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:DI like the picture of the belt too I ggive another yes vote for it. Hey guys, not to changethe subject here, but I have decided to take on another challenge this year, and I need some help. I have decided to try Turkey hunting, I never thought I would be interested in doing this, but in the last coulple of years, I have really been thinking about it alot,but I need lots of help, I have no idea on how to go about it, as far as calls, decoys...... all the way to cleaning the bird. I think I will be hunting in the spring with my bow, out of my Ameristep pop up blind. I will be hunting in Minnesota, and we have Fall and Spring Seasons, but you have to apply a year ahead of time to get drawn. But then if you want to hunt with your bow, you can just buy a license and hunt the last 14 days of the spring season only, and you can only shoot a Tom. Any help anyone can give me would be great.:eek:

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Big,

I hunt turkeys every year. The best advice I can give you is get where the birds want to be, and wait them out. I have had a few come in to the calls, but its easier to be where they want to go, than try to call them where YOU want them to go LOL. Using a shotgun or a bow? Fall hunting is different than spring. In the fall, you can "bust the flock" and sit down in the same area and wait for them to regroup. Spring, try to roost them the night before, and hope for the best. Hope this helped.

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Turkey hunting is VERY addicting. I was a latecomer to the game and man I wish I'd have started earlier. Pick up some calls now, places probably will have them clearanced. Practice with them now till the season starts. Try and listen to shows and hear what your supposed to sound like. nwtf website has clips too. like bbm said, hunting where the turkeys want to go, helps a lot. and most times don't over call. It's very tough when you got a gobbler going nuts in front of you. Using a bow is tough, but the blind will help. Good luck. And since we are on the subject of turkeys, here's a pic I snapped the other day about 25 ft out my back door. If you look close, it's a bearded hen.

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cool pic

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BD - Rybo's right - you first have to learn to call. It's not rocket science or anything too difficult, but like anything else, there's always room to improve. You don't need to be a NWTF world champion caller to call in a turkey. Start off slow - go and buy yourself a box call, a couple different brands of mouth calls, and a slate-type call. Get your hands on some videos too, and watch those. You'll be looking at around $50 in calls just to start. Pick up an owl hooter too, and learn tochirp onthat too (the "can" types are easier to use than the "reed" ones, but I think the reeds sound better).

It's as simple as sitting around your house trying to mimic the yelps, purrs,clucksand cutts of a hen turkey. See which calls you like, and keep working with them. Pick up a new call here and there, some you'll like, others you won't. The rest, you'll learn on your own in the field.

I keep a pack of mouthcalls in my car, and I practice year round while I drive. That's my favorite time to work on my calling b/c it's just time you're wasting anyway.

Start with the basic yelp, then try to learn some clucks, purrs and cutts. As you get more acclimated with the mouthcall, you can work on more elaborate calling sequences. You can even get a decent gobble out of a mouthcall if you work at it.

If you're going to try bowhunting from a blind, I'd recommend a good decoy. I have the pretty boy, and it worksreally good. I've only ever had a few turkeys see it and not come right in (one of them was with Rybo this spring - the most stubborn, hard-headed turkey in the state of Pennsylvania). The downside? It's bulky and costs around $100.

I wouldn't recommendtaking upspring turkey hunting. It's about the most addictive and frustrating brand of hunting. Your family may never see you again in April-May, and you'll end up spending a fortune in gas, calls, camo, decoys, vests, boots, hats, gloves, guns, hooters, crow calls, etc... Spring Fever can be just as bad as Buck Fever. Spring fever has also been known to cause mysterious sick days from work, and angry tantrums from your wife. Be advised.

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I will say this about you guys, you set the bar high! Was it 8 out of 10 that put a buck on the ground?? Something like 800 points or more? Mindboggling!

I don't know that we will ever see a team that is randomly drawn score so well...Hats off to you team XX.


Now that I have sucked upmaybe I can put the old Odocoileus virginianus macrourus curse on youguys!! That's right; be very afraid...this hex makes the Chicago Cub hex look like milk toast......

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YOU CANT HEX SKILL!!!!
Good luck this season!

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Hey guys, how is everyone doing? Everything is good on my end. Got another question for you all, I am in the market for a 3 - D Target, I have been using anold block target that I have used for years, but have always wanted something that was 3 - D. What do you suggest, I cant really afford to go out and drop a ton of money, but I dont want to get something that I am not going to be able to pull my arrows out of or am going to shoot the crap out of right away either. I was just wondering what everyone has.

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Big,

I have a walmart cheapie deer target ( mc kensie or delta?? it was $50) that I would not recommend to annyone. Its not held up well at all, even though I store it indoors. The block company makes a layered buck target that is nice, they have one at the pro shop I shoot at. Spend a little extra now, so you don't have to later.

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Hey guys, I saw a MONSTER buck in the food plots last night. I watched him for about 15 minutes. He's a hog, 10 point, probably 19 or 20 inches wide. Watched him enter and exit the plot. He's gonna get harrassed by ole button starting in October

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Big daddy,
not sure what I can recommend. I have one of those delta riverbottom bucks for a target. It was cheap and is cheaply made. Replacement cores are like 16$. Depending on how many broadheads you shoot depends on how fast it wears out. Doesn't seem real durable.

BBM,
Good luck with him bud. I've actually not really started looking at what's in my areas yet. They are what they are, I'll be hunting them regardless. Hopefully in the next couple weeks I'll be able to find some time and make some trips.

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Hey Guys, Long time no see, sorry..... We are remodeling the house and we havent had a land line phone line for 2 weeks. We've been living on cell phones so I havent had internet. Things are good but extrememly busy with, family, work, the house project and scouting... all is good though. We are living in 1/3 of our house, its all gonna be nice though when we finish up in late August..

I didnt even have time to read through all this thread....sorry I will get caught up.

I hope all is going well. I have all the rattles engraved and ready to go, I just havent had any free time to get them shipped, I will try tomorrow.I am taking the day off of logging to get some work done on this house.... They turned out nice! well I like them, I hope you guys do.

If I am scarce here for a couple more weeks, bare with me ....once we get the floor on and walls up this week and next week..trusses set...etc things will start slowing down I hope! lol finish work may not! oh well its all good.

I have over 2 hours of video shot so far and a couple hawg bucks!!!solid 160s...I have my cudde back no flash camera out, I havent checked it yet..cant wait...I have found some dang good bucks..cant wait to share. I just picked up my bear and late season whitetail from lastDec..this past Friday... theyboth turned out great...I am working uptwo journals right now trying to get caught up now that I have a computer again! I just got back on tonight...

Take care guys.. God Bless ya all!

Troy

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Sweet Troy those look cool. Good luck with the remodeling. I know what a pain that can be.

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Little setback for me guys. I cracked a limb on my bow. [:@]I am bummed. I don't know how long it'll be MIA. My dealer is going to send it back rather than just put the new limbs on himself. I was a little disappointed to know that. But I guess I'd rather have it done right if he's not confident. I'm guessing probably a good 2 weeks down. I was shooting so good too. I really need to look into a back up bow.

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What are ( or were) you shooting?

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A martin razor X. Customer service while I had them on the phone were awesome.My dealer is a nice guy but a bit unorganized, he's not a real big shop, but he's <5 minutes away.

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I've heard those are sweet bows. Sorry about the bad luck.

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Hey how is everyone doing? I am doing good just busy but that is life.

Rybo sorry to hear about the bow. I hope you get it back soon.

Troy glad to hear that things are moving along on the house. It sounds like you are getting some great futige of some nice bucks.

I just thought I would post a few pics of the family. I thought it would be nice to see everyone elses family as well. Have a great summer.

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Nice looking family, hoosier.

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Nice pictures, Hoosier. What's your daughter's name? Some of those pictures crack me up - she's a cutie.


Here's me and the wife after about 12 pina coladas in the D.R.

Rybo - if you can't get your bow repaired in time, you can just send your buck tag down here. LOL j/k - good luck getting that put back together. You have two months, so I wouldn't panic. Keep me posted. If you decide to get another bow, let me know b/c I have a lot of connections down here, and can usually come up with a good deal on short notice.

Just to bring y'all up to speed - I've been m.I.a. for 2 weeks, took the bar exam again. Not sure how that went.

Now to the important stuff: I couldn't be more excited about this bow season. Last night, I went spotting after the exam to blow off some steam, and I have located what I feel is a potential state record typical (archery) within 1.5 miles of my favorite hunting spot. This is undoubtedly the biggest buck that I've ever seen on the hoof. I had him 40 yards on 16x zoom, standing still. His rack is between 3-5" past each ear, mainframe 12 withthe most perfect rack you can imagine.G1 was probably 5-6". G2, G3 and G4had to be 10-13"+, with G5 pushing 6-8".If my eyes weren't deceiving me, I think he may have had 7 on one side, making him a mainframe 13. The tips curled upward at the end.

I was with a longtime friend of mine,and we were driving past a little cut-out withwaist-high hayleading into an overgrown apple orchard. He flicks on the light andsays "oh my god, STOP!" I jammed on the brakes and there it stood - the biggest blasted buck either of us have ever seen. Think Milo Hansen, only a shade smaller. Seriously, I almost passed out at the wheel.

So tonight, I'm heading out there to try and get some access to the woodlot where this thing lives. It's about a 1 sq. mile patchwork of ag fields, thickets with one hollow of hardwoods and bounded by roads on all sides. It looks like there's one small farm that owns the bulk of the woods. Since I hunt right across the street and know some of his neighbors, he might let me in. If I get in there, I may just pass on every buck all season until this deer is confirmed dead. I couldn't even sleep last night, so I just stayed up looking at aerial photos of the area trying to figure out how I can get at this animal. My wife thinks I'm certifiably insane, but she didn't see the buck, so she wouldn't understand.

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Fran,
Good luck getting permission to hunt that big boy. You get him and the first rounds on me.

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Dave - I wish I had a camera. I don't like to cry wolf, but I'm certain that this deer will contend for the PA archery record (178), at least netting over 160, making a top-10 all-time typical archery kill.

Other people know this deer's around, because I've been out spotlighting around a half-dozen times, and I keep seeing other people spotting - lots of them, but only in and around this one particular area. My buddy grew up with a girl whose parents live up the road, and her dad's heard through the rumor mill that there's a tremendous buck roaming around there. Usually, this time of year, you won't see a single spotter all week. So we sorta knew going in that there was a big buck around, I had no idea it was that big. It didn't take long to put 2+2+2 together, after we saw him. I figure I'd better move quickly and get some land access sooner than later.

Even if I'm denied, I'll be hunting over one of the only cornfields in the area. It's plausible that he might work his way into my woodlot (under 1.5 miles), because I hunt around some really good (safe and sheltered) bedding areas that are less than 200 yards from the fields and a nice acorn flat. Acorns are sparse in the area too, so there's always a chance.

Aside from that buck, we're seeing a good population of really goodbucks in the area. A lot of fields aren't visible from the roadway, so there's a lot that we're not seeing.

Two more months guys. Two more months...

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Wow Fran, That's an incredible PA buck . If you need any help there covering his areas I'd be glad to help out;). Thanks for the offer about the bow deals. I'm tossing around some ideas. I bought my dad a PSE nove a few years back that he used literally 4 times. I might set that one up in a pinch. I wouldn't be so worried other than I'm running on 2 weeks less time to be ready for my Idaho trip. I had EVERYTHING done on that bow. Tuned for broadheads, pins all set, I was shooting Cd sized groups @ 55 yds. I'm hoping it'll just be a matter of putting everything back to how it was and I'll be right on, with as little tweaking needed.

Here's me and my gal


And my baby

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Hi Guys - sorry for the long delay - but I am still kicking!

Fran - best wishes for the outcome on the Bar - I know the wait is nerve wracking- (over 3 months for the results on the CPA back in the stone ages when I took it). And best of luck with the permission on that HAWG!! - one sweet buck there! - Also - love the belt that is sweet.

Ryan - sorry to hear about the bow - I didn't know that when I responded about the back-up bow. What draw length are you? I am sure it will be back with tight groups before we leave! What Broad-heads are you using?

Hoosier - she is quite a cutie! - how old?

I will try to get some pictures on here (consider that a warning!!)

BBM - we are just going to have to have to add a " & C" to your nickname!

Troy - the racks look great! - best of luck on the addition.

Better run - will try to stay a little closer in tune!

Mike

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Thanks for all the remarks on the little one. Her name is Carlie and she just turned two. She sure is a hand full but worth every minute. I can't wait until she is old enough to take out hunting (Mom won't let me take her just yet I have tried) but when she does let me I am sure it will be a blast.

Quick sounds like you will be after a real nice one. I hope the outcome is a good one. I hope everything went well on the bar exam.

Ryan and Quick you both have nice looking wifes how did that happen? j/k

Well I hope everything goes well for all of you this summer and it is nice to stay in touch.

Oh by the way I am so JELOUIS (that is not spelled right) of Ryan and Mike they will be after some nice elk real soon. If I get the job that I am going after I would sure like to take a crack at an elk one day. Talk at you all later.

William

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Mike-I shoot a 29.5" draw. I could probably shoot a 28.5" in a pinch. I've shot my dads bow that is shorter than mine. I use 125 gr thunderheads.

William- Beats me, I guess every now and then you find somegirls with bad eyes ;)I am looking forward to this trip like you would not believe. I hope you get a chance to at it too.

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Hoosier, I told the wife that I was independently wealthy when I met her. By the time she figured out the truth, it was too late. I got her some Cubic Zirconia earrings and put them in a Tiffany & Co.box that I got on ebay to trick her. LOL j/k

Mike, bar results take about 3 months to get back. There are about 25 essay questions on the PA bar, and everybody writes at least 1-2 pages per essay, and 5-10 pages for the big one, so it's a lot of grading for them to handle. There's also 200 multiple choice questions.

Troy, the sheds look awesome.

Button: I have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than getting that deer. If I do manage to get him, I'll need more than one round.

Rybo: In a month or so, we'll have to get together and do some spotting down where we turkey hunted.

Season update: Yesterday, I went over to the courthouse at lunchtime, with an aerial photo of the area, and I cross-referenced that with the tax maps, and mapped out the landholdings in the area, complete with names and addresses of the landowners. It looks like about a 1000 acres of farmland, with maybe 350-400 acres of woodlands strewn about.

Last night after work, I loaded up the varmint rig and went door-to-door, and got myself into what looks like a really good 100 acre lot that is all wooded, with two very small fields. Here's the rub: I think it gets hunted to death. This guy says that he has "quite a few" people who hunt in there, including several bowhunters, and he said that there are a lot of guys who ride ATV's in there. I checked it out, and the woods are covered in ATV trails. There's good deer sign, with patchy cover and access to the big fields atop the ridge. I'll hang a stand in there, but I'm cautiously optomistic.

Afterward, I went over to my favorite honeyhole at 7:00 (this year is 90% field corn), and perched myself over the only soybean field in the property, about 350 yards from the woodline. I had my groundhog rifle with 32x zoom.

When I got there, there were five or six doe out. They wandered off. Then, a decent, heavy racked seven pointer came out, he was about 14-16" outside, missing a right G3 (think 85-90 class). Three more bucks came out of the corn, a scrub six, a nice basket six (12-14" wide), and a half-rack fork (left side broken at about 2"). The small bucks' racks must be pretty hard, because they were pushing each other around pretty good. Not a full-blown fight, but some pretty hard head-butting and horseplay. They came and went, along with some does.

Later, a small basket eight? came out of the corn about 30 yards from me. I didn't know he was there, and he busted me, darting back into the corn. At dark, three more bucks appeared, a very small spike or fork, a decent six or eight, anda high-racked oddball. He had a really tall, narrow rack with what looked like 3-4 points on each beam. At that point, I was down to 8x, and was straining hard to see anything at all, so I packed it up.

All in all, I bet I saw over 20 deer in that one field (zero groundhogs), so they're definitely there. I didn't see the size that I wanted, but the big boys will show sooner or later.

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Ryan - this one seems to be a loooong 28.5 - feels more like 29 or so to me - but I would think we could easily let it out to 29.5 if needed - we got some 100 wack-em's (I think - the one's Troy suggested) and are going to see how they fly.

May head out to a 3D this weekend - supposed to be HOT.

Better run - Mike

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Mike- Looks likemy back up bow plan is going into motion. I scooped up my Dad's PSE Nova that I bought a couple years back for him. It's probably been shot less than 100 times. 28-30" draw, 70#, I can shoot the same arrows and I'll be good to go. I just hope I haven't been spoiled too much from my main bow. So this will give me something to tinker with until my baby gets back.

Fran, you are going to have to give me lessons on going door to door. I get nervous and sound like a complete idiot. By the time I get done with the um's and "well if it isn't too much um trouble, maybe um, if it's alright with you, if I could um, maybe archery hunt your land." They are half asleep.

RE: (20) Official Team XX Thread
 

TROY...The antlers look unbelievable. A job well done and I can't thank you enough for spending the time to do those.

Well, hope you all are doing great. I've spent the last few days trying to justify to my wife to buy a new bow. I shot the Switchback, Parker Phoenix, Ross, and the new Fred Bear line. Let tell you boys, the Instict is phenominal for the price. I can't come to grips with spending 7 to 8 hundred on a bow. But $400 - I've almost got my wife talked into it. The problem we all know is that I will be doing a lot of sucking up for the next few weeks....Come on you guys know how it is.

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Rybo - I reckon you'll be pleasantly surprised by the Nova's performance. Either way, good luck getting everything together. That's stress that you don't need right now. Hey man, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I swear, things always wait until the worst possible time to malfunction. I think it's a law of nature. By the way, if you ever want to dredge up some new hunting grounds, just drop me a line and I can help. I'm not shy at all about asking. I know a lot of good areas in Fayette and Greene Counties, and I wouldn't mind expanding my ventures into Washington Co.

Sum - good luck on the new bow. You'll see that there's not that much difference between the $400 bows and the $800 variety, other than the name. Check out the Reflex Highlander - it's a good bow for the price, with good warranty. I shoot an eight-year-old Jennings (airmaster), and I'm getting the same speeds and performance that most of the '05 models are getting - so you don't necessarily need the latest & greatest. You just have to read between the lines and do your homework tosee through the marketing. I'm probably gonna have toupgrade my bow sometime in the next three years too. I like the Allegiances, but there's no way I'm spending that kind of dough on a bow. I need furniture. LOL

Hoosier - I'm with you on this one - I'm a little (a lot)jealous of our lucky elk hunters.

Oh, and I figure I'll just throw this out to you guys while I'm on the subject of traveling to hunt - if any of you guys want to make it out to PA for some archery hunting (even rifle season), I can hook y'all up with some good places to hunt, and an air mattress in my spare bedroom. I can't guarantee that I'll be able to get off work (9-5)to go with ya, but I can personally take you to your stands in the morning and pick you up every night if you don't have a car or don't wanna pay to rent one. I'll also offer round-trip shuttle service to/from Pittsburgh International. Also, I have access to my family's hunting camp in the Allegheny National Forest - it sleeps about 18. Very isolated, with miles and miles of access to public land. Not the greatest hunting, but there are some deer, and it's quite peaceful, complete with that "Pennsylvania Deer Camp" kinda feeling. You won't see another hunter. I know it's nice to get out and see other places, so if any of you guys have some vacation time, y'all can come out. If you wanna bring your wife/girlfriend/hunting partner, that's cool too. Mi casa su casa.

Scouting update: Last night I was out again - complaining wife in tow. Totally amazing - it was a severe electrical storm, complete with intermittent showers. The bucks were out and about like it wasn't even storming. No sign of the monster, but I did cross paths with a tremendous 4x4 just up the road from where I park. The big bucks are traveling together, and I finallygot a look atthe boys of summer on my favorite farm. They were too far out to make any kind of positive i.d., but there were four together that were each ear-wide or better, with nice tine length. One of them looks like he's sporting a lot of points, but he didn't stick around.

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QUICK - I might have to take you up on that offer. Have any clue on what a non-resident tag costs? There isn't anywhere better than being in the middle of the bush for a four or five days.

RE: (20) Official Team XX Thread
 

Quick,
I'm aware of the Nova's capabilities, as I used one for almost 8 years, this one I'm using now just has different cams. I soldmy bow to a friend who was supposed to get into bow hunting and i figured "selling" it next to nothing would get him down the road for very little investment, but he's just not made the time so it sits in his closet.

And in scouting news, I finally got out to glass a night at one of my spots. I seen a whopper. It was getting real dark, so I don't know exactly how many points, but he was HUGE. One of the taller bucks I've seen, it must be a trait in this area, I see lots of high racks on this farm. And actually there was a smaller one that rack shape was identical he was just smaller. If I had to guess on the big one, I'd put him at 17" wide and g2's that probably go 10".

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Rybo - those Novas are good bows. I shot a PSE spirit as my first bow, which may have predated the Nova. That bow is still around, my neighbor's nephew has it now and it still shoots, plastic wheels and all.

Keep tabs on that big boy. His pattern probably won't change all that much between now and 10/1. I hate that when it's just light enough to see the rack, but too dim to see it clearly. The bucks aren't being too shy about hitting the fields before dark these days. If they keep it up, they just might be in trouble on opening night.

Jeff - PA NR licenses run around $110, and your archery license is an extra $30. So you're looking at $140 total. If you do want to come out, consider traveling on Sunday b/c we have no Sunday hunting. You only get one buck tag, but if you'd show up and tag outearly,I could get you on a good farm in WV (1 hour drive from where I live now)- their NR licenses are around the same price.

Deer camp is about a 3.5 hour drive from my home in Sheffield, PA (near the PA/NY border in Warren County). It has propane heat, beds, electric, outhouse,gravity-fed water, stove, 3 br w/ bunks, sleeper sofaand all the amenities. Like I said, I could drop you up there for a week too (but I won't have vacation time to stay). You'd have a tougher time arrowing a big buck there, but it's a really nice place and you can't quite put a value on doing deer camp for a week with no phone, no tv reception (we have tv/dvd/vcr - and you can bring your own playstation) - cell phones do work up there, but reception is spotty. There's a little bar/restaurant within walking distance (under 1 mile) out along the highway. It's a good place for a small hunting party to kick back and relax, drink beers, play cards or sit around the fire, so if you bring a buddy or three along, that's your best option. You can pretty much do whatever you want up there, and it's really nice country. There are a lot of deer, but the woods are seemingly neverending.

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Hey boys, its been a while and still have just a little time to get this note out.
Good looking pics. of the families.

Did any of you see the post on the video of your hunts and extra points for the team? ?Cool idea but for the pain and expence I think maybe Huntingnet is getting away from the starting idea. It takes away from the beginner hunter, and may push away new people.

scouting has bee good. I have seen 6 different bucks. 2 spike, 2 6ers. real tall 4, and a nice 10. I am ready to hit it.

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I'm hoping, and it looks like the video portion will be a seperate contest. I like keeping things simple.

Here's a few doe pics I got on my trail cam

RE: (20) Official Team XX Thread
 

Ryan thoose are some good looking pictures.

Quick that is a very nice gesture and I wish I could take you up on it but right now cash is so tight that I don't think I will make it up their to hunt. I hope that some time in the future I will be able to make it up their to hunt.

I hope all is going well and will talk at you guys later.

William

RE: (20) Official Team XX Thread
 

Hey Quick,
Maybe we could all try to get to the camp for turkey season. The team! That would be real cool.

Hoosier, Where do you live?
I am in Tecumseh.

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Hello, again. I've been busy hanging a few stands, shooting, glassing the fields, etc. I'm hoping to pick up a new trail cam this weekend at Bass Pro. I've got the Mathews dialed in, but I think I need to get ME dialed in. I'm having a hard time shooting over 50 times a night. I guess its time to break out the bowflex, lol. Darn office job, I'm turning into a flabalanche.[:'(]

RE: (20) Official Team XX Thread
 

Rybo - Do you have a digital trailcam, or is that a scanned 35mm? Either way, those are very nice pictures. I'm looking forward to seeing more. Any word on your replacement limbs yet?

Button - You might have to start double-dosing on your Geritol or just slamming down two or three Ensures before you go out to shoot. You might need Extra Strength Geritol. If that's no good, you'll have to see a doctor for some heavier stuff. Just kidding. --- Fifty times!!?? Holy cow - I can't remember ever shooting my bow that much. 10-15 shots every week or so, that's as good as it gets for me. I must be a slacker when it comes to shooting. I get bored and sidetracked real easy. Glad to hear you have your stands up already. I've been slacking on that, but I do have a couple still hanging from last year.

AR/Hoosier - you guys are welcome to make a road trip out here to hunt anytime - turkey, deer, anything.

Scouting update: I went out glassing on Tuesday night, and saw 10 bucks. Six of them I hadseen before, all scrubs with a nice seven pointer. Four were new - one is a really high-racked five pointer that will be really nice next season. The other three came together at dark. At least two of them were ear-wide, and I couldn't even get a look at the third, I just know he had antlers. One of them didventure out into a well-lit area and he looked like a mainframe eight, maybe 15-17" outside, but it was so dark, I can't be sure. I'm always positioned at least200 yards away on a knob overlooking the field. Some of them are wayout there, pushing 600 yards. They were sparring again, and this time I took my buddy along, so I have a credible witness. It was the same group of younger bucks as last timethat were pushing each other around (7, 6, 6, & 4).

They just come out of the woodwork around this one soybean field starting around 7:00.This field is surrounded by low brush, not treestand accessible anywhere. It's a PRIMO spot for a groundblind in the edge, but I'm gonna be hunting mostly on the opposite end of the farm, tucked away behind the cornfields. I'd like to get a trail cam in there.