2012 Mn archery opener re-cap

I’d upgrade to the Boysen Reeds as long as you have the motor torn down.

-J.

I had a 98 200 VMax rebuilt 2 or 3 years ago and haven’t had any problems since. Didn’t do anything special, but i am glad I didn’t dump the whole rig because of the blown powerhead

I’m planning on the Boyesen Eng. reeds. Man, my spelling was bad but this is my favorite time of the year and not being at ML hurts.
Jack and I could be having lunch together, again.
It looks like it will be the bro in laws taking me fishing for a change, for a awhile.
Dumping the whole rig really isn’t an option. I owned it free and clear a year after I bought it & I look at the years of hard use and what I’d get in return. Also I really like how it rides and fishes so I guess I’ll be in it for a few more years.

A new 200 Hp will run you $12K – 15K depending on the type of motor you get so if the rest of the mechanicals of your current motor seem strong then the rebuild might be the best option… if you can find someone reliable and experienced to do the work.

Rebuilding has been the plan all along. Terry called me earlier today and only the cyl. that the piston cracked was bad. The rings on the other 5 (comp. was checked) didn’t have carbon below them so it looks like one over size piston, a new rod, & I’m going with the Boyesen reeds. This is the 1st serious issue I’ve had on 9 years of hard use on the main motot or the kicker. A carb. check and we should be go to go….

BTW…. I have learned a leason that since this boat basicly sits on a lift from May 1st to mid Oct (lift and dock out) that you need to get wet, or put te boat on a trailer once in a while. I had more than one bolt & nut loose on the back of the motors. Out of sight, out of mind.

What a beautiful weekend to be in the north woods. Temps were a bit warm, but the bugs were virtually non-existent. My goal was to have two fantastic sits, shoot my new rifle along with a few other toys and then enjoy a cold one by a fire. Mission accomplished on all fronts!

After leaving home Saturday AM, I headed to some state land to shoot my new rifle after a couple stops at gun shops on my way up north. If you’ve never stopped at Boones Fine Guns, do it. They have a great indoor range and an electronic archery range upstairs. Along with thousands of guns. It’s a must see if you are in the Isle, Mn area.

After a few hours of shooting, I headed for the cabin. I got all settled in and got my equipment all put together. I had time for a quick cold beer then I was in the shower and headed for my stand. This was my view from the stand. 16 yards to my closest shooting lane, 40 yards to the farthest.

It was pretty quiet for the first couple hours with only the squirrels making my mind race. It was windier than predicted also, but it was right in my face, so it was all good. At about 5:30, I could see 3 doe in the brassica plot up by the cabin. I should have hunted from the deck.

Those deer headed back to the woods but shortly after I noticed 3 deer feeding out into the brassicas plot in front of me. They were approximately 75 yards to my left. The wind was perfect, now I just needed them to feed my way. Slowly, but surely they were coming. I had my bow in my hand, re-ranged my shooting lanes etc… I was ready! All of sudden, all three tails went straight up and the deer disappeared back into the woods. What the heck?? I checked the wind again, it was perfect. I know I didn’t make any noises. I put my bow down and sat. Replaying the situation in my mind to be sure I didn’t cause this.

Shortly after sitting, I hear a crunch, crunch, crunch back and to my right. Dead down wind of me. I thought sure, a big ol’ buck will walk right through my wind. Nope, two stinkin’ coyotes. It’s THICK behind me with plumb bushes. The coyotes passed me and milled around at 30 yards. I grabbed my bow, guessed 30 yards and centered up the one dog in what little shooting lane I had. The Nockturnal showed my arrow was tracking perfectly. Just as my arrow arrived at it’s destination I’m quite sure it hit some branches. However, as the coyote spun in my direction, he took the Easton Axis and Rage 2 blade to the chest area as best as I could tell. He made a heck of a ruckus leaving the scene of the crime, but I’m pretty sure I heard him crash 50-60 yards from where I shot him. The next day looking for my arrow, this was all I found. Not a full confirmed kill, but I’m calling it one! I don’t see how an arrow busts up like that from shooting it.

At this point I have about 45 minutes of shooting time left. I nocked another arrow and settled in for what I thought would be a quiet remainder of the evening. I was already thinking of a fire and cold beer. I checked the From the Tree post a couple times when I heard something to my left out front. I saw two deer, but no idea what they were through the foliage. I grabbed my bow and stood up. Time was winding down fast. I checked my phone, 5 minutes left. COME ON DEER! Sure enough, the deer stepped out in my shooting lane at 39 yards. She stopped, looked back over her should oblivious to my presence. I drew, centered and released. The arrow nearly tipped the deer off her feet. I knew it was a good hit when I heard the deer crash less than 100 yards from my stand.

I packed up all my geared got down from the stand. I probably only waited for 10 minutes before going to my arrow. I stood there for another 10 minutes just waiting to be sure the deer had expired. I put my gear down and started the tracking job. It was very easy. Bright red lung blood looks so cool in the flashlight beam. 5 minutes later I was standing over my first Mn deer.

When I walked up my heart sank a bit when I realize she became a HE with trophy two inch spikes. I felt terrible. In hind site, I never confirmed if the deer was a buck. I gave it a glance and that was it. I guess the excitement of the opener… Lots of excuses, but I feel bad for making a rookie mistake. So, sorry the pictures aren’t that great. I only took the one after realizing what I had done.

Needless to say, the cold beer at the fire that night was bitter sweet. I’m very proud of each deer I harvest and my family and I will enjoy the meat it has provided us. A special THANKS goes to Bob B for allowing me a place to hunt, it means the world to me!

Great read Kooty, sounds like a great opener to me
That buck will be delicious eats for you and the family. Might not be the trophy you hoped for but you should still be happy with a good clean kill, nice job

NICE WORK!!! A good clean kill and veni in the freezer. Top that off with a yote down and you have an outstanding opener

Sounds like a pretty darn good weekend. Congrats Kooty!

Nice shootin’ tex! On both animals. Congrats on the great weekend and good eats.

Joel

That is the best color of red I have ever seen! Nice shots kooty , now the pressure is off for the next big boy that crosses your path .

Well, I’m off to SD this Friday for opener out there. The two hit list bucks are moving a lot during the daylight. Dad said the water tank is getting hit hard lately and this might be my best bet for a shot. Friday won’t come soon enough.

Sounds like a good time congrats on some fine shooting I sure wish I would have been there to share the fun times Let me know what I owe you for the coyote kill and keeping an eye on the cabin during the opener Good luck this coming weekend

Congratulations on a great shot Kooty!!! Wish I could have been there to celebrate with you like you were there for me!! Good Luck back home hunting!

I sure could have used your help dragging it up to the box blind….The fat kid was tired.

Nice job Can’t wait to try a stick

good kill it happens to the best of em I know I made that same mistake two years ago during shotgun season low light 30 yards didnt see any horns when I got to it had inch to two inch spikes.

I had this happen last night, Had what I thought was a doe come in at dusk, with a tall young 7 behind(her) bumping her. I wasn’t going to shoot the 7 but the doe was fair game. Fortunately I hit an unseen branch 6′ from my stand and the arrow deflected low. She walked away and skylighted herself on a small hill 50 yards. When she looked away I could see 4-6″ spikes running right up next to his ears I am glad I hit the branch