Like I do my elk, quarter them. If that's not an option, I agree with the above, get somebody else to do it.

Fenced hunting is not fair chase and any true hunter would not consider it fair chase. The sad thing is with property owners taking advantage of leasing their land for hunting to make some extra money; so does the person who chooses to have fenced in areas to hunt. Freedom of choice I guess, we don't have to like it, but we have to live with it.

There are several states that have been known for producing big bucks consistently; Ohio, Illinois, Kansas, and Iowa are some of the most well known. Out of those I would go with Iowa.

I agree, shells are pretty cheap (right now), so it's not worth my time to reload. However, if some of the things about Obama are true relating to ammunition, it could pose a problem for us in the future.

Yes I believe the option for a tip is there. I use to guide, but I never expected a tip automatically....I agree, amount depends on the guides effort. I think to many people in jobs that rely on tips today expect it automatically and that shouldn't be the case. You are already paying for a service, food, or whatever; the tip is for how well you are treated.

All good points. I agree it's a maturity thing. You want to get/keep them interested, but you don't want to force them to sit for hours. Parents discretion.

Definitely depends on how much you want to spend. Been awhile since I priced them, but I think the G Loomis rods are a little more expensive. St. Croix has a good product too.

Thunderheads 100gr but I have heard good things about some mechanicals too.

Why Labatts Blue for bluegills or course!!!

I would say it depends on your situation. For me, I live in MI and some of the rivers are fast and deep in spots, I would like the jonboat for the stability. Not knowing where you live or the type of terrain you would have to walk through in order to get somewhere it's hard to tell. But all things considered I prefer about an 18' jon boat for the rivers where I live.

Easy.....venison jerky. I make it all the time, great snack to take to the river/mountains.

Steelhead. For reasons I have stated in earlier posts, they always keep me guessing. Plus, I enjoy the river fishing.

First of all, wow six kids, when do you find time to fish... Stick with the lower end stuff, kids tend to be pretty reckless with things, you don't just want to throw money away.

The most time I ever spent in a tree stand was during my first bear hunt, we were seeing bear all day; spending 12 hrs. a day in the stand. When I'm in the open like that I try to minimize as much movement as possible, so an ipod works well. On the other hand, I use to guide for antelope and we would sit in huts on water holes for 15 hrs a day. That's a long day in anybody's book. In that situation you bring all the reading material you can get your hands on, plenty of games, ipod, whatever it takes to pass the time. Crosswords or word searches can work too.

I agree with 40 lbs. Plus you might want to check your state regs. on crossbows.

Mostly catch and release in the rivers. I like to take a couple Salmon/Steelhead each year to put in the smoker, that's about it.

Can't go wrong with live bait. Night crawlers and Cow Bells is what we use to troll for trout.

I have used the Win. Supremes with an extra full choke for geese. They seem to do the job.

I like Cabelas online. I have had good luck with ordering just about anything.

All good posts. I agree that you can buy the so called cheaper camo, but I am a believer in scent control. I have a scent lock suit and it has proven itself in the past, as far as you breathing and your hair etc...get a head mask. You will never fool them 100%, but you can have fun trying.

I have a couple of buck knives that I use all the time. I use the Alaskan fillet knives for fish, they work great when they are sharp. As long as you keep them sharp, I hate a dull knife.

Yes, he took my answer too. Forgiveness.

Very good points above. I am in the health field so I would do what I can to stabilize the person, then use the SPOT.

Thunderheads -100gr

I have used shrimp in the past. Never had much luck at this type of fishing either.

Mepps spinners. Rooster tails have always worked good for me. If not those you can make your own. Google Jim Bedford he makes his own.

I agree, it burns in a flash, I tested it myself before. Plan ahead and pack the proper materials, but if your caught in a situation that leaves you no options but that...game on. Then it's about survival.

I agree with herbie57. If you like guns with less recoil, go with the .270 or .280.

I think it's a great caliber to get younger hunters started.

Yeah, never heard of somebody actually going to hunt them on purpose!!! To each there own. Good luck.

That is more than acceptable. Pattern it so you know the furthest distance you can shoot. Start at 20 or 30 yds. and keep moving back until you reach your optimal range.

I agree with Beekeeper. I lived in CO when they had the problem start out there, not a good thing. However, I relate it to the TB problem in MI, I knew a guy that headed up that study and he wasn't totally convinced the problem was as big as they said it was. I think the DNR prefer to put that fear in us to cover there ass. Just like the media getting a hold of a story and running with it. Sometimes things get blown out of proportion, but it's probably better to be safe than sorry.

I'm a firm believer in timing on this one. One buck might respond that day and another might ignore you. When I hunt Iowa during the rut or pre-rut I always take rattling antlers. I live in MI and just never had to rattle that much. The two things I always take with me is a grunt call (your choice) and the Primos Can. If you haven't tried the can, you must get one, I have drawn in more bucks with it than anything else I have tried.

I think that is perfect, some people might say 20 yds is good too. I have been hunting for a 28 years and I can count on one hand how many times I have had to shoot a deer over 15 yds. That is a very comfortable distance for most hunters. I think you will find it an ideal distance.

Everybody that answered before me told you the same thing I am going to tell you. It has gotten tougher over the years to find somebody that will let you hunt for free, especially with people leasing their land for hunting rights. Being sincere and polite will get you a long way when asking permission to hunt. Even if a farmer says no at first, ask him if he needs any help on the farm anyway. Bailing hay is a great time to help out a farmer, if they do square bails, and it's a great way for you to stay in shape during the summer. You work a summer for a farmer and prove how reliable and trustworthy you are, I guarantee he will be glad to give you a chance. I remember one time I asked a man to pheasant hunt his place, he told me no right away. I thanked him for his time, but continued to make small talk with him. At the end of the conversation, he told me I could hunt anytime I wanted. I also would like to reiterate the comment about a group like Pheasants Forever. I am a Board Member of the one in my area and we put on the largest banquet in MI, with over 600 people in attendance. We put on youth hunts all the time. These groups are a great way to meet people with similar interests. Good luck

Never in MI, just don't seem to have time. When in CO, I use to hunt for elk antlers all the time.

MRE's are handy and serve there purpose, but I am a big fan of making my own jerky and snacks in a dehydrator. Not to mention I really like the taste of it. Pack some water tabs and your good to go.

I know it seems weird, but the darker the water the darker the bait. And vice versa for clear.

I think it depends on the shooter. Myself, I just don't shoot enough to feel comfortable making those longer shots. I do know a guy in CO that I use to run around with that consistently shot coyotes at long distances. I saw him, we even had it on video, shoot a coyote at 1,000 yds. That is a little out of my comfort area, but for those that shoot all the time, more power to you. You may even see him sometime on the show "Best of the West".

Interesting reading.

I have used both. Fixed blades for several years and usually Muzzy's, but I have tried mechanicals and have not lost an animal yet, knock on wood. I think they are improving the technology on them especially not using "O" rings which bust to easy I think.

I agree 100% on flouro. I usually use 6# also, but depending on the color of the water, I have used a little heavier. Flourocarbon is the only way to go. I lived in CO for awhile and the water was usually pretty clear. The fish were very line shy. What sold me on it was fishing up by Steamboat Springs one time and all I had was mono. Couldn't get a bite. Drove into town and told the Orvis dealer what was happening and he handed me my first spool of it. Drove back to the same hole I was fishing and caught a trout on my first cast and continued to catch fish the rest of the day. Don't leave home without it.

Two. A cow with my recurve and a 6x7 360" bull with my rifle.

Wow. With bow and rifle, along with doe tags....Let's see I have hunted for 27 years, with an average of 3-4 a year, well over 100 by now. Boy they add up over the years don't they.

I agree with some posts above about finding the areas that are not pressured. Depends on what your limits are, maybe you don't have areas like that where your at.

Shot several with my shotgun, not as many as Del. I have also taken a couple with my recurve. I hunt easterns mostly, have shot a couple merriams, but eventually would like to hunt all species. It would be a nice challenge.

PA, MI are usually in the top couple.

In MI we can't bait, so food plots are your only bet. I have tried several mixes, but rape or brassicas have worked well in the winter. Also any thing like corn or soybeans is always a good bet. If you can supplement minerals too.

Face to face. It's always harder for people to say no that way. Be sincere and polite, it will take you a long way.

I think a person should have a couple different camo patterns to change with the seasons. I live in MI, so the early season is very green, but as fall starts I like a different pattern, and then I use the seclusion pattern in late season.

I have been planting them for about 5 years, it's just tough in this area with so many crops in the area. Key is finding something you can offer them that they can't get in the area. Then find that travel corridor and you can actually set up your plot so they travel right where you want them too. If you are looking on a larger scale 10-20 acres, the choices are limitless. It will take some research on your part as to what will work best in your area, ph levels, amount of rain annually, etc.... I think it's worth the effort, plus you provide a food source for them during the rough winters (again depending on where you are).

I agree with Beekeeper. Plus, I am a firm believer that it will work on one buck and not another depending on their mood. I tried it in Iowa and had some success drawing bucks in by using both a decoy and rattling. A hunter needs to have several tools in his bag, and in the right situation, this can be very effective.

Yes, I agree with what buckhunter wrote. In MI, sometimes it can prove to be disheartening as I learned this year. I spent all of Sept. scouting the section I hunt and found 2 shooter bucks. I was seeing the one consistently within 50 yds of where I hunt a travel route. The last week before the opener I hadn't spotted him feeding in the area, but I hunted the area for the first couple of weeks, seeing several deer but not the one I wanted. A couple weeks later I got my answer. They offer a youth hunt in MI the weekend before the bow opener, you guessed it, the neighbors boy shot it. Which just led me to my next post topic. Early season scouting is a must. I like to get them before they change their feeding patterns and travel patterns.

I have researched and read several articles on this topic. I am a believer that it is another tool a hunter can use to lure bucks in. One topic is mock scrapes. To do this effectively you need the licking branch. If you can't find a suitable one in the area you want to hunt, make your own by placing it 4-5ft above your mock scrape. Make sure it is pointing down towards your mock scrape. There is plenty of research done on this topic, you should be able to find all you need on the internet.

When I lived in CO I use to hike a lot. Finding wild berry patches was always a bonus. One area that I found I returned to that fall and couldn't take a step without stepping in bear scat. I saw a bear that very evening. Otherwise, if allowed, dogs is a good bet.

I use to guide cougar with some friends and we used dogs. There really is no other way to hunt them, but it's not as easy as you think. You can still hike mountains from sun up to sun down and not catch the animal. These hunts can still be very physical and demanding. I see nothing wrong with them.

If they did in our state or the US, I just think it would open the door to poaching. Not that it would make a difference, because people do it now and there is not enough CO's to patrol as it is. Ban it and it will be a free for all.

I agree with Del. Anise oil is very strong stuff, works great. I have also heard of burning honey.

These guys hit on the head. One other thing, keep your eyes open on your regular travel routes (not knowing where your at), but I once got a boat from a guy who had one sitting next to his barn for a couple of years and I never saw it move. One day I stopped to ask if he would like to sell it, went home with a boat. I also picked up an old one to pull decoys with one time. It leaned up against a wood pile for 2 summers under this guys shed, looked like it hadn't moved, so I asked. Sometimes people don't know they want sell it until somebody asks.

I use to guide for them in NE Colorado, we use to find them all the time. Kind of a different texture, pretty cool.

I believe you can still hunt them. Plus I just read an article this year that said once you get one established deer tend to visit it year round.

I actually like to do the same thing as the answers above, but on a nice day when you don't have a lot of time I will just unreel the spool and lay the line out in your yard. Let the sun warm it up a little, but don't forget about it. Then as long as I have it off the reel, check it for cuts etc... Then when I reel it back on I pull the line through a cleaning solution for fly line, if you don't have that use armorall. It helps the line shoot through the eyes too.

Just one. Went on my first and only bear hunt a couple years ago and took a black bear. Great time. Would like to do it again. Actually I found a great spot for them when I was elk hunting in CO.

Depends on what you want to hunt, the size shot you want to use, the size shell, etc... I would suggest buying a couple different brands, then pattern your gun.

Coke....on occasion a Mt. Dew.

Mixed bag, but mostly Remingtons and a couple Mossbergs.

Good question, something everybody needs to consider when they hunt. I have passed up several shots at deer w/ the bow because of distance, angle, debris in the way or whatever. I think we owe it to the animals we harvest.

I would vote for a bull.

My brothers.

9 pt, 130" with a split brow tine.

I get a kick out of Michael Waddell too, but I have to give it up for Fred Eichler. I use to work with him in CO, he definitely has fun with it.

Copy that. It's to cold in MI to get out and do anything, so right now I spend to much time on this site, but it's nice to learn some helpful tips from other knowledgeable people that hunt/fish.

Yes. It comes down to the comfort level of the hunter.

In MI it's pretty much hasenpfeffer.

I agree with Del, it's not about speed anymore, all of these bows shoot fast enough. You want to find that bow that fits you and the situation you are using it for. If your hiking in the mountains you may want a lighter/compact bow vs. a different style if your just sitting in a tree stand all the time. Definitely get to a shop and shoot several brands to find which one fits you best.

I have a traditional one that I use on occasion, but I usually use my Omega.

Teufelhunden: I just laughed my butt off when I read that. The usual squirrels and raccoons, but one time I was getting hassled by a small owl. He kept swooping in on my head and would land in a limb next to me. I would spook him out and he kept coming back. I just left the stand, it was almost dark anyway.

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ballistics/ballistic-tables/ Check this out and see if this is what you were looking for. You can click on the caliber gun and it shows a chart with the different bullet manufacturers.

Knock on wood, I have not. I wear a safety harness, but have had some friends fall out of stands.

Yeah, you can find just about anything out there online. On my first hunt, I practiced from MI to MO, all the way there. My cousin was ready to kill me.

Personally, I am not a fan of them. The people that do use them, that's fine for them; I just prefer areas that are not fenced. I know people personally that do have fenced in areas for hunting, which they use for their livelihood; I understand it's just another form of hunting for people.

Yeah, in MI we are not allowed to bait, plus I was never a big fan of it. Where I am at there are just to many crop fields in during the fall, it's kind of futile. I know people that had property further N. of where I am, where there are fewer crop fields, and they baited when it was permitted. In that situation I could see trying to bring a deer in, because there was nothing up there but woods. I see both sides of that one, just not a fan of hunting over bait.

I agree with everybody's answers above. If those don't work, try a local library or university library. Especially if there is a college in town, the one I went to had a good selection of them to view.

King Salmon fishing in the river when they came up to spawn. Caught so many my arms were ready to fall off.

Trick question right!!! F&S

All good posts above. I prefer to smoke them. It's a good way to cook up several of them at a time, then seal them up, and pull them out to snack on throughout the year.

I enjoy tying my flies. Not to mention you seem to learn more about the flies, feeding patterns, why certain materials work better, etc... I agree, it's a great hobby to have when your trying to avoid cabin fever in the winter; not to mention you tend to lose a lot of flies steelhead fishing, so fill the boxes before spring.

Reference my post on walk in cooler. It definitely helps to age your deer, plus I can control the temp too. Several of the books I read on aging deer also states that you shouldn't let them freeze in the first 24 hrs, which causes your meat to be tough.

Everybody took my answers above, but if all of that fails; follow the tracks until you jump the deer, question answered!!!!

Deer mostly, but I really enjoy elk during the rut.

The times I sit on stand all day, I have a safety harness that I can adjust just right so I can sort of sit down and take the pressure of my legs and read a magazine (F&S of coarse) I also have used an Ipod, music helps me pass the time.

I catch a lot of brook trout, mainly the 8-10" range; but I would love to goto Canada and fly fish for some of the brook trout up there, they are huge according to some of the fishing shows.

Good point above. Some people start with a cap gun and slowly move up to .22, 20 ga. etc..... Probably don't want the dog right next to you when your start like he stated above, but slowly work them into it.

I hunt deer quite a bit, but elk hunting in the rut is pretty exciting.

Elk at 15 yds. They are impressive up close.

It's always good to have competition, especially when your team wins....

All good points above. I prefer mornings and that last hour before dark, we have plenty here where I hunt. I use a .22 w/ a scope, stalk slow. When I here one barking I head in that direction (slowly), watching the trees to spot him. Works very well and you can get more activity doing this, rather than sitting in one spot. They also make squirrel calls, you might be interested in picking one up. By the way, they make good fajitas.

Sorry - not sure these are the questions were looking for, but if F&S is going to allow them, so be it.

Double Bull blinds are nice, but expensive. Depends on what you want to spend.

I think I answered this on somebody else's post too. Find local farmers and ask permission. Offer to work for the privilege of hunting. Be polite, always!! If he says no, offer to work for the summer anyway, let him know how serious you are. Eventually he will see how serious you are.

Elk...without a doubt. Something about them when they are bugling send chills down me. Great time of year to be in the woods too.

I have used the 870 for years, still going strong. Also use a Mossberg 500, have not had any problems with that either. If you want to step it up...Browning, Beretta, or CZ.

Practice, practice, practice!!! Good points in all posts above. Buy a couple of turkey videos to watch, learn how they act, imitate the calls they make, and practice. Matter of fact, mouth calls are pretty inexpensive so try a couple different ones and see which ones you like.

With a little imagination....just about anything. Coat rack is good, otherwise Beekeeper pointed out several good ideas too. Some cultures use it for other things.....but I don't think this is the place for that. Like I said, plenty of ideas posted above.

Copy that on the above answers. Use to find them when I guided in CO. They are different, pretty cool to see.

No, I would leave them on too. Makes great cover. Glad to see you have an interest in improving the habitat. Good to see.

I think technology has come along way and they are all very close in that respect. Some offer different options which may appeal to the individual.

This is the first I have heard about them. I would be interested in hearing more about them too. Sounds like they might improve patterns according to Beekeeper. Do they offer in just specific shells?

Go to your local shop and shoot several different brands. Hoyt, Bear, Parker, Mathews, PSE, just to name a few. Find one that you shoot well and fits what you want and run with it. Good luck

Exactly, just know what your looking for and go prepared. Know price ranges, etc...other than that you should get a good buy.

I agree, just a good deep cycle battery. Put it in your basement during the winter.

Yes, I do to. Same stuff as mentioned above.

I have used a .223, a 22-250, a .22 long rifle, my bow, and a 30.06 with the 55gr varmint round that a mentioned in a post about a month ago.

I would also suggest a .243, it's a good caliber for young kids starting out. It doesn't have a big recoil, so hopefully it would eliminate some flinching on your part.

Forget the repellent and pick up a bug suit. I picked one up a few years back for my bear hunt and it worked great. Very light weight and just pulls over your other gear.

I usually have the hand wipes in the back pack, but I like Ruger's answer too.

I prefer it served to me by a beautiful women, but on a daily basis, I guess a good medium blend with some hazelnut creamer in it.

I guess I can't tell you anything different. The posts before me had the same thoughts. I do like shooting my .270, they are a very nice caliber to shoot and your shoulder isn't hamburg at the end of the day.

In MI they spawn in early May or so. Great time to fish them. We use to fish them with fly rods and micky finns.

I have a bunch of XX75 also that I have been using up. I also make my own arrows for my recurve.

Yeah, not sure what your asking here, but it would be No if your asking about this posting etc...

The setup I like is 2 hen decoys and a Jake decoy. I use a triangle approach. I usually stand one hen and put the other one down like she is nesting, then place the Jake the furthest and facing towards you. The purpose of this is so the Tom will come in and face the Jake, giving me time to draw my bow. Since I bow hunt them, I usually place them at 15-20 yds., but a little further with a gun. I agree with a box call, very easy to use. I use them to get their attention, but as they get closer, I use a mouth call to eliminate movement. It's amazing how well they can see. I also, use slate calls. Eventually, you will start carrying more calls than you need, but it's weird how they will respond to one call and not another. If you can afford it, buy a Double Bull Blind, or some form of pop up. I have used the Double Bull blinds in the past, very nice and quick to set up. A little costly, so you could find alternatives. Every year I swear I am going to buy a vest, but I still haven't done it. Especially if you sit out in the open, get one with a pad to sit on. Believe me it will come in handy.

I use the loop leaders just for ease of use. I agree w/ buckhunter on the line-line though.

First - I would like to sit down with Del in KS just to hear all of his hunting stories. Biggest for me was a 360" 6x7 bull elk. Shot it when I lived in CO, only had to travel about 2 hrs.

To tell the truth, I get several magazines and I can't keep up with reading all of them. Some local mags, but Outdoor Life is one of the many.

Always wanted to go to AK. I also enjoyed CO when I lived there.

I use a .270 and a 30.06. I have been happy with both of these. As we know though, it all comes down to shot placement.

I agree with the previous posts, I tend to find them in that 6-10' range.

Good day to be in the woods the way it sounds, no sheds found here.

Gorilla glue works pretty good too.

I agree with Clay. Turkey loads have a pretty good "pop" to them, so 3" should be plenty for you. Even try 2 3/4" to see how that patterns, can't hurt. I have killed turkeys with that size load.

Years ago, back in high school, I was bow hunting in a tree stand and my younger brother was about 100 yds away in another stand. We weren't hunting very long when I heard a noise, couldn't really tell what it was, but it was pretty loud. A few minutes later my brother comes walking up by me; at first I was a little upset with him, didn't know why he was out of the stand so early. I noticed he was a little upset when he got closer so I got down to see what was the matter. Come to find out, there was a little breeze that night and a limb broke off the tree he was in and came straight for him. He had to jump out of the tree to keep from getting hit by the limb. I walked down to check it out and the limb completely took out the stand. I'm glad he was paying attention, because he is my hunting partner and we have enjoyed several hunts since then.

Haven't noticed a difference. It seems to reason that by fluting the barrel it makes the barrel lighter, so does it physically allow the barrel to cool quicker? It seems logical.

Just a 130" 9pt., have seen some bigger ones just never tagged one....... yet!!!!

I know people that use the .243, I was just never a big fan of them for deer. Sounds exactly like previous posts mentioned, the bullet did not have enough kinetic energy to bust through the shoulder. Shot placement sounds like it could have been better, maybe that quartering away shot to get behind the shoulder, but it does seem odd it didn't get both lungs. Good news is you got the deer.

Good answers above. I think it comes down to the kid too. Find something that the kid can handle and keep it simple. Some kids, depending on age and maturity, can probably handle the situation better than others. I leave it up to the parents to find the right gun for the situation.

Mine is a default off this site, just never changed it. To many answers and message boards to read.....lol

Rod length might depend on the size of the river your in, I use a 9' rod most of the time, except when I steelhead then it's 10'. You can get a good reel from Ross. I like the large arbor ones myself. There are plenty to choose from depending on your price range.

Good points above. Even check Ebay, sometimes you can pick up a really good rod n reel for a good price.

Glad to see your interested in learning more about it. Hopefully you have a friend that hunts and can show you the ropes a little. One caveat, pick somebody who will be patient with you and help develop your interest. If you pick the wrong mentor it could ruin your interest. Find that person that enjoys working with others and enjoys other peoples success, it will make it a lot more enjoyable for you too. Ideas mentioned above are also good starting points. Good luck and welcome to the club.

Prairie dogs. They are quite prevalent out West and if they are abundant in an area where there are cattle, they can step in the holes and break legs. I have heard ranchers complain of the this when I guided in CO.

Good advice posted above. I would suggest a variety of calls, because one might work that day and the other one doesn't. Mouth call, box call, slate call, etc....

Yeah, you have to get a chuckle out of Tred Barta. I'm drawing a blank on the name of the show, but they spear fish in the ocean.

30# king salmon.... It would be nice to hook into one of those 50+ pounders in Alaska though.

Actually I enjoy the 2-3 hrs a night after work in the treestand just enjoying the peace and quiet. Watching/listening to the wildlife and hoping for that shot.

I hunt easily 100 days out of the year. Small game, duck, goose, turkey, deer, pheasant.

Redwings all the way, actually watching them right now

Not often enough. This time of year I try to steelhead at least once a week.

Live in MI and yes they do have quite a bit to hunt, but I would love to get to AK.

That's the joke between my brothers and I, we like his excitement!! "He's a Giant"

I agree, google Savage or check your local gun shops.

Yes, I have noticed that too and have had that happen to me when using my laptop. I don't have a good signal sometimes and it doesn't respond or it acts like I didn't hit it. To bad they don't have an option for the poster of the question to delete their questions if needed.

I ate some pond raised fish that eat those pellets and they tasted terrible. Fun to catch, but they were not very good to eat. As far as the fertilizer I equate it to fish in golf coarse ponds too, I don't know if I would eat them either.

As much as the drugs cost it's probably self-funded by now. It's to bad, your staring to hear more about it spilling over into the U.S. now.

I tested sleeping bags for F&S last fall, so it does happen. However, a comment on Jim's post about testing and being removed from the list. When I read the rules for posting etc...on this site, I'm pretty sure it stated that the people who are the most active on this site are the ones that get to test the gear, or am I mistaken?

I do the same thing, set it about mid way and just keep an eye on them.

I'm sure you can find public land in every state, but to find it with quality deer, you would have to go with the the usuals....Iowa and Kansas are two that I would try. Maybe even Nebraska. Another hidden gem is..........sorry you don't think I'm going to give all my spots away. Like anything else, you put the time in to finding a good location, it will pay off.

Not much needed to hunt rabbits. I use to just grab the single shot and start stomping around. If state requires, wear hunter orange or whatever is required. 20ga is fine, just wait for them to get out there a little so you don't blow the heck out of them. Don't think you need a dog, although they are handy, but if your young...just get out there and work the fence rows and brush piles. Especially around crop fields.

True. Depends on what your looking for as stated above.

I use to live in CO, they were a good team. Looks like they are starting a new era now though.

Taking my mountain lion with my recurve.

Yes, I heard the ammo one too. Sounds like i better check out the HR 45 though.

Get the deep fryer going. Not the healthiest but it sure tastes good.

See answers above. I am a board member of Pheasants Forever and we utilize that all the time. It's a good program, there are requirements before you can enroll it in the program. I know in MI it has to be farmed for at least 3 years in a row crop to qualify. Then you are paid x amount of dollars per acre for the 10-15 yr program. You can also combine it by planting trees and shrubs etc... Great cover and source of food for all animals.

B&C is the one I prefer.

Good question, I would like to know this answer too. I use to know a spot in CO that produced 30" bucks, but with CWD the herd seems to have gotten smaller. There are some rural areas that I have seen several just under 30", but it's private land.

I would say normally if you have a rub on a tree that size, you would have yourself a shooter. However, I have seen smaller bucks, say a buck with longer spikes work over a tree that size. Check the rub for tine marks, at least that gives you an idea it's a little bit bigger deer. Set up trail cams to confirm.

.22 are tough if your just out stomping around. If you have dogs they work pretty good. Depends on what your trying to accomplish, if you want meat for dinner or if you are looking for a challenge, a .22 will give you the challenge. They do make some quick scopes for them, might want to look into that.

A good all around caliber is 30.06, but when it comes down to it, no matter what caliber you use it's all about shot placement.

Goto your local store and buy one for dinner, it's less frustrating!! No, they can be challenging at times. One day they come running from every direction and the next you can't get one to answer. That's another reason I recommend having a plethora of calls with you. Are you scouting where they roost? How close do you get to the roost on your setup? It's always nice if you can call one of the roost before he gets with hens. I've heard you can over call, but if they answer you, I usually keep on them. Soft calls if they are on the roost, just to let them know where you are. Don't be afraid to move your setup and try to cut them off too.

Personally I think you have several options with a $2k limit. Most people seem to like over/unders for shooting skeet etc.. but an auto is always nice when your hunting too. Remington, Beretta, Browning, are just a couple of common names you can choose from. Definitely get her fitted, if she is a small woman, you may want to consider a 20 ga.; that way she doesn't get afraid of it right away. Good luck, it's good to see your getting more women involved.

My mountain lion. I shot it with my recurve at 15 yds, That is an exciting hunt.

You beat me to it T.

Spent the day on the river on 2/10 for steelhead. No steelhead, but did catch some browns.

Yes for smaller trout I agree with all recommendations above. If you go for a steelhead I use a bigger pattern. Present something that is worth their energy to go get.

In the rivers and creeks where I am at, a Mepps spinner works well

I have used float tubes and pontoon floats to fish rivers and the one thing I have noticed is you need to makes sure you can move around and have room to cast. On some floats, when trying to make longer casts, your line hits the water because you just don't sit high enough in the river. Obviously you could try other casts, like a roll cast, but I have never had very good luck with roll casts when you are trying for a longer cast. My advice would be to find a friend that has one and try it out before you purchase. That's how I eliminated a few options.

Whitetail mostly, one mule deer, also shot pronghorn.

Didn't know you could. I'm sure they would drag them up to the house like everything else thought!!

Take a collection of calls. Slate calls work good for long distances too. I would get a slate call and a box call, then pick up a couple of mouth calls and get use to them. You will need them all in different situations, plus sometimes you get an answer on one and not the other. Best to be prepared for all situations.

Yes, I try to follow up. Good point on checking your profile.

It would have been great if I had the opportunity to hunt anything with Fred Bear. I always heard he was such a great person, not to mention his ability in the field. I think I would have liked him by my side, if I ever get a chance to bow hunt grizzly. I am not much of a writer, but I have submitted some articles, so I would like to write about the experience. If it was for a hunting show, I would have liked Curt Gowdy to narrate. I use to love listening to him.

I have a 5' and a 5'6" one and both work well. I use a Sonoma reel for them.

I own the ruger single 6 and it's been a good gun. Plus it's cheap shooting.

Use to do it in the past, just don't have time for it now. Agree with technique given above, find some shanty to stay warm too.

I am going to assume you have everything to shoot the bow or just consider the posts before mine. I am a big believer in Scent Elimination. This is a tricky question, because money is tight for you, but on the other hand you don't want to be spooking deer when you go out. Ideally if you can afford it, I bought the MTO50 Bibs/Parka from Cabelas. I love this outfit, but it's rather bulky and too warm to wear in early season. Their are base layers that are made for scent elimination too, check your Cabelas magazine or local store that carries these products. This would be a middle of the road solution. Probably the most cost effective way would be to buy a bottle of scent spray to apply to a less expensive camo outfit. I also recommend rubber boots to complete the ensemble, Bow hunting is a great time, I think you will enjoy it.

Not sure on that one, but we use to use house cats to train my buddy's dogs for mountain lion and bobcat.

I would echo the posts before me. Unfortunately, $300 will not get you very far when looking for a bow. By the time your all said and done, I mean getting the whole nine yards, your pushing $1k anymore. Unless you go with a recurve. I had mine maid by a guy in CO and I got it for under $250.

I remember seeing something one time but can't recall it at this time. However, check with your local DNR office too. They usually have plenty of pamphlets, data, or books. If not they can point you in the right direction. Good luck.

Actually another one I always wanted to try and just haven't yet is multiple decoys. I was thinking about using a setup with one Jake and about 6 or so hens. Figured that would really get the Tom worked up when he saw that. That might require working a couple of calls at the same time to. Could get exciting. I would be curious if anybody else has tried this too.

Lemon pheasant - very tasty dish... if interested get back to me. Pretty lengthy recipe.

I have used the Double Bull Blinds, but they are rather expensive. You can find several brands that are less than the $300-$400 for the Double Bull.

I have often wondered about that myself. Good to know. Can you just carmelize them?