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Thanks everyone! Some updates: He weighed in at 202 pounds field dressed and green scored 138 gross, 136 net.

That would make a great you tube video!

Thanks all, William, would one of those teachers be from Ohio?

yep, it worked - the story is in the deer hunting room - not much action in the Xbow room.

Illinois passed a law in 2012 making the use of crossbows legal. I've been a compound hunter for 25 years - never thought about crossbows till the new law passed. I researched the brands and decided on the Ten Point - Stealth XLT. Got it brand new from Craigslist for $850.00. It took a little getting used to, but I'm loving it! My first kill was what I thought to be a nice eating doe - turns out it was a 1/2 year old buck with no noticeable buttons from 30 feet high. Wish I had shot the bigger doe in tow now, but at the time I was thinking about tender steaks. Anyway, an hour later a herd of about 7 or 8 does runs about 100 yards from me. Two bucks in tow. One big, one medium with half a rack. The does run to the next hill and out of sight. With fading light I had to make my move. I started grunting and got the attention of both bucks. After a couple series of grunts the medium back ran away towards the does. The big buck started walking away towards the does as well. I usually carry a snort wheeze call but left it at home - I just did my best snort wheeze with my own vocals. It worked. The big buck got all excited and started pacing back and forth on the snow covered creek bank looking for me (still 100 yards away). Thank God he was upwind. After a few more grunt series and a couple more snort wheezes he had enough and came in to whip my butt. I had ranged a tree he was headed for at 30 yards earlier that evening. As he approached the tree, I let out a Baaap! He stopped. I put the 30 yard dot on his vitals and squeezed. The bolt was so fast I never saw it, only heard that glorious sound of a chest cavity being punctured. A double lung shot = a 20 yard recovery - good thing too because by the time I got down it was dark. Saw 14 deer in all and has to be the best single evening of deer hunting I have ever had. I love hunting in the snow and this was the first of the season. Take a guess at the score if you like.

Alternative way to post pictures Lets see if photobucket works?

The album method hasn't worked for several days now. I have some pics of a double deer harvest with a crossbow. Any ideas?

Very nice Ben! Still waiting for my rug to get done. Should be any day now.

Free topo and trail maps for your Garmin GPS - GPS Tracklog

Yesterday morning: the three of us took 6 birds. It was a good day in the field. Love watching a good dog work. RoysTakeDown_zps530efce8.mp4 video by flyerla | Photobucket

The only thing I have found that will temporarily screw up a permanent stand location is over hunting it. I hunted my favorite stand a lot one year and realized that by the end of the season deer would look up at the stand before moving through. If they saw me they would alter their movement.

Maybe you feel bad because it was your wife's xbow and not yours! (LOL) I've been a compound user since the 80's. Got a ten point stealth 2 days ago. I love it! 55 yards is my limit this year, but in time I may move out to further distances - depending on how I do with it. I will take it over my compound every chance I get. In IL xbows are only allowed second half of archery season.

I have everything from a 12 foot ladder stand to 35 foot climbing stands. When using a low tree stand the first thing in is to determine which direction the deer travel from (some spots are so good they come from many directions). Try to position it so you can be hidden until the deer gets to where you will have a shot. If cover isn't as good as you like add some real branches or camo netting. Try to position it on a large three that has other large trees near (within a few feet) this helps break up your outline better even when fall comes and the leaves are gone. I have a buddy with a stand that is in the middle of two evergreens that is only 6 feet high. If he went higher he would be more exposed. They never see him.

Thanks Luke, I have her sighted in with the first dot at 20, second at 35, third at 45 and the fourth dot at 55 yards. I shot it twice at 55 yards and both bolts were hitting a silver dollar. The scope makes all the difference for accuracy and the crank makes cocking it very easy. I never would have thought I'd like a crossbow as much as I do.

Ten Point Stealth XLT This bow would cost me 1300.00 after tax from Cabela's. Gave 850.00 from a guy in Louisianan (Craigslist). Went through Pay Pal - just as the guy said (new in box). Assembled tonight - hunting in the morning. First doe or mature buck gets a bolt! (Link to the Bow) http://www.tenpointcrossbows.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=387

Sorry to hear about the clot Tim. Nice re-cap thanks for sharing.

I stay out of a stand if the wind is wrong unless... 1. I'm taking my 10 year old to a blind that is set up for a 1-2 hour hunt (too much trouble to move). 2. It's a new area and I'm not certain how the deer movement will be. 3. I'm hunting a small private ground area and the wind isn't right for any stand.

Very nice

A true story posted on my blog Knife Valley Story | Hunting Blogs | Realtree ® The deer

Your frustration is teaching you valuable lessons. Sounds like public ground is what you'll need to concentrate on until you gain permission to hunt private. If you go to church ask the congregation for permission. Just keep asking. Learn what public areas to avoid (waste of time and unsafe). Learn what times to avoid (generally weekends). In IL there are public areas only open as a draw. If Kansas has these go for it! I generally get picked for one each year in IL. Hunt smarter - not more. If you need meat ask hunters to give you a deer they get. I pass on deer all the time because I don't need the meat. I'd gladly shot one for someone in need and drop it off at their door step.

It's tough for sure. Go to the thick areas no one else has been (preferably next to food and does). This time of year I find zero deer or a ton. Once I find where all the does are I set up and wait. Sometimes after the does come out to feed a buck follows them out.

nothing better than a long drag out that kicks your butt. Ya wake up the next day sore - then remember why and a smile comes to your face.

William, I just bought my 11 year old daughter and Ipod (4th generation) - used on Craigslist for $110.00. It has a few scratches on the back, but with a case it looks brand new. I didn't get it for school though, it's more for music, games, pictures / videos, and to be able to text me (where she gets wi-fi). I have wi-fi at home, but don't have a home phone any more. This way I can leave her at home this summer (she'll be 12) and I can run to the store and leave her home. If there is a problem she can text me. I'm sure it could be used for school work as well - but the screen is not very big so if reading a book is what you want I'd go with something larger. Take a look - Craigslist has a ton of Ipod 4th generations around a 100.00 (at least in St. Louis). I'd be glad to get one for you and mail it to you if you have trouble finding one in your area.

I'd say my season has been better than average as far as total deer seen on private ground and less than average on public ground. I've seen 3 shooters this season and have had one shot opportunity - I was fortunate to make it count. We'll see how the late season goes - historically I see a lot of does that flock to the green pastures cattle graze on.

addition: Cover the antler bases with foil - don't want to whiten them!