Thanks, pretty much figured that was the case. Hope everyone has a great soft water season.

Great Post and great comments. Been on the donor list for a long time. Saw first hand with my dad’s passing, just how far this can go. Even if it is not your main organs, Eyes, long bones, skin grafting. My mom has been on the list for a new liver and kidney for almost two years now. Unfortunately, someone will need to die for her to live, but that is why the donor program is in place. Glad to see the number of people that are saying yes.

and one more….

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One more

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Here is the bow. Setting it up and shooting it has been very fun. Micro adjustment on the sights make it so easy to sight in. I am honestly kicking around trading in the sight already and going to a single adjustable pin. The bow is so flat shooting that my pins are very close together…. I added a kisser on this bow, which I never had before. Really helps me keep the same routine and draw back when shooting.

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Wisconsin–Minnesota Regulations
• Two lines with a single lure or bait on each are permitted. If fishing with one line, you may use two baits

From the rule book. You can fish with two lines on the boarder waters.

So….I shot the Hoyt REDWRX, I shot the PSE Carbon Air Stealth, the Bowtech Realm and the Elite Ritual on Saturday. Trying to keep personal name brand preference aside, I shot all the bows twice each. All of these bows were smooth, quiet, light and well made. There were pro’s for each and very, very few cons. One might have been slightly quieter, one might have been slightly easier drawing, one was definitely the lightest (PSE) but all were sweet set ups…So it was a Chevy vs Ford vs Dodge conversation. Like I stated before, I bought my existing bow brand new in 2001, (Hoyt Hypertech) so anything I shot would be a giant improvement. It was hard for me to tell the difference one way or the other on why or why not to buy any of the brands that I shot. So I went with a name and brand that I was comfortable with. I decided on the REDWRX and it is being set up for me to pick up in the next few days. Kuiu® Verde 2.0 is the camo pattern that I chose with a new 5 pin sight, new drop-away, new stabilizer and a new quiver. It shoots at 340 fps, has 85% let off, will be set up at 65 lbs and weighs in at 3.9 lbs bare bones. I will post some pictures when I pick up the bow, really excited to start shooting this beast and call it my own.

Super cool, bait shops will let me know what working I assume.

The legacy lives on, my son and I sat on Deer opener this past weekend. He has sat with me since he was 5 or 6 in my bow set ups, and he has sat with a gun since his first MEA hunt when he was 10. We have fun out in the woods together; Thumb Wrestling, Eye Spy, talking about school (and now girls), teaching about signs, sounds and outdoors-men stuff. Isaac has been my little lucky charm when I was bow hunting with him, I am positive I’ve harvested a doe every year that he has sat with me. He took his first deer (a 7 pointer) 45 minutes into his first hunt. That was a surreal moment for me. I am sure I had the same amount of buck fever my first time hunting, but seeing it take over his body and mind was an amazing, amazing thing. The shakes, the second guessing, the pure adrenaline, the joy and the happy tears and excitement of tracking and finding his deer.
His lucky streak hit a two year road block, but we still sat together and did our normal tree stand activities. Last year was really tough, we had two different bucks (appear) out of no where but we could not get set up and get a shot off. Then on his last day, after shooting hours, I had to teach him a hard lesson on the legality of shooting times. 12 year old kids don’t understand this and to have a doe 20 yards away and not be able to shoot was almost the worst thing possible.
This year was my sons third sit with a gun, it was season A opener and Sundays was also Dad’s (Grandpa’s) birthday. What better way to celebrate and remember grandpa then to be out in the woods, handing down what was handed down to me. Saturday was no fun (weather wise) windy, raining, cold. Kid was dressed to the gills, but he just wasn’t having that much fun being out. We saw deer, but again, we couldn’t get set up without being busted. So we just had to watch. About 8:30-9:00 he couldn’t come up with anymore excuses to stay and he climbed down to go to the bathroom and warm up. I stayed, with my bow and watched as he walked back. He no more than walked into the door of the bunk house and a little forky walked out into our food plot. He was on a mission, so I wasn’t too disappointed that Isaac wasn’t there, as I don’t think he would have gotten a shot off. Then 20 minutes later, a nice 3-1/2 year old 8 pointer stayed out in front of me for 10-15 minutes. I could have easily shot him 3-4 times with my bow, but I passed as I was hoping that he would come back again that evening.
Saturday afternoon was fun again, the deer were on there feet, the doe bleat would bring them close, but three different times, they wouldn’t stick around long enough to get a shot off. Frustrating but fun. I saw a buck walking out in the pines and bleated. He stopped, looked our direction and headed towards us. The buck was a little apprehensive, but his loins, were stronger than his head and he just had to find the doe making all the commotion. He ended up coming within 35 yards and turned slightly broadside. Isaac was set and he let the sabot fly. I knew right away that it was a good shot. The buck stumbled and fought hard to take off running. He opposite shoulder was gone and he flopped and staggered for about 30 yards and disappeared behind some shrubbery. A couple of more thrashes were heard, so I was sure that the deer was down. Isaac had it all again, BUCK FEVER had taken over. Shakes, smiles, excitement, tears and hugs. I was so proud of how well he did. It was a standing, free style shot, no rest, and he drilled that deer. We waited until dark and started tracking, I had him up front, the blood trail was good and we found his buck just a couple of minutes into it. He was a huge bodied, 6 point buck, Isaac couldn’t even budge it, so I grabbed a hold and drug his trophy out into the clearing and took some pictures.
My dad, never shared with me his excitement at my first couple of deer, but I knew he was more happy for me, than he ever was for his deer. The man took me all over, hunting 4 different states and including me and my brothers into his trips with his friends. He was selfless and wanted us to share in this world of the outdoors. I can’t wait to keep the legacy going, it’s already started…

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Gift Card Sent today. Thanks DT for getting this put together again this year.

Please sign me up. I will get the card coming soon.

sticker wrote:

What brand and style is that? Best of luck!! I am going to put a rocket hammerhead thru my big Tom. Hopefully opening day as well.

They are the new Rage Extreme Turkey. Years ago, someone, cannot remember who, used to sell a inverted 4 blade. It was a basic fixed 2 blade on 1/2 of it and the perpendicular side was similar to the top of the rage, just bigger “hooks” You got great penetration, but not a full pass through. Ripped up the insides pretty well.

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

Congrats to the top teams and thanks to DT for organizing.

I’m starting to suspect that it might improve my chances of winning if I’d actually kill a deer for once. Numbers are looking good finally and the winter has be relatively mild, so here’s to next year!

Grouse

Thanks DT!!!! Being in the CWD zone, I am not holding my breath for the next few years.

The Veterans hunt is this weekend. I am heading there on Sunday around noon to help butcher. You can stop out to Chesterwoods Park east of Rochester any time if you’d like to see if there is anything they need. Happy hunting everyone.

Terribly sad. Prayers for the family.

Every stand we have, has a life line. Once you use one and see how easily you can still move about and such, you will be hooked. PUN intended

Well, that was quick….first sit of the year. I reached my stand at 6:35 am on Saturday Oct. 8th. It really is my favorite stand and I almost always see deer from this perch. We had a new picture of a nice 10 pointer on this camera last week and decided to give it a go. Not much to speak of for the first 50 minutes and then I saw him coming from my right. About 75 – 100 yards out, I could tell he had a taller rack and I grabbed my bow and tried to get set up. He kept coming, slowly and methodically moving his way towards me. Hoping he would choose the trail that leads right in front of my stand, I got a hold of my string loop as he neared my stand. He was heading the right direction and as he did, I knew there was no hesitation with his age or rack size. He came to a halt, perfectly broadside at 10 yards and I let him have it. Backed out of my stand at 7:45 and walked back to the bunk house to let him lay. Found him in his final resting place around noon and was very happy with him. My new Personal Best 10 pointer was down and out a mear 1 hour and 10 minutes into my first hunt. This will maybe help ease the pain of all the years of sitting and hoping only to eat tag soup in December.

Team 6 – 10 point buck – longest tine length is 10″

Time for my son to put one down during the MEA youth hunt.

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Everything is more fun with money on the line. Count me in, I’ll get the gift card coming. Thanks for extending the deadline!!!!

Friend just bought the Parker Enforcer – out the door with soft case and extra bolts around $750.00 if I remember right. We shot it three weeks ago, took 4-5 bolts to get zero’d in at 20 yards and then with the built in distant marks on the scope he was shooting lights out, out to 50 yards. For an off the shelf, pre-set up package, I was impressed.

I know there are many more option, but this was quiet, accurate and reasonable. Good luck Randy.

ClownColor wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>prieser wrote:</div>
We were recently and unfortunately the victims of a home invasion. My wife has and probably always will have quite a bit of anxiety about hand guns. I’ve worked with her ALOT, especially in the last few weeks. She has completed her MN Carry Class and will be taking gun the DNR gun safety class with my son this winter. She is “ok” with a .22 semi, but I know that this will not work as a home defense weapon. I need to find her something that will have enough stopping power, but also something that she is very comfortable with. We’ve shot a couple different .308’s, but she does not like the recoil. I’m thinking that, that particular gun is typically light weight, which is why she does not like the kick that it delivers. So, is there a heavier style of .308 or compatible caliber gun that anyone can recommend for us to look at. Would maybe a revolver be a better choice? Any info would be great.

Thanks everyone.

Were you home? I completely understand the anxiety and have nothing against your approach but if home burglary is what you are try to avoid, maybe a home defense/alarm system is what you need. The gun method “may” work but you obviously need to be home…and willing to shot somebody.

We were not home, but my Sister-in-law and her husband were there with my son. The confrontation was short, and the intruder did have a handgun pointed at him. It’s a long story, but no – a trigger was not pulled and for all the right reasons. We have since installed the security system and have signs outside the home saying so. We have no idea why or who, we have nothing of great value in our home, the jack-wagon would have been pretty disappointed. When it comes down to it, locks and security systems only keep your friends out. People who are ballsy enough to break into a home, really don’t give a sh*t what kind of locks, doors, security you have outside your home. I want to make sure that if this POS or anyone else decides to test the waters again, we have done everything that we can do to protect ourselves. Do I really think that I have the “right stuff” to pull the trigger??? I really don’t know, all I can really hope for, is in the moment of truth, the guy decides that he picked the wrong home and exits promptly. It is such an unnerving feeling, that it is almost too hard to explain. The simple fact that anyone would knowingly break into my sanctuary, my domain, my peace of mind has me wanting to fill any gap and void in my home. Handgun, shot gun, riffle, taser, wasp spray, tear gas….you name it, if my wife and I feel safer. We will have it.

I truly and honestly hope we never, ever have to worry about that situation again.

I’m going to look into some more handguns, does anyone in the Rochester area (shopping wise) offer test shooting? You know, try before you buy?

I am strongly leaning towards the Sig 45 P227 for myself. Shot one of them last week, holy sweetness. But, I also loved the Springfield XD and I liked the ease of the Glock’s. Guess I might have to buy a couple for myself.

Thanks Sticker and Grouse,

We’ve planted this space, it seams, every other year for 6-8 years now since the trees have shot up. If memory serves, we always do plant the oats/rye with the clover (competition for light) makes sense. FYI the closest pines are roughly 25-30 yards away and to that point, my dimensions above should have been stated as yards not feet. We will try to get a soil sample regardless.

The direct seeded area was implemented with the help of the forestry department, tilled and sprayed the 5 acres for one full season and then came in with Black Walnut, Red and White Oak and Ash and broadcast the space. In what I believe is 12 years of growth, that direct seeding is quite simply amazing. Last audit by forestry put it at somewhere around 900-950 trees per acre. It is time to thin it out. Walnuts are winning the battle for the sun light for sure, should be some great veneer grade lumber, 50 years after I’m dead and gone, but still a great little plot…..

Terrible news, just plain terrible. I hope they find some answers soon. Prayers for the family.

deertracker wrote:

I don’t have an extra of our new style but could send and old style patch. It would be a PD patch.
DT

Brian Klawitter wrote:

“Love when you can, cry when you have to, be who you must, it’s a part of the plan. Await your arrival with simple survival, and someday we’ll all understand.”

Love it Brian, very nicely said. It’s going to be a long road still for the Wharton family. Keep the prayers coming.

Jonesy wrote:

They announced a few minutes ago,sadly Lukas passed away.

Sadly yes, we were told earlier today but I could not say anything. Lukas’ family are very thankful for all your thoughts and prayers.

Brian Klawitter wrote:

Update Tuesday May 31st 11:00am
From April, Mom:

“So, when lukas got hurt, they brought him to the hospital and were going to immediately operate. We waited about an hour to half hour I think and 3 of the surgeon’s came in and told us he was brain dead. The sheriff was there and heard this too. After a while, he left. The surgeon’s said they were going to clean him up and bring him to a different floor so we could see him.
About 3 hours later, those same 3 surgeon’s came back in and told us lukas had lifted both arms and tried to pull out his breathing tube, they have never seen this before and are convinced it was not a reflex. He has also shown us several other small miracles that have happened during his whole time here.
Today he is not good. The Dr.s are trying everything they can, but there may not be a good end to this. Prayers”

So many things to say. I’m just going to leave this at “thank you Prieser”.

The family certainly appreciates the support BK and also everyone else. This has been a tough deal for not only the family, but the whole community. This story has tentacles all over the country and last I looked, I believe his page has been viewed by over 7700 people. Like what BK posted above, they have had a complete and total roller coaster ride. They were given the worst news possible, and then given hope all in a matter of a few hours. All the EMS personnel, from dispatch, fire department, first responders, Gold Cross, Mayo One, Olmsted County Sheriff’s Department to the staff at St. Mary’s have done and continue to do an amazing job. The Wharton’s are very, very good people and they do indeed have a great support group. Please keep the prayers coming.

Lukas’ family has not posted anything since 11:00 am yesterday. I really hope he is still fighting. Sometimes, no news is good news…..All we can do is hope and pray.

If you don’t have Facebook here is a news link. http://kimt.com/2016/05/24/child-hit-by-a-vehicle-in-olmsted-county/

Thanks iowaboy

If you have Facebook here is a news link. http://kimt.com/2016/05/24/child-hit-by-a-vehicle-in-olmsted-county/

Thanks iowaboy

I’ll say this, on behalf of Lukas and his entire family, Thank you for the support and the prayers. They are an amazing family. I hope the get some good news soon.