fly

Mine was also Winchester. My buddy works at the primer factory here in IL. If you still have them send them to me. His team researched the issue. He asked for mine last time but I had already discarded it. The main plant moved a couple years ago and I have wondered about the quality since then.

I think the light from a full moon = more night activity for deer. At least from my experience. I think the gravitational pull may also have an effect - just don't know why or what. I spent two seasons tracking the moon phase and my deer sightings. I concluded that it didn't tell me enough to spend the time to track it.

Fantastic buck William! Congratulations. I can't believe those primers failed. What kind were you using? Have you had problems like that in the past? I've had one fail on me at the range a couple years ago but the odds of two not working in a row makes me think it might have been something else?

Thank God the deer only ran a short distance. I only had a couple blood trail markers left in my quiver.

This video is about 4 minutes long for those interested in seeing the recovery of my buck from October 28th. After nearly 30 years of deer hunting I still get tore up. http://vid626.photobucket.com/albums/tt346/flyerla/Videos/Recovery%20Movie%20Maker_zpslaq2lgzl.mp4

Thanks again everyone. While I didn't get my initial "falling out" sequence on camera - I did get the recovery. I had only seen the antlers sticking up out of the briars and had yet to walk up on him and see just how big he actually was. I'm still quite emotional. William tells me I can link it from Photobucket so that's my plan. It's not a video I show to everyone, only my brothers and sisters here at RT. I'll title it 12 Point Recovery if I can get it to work right.

I try to hunt according to my trail cams but don't always use them in some areas I hunt. Evenings are easier because you get to walk in during daylight, but I prefer mornings because if I shoot one I can track and hopefully recover in the daylight. In September to mid-October I hunt more evenings. In late October to mid-December I hunt more mornings. In late December - January I go back to evenings. I will add that mid-day is a great time to hunt big bucks during November. Hey Cybertech, I feel your pain. Last year my first 14 hunts I didn't even see a deer. This year in the same area deer numbers are up. EHD was bad in my area so I layed off the does and I even took out a coyote. Haven't shot a doe in my primary hunting area this year, but I may take one in December if I continue to see good numbers. In my area the numbers go up considerably in the late season.

Using mechanicals - NO. Using fixed blade thick cut on contact broad heads - YES. I've killed a lot of them that way. Only one I lost was years ago when I used the mechanicals. I'll wait when possible but as in your described situation I would have took the shot. If you don't get a pass through - no blood. However, she's dead - likely within 150 yards of the shot spot.

Thanks William - I see that in the "my bucket" folder it provides that option. However, in the other multiple folders I have created over the years it isn't available. I'll look into it over the weekend.

Currently I upload my photos to photo-bucket then copy the links here for the RT forums. It's basic the only use I have for photo-bucket. I tried to upload a video clip of the 12 point I took last month but it only works with pictures. I see some people (Mirage as of late) uses you tube and links over. My issue is that I don't want the video open for anyone to stumble upon and watch. Once on YouTube it's open for the world to view and do whatever with - right? Is there a photo-bucket for video clips?

Cool - I'm going to have to look into this video posting bit.

I suppose you have to scream GO Bucks in proper timing as not to screw up their rhythm? Also perhaps the cheer "Row Bucks" would be more better?

I hunt public ground a lot and have found those markers on many occasions. Some of them have been there for over 10 years and i'm sure the owner will never remove them and may not even hunt or be alive anymore. On a military base the owner may be on a different base so I wouldn't worry about it. Especially since you have to register for the area. However, I have never relied on those markers to take me to a good spot. I enjoy finding a good spot on my own.

Not familiar with these hunts or even elk hunting for that matter. However, I know all too well about kids and jerking while shooting. My son had that issue in the past so we took many trips to the range until he finally worked through it. Sounds like he learned a lot and I'm glad you both got some elm meat.

Crossbow all day. In IL the ML only season is 3 days out of the year. Crossbows are legal about 6 weeks.

Kentucky was a bust. Saw several deer but nothing even close to a shooter. May go down Thursday and try Friday. I have posted the doe for bbarcheryhunter on the photo thread.

I am posting this entry for a team member - fly. Team 1 (First Blood) Doe - 5 points Hunter: bbarcheryhunter

That's fantastic! Congratulations on a great buck!

Hey bbarcheryhunter - send your photo to me at [email protected] and I'll post it for you. Been hunting another public land draw area this past week. Took a doe this morning. A 4 point and mature 8-point came into my grunting and into bow range. However, the right main beam of the 8-point was broke right after his G-2. He got a pass today since I only have one more IL buck tag and two months of hunting left. He looked like a 4.5 year old, his neck was swollen and he was wanting a doe bad. If his right main beam was in tack I'd say he would have been a 130 inch deer. Anyway, got the doe butchered and in the freezer already. Now I'm headed to KY for the season opener tomorrow. This is turning out to be a great season!

I guess Strut will have to weigh in. I'd say sure - but then I'm only a silver member (never knew what that meant). Looks like a potent weapon.

Great looking deer! Thick rutted up neck too

Congratulations on the doe bbarcheryhunter and good luck to you on state ground Ruth. Hoosier, you keep at it and the pay off will come. There is a nice 8 point (2.5 year old 115 inch) that has moved into the private ground area I hunt but I have not seen or got a single picture in over 2 months of the unicorn buck. I'm headed to another public ground draw area tomorrow (not as good as the first place as it was hit hard by EHD a couple years ago). I'll only hunt the area a couple days as I'm headed to KY Friday for the rifle opener this Saturday. The next 2 weeks are my favorite weeks of the year to hunt. Like a sunset - they come and leave quick so enjoy every minute!

Looking forward to the pics Shaun! Congratulations!

Without exception I shoot all my guns I will be hunting with prior to the season. It's a confidence booster and the ethical thing to do. Going to KY next week and haven't fired my rifle since bear hunting 2 years ago. One shot at 50 yards was 1 inch high - exactly where it was 2 years ago. Seems like a lot of work just to take 1 shot but now I know a miss isn't the gun. Youth season it's even more important. Kids that shot once a year forget how to aim, breathe, and squeeze. They need that practice before they hunt.

Cowboy needs to get with the program or head on back to archery talk. All deer harvested legally with any weapon is to be congratulated here at RT.