Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Birth of a deer camp

Better not look at the Matthews then. Just sayin'.

He will learn to track but first he needs to be prepared and as confident as possible that when the moment of truth arrives, he can hit vitals every time.
This comes only through lots and LOTS of practice. He owe's that to the animal and to himself.

There are so many variables (bow canter, form, muscle fatigue, different POI at different angles etc.)in bowhunting that can cause a poor or misplaced shot. This usually leads to a hunter standing at the end of a blood trail with that gut wrenching realization that you're just not going to find your deer. It happens. I just want to limit the chances of it happening to him so early on.

When I upgraded in 2007, I looked at and shot most all of the "big three" bows. Mathews, Hoyt and Bowtech. Then I picked up a Diamond (which is a subsidary of Bowtech). Not only was it much easier on the pocket book but it turned out it was the bow I liked the best for fit and function. Its not as fast as some of the $1000 + bows but the way I look at it, a tad slower, accurately placed arrow will kill a deer way more often than a blazing fast, inaccurate one.

To sum it up, go with what fits and feels the best for you.

Even the slower bows are now so much faster than the "fast" bows of 6-8 years ago, it's not even much of a comparison. OTOH, none of them are cheap anymore.

Skeeter feeders.That's a REALLY good one,Dave.You have not experienced fanatical Kamikaze mean knife wielding big ass get in yo face BAD ASS skeeters till you hunt eastern South Carolina in October.They look on Thermo Cells as candy.
I bowhunted ocassionly for fifteen years and never killed a deer with the sharp sticks.Those who are good at it say it is a great thrill.I guess you'd feel the same way if you used spears.I'm better with rifles both muzzle loader and modern and for the past few years I have branched off into revolvers.It's all good.

Stan in SC

I replaced my archery efforts with muzzle loader myself. The season here in MN is a better fit for me, archery season is just a terrible time of the year for a dad with seasonal responsibilities being a rural homeowner and grounds keeper for a deer camp. there is just so much going on around the archery season, there's just no time for it right now for me.

I really do enjoy muzzle loader season though. Ours comes after the rifle season circus is over with. Things quiet down considerably in the woods during muzzle loader season.

Archery season is still on during and beyond muzzle loader but there are very few northwoods late season archery hunters, it's just too damn cold.

Looks like I'll have to wear my Chickenbuck shirt than BM if it will make you feel better.

I have P245/60/18 tires on my Edge that need replacing and the best price I've gotten is just over $900. Tried Fleet but Cooper doesn't even make that particular size.

Tom, where are you shopping for tires? I have to check them out.

I bought a Bow the other day, I went with the PSE stinger, got one of last years models that was still "NIB" as a left over from an archery shop. picked up some bargain arrows from cabelas yesterday. into everything for less than 400, and its a dang nice bow. especially since I'm not a diehard bow hunter.

I tried bow hunting years ago. Had me a 45 pound Bear Panda recurve. Spears were still in fashion back than too.

My brothers were into bow hunting big time, but I just never caught the bug. Rather use a rifle any day.

I pulled them all back and one of them just really stood out as being smoother and easier to pull back (all had the same draw weight). I didnt buy it yet, but today or tomorrow could be the day!

Man, I love these cool mornings!

Discount tires is a good place to start Bill. discounttires.com The ship right to you, even better if you have a DT shop in town. We have one 2 miles away. They treat you right.

If you want to take a ride, call South Side Tire in Wausau or Antigo. Firestone is Wausau treated us well too.

Sounds like you found your bow. That is exactly what happened to me after shooting several.

Tires-last time I bought tires was for Linda's 2002 Trailblazer.Believe it or not I found the best deal at Sam's.

Deer season progression in South Carolina is first archery-August 15th to Sept 15th.,followed by two weeks of muzzle loader-September 15th to October 1st. followed by regular gun season-October 1st to January 1st..I legally hunt a lot during regular gun season with a muzzle loader.

Stan in SC

Nice truck Tom, Too bad we missed you last weekend dave, sounded like fun at ol' chickenbuck again. Off to the cities this weekend, maybe check out the big C. Heading to the lynx game sunday night, get to meet the team, Having my daughters 13th birthday with them! You all have a great weekend!

Hey ND, Im heading up nort this weekend. Have u been out in the woods? How are the deer flys? Wondering if I can survive a trip out to the stands to do some repair.

The flies (biting type, bull, horse, deer etc) seem to be all done now.

The pesky sticky house flies that try to migrate into the cabins towards fall are starting now.

But skeeters will probably be the main problem.

Berry status in these parts (not that you asked)

Blueberries are still out there and pickable in areas where frost didn't kill em this spring.

Choke cherries are close, some are ready, some are still red and turning dark.

Wild plums (if you have any) are starting to ripen but still too hard to pick, green for the most part.

High bush cranberries are turning bright red but still quite a ways out.

Raspberries are still hanging on but will probably fall soon.

Nuts.

Acorns are little this year and won�t be dropping for another month.

Hazelnuts, good crop this year, husks still green, not turning yet.

Where I'm at the deer flies are still on a moderate flipping rampage. And the deer ticks are too. I had a nymph attached last Friday. No night sweats yet - may have dodged the bullet. Permanone on the pants, socks and boots required for me. And 41% DEET on everything else. Biting flys and ticks might not kill me, but the chemicals surely will.

4

Big Cole Update:

Clear scan!!!! Great news, the scan was perfect! No cancer!

Also, they did an echo and they dont know the results of that yet. apparently, the meds (chemo?) can damage the heart so that is the reason for the echo.

Swish, deer flies haven't been bad but I don't remember a year with Mosquitos this bad.