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I have reviewed as many aging guides as are on the market. While it is easy to identify a fawn, 1.5 year old, and a 2.5 year old or older - it gets tough figuring out the other ages. My taxidermist has mistakenly thrown away the jaw bone for my deer TWICE! He's always apologetic, but I think a third time he might be tempted to do the whole switcheroo. BTW... This is the best aging video for 3.5 and older I've seen.

Left over Pizza Hutt Meatlovers pan pizza for me.

I know that feeling - used to hunt public ground birds years ago and had a long walk in. Got a couple nice gobblers and a few Jakes before I lost interest due to the regulations imposed in IL. Congratulations

I hope someone does!

While I don't have 10 cameras the two I do have tell a similar story. I only use my cameras for extended periods on the small chunk of private ground (40 acres) I hunt on. Slowly we are gaining more cameras for the 100 acres in KY. This will be the first year we have had cameras out all year but I suspect the same story will play out there as well.

That's a lot of pictures to review Al. Mid October is about the worst time to hunt in my regular area, but the special draw area will likely be different. I will be putting the time in that's for certain and may use a climber to get a camera up in a tree. Mid December is generally decent as long as you have a good food plot to hunt near.

I'm where you are John - need to drop another 10 and those ten are the ones that just will not stay off! I'll eat right, rock climb, and run to get 3 of the 10 off. Then something like free pizza day at work happens and the 3 pounds I worked for are right back. The only time I was ever able to stay at my ideal weight (2 years ago) is when I ran every other day training for the tough mudder. I ran my first 5K during this time period in a little over 24 minutes. Then cold weather hit and deer season ended. I'm hoping to see 185 by this fall. Good luck staying on the wagon.

We were Al - I looked it up earlier this year and I think it was 2009. That was back when we had a lot more participants. Martin - the honor would be all mine! Maybe we can talk William into signing up this year. I don't remember seeing his name in the contest.

I'll be scouting the public area this September and may even place a camera. However, I placed one in January and after one week I caught a few nice survivors (at least through the hunting season). I left the camera there and checked the next week only to find someone stole my camera. I'm thinking it was a shed hunting low life. I had a security code set on it so at least the thief will have to work at getting some use out of it. We set some cameras out last week in KY so I'm looking forward to seeing what made it through the winter. The antler size isn't great in KY so we're hoping to promote the growth by placing a couple trophy rocks and adding more beans and clover. I'm happy to be the first member of this years moron club! LOL Maybe Martin, Al, and myself will make the same team????

I'm only familiar with TenPoint and have never noticed the off center issue discussed here. Perhaps the speed differences is due to the chronograph as opposed to the crossbow? I had mine clocked at 320 twice in a row which was exactly what was published on the box. I have NEVER had that happen with my compounds. The speed is always a lot less than published. My Mathews is supposed to shoot 340 but even with light carbon arrows the best I can get is 302.

Great pic Al! Thanks for sharing

Love it!

You all might remember my 152 inch 12 pointer hunt from last year. It was from a special draw public land area and I can't believe I got in again! It will be tougher as the hunt I got drawn for is October 8-14th which is usually during the October lull. As fate would have it I also got selected for a second special draw area. The second one is further north but still a good place to hunt. However, it is scheduled for December 7th - 13th. Looks like I'll be spending a significant amount of time in Kentucky hunting my friends farm during the rut this fall. We bulldozed some more trees last month and plan to put beans in. Looks like there will be a little over 2 acres of land available for food plots now. This fall is setting up to be another good year. I can't wait! When is John going to get the Deer contest Sign up going! LOL

Sorry - I got an error message so i re-posted. Later it shows up. Delete this one please.

Happy Easter Martin and everyone! I can't see the pic. Here's a great picture.

Looks real good

Mine is heavy - 6 inch barrel. I'm Accurate enough out to 30 yards with open sights. Don't remember the bullets - heaviest I could find.

I use a 357 mag Taurus when I check bait stations for black bear. It's enough if you can hit it. I would buy a 44mag for brown bears. Researched this a lot some years ago. 357 mag is the smallest Id use for black bear.

Yep - since I use a safety harness I don't change them out too much, but the metal floor on one of mine started to split which means I let it it go too long. Got mine in the mail today. Another thing I like about this model is that they are relatively easy to put together vs others I've had.

Yep - I didn't win but thanks just the same. Wait till next year! Oh no - I'm a cardinals fan not a cubs fan - can I still say that?????

I have a couple of these and they make a great comfortable fixed position tree stand. Walmart has them on sale for 54.00. I just bought two more - figure I may need them at some point. Thought some of you might be interested. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bone-Collector-Deluxe-Hang-On-Treestand/36545661

Hopefully the fruit trees will bring in some sweet meat as well. Going to spread some lime this coming weekend as well.

That's great news Jeff. Hope you connect this fall.

Easier to fight for the rights we have now than fight to get them back. I am a life member of the North American hunting club and renew my NRA membership each year. I will say this - some states would be in a world of hurt without the hunting industry. Brings in a significant amount of revenue. Personally I feel that in many states the economic impact is what saves hunting rights just as much as organizations. This is why I feel strongly about getting more people involved in the sport. Makes me sick every time I hear a hunter vote against the use of crossbows or criticize a hunter for using any form of legal weapon. The more people that hunt the more money goes into the industry and the more legislators will vote to preserve it.

I've hunted southern IL for 25 years an have never seen a cougar, bear, or wild pig. While I wouldn't mind seeing a cougar or bear, I hope the pigs stay out.