whiskey

Ron,    Fort Campbell is worth the effort. There are big deer out there. 

Stihl will probably last you till you are too old to cut wood. We've been running one for 30 years in our family. However, for a lot less money, we've got a Poulan "wild thing" for around 20 years. If you aren't going to cut wood to heat your house, I'd save the money.

I used Hornady XTP factory loads for a long time, with good results. 

Rob, Mark Montoye lives in Franklin county and used to have trained blood trailers. He's a good guy, not sure he still has dogs, but may be a good resource.

Good stuff! 

What's the goal we have as hunters? Do we want as many people as we can get buying hunting license and going into the woods to enjoy the sport? That's what I want. I don't care what you hunt with, I don't care what deer you shoot, so long as it's legal. Let's make it easy for folks to get into the woods. One price for deer hunting instead of 3 separate stamps and a type 94 for doe that TWRA wants us to take anyway. I don't see any point in making the process of killing any more difficult. We have a shortage of hunters, not a shortage of deer.

Shooting to verify zero tomorrow. Ready to roll some smoke. Should be a good weekend. Weather is right and it's a full moon. Pack a lunch and stay all day. 

Took the afternoon to go squirrel hunting with a buddy and his two boys. They aren't quite old enough to sit still more than a few minutes at a time, but they did manage to sit still long enough for a young 4 point buck to walk up within 25 yards from us. The little buck couldn't figure out what those bumps on the log were, but he stayed long enough for the kids to get a good look. The funniest part was that the little buck was drooling like crazy. Slobber strings stretched from his mouth to the ground. I thought he was just hungry and drooling for the acorns under the oak we were sitting near. However, after the buck blew and trotted off, I took the boys on a walk around the edge of the field, where the buck had come from. We found a heavily used trail leading from the field into the woods. At the edge of the field was a persimmon tree that was loaded and dropping persimmons. I let the two boys taste test the persimmons and the little one got a bitter one. He spit and drooled just like the buck. Then the light bulb went off. I guess deer don't discriminate between fully ripe and slightly ripe persimmons. The buck must have stopped to get a few on his way to the acorn flat. 

My best advice is to visit a local archery shop and have them help you pick and set up your new bow. If not, you may end up with a mis-sized bow that will only result in frustration. There are lots of good used bows out there. Some are nervous about buying used, but for the most part, your pretty safe buying used/consignment from a local shop. 

Sucks man, but it happens. Wish I had been online more this weekend, I would have brought my pup down and seen if she could help. 

I like the Carroll Shelby mix. I don't make chili from only ground venison. I either add ground pork or ground beef. I just don't care for ground venison without significant fat added. If you added enough fat to your grind, then it's probably good to go. The chorizo idea is a winner. Adds flavor and fat. Off topic: Adding minced onions with the ground meat will help add some moisture to venison burgers. I still add pork sausage or ground beef.

very cool. 

I read an article about deep freezers and freezing game. The colder the temp and the fewer times the door is opened the longer you can go without getting freezer burn. Vacuum sealed will last longer than wrapped/bagged meat too. I try to use all of mine within a year. Sometimes I end up giving some away to accomplish this. 

When the first humans began walking the woods of the world, they took to using walking sticks for only ONE reason! Spiderwebs! Dammit, I hate spiderwebs in my face! Back to the topic: I use the monopod/walking stick with the Y at the top to improve my offhand shooting, not to replace other proven shooting techniques. I still use my sling if standing. I still use a nearby tree in conjunction with the stick, if possible. I still take a seated position if possible. The stick just aids in these. I use the same stick when turkey hunting to keep my gun up and in position while calling. I've used the same stick in a ladder stand that didn't have a shooting rail. My daughter has never killed a deer or turkey without on of these sticks under her gun. A couple years back I was walking down a woods road and saw a doe moving through the woods towards the road. Propped the gun on the stick and waited till she crossed. 50 yard neck shot, drove the truck to her. I would not have taken that shot with a stick.

Cold Steel used to sell replacement ash spear handles. I can't seem to find them now. However, this looks about right...   http://www.knifecenter.com/item/CIOX005/cas-hanwei-ox005-ash-pole-stave-84

I use a shooting stick for all firearms hunting. I've been using one for years. It doubles as a walking stick in the dark woods and allows me to always have a steady shot.    Nothing illegal about using a bipod attached to your gun either.    This is the stick I use. Works better than cheaper ones that tend to slide up under weight.    http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Gorilla-Gear-62-Shooting-Stick&i=412038

Congrats! 

Hard to beat a good fishing buddy, or two.

This PC BS is ruining our youth! Think of the children! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I got a few extra items. PM if interested.   Edit to add:   I have a couple extra thermarest pads. I have a new Kelty pack that's too big for me.    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[quote name="Sidewinder" post="1188197" timestamp="1410302128"]Another thing I've noticed on the two dove hunts I was lucky enough to have been invited on, is that the doves seemed to be smaller than the normal doves we see around middle Tennessee. Anyone else notice this? Also, I've not heard of anyone saying they have seen a lot of doves in the fields they have hunted. Could it be that the warm weather has kept them up north, and that the real migration has not really started yet? All opinions are welcome.[/quote] Smaller birds usually mean young, local birds. All of mine were in this category. We usually see migrating birds in early October. They are bigger for sure. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No shooting in Robertson Co over the weekend. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We had a good shoot. Had birds all day, just enough to keep us up and busy. I got close to a limit. I stopped shooting around 4 trying to get the kids with me to shoot more. Overall, it was the best shoot we've had in a few years. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You're a big enough feller that a little bit of #8 shot ain't gonna do more damage than you can overcome. Get one of those face shields for weedeating and a floppy hat, you'll be fine. :)

I'll be slinging lead on the Robertson Co. TWRA field if you feel lucky. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk