Nim - This is the type of situation (in your pic) where the saying. "We're from the government, and we're here to help" probably got started! LOL (And I work for the gov't, which makes it even funnier for me!)

Have you been out driving sticks through any fish lately? Is there any place where it is ice-free and you can still do this?

I just finished cutting up a nice spike. He must have been a "late-bloomer" 'cause he was fat as a pig and had no sign of being through the rut! We get these once in awhile, and they are some very fine eating. I'm going out a couple more times between now and New Years, but it is pretty sloppy in the brush with the temps up in the 40s! SE AK may be doing some "drive-by deer hunting" out of his aluminum "fanny whacker" while he is here for the holidays. I don't know if he'd want an old phart tagging along - but we'll see!