RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Glad you made it through your hectic day TX. Sounds like you have a great spot. Why wait so long to hang your stands? Are you concerned about theft? I'm going to ask Rob when the deadline is for no shows. I wish 14mercs would make an appearence. Get that name picked boys, I like antler mafia also.

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Well that's3 votes for sure for Antler Mafia
I say we just pick it and be done with the name?

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Oh yeah, Welcome Pahunter!!!!

Buell, no, Pa-Law didn't kill me, just said a few choice words followed by "HAPPENS!" I kinda got off the hook a little more since he broke his hay baler today because of a goof-up.

Motown, I kinda just ran out of time this week. Actually, in one of the spots I've already attached my Swift-tree ladder to the tree I want to sit. It's in a funnel-like area. I'll hang the GameTamer in a week or two when I get back up there. The other spot,....I'm not real sure if I'll be hunting from a tree or the ground. I might setup both. It's a larger area that I've narrowed down to about 5 acres. I'd really like to see a little more fresh sign, which I figure will be showing up VERY soon.

Okay here's the pics of that "thing" I found. What do y'all think?? Is it, or is it not???

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v155/txmarshmonkey/Shed1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v155/txmarshmonkey/Shed2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v155/txmarshmonkey/Shed3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v155/txmarshmonkey/Shed4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v155/txmarshmonkey/Shed5.jpg

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Not sure there TX, it could be. Definately calcium. You can see where the squirrells have been chewing on it.

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Yep, I was going to post my vote for Antler Mafia the other night. Sorry I waited. I think I have a pretty cool idea for the logo if we can get someone to put some time into it.

Tx, congrats on the good sign. I hope you can get some pretty good pictures out of those trail cams.

On the CSI investigation we have going on here, my guess would be a bone. Just from the simple fact that the marrow would be gone quicklyand the bugs and squirrels could get at it from both inside and out. Looks like the wear is even for a bone (both inside and outside wear).

(And now formy "read into it hypothesis")

Plus at 8 inches and being that straight, I can't see it as being anything but bone. :D

Anyways, great news guys. Got my rest put on my bow and was able to shoot at an indoor rangein Gander Mtn. I am happy to say Ihad bullets holes within 20 minutes of shooting and my broadheads were flyingalmost identical with my fieldtips.

I waspretty excited about doing all of the work myself and actually making a difference in my broadhead flight. After just one year of archery, I usually doubt myself as to if I can reallywork on the mechanical side of things. Well, I'm not a professional yet, but I am pretty happy I made the Ripcordwork.

I still have avane clearance problem which I am working on, along with fine tuning my sight. Ata hair under 55 lbs. mybow was shooting 250's. I hope to be close to 60 lbs.duringseason.

All I have left is to put on my peep sight and serve it into the bowstring. I am waiting for the Bowmaster Split Limb brackets still, but I am shooting without a peep and working on feeling out aconsistant anchor point for the time being. If I have to change the sight some more, so be it.

Enough of me, hope things are going well for all of you.

Bols

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Yeah,I thinks it's bone too. The more I look at it, the less it looks like antler. Oh well, the area I found it still looks good!

Great job Bols on getting things lined out!

I'm in the same boat as far as the mechanics of bows and archery. I'm still learning too. Also, Monday, my Slicktrick 100gr magnums were waitin on me when I got home. I'll be checking their flight in the morning when I get off work and maybe in the afternoon when I wake up.

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Okay, I shot my Tricks this morning and will be shooting them again in the a.m. They DO impact the same place as my FP's. BUT, I did notice a definite difference when my form (mostly my follow-thru)was not consistant.This was my 1st attempt at another style head. (4-blade fixed& a bit larger) They WILL show you your flaws. After shooting today, it's obvious that FP's are more forgiving. However, the Tricks are right-on when I do everything correctly. Just thought I'd let y'all know how I did.

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Anyone familar with the Ripcord fall away? I am going to go to the range today to try and figure out my fleching clearance issues. I believe the arm of the rest hits the shelf of the bow and isn't able to fall completely horizontal with the shelf.

Plus my nocking point may be a hair too low. I am a little hesistant to change all of this since I have such a good paper tune at 5 yards. I am going to step a little further back today and try and paper tune at longer yardages to make sure my arrow is still on target at longer distances.

My broadheads andfieldpoints hit almost dead on. Maybe an inch or two away. I know the fletching clearance issue needs to be cleared up. I shot aBlazer vaned arrow last night, there were no marks on the fletchings. I still want to solve the problems on 4 inch vanes tocompletely rule out fletching clearance issues. At that point, my BH might be even closer to my FP.

I'm sorry guys the only thing I have been posting is tune up stuff, which should have been handled this summer.

Hope your shootinggoes well TX. Hope everyone elseis doinggood andgrouping those BHs.

Antler Mafia Employee,
Bols

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Get that bad boy ready bols. Anybody good at making a Sig. for our team? Looks like we might be geetting an alt in a few days if 14mercs don't check in. I got some nice bucks moving thru my area, so I hope things go the way I am planning. Chris

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

I went for a short walk thru a 8 acre patch of woods that is on the other side of a creek I already hunt.
Been hunting one side of the creek for like 6 years and never knew the owner had some land on the other side until about a month or so ago.
It is part of a long chunk of woods that follows the creek.
I have to wade across the creek to access it but that isn't any big deal it is only rubber boot deep.
I found a GREAT spot to put up a stand. It is at the intersection of 3 real beaten down trails with deer tracks of all sizes in them.
Pretty sure a couple sets of tracks were big buck tracks!

I'll be back there real soon to hang a stand.

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Hey Bols, let's hear that idea you had for our Mafia logo. Keep workin on those tuning issues bud. I wish I could offer you some help but I'm still "new" to all thetuning stuff. I just got lucky with mine, I didn't have to do much besides moving my nock a little. That's one reason I use the Star Hunter rest. Simple and it works. I just haven't come across a fall-away that turns me on. However, I have been eyeballing the QAD. Another thing, I've never tried Blazers, but I'm seriously considering giving them a try soon.

Buell, glad to hear that you've found a possible honeyhole.

Motown, I hope your plan works out too.

I'll be back at my lease Wed, & Thurs, again this week. Hopefully my cam has picked up some movement. Also, after 7:00a.m. tomorrow I won't be back on the board til Friday night. Yep, another weekend of nights. Yes, I know I have a screwed up work schedule.

I'll try to come up with an idea or two for a logo also. Antler Mafia,.....hhmmm????


Good luck fellas,

Waid

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Well I'm Back
Hey guys I'll go with any name you want ,but I do like Mass Matters, LOL.Buell sounds like you got an entry to a possible rut magnet. Set up up 15 yards inside or closes to the water so you don't have to cross any of the trails. Sit there and don't move bud,they'll come to you, I have the same set up and have taken some dandy bucks from the similiar set up.
Bols sounds like you need a drop away or a wisker buiskut for your rest problems,and Wade I don't know what to say about your inlaws truck,chit happens bud , hold your head hi my friend.
I was away for the last 5 days flyfishing for some Rainbow trout with my kids,dang we had a blast and nearly fished out the lake,j/k.I forgot how much work it was in a float tube.My season openstomorrow,LMAO ,I can't believe it,I'll miss it too.Well I need to get my camo washed tomorrow and hung out to dry so I can get out by Wednesday. I'll be heading to British Columbia for a 10 day Elk hunt with a freind on the 14th till the 25th.When I get back from that , that will be the time I can start to justify time on stand.I normally put in 90 days on stand in an average year.So guys I really hope to put up some numbers for us as I let my team down last year.Hopefully Motown,AKA Chris will have the last man issue delt with in a few days and we can get to know one another. Good luck and I hope we all can acheive a personal best this year, LOL.God Bless.
Youngfart [:-]

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Well, here is my idea, first off you have to bear with me and do a little search on Google Images. Type in the word "Mafia" under the Images Search. A few cover pictures of the videogame Mafia should pop up. . .the link below is what I am looking at for a model:

http://microgames.cz/images/krabice/38.jpg

From there, here is how I envisioned the "bowhunting" theme of it. Instead of the man with the gun, I was thinking ablack silouette of a bowhunter at full draw in the right hand corner. Instead of the redbuildings in the background, a set of woods (could be switched to red, or green, either way) for the new background. I like the "Mafia" lettering we would just have to add "Antler" into the picture somewhere.

From there it might come together and keep the "Mafia" type feel with the red, black, and white color scheme but bring a little "bowhunting" into the mix. Let me know what you guys think. It won't hurt my feelings if you guys think of something else. I just thought it was a little different then the other pics we have been seeing as of late.

A guy on HNI named Ryan Aller does some pretty awesome work. He could definately get it done for us. Depending on his busy schedule as I would imagine every one and there brother have been requesting pics from him. I used to be decent on Photoshop, just don't have the program anymore.

Good luck with the Elk hunt Youngfart, we'll be looking for some nice pictures of a big one when you get back.

TX, hopefully your trip back to the lease is a positive one. Don't forget to bring a block of wood to put under the rear tire this time.

Motown, glad you are okay after your scary incident in the tree. I am definately making some of the changes you suggested to my stand before I go out. Those dang climbers are nice but definately a little scary at times.

Buellhunter, good luck with that new spot.

Hopefully the rest of the team is doing good. Talk to ya later.

Bols

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

I'm liking that idea Bols! Another thought maybe, is to take out the buildings and replace it with aset of antlers onthe background with the black silouette of the bowhunter like you mentioned. The colors really don't matter to me because,.... uhhh, I'm color blind (or almost color blind). Cool idea. Like I mentioned before, I'll be out til Friday night so if y'all come up with something by then, GREAT!

Edit--To add to the logo thing. Maybe the overall shape of the logo could in the shape of an arrowhead.??? Just a thought.

Guess what! My father-in-law is coming with me to the lease this time and I'm sure we'll be in the truck that I tore up. I did make it right for him though. My insurance is covering the damage I did and I've already set it up through his favorite body-shop. It was kinda funny the owner of the shop knows my F-I-L very well because of all the work he gives him. He's always backing into something or ripping a fender off, heck the list goes on and on.

See yall later,
Waid

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Sorry I am late. Hope you didn't get a replacement yet. Been a wild summer and way too busy. I'll brake a lot come bow season. Thanks!

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Just thought I'd get the juices flowing with a pic of my second largest buck to date. (can't find pics of the first new computer)

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Glad you made it mercs, just in time. Be sure to participate. Welcome aboard the contest.

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Mercs,

Welcome to Antler Mafia my friend!!

We were a bit worried that we might need to find a replacement but by the looks of that picture, we are happy you found your way back here.

We only ask you to do us one favor.

Smoke another one this year.

Welcome to the team, enjoy your stay. This season is going to be a lot of fun.

Bols

P.S. Hope up here near Morris can produce like Princeton has!! I'll be hunting in between Morris and Minooka if you are familar with the area.

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

ALL RIGHT!! Glad to have ya mercs!

Yall take care, I'll be back Friday night. Good luck with the logo.

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

14Mercs
Alright you made it injust in time bud. Welcome to #23.Good looking buck too and a great photo I must add,were all checked in and it's a go.Now it's time too kick some butt,let's go Antler Mafia!!!
Youngfart :eek:

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

My season starts this saturday sept-9:)And I`m ready to go!
I was in the woods on sunday and monday checking some other stand sights? And I must say it`s LOOKING GOOD!
With any luck look for me to put some numbers up around oct-nov
But you never know?;)
If a doe comes buy? "WELL I NEEDS SOME MEAT FOR THE FREEZER":D
IF I draw blood? I will send some pics.
Here is a couple of bucks I took last season.Not huge? But should help?

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

The top and bottom pic is the same buck.
pics from 2005 season.1st buck taken nov-11
2nd buck taken nov-19
PS.Great buck 14MERCS I hope you can do it again this yr..Thanks for sharing.. GO! TEAM 23 (ANTLER MOFIA))its time!

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Alright MERCS, glad you checked in. Great looking buck too. I like your logo idea TX. I say get it done if you can. I can't help ya there, I do good to get thru this website. Everyone try and just check in to say hello about every other day if you can. Good luck to all you guys that have an early season, go get them.I know you can't check in that often TX. Chris

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Found the best pic of my best buck. I need to beat this guy this year. Picked up a 25 acre honey hole with a big finger between two huge sections of timber.

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

and another the next morning....

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

WOW merc, that is one impressive specimen of a whitetail, very impressive.

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Glad you made it Merc!

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

after looking at those bucks I am thinking
"I am not worthy,I am not worthy!"
WOW

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Worthy!!!
Great Buell,God say's were all worthy,we just have to show it to him,proof is the way to his heart. SO bud you can hold your head high,we all have it in us,some of us just need a little coaching.
Dang14Mercs that last one I'm guessin is around a 165ish buck.Let me know what he scored and also let me know what your name is also.
RTA47,your not to be out done either bud,couple of good bucks also,congrats to the both of you on your kills.Let me know your name also RTA47. Mine is Rocky.:eek:
Youngfart

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Good guess young. 163 5/8. That g-2 is 13 5/8 with its opposite at 11 1/8. Just missing a brow tine to be 170" gross and a great net. I saw a lot of big racked bucks go cruising by last year. I have a trail cam pic of a 25 - 26 " spread ten point I will post. This area along the Illinois river carries some huge bucks every year. Good luck to all, lets take this home this year.

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Mercs Thats an awesome buck! Congrats..
I would love to see the pics of that 10pt with the 25-26 spread!
These bucks that I posted pics of are not my largest bowkill.
But even my largest don`t compair to a 163 5/8 thats awesome!
My Largest bow kill to date gross scored 142 3/8 I took in 1996.
We just don`t see the quality ofbig bucks down here that guys see:(
Again Congrats. Soundsawesome mercs good luck!

Thanks rocky.(youngfart)
Guys my name (terry).rta47
Go team-23!!!

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Nice Pioneer hat there Mercs. Ohh yeah, that deer isn't too shabby either.:D

My dad and I both farm here near Minooka, he is a Pioneer Rep as well. Just curious, did you make it out to there plot tour at the Princeton plant this summer?

We also have a farm that butts up to the IL river and while I haven't seen many monsters as big as yours, I have seen some good 140-150 classdeer down in the riverbottoms. Iam hoping to open up the season inthe exact ladder stand I shot my first buck out of last year (shotgun).

I will send theideafor the team logo to Ryan Aller today. I will see what he thinks.

Wow, I like the prospects of this year. RTA, those bucks are dang good.130-140 is nothing to scoff at. Heck, I'm here in IL and my biggest buck to date is this one (follow the link below) Ignore the stupid face, Ducsauce (fellow HNI friend) says I am making thatface because of the stench.

http://pe-ip002.facebook.com/v15/241/48/60300909/n60300909_30020060_9678.jpg

A 10 pointer and he probably doesn't even sniff 110. Stupid buck fever made me take him.

So I am well under what IL can produce, even though our area isn't nearly as prevelant to big bucks like the southwestern part of the state is. RTA you just smoke one like you did in years past and you will be well ahead of others!

Man, can't wait to see the woods in early October.

Dave

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

I have a close friend that works for pioneer here in Princeton. I am going to Walmart to get the film duplicates again. I'll scan one in and post. If its 17 - 18 inches ear to ear than I have a 25 - 26 inch buck here. Definitely 12 inch plus G2's.

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Hey guys, I was able to talk to Ryan Aller today about making up a Team Avatar for us. And like always, he delievered in remarkable time. I will post the link to the picture below. Follow his directions in the thread post and you should be able to get the team avatar as your new avatar.

I would also maybe take some time and follow his request as a payback for the time he put into making the avatar.

***UPDATE*** I am stupid and forgot to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the Profile page and click on "OK" to save the changes after I uploaded the picture. Just remember to do that. Even better, follow Ryan's steps word for word, you won't get lost then.


Either way, here is the link, our team pic is under the TEAM section

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1672242

Talk to ya later,

Dave

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

hey team i made it back. we ended up getting only one goat for the five of us. i hit one in the shoulder at thirty yards, buy we werent able to find him.

you guys did a good job on the team name and also the avatar looks awesome.

merc14 nice to see you made it to the team. you got some dang nice deer and icant waitto see that trail cam picture that you have of the big one.

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

and without further adiou... I present to you my favorite trail cam pic.

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

and another buck from 04'

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Hope This Works
Just tried to upload the avatar,hopefully it's their,LOL. 14Mercs, I'd guess he's smaller than your 165ish buck,but wider , smaller in mass too. I score for BTR ,PnY,and BC, that's how I was so close to your score.
Bols great job on getting our Avatar link, looks cool and also congrats on your buck from last year.
Joel congrats on your goat,sorry on the loss, but that's bow hunting at it's finest.
Two days since the season openend and I'm still fooling around getting set up,can't believe it ,I have never missed an opener never mind 2 days in a row.Still trying to convince my daughter to allow me to miss her bday so that I can leave 3 days earlier for my elk hunt.Keep in touch guys and 14 mercs I still don't know your 1st name,LOL.
[:-]Youngfart

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

LOL guess it didn't work
[X(] [>:] [:o] :( [:'(][:@]

RE: 23- Team Official Thread
 

Try Again
:eek: