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I got this mount back last October from the 06 season. I took it to a taxidermist that charged me $435.00. Most taxidermists in my area charge about $350.00. I took my 07 buck back to the same taxidermist and found out (after I had committed) that his price went up to $485.00. I like the mount, but my cousin says it's just fair and that cheaper taxidermists could do a better job.What do you all think of the mount and should I look around for a different taxidermist?

Gotta love getting the mounts back. Congratulations!

Welcome Tyler.

A can of rhyms fell off the shelf. I posted this one all by my self.

21 years now, but there have been years in between that I didn't get the chance. Serious turkey hunting for only the past 10 years.

I've never tried this, but have given it serious thought. Make a small card that has your name, contact information and a description of the vehicle you drive. The card may be a good way to show the landowner that you'll take responsibility for your actions.

I think all the CWD seasons are over at this time. They are usually in Jan. / Feb.

Thanks MD. Sheephuntress, I'm looking foward to hearing back from ya.

There are more recent articles reporting on this, but here is one I found: http://www.boone-crockett.org/pdf/geographicwhiteail.pdf

Yea, I kinda took it as a slam, so thanks for the clarifiaction.

Unfortunately my vision isn't as good as I would like. I'm legally blind in my right eye and wear glasses to correct the left. In Illinois the season is only 2 weekends for firearm hunting and at the time I wasn't bowhunting seriously. I only had a few seconds to make the decision. Knowing I had a tag for each and that the firearm season in Illinois is very short, I took the shot hitting it exactly where I had aimed. I expected to find a doe, but instead a spike. Up until that hunt all the deer I had seen had thicker antlers which is what I was looking for. It wasn't the length, but the lack of thickness that led to my error in identification. As for not having binoculars... my father taught me to hunt and he didn't use them (still doesn't) and he didn't encourage me to. I have no doubt that it is NOT uncommon for spikes to be mis-identified as does or antlerless deer. This is why some states define deer with 3 inch antlers to be (antlerless). If a state passes a law beacuse of identity mistakes for deer with 3 inch spikes, I think it's pretty easy to see how identification errors could be made for deer having 5 inch antlers. Glad to hear you haven't made any deer identification errors. May your vision, perception, and binoculars never fail you.

I agree with this. I shot a yearling (1.5 years old) some years back at 75 yards thinking it was a doe because I didn't see antlers. When I got closer there were 2 thin spikes about 5 inches long. I was not happy, because I had to use my buck tag. Thank God I still had it. I think this situation happens a lot and fawns/yearlings with spikes are left to rot because of mistaken identity and no buck tag. It was a learning experience for me. I now use binoculars if there is any doubt. I also wanted to mention that I shot a small tined 8-pointer once that was aged (by his teeth) to be a yearling (1.5 years old). However, I think most 1.5 year old deer don't get much more than 4 points. The 0.5 year old deer I've seen have all been buttons.

There's been a lot of talk about colonoscopy's. Well a buddy of mine had one last week that went way wrong. He ended up having the whole LEFT side of his body amputated as a result. He's all RIGHT now.

I'm planning an archery black bear hunt this spring in Idaho and was wondering if anyone was a) familiar with the area near the Lochsa river and b) could recommend a taxidermist anywhere near Missoula MT? Thanks

The pose Dubie posted is my favorite. I'm not a fan of the open mouth roaring bear mounts. Closed mouth mounts seem more dignified to me. I'm hoping to take a black bear (will be my first) this spring in Idaho.

The scars indicate he was a fighter alright. Love the crease job your taxi put in the turn. I've seen many that really screw up the crease. Congrats on this magnificant animal!

Can only tell you what isn't good for all day, because none of mine are. My favorite stand is the Summit open shot. Light, portable, and the best choice for my mile+ walk ins. However, my back starts screaming after about 5-6 hours. My Gorilla BabyKong is my least favorite. It's a hang on and the seat is terrible. After about 2 hours I have to start standing up and beding my legs. There needs to be a lot of padding to the seat if there are metal bars supporting it. The swing seats may be the way to go. Lazy boy needs to get into the tree stand business.

P&Y / B&C scoring system: Typical: He's exactly 176 and 2/8ths (Gross) - 154 and 7/8ths (Net). He's also 4.5 years old.

Hey bowtech, I teach at an Illinois University and if an announcement from the University came through like the one you mentioned you better believe myself as well as all of my students would NOT be in class. It wouldn't be optional it would be CANCELLED! I agree that you can't live in a bubble, but life is about taking calculated risks. With the recent events in Virginia and Northern Ill. I'd so the risks outweigh the benefits.

Thanks to all for the clarification on yearlings and 1.5 year olds. This is a common mistake I hear all the time. I hear it so much I often question my memory on the matter. The deer pictured is a 1.5 year old (I seriosly doubt he's any older). I really have trouble trying to determine the age of a deer once they hit 3.5 years. So many variables can affect their weight/antler growth/hair color. I think it's mostly guess work aging a deer from a picture once it passes 3.5 years.

Welcome to the forums CK and back to the best sport in the world. Glad to see you're staying with 70lbs as everyone recommends. I know muzzy's are great and less expensive than a lot of other broadheads, but I use Rocky Mountain Gators. You can only get them at Bass Pro. I like them because (at least when I shoot them) they are just like my field points. I also like the 2 inch diameter cutting and the simplisity of the mechanics involved. I'm not a fan of most mechanical broadheads, but I like this one. Check out this web site for scores on select broadheads. The gator is somewhat like the sniper. I don't like the mechanics as much on the sniper. http://www.american-hunter.com/broadheads/broadhead_test.htm Being old school you may have shot aluminum arrows. You might want to consider carbons? I switched last year and haven't been disappointed.

SIUC - no doubt!

I believe 45 is the min in IL. I imagine a sharp broadhead could slip through a deer if placed properly with 30 lbs. In 06 I hit a 250lb. buck in the shoulder blade and only got 6 inches of penetration (I was using 65 lbs). I luckily found him 1/2 mile from the shot of the spot, but not until the next evening by which time the meat was no good. I would recommend 45 as the min.

I'd say go for it as well. My daughter is only 6 and I'm thinking about it for her birthday this summer. I doubt she'll be able to pull back 20 lbs, but I have no doubt she'll love having a "REAL BOW" like dad's. I bought her a BB gun for her 6th birthday. The stock is too long, but she loves shooting it and talks about it all the time. The wife didn't know about it until she opened it. Then it was too late once she saw how excited she was. Sometimes it's better to ask forgiveness than permission.

flyerla Adult Eastern