fly

When you do shoot make sure you have the right target (feline perhaps). I had used a cheap walmart one form my compound and it worked fine with arrows, but the bolts zipped all the way through. Also, don't shoot at the same dot - they are very accurate.

Ruth has my vote for best picture with Slash a close second. Martin earns the best photo editing award. Al, Kevin, and OKstate have magnificent bucks for sure but if I had the option to harvest any deer pictured other than the one I got it would be the 11 point rackblaster connected on. My vote for best deer goes to rackblaster.

Nice job this year John! Appreciate your efforts. Team 5 had a heck of a year.

While I've been asked for money and to co-sign auto loans from family members I've never done it. 10 years ago I allowed my 17 year old sister to move in the basement when she dropped out of high school. It only lasted 3 weeks. She wanted to have her friends over (people I had never met). I said no party's and one friend or two is okay after I have met them and on weekdays they leave at 9pm and weekends at 11pm. The agreement was for her to finish school. Couldn't live by those rules so she left. Still has no diploma or GED. I think you did a good thing having your wife's sister move in. Sounds like you didn't set a time limit so the cat problem may be around a while. If its just another month then maybe just suck it up a little while longer. if not I would just tell her that the cat was an unexpected add on that you tried to deal with and that it didn't work. Also that having the cat is making you quite unhappy. Then allow her to make the decision about the cat. If she makes the wrong one then You will see where your happiness in your own home lies on her priority line. You might feel much better about making the decision concerning pets in your home and giving her the option to comply or move out.

Thanks Al - i was very happy to fill my last tag with that 8point. yea we might have been on the same team but it would have been a while - 2009 or 2008 maybe. I've been on Ruth and Pats team before - fairly recent. I don't remember being on the winning team so like the Cubs say - wait till next year!

Went out Sunday - saw 3 bucks that had dropped - another 7 still carrying. Found no sheds.

Sweet! Amazingly accurate too

Congratulations to all of you! No shortage of big buck hunters on this thread. The best score (per number of team members) I can remember seeing.

Thanks Al, look forward to having you as a teammate in the future.

I've black bear hunted with my now but have yet to take one. I used the same set up I do for whitetail and most research I found on the subject says the same thing (unless you mean brown bears which would be a different ball game). I use a fixed 4 blade cut on contact.

I didn't even identify it as a corn cob. I didn't know what it was or what the GW was doing with it. Maybe pushing down the lower lip to examine the teeth? I would think that the GW could be identified and asked about it, if one wanted to go to the trouble. Regarding the orange band - I have never seen one before. It may be something the GW uses for deer not harvested with a hunting tag? In IL deer antler tags are white with black or green letters. I know the farm I hunt on has a single wire cattle fence like that one. The farmer runs electricity through it.

That is a good deal. Don't know much about Barnet service support but hopefully you won't need it. Most companies print the speed while shooting a light carbon fiber bolt. You can still buy aluminum bolts (cheaper - heavier - slower) there are also the ultra light bolts. I'd go with a regular carbon fiber bolt unless the crossbow specifically indicates it is made for ultralight. I know Tenpoint has recommended bolts for each crossbow and most do not include the ultralight. As far as broad heads, I use a fixed blade cut on contact (steel force Phathead). I just sent all 7 that I own in to be sharpened. I paid a total of 25.00 for replacement bleeder blades and shipping and handling. The primary blade sharpening is free. Most crossbow users rave about the slick tricks and spitfires. Mechanicals are what most use because of the higher speeds and kinetic energy (they will punch through). I just use the same heads I use with my compound. The 1inch diameter reduces the cut compared to a 1.5 inch expandable but I have excellent accuracy.

It's February and things are slow so I figured now to be a good time for this. Several years ago I was on an IL hunting forum and someone posted this picture indicating this buck weighed 465 pounds and scored 198 inches of antler. It was said that this wild deer died after getting caught in a cattle fence in central IL. It certainly looks real to me and the size is incredible (even if it isn't 465 pounds). What do you all think?

Looks like his G-2's are a foot long! I'm terrible at guessing but i wouldn't argue with an upper 150's Gross score.

I learned that trail cam pics can be deceiving this year. He sure looks younger than 3.5 in these pics. After losing one to a thief I'll not be using them on public ground any more. My cams are on the shelf till July. The new 990i has a different programming interface that is a little easier. That last pic must mean the groundhog didn't see his shadow???

Sounds good to me Chris. 2013 was a great year for me even though i didn't take a mature buck. My son got his first buck and he and i got to help my father get his buck. While I saw more deer this past season, harvested more deer, and have 2 mature bucks at the taxidermist I'd rate 2013 as the better season. I don't think anything will top watching my 11 year old run up to his downed 6-poiner. Although, I haven't killed a 200 class buck yet either.

Happy Birthday Bob! Congratulations making middle aged!

Pedestals mounts are awesome! Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Great write up! Prior service here (Army National Guard). While I was never away for the length of time you were I know about missing home and deer hunting. Congratulations on your harvest and thanks for serving.

Thanks William - for whatever reason I can't check pm's on my phone - will check later on the computer.

4 years ago he might have been a spike! He's a dandy alright - congratulations are in order. You soon a Texas or full shoulder? What pose?

The picture I see is of a spike buck. Congratulations! Actually I don't see a picture either.

It is the one with No Glow William, I think it's the 990i but it was a Cabelas exclusive so it had some other number. The First buck is my favorite - I call him Turkey Fan because he fans out like a turkey (both G-2's have three points) and this is the only pic I have of him. I'll bet the thief has the rest - Grrrrrr. The second I call Right-Splitter. I have a lot of pics of him. Here is another. I think he's real old.

Looks like a 2.5 year old from the neck - and if so he'll get a lot bigger in 2 years! Doubt he'll get past next season though. Here are a few bucks I got pictures of earlier this month. Went to get last weeks pictures and the camera was stolen. 150 dollars gone. Bummer for sure but I knew the risks and I got 2 years out of it. I have the security code set so at least that will piss the thief off.

Thanks Al, I never should have posted that recovery video. LOL