DC - Congratulations to your boy! He looks really proud. That looks like a nice mulie - would be a 5x4 here. A javelina hunt would be awesome....

Ran into a neighboring hunter last week. He asked if he and his fellow hunters could drive the property. Hubby told them to go right ahead. I was furious at this at first because I feel that my woods are my sanctuary. Well, turns out the guy said we could hunt his and his family's property. They have a couple hundred acres of mostly farmland. We went up to talk to him today and he pointed out all the property and even drove us back in one field to show where his treestand is. He said we could use it any time. So, I feel in a way I've given up the privacy in my sanctuary but gained one heck of a hunting ground. Plus, I was told there is only one guy in their group that bow hunts. I am now looking forward to next fall. In the off season I'm gonna have a lot of scouting to do.

Today I took a shot (with the rifle) at a large doe running. Normally I would never shoot at a running deer but this one was only about 20 yards away. I thought I had a good shot. Thankfully I had a clean miss. Now I will be even more hesitant to shoot at a running deer. Definitely would never attempt it with the bow. Funny how archery instills discipline in you...