I fished for walleyes on Monday just off of Little Oak Island and the bite was slow but steady. No problems getting a limit and a few slot fish were caught but we worked for them. Gold Slender spoons and jigging raps tipped with heads were best for my group. The next day we traveled into the Ontario side for Crappies. In 34 fow we were pulling them off the bottom with jigs and white plastics performing well. The bite was steady and the bite was light. No one had a problem limiting with fish ranging between 12″ and 15″. The ice by the angle is not consistent. Check with resorts or guides before driving on ice. Good luck.

Quote:

---

In my experience there are as many social differences between dogs of the same breed as not. My newest pointer is almost too instinctual and driven which is great for hunting but not so much the other 99.999% time of the year. I always admire those dogs that are almost human at home then flick a switch in the field. I have seen lovey dovey springers, britts, labs and retrievers but I don’t recall any cuddly pointers though I have not doubt they exist.

---

Cuddley German Shorthairs do exist. I happen to have one. He is one of the dogs you talk about. He’s a perfect family dog but put him in the field and he is all business and is drive is phenominal. However, I have a friend who has a dog from the same litter and the two could not be any more different. Max is a machine in the field also but is not the family dog that mine is.

How do you pick a pup and get the personality you want? Beats me. I have to admit for me it was luck of the draw. I do think how they are socialized as a pup has a lot to do with it but each dog has it’s own personality.

As others have said, research, research research. Just remember that you’re playing the odds. Typically, labs are great swimmers but I’ve met a few that won’t go near the water.

Whatever breed you decide on, I wish you the best of luck, just concentrate on the factors you can control which is socializing and training and you will do fine.

Drahthaars are amazing animals. Beautiful dogs and from what I understand very determined and versatile in the field. They are in the list for future consideration. I won’t be ready for another until its time to retire my GSP. He should have a good four years left in him. Then I’ll have to decide, another GSP or Drahthaar. I’m glad I don’t have to decide soon.

Thanks for the posts. I know its Ford v Chevy, but I’m not looking for debate. Like I said, I have both and I honestly can’t decide if one is better then the other. They are completely different. I love both styles of hunting. I’m just interested in what draws people to one or the other. Like Timmy I absolutely love it when my GSP locks up. It’s a thing of beauty. My Lab works a field differently, she quarters close and the flush is exciting. I’ve been hunting my whole life but I’ve only been working with gun dogs the past 4 years. I have a lot to learn but I’m turning a corner where I’m spending more time afield with my dogs than sitting in my stand looking for deer.

Thanks everyone for the responses. Your feedback is basically what my gut was telling me. There are better options that don’t put my dogs, the public and myself at risk and don’t contribute to a negative impression of hunters. I’m going to stay way from that and utilitize the options I mentioned above. Thanks again.

Quote:

---

2 blade Rage for me, I personally haven’t had a deer make it out of eye sight with a well placed shot.

---

x2!!! I have never had to track a deer with them. Of course if you did it would be easy because the blood trail is obvious.

One of the highest honors that I have had as a hunter has been the opportunity to mentor others on the sport. I think that you have a chance to do that but that doesn’t mean you have to mentor him in your woods. There is nothing wrong with having him cut his teeth on public ground. If he can be successful there then he will have probably earned it, and either way he will learn whether he’s in it for the hunt or for the kill.

Now I’m confused. If the judge decided there was no violation then how was the individual put on probation? If it had been me I would not have accepted that. I don’t see how you get probation if no violation occured.

My dogs, Loki and Ginger, on point for their favorite bird.

She repeatedly mentioned its use for hogs. In some states hogs are like coyotes here, shoot on sight because they are a problem. I’ll say that this device is more sporting than flying around in a helicopter shooting hogs with automatic rifles.

As far as for game animals this device has no place. I certainly would not have this in my quiver.

I’ve been using a Thermacell for the past 4 years and there is a faint smell to them, however, in my experience the deer do not react to it. I have had them come in from downwind relaxed as can be. I know if I can smell it they can but for whatever reason it does not put them on alert. Swatting mosquitos however does seem to alert them 100% of the time.

Quote:

---

I gotta get a tour of that place some day. How cool would it be to see the manufacturing process.

---

Do they actually offer tours? That would be really interesting.

All I’m talking about is staying within the law. Maybe “ethical” is a loaded word. I get upset every year when I hear the stories about gut piles being dumped on private property, road side ditches and public areas. Then we get the baiting stories,and the tresspass issues and hunting without permits, not tagging game properly. Leaving trash behind on public and private property. These are examples of things I was refering too. Everytime someones does these things they get lumped onto hunters as a whole and it hurts how the non hunting public percieves “hunters”. Trophy hunting vs meat hunting and the bigger issues are going to be there but we should do all we can to help foster a positive image for ourselves.

My grandfather was a hunter. My dad is a hunter. I am a hunter and my 5 year old grandson is a hunter. No apologies from any of us….

With that said, we must all be ethical hunters and lead by exmaple. No need giving the antis any unnecessary leverage.

When I hunt I scout and rely on sign and patterns to place myself in the right situation to be successful. I have never tried to use artifical or natural scents and I don’t use calls. I’m afraid that I will unintentionally do something that will disturb the area, ie, calling at the wrong times, using the wrong scents. I’m curious about these tools and would like a few do’s and don’ts that can give me confidence using them.

Suzuki is right. Just go to the city and inquire. Just remember even the people that work at the city may provide inaccurate information. I called one city to verify the information that I found in the city codes and I was told that the complete opposite was true. The city employee cited what she assumed the law would be without looking it up. When I asked her to direct me to the ordinance she found herself enlightened. When you ask the question I suggest that you ask for the specific ordinance in writing. That way you can keep a copy on you in case the next person assumes you are doing wrong.

I don’t know about “best” but for fixed blade I use 100gr G5 Montecs. For mechanicals I use 2 blade rage. My field experience is that both are absolutely lethal. They are both devastating to bone and leave superior blood trails. I have never failed to recover game with either. I carry both in my quiver as I prefer fixed blades in some cover types. For that it’ s worth that’s my experience.

Went out and got my first set of pics today. I had a new camera that I’m not familiar with and wanted to check to make sure it’s functioning correctly. The deer are tearing up the mineral sites. Like others have stated, antlers are starting. Here’s a pic of one of the bucks on the property I hunt.

Way to go!! Congratulations!

Thanks for the reminder. It’s time to refletch and start practicing again. September will be here before you know it.

Congatulations on the bird, especially with a bow!

Jon, cool pic! Thanks for sharing. Joel, I’m with you on the weather. I’m hoping it turns soon. I think pheasants may be impacted as well.

I just put mine out yesterday. While out I noticed a ton of sign. I refeshed the mineral sites as well so should know soon. I suspect that they have already started the antlers but we’ll see.

Fusion is my preferred ammo for hunting. I have been using it for three years. I shoot a Remingtion 700 270WIN. I chose Fusion after bench shooting several brands for accuaracy. Fusion came out on top for most consistancy and had the tightest groups. As different rifles “like” different ammo this doesn’t mean it will perform as well in your buddy’s rifle.

As far as in the field performance I have been pleased with the product. I have hunted whitetails in Minnesota and whitetails and hogs in south Texas. Whitetails shot behind the shoulder have not gone more than 75 yards. The average is 50 yards. I intentionally shoot behind the shoulder so I don’t damage the meat. The only bones affected are ribs and are clean breaks. Internal trama is massive which leads me to believe expansion is adaquate. I have not recovered bullets, nor have I had issues with fragments. All deer were killed within 100 yards.

On hogs all shots were head shots at 75 to 100 yards. Entry hole is tiny and hard to find. However exit is 3″ to 4″ with extensive skull damage. All hogs have dropped where shot. This round is devastating to bone. My guess is if a whitetail was shot through the shoulders there would be subtaintial tissue damage.

Hope this helps.

Quote:

---

nice tom, cc
congrats

---

Thanks! Your bird is a dandy!

I took this Tom this morning before the rain set in near Marine on St. Croix. This is my third bird. This one was 22lbs, had a 9 1/2″ beard and 1″ spurs.