TNMTBik3r

I didn't reply the other day since the question was redacted, but...   2 years ago I was in this same position. Had a decent compound bow but it needed upgrading. I said I would never hunt with a crossbow, seemed too simple and that it would take away the challenge. I had never shot a crossbow at that time, happened to visit my parents and dad had just got a crossbow so we started shooting. That thing was FUN and I shot for a couple hours. When I got home, I decided to buy a crossbow to shoot because I enjoyed it so much. Then I decided why not sell the compound and hunt with the crossbow? I finally took a deer (two so far) this year with it and let me say in some regards it is simpler than a compound, but the challenge still exists.   I passed on deer two mornings because they would not come closer than 45 yards, and I set a limit of 40 yards (the same as my old compound). I have a red dot, much easier to see than a fiber optic pin through a peep sight but still requires steady aim to launch an arrow accurately. With a compound, I have managed two shots at a deer before - that will not happen (for me at least) with this crossbow because it is so much louder and harder to reload, cocking it on a tiny tree stand platform (especially one with a shooting rail in the way) is not simple or quick.   If you haven't shot a crossbow yet, go to an archery shot and handle a couple and shoot one. They are just plain fun IMO.    Brand wise, I have a Horton (bought out by 10 Point now) but Barnett has some nice crossbows at a good price.

I vacuum seal, have ate meat that was 2 years old no problem. Have seen about 3 years is when freezer burn may start. Will vary on how well your vacuum sealer and freezer works.

I spent an hour or so reading up on some gloves and shopping around. Grabbed these Hayabusa Tokusha 14oz gloves from amazon - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007DBJWL2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1   Thanks for the ideas, these look a lot better than the Everlast ones that came with my bag (although they did last a while).

Hanks Amish belt for me. I have a no name leather belt that I use sometimes but it sags since it is single layer leather not reinforced or made for carry.

Diamondhead FTW. The diamond aperture is much more natural to me than the round aperture.

I will check those brands out. The Everlast gloves started showing wear very quickly, but did take months to finally tear a complete hole. I have worked out without gloves before, the bags are rough on knuckles. What about just wrapping my hand (instead of mostly my wrists) and not buying new gloves? May try that with the wrap I have tonight.

Any of you use a punching bag and able to recommend a good set of gloves? I have an Everlast 80# bag and tonight punched a hole through a couple knuckles in the gloves that came with the bag. I haven't looked at any other sites yet but wanting some opinions on a good set to be used just for bag work, not any sparring.

Radio said a woman was admitted in Hermitage with Ebola like symptoms but was then determined not to be infected. I thought the tests took a couple days? http://www.jrn.com/newschannel5/news/Mt-Juliet-Gas-Station-Closed-After-Woman-Reports-Ebola-Like-Symptoms-278934111.html?lc=Smart

Looks like they are staying with the comic script a bit. They change a good bit of things so never know what to expect. Morgan is walking around and next week preview showed the pastor that is in the comic.

Morgan, yeah that looks like him.

Few more minutes! Turned off football to watch the last 2 episodes from last season again.

It doesn't show up on mobile devices (using full or mobile web view). Android phone, tablet and iPad. Never tried from a Mac so not sure. You *should* be able to use IMG tags though to insert it.

Cabelas has mags for $4.99 I have a $20 off $100 coupon but wife told me I can't buy anything else right now... http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Firearm-Components/Magazines-Clips%7C/pc/104792580/c/104717880/sc/104442480/HPS-30-Round-AR-15-Magazine/1774245.uts?destination=/catalog/browse/magazines-clips/_/N-1100238/No-96?WTz_st=GuidedNav&WTz_stype=GNP&recordsPerPage=48&WT.mc_id=ir92929&WT.tsrc=AFF&rid=10&avad=55963_f7382f4f&WT.mc_id=al41227&rid=12

How about $5 mags? No idea on this brand though. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Firearm-Components/Magazines-Clips%7C/pc/104792580/c/104717880/sc/104442480/HPS-30-Round-AR-15-Magazine/1774245.uts?destination=/catalog/browse/magazines-clips/_/N-1100238/No-96?WTz_st=GuidedNav&WTz_stype=GNP&recordsPerPage=48&WT.mc_id=ir92929&WT.tsrc=AFF&rid=10&avad=55963_f7382f4f&WT.mc_id=al41227&rid=12

Arrow took him through the lung and liver before passing through his stomach, explains the first crash, he was dying. I know better ones will come along, I haven't taken many deer with a bow anyways and always excited about any deer I get. I have just made it a habit to try and pass on smaller bucks with my rifle. This property has some decent bucks, taken a couple nice 8 points during rifle season.

Never taken a buck with a bow before so shot a small one this morning, think it was a 5 point. Would have let it walk with a rifle but meat is meat...once I find him anyways. Sitting in the truck waiting a while to track him. He took a step right as I released so I thought I hit a bit too far back. But he ran 20 yards then crashed, only to get up and take off again 30 seconds later. I waited 45 minutes then got down and checked the arrow and has some slime and acorn pieces on it. I think I heard him crash a second time but giving him a couple hours to bleed. ETA - dragging him out now. He was down right where I thought I heard the crash, about 40 yards out of sight. Only a 3 point, looked like a 5 earlier. Almost wish I had passed on him now but it is meat.

Almost every range I have seen says no reloads. Has to do with their insurance policy. I have seen a couple places enforce it and others not care or ask questions. I haven't stopped in at Eagle Eye but it is not very far down the road. Another range is closer and cheaper so I stick to it.

Checking the weather while sitting here and see a frost advisory for the morning. Should be another great time to hunt.

Now I have a decision to make, hunt the ridge again this afternoon or switch to the field stand and see if anything hits the pear tree. Pears have been getting ate, I just don't know when... wish I had a trail cam out there but maybe next year.

Alright, so I actually saw 13 this morning. I pulled into the cemetery lot right at 5:00am and had 2 stand up in the headlights. The property I hunt has a right of way behind the cemetery and a dirt trail down the edge of two other peoples property for a few hundred yards. Parked and walked down the ridge and got into my climber I left out there Thursday. At 6:20 two deer came walking up to my left and a bit behind me - I could see their outline well and one of them kept standing on it's hind legs eating at branches. I had a shot, they were only at about 25 yards but it was still a bit too dark for me to feel comfortable taking the shot as I knew there was brush in that area that I could not make out. Settled back in and a few minutes later heard something walking up the ridge directly in front of me. 3 does popped over the edge and stopped at 20 yards. I let the arrow fly at 6:35 and heard the smack. At 7:00 I climbed down and found the arrow, verified blood. Sat some of my stuff down at the tree stand and slowly began trailing. I was going very slowly and looking ahead, at 7:30 I bumped her from where she bedded down - saw her right before she stood and hobbled away over the top of the next ridge. I snuck down to where she had bedded and saw a nice pool of blood,decided to wait a bit before continuing as she was moving slowly but too far ahead for a shot or me to catch up. I stood there for 5 minutes and all of a sudden heard walking behind me. I slowly turned as 5 does came walking down the ridge behind me and stopped 20 yards away feeding. I had a shot but decided I did not want to trail 2 deer. I waited another 5 minutes and slowly shifted my feet in the leaves causing them to look up and then walk off. I continued trailing, got to the top of the ridge and the 13th doe jumped up about 50 yards to my right. Another 60 yards and my doe was laying up against a tree. I finally got back to the truck about 8:20 with her. I didn't make a great shot but clipped a lung and she finally bled out. Went in in front of the shoulder and out behind the other shoulder. I kind of rushed the shot because this doe was in front and standing still but the other 2 were moving up quickly - should have waited to see where they would have moved and taken more of a broadside shot. I am going back out this afternoon and tomorrow morning, want to have 2 in the fridge before I start grinding burger. Used a Horton Pro 175 crossbow with red dot. Horton Bone Collector Carbon bolts and NAP Spitfire Edge 100gr 3 blade broad heads. I don't think anyone will mind these pics, not very graphic but this is a WARNING if someone looking over your shoulder is squeamish...

Doe in the bed of the truck and heading home. Will tell the story later but I saw 10

It is a GREAT book. I need to read it again soon,but I have several books I haven't read at all so not sure when I will get time.

Sam sent me a bottle of it and have to say it is probably my favorite hot sauce. I haven't tried but a couple dozen, but this is the best. Great combination of flavor and heat.

I went out and hung a stand this afternoon. Actually just took my climber and found a good spot and leaving the stand at the bottom of the tree. I had to get moved down the ridge more to better cover the other trails but I feel good for Saturday morning. On the way out saw a doe and a small buck (looked like a 6 point) standing in the landowners yard.

Cool, I am going to look at the site and see about ordering some.