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Congrats Brad. I celebrated 12 years last Sunday. The best thing is she looks better now then she did when I married her.

Good Luck to you Tribal. I see that you are capable of taking some big beautiful buck.

I am in PA so I can only take 1 buck and as many doe tags as you can buy if they are not sold out for that region. I bought two and two for my son. I will only try to fill one tag but wanted to keep my options open to which region I hunt.

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Got my first Bull monday in NM. First day of hunt at last light. He was laying in his bed when I arrowed him at 45 yards. He only went twenty yards before expiring. Now I can run up to my farm for opening weekend for WT.

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Don, congrats onyour bull sure is a nice one. I had elk once it was goooooood.Sounds like you put a good stalk on him to be able toshoot him in his bed.

Paul

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Congrats on your bull. One day I will hopefully get the chance. Opener was today and could of stuck a young 7 pointer still in velvet. He was right under me so cool to see. I think that is the first velvet deer I have ever saw from stand. Hopefully the 2 bigger bucks will be around tommorrow.

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Thanks guys. I am heading over to my land Sunday. Hopefully the rain will hold off for a while.

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Welp, I'm officially hitched!! We had an amazing time and I can't wait to get some pics on here of the reception with the camo vests and the antler decor!!

Opening day is coming up in just two shortweeks......got goosebumps just thinking about it!! We are pumped up about the coming season.....especiallysince one of my landowners and I were talking at my reception and he told me that he saw a monster buck in a foodplot on one of our farms....always good news!! Good luck guys/gals and congrats dabowhunter on the bull, I am envious and that makes me even more bloodthirsty!!

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dabowhunter.. Congrats on the Bull that is awesome:D

Me I have been working 6 days a week with it being our busy season at the bow shop, but I did get some stands hung and a little bit ofDoe patterning done to get that Doe 1st.
October 1st is season opening here so I am counting down the days;)

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Last archery shoot this weekend, I am working the shoot and going to set up a bowhunter friendly course. Should be fun, last chance for the locals to dust off them bows before opening day...should be packed!!! I hope I can sneak away from the club house to hit the range myself. Later guys!

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Got the trusty old Bowtech out last night for the first time this year. First three shots were in the bulls eye. Shot a few more times then put it away:D

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Hey everyone, I am still here, just been busy with work lately. I work a two week on, two week off (14/14)schedule, so I have been busy the last week I have been home. My schedule didn't really hit very good this year, I go back to work the day before season opens and have to miss the first 2 weeks of bow season. It's ok, I have until the 15th of Jan. to connect. I finally got some pictures of bucks on my camera. Two of the bucks are mature deer, but not monsters. One of them is a clean 8 with decent mass, good G2's, and short on thr brows and G3's. The other is a 10 pt w/a kicker at the base of his left brow tine. This one has a lot of good character, he is just short on the the G2's & 3's. Then I am getiing 4 or 5 other 2 1/2 yr olds and younger. Sorry for the rambling, just getting excited, it's almost here.

Here are some pictures from this weekend:

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Nice pics MILLERTIME!! Hope you get a crack at em! I am so pumped for the opener, although, I am toting the camera and filming my fiance for the opening day hunt. Where is everyone?? Not a lot of chit chat since I waslast on......isn't anyone elsefoaming at the mouth.....oh wait.....a few of you are already hitting the woods!! Good luck, my season starts next wednesday and Iammore than ready!

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Is next Wednesday the actual first start day or is it your personal first start day. Mine is next Saturday. Can't wait!

PS. she is no longer known as the fiance. I think you need to start thinking wife before she kills you.

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Holy crap, shhhhhh, lets keep that on the ol DL! I totally slipped up there, not used to saying wife....makes me feel old! Yea, opening day is wednesday next week and my WIFE took the day off to hunt with me!! Should be an absolute blast! Good luck to you all and I will hopefully have some good stories for you and look forward to reading yours!

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No problem. I will go back and edit mine if you want. It would be like it never happened. I had my son out shooting yesterday. I had to switch him to aluminum arrows. He had three matched carbons. 1 carbon splintered when it hit a pvc joint for the target bag, and the next shot he lost another. All he had was 3 mixed weights that ranged from 222 grains to 247. He is shooting pretty good with the aluminum and as long as I keep my foot in his butt, he should be ready.

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Been a bit out of sorts since I had to put down our family dog Boots on Monday, the poor thing would of been 19 in December, she was in constant pain and her body didnt function properly anymore so for her it was for the best. I had to put down my dog Dallas 2 years ago and that was hard enough for me but now Boots ... Seems so strange to come home from work and not have the dogs greet me at the door with all those tails wagging... the house is so quiet without them.. not the kind of quiet I like.
I think it will be awhile before we may get another dog.
Here is a pic of Dallas and Boots with my youngest son from many happier years ago.
On the lighter side I am looking forward to opening day next Wednesday... I AM SO READY for the peace of the woods and clearing my head and just enjoying being Bowhunting.

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Ron, thats great that you are getting him into this great sport! I am sure you are an excellent mentor!

LadyForge, I am sorry to hear that....I get agitated with my 2 year old lab from time to time but couldn't imagine him not being around...scary thought and I am sure it was devastating making that decision. On the bright side, like you said, the peaceful woodlands are open for hunting next wednesday at dawn, and from the forecast, we could be greeted with brisk morning air......brings a chill over my body just thinking about it. GOOD LUCK!!

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Lady Forge,
I feel for you. I had to put my dog down in June. It was a very hard time. He was with us for 12 years. He was doing great up until March. He started limping and we thought he just hurt himself outside. We took him to the vet and the vet said he had cancer. From then on he just got worse. It finally came to the point that I got tired of seeing him suffer and told my family that it was for the best. It took some talking to get my youngest son to agree with us. Shortly after we put him down we left for vacation to try and clear our minds. I didn't work, when we got back we got a new boxer pup. Not to replace him, but to fill that one thing missing.

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Our club shoot is taking place on sunday, venison recipes, succulent sides anddelicious dessertswill be attending!! It is a great gathering of hunters and family, many stories are toldand everyone shares anticipation of opening day. We shoot the course for the last time, interesting shot choices welcomed! It is a lot of fun and my wife and I are anxious to practice one last time before the real deal! Good luck again everyone and I will keep you posted on any activity and hope to hear about yours!

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Brad,
where are the pics from the wedding?This could almost count as a man law violation..

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Tribal,
Seen the pic of your doe. Looks great. Congrats.

Season starts in less then a week. weather looks ok. supposed to be sunny and a high of 67-70.

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I know, my bad, my bad, talk about your classic party foul!! Here are a few pics from the wedding, but as you can tell, my wife's uncle must have had too many free bud lights because the pics are a little shaky. Enjoy!


The wifey and I..

Father-in-law and the wife's step family....notice the euro mount in the background....all kinds of sheds and mounts at the reception.....

and a wonderful pic of her vomitting and me eating her fingers......


More pics to come....we had a blast and I have never been happier! Will let you know how our opening hunt goes. Anyone had any luck while afield??? Keep us posted on here...our page has been dead since the season opened!!

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Lets try this again....


Father-in-law and the wife's step family....notice the euro mount in the background....all kinds of sheds and mounts at the reception.....


and a wonderful pic of her vomitting and me eating her fingers......

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I must say big congrats! Very beautiful woman you got there. Looks like you all had a great time and as my best man said in his speech " I hope the only up and downs of your marriage are between the sheets!"

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Nice photos and nice touch with the euro mounts. Good luck to all whos season starts this week.

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Well?????????Let's here the stories of the first sit in the woods. I won't be able to share mine until the middle of the month when I get back from work.

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Shot a nice 2 year old doe, no help for the team but fun nonetheless!! Rage broadheads are amazing! Will post pics soon! Good luck to ya'll!

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Here she is, shot at 37 yards and with an easton axis carbon tipped with the infamous rage head! Cold front got them up and moving and she paid the price. Not huge, but a nice average 130-140lb doe. Hopefully a nice mature buck is still calling this area home as it did last year. Nice to get some venison in the freezer...mmmmm!

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The first sit was with the ol lady, and we had a nice big doe come in from downwind on the trail that we walked in on and all was going great until she stopped about 15 yards prior to entering the wife's 20 yard shooting lane....she just didn't like the situation...wasn't overly spooked just turned around and walked back to the bedding cover....smart ones them deer! Fill you in on the story of the kill because I have got to get to work. Good luck toeveryone this weekend!!

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Season starts tomorrow! I think its pointless for me to be here at work today.

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its saturday and when i should be sitting in the woods i am not. it is 6:30 am started work at 5 and will be off at 1pm. will not be able to hunt today nor this weekend i am swamped with papers to write and tests to be studied for. hopefully will be able to hunt next week a couple of times.

wifes birthday is today. so when i get home i am sure i will be doing something for it.

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Congrats on the doe bhunter she's a beauty. Waiting for my summer sausage to be done at the butcher from my doe. Good eating. Now lets go after the big boys.

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bh nice pics and congrats on both your lovely wifeand the doe.

Well my season opened on theWed but I could not get out till today. Very uneventful day except for all the noise. It seems that a motocross track was built since the last time I hunted this spot. I did scout it but on a week day. I guessthe trackis closed during the week. Oh well. I will be heading to another area tomorrow.

Paul

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first day is in the books. Whacked a nice doe at 40 yards to get some meat in the freezer. SAw a dandy eight pointer but he wouldn't cooperate. My buddy was pushing to me and he got in between us and doubled back. All i saw was his head and antlers. No worries, I'll have plenty more opportunities

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I saw nothing on Saturday. My son spooked a 6 point away. I can't remember how many times I told him, look around before you make any movements. Well he didn't do that, stood up and stretched and there was the buck. It had came into 15 yards and was watching him as he stood. I won't be out until Saturday and then again on Monday. Congrats guys on the does'.

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Well, sounds like we are all getting a little hunting done! I am going to hit it hard this coming weekend, as a cold front is supposed to move into ILon Saturday. The heat and the mosquitos are keeping me quiet right now, but I will be back in action this weekend and with a little luck will hopefully smack anasty oneto get us on the board! I have a friend that hunts near one of my areas and he said that he saw a big buck feeding in the bean field adjacent to our farm. I am assuming it is likely the big 8 pointer that I glassed this summer. Upon hunting this weekend, big rubs are starting topop up nearmy stand....nowI just have to be in it at the right time!

Saturday is the wifes birthday as well, but she said she wants a birthday buck...so we are hitting the woods! Ha, I love her!

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Hunting for her birthday. I hope you know just how lucky you are. ;)

Ok team I have a couple questions. 1) Doany of youbelong to a hunting club?2) What kind of pros and cons have you or friends encountered?

I am asking because I have a chance to get into a club where I live that has almost 5000 acres mostly in 2 large tracts and a bunch of scattered smaller ones.2500 acresof which is within a reasonable drive1/2hr to 45 minutes the other 2200 acresis about 2hours away. The club is maxed at 65 bow hunters, some are more active than others. It seems that at least five to ten deer in the 125" to 150" rangewhere taken each of the last few seasons and a couple 150"s to low 160's. They are on the walls either in the flesh orin photos.

Management is only reallyfullypracticedon one of the large tract, minimums of 6pt and spread outside the ears.The other areas are not strictly enforced but it seems that most are doing the right thing. No second buck till a doe has been taken is also in effect, where legal that is. Food plots are in and consistof corn, soy, and clover.

The season runs from Oct 1st to Dec 31st for bow and gun (shotgun / muzzleloader)is weekdays only in Jan from the first Monday till the last Friday. So 4 almost full months of hunting. What would you consider a reasonable cost? I am new to this paying to hunt thing (times change).

I took a tour of 4 of the 6 properties and all have great potential. The few membersI met seemednice and had nothing but good things to say about the club and how it was run. There are a bunch of things I left out, club houses at each large area. Room to store your quad and aplace to sleep at each club house if you are traveling to the more distant location. Minimum distances from stand to stand100 yds during bow season double during gun season. While this does not sound like much it is rare to have a 30 yard bow shot.

After some responses I will let you know how much, just want to get someuntainted opinions first.

Thanks Paul

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my neighbor is a member of a hunt club and loves it. They have a management going on and they have a good amount of deer on it. I know that he paid good money to get on it though.

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Sorry Surf, I don't have any experience with hunting clubs. I am fortunate and have land in the family thatwe hunt, but that is getting tight with youngerrelatives growing up and getting into hunting. It is great to have kids getting into hunting, but we aren't getting any more land to accommodate the hunters. I have thought about getting a lease for myself and maybe a few friends and family. I think the most I would pay would be around $2000 a year per personfor hunting rights. That number may go up ifI didn't have anywhere to hunt. That is about as good as I can do to help you out.

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Thanks for the responses so far. The cost of this deal would be 500$ to join the club, a one time fee, since the seasons hasalready begunthey will cut that in half 250$. To hunt the bow season on all properties 1300$ to gun hunt add and additional 400$ depending if you want to hunt upstate as well as downstate. 250 + 1300 + 400 = 1,950$ for this season 1,600$ - 1,700$ each season after that.Scouting during the season only between 10am and 2:30pm. Calling to reserve an area to hunt. Not exactly sure how that works yet, who gets to hunt where, ect. Will have to find out the rest of the hows and why's.

There is also bird hunting at average costs, guide and dog services ataverage cost and duck blinds to use.

All in all it seems like adecent deal, but.

Paul

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Ihave turned away from the idea of joining a club and have now focused my attention/budgeting on going in with my father and purchasing a farm. It is a real dream of mine to buy a farm and build a cabin style home on it by the time I am 35 years old. So far, after a lot of careful planning/budgeting and figuring, my father and I feel like we will be able to look into buyinga farm in about 5 years. Would be sooner if the next two years werent going to stall me, asthe wife andIhave to save for her new vehicle. How many of you own property?? Any tips??

I hope that within this 5 year time frame, the land prices will slip downward and will make the property that much more affordable. With falling cash crop prices this may be possible. Right now the land in my neck of the woods50% M/L tillableand 50% M/L timber sells anywhere from 3000-3500/acre. I am hoping that by the time we have saved the down payment+ about a 20% emergency fund, the prices will hopefully be down to 2000-2500/acre. Fingers are crossed! Wish me luck, and again, any tips or suggestions for me??