fly

I thought about doing just that Steve, but I have to remember that at 8 years old most of the boys in my sons pack have not been taught as my son has. I did hold an archery event for the group last fall (expected the usual 10 kids and over 20 showed up). It stressed me out! Most were very immature and constantly screwing around and not listening. I was so afraid one of them was going to get hurt I decided to limit the number for future events. A gun, bow, (or knife) in the hand of someone that does not know how to use it is a danger to him/her self. It's unfortunate that proper gun use and safety is not taught to kids today. Although the school we hold scouts in would never condone a gun safety class, I was able to instruct them on safely using a knife and bow. They were very hesitant about me bringing in a bow, but since it's a private school and I'm on the school board it was permitted. I've never seen a scout book that teaches gun safety which is too bad in my opinion.

I was thinking the scent might cover the smell a normal thermacell produces. If it's warm in the spring the bugs are going to be out and I'd have the thermacell on. Maybe the regular smell isn't a big deal?

As some of you may know I just bought my 8-year old son a new smoke pole and gave him his first deer knife. He loves hunting and is a great shot. Anyway I just got a text from his mom. She took him to cub scouts tonight and the den mother was asking the kids some safety questions... "Now kids, what do you do if someone breaks into your house?" Frank (my son) answers... "Get your dad's guns and shoot them." When the den mother said "no" he guessed again and said... "Then get the knives".

Well it's a go for another trip to the Bitterroot Mountains in search of the ever elusive black bear. Picked up some extra work this spring which will help cover the cost. I just hope gas prices go back down. Planning to leave the last week in May. A buddy of mine will be flying while I'll be hauling my travel trailer and gear. It will be a long 33 hour drive!

Anyone tried using bear attractant scent on a thermacell? Any luck?

I have a remington 1100 20 guage. It patterns poor, so I'm going to get a super full choke for it and see waht happens. Even in 20 guage it's too much kick for my 8 year old. He needs another year or two.

Thanks everyone. That is so cool Steve! Glad you got your first in the book. I remember my first, it was a great confidence booster and sense of accomplishment. I've got several deer on the wall now that go P&Y and when I told some people I was getting this years deer mounted they asked me why "since it didn't make Pope and Young". I then go into my dissertation response and after an hour thay are sorry they ever asked.

Don't know what happened, but saw his crutches in the corner. Yea, I went Friday and Saturday so I figured I'd leave the rack there since you get free admission as long as you have a display there. I didn't see any 200 inchers Saturday morning, but there were some beautiful 180's and 190's.

The flyer says 2011 is the 13th annual show so the first show would have been in 1998. I didn't go until the early 2000's.

The guessing thread from December: http://www.realtree.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103047 The timing worked out pretty good on this one. I shot this buck on December 17th 2010. The St. Louis Deer Classic was this weekend and I had him measured Friday February 18th (barely made the 60 day drying period). His official score came to 127 7/8 inches (gross score). I had measured him at 130 4/8 inches. I compared my measurements and it looks like he shrunk some over the past couple months. No single measurement was off a lot, just small amounts on each that add up. Looks like magnatecsteve was only 1/8 inch off the official score.

This weekend was the 2011 Deer Classic in Collinsville IL (just outside st. Louis). We go almost every year and each year it gets a little better. This year Ralph and Vickie were there as well as a Reptile guy that walked around allowing kids to see some really neat animals. The usual trout pond, shooting gallery, and deer sausage/jerky sampling. Also an archery contest (I'd never enter, but like to watch). There were some seminars on bear hunting I found useful this year. It's not as big as some of the others, but I find it a lot of fun. Got my December buck measured and will post "official" results in the Deer hunting room. You may recall the guessing contest - Stone Cold won. See if you were closer to the official score. LOL

Can't afford Tinks. I generally use HS doe in rut scent waffers. Got a 161 incher because of them. He had left my area, got downwind of the waffer and came back to smeel it. I nailed him at 25 yards. Grunt calls work during the rut. I've had one snort wheeze work on a buck when grunting alone wouldn"t do it.

I hear ya Chris! The state of IL is in even worse shape. No raise for the past 2 years now and we've been informed not to expect one next year either. Some state schools are making cuts, mine is not at this time, but has a hold on staff hires. If our secretary quits we do without a secretary.

Too liberal for me. I've heard a few shows in the past. As William stated I rarely listen to talk radio.

When are we going to find out that I'm right?

Somebody's watching out for you. Glad you're Ok.

I could do it.

Jeramie, Look no further... YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park is the place to go! My kids were about your kids age when we first went. It's the best vacation I ever had and it's great for kids of that age. We went in early June. Here's why it is so great... Plenty to do for all and some time for you and the wife as well. We went for 10 days, but less would work. We signed the kids up for day camp (M-F: 8am-3pm - half days are also available and you can pick any days you want). It's about 20 bucks per day per kid. That way you and the wife get to hike in the Rocky Mountain National park, fly fish, trail ride, rapid rafting, whatever. Then spend time as a family in the evenings or weekend. Take the Trail Ridge road across the RMNP and see giant elk at 5 yards, moose, sheep, and of course deer. The deer and elk actually walk around the campgrounds! We rented a cabin with a fireplace (they have cheaper ones, but smores in the fireplace were great)! If interested I'd be glad to tell you more. We've been three times! (2006,2007 and 2009). I have a lot of insight and can give you some great money saving tips as well as secret fishing spots for trout. Send me a PM if you want and I'll give you my phone number. http://www.ymcarockies.org/estes-park-center-colorado.html >Frank Some pictures: Our cabin Daycamp for the kids Whitewater Rafting (safe for young kids) Fine eating fresh trout Trail Ridge Road RMNP Looking out the window More in my public album

Slate is easy to learn and I get more gobblers to come in from a slate than anything else I've tried.

Wish we had a North and South Illinois. Can not stand being in the same state as Chicago. The people down here are decent, but Chicago law makers win every time (unless the supreme court steps in). I was rooting for the Steelers, but I must say Rogers came through on third and long in the 4th quarter. Game winning play in my book.

Beats the heat of July and August! A few more weeks please, then come March I'll be ready for spring.

If you want everything the software idea flintlock suggested or slave idea by norm may be the way to go. Generally I only need to transfer my personal folder files because my new cpu has more up to date applications. If this is the case just get an external hard drive (they are cheap now 250GB for 50 bucks) download then upload. The external hard drive is useful as a backup as well.

She'd have to be the right girl for sledding. A nice restaurant where she can talk and you can listen. LOL

I was almost able to say ditto, but the Bud Light ruined it. Yes I'm from St. Louis where Bud Light is made, but I really don't care for AB / Inbev products at all. Michelob had a golden brew available at the brewery years ago and that was decent. A buddy of mine home brews, and he has a blond ale that is great! I have a 12 pack of Killians (under 12 bucks) in the fridge now. Think I'll go get one.

Yup, thanks to those who have ran the contests in the past. I didn't know about all the negativity, really a shame. I was opting out this year too, but only because I'll only get one day to hunt this year (if that) due to my work schedule. Illinois has the most screwed up turkey seasons in the country. First season (lottery) Monday - Friday (5 -days sun-up till lunch time = 15.00 if drawn). Second season (lottery) Saturday - Wednesday = another 15.00 if lucky enought to get a tag. There are additional 5 day seasons all for another 15.00. Why in the heck they don't make each season include a weekend is beyond me.