It would be interesting if we could have everyone list their success rates on harvesting bucks the last 3-5 years. That would be a better determining factor, I think, of which team(s) will be in the running.

I've only been bow hunting here in Nebraska for the last two years and have shot 3 bucks. I'm not bragging, in fact it diminishes my success a little to say this, but where I hunt it is more a matter of when will I shoot a buck as opposed to 'if'. The buck to doe ratio is almost even, so calling and rattling works great. It's suburban, so they are accustomed to human scent and don't spook at it as readily. There are a lot (i've seen 4-6 this year) of decent (90"-100") eight pointers walking around with a smattering of 120" +/- thrown in for good measure. I guess there are some 140 inchers out there, but I'm probably not a good enough hunter to either find them or get them close enough for a shot. I saw one last year that was that big, by my guess, but I set my stand in the wrong place and didn't clear a shooting lane to the path he traveled that day. I only saw him that once, in late October.

In that case I'll go TEAM 4 ALL THE WAY - EH!!! Because I am confident we will have 10 bucks posted.

"What are my chances...." "Oh, about one in a million...." "....So your telling me there's a chance!" -Dumb & Dumber

I am just thinking out loud here, I am certainly not trying to ruffle any feathers or step on anyones toes.

Being that none of the NFL affiliates picked me up for an analyst, I will take the liberty to give a brief analysis of my take on our friendly contest.

It seems to me that nationally about one out of every three bowhunters bag a deer each year. I don't know how that works out if we counted bucks only. One half, one third, one quarter, I am not sure. Bottom line is that it really doesn't matter.

Certainly there are teams in this contest where one or more of the team participants are experience hunters and it isn't a matter of IF they harvest a buck, but WHEN. Of course there are unexpected issues that can crop up with these guys too, injuries (hurt and can't hunt), other commitments (can't spend enough time in the woods-very unlikely) , QDM (not a large enough buck to justify a harvest), etc. but overall the odds of these guys killing a buck of decent size are very good. These guys spend every feasible moment in the woods both in season and out, are well seasoned, have sought out prime habitat, and have shaved every circumstance possible from the type of equipment they use to treestand placement in their favor. So what I am saying is, these guys will get theirs. They kill a very respectable buck every year. Certainly it goes without saying, that the more of these guys one has on a team, the better the odds are of winning. If there are just four of these type of guys on any one team they could tally up 500 gross inches in short order.

The difference maker, as I see it, will come from the "second tier" of the team. These are the guys that love to hunt, but because of other constraints don't get to spend as much time in the woods as their "expert" brethren. They are knowledgeable, and experienced, but cannot afford to be to picky in terms of what buck they harvest because of the time allotted to them in the woods. Nevertheless, their odds of scoring are very good! They usually harvest a branch antlered buck every year. You get four or five of these guys on a team combined with one or more of the buckaholics listed above and you will be tough to beat.

Of course we must consider the intangibles. The novice, the newby, the beginner. He could be an experienced gun hunter that has never harvested a buck with a bow or he could be a young person just starting his bow hunting career. Never count these guys out, for as has been mentioned oh so many times, it is better to be lucky than good. If one of these guys scores big, and the "second tier" of hunter comes through along with the "buckaholic(s)" on the team, you have got yourself a winner.

Where does your team fall?

I'm saying that "Lung Buster" team has a chance!

Very nice Antler Eater, very nice indeed...I wouldn't count any team out and it's going to be interesting sure nuff.

actually antler eater,

the success rate for bowhunting in illinois 1 out of 10. can you believe that only 10% of people who buy tags get a deer? basically if you harvest a deer with a bow you have already defied the odds.

Team 14 sits quietly hunched in the weeds with druel dripping from their fangs just waiting in anticipation of the pounce and kill!

I"ll have to make a prediction.

ILNYPAKY-EH - winners, ofcourse

2: Team 3
3: Pass'n Gas - you know who you are buckeye
4: Team 16
5: Team 18

2-5 have all got great chances based upon individuals assigned and what I know about them. Everyone has great chances, just not as great as our....HA!!!!!

Come on guys....we all can't win.[8D] Try to be strong and hold back the tears..

I also agree with Antler Eater. It will be interesting how it ends up. Will be fun watching it progress.

Who will win?? I'm thinking team 5 Lung Busters should do good. Time will tell.

Tim

keep your eye on arrow slingers hehe!!

It would be cool if we could post a poll and have some "power rankings" for the teams. Rate the preseason teams like college football.