a better bow.

Bummer news today:( Work threw me a curve ball I wasn't expecting. Looks like I'll only get 2 of the last 5 days to hunt. Originally I was only going to miss opening day (a Monday). Now I'll have to cash in on either Thursday or Friday. I'll be praying for good weather. Have I been clear on how much I hate the restricted Illinois spring turkey season!

True friends are a blessing. Anyone ever heard that if a friend gives you a knife you should give him/her a coin to keep the friendship strong?

I played it about 10 times until I finally got rocketting rabbit:)

Prior to Lincoln Illinois was known by the indians who lived here. A group of indian tribes known as the Illiniwek. I looked it up and some sources indicate Illiniwek means tribe of superior men. (Of course the Iroquois tribes from the east who kicked Illini butt on several occasions would likely have disagreed with that interpretation)

I've played the Maui Lani (wher they have played the senior skins game) years ago. A great golfing destination (not too bad for conferences either).

Another prayer from IL Kathleen.

My reason for voting west

I went to Hilton Head South Carolina this week (work conference). Not too bad if you're into the beach thing. Very nice beach and family oriented. Temps in the 70's. Saw a couple dolphins and watched a kid catch a stingray right on the beach by my hotel. The ray was about 3 ft. in diameter. Looked like a blast! I also rented a bicycle. The bike trails on the island are flat and run all over the island. I saw a few alligators (one 7footer) was sunning in someones back yard a couple feet from their lounge chairs. I hope they keep Fido in doors:D I took some pictures of the alligators with my phone, I'll try to load some if anyone is interested? A great place for a family vacation.

This is something that could have been prevented for the cost of a resident MI archery license. What's that cost about 10-20 bucks? I shot my 07 buck on the last day of the season (Jan. 17th) at last light. I didn't recover it until the next day (Jan.18th) which was the day after the legal take season. Therefore I checked it in via telephone on the 18th. I was so worried I'd get the mount confiscated I called the IL Department of Natural Resources and was willing to drive the deer to their headquarters so the could see the deer had been dead for a while. They said not to worry, but I still wonder if some day????

This thread should make a believer out of anyone! Hunt, Kill, Butcher (yourself), cook, & eat. Get the kids to clean up.

Not with a turkey, but I shot a deer some years ago that did that same thing. After the shot the 7-pointer went down about 20 yards from the shot. At 60 yards away he hadn't moved in 5 minutes and looked dead to me. As I approached he got up and ran like he had never been hit. I shot three times with my slug gun and missed all three times. From there the story gets so bizzare that I doubt anyone would believe it. I did end up tagging the buck and filling my freezer with venison.

That's a great deer! Looks like you put a great shot on him as well.

Very Nice! Hope I can add a picture and a story soon.

You will likely find IL. outfitters charging 1200.00 or less (perhaps those were the ones you sent e-mails to and didn't get responses)? Personally I would either go to a reputable outfitter http://ciohunt.com/packages/ and shell out the cash, or I'd just plan and conduct the hunt myself. $1200.00 is a lot of many to take a chance with! Some other members might be able to list outfitters in IL that are reputable? I've never used one. Pyramid state park (Southern IL) would be where I would concentarte my "do it yourself" bow hunting efforts at. There is a lot of public hunting ground and not a lot of bow hunting pressure. In addition they restrict the antler size for harvested bucks.

Monsterbucks far exceeds all others for me. (Posting the P&Y, B&C inches is the selling) Primetime Bucks ~ not too bad. I have some Drury videos, they are ok. I also bought some bearin down videos with Ralph and Vickie. The later ones are pretty good. I've been meaning to get the whitetail freaks videos.

I had the same issue with a backpack, so I too use a waist pack.