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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.

Tim, I've never been to Hidden Valley but everyone I talk to says its okay to learn there but go elsewhere to ski. Galena IL has a small resort (Chestnut). It's decent and not to far of a drive. If your kids ever want to ski you might consider it. It's near Wisconsin on the bluffs of the Mississippi. Ultradog, that is one sweet looking old truck. Utah is a great state. I caught the biggest Brown of my life in the Provo river some years ago.

Only if the kid is not required to purchase. If the kid has to purchase then the kid is hunting under his own license. It won't go like that in many states because dollars drive the regulations.

Certainly hate to hear this. Take care of yourself out there Lewis. The only news we want to read about you is concerning another blue lobster.

I look for the "Easiest Way Down" signs! The Canyons is a large area with a beginners area in the middle with Green runs. To experience the entire resort one has to do single blue's which is all I did. Hot tub later then headed back to IL tomorrow.

Having a great time - skied over 30 miles today and the final run had a 2100 change in elevation that went 3.3 miles. Beautiful country with blue skies this weekend. Also got a good shot of Bigfoot!

Wish it was to track a mountain lion but that will be another day. Going to do some skiing in the Canyons ski resort. I've been to the smaller slopes of the Mississippi bluffs in northern IL and Iowa, but never to a "real" ski resort. My plan is to avoid destroying any trees with my face and to snap a picture of the elusive Bigfoot.

Hope you have great weather for the trip Steve.

Getting a change of scenery is great but I think Dorothy said it best - there's no place like home. Regardless of the weather. Hope you had a great trip

We got about 7 inches over the weekend - temps up to 50 by Tuesday though. And 40's the rest of the week should signal the start of spring. I expect to see daffodils in a couple weeks.

Congratulations! Being a dad is tough work, but well worth it. Brought my boy home from the hospital in a RT outfit some years ago.

Joe, I always get the rack back from the taxidermist once he removes it. He'll get it back when he is ready to place it in the form for a full shoulder mount - probably later this spring. Al, I did know of that one because I had a wide typical in 2008 that was one inch wider than a main beam and had to use the main beam length. This would really hurt the score for a broken main beam as Hoosier mentioned.

Hey RackBlaster - did you ever get a tape on your IL monster?

Here in IL winter didn't start till February. Most years it's about over at the end of February. Toughest time of the year right now. Come on April - turkeys and morels!

Martin, the guesses for the 8 point are in the crossbow room - titled crossbow success.

I should have been clearer - I did get the teeth (and jaw) back from the taxidermist but I did not send them in to be verified by a biologist (yet). I was going to and then while reading a website on aging whitetail by cementum analysis I discovered the following statement on accuracy: "85.1% for white-tailed deer through 9 years old." http://www.deerage.com/faqs.htm At 25 dollars + postage (cheapest rate I could find - returned in 125 days or less) an 85% accuracy rate has deflated my interest. I'm on the fence about it currently - if I knew of a cheaper service I might gain some motivation. When looking at this 8 point his first molar (4th tooth) has a strip of dentine that is about the same as the enamel (maybe a little less, but more dentine showing than on the 2nd molar for sure). Given his body appearance and molar wear my best guess would be 3.5 years old. I would not be surprised if the cementum analysis indicated 2.5 years old, but would be surprised if it reported him to be 4.5 years old. Where are you considering sending William?

I've seen several large bucks at a distance while bow hunting but never got them in range. The biggest buck I drew on, but didn't let the arrow fly occurred this year. It was a thick 130's eight point. Had a perfect shot at 50 yards and didn't shoot waiting for him to come closer. He did get to forty yards and I drew when he went behind a 10 foot tall / full bush. Unfortunately he stopped behind it and stayed there till I had to let the string down. A doe saw me let the string down and they all bolted. I shot two large bucks with an arrow over the past 30 years that I did not recover. One was 120 class the other I'm not sure but probably around 140. Both were about 10 years ago. The only large buck I remember missing was in the early 1990's. I was shotgun hunting and taking an afternoon nap on the side of a hill. A 130/140 class buck nearly ran me over (spooked by another hunter I assume). I awoke, grabbed my shotgun and fired at the trotting buck at 15 yards. Completely missed. I was so upset with myself that since that day I have never taken an "intentional" nap while hunting.

William, you were right on the gross score for the 12 at 150 inches gross and over almost 10 inches on the 8 as was I from the trail can pic. I guess it is an actual rule that a deer has to have 15 inches of abnormal points to be scored non-typical? Hard to believe that a 150 class deer can net below 115.

If the bucks I harvested this year don't convince you that nets are for fish, I don't think anything will. This is the 12 point 4.5 year old followed by the 8 point 3.5 year old. I just returned from the 2015 IL Deer Expo and had them both scored. I asked the official to score the 12 point non-typical. He said there had to be 15 inches of non-typical points to score it non-typical. First time I EVER heard that rule. Anyway, they were both scored typical since the 12 point only had 13 0/8 inches of non-typical points. It's an easy conversion to non-typical once the score sheet is available. Here is the verdict: 12 Point: Typical Gross (152 6/8) Net (114 4/8). If Non-Typical it would have been 152 6/8 (Gross) 140 4/8 (Net) 8 Point: Typical Gross (122 2/8) Net (119 7/8) So if you like Nets the 8 point scores higher than the 12 point! Crazy!

Yea, I've never seen a trail cam pic show a deer back up either. Either would be a rare thing to catch on camera but if your certain I'll buy it.

Looks like the Left G-2 is broke at the same spot on both deer (if there are two)? I don't bet but if I did I'd put my money on the pics being of the same deer.

Sorry about your friend Muff. I'm sure you'll figure something out your family will enjoy. I try to do a big trip every other year with my kids. Last year was Yellowstone and Grand Teton. This summer it'll be a Smaller trip (long weekend). I'm thinking about Cedar Point or Kings Island in Ohio. I'm not much for thrill rides these days, but the kids love them and at 12 boy and 13 girl it's tough finding something they both enjoy. The drive through Ohio should be interesting though - with all those giant whitetails in velvet.

I took my kids on a similar trip (disney, universal, clearwater beach, and an everglades swamp boat tour) two years ago except I made the mistake of doing it in 8 days. Should have scheduled a day of REST right in the middle. Have fun - kids are only little once.

I didn't see a blue truck anywhere in the video????