Tony Smotherman

Hey Guys, It's been a while since I stopped in so I just wanted to take time to get caught up. Right before Christmas I was hunting with my CVA Apex in Nebraska with Fur and Feather Outdoors and Texas after that with Heart of Texas Bowhunting. Even though the wind chill in Nebraska was 31 below zero I was still able to level a big 9 pointer. Texas was a great change as it was 75 degrees above zero there, but I was not able to toss any carbon rockets there. We saw lots of activity but no shooters showed there faces. The last two weeks I was able to spend at home with my family and enjoy the Holidays. It was awesome as we got to enjoy Christmas for the first time in our new lodge/home I built last summer. It was awesome!!! To make things even better, I get one more run with my muzzleloader this weekend. I am heading to Ohio to hunt their late muzzleloader season and I will be sharing a camp with well known turkey caller and all around hunter, Walter Pariot. It should make for a good time! After that, myself and the Summit's High Places TV crew are going to head on up to the Archery Trade Assoc. Show next week. I cannot wait to see what goodies is in store for archers in 2010. I'll see ya' there hopefully!! Tony

If I told you it was cold out here in Nebraska I would be lying...it is an artic blast that has rolled in! This morning it was -31 degress with a slight north wind. Talk about a rough hunt! This week has been the coldest of the year and it is supposed to be in the 40's next week. Unfortunately, I will be in Texas next week! We have seen a ton of deer and several bucks but no shooters as of this morning. We are heading back to the Platte River in a few minutes. Me and Jason Edney, my guide, just put up a new blind in a cut corn field for this afternoon. With the temps like they are the deer should pour into the corn. Tony Smotherman

Hey Crew, I am packed and bags are weighed for the trip to the airport in the morning! The Summit's High Places crew and I are heading to Nebraska tomorrow for a late season muzzleloader hunt for a week and then on to Texas for a bowhunt in the Brady area. This will be my first time bowhunting Texas and I am tripped out right now! The great thing about this two week run is that it is super cold in Nebraska right now which should make the deer get on their feet and I understand Texas rut is rolling now too. It is the best of both worlds! I told our production company last year that I wanted to land as close to the equator as possible after Nebraska so that I can thaw out by Christmas. This should be what the doctor ordered! See ya' back around Christmas! Tony Smotherman

I went to my farm in Brown County and scratched out fellows. All the corn is still standing which has killed all the deer activity in the timber. I am going to head back up next week for the second gun season and hopefully the farmers have had a chance to harvest the corn by them. Tony

Yes sir, it is that time again!! The first gun season in Illinois starts on Friday and I am rolln' north with my new .50 caliber CVA Apex in hand. I have hunted this season since the early 90's and would not miss it for the world. I talked with my farm manager and outfitter, Toby Stay, and he said it seems like the bucks have been in lock down for the last few days but hopefully that will change by Friday..opening day. I will keep you posted!! Tony Smotherman

Hey Brandon, Make sure that you post some pics of the KY elk. I have heard that almost every hunter tagged out. Tony

Yea, you bet brother..my season is off to an awesome start. I wish all you guys could have been on the elk hunt. It was a ton of work but well worth all the efforts..promise!!! Tony

The black electrical works great and does not cause any accuracy issues.. Tony Smotherman

Hey Steve, Sorry I did not get to catch up with you while I was up in Wyoming. The hunt took much longer than expected due to the crazy snow fall...4 feet in mountains. Needless too say, I did not get any free time! Thanks for all the great comments..it was truly a great hunt!!! Tony Smotherman

Thanks brother..sorry I did not get to catch up with you while I was out in Wyoming. The hunt took much longer and was tougher than expected due to the really deep snow. Thank goodness for snowmobiles!! Tony

Bow Joe, That was a mouth full but it could have not been put any better. Good job!! Tony Smotherman

Time to roll out again! I am washing clothes as I type this entry and my wife, Misty, is heading to the tire store in the morning to get some news shoes put on my travel truck. It is time to chase an elk in the Wyoming mountains. I'm going on a late season elk hunt with my new CVA Apex .50 caliber muzzleloader. I know this is not the choice elk hunt that everyone thinks of as the rut is over and the bugling is almost non-existent, but I have done this hunt before and the bulls are all back together which makes for some pretty good hunting. I hope the weather stays descent and the famed Wyoming winds stay under hurricane status. Wish a Realtree brother luck! Tony Smotherman

You guys are way to kind!!! I hope ya'll are lay'em low too! Tony Smotherman

Hey Guys,I just wanted to drop in and let everyone know that I leveled a good deer on my Brown County, Illinois farm Tuesday evening. This was my first hunt with a bow in several years. Not that I don't like bowhunting, but rather hunting with a muzzleloader has taken over my life in a great way. I must say that it was great to hit the timber with a bow in my hand!! This hunt was filmed for Summit's High Places TV show that airs on The Outdoor Channel. I hope everyone else is having a Rockin' season!Tony Smotherman

Hey guys, I have spoke all over the country and have never had anyone come up to me that was an ANTI. I figured at some point that might happen and have tried to prepare for that but it has come up yet. Tony Smotherman

My 10 year old son shot his first buck last season and he was using a .50 caliber with 60 grains of loose Triple 7 FFg and a 250 grain Barnes Red Hot bullet and was really comfortable with the felt recoil. The accuracy was really good out to 75 yards. This was all we practiced as the food plot he was hunting in was only 60 yards wide. He ended up shooting his buck at that distance with a full pass thru. This is the great thing about the muzzleloading sport. The loads can be tweaked for them when they are younger and the loads can grow with them! Tony Smotherman

Thanks guys! If you have never made the trek out west you are missing out! It is the most fulfilling hunt I do all year and one that I cannot wait to do again and again. This will be my first hunt with my new CVA Apex .50 caliber and I am all geeked up! If I'm are able to close the deal and smoke a muley I will get pics uploaded asap! Tony Smotherman

Hey guys, I just got the new CVA Apex and Accura sighted in today at my gun range. I used 110 grains of the Blackhorn 209 with the Powerbelt 300 Platinum bullet. They both like that load and they both came in with a 3 shot group at an 1 1/4 at 100 yards. Pretty sweet! They are both packed up and getting ready to hit the road with me to Wyoming for a spot and stalk muley hunt. Smokin' Muleys!! Tony Smotherman

Has anyone looked at the New CVA Apex? I must say that is an awesome gun with a really clean trigger that is adjustable with only a flat head screw driver. Mine, out of the box, broke everytime at 2.5 pounds and it can be tweaked a pound or so in either direction of that. Nice option!! Tony Smotherman

Before you make your decision you should try the trigger pull on them both. A good trigger is as much a part of the accuracy and a clean barrel. I just got my new CVA Accura and out of the box with no tweaking..the trigger broke over everytime at 2.6 pounds. That is one sweet trigger! Tony Smotherman

Most clothing washes now do not have any UV brightners in them so there will be no worries. When washing them I like to do like BillKay said and turn them inside out before washing.

Yea guys, The Revolution and Revolution 2 are being recalled due to a case of slam fire issues. Meaning the gun could accidentally discharge when the action is closed up. I have several of these models and have never had an issue like this, but if you have one you need to log onto www.knightrifles.com and fill out the registration form and Knight will send you out a box and return label for you to send back your action. This is of no cost to you at all. They will replace the malfunctioning part and send back your repaired action asap. And yes, horntagger, Knight Rifles is out of business as of June 30th. However that is only for manufatoring, they will have warranty and customer service open for many years to come. All parts and accessories will also be available for many more years. Tony Smotherman

It is an honor to be a part of the Realtree family and I want to thank you guys for the warm welcome!! It is awesome to be able to hang with people that are just like myself...crazy about family, friends, and the outdoors. Tony Smotherman

It looks like they are going to have the convention in Louisville again next year and possibly in Nashville, TN the following year per what I was told told today. Tony

Hey Steve, I see that you are in Wyoming. I love that state! I spend a ton of time out there each October for muley season and in November for elk season. Actually my wife is out there right now visiting her family. She is from Casper and I met her while I was out there hunting mulies several years back and ended up moving her to Tennessee. Good times in Wyoming my man!! Tony