Like so many before me have said, but I wil reiterate: if they are going to be the one pulling the trigger, you can make the decision on whether to take them on the practice range when you know they are ready to do the job. If they are going along for the experience of watching you, take 'em early and often. I missed out on it as a kid, and the gap in knowledge I have versus others who have been doing it there whole life is huge. You can't get experience from reading about hunting or watching it on television, only an idea. Just like practicing to shoot is necessary, but you never know how it will go until you have a deer standing in front of you. Enjoy the hunting, and congratulations on taking a youngin' out with you.

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Open a crock pot, put a venison chunk in there that fills it up about halfway, then fill the rest with your favorite barbeque sauce, then wait the longest 4 to 5 hours you have ever had to wait....you will want it as soon as you smell it. If done right, it should pull apart like barbeque and be really moist and delicious. My girlfriend gets excited when I get a deer because it means more of this good stuff.

Kind of crazy how those guys get paid to go hunting, and get all of their gear given to them. I almost wonder if they get the same joy out of it that we get considering all of the time effort and money we are putting into it as a hobby, rather than them doing all of that for a job.

Since you have already encountered it, I would invest in some bear spray. It is not very expensive, and will not make you feel as helpless should you be confronted.

It does not matter what you buy, just make sure it has a hard blade and is sharpened well. Learn to use it properly, as many people accidentally injur themselves when using it improperly.

I have some buddies who do it, and think it is the best thing since sliced bread. I have caught plenty more on hook and line than they have noodling (they call it grappling around here), so I don't think it is something that we should be concerned with. In fact, around here, flathead catfish are introduced, and causing some problems with the native fish, so any removal of flathead is good news in my book.

Shopping online = Cabelas Browsing in the store = Bass Pro Shops Cabelas has better selection, but the fish tanks and the mounts at the bass pro shops makes me feel like a kid again. i just leave my wallet in the car so that I don't buy anything.

Humans are great at creating inbalances in natural populations. First we manipulate habitat to our needs, helping some species and hurting others. Then, when we eliminated many of the predators, deer and elk populations exploded. When we took away feeding grounds for cattle grazing, elk populations plummeted. Now, when we add wolves back into the mixture, elk and deer populations have gone down. Since we have unnaturally altered the populations of animals, it is necessary to use sound advice from highly trained scientific individuals to sometimes manage predators as well as prey animals. While we aren't eating them, we are in essence creating a more balanced population. It is called "top down control" which is managing from the top of the food chain, and can be more difficult to manage than "bottom up control", or harvesting of animals lower in the food chain. Hopefully the hunt can be well regulated, and the process can continue to be monitored to ensure the proper number are harvested. While some fight over whether it is a victory for one side or the other, I think everyone recognizes the need to protect what natural habitat is left.

I use them mostly for fishing for pan fish or trout. With trout, I stand downstream and cast upstream and crank as fast as I can in small streams. This keeps it flowing in the current well, and the trout absolutely destroy it. As for pan fish, just throw it out in the pond, and retrieve. If they want it, they will get it.

It helps on long days and on days that are either really hot or really cold to help your dog stya afloat and to maintain body temperature. Another bonus is that it gives you something to grab onto to pull your dog back into the blind.

12 guage is gonna give you a better chance, but you can be successful with a 20 after plenty of practice.

I used an improved cylinder yesterday, and will again tomorrow for a dove hunt. Works great, and helped me get my limit of 15.

They are the standard length for many upland bird hunts. i use them on my dove hunts and they are highly successful.

The sad reality is that there are too many people, and we are living in more dense populations, eliminating natural habitat for these animals. We then are wasteful, and leave scraps of food behind that attract these animals, then we call them savage beasts when coming in for a free meal.

I had this happen when someone slammed my rod in a tailgate......the rod became one guide shorter, and the eye hole at the tip was replaced. The rod will not be as sensitive with little bites, but will work great for just about everything else.

Buck folder, leatherman multitool (rarely use the knife...more foor the tools), and my grandfathers knife he carried in WWII. The knife has a great story: when I was a kid, he would tell me that the knife was made out of metal from a kamakaze plane that landed on the deck of his ship...come to find out he was just messing with me, but for some reason, the story he used to tell about it makes it that more special, despite it being a lie. He did do the leatherwork for the sheeth though, which could use a little care now that I think about it.

You pop the top, drain the juice, then find someone with really small fingers to pull the middle one out first.

I always use RemOil. Cleans well and has prevented rust, so I can't complain.

There used to be a lot of research on the flathead catfish in the Deep River, which joins with the Haw River to form the Cape Fear River, close to Sanford, NC. The flathead catfish is introduced to NC from the Mississippi drainage, and has caused a lot of problems for native fish species. Students from NC State shocked out there at least once a week for several years to monitor the population. They looked at diets of the flatheads, movement, habitat use, contaminants in the tissues, and reproduction. Their equipment is much more effective and expensive than the old crank boxes. The studies are completed, and have been published in scientific journals, which can be difficult to get access to, unless you have access to a University library.

ALways go for the most humane shot.

Why not just go during the morning and evening with a pair of binoculars and look for them that way. Much more satisfying, and you can pattern them during a time when you would actually be hunting.

You can feed it liver or even hot dogs. If you have them in a tank, be sure to keep a little current moving through the tank, as the channels love moving water.

If not for other reasons, I like bow season, as I look forward to it the longest. I look forward to rifle season about a week ahead of time, but bow season for months. The anticipation alone pushes it to the top.

Has anyone on here experienced any major problems with any brand of Muzzleloader?

I looked into getting a trolling motor for my canoe, but was dissapointed to find out if I put an electric motor on it, I had to pay for registration of the boat, as if it were a standard boat. Be sure to check into this in your state to make sure you will not have a huge extra cost besides the trolling motor.

One of these days I hope to make a handle out of antler, but as for now, for the price, you can't beat the look of a wood handle. But synthetic and plastic makes for a much lighter option when considering a hunt that includes a long hike.

If you harvest the deer, you can take the lower jaw to a wildlife biologist in your state and they should age it for you. They look at the wear on the teeth, and can judge according to that. They also sell plastic models of jaw bones that you can order and you can compare them to your deer and get an age.

If you catch a lot of bluegills, a lot of people will get electric knives to fillet them, which makes very quick work of it. They have abttery powered ones now as well. I like my bluegill to be at least 6 inches to make it worth my while.

Bucks dislike the rain like we do, so if you can get out there just as the rain is letting up, chances are, they will be out and about trying to make up for lost time.

A great way to be able to change your lures on light tackle very quickly is to tie a swivel snap on the end of your line, so that you can just open the swivel snap and switch out lures without having to retie. I totally agree with changing up the speed of your retrieval. In all honesty, I like taking my girlfriend fishing for many reasons, but for this reason specifically. She doesn't automatically dial in on the retrieve she thinks will work best, like I do since I think i know what will work. Since she is newer to it, she is always more willing to try different retrieval speeds, and 9 times out of 10, if it is a new type of fis we are going for, she catches one first, then I have to ask her what retrieve she was using to get them to strike. Gotta love it!

Watermelon with green flake on soft plastics. Tears them up.

Wait until the cold weather arrives, and they will clear up. These are highly common, and look rather nasty.

I have had nothing but success with my Moultrie. I did notice that their latest version of the I-40 has plastic pins to keep the unit shut, rather than the chrome style ones, so I am keeping an eye on them to see if they hold up. The latest one was purchased through WalMart, so maybe it is something that is only used through the line they sell.

The second model does seem to have a nice feature in that you do not have to bury your knuckles up the deers rear end like you did in the first....they lengthened it, and added a guard so your hand stays clear. Does anyone know if they still reccomend cutting around the outside of the hole before using the product, or is it more of a cut the inside, then stick it in and pull?

No effect near my stand with c'mere deer, but buck jam made them dig a trough where I poured it. It may that the buck jam is thicker, and therefore has some more substance to it (plus it is a lot cheaper). To be honest, I used the stuff to get them on the corn I am hunting over (legal where I live). If I just put corn out, it takes them a while to find it, but if I pour that stuff around it, they can smell it from a mile away, and will get on the corn a lot faster.

One of the number one problems I have with a climber is that I start getting sweaty about half way up...no matter how slow I go. I am in decent shape, it is just I am prone to sweating. The ground blind sounds like a great idea, but the county I live in has a law that your feet have to be at least 8 feet off the ground, which isn't possible with a ground blind.

Don't try tennessee for elk tags...there were only 5 tags available, four in a lottery and one for auction. Only a five day season. First time in over 100 years. Another example of a successful reintroduction, and a population that can handle a controled harvest.

Plano makes really great tackle boxes that last for a long time. I prefer the soft sided bags with removable internal boxes, this way I can take the boxes out and put another one in depending on what I am fishing for. if I remember correctly, you like fishing for catfish and bluegills, so a hard case Plano would also work grea,t and you can get them at any sporting good store, online outfitter, and even better, look at garage sales!

I love any kind of panther martin, and I also love a small crawdad crank bait made by rebel. I prefer the gold and dark color pattern.

One of the things that plague many new fly fisherman/woman is trying to muscle it out there. When this happens, the fly can snap on the end of the back cast, causing the fly to break off...think of the noise a whip makes when it cracks, and you can understand why the fly would break off with the quick change in acceleration and direction. If you hear that snapping noise at the back of your back cast, be more fluid in your motion, and hopefully it will solve this issue.

This same argument was brought up when compound bows were first introduced, and whether they were primitive or not. Go into any sporting goods store, and look at the number of compound versus long bows available, and you will find out the answer to your question...people almost always go with the newer, better techonology, which does go against "primitive", but still has a slight disadvantage over the other type of gear.

Go with a 3-d, but remember, they are bulky to carry in. It also depends on the type of hunting you will be doing. If you are just shooting lanes, then a fawn decoy may work, just to make the deer freeze enough to get the shot off, but if youare hunting a field, a big buck may be the ticket.

What has become of your grandfather now that a few weeks has passed?

This depends on the conditions and the amount of time I have. I obviously want to have the most optimal conditions and time available, but that is never the case. By the time I am comfortable with my set up, I have put enough lead down range to know that the first shot will be a down animal.

I like the Flambeau soft bags with seperate boxes on the inside, that way I can swap them out according to what I am fishing for. They tend to be inexpensive, and can be found at most sporting goods stores.

You shoot once, you will probably be able to get the choke back in there, but you do it many more times, I doubt you are gonna have much luck.

Someone put it to me that only humans keep moving in the woods without stopping. All of the animals out there will have bursts of movement, then a long pause or break without any noise. If you are constantly moving without long pauses or breaks, you may not see anything at all because they are all getting driven away.

Vampire deer!?!?!?! gotta love it when a deer has character. Kind of like shooting a banded duck.

It can be disheartening to hunt and not see anything or not get any great opportunities. Look for good signs of deer, and invest in an inexpensive trail camera. Ther eis not point in hunting a spot that is not frequented by deer, and a trail cam will let you know if this is the case.

I prefer fixed blade broadheads 100 grain. Be sure to practice with the broadheads and not just field points to ensure that they are both grouping with your pins.

A buddy of mine swears by the Thermacell that only uses a little heat, and apparently has no odor, but I have not used it yet. Anyone else used it?

There was a huge push by BASS to do catch and release on largemouth, and now there is this big stigma people have with keeping them. This has lead to some difficult issues for fisheries managers when trying to create desirable conditions for anglers, as harvest is being lost as a tool due to all catch and release. If you see a population of over crowded fish that look either malnourished, or all stuck at the same size, by all means, harvest those fish and eat them, otherwise they won't get any bigger. By having fewer bass, they will have more food to go around, allowing them to get bigger faster. Now, if it is a big fish, take some great pictures and let it go so that it can reproduce, as we all know that genetics is one of those factors we have very little control over.

I use a 22, and it is a great way to go. Better accuracy at distance, and better precision over time with standard amount of powder in each charge, as opposed to eneven pumping. There are some inexpensive options on the market for 22s.

If there are grass carp in a lake, put a leaf on a small hook this fall and float it on the surface. They can't get enough of 'em, and they put up a great fight.

Rough cut=chain saw Everything else you have to do the hard way.

I am with MLH....even if you don't want to take the 50 yard shot, it is good to practice at it, and make the closer shots feel even closer. Unless you don't even have a place to practice at 50 yards, go with 20-50.

Field dressing can be a daunting task if you have never done it, have no one with you, and you are not entirely sure of the anatomy of a deer. I would always recommend bringing someone with you who knows what they are doing for your first time, plus they will be able to help you haul it out. Even the smallest deer are heavy to drag or carry out.

If you ahve him patterned down, see if you can intercept him, rather than waiting for him to move to you. Don't make any huge changes to the habitat, but definitely get yourself set up for the shot where you know he frequents.

Was there any other infraction that went along with this, or a prior trend of infractions? It is dissapointing when the law is used excessively.

Interesting to think of a rack bringing a deer down. Who would have thought the thing designed to help him defend himself and advance his mating abilities is the thing that got him in the end. Granted he was a freak, but still, strange twist of fate.

Halloween to first week in November is when it should start. During pre-rut is when those bucks will be looking for does about to come into estrus or heat, so look for them then as well.

I have many photos of racoons and deer together on my trail cam, and they do not seem to mind each other. I have had turkey and deer in feeding together and it helped me out because the turkey were scratching around making a bunch of noise, making it easier for me to draw my bow without being detected by noise....however, i did have to be more careful of the visual considering all of the extra sets of eyes.

Del...can you point me in the direction to your original post regarding the mission you are on. I get the idea from the recent updates about the great things everyone is doing to help, but I do not know the whole story and it sounds like a highly worthy cause.

If you cannot find a deer, look for them in low lying areas. They really like to bed down in standing or running water (probably soothes the wound). WHen tracking a deer, a great way to pattern the path the deer is taking is to take toilet paper and tie little strips on tree branches over the drops of blood on the ground. As you go out farther, you can look back at this path and gauge the general direction the deer was heading to try and find the next drop. I find many deer make a "J" shaped turn at the end of their trail before bedding down to expire. Always keep an eye out sideways while looking down, as it may have circled back in the opposite direction off to your side.

I got up in my stand today at 5:15am. It warmed up to 87 by the middle of the day, but was a nice 56 that early in the morning. I actually wished I had more layers. If you have a comfortable stand, I would recomend getting in aroun 5:30, but if not, get in a half hour before shooting light. As for butchering, ge ton that deer and get it cleaned and processed soon. The bugs were bad today, and the heat caught up to me quick once the sun came up, so I am sure it would spoil the meat quick.

Guys around here hunt game lands with mountain bikes so that they can get deeper into the woods than the guys who just hunt within a mile or so of the road. What they often do is hide their climber back in the woods somewhere on a hike, then leave it and mountain bike in in the morning with just their bow or firearm. The real trouble comes when getting the harvested game out, which can often entail multiple trips....but you would have multiple trips anyways. Depending the terrain, you could consider a small trailer of some sort...you could even use the little buggies that people hook up behind their bicycles to pull their young kids around in.

If you live in the Portland area, there is a club that meets regularly in Lake Oswego to learn how to Fly Fish. I have heard good things about the club, but have never attended a meeting.

Del....any website or other type of information you can give about this taxidermist who is a class act individual like yourself. If he lives close to you, I doubt I will be able to utilize his services, but maybe others in the area might be able to.

Gonna try my luck again tomorrow. Sorry to hear the doe caught you, and even worse about the crappy map situation. Seems hardly enforcable if it is publicized.

Do you have a friend with an elevated deck? I go over to a friends house and stand up on his back deck that has a similar elevation to my stand to sight in my pins. Remember to always use the pin that corresponds to the horizontal distance, or the distance from the base of the tree you are in to the feet of the deer. Gravity only has effect on the arrow over the horizontal distance (additional air resistance will be exerted on the arrow if you are really really high in the tree, but that should not be the case). Practice, practice, practice, and you will succeed.

If you are just starting out, and haven't mastered the subtlties, a wooly bugger is a good alla round fly to start out with.

Wyoming for Elk...those backstraps are to die for.

go with a 5 weight, and a pachage deal will be more than enough to get your started....however, see if any friends or coworkers have one you can borrow first. I would hate to see you buy one to find out it isn't your thing (although I highly doubt it). The great thing about outdoors people is that they are almost always willing to share their gear.

API tree climber.....the particular model I purchased did not live up to its billing. It was uncomfortable and worst of all, unsafe. Lesson learned.

If you tie flies, you can use your gear from that to mark your rod. Go with a strip of something that has a nice contrasting color to your rod, then use your epoxy and cover it. You can probably make it so that the untrained eye wouldn't even notice it is an add on.

I am often surprised by those who raise concern over my hunting. It is not always the ones that I expect. Many are not aware of the process of hunting, and when it is properly explained, people often recognize the utility and while not wanting to participate themself, will walk away not feeling as naive.

I like to go in the middle of the day when almost all of the deer will be bedded down, and I won't have to worry about walking up on one. I look for the signs, and have had most success at watering holes. If you can find a spot with permanent standing water, look for footprints, and I bet you strike gold.

USMC...I had no luck myself this morning. I checked my trail cam after I came out of my stand, and found that the deer had come through at 3 this morning, which is a lot earlier than they have been coming through (by about 4 hours). They must know it is opening day.

You should take a camera and get some great photos of them, that way you can still feel the rush of a deer coming into the stand, and even better, you may be able to get some great shots of a deer you can get later on in Muzzleloader or open season.

I had a math teacher once spend 30 minutes explaining how the students waste 1 minute at the start and another minute at the end of the class period every day, and how over a school year it added up to a lot of time (10 minute a week times 30 weeks equals 300 minutes, or 5 hours, coming to a total of 5 class days, or an entire week of class down the tube). While spending 30 minutes to tell us we were wasting class time made him seem like he was being a hypocrite, we also learned something in the mean time that could not only be applied to the field of math, but also to our personal lives which was the additive effect that small things can have over a long length of time.

For really big holes, and you have a vehilce available, I have seen people use a heated element that slowly melts its way through the ice, creating a perfect circle by the time it gets through, but this is more handy in thick ice.

mister marine corp.....if I hear a loud holler, I will know you got one. If you hear a loud holler, you will know I got one. Best of luck, and safe adventures. Let me know how the hunt went, and I will do you the same.

Wow, I have never even heard of Grandparents day. My Grandpa was on a ship in Pearl Harbor and still won't talk about it today. Other than that, he tells me all of the great stories of hunting with a 22 in the woods of Minnesota. 94 years old and still takes care of himself....they sure are a strong generation.

This may not be the answer you are looking for, but go with the bow that is going to give you the most confidence when you draw back and put the pin on the game. Bow hunting has a large mental aspect to it, and if you are not comfortable with your bow, you increase your chances of making a poor shot. There are some really expensive bows out there, but I believe you can achieve great confidence with ones that won't break your bank.

A coworker of mine recently tested positive for lyme disease, and they put her on an agressive antibiotic as well....they said if they could treat it early, she would not notice any problems. It tends to affect the nervous system, which is difficult to repair once damaged. Catching it early is the best thing you can do.

Always flex the shafts of your carbon arrows before shooting them, as the cracks do not show well. There are some ugly photos on the internet of people shooting arrows that splinter and go into their arm holding the bow. Discovering a cracked arrow ahead of time is well worth the effort considering the alternatives.

Living closer to a metropolitan area can have its benefits when hunting. One of them is more accurate weather forecasting. I check daily starting about 3 days out, and byt he time the day rolls around they are normally pretty accurate. I mainly focus on the wind direction to give me a better idea of which location to hunt, then I field check it when I get out there.

Definitely check the laws regarding where you cannot dump the carcass, as you want to be ethical and you don't want to be fined. If you are allowed to put it in a garnage bag and send it to the landfill, this is a great option for those who don't have a lot of property. Otherwise, if you leave it out natural decomp, do not leave it in a highly covered area, but rather a little more in the open so that the buzzards can get to it.

It is possible to consider a minimum age to hunt on public game land, like it is required with a drivers license on public roads, but on private land, it should entirely be up to the parents and the land owner. I am not for government control, but feel that public game lands can be so loaded with people and possible opportunities for mistakes to be made by an inexperienced and young hunter.

If there is space in the freezer, I have a doe tag, and the season is drawing to a close, I would love nothing more than to harvest the doe. The smaller ones are tender, and easier to drag form the woods.

Use others as a means of helping you out. Get there early and stay late to allow others to drive deer to you. Look for good funnel points on the sites listed above with aerial photos.

You can use a trail camera instead of yourself to avoid many of the pitfalls associated with you being in the woods. This way your trips to the woods are limited to quick trips to check your camera, rather than long sits in the stand.

Goes to show the importance of not only practicing with field points, but also with your broadheads.

Unscented detergent and scent eliminator. I use my dgo as an example. He is always trying to use his eyes to confirm what his nose is telling him. I think deer do a similar thing, in that if they smell something odd, they will be looking harder for something odd with their eyes. When bow hunting, the last thing I want a deer doing is looking hard for me. I want him to think that absolutely nothing in the world is going on, except that it is a beautiful day.

People claim that you can cast longer with bait casters, as the line is parallel to the line running through the eyes while on the spool, as opposed to perpendicular on the spinning reel. Plus, I like to use bait casters when fishing with live bait so that I can set the "clicker" and know when a fish bites. I like spin casting with small line and finesse fishing.

If you have a black light, take normal clothes washing detergent and put some on a napkin or a cloth and turn on the blacklight. The spot where the detergent is will glow bright. If you take the detergent that does not have UV enhancers, it will not glow. From what I understand, deer have the ability to see in the UV spectrum much better than we can, and if you wash with regular detergent, you may glow brightly like the rag with regular detergent.

If it is legal, you can always sink your own structure close to where you fish, and take a GPS point of it. People often do this with old Christmas trees and cynder blocks.

The spot I hunt only offers shots up to 25 yards. i purposely chose a spot that has heavy cover, with one trail, that way I know where they are coming from and where they are going.

I have paper tuned a compound and it seems to do me well. Not a lot of work, and the supplies are almost nothing. Gotta love free.

When I was a kid, we had a bunch of them nest under the eaves of our house. I had a bunch of rubber snakes, and my dad took them all from me and staple gunned them so that they hung off the roof and just above the eave where they were nesting. The birds went away, and those snakes hung there for 5 or more years until the sun rotted them away. At first I was upset that my snakes were gone, but now that I think back on it, what a great idea my dad had.

I use a tru-fire edge fb release, and I really like it, as it swivels in many different spots, allowing me to align my hand to the bow how I like, instead of being forced to line my hand up to the release. Go with a buckle strap....this will allow for the same set up every time compared to velcro. Also, the velcro will make noise in the woods if you have to adjust it. The particular release I use will move out of the way of my hand while not in use, so I can keep it on at all times, then just clip it on when the deer arrives.

Best thing about braided is that you don't get stretch when you go to set the hook, and it can take a little bit more abuse than mono. It can be an absolute bear though if you get it into a birds nest. I agree with the guys above...braided will cast further.

Just another demonstration of the power of this forum

It is a lengthy drive to mine, so I wait as long as my curiosity can absolutely handle it. Those trail cams are a fun thing to have, but boy do they make it difficult to hunt, as you are always waiting for the big one to come out while hunting that you saw in the photos.

Put on a bathing suit and go noodling!!!! Just be careful of the hook when you stick your hand in its mouth.

Reservoirs can be difficult to fish for catfish, as catfish are commonly bottom dwellers, and reservoirs can often have anoxic layers at depths....this means that there is no oxygen in the water down on the bottom, and therefore fish cannot live there. Go further up to the upstream side of reservoirs, or int he tailraces (on the downstream side of the dam) and you should have some luck!

Mechanical releases are one of those things that are simple, yet revolutionize a sport. As long as you don't anticipate the release, it will increase your consistancy dramatically.

The best thing you can do is to go and scout out your site ahead of the season. This will optimally prepare you for the climbing and hiking, as it is identical to the real thing. It is nearly impossible to mimic the real thing, besides actually doing it.

It depends on your age, but for me, right now, I have to go with bow season. The loss of sleep the nigth before, and the thought that you may not get any present at all. At least on Christmas I know I will get something, so much of the anticipation is already diffused.

We are all at different skill levels, and we are all into hunting for the enjoyment of it. If it is lawful, and you want to spend your hard earned money and time on it, then by all means, have at it. We all use what makes us feel best about our experience, and that is what matters. Good hunting, and remember to enjoy it.

The Blazers may be shorter, but they may have the same surface area, and a deeper penetration into the biscuit, therefore they may have similar drag. Either way, I use a whisker biscuit because that is what was on the bow when I purchased it, and I use long fletchings on my arrows because that is what I am accustomed to, and they work just fine. I have used the arrows and the biscuit for the past 2 months, practicing every day, and have had no problems with either getting chewed up.

We all hunt over some sort of sign or indication of deer coming into the area. By putting out bait, you encourage deer to utilize that area, possibly more often. Some people are not afforded the opportunity to hunt in areas that are optimal for deer, and therefore must enhance the area that they hunt with bait.

If you are interested in the meat, I like to start at the sternum, as it is easy to find, and if you go in a little too deep, you won't have as much of a mess on your hands. Remember to take your time, and respect the animal. Also, don't cut yourself, and wear gloves if you have them available.

If you are talking about a bow string, I would replace it. Those are under high tension, and a break could cause serious injury.

Figure out a breathing technique that works well. AL of the above comment are great for the mechanics of the shot, but breathing will dramatically improve your grouping. I prefer to take a deep breath as I draw the string back, and slowly exhale as I am holding and releasing. This relieves my heart rate, and prevents my muscles from shaking too early.

Go out to where you are going to be hunting, and look to see what distances may apply. When practicing, I will sometimes purposely use the wrong pin just to see how far off I would be should I misjudge distance, and sometimes i am surprised by how far high or low of the intended target I hit. Sometimes the best way to learn how to do something right is to understand how something is done wrong.

It is one of those items that gives balance to the bow, and offers a more steady shot, so while it is not a must, it is a huge bonus. Find one that works well, and go with it.

No alligator gar int he Everglades.....they are more native to the Mississippi drainage, and can be found in the pan handle of Florida, but not the lower part. As for me, I would take the deep sea, s the Everglades are not the best place for fishing....mostly just grass in knee deep water. However, I would fish some lakes around Orlando, Eustis, Ocala Forest and Gainesville before going out into the Gulf, as these lakes hold some lunkers.

Remington 30 06 semi big game Benelli 12 ga birds Winchester 22 small game

Dremel or band saw (high speed) will work, and use some epoxy to glue the inserts in. If you purchase your arrows from a sporting goods store, the cutting and gluing should be included in the cost.

Gotta love the soy beans. Every time I harvest a deer, I check to see what it was eating, and nine times out of ten there is acorns and soybeans, and not much else.

What an absolute specimen of a fish. World records often look grotesque and out of proportion, but that fish is just a giant fish in all aspects.

If it isn't a kid, take an interested adult hunting who hasn' been before. That is what happened for me, and now I am paying it forward!

Very clever. Would be nice to have a dog like that to retrieve my birds.

You often get what you pay for. I got the same trail camera from Cabelas, then saw the same thing for cheaper from WalMart. They both arrived and the WalMart one had several cheaper components, like plastic screws instead of metal and a different cheaper plastic as housing.

Definitely get a new string and new t-bar connectors for the ends of the cables. I had one snap on me on an old bow, and it wasn't pretty.

I love making sloppy joes with ground venison. Buy one of those seasoning packages by McCormick at the grocery store, and the only other thing you need is hamburger buns. ENjoy.

I like the loop, as it has less wear on your string, and gives you better clearance from teh string on your face if you want to get a better line on your aim.

Just be careful no to use sportfish as bait if it is illegal where you are from. SOmetimes people will use bluegill or other pan fish as bait, which is illegal in some states.

I like to go just before dark. They seem most active then, and it cools off nicely to make it enjoyable.

Keep up the good work charlie. Seems like you are a culinary and woodsman expert.

Sounds like a like a little bit of a tale, but who knows. Now I am going to have to start doing it or else I will feel like I am missing a step.

If you bring fruit, this may in fact attract them. Everyone I hunt with brings snacks and coffee, so as long as you are up wind, no problem. I figure it is better to be comfortable and alert, so bring the food, but leave the stinky cheese behind.

Your dog will go the bathroom in a patterned fashion, at a similar time of day each day. So try and figure out what time that is and take it outside ahead of time. WHen it goes to the bathroom outside, praise it and give it a treat if you feel like it. This worked for my dog very quickly.

There is rarely a time when I can do absolutely nothing, and enjoy it. Sitting in a tree stand is one of those times i get to myself, and no one can distract me, so I just sit and try to clear my mind and enjoy whatever comes along to draw my attention. I went hog hunting in March, and I got to watch 25 deer come to the feeder, and since it wasn't deer season, i got to enjoy them without the pressure of harvesting one. One of the greatest tree stand days of my life.

Take the path of least resistance, and remember that you can both be correct if it works easier for each of you. If you aren't field quatering it, just leave the breastbone and reach way up in the there to pull on the esophagus and heart.

I would wait until the new one comes. You are comfortable enough with shooting to be able to adjust to the new specs you will have in a short period of time.

I have always enjoyed a good jon boat, and you can get them in any shape and size you would like.

When Turkeys Attack!!!!!!!!!! Seems ridiculous that they euthanized the bird. Relocation of a turkey mus tnot be that difficult.

I like to use crickets, and put the hook into the cricket so that the point does not come back out. once the fish bites, and I set the hook, the point will come out and hook the fish, but will prevent me from hooking a bunch of weeds.

Sounds like you are hunting next to a water source. I have a great water source I iwll be hunting, and I hope that deer are utilizing it....with the amount of deer tracks, it appears I will be in luck.

If you can find a pond that isn't fished, it is not uncommon to be able to catch a lot of fish. These fish are not accustomed to being fished, and will hit many types of lures. If the pond is in an agricultural area, there will be a lot of nutrients in the water as well, supporting a higher than normal population of fish from all of the food that will be available.

I am sure a socialogist would love to read through this stuff.

Leave earlier so that you do not feel rushed. Rushing has to be one of the worst ideas when hunting in all aspects. It is all about patience and calculated moves, so don't do otherwise when it comes to your climber. Put the strap on, and take your time, and it will all work out. having that extra time in the stand in the morning will also allow your eyes to adjust better as the sun rises, giving you a better chance to see that huge buck right at first shooting light.

Beekeeper....I heard a lot about a year or two ago about the decline in bees due to a virus or parasite (can't remember which). Is this something that is still on going, and is there anything we can do around the house and yard to make sure our primary pollinators don't go by the way side?

There are products on the market you can use to remove heavy rust, accompanied with fine grit sand paper and steal wool of various grades. The stuff appears to be very toxic, so be sure to wear gloves while using the chemicals. I used some of this then re-blued an old gun that was found int he attic of a house my parents lived in 40 years ago. The final product looks great despite the years of abuse it had prior to me fixing it up.

Thanks for the link...knowledge helps a buyer.

You can also use dog food. it is hard to get to stay ont he hook, but it works well for catfish as well.

More traffic here with higher experience levels. Feels like fishing or hunting camp around here sometimes.

The reel must have been one that was wound a long time ago....old inventory. The line will develop a memory and make it very difficult to fish with. Even if you got it through the guides, almost every time you cast, you will get a birds nest, even though it isn't a bait caster. I would either take it back and exchange it for one that possibly hasn't sat ont he shelf for a while, or take all of the line off and spool it yourself. 8lb test isn't that expensive, and it will give you confidence in your gear. Best of luck.

Ideally, you would start at the end of Spring and early summer to look for trails and sign of deer and set up a stand where you won't spook the deer off. Now with the season almost upon us, or just starting, look for funnels or pinch spots on aerial photos that present a spot where deer are naturally forced to walk down a single lane. Put the stand off of the trail, and then leave it alone for a few days to a week. hopefully the deer will continue patterning the same after the stand is set up.

I asked a similar question the other day, and many people said they liked CVA muzzleloaders. Best of luck, and here is to hoping you get better.

I shot one the other day in my backyard while practicing with my carbon arrows, and was upset to have lost an arrow. My buddy told me to keep them together and put them up on the wall, but I didn't want to lose two arrows. The rear arrow still shoots just fine without and problems, but the front arrow is splintered until about halfway down the shaft, and the other was right down the center. At first I didn't know what happened, and wondered why one of my arrows was at such a dramatic angle.

Listen to the advice of the masters above and scroll through some previous questions that are similar to your. Right now, they need food, water, and a place to sleep. In a few months, theyw ill also be looking for does to mate with. Therefore, stick to the three basics right now, then include the fourth factor into your strategy in a few months.

It is always good when the judge uses sound advice from scientists to base their decisions.

That sure beats having to hike in a mile or so with a heavy bag of corn like I do.

Don't put a redbreast or a spotted sunfish in there, as they are highly territorial, and will kill things just through pure abuse. I would go with a crappie or a bluegill, or even a bullhead catfish. The bullhead come out and feed when you turn the lights off, which is a lot of fun to watch....it is almost automatic, the second you turn off the lights, they start moving around and eating all of the bait you put in there.

If I don't have time to make my own marinade, i buy a bottle of Ginger Terriyaki marinade at the grocery store. Let the cut meat sit in it for a while, and then keep the meat heavily coated in it when you dry in the oven with the door propped open at 200 degrees. As someone above stated, putting pepper on it is an excellent idea.

With an adjustable pin, it is one more thing to add to your routine while the deer is standing in front of you. Most people practice their routine countless times, still to end up missing the deer. By adding one more thing, you are making yourself think even more under a high pressure situation. So, unless you include adjusting your one pin site into your practice routine on every shot, stick to the 5 or 6 fixed pin site, as I am sure it has served you well for years. This late in the game, with the archery season right aorund the corner, it may be difficult to get a one pin site and be properly prepared.

Using aerial photos, I was able to find a nice watering hole, as well as several bedding areas. However, the best way it has served me is to familiarize myself with the surroundings. When tracking, it is very easy to get turned around, especially if you get one around sunset. Knowing where you are is highly important, so definitely familiaraize yourself with landmarks and edges.

I like Buck Jam for the price...I can only seem to find Apple flavor around here. They destroyed a stump that I poured it on, and dug a huge hole in the gorun where I poured it, so I can't help but think that they gotta have it.

If you want to be more specific about something, people will probably be better able to help you. Practice with your bow a lot, because you can have all of the gear you want, but without the correct shot, it will be for nothing.

Too much risk with a head shot...go for the almost sure thing with the kill zone shot.

If you have his name, check the website of your county for tax records. Many counties are now posting them online, and you can find out his home address.

When first picking up the bow, I used to shoot until I got shakey. Now that I feel more confident, I take one shot, walk a way for a little while, then come back and do the same. It makes me ensure I have my routine down, and that I make the first shot count. I think everyone has their own little routine, but as long as you are practicing, you are on the right track.

I have had a trusty mag light since I was young, and use it when necessary while hunting. It works great, and I would probably replace it with the same should something happen to it, considering the quality I have gotten out of it.

Stick to the sure thing, which is the ethical and safe shot, and you will rarely be dissappointed.

Most likely not an eel like others have suggested, as they live in rivers and streams up your way.

Peter, do you hunt or fish? If so, what do you like to hunt or fish for?

Do you have a trail camera out there? You just might not be seeing the bucks. Whenever I first set stuff up, I always see does first, then the bucks come in a little later..the bucks must be after those does. Enjoy the fact that you have some deer there, and take comfort knowing that the bucks will follow.

I have a big block of styrofoam, then put a layer of 6 cardboard boxes folded flat on the front of the styrofoam, then I put it all in a heavy duty plastic garbage bag to keep it all together. Works great, and the arrows don't pass through.

Hunting over bait is great if you want to fill the freezer, but not as great when you want the big one. I am fine with people putting feed out if it is legal.

It seems like my job is the easiest thing to get permission to get the day off....it is my boss at home that doesn't like me being gone all of the time during hunting season.

Continue on with the knowledge you have gained from the experience. Don't let it stop you from future hunts, but rather aid you in your future pursuits.

Man, I am in the central zone of NC and have to wait until Saturday. Best of luck. The jealousy is oozing out of me that you get to start tomorrow.

Dove hunting. Went out yesterday and got my limit....no hunting in NC on Sunday, so back out there tomorrow to take another crack at them. I am cooking the 15 up today on BBQ wrapped in bacon....my mouth is already watering.

Finish out every cast all the way to the boat, and then do a figure eight with the lure. Those pesky things like to bite late, and the figure eight drives them insane.

I have several friends who are fisheries biologists. Their job is to scientifically monitor the fish and anglers, and then decide how to best manage the limited resource, and hopefully improve the conditions that are desired by the anglers. They love it, and enjoy the aspect of working with the public to get the job done.

People often have a difficult time using discretion. I am not against pit bulls, and while legal, you still wouldn't bring one to a day care facility for the same reason you don't bring a gun to a presidential rally...it just isn't good common sense. He has the right, but sometimes your instincts need to tell you that your right does not translate into stupidity.

Try fishing in the early morning or late evenings, as they tend to be more active during these times. Most people don't realize that almost all fish won't strike at any given time....you have to convince the fish that it wants the lure.

grains per inch......may take some multiplication when you get your arrows cut to length at the shop

I didn't grow up hunting, so I didn't know much besides what I had observed while enjoying the outdoors. Therefore the greatest gift anyone has given me when it comes to hunting, is actually taking the time to teach me how to hunt. It is easy to go about your ways, and not take new people hunting, and oh so difficult to take the extra time to show someone else the ways. The only way I can ever repay the gift I have received from a select few individuals is to pay it forward to others who want to learn how to hunt. This activity seems to be in decline, and it could use a few more good people.

I can only dream of mulies, as there are none where I live. I hope to see some in a few weeks while visiting Wyoming. Good luck on tagging that one.

Apparently we all look like a bunch of sheep.

A Roanoke Bass. It is very obscure, found in few drainages, and is a beautiful fish. I would receive no fame and no fortune from it, which would bring me greater joy.

Bow hunting is about as exciting as it gets. When hunting with a rifle, you heart gets going when you see the deer way out there. Then you wait a little bit until it moves closer, then you shoot. With a bow, every step closer, your heart feels like it is going to come out of your chest. Then, you have to figure out how to get the perfect shot off. No mushrooming of a bullet, no fragmentation, no huge blowout on the other side to create a massive blood trail. It is great! Buy the bow, practice, and enjoy the experience like many others can't understand until they try it.

I love a low volume dow bleat call. Not too often. I often feel that it doesn't necessarily pull them in quick, but rather directs their movement a little towards where another deer might be, and they can feel comfortable that the coast is clear.

The guy must have been pressed for cash and just went for the sure thing. I wouldn't take it personally.

As with PETA taking an extreme opinion on one side, we all must be careful not to get so entrenched in our own views that we take on the polar opposite. We do not like to think we know anyone who would be unethical with an animal, so I think we can all agree on some common ground. However, when extreme ideas are presented, and the definition of "ethical" is alligned with whoevers side is being argued is where the argument lies. Thankfully we have researchers who present the benefits of hunting and fishing. It is a matter of dissemination where we must make sure that the information reaches the public so that they can be better informed.

Wow, never even contemplated this as an idea. It is great suggestions like these that make this website so useful. Thanks.

I guess it all depends on how many times you are pulling the trigger during the day. Hopefully you are pulling it a lot, indicating a successful day, in which case, it will start to add up. I once had a busy day rounding up some coots, and I felt it with my 3.5" slamming against my shoulder all day.

Florida is one of those magical places if you are a fisherman.....great fresh and saltwater all within minutes of each other. Enjoy!

This seems like more of a thing you could use to calm a deer that is acting finnicky. The sounds of one deer eating indicates that the coast is clear. But, being able to call something in from a distance would be made easier with more traditional calls I would think.

I am sure it is not easy seeing your favorite fishing hole go away. Contact your local game warden or fish biologist and find out why it was changed, and they may give you a decent reason. If you feel their reasons are incorrect, contact your representatives, and they may be able to help you get the regulations reversed.

I say no thanks to snakes. I have swam and SCUBA dove several times with sharks, and for some reason didn't mind, and was rather fascinated. Even though I grew up with snakes all over my yard, wHen I see a rattle snake, my skin crawls.

If you are fishing for flatheads, you must fish live bait. They much prefer live bait than dead. However, there are much cheaper options for catching other types of catfish, live stink bait or shad. Other catfish are more prone to eat something that is smelly and dead, so save some money on shiners unless fishing for flatheads.

It doesn't sound to me like you lost anything.....sounds more like a win - win.

Hunting ethics is the unwritten code that we follow that acceeds the law....these guys obviously aren't even considering ethics when breaking the law. Where I live, the wardens give out their home number and tell us to call them 24 hours a day if we know of an infraction. These guys live to protect our resource (and pester the occasional legal hunter). Get them involved, and you may find more large deer around come opening day.

What color is the tent to start with? It is gonna be difficult to get it ground ready, and not add a bunch of additional weight. See if there is enough natural material around to build your own ground blind.

Saw the pics, but didn't do the investigative work you did. if it isn't real, it was a good job of faking!

When I used to live in Florida, the best options were for the lottery hunts put on by FWC (FLorida Fish and Wildlife Commission). Looks it up online or in the regs book. Many are free or really cheap, and offer some great opportunities.

There are some great publications online about tuning your bow, like one put out by Easton. You can set up a frame with a piece of newspaper pulled tightly and shoot through it to see if your bow is way off tune. If so, you can either read how to tune it, or take it to a shop to have them work with you.

I always use a hush puppy mix as my batter for frogs legs, and they come out delicious. If you have some peanut oil, I use that for frying.

Fight the good fight.

I like your idea about not being the typical cookie cutter type of deer, but I am always more than pleased with what I am offered. Hunting stories are great, but for some reason, they are that much better when there is something a little different about the deer.

I went hog hunting with some friends on some land that had stands already set up, and trail cams at each stand. I sat there all afternoon, and never fell asleep. only thing I saw were a few squirels and a few birds. About a week later, I receive an e-mail with a picture from the trail camera showing a pig walk right under my stand while I was sitting in it. I am convinced the date and stime stamp is incorrect on the trail camera, but my friends are convinced that there is a ghost pig!

Depends on the fish. One of my favorites is balckened red fish. The best way to do it is on a grill outside. Take a cast iron skillet and put it on the grill on high before you start prepping the fish. Put a good seasoning rub on there, and then throw it into the very hot pan on the grill. It iwll smoke alot, so doing outside is a huge bonus. It iwll cook quickly, and will be eaten even quicker.

Get a rag soaked in alcohol and give it a good srubbing down in there. It should take care of a lot of it, or at least enough to prevent it from fouling the blade over time.

If it is quality habitat, he will still be there. Take Cgulls advice and don't disturb the area too much. Keep him feeling comfortable and the king of his own castle, and he will act accordingly and predictably.

Hopefully going to give it a try this season, as I have access to some new land.

Wow, great pics.

Gotta love the brookies...congrats!

When friends and friends of friends have been depleted, most good mom and pop firearms stores (this day and age can be hard to find sometimes) purchase used firearms, although you may not get the best price.

I prefer the 30/06 for larger game like whitetail ... it offers excellent exit hole opportunities for tracking an animal

Liberty, that is awful news. Sorry to hear it....at least with this website you can live vicariously through the rest of us!

Many soft plastics come in a garlic scent, so why not sprinkle some garlic powder or some fresh ground garlic on there? never tried it, but it may be worth a try.

The neck muscles on that buck must be huge considering the weight he has to carry around. I hope he pulls through and makes it to next year.

Don't spend a ton of money with dry ice and all that...plus some companies won't let you ship or fly with dry ice. Take some plastic water bottles and freeze them solid. Put the fish in zip lock bags and either freeze them in a block of water, or get them cold in the fridge. Just before you leave for the airport, put a garbage bag in a cooler and throw everything in and tie the bag shut, and close the cooler and tape it shut. This will last at least a day, depending ont he cooler.

Opening day starts this Saturday for me...looking forward to it.

Look for fresh scrapes this year, and hopefully they line up well with alst years. Set up along there, and hopefully he shows up.

Squid stay on the hook much better than shrimp, and work great for pier fishing. Also, if you can get your hands on some lizard fish, they are like candy to other fish.

I bet if you cut the slug up, panfish will go crazy for it. Small hooks make for more bites.

Buck jam has worked great for me in the past.

I have the regs book in front of me and it says that the permanent opening dates are: Deer Archery: Fourth Sat. in Sept. Deer Muzzleloader: First Sat. in Nov. Deer Gun: Sat. before Thanksgiving

It is terrible when you have great people who want to get into hunting like this, and you have someone who is spouting out this kind of information, and possibly scaring away potential hunters.

I have practiced from sitting and standing, but unfortunately the stand I have does not really allow me to shoot well from a sitting position. This will defintiely be something that I consider when purcahsing my next stand. An interesting note I had never considered until reading in an article was to bend at the waste anytime you are shooting down, that way your arms are lined up the same at all times.

Hunting with a bow gives you the ability to get them prior to them feeling heavy pressure, and having every other yayhoo out there, but depending on when the rut is in your location, and when the season switches over to blackpowder or rifle, most believe that this is the best time to get one since they are moving a lot more. Personally, I can't sit inside and let time pass when I know I could be out there hunting. Just be sure to practice with your bow a lot before going out.

They are great, but be sure to get one with contact points that hold the arrow in place. I used to be skeptical, but have come around on them.

In NC September 12th cannot come quick enough....less than two weeks!!!!!!!!

Excellent work. It is gonna be a good time here on the message boards in the next few weeks with most of the archery seasons opening up. Keep the pics coming.

Always fish on the downstream side. Anytime I fish locks on the Cape Fear River in North Carolina, the fish get stacked up downstream. If you are allowed to fish inside of the lock, give that a try as well, as many stripers have been caught like this....something about all of that turbulent water makes them hungry.

It always seems like more than a month goes by between each issue...I guess I shouldn't read it cover to cover the first day I get it.

Go for the spot you want the arrow to hit, and that way you have the most room for arrow. If the deer ducks the arrow, so be it, but I would hate to have it not react at all and miss.

The only thing good about the squirels is that they keep me on my toes. They also help me calm my nerves. If the first noise I hear ends up being a deer, I am always a little more tense then had I had a few false alarms from a squirel.

Not everyone has the luxury of having family or friends to ask these questions to, and as responsible hunters, they ask questions now instead of later after making a mistake.

The dumbest thing they have ever done was when they tried changing the name "Fish" to "Sea Kittens" because they said no one would want to kill and eat a kitten.......dumb

If you have a friend that has a bow, try out what they have, or go to a bow shop where they will let you try different set ups. Bows are a lot more personal with their settings and configurations than firearms, so you want to go with what works best for you.

Please keep us posted. Seems like the season can't come fast enough, and I feel like I am jumping the gun on some of my prep work. I am going to check a trail cam today as well, and I hope there is something more than crows like I had in my last spot.

The father of one of my best friends from high school is the head Sheriff of El Dorado County (Sheriff Neves), and if I know him well and the deputies in the area, they will be sure to get this guy exactly what he deserves. Standing at the bus stop changed a lot in El Dorado County after this poor excuse of a human being kidnapped that innocent girl.

Tiger trout are a hybrid, that often occur in stocked waters. If there is a large stocking program where you were fishing, then it is definitely possible that they are common, but none the less, a very impressive catch at 17 inches. Catch and release or catch and eat?

Food and shelter = basic principles of sustaining life. Beyond that, a little common sense and compassion should get the job done. Can you maybe plant some trees or hang a tarp in the kennel to offer some shade? Plus, being in the backyard, people will stay out of your business.

Night fishing for sharks is hard to top. Cut bait, big sinkers, heavy line and huge rods...and a case of beer. We just let them go when we catch them, but the fight is what it is all about.

Put it out, and you will have a trough dug in the ground where you put it. They ate the dirt to try and get more. I wish I had used it last season.

I have been using Monster Bucks carbon arrows, and have had success with tight groupings. I will let you know how they work on an animal...hopefully....in less than a month.

Sounds like something that would increase the difficulty of loading our own cartridges, plus you would have to give personal identification information every time you want to buy ammo. Just another way of making it more difficult for honest people, and encouraging criminals to steal to prevent their identity from being compromised.

Bring more shells than you think you will need. Nothing worse than running out of shells and the day is just getting started.

Be sure to not wear gloves or boots that are too tight, as this will reduce circulation. It is often that people wear too many layers in their boots, and end up cutting off circulation....wear enough stuff, but not too much and follow the great advice from the guys above.

What ever happened to those older hand warmers that had a liquid and a little metal disc in them, and you snapped the metal dic, and th liquig turned to a solid, and the thing got really warm? They didn't last as long as the newer ones, but boy did they put off some heat. if anyone knows of a place to get some of those, i am all ears.

Unlike WTXWildlifer, I have had great success with the 4.0 moultrie IR cam....maybe his seal was deffective. They sell it on WalMart's web site for $160.

I imagine the bucks would find it odd to smell doe estrus a long time span outside of the rut. keep it to the timing of the rut, and follow all of the great advice the guys above mentioned

This is a sad story. Reminds me of a story I heard where a baby's toes were chewed off by rats while the parents slept. awful

They make some very inexpensive ground blinds now that are easily packable. If the natural blinds don't work to your liking, these are always a good alternative...however, I do like your thinking that getting the blinds up now will get the deer accustomed to them come season.

take a two liter soda bottle, cut it off right above the label, and invert the top and secure it to the base with zip ties through a few holes, then drill a few other holes in the 2 liter bottle, and put hot dogs in there and a few rocks to prevent it from floating. Tie it off to a twig or a rock, and you have some great crawdad traps.

I gotta agree with 2 Poppa...name recognition is a good thing, so getting your name out there is one thing, but over doing it and putting it in palces that just annoy others turns people in the opposite direction. Thankfully the consumer has purchase power.

Mercury in really high doeses is bad for all, but unless you are a child, or a woman who wants to have a kid, it isn't gonna give you any trouble in normal doses. The way Mercury gets in high concentrations in fish is through biomagnification, or the higher the predator ont he food chain, the higher the concentration. So, don't go eating top predators every night of the week, and this won't cause you any issues.

He should be given the same privileges as the people on that plane....none.

If your pictures are of a large size, it takes a little while to preview your photo, but if wait a little while, they will come through.

Too much room for error with a head shot. While a double lung shot will most likely need some tracking, it is fatal, and you have a few inches of play to account for wind and possibly nerves. If you are a military sniper and have a spotter, go for the head, but otherwise, go for the sure thing.

When in doubt, wear more layers, and go with a good hat. The main key is to not get sweaty going to your stand. Walk slowly and methodically, giving yourself enough time to not rush. If you get sweaty, the sweat will get really cold really fast when you are sitting still in your stand.

Dry flies are perfect for emerging insect hatches....insects on the surface coming out of their larval stage and into their adult phase, where they fly around. You can even purcahse a little bottle with powder in it to roll your dry fly in to get it dry again, should it get drenched from catching a big one. Best of luck!

Once you get the right length arrows from the tips above, be sure to tune your bow. There are plenty of free guides available online, and a great one written by Easton, to prevent you from having to spend your hard earned cash. Plus, it is always better to learn the fine tunings of your bow on your own in order to become an even better hunter. Best of luck buddy.

Looks like it just started: http://www.fieldandstream.com/contest_entries/1001334698/list Good luck!

Go to www.fieldandstream.com/customerservice or call 800-289-0639 You should probably have an old magazine in your hand so that you can give them your info on the address label

It says in the magazine: "Please visit our website: FieldandStream.com/customerservice for 24/7 service. Or call us at 800-289-0639, or write to Field and Stream, PO Box 420235, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0235."

Only time I have ever caught them was on a soft plastic blue crab or shrimp immitation (DOA shrimp). They jump real well....just like a baby tarpon.

If the fish you are interested in are water column species (bass, bluegill, walleye, yellow perch....) then electrofishing catch rates are a great way to compare lakes to each other. These types of fish are more prone to being caught while electrofishing...similarly, larger fish are more prone to being captured by electrofishing since they have a larger surface area for the electricity to effect. For bottom dwelling species like catfish and sculpin, electrofishing can work, like the old crank phone boxes meantioned by CGULL above, but the data is not as reliable, as the fish do not float to the surface as effectively when shocked, preventing consistent data. One final interesting note about electrofishing: It only works to capture fish in freshwater. Just like lightening, the electricity in electrofishing takes the path of least resistance when traveling through the water. So, in freshwater, the electricity actually seeks the fish out and travels through the fish since it has a higher salt content (the salt is ionic, and tranfers electricity better) than the surrounding freshwater. In salt water, the electricity goes around the fish since the fish has less salt than the surrounding water, preventing the fish from being stunned. This is why you will never see electrofishing data for salt water

Look up information on Lake Davis in California for all you need to know about whether it is a good or bad idea to have both stocked in the same lake. Millions of dollars wasted and a whole down going down the toilet. Mountain lakes and streams are low energy, often clear waters, making it a difficult balancing act for the food web. Keeping it simple is always the best way to go.