IL - sounds like you had quite the day! Thank goodness that you had the women with you during the whole traumatizing event. They really help you keep your cool when things are blowing up in your face (*sarcasm intended*) Glad everything worked out and you didn't suffer any serious economic loss - it just sucks when you have to rush around like a maniac to undo a quagmire.

Those bulls probably got the ride of their lives!! LOL

Darren - I think it was you who asked - I live about 15-20 minutes from the PA/WV state line. It's cool, b/c you never really tag out since you can hop the state line and get more licenses (WV allows 5 bucks - 2 rifle, 2 bow, and 1 mz). The stupid thing that I do is not buy my WV license first. They have no Antler Restrictions, and as you all know, I have an itchy trigger finger. If I was smart, I'd go down there, and slam the first 2 bucks I see, then come home to PA and trophy hunt. But, since I'm an idiot, I tag out here, then go down to WV andwatch the Oompa Loompa deer for the rest of the season, waiting forthe trophy buck that I already scared away on Saturday.

Hey guys how is everyone doing? Things are starting to pick up here a little bit. I was out hunting on sat and sun and the activity has picked up. On sat I saw mainly does but I did see a smaller 8. On sun day I had a 100 inch 10 at 45 yards but I am not comfortable at that range so I just watched him for a while. Part of the reason the activity is picking up is because they finally got some of the corn down and the rut is getting close. The bucks are starting to cruise.

I have not been able to hunt as much as I would like but I am still getting out as much as possible. My wife has so much homework from her classes that I have to watch the little one quite a bit. It is so stressful on her because she is getting so close to being done and theses are the most important classes she has to take. I feel bad for her.

Troy I would love to take a trip to Idaho and do a little elk hunting. I may take you up on that offer some time dowm the road if it is still on the table when I can get a chance.

I hope that everyone has good luck in the coming weeks and will kill a big one. Good luck to everyone.

William

William,

Right on bud, glad you are seeing some bucks. I hear you and understand the time it takes to raise a little one while momma is finishing up school. Good for you for helping out! Hey bud, you just let me know if you wanna come out some year and hunt elk. Plenty of them out here and archery season is the finest time to hunt them since it falls during the elk rut. You're looking at airfair and about 500.00 into elk tag and license..just to give you an idea. I live near Spokane Washington so the airport is close.

Good luck bud the rest of the season!

Troy

Well long time...no talk to guys. Once again, sorry I haven't been around much. I haven't gotten out in the last week which really makes me mad but, I was out of town for work. The rut is just starting to pick up according to the guys that hunt around me. The last time I was out was last Friday and I sat all day...no sign of the does going into heat. It's amazing...it's been cool and everything seems right except the deer. I can't understand why it's running this late this year. Anyway, I have the weekend off and hope to get some quality hunting in. Talk to you all later and good luck.

OK just some quick comments and updates

Troy,
I know you weren't looking for anything for the shirts, but that was such acool gesture on your part, that I was just looking fora way to say thanks. And as far as the elk invite goes, I am very seriously considering it. Elk is something that is tops on my 'want to hunt' list, and about the only thing holding me back is just making the decision to go for it.

Quick,
That bunny thing cracks me up. I don't live were I get any trick or treaters, so my girlfriend dresses up the dog, yes the dog, and passes out candy at my parents house.

To everyone else still hunting
Keep at it guys, all it takes is one buck to come cruising thru to change the season in an instant.

My hunting has been ok. Seeing a good number of bucks,(9 in the last 2 days)but no shooters. The weather is supposed to warm up,we'll see if that affects the movement. They were running and grunting everywhere this morning. If I see one more little fork horn, I am going to scream.

Finialy got this picture scanned. Wish I would see this guy in the daytime! Wish I had been seeing anything at this point.http://photobucket.com/albums/a213/AR-34/?action=view¤t=2005002.jpg

Hey Sumhunter, I have not been hearing much of anyone in my area having good luck. Something is different this year. Maybe the leaves on the trees,(season change is about 30 days behind), lack of rain, not real sure what the deal is. Southern Michigan hunting is not the same this year.
Good luck to you this weekend, I have a wedding to go to. No children, so we are going to make it good, hotel, eating out.....

good luck to the rest of you...

When does this contest end?

Fellas - Hope all is going well on your end of the wires.

AR - that buck in the picture is an absolute Hog. Cheers to you getting a look at him through the sights. That thing looks like something out of Whitetail Magazine. Yowsers.

Rybo - I know what you're saying - I've been out 2 mornings this week in WV, and I keep seeing the same 2 spikes. It's like they gravitate toward my tree, and every other deer in the free world won't come near it. Sooner or later that paddle-horned 8 pointer will come back, and when he does, arrows shall be flung. The youngsters have been pretty rambunctious lately. Also, it looks like the Ohio hunt will not be going down, b/c I haven't saved enough money yet for this wedding next year, and my old lady is sweatin' me about it. Women...

William - Hang in there buddy, it sounds like your neck of the woods is home to some good deer, so be patient. It does seem a little slow for the first week of November. It's been unseasonably warm here (except for one freak snowstorm), and the foliage is still heavy. Probably all contributing to a later rut, perhaps.

Sum - Work comes before play. It gets frustrating when you feel like you're constantly working, but the business world doesn't brake for the rut. You'll get out there soon enough. Good luck

Troy - Have youhad a chance to getout lately? If so, what particular game animal/weaponare the flavors of choice? I'm very unfamiliar with theregs out there - are youallowed to take your second buck with a bow, or isita rifle only tag? Like the rest of these guys, I'd really like to come out there and show you how to elk hunt sometime : ) BUT, time constraints, budget constraints, wedding coming up - too much on the plate. Maybe in a year or two, ifthe offer doesn't expire by then.

In other news- Penn State plays Wisconsin this weekend for the Big Ten title atBeaver Stadium. Should be a wild one. If you guys aren't in your treestands, you should tune in (3:30 ET). I'll be coming home early for that one, it's PSU's biggest game in 6 years. A BCSbid is on the line. I was unable to score tickets.