I sure will be hunting new land. Moved from Good ole Wisconsin to West Virginia. Seen 51 deer the other night, but not much in terms of size. I may consider hunting over the ohio river in Ohio.

Well-here it goes-The previous day the normal roost held one bird. I wasn’t able to hunt on Wednesday, so Thursday was opening day for me. I took my son along, and we were tickled that we had a bird on the roost about 75 yds from the blind. He appeared to be the only bird around, and just as the birds did last year-he flew to the valley. There was no getting in front of him, and he appeared to be on a mission to cross the valley and go out of bounds. We hunted the rest of the day, and never heard so much as a gobble. The following morning, my son decided to sleep in. I started in the valley in hopes of catching one coming off the roost just as the pattern suggested. Guess what-all the birds were out of bounds, across the road-and they were crazy loud that morning. I moved to an opening, and hoped to bring them across the road. Nothing doing on this morning.
I pulled stakes, and went back to the ATV. I decided to head up the ridge to check on my blind. I hunt near the property line of 2 other preoperties that abutt the property I can hunt. It appears to be the only solid Thunderchicken spot on that chunk of ground. I hit the box call with a few yelps and heard a few gobbles just about out of earshot. I thought, what the heck, I’ll give it a try, so I parked the ATV, and walked to the blind. Did a few purrs, yelps etc, and heard the same distant gobbles. The spring sun was warming the blind nicely, and my eyes became heavy, and off to dreamland I went. A short time later the old spit and drum woke me, follwoed by a thunderous gobble. A couple more taps of the box call kept him coming until he ran into some #5 shot.

nope, he just loves getting his picture taken with dead stuff!

Got a last name? I’m not familiar with anyone getting hitched.

Things haven’t changed much in mcgregor either. I’m from just across the ole muddy in PDC and can tell ya plenty of good bucks still roam the hills and back yards. That said, $580 to go across the creek to have a chance to kill a buck seems awful steep. I might see fewer big bucks in the WI bluffs of crawford county, but I don’t have to take out a loan for a tag either.

Ultimately, everyone will have a favorite, and there’s many that will do the job. I use a thumb activated trigger (TRU Ball Pro Diamond) It works well for me, has an adjustable trigger, and best of all, I shoot pretty well with it. Pick one that fits you well, with an adjustable trigger and practice, practice, practice.

I tried using one, and I guess my blonde hair got in the way. Couldn’t make it work for me.

I wrote a note to my Congressman (Ron Kind) and asked him not to vote. Below is his response. Important to note that the bill IS still alive and in subcomittee. Luckily, no other officials have co-sponsored.

Dear Dan:

Thank you for contacting me regarding gun control. I appreciate hearing from you on this issue.

As someone who has enjoyed hunting and fishing in scenic western Wisconsin my whole life, I am opposed to any legislation that would prevent law-abiding citizens from owning a gun. As a former local prosecutor, however, I have dealt with the effects of gun violence first-hand, and as a father and a husband, I am convinced that firearms should not fall into the hands of convicted felons and others who might misuse them.

The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 provides the primary mechanism through which the federal government ensures that guns are not sold to those most likely to use them to harm other people. The law requires background checks to be completed on all non-licensed persons seeking to obtain firearms from federal firearm licensees. As a result of this law, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) established the National Instant Criminal Background Check System in 1998, which allows gun dealers to filter out known felons or other criminals so they cannot purchase weapons to use in future crimes.

While federal law sets a minimum standard for gun control, I continue to believe that the best solutions are not going to be found in the halls of Congress, but back home in our communities where parents, schools, and officials from local governments and law enforcement can determine what works best. Please be assured that if legislation regarding gun control is introduced in the 111th Congress, I will keep your thoughts in mind.

Again, thank you for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to be in touch with additional comments or concerns. I also encourage you to visit my website, http://www.house.gov/kind, where you can find updated information, sign up to receive my electronic newsletter, and send me an e-mail.

Sincerely,

Ron Kind
Member of Congress

I like Cabela’s camo skins. You can get them in gore tex, and goretex and thinsulate. They aren’t overly bulky even with the insulated version, yet give great dexterity. I use goretex for early season bowhunting, then switch to the gore/insulated version into november, and into January.

I believe when used at the correct time, you could stand around with a flashing neon sign and a buck wouldn’t see you. I’ve had great luck, and bad luck though. Mature bucks AND does, will study the decoy-movement of some sort will usually put them at ease, however lack of movement will spoke them for sure. I’ve switched from a Carry-Lite to a Montana,since the slightest breeze will give it a little “life”. It also acts as a great scent wick, not to mention far easier to carry and much quieter. I’ve had a mature buck come in to sniff the crotch of both types of decoys, and slightly and not so slightl spoke when they made contact. Bottom line for me-I wouldn’t be without one.

This is a bad deal. I wrote a note to my congressman expressing my displeasure. I would encourage any firearm owner to do the same.

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/

167 1/8 gross
152 3/8 net

Not really. Bino Buddy seems to do a good job keeping them out of the way, yet in easy reach with no discomfort.

Couple points on bino’s. You get what you pay for, and compacts rarely perform equally to full size bino’s. All brands mentioned thus far are quality optics. Buy the best glass you can afford and you will be happy for many years. I love the Cabela’s Alaskan Guide series, but the Monarch’s, Minox and Lecia’s all perform very well. When judging, make sure you go outside, all will appear equal inside the 4 walls of a building. Also, overcast, or late in the day, when a light is fading is a good time to try them out. Good Glass will be just as clear at the edge of the picture as it is in the middle, and you should not see darkness differences at the edge of the view when looking during last lite. Lastly,in regards to power, 10x’s won’t get you a better picture than an 8x, but will magnify your tendency to shake. If you are hunting more open territory, the 10’s are fine, if you are primarily woods, 8x will give you a good picture. Good Luck!

Mr. Ben Spanjers, 2008 Bow kill, 310 pds, 23 points, green score 231 5/8, shot in Hokah, MN

Nice work. I shot my first smokepole deer this year also.

I heard Family Dollar was recalling those calculators. Seems they sold a bunch to the banking industry and the Wisconsin DNR. Told people they had more than they really did. Huh.

I bowhunt Crawford County which was EAB this year. I’d say I’m pretty hardcore when it comes to bowhunting. I saw my first doe from the stand on the last day of the EAB season in October. Prior to that-nothing but little bucks. I then went until 11/7 before seeing my next doe. My 5 trail cams picked up more bucks than does, including 68 of a 21/2 year old 10 point. I don’t beleive the EAB program was needed, and I’d like to see deer numbers grow. I then gun hunt in Rusk Co. Seen more deer than last year, and way more sign. Our party of nine shot 4 deer. I took a nice 9 point. I believe the difference from 07′ would be the fact we didn’t see the wolves. I’m hoping both my areas won’t be EAB next year, and I agree with the latest statement from the DNR-they may have overestimated the herd. I have no degree, and no science to back my next statement, but after hearing from several friends and family around unit 74B-There ain’t that many deer boys-not like the “scinece” says.

According to Dean Bortz of Wisconsin Outdoor News it is from South Dakota as proven by the yellow ear tag in one of the animals.

Seen 5 does, and 1 buck. Shot a nice 120″ 9 pt Monday in Public land near Winter, WI. Happy with the hunt, and actually seen more deer this year than last. Group got 4 deer, including an 8 point, 2 does to go along with my 9 point. Not much hunting pressure. Seen 1 other hunter over the entire time.

I’ll be in the Flambeau River State Forest near Winter, where our group has called “home” since 1976.

Jann’s Netcraft sells many of the components needed for ice blanks, including the handles that used to come on the St Croix Avid ice rods. They are located in Toledo, Ohio and do have a website.

Try your local crick (creek) or shallow bay and dig them up, most likely you will get more wigglers than you know what to do with. Just give them a sandy bottom in your tank and keep changing out the water. They last a long time in their dormant state.

I have had a dozen or so of the Legends and gave most to friends of mine to keep and use. The rest I kept to let friends use when they come fishing with me. I am not even sure what to make of the new 17″ version of the Legend. Definitely not happy with the reel seat version.

Hands down I would rather tightline than use a spring bobber. That or sight fish! The rods I use the most for panfish are the St Croix Avid UL rods and the Thorne Bros Power Noodles. I had mine built with larger outdoor eyes, and without the flo. paint on the tip. The paint really kills the action of the rod and without it is a true noodle rod. For sight fishing the TB Sweet Pea is probably the best rod on the market, at 16 inches the rod is perfect. For heavier perch jigs I have a couple of Avid Med lights.

I use 28 and 32″ Avids for walleye, 26″ (med) and 36″ Genz original Lightning Rods (Great Lake walleye rods)Med Heavies and some 40″ rods I glued together myself. For jiggin pike and lakers I’ve got a 36″ TB Pro Plus casting rod. Sweet rod, also a fiberglass model.

Some of the guys I know will have some of the Jason Mitchell rods at the NAIFC in December and I plan to see them for myself then. Bud Faynor helped design the tight line rod (see website and rods) and I should be able to fish with a couple while prefishing.

For tightlining really light jigs, 2 lb Hi Vis Gold Stren has been the best. Unfortunately Pure Fishing will not be making any, regardless of color, 2 lb Stren Original for 2008. What is on the shelf is the last of it.
For anything weighing 1/64th or heavier in panfish, then 5 lb Power Pro, with a 2 lb Vanish leader. Walleye get 8 and 10 lb Pwr Pro.

I have caught a total of three walleyes on these lures in three years. Often I will be fishing with an Airplane, Jiggin Rap or Nils Jigger, catch a fish and drop a darter down only to get zip. I figure if I can get one down while there are fish there, something might happen. Success rate just aint that high. Most of the time I am using 10 lb Power Pro with a 10 lb leader on Erie and SE Mich, or 10 lb mono directily tied to the jig, havent tried the snap either.