fly

Glad to hear you're tagging it! No doubt there are some that would be in your situation and try to figure a way out so they could keep hunting for a big buck. So hats off and take pride in the fact that you're doing the right thing. Any deer legally harvested is an accomplishment to be proud of. Try to post some pics, I'd love to see them.

Was it public land hunting? One has got to take precautions. I list the ones I do when hunting frequently, think I'll put it on my blog. Also when is the last time you read an article on hunting defensively? There will ALWAYS be an idiot out there so we have to hunt smart!

Doe estrus. Not sure how great they are at pulling deer in from far distances, but many traveling close will stop to smell it giving me a shot! The deer below had walked by me into a field just out of bow range. I had a doe estrus wafer hanging on a fence about 20 yards from me. Once he got down wind of the waffer (lucky he smalled it before me) he stopped, turned and came right to it. As he smelled it I had my shot. October 12th 06.

Couple things I've learned in my 20+ years of deer hunting. I've had little luck rattling or using doe calls. I've had a lot of luck using a deer grunt call. I've called in small deer and big deer from mid-October - late-December. I generally move my head 180 degrees and give 5-8 short pops followed by a longer 2 second grunt. The first time I do it quietly, after 15 minutes louder. Another thing I have found is that mature bucks like to travel with the wind in their nose so they can smell what is up ahead. Some times I think I know their route and put the wind in my face expecting them to come in front of me. Then here they come behind me. Has happened several times. I hunt from a tree stand so I'm generally able to make the adjustment without being detected. A ground blind might help if you like the ground.

Also doesn't take up a lot of space!

Nice bucks and taxi work right there!

I'm thinking pretty hard about going to them even though if you harvest a P&Y animal the lighted nock disqualifies it. If I knew for certain it would help me recover an animal I otherwise would not I'd hunt with them.

Happy to hear the news! Lets see a picture when you get her! (or since you are a girl will it be a him)?

Hey Swampy the hose is out of water! Would you mind stomping the fire out with your police car?

50 cal. BP, 100 grains of powder.

Honestly I'm not sure.I was given a marlin 30/30 lever action and 20 guage wingmaster about the same time (around 12 or 13). I also had a Daisy pelet gun around that time. I know I used the pelet gun before any other gun. When I was 14 I shot several quail and phesants with the wingmaster. Since rifles are not legal in IL for deer I never used the 30/30. My first deer went down to the wingmaster as well. After storing it for 10 years it's back in action this year with a new red dot scope. It's about 50 years old.

I'd have to disagree about the cop deciding not to shoot a deer because of safety issues. The bullet may not stay in the animal and I'd be appreciative of a cop refraining from taking a shot that would put somone at risk. What I don't understand is why a citizen can be charged for using a knife to finish off a deer hit by a car. 3.Except for any law enforcement officers in the performance of their duties, it shall be illegal to kill a deer crippled under these circumstances unless permission has been obtained from a Conservation Police Officer or the Regional Office (see phone numbers on page 1).

Welcome to the forums Tim! Yea I'll bet the deer will die. If you didn't get vitals odds are that he will die of infection. I know the feeling you have right now. Most bow hunters do. I've made some poor decisions and learned from them just as you have. The bad decisions have not kept me out of the woods, I'm just more selective on my shots now. I know how hard it is sometimes to let a deer go becasue the shot isn't right. Guess what, you'll have no trouble now. Get back out there and make the next shot a good one!

I would not think many serious hunters would argue that alum was better than carbon. I used to use alum for many years then switched to goldtip carbons a few years back. My draw length is 29 inches so I shoot 31 inch arrows (cut down just a little by my pro shop). One thing you need to watch is that your broadhead doesn't hit your sights as you draw. I know people with older bows/sights where this was a problem. I like the GT carbons a lot better than my old easton alum. Sorry to hear about your pro-shop. A good one isn't always easy to find.

My old taxidermist told me my 161 inch deer would bring about $700.00. I didn't ask him where or from whom because I wasn't interested. If you really are determined to sell it you may want to try a bar or restaurant that would be interested in hanging a deer head on the wall.

Now law to leave it, but there is a law that states an officer has to finish it off. Police wouldn't do it huh? They usually will and then offer the meat to whoever finds it or is there. If you ever finish one off you could be brought up on charges if caught. This is from what I remember reading in the ILDNR hunting digest last year. For years I would carry a knife in the truck for this very reason. I see too many down but not out on the road side.

Welcome! Very healthy looking 8-point you got there! Congratulations

I've see zero scrapes and zero rubs. No/little deer movement or activity during day hours for 2 weeks now. I expect the rut to be right on time (starting around November 7th) as usual. I also expect things to start heating up some time this week.

Best of luck to ya Tim!

Nice color. I think you got a real good do there!

Don't think I could pass on a knife hunt for deer with Buckee!:clown: Actually I think it would be easier for me to name those I wouldn't like to hunt with (see the list below). .

Love my viper and open shot. The new open shot seems a bit more comfortable than the older style. I'm 6 ft 200 lbs and it's my favorite for long walks or when I'm only hunting 2-3 hours. Any time I'm hunting longer than 3 hours the viper goes with me. For my style of hunting I need both.

Really depends on where I'm at. In general... In October I have the best luck the last 2 hours of light. In November I tend to do better in the mornings (sun-up till 9am) although all day can be good this time of year. It seems that once December-January rolls around the evening hours are best again.

I'm thinking you're using the 2 blades? Was the arrow in the deer as it ran off or a pass through? If the arrow was in the deer I'd say you hit the shoulder blade and likely got vitals = dead deer within 100 yards of the shot spot. Most likely towards the thickest cover you can find or in a low spot. Good luck!

I spent several thousands on the ring for my "practice marriage". Discussed rings on my "real deal" marriage with my wife and spent way less on the ring. The first one was a waste of money that probably went to a pawn shop, the second has over 7 years of wear and tear now. Don't worry so much about the right priced ring, if you have the right girl the price will not matter! I'd make sure you at least hint towards what she likes dislikes as far as rings go. Hey (name) did you see so and so's engagement ring? It had a pear shaped diamond and a bunch of little ones around it and a silver band. I thought it looked ok, but I'm not fond of the pear cut or silver bands. She'll likely chime in at this point and you'll know.