Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Terry Green on August 31, 2010, 04:24:00 PM
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THANKS TO LEWIS HOLLOW for stepping up this year and donating the gals for us all to enjoy.
These two gals will be hunting till June and then they will again be auctioned off on our annual St Judes Charity Auction.
We look forward to all the pics and stories to come. :notworthy:
Hope:
Right Hand
62" 3 Piece TD Longbow
49#@28"
Riser: Padauk and Leopard Wood
Limbs: Sapele Veneers over Actionboo lams.
16 strand Ultra Cam string
Compatible with any string
Faith:
Left Hand:
62" 3 Piece TD Longbow
48#@28"
Riser: Padauk and Leopard Wood
Limbs: Sapele Veneers over Actionboo lams.
16 strand Ultra Cam string
Compatible with any string
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/hopenfaith2011a.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/hopenfaith2011b.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/hopenfaith2011c.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/hopenfaith2011d.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/hopenfaith2011e.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/hopenfaith2011a.jpg)
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IF YOUR NAME DOES NOT HAVE AN ASTERIK PLEASE EMAIL ME YOUR ADDRESS ASAP
HOPE
Sept - Jimmy & Mason Shelton*
October - John Ferguson*
November - Micheal Davenport*
December - Ted Lesiak*
Jan - Mike Rizzo*
Feb - Cory Mattson
March - Michael Langehans*
April - JoeBuck
May - Ryan 'Kip' Newton*
June - Tom Phillips Bear Quest
FAITH
Sept - Jimmy & Mason Shelton*
Oct - Malcolm Hicks
November - Paul Mattson*
December - Curt Cabrerra*
January - Boyd Staley*
February - Patrick Kelly
March - Don and Skyler
April - Barry Loving*
May - Terry Green
June - Tom Phillips Bear Quest
IF YOUR NAME DOES NOT HAVE AN ASTERISK PLEASE EMAIL ME YOUR ADDRESS ASAP
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If faith is still open for february, I would like the opportunity to take her hunting.
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We have had a couple of 50 degree nights here on the Cumberland Plateau now and the Poplars and maples have made the change almost overnight. We have to wait till the 25th for deer but will try to go after the skwerls soon. Need a rain to quieten things down a bit.
Don't know what the strings are made out of on Hope and Faith, but WOW, not stretch at all ! Got both of them shooting well bareshaft. Braced at 7 1/4. Hope will be shooting Carbon Express 150's with WW's and hammers for small game. Faith will be shooting POC woodies with 160gr Treesharks and hammers for small game. Heading to grown up clearcut today to trim shooting lanes, entrance ways, and hang stands.
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Patrick Kelly...re check the list....
and email me your physical shipping address....
[email protected]
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Will do, Terry. I'll try to do it proud.
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any word on the girls?? :dunno:
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Deer does not open till next weekend Guru..... Patience my friend, Patience..... We will try for some skwerls this week in between hanging stands and sweating. 95 here today, sheeesh ! Miss Faith will be shooting your favs Guru..... 160 grain hair poppin sharp SNUFFERS on my woodies ! Changed my mind and decided on Snuffers instead of the Treesharks. Mason will be totin WW's on CE 150's on Miss Hope.
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ooooooo!!!! Just a few more days and Ms. Hope is coming to AR. i got a stand hung over a good bear area and will be on an out of state hunt the last week I have her. I hope i can show her a good time.
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I would love to shoot Hope! I really miss my Lewis Hollow! :knothead: :thumbsup: :archer:
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Tic toc on my November date with Ms Hope!!! I have a farm that I am leaving alone except to keep violaters out. I already have some trail cam pics of a few good deer that are lining up for dance with the right-handed beauty. My plan is to hunt the other two places I have to hunt and leave the November deer hole open for Ms Hope...41 days until we hunt :)
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Opening day has arrived finally ! These are from yesterday evening as Mason and I headed in behind the house to our favorite split maple tree. It has three prongs and we are not going to be able to hunt it out of our Summit Vipers much longer, too big ! When we are up in the forks we are hid good. This tree has produced for us each year and hope it does this year. If not we will move 100yds to the bluff in our forked red oak where Mason smokepoled a good 8 point during the rut. We have taken several deer from it too over the years.
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(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u89/nocams/PICT2440.jpg) (http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u89/nocams/PICT2441.jpg) (http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u89/nocams/PICT2443.jpg)
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Here we are settled up in the split maple with the girls. Been very long hot summer here for us, just last week we were still seeing 95+ degree days with no rain for about 3 weeks. We are 11" behind on rain. Acorns are dropping like crazy and this stand is loaded with white oaks. We have had some years that this tree is a morning spot and others where it is a evening spot. Just have to hunt it a few times and see what they prefer that year.
Mason is 14 now and it seems like yesterday he was 7 and had taken his first deer. I still remember his legs shaking when he was climbing in his own Summit Viper at 9 years old on the same tree above me. I had to nudge him in the butt a few times with my upper bow limb to get him a little higher. I also remember five years ago on this trad journey when after only a year of trad shooting he told me to sell his compound as I was selling mine. We sure have enjoyed it so far and hope we have many more seasons ahead.I sure am proud of him and the time we get to spend together in the woods each fall. I have done my best to teach him the ways of the woods and life lessons along the way. He has learned tons from all the good folk on here too ! I often ask him if he will take me huntin when I am old and need him to help me, haha !
Guru, this pic of Miss Faith's missiles is just for you ! That big ole 160 Snuffer looks awesome out there doesn't it ? I had a wonderful time sharpening them and mounting them. I had traded Brother Chris Surtees 3 WW's for these 3 Snuffers a few months back. Chris, hope you said a mojo prayer over them before you sent them to me as I did your WW's ! After they came off the 16" mill bastard I stropped them on my wooden block with leather that Brother DW had made for me and my calves are slikcer than my wife's ! Never could understand why so many complain about not being able to sharpen 3 blades.
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(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u89/nocams/092610171357.jpg)
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(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u89/nocams/092610171031.jpg)
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(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u89/nocams/092610170943.jpg)
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(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u89/nocams/092610170854.jpg)
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Miss Hope and Faith are sporting endless loop strings and this is my first time ever using them. NO STRETCH ! I am now wondering why everyone inlcuding me has used flemish twist ? Can an endless be twisted some to adjsut brace ? Looks as is you could ? Some of the flemish strings I had in the past required almost constant attention for brace height changes.
Wed we are headin to one of Mason's favorite trees..... " The Toothpick ", as it is known. He calls it the toothpick because even with his Summit Viper adjusted as small as it will go he can still only climb about 12 feet up before the tree tapers off even smaller. . We even took Uncle Robbie Tattoo to that hollow last year but wouldn't dare let him climb it, haha ! Had to find a oak about 100yds away as big as a washtub around to get his Summit Titan in. The, " Toothpick", has been a great producer in the past especially during good acorn years. This hollow is what forest managers call a , "SMZ " or streamside management zone where the loggers cannot log within 50 yds of a creek. All around the, " Toothpick " is a jungle of a 10 yr old clearcut where the deer bed. The hollow that was not touched is now the deer interstate !
Last season we waited about 10 days after season was open before attempting to hunt the, " Toothpick " , waiting on temp drop and correct W or SW wind. We slipped in for a evening hunt and heard deer blowing as we hooked up our Vipers to our North ? We had a SSW wind and the deer we not supposed to be to our North ? Oh well, deer don't read or watch the weather channel.... In year's past the deer always came from the S or W to us. After only being settled in for about 10 minutes here comes a NICE 9 point, looking for the source of the scent ! I could not believe what I was seeing ! He was creeping along, looking all over for us. By the time I got stood and ready he was directly under me and all the small maple saplings around my tree. RATS, I knew we should have done more lane trimming ! I was worried about getting only 1 lung with the straight down shot angle and was also thinking about him presenting Mason a better shot, who was only 40 yds away in the direction this 9 point was heading. Should have seen the look on Mason's face when he happen to look my way and I was standing at about 1/4 draw only 10 minutes after we climbed the tree, PRICELESS ! He was facing his tree to look my way and was looking around the wrong side when the 9 point finally got a good whiff of me and trotted straight to Mason. By the time Mason swapped sides of the tree and started to get to half draw the 9 point smelled him too and bolted about 40 yds to safety..... He stood there for a while deciding what had happened, then dropped his head to the white oak acorns under him and slowly fed off. So close, yet so far ! Never saw him the rest of the season and the deer developed the exact opposite travel pattern as year's past. We might hunt it Wed on North winds instead of South since that was what they were doing last year ? Wouldn't it be nice if deer always followed the script we have laid out in our pea brains !
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Cool thread cousin Jimmy! Good luck for the rest of the week, if anyone can ventilate one & do the Girls proud it'll be Mason. Not you. You suck. :laughing: Gimme a holler if you need a hand my friend! :D
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I will have you know I have sat in the same tree with Mason for the last two years and let him do the shootin on 12 deer ! The old man is going to shoot first this year ! Babysitting chores are over now, haha ! I think DW and Skyler call it, "A gar hole ", that is where I will put Mason I think..... ? We gotta get you back in the , " Toothpick holler ", that is a sweet little place for a meat hunter.
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Cool pictures! Good luck to you guys! :thumbsup:
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I'd love to get back in that little holler Jim! I'm absolutely confident that this'll be your year, you certainly deserve it for draggin' that boy of yours up right, if nothing else!
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Yeah, good stuff guys!!!
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I get Ms. Hope in October, be sure to put some good mojo on her!!!
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Good story fellas...HOPE toothpick produces for you :campfire:
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Just got a PM from NoCams, he sent Ms. Hope on her way to AR. I have been watching 3 bucks, 2 nice 8s and a smaller one, sure will be nice if I can take one with Ms. Hope. I am getting super excited. I can see a short work week in my near future...
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Pack up some of that Mojo Nathan when you send her to me :) Good luck!
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Miss Hope and faith were sent out today USPS Priority Mail insured for $500 each. In each case is the allen wrench, string, stringer, addresses for the rest of the year and limb bolts. Thanks DW for ordering these fine takedown cases for keeping the gals safe during the year of shipping.
Wish we could have blooded them good, but just did not happen. Good luck to the rest of you guys ! Mason and I greatly appreciate the chance to hunt the gals. Special thanks to Lewis Hollow and Terry for giving us the opportunity !
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Wish you could have had more season with them, no doubt you two would have scored with each.
Thanks for taking them along and sharing the pics and stories.... :campfire:
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Thanks for the update Jim. You two didn't have very long to hunt with them. I will let you know when Faith gets here. She won't make our opener tomorrow, but I'm sure I will get her into the Virginia woods next week. Looking forward to this and hoping the Jack Denbow larch arrows that I won on the St Judes auction will fly good from her.
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Heh Mac,
I shot my woodies that are 60-65 POC's with 160 tips cut to 28.5 BOP and they flew great off Miss Faith. Bareshafted good and straight, got lucky as I had this dozen already made and cut. They both also shot well with Carbon Express 150's and 175 tips. Good luck bud !!!!
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60-65's out of a 48# bow????? Never would have guessed...hmmmmm :dunno:
I should have something that will work...
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Thanks Jim. I may be good to go. The larch arrows are almost exactly the same. They shoot good from my 51-54# Hill style longbows with 125 grains up front. May have to play with the point weight a little but the spine should be good. I suspect 35-55 GTs will be OK also. I just checked and she's at the PO, but they are closed. Look forward to checking her out Monday.
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Hey Guys, guess who just showed up in Arkansas? Ms. Hope just arrived this afternoon. I was cutting hay one minute and my wife drove up and showed me a large black case from the PO and the next minute I was off the tractor and playing chase in the yard with a couple arrows.
What a sweet looking bow and a shooter to boot. I shot her for about 2 minutes before I hit my other arrow. I went out this morning and saw 7 deer. One was an 8pt about 110". He might be safe if I had my Robertsons, but I feel compeled to show Ms. Hope a good time, so that makes it dangerous for any deer to pass by inside 20-25 yards.
I will get some pics up later, but for now its time to get aquainted...
GOD Bless.
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Glad the gals arrived safe and sound. Good luck gents !!!
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Just got some arrows matched up to her and put a couple small additions like a tip protector and string silencers.
She is flinging arrows pretty nicely if I do say so myself. She shot my longbow arrows well, but since I matched her up with her own she is smokin'. She is quiet and fast.
I took her out last night after church yesterday evening and set in a ground blind by the house. We could not have been there 30 minutes when 3 does came out of nowhere. The blind is on a pond bank. These gals slipped up and started dringing close enough to spit on. They were in a spot where I couldn't get a shot, but it sure was sweet to have the experience. Wind was in my favor and they drank for around 10 minutes then eased off as quietly as they came in. You know they can give you the slip when you are only feet from them and can't hear them walking. It helped them that the blind is in a hay medow and I just finished cutting on Saturday.
Looks like it is gonna be a good month!!
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Picked up Miss Faith from the PO this afternoon and had a chance to put a few arrows through her before dark. The 35-55 GTs with 150gr. up front are shooting perfect. The Jack Denbow larch arrows are shooting straight into the target but grouping just a little to the right with 125 up front. I will put a some heavier FPs on tomorrow and try them again.
I will get her tuned right and get out there Wednesday afternoon. This is a really great looking and shooting bow. The wood combinations are incredible as you can see from Terry's pictures.
Now, I just need the deer to co-operate. :rolleyes:
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Bet a 160 tip will work brother Mac !
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I agree. 165gr up front works well for Ms. Hope. I was not able to hunt yesterday afternoon, but seen about 8 deer heading to my evening stand that is close to the house. One monster buck, about a 6 inch wide forked horn. :saywhat:
I have her shooting very well. Now it is a waiting game.
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Glad to see the bows getting to hunt.
Jimmy sorry you and Mason didn’t get to spend more time with them. Knowing that a father and son team was able to hunt with the bows feels great. Your posts here of hunting with Mason and the closeness you share mirrors the relationship that I have with my son who also will be fourteen this November.
Best of luck to Mac and Nathan for October I’m looking forward to hearing of the adventures.
Chris
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Chris,
We were honored what time we did have the gals. This is a wonderful thing you bowyers do each year for the kids. We are humbled by your gift to the kids. Good on ya brother !
Okay Mac and Nathan...... lets have a hero pic soon !
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(http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab80/jnferguson/hunting%20stuff/DSC00170.jpg)
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WOW, that was soon Nathan ! Think I will start popping the popcorn.... this is gonna be a good one !
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Well guys I was working one afternoon in the hay field when up to me came a long lean Brunet. She was sure a hottie. She was built to handle, if you know what I mean.
Well, I could not resist. I stopped working and tried to get acquainted with this new mystery girl. Not only, I found out, was she a looker, but she had a personality to kill for. The whole package. She had looks, personality, style, and was a true work horse.
The more we got acquainted, the more I knew for sure that we had a future together. I just could not wait to get my hands on her when we were apart.
So I did what any normal man would do. I took her to a place that made her feel like she was the only girl around for miles.
We got nestled together and I just held her. I had bought something shiny for her earlier, and decided now was the perfect time to give it to her.
(http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab80/jnferguson/hunting%20stuff/DSC00181.jpg)
Well, you know how a thing like this will go...
I SCORED!!!
(http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab80/jnferguson/hunting%20stuff/DSC00169.jpg)
We were together in a tree, the wind was out of the east, everything was perfect. I had this spot scouted out. I knew the deer would come from behind me and feed in the white oaks in front of me.
About 6pm I looked behind my tree to see a lone doe about 200 yards off. I patiently watched her for about 10 minutes the here comes another doe. Within about 10 more minutes there were about 9 or 10 does and 4 bucks in the field directly behind me. :thumbsup:
I could see 3 of the bucks were small, but one, well he was a toad! They milled around in the field for about 25 minutes, when one of the yearling does threw her head up, looked in my direction, and sprinted to me like you never seen. She started mowing down some acorns. She was at about 30 yards, hung up like a hair in a biscuit, when I noticed the others were coming too.
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The lone doe that came in first slowly started making her way away from me, directly away from me. This was OK. The others were still on their way.
Before I knew it, I had 4 does and 3 bucks within 12 yards of me, including downwind. This was bad. There were alot of eyes around and the wind was now blowing from me straight to the lead doe. She did not react. Then another doe walks directly down wind. She smelled a rat.
While all of this was going on, two of the three bucks were oblivous to what was taking place with the lead does only feet away. These bucks were the smaller ones. I had wanted the 8pt. He was not quite P&Y, but he was close. The problem was he was interested in a doe out in the pasture. Yup, that is what I said. Chasing a doe the first full week of October. He was not bellied down, tongue hanging out, 14 yeard old boy kinda' chasing, but he was definately chasing.
Hung up with him was about 5 other does that he was not interested in. Problem is, they are intersted in that doe that is downwind of me. She has now got a case of the "Elvis Legs", she is smelling a rat, and she don't want to be where she is standing at the moment.
She has not pinpointed me yet, but its coming soon I figure. I checked the 8 pt, he has went the other direction, game over for him. I look down, all the doe now see me. I must have caught their attention when I looked for the toad.
Crunch time. The old saying of a bird in the hand is better than 2 in a bush is what rushed through my mine. I concider myself extremely blessed to be able to have the opportunity to hunt with Ms. Hope and I don't want to send her away without knocking the new off.
I decided to take the largest of the 3 small bucks. All of the does were on red alert, so they were out of the question, but the silly boys were more worried about their bellies than they were their heart and lungs.
Did anyone ever tell you a diet high in White Oak acorns leads to heart and lung problems? Well, it does!!
This guy is proof. Upon autopsy, he has sustained serious damage to the right lung and had a hole in his heart that went from the top directly down to the bottom. A heart cannot work with 1 1/4" a hole through it. This guy found out the hard way.
(http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab80/jnferguson/hunting%20stuff/DSC00173.jpg)
This buck ran about 80 yards after the shot. the other deer, they ran about 40 yards, stopped and came back to feed on the acorns. I had to wait for them to leave to track my deer.
By the way, the oldest in the pic, well, he's my bloodhound. I am colorblind, I can't blood trail deer, but my oldest, Possum, he is a hound.
He is a small buck, but I was very happy to have the opportunity to hunt and take a deer with Ms. Hope. He is a 5 pt. weighing in at about 110-120ish pounds. With the 1st down for the gal, its time to try loading up on some mojo. :thumbsup:
:archer:
God Bless,
Nathan
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Nathan,
Thanks for sharing such a great hunt. That is a fine deer and two fine looking young men as well. I bet they had a ball.
Congratulations,
Chris
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Here is another pic. The arrow stuck in the ground was used on him, that is the quiver I carry squirrel hunting and stumping but worked well for this stand, and of course Ms. Hope.
Its kinda' graphic, I love razorcaps...
(http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab80/jnferguson/hunting%20stuff/DSC00177.jpg)
Serously guys, if you have not shot a Lewis Hollow Archery bow, you are missing out. I let a guy play with Ms. Hope for about 10 minutes and he is currently picking out woods. They are sweet.
God bless,
Nathan
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Those two boys shoot a bow more than almost anyone. The oldest can hit a coke can at about 15-20 yards almost every shot. The youngest is not that accurate yet, but it sure aint for lack of practice, just lack of age. :campfire: :archer2:
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Way to go!!! Having your kids there is just an awesome blessing. Keep after it brother... You got a lot of a month left :)
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Great job Nathan!!
You've done Miss Hope and yourself proud.
You know the old saying and while Miss Hope is there you might as well "make hay" with her.
God bless,Mudd
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Congratulations sir! Great pictures and story!
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Way to go Nathan ! Congrats bud !
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Great job Nathan! I'm sure your son didn't have much trouble with that blood trail. Keep up the good work. I really like the razorcaps too.
I was out with Ms. Faith this evening and had a lone doe come within 15 yards of my treestand about 5 minutes after shooting light was gone. The farmer was nearby on the tractor and there was just a bit too much activity in the field earlier. Maybe I will have movement earlier tomorrow?
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Great story telling! Congrats!!
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Congrats Nathan....way to go!!!
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Good luck Mac! Tractors don't seem to bother the deer in my area. I was putting out hay about 2 years ago and come up on 4 bucks, 2 of which would go 135" or better!! They just stood there until I was about 40 yards. I think deer just know when you are a threat and when your are not. Go git em' Mac!!
NoCams, you and your son would have broke them in right if given a little more time, I am sure of that.
God Bless,
Nathan
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Excellent Nathan, congrats bud :clapper:
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:thumbsup:
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i think one of these bows in about 60-65lb would be awsome. Ms. Hope is 49lb@28", she is the lightest bow I have ever hunted with. I have heard about folks on here hunting with 40ish lb bows and always said they got good results. I was suprised to say the least about the performance of these light bows. She is sweet. I shot through the ribs close to the spine where they are thick, through the lung and through the heart top to bottom. I did not get a pass through, but he only ran about 80 yards or so.
He had about the smallest rack on a buck that I have ever killed. This one is very special to me though. To be able to take a deer with Ms. Hope and all that she stands for, the hope, the kids and the cures, means more than any of the ones on my wall.
I will make a european mount with this deer, the arrow, a plate telling about the cause and bow and a picture of Ms. Hope.
God Bless,
Nathan
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Great story with a great ending!!
Way to go Nathan ... Miss Hope's got some MOJO now, as if she needed it :)
:coffee:
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Great Job Nathan!! :thumbsup:
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Great shot, good helpers.
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nice deer!,,,,this is pressure now with Hope here in December.
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Okay Miss Faith..... how are you doing in the wilds of Virginia ?
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I took Ms. Hope camping this weekend. We never had an opportunity for a shot, but I have found some really nice looking areas. I did do a little stumping and shooting at the camp. Pac "Friends call me Pac" came over Saturday. We shot a little and he introduced my 2 boys to Flu-flus. I have not heard the end of that yet. :rolleyes: That is all they want to shoot now.
I still have about 2 weeks left, I should ahve plenty of time to "make hay" with her like Mudd has told me to do.
God Bless,
Nathan
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I am anxiously awaiting my date with Ms Hope. I have 11 days off in November and a certain deer on the brain with OUR girl in mind
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/1111.jpg)
I am staying away from him until November. By then his levels outa be up and he should be on his feet in some daylight. Keep after it!
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I have been out with Ms Faith 4 times now and have not drawn on a deer yet. I'm hunting a new spot near work so I can get in a few afternoons on the way home. I have seen deer every day, but they have been coming in too late for a shot. Got winded late this afternoon, but it was really too dark for a shot anyway.
I took her on a road trip last weekend to my place in Patrick county. Only had time for one hunt from my ground blind and did not see a deer. But I know they are there....had 145 pictures on my covert camera in the last 2 weeks. I think the 30-40 mph winds may have had them laying pretty low. I'm going back out there this weekend and hope my luck will change soon.
What county are you hunting in Michael? I have been going out to Fulton county for the last 15 years in November to hunt with a friend. Good luck with taking one of those Illinois bruisers with Ms. Hope.
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Lost track of this thread... Great Job on the Buck Nathan!!! :clapper: :clapper:
Looking forward to the pics Wapiti792. All the best to you on your hunt with Hope...
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Well, my month with Ms. Faith came to an early end this past weekend when I had to leave on unexpected business travel. It was a good 3 weeks, but no game was taken and I had to leave just as things were starting to heat up with a lot of activity where I was hunting. Had a few close encounters, but did not get the right shot. It was great to have the chance to hunt with this very special bow, but she was sent off to spend November with Paul Mattson on Monday. God luck Paul, and I hope you can get it done with Faith. Here are a few pictures of her here in Virginia.
(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff165/1MacDaddy/Faith/DSC_0019-1.jpg)
(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff165/1MacDaddy/Faith/DSC_0018.jpg)
Groups with 35-55GTs and Jack Denbow St. Judes larch arrows in fading light the first day.
(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff165/1MacDaddy/Faith/DSC_0004-1.jpg)
(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff165/1MacDaddy/Faith/DSC_0006.jpg)
My Lone Wolf Assault where I passed a couple of shots in low light conditions.
(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff165/1MacDaddy/Faith/DSC_0032.jpg)
(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff165/1MacDaddy/Faith/DSC_0034.jpg)
Practicing from deck, Faith wearing GN quick detach quiver.
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Here are a couple of pictures of my last hunt on Saturday. Used my Waldrop pack seat and ASAT leafy suit for a ground hunt. These pictures were taken along a clear cut in bright sun on the way in to my spot on the Potomac river. My uncovered hands really shine and and show the need to wear gloves.
(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff165/1MacDaddy/Faith/DSC_0022-1.jpg)
(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff165/1MacDaddy/Faith/DSC_0012-1.jpg)
ASAT leafy strapped to pack seat.
(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff165/1MacDaddy/DSC_0015.jpg)
(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff165/1MacDaddy/Faith/DSC_0020-1.jpg)
BTW Jimmy, the 160 gr. WW elites did really fly good on the 60-65# larch arrows. They (and the 35-55 GTs with 250gr. up front) weighed about 600 grains and Faith shoots them with great speed from a 48# bow. That is a really quiet shooting bow with the ultracam string and cat whiskers.
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Great pics Mac! Glad you had a good month with Ms Faith. I realized I didn't answer your question from your post...I am in Hamilton Co in So IL. Things are heating up here. Tons of new scrapes and a little trolling going on. Can't wait to jump in it with Ms Hope :)
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There are pics not showing up on page 4....can we please get them back up? I will transfer them to the TradGang server if need be.
Thanks,
T
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Heh Mac,
Sure wished you could have scored with Miss Faith for us southpaws. Looks like we are going to start out here behind the 8 ball to Miss Hope.
From the looks of your bag target, yep them larch arrows are flying fine ! Nice tight group bud. Love that pic of the ASAT leafy suit too. Man do you ever blend in. If you would have had your hands covered and Miss Faith was not shining in all her glory there I would have had to look for you in that pic at first glance.
Good luck to the the next two November owners of the gals ! May your arrows fly true.
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alright Mike, I just sent Ms. Hope off. She is headed your direction.
I did not take another deer with her, but we sure had fun trying. I found an 8pt that is about 20" wide and 10" G2s. It will probably score in the high 130's, maybe even lower 140's. That is a pretty good 8pt for this neck of the woods.
I hope she does well for you all in the months to come. I feel privliged to have the opportunity to hunt and take an animal with such a special bow. Thank you all for the opportunity, especially Terry for allowing me to be a participant and Lewis Hollow Archery for making this journey possibe with Ms. Hope and Ms. Faith.
God Bless you all,
Nathan
.
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Just got a very professional looking case with a beautiful righthanded gal inside. As soon as I can finish my day I am going to vote and then put some arrows through this beauty...I have tomorrow afternoon off, a NW wind, and bucks starting to troll here in IL. Thanks Nathan for getting her here in time for a hunt. Pics as soon as I can!
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Good luck Bro ! Not sure exactly where you are in ILL, but we got to hunt in Johnson Co. for a few years in the Shawnee NF. You guys in ILL are truly blessed to say the least. I would trade a few weeks hunting in ILL for a whole season here in TN. Hope we can get back soon, but in this economy and with ILL non res going up $40 every year just got a little tough on me. I also have to buy two license now with my son going too. Miss Hope will do you proud I am sure.
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Well got Ms Hope out and shot yesterday after work. I found a skinny carbon, CE Edge 250 with 250 gr Woodsman Elite flies great. She is a nice bow. Even drawing her to almost 30 inches, I feel very little in the way of stacking. Within 10 shots I had awesome groups at 25 yards, my self imposed maximum range.
Just as I got comfortable and with light fading I looked across my 40 to the neighbors hay field and witnessed the first chase activity of the year. I had 45 minutes of legal hunting light, and even though the buck chasing didn't get my interest up, the 6 does did. Wanting to make hay while the sun was shining I stalked to within 40 yards of the doe group. Unknown to me, a little forky popped up right up in front of me at something like 10 yards. He came UNGLUED and the jig was up. All in all not a bad 45 minutes with Ms Hope :) Looking forward to the next 27 days with this great bow! It is a beauty and a real pleasure to shoot. This is gonna be fun :thumbsup:
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I am glad she arrived safely. I told you she was a shooter. I hope you kill a good ol' IL toad with her. I will be expecting to see some crazy pics with lots of bone in a few days.
God Bless,
Nathan
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Had a great 2 sits with Ms Hope. Last night I had no real action other than a racoon. I did see a familiar face on the way to the stand though. Nice of her to root me on!
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/HOPE%201/Hope1001.jpg)
Those racoons love these things. Thankfully for me so do the deer around.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/HOPE%201/Hope1014.jpg)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/HOPE%201/Hope1012.jpg)
I had hoped this guy would show up, but nothing but me and the girl hangin' in a big 'ol oak tree.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/HOPE%201/heavy8-1.jpg)
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Good luck Michael
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The second sit was this am. What a fun hunt. I managed to rattle/call 2 different bucks to bow range but not what we are looking for. I use a rattle bag when I see a deer far off to make some noise then use Mike Mitten's puppet fighting to reel 'em the rest of the way. Here's pics in sequence of a buck that would have run me over!
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/HOPE%201/Hope1004.jpg)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/HOPE%201/Hope1007.jpg)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/HOPE%201/Hope1005.jpg)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/HOPE%201/Hope1008.jpg)
The second buck just strolled in like the owned the joint. He would have got his butt kicked had he got there a few minutes earlier.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/HOPE%201/Hope1010.jpg)
Both bucks used the scrape that was doctored with Smokies. All in all it was a good sit before work. On the way out I got to see a deer that thought she was a turkey and found some awesome rubs. I hated to go to work, but it's my duty. Looking forward to more time with Ms Hope.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/HOPE%201/Hope1016.jpg)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/HOPE%201/Hope1020.jpg)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/HOPE%201/Hope1003.jpg)
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Great pics and story Mike ! Mason and I were coming out of the stand earlier this week at lunch and wound up under a persimmon tree like your pics. Mason shook it and I picked one up just to see if it was ripe.... ? Glad I took a small bite and was able to spit it out quick ! Nasty ! Maybe they taste better to the critters ?
Sure do envy your home state hunting there bud. ILL is an awesome place. Love that 3rd pic with the cedars mixed in and also the background behind Miss Hope hangin with you in the other pic. Love those open hardwoods with the rut coming on. You should be close to peak in another week or 10 days. What arrow and head are ya shootin out of Miss Hope ?
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Should have read before I typed Mike.... I see you what bullets you are shootin out of Miss Hope now.
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Jimmy, I changed heads on her. Went from 250 Elites to a 160 gr Ace standard with a alum insert for total weight 212 grains. I found they flew just a little better. Assuming it was a spine thing. Total arrow weight 612 grains. Anxious to test out the arrow :)
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Wow, looks like you are burried to the lips in deer. Great pics and a great piece of ground :)
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UNBELIEVABLE hunt with Hope this morning...sad to say no arrows launched. I had her in my hands with tab on the string a good buck hung up at 40 yards. I have a trail cam photo of him coming to me and then him leaving, which I will add later...but no dice on the shot. Came to the horns, but he just didn't see the fighters and moved on. Would have been a great deer to take with her. Maybe next time! Still have a bunch more time with her...We'll get our chance :)
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Mike,
Not a matter of, " IF "...... only a matter of, " WHEN " !!! Looking forward to pics of Miss Hope with her ILL prize !
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Thanks! I am confident we will get a chance...Hope will do her part, looking pretty and deadly. I gotta do my part :)
Here's the sequence from this morning. I knew it got caught on the trail cam on a scrape near the little field I was set-up on. Funny how a 10 minute encounter can seem like it lasted forever. I will put them in sequence as I find it interesting that once he didn't see another deer, he exited stage left. Hope and I had him, but he had 2 trails to take and naturally he chose right. Not an IL giant but a fine 3.5 year old buck with some junk...Hope and I are having a blast :)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/HOPE%201/hunt0200.jpg)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/HOPE%201/hunt0201.jpg)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/HOPE%201/hunt0208.jpg)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/HOPE%201/hunt0209.jpg)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/HOPE%201/hunt0210.jpg)
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Good lookin buck Mike! Good luck!
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Nice !!!!!!
:campfire:
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these stories and pics are great!!!! I'm getting anxious with Hope coming to me for December,,, would be great if she connected in IL. before coming here,,, December is the toughest month to hunt here because of all the Pushes by the shotgunners, but I have a nice private spot ready to go..
not sure about you other guys that have had HOPE but I have some heritage 150's set up a bunch with 75gr inserts and a bunch with stock,, so i can cover up to a 325gr point BUT, I'm thinking 175 or 200 up front will shoot pretty good.
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With the deer activity kicking in it’s like sitting on pins and needles waiting for the reports to come in! Good luck to all.
Chris
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Chris, thanks so much for doing this. Ms Hope is an absolute joy to shoot, light in the hand, and a beauty to look at :bigsmyl:
Tonight is the first night there has been no doubt rut activity here in where I live in IL. I had a feeling it was going to be good...at 4:30 I blind rattled and heard footsteps right away. I grabbed Hope and had the pleasure of watching a Boone and Crocket buck walk to me in the thicket from 100 yards. It is a buck I have seen one other time. At 30 yards he stopped to make a scrape and after calming myself down, it was game on. At 25 he started to angle away. I mouthed a little grunt and he picked his head up, turned, and came within 2 steps of my shooting lane at 20 yards....the wind swirled a little, I held Hope and prayed, but he got nervous and walked straight away...he never spooked and I still have an idea of where he will be on the 160 acre farm I have to hunt. So, Round one, Booner. I still like our chances for the next 2 weeks :)
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Wow, What a thrill that must have been...good luck bud :pray:
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wapiti
It’s my pleasure.
Seeing many fine people use the bows and then knowing they will be auctioned for such a wonderful cause feels great.
Chris
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:coffee: Got a feeling that buck might just get issued a parking ticket any day now.....
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I am really enjoying watching the gals on their journey. Like Chris, I love the thought of the end result of Ms. Hope and Ms. Faith. I also want to thank Chris again for donating the girls for such a wonderful cause.
There is a boy in my son's class that is a cancer survivor. He is 6. I wanted so badly to get a pic with him and the bow, but was not able to obtain one due to circumstances beyond my control. I will be honest with you, I can't hardly think of the stuff that young man has gone through without getting tears in my eyes.
These donations are a blessing to St. Judes and therefore a blessing to the children. There is also a blessing for us for the part we all take in making it possible. That is why the bows mean something more than any bow could, they mean just what they are named, Hope and Faith.
When you hunt with these bows, know in you heart and keep in your minds, the reason for it all. I thank the Lord that there is Hope for these kids and have Faith that they can have a future.
God Bless,
Nathan
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Today is the first day I could not hunt with Ms Hope...the pumpkin army has invaded and the fine folks at the State House in Illinois think that it is not right for a bowhunter to be in the woods at the same time with the slughunters. So we are officialy taking a break until Monday. Coarse I do own my own ground, and I do have a firearm permit, but funny no firearm. Maybe Ms Hope would like to keep me company this weekend as we don our orange. She can keep the mountain lions off me since so many are being sighted here :)
Hope and I logged 60 hours in a tree in 6 days last week. I had 2 excellent opportunties that blew up at the last minute. I passed 7 different bucks...one of which I should have my head examined on. I also got some great pics that will be here shortly. I enjoyed my vacation so much...Hope was there to do her job. I just didn't let her. Not yet. There are giants about and we have time. I have a 4 day weekend planned for Thanksgiving. Then it will be time.
One quick story...and a warning
Having no tracking to do with Hope was getting old. I told myself one evening sit that the first legal critter (that was not a young buck)in range would be in trouble. Soon after climbing in and buckling up I heard a slight rukus in the thicket. Out of the honetsuckle hops the fattest rabbit I have ever seen. With the "swing and shoot" song buzzing in my head I drew Ms Hope back picked a spot in front of the rabbit who was running full blast by and now and released...and mmmmmissed by a rabbit whisker. Sitting there dumbfounded, unloaded, and blank as to why the bunny took off so fast. The answer came by way of a heavy 4 by 4 that I had been wanting to kill since seeing him in September, standing 15 yards away. Before I could get an arrow on the string, the panting, rut-crazed buck trotted off leaving me in fits. Hope laughed at me I am sure...the bunny did too I think as a way to say "Stupid. I ran outa that thicket 'cause something spooked me." Here's the warning: We trad bowhunters are legal animal opportunity shooters. Just be prepared for another animal soon after you launch...IT HAPPENS :banghead:
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As mentioned above hunting with Ms Hope is a joy. In the 6 days I hunted last week I could do nothing but smile every time I looked at her. The bow is just purty :)
Here in IL the second week of November is magic. Bucks come out of the woodwork...most of the bigger ones you never see. I had the best buck I have ever had in bow range with Ms Hope in my hand. I could not risk a photo but even if I didn't loose an arrow. She was there with me, and in some ways all of my Tradgang brothers.
I did rattle this big buck to 100 yards later in the week. He came on a string to where he should have seen a buck fight but didn't. I think a decoy would have worked but have given up that game after spooking a 200 inch deer with one a few years ago with another weapon.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/img_1213.jpg)
The farm I am hunting is about half thicket/hardwoods and half crop ground. Hope and I would sit the edges looking for cruising bucks and if they were what I thought I wanted I would try calling. Most of these sets were in pinch points, hourglass woods, and inside corners to up our odds on catching some rutting bucks out looking. Good sign here including some great rubs.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/img_1223.jpg)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/img_1228.jpg)
Most of the week it was plenty of these guys. They seemed to be everywhere. The rut was on the verge of busting into a wad of chasing, and I wanted to be in the woods as much as I could.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/img_1227.jpg)
Finally I saw the bigger boys were on their feet the last couple of days before the pumpkin army invaded. We nearly got it done in a thick travel corridor. Hope was ready (and so was I) but like big old mature whitetails do, he simply turned and walked away.
I had a great last day before the gun season. I decided to skip the pinch points and travel corridors as I had witnessed several big bucks tending does. I chose to duck into an overgrown patch of woods that is only about 5 acres. It is where I killed the big 'un in my avatar, and it is a place does bed and get tended to. Like clockwork at daylight a big 9 point with kickers pushed a doe nearly to my lap. I was gonna kill that deer I told myself...well it nearly happened. A young forky tried to get near the doe and the mature buck roared into him. I almost felt sorry for the young deer. He ran to me as the big buck stayed 40 yards away. I took this as my chance and snort wheezed. This did the trick and the big buck came back over to run the buck off. At point blank range (say 12 yards) he stopped quartering to me. I felt confident he would turn broadside, but we went north-end to south-end so fast that I couldn't draw. He marched over to the doe and mounted her right there. I had never seen that before, and didn't know if I should hide my eyes or hang on to Hope and pray for my shot. I did the latter, but he just walked off with the doe. I spent the whole day there, dark to dark, and never saw another deer. I did get the treat of watching this momma bobcat and her kit stalk a group of turkies in the field. It was just cool having visiters as the all day sit had about hurt me.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/img_1219.jpg)
The last day before gun season left me this sunset and a few days to ponder the 10 days I have left with a special bow, for a special cause, in a special place.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/img_1200.jpg)
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Great read Mike! good luck later in the month!
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Hang in there Mike. "Hope"fully you will get your chance when early shotgun season is over. Great story and thanks for the pictures. I miss hunting in Illinois in early November....maybe next year?
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Any word on Faith?
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Well it looks like my hunts are gonna end early with Ms Hope. The rain has set in for the next 3 days and I have some family obligations after that, then work Monday...I was hoping to get the next 3 days to get it done with this beauty, but it is gonna be toad-stangling raining my only days off to hunt. I think I would rather send her on than sit here stairing at her with it just pouring.
Let me say this, we did not kill anything together. We passed young bucks and does and could have tagged out if we wanted. Just having her here in IL during the peak of the craziness was just awesome. I want to thank Lewis Hollow for building this great bow for the cause. This was a success for me. Almost 100 hours on stand, 12 different bucks in bow range, a Booner buck at 25 yards with no shot, bobcats, coyotes, multiple sunsets and sunrises...man it was fun. To tell the truth I feel like we are close. I still have a giant buck running around but the rain is gonna keep me from hunting. So off she goes...God's speed Hope and good luck the rest of the way!
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/HOPE%201/Hope1016.jpg)
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:campfire:
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Wow that experience alone is going to be hard to Beat, Mike that was an amazing time! From IL to Massachusetts---> me & hope will hunt it hard and long,, we'll have too, its opening day shotgun here monday and the big pushes will be on! Mike I sent you a PM.
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Got it bud and returned. I had an amazing month with her in my hands...she's all yours! Pick me up will ya...we went o-fer on kills but man what a good time :campfire:
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well i Got some mail today!!!!
(http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/3425/hopearrives.jpg) (http://img5.imageshack.us/i/hopearrives.jpg/)
strung her up and everything feels good, not sure the best brace because I can't shoot it till tomorrow but if you guys that already had her know the best brace height let me know so I can just set it there. but the bow looks and feels great,,, I'm so happy I'm getting to be part of this!
the buckeyes are great too I put them all in a hat and had my daughter and my wife each pick one but my daughter was a little scared because she never heard of a buck eye and thought it was a real bucks eye but we worked it out and I have the lucky two which will not only bring me and Hope luck but keep us safe,,,,
stay tuned..
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I finally uploaded some pic's of my time with Miss Faith. She will be going out today to Curt in NY.
I hunted on my family's old farm. Which is now a Deer Camp.
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e358/BadgerArrow/faithpics021.jpg)
Here are a couple of the out buildings.
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e358/BadgerArrow/faithpics020.jpg)
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The first morning Nov 3 was somewhat brisk. I planned for a 5 day stay.
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e358/BadgerArrow/faithpics034.jpg)
Some frost on the field. Looks like a great day to be out.
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e358/BadgerArrow/faithpics035.jpg)
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This is one of my stands that I hunted from. I was in Northern Wisconsin, the unit I hunt is a Buck Only unit. I had some camera set out and got a few pictures on some smaller bucks. The largest was a six pointer.
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e358/BadgerArrow/faithpics033.jpg)
This is the old pasture where my stand is at.
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e358/BadgerArrow/faithpics023.jpg)
A couple of pic's from the stand.
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e358/BadgerArrow/faithpics003.jpg)
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e358/BadgerArrow/faithpics007.jpg)
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I didn't see a deer the first 5day hunt. But,I did get a few shots off. I saw this guy in a pine.
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e358/BadgerArrow/faithpics024.jpg)
After a few lost arrows, and a flu-flu stuck in the tree. The blacky made his escape.
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e358/BadgerArrow/faithpics025.jpg)
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The following weekend, I headed back up North to hunt another stand. It is in a small Cedar swamp.
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e358/BadgerArrow/faithpics031.jpg)
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e358/BadgerArrow/faithpics027.jpg)
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e358/BadgerArrow/faithpics028.jpg)
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Miss Faith
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e358/BadgerArrow/faithpics030.jpg)
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This hunt ended also with no deer being taken. I also hunted WI's 9 day rifle season not taking one. I hunted around 3 1/2 wks, and saw only 3 does and 1 fawn. The deer population is way down, some blame the wolves and bears while others blame the liberal tags that have been givin out in past.
I had a great time, just to get out and spend some time in the woods.
Here's one more pic of Miss Faith.
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e358/BadgerArrow/faithpics016.jpg)
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Very nice Paul. Thanks for the pics.
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That is some beautiful country. Good luck with the rest of your season.
God Bless,
Nathan
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Wow I thought the deer were scarce around here. Those are some nice pictures and it sure is a good looking place to hunt. I hope the deer population turns around for you.
Chris
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I don't like to post photos of "myself" but for now heres yours truly in Mass with hope,, zone 11 in the thickest scrub oaks i can find because its usually where the deer are at this time. the shotgun season ends 12/11 and I'll have more freedom to show some of our areas and hopefully I'll get some luck with Hope and make it happen. if not I still enjoy this bow! I bareshafted some shafts from Hope and found its the Heritage 90's w/ 200gr points 7 1/2 brace and the nock was lowered a 1/4 ( I left the dental floss on and put a string nock under it) shoots a bare shaft perfect out to 20yds,, hopefully I can put it into the spot when my heart feels like its going to explode!
I accidently deleted the pic from the treestand but this is a pic from the ground at my treestnd which is 15' up and the scrubs are also 10' up and I'm looking into them and the run is dead center in the picture inside there and the deer usually will come from behind the tree and around the right side and then away to the left which should give me a quartering to the left shot, which is my favorite because I'm a righty (I'm just not always right :biglaugh: ) I shot my thanksgiving coyote from this stand.
(http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/3761/hopeonthestand003.jpg) (http://img29.imageshack.us/i/hopeonthestand003.jpg/)
this area is adjacent to the infamous "Myles Standish State Forest in Plymouth Ma, aka the Warzone... my father was hit in his stomach with 3 pellets this bird season there and he has been shot 3 different times in 15yrs with birdshot here,, I won't bird hunt there AT ALL unless its after noon time when alot of the morning rush hunters or what we call the First Wave heads home.
(http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/7416/hopeonthestand004.jpg) (http://img146.imageshack.us/i/hopeonthestand004.jpg/)
this is me after sitting for 6hrs since dark and then walking the trails for about a 1/2 mile and seeing absolutely no deer tracks crossing anywhere but this is a pheasant area in this pic and this is what they get stocked in its very thick and these scrub oaks will test the best clothes made and if they don't send you home looking like a scarecrow then the ticks will get all over you and you better have some hartz flea and tick shampoo at home trust me,,,nothing poisoness here though, 1 coyote and 1 raccoon track on a 1/2 mile walk down these beach type sand trails and thats it after 3 days since a heavy rain... this place is dead for now and I'm thinking it must of got pushed by the shotgunners so time to go to another spot.
(http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/7907/hopeonthestand006.jpg) (http://img130.imageshack.us/i/hopeonthestand006.jpg/)
heres my next spot,, I got here late so I couldn't snap too many photos cause it was sundown but I will when I go back to get my can call that I forgot tonight,, this is a great spot! I stay on the ground alot during gun because these gun hunters will see you if your up in a tree and then come looking around when your gone and basically take your spot over or your stand is gone if you leave it. I shot a 4-pointer on the other side of this property on 11/12 and its more open here for better shots..
its blurry but this is my typical ground set-up I thought it was cool seeing how you other guys have your stands,, Nifty seat, 2nd arrow somewhere within reach of my right hand and a can call or grunt within reach,, usually my Binos are nearby hanging somewhere and then imagine me there trying to balance myself on that nifty seat while trying to stay awake,, the nifty keeps me awake and its perfect to shoot a bow from...
(http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/8281/hopeonthestand008.jpg) (http://img821.imageshack.us/i/hopeonthestand008.jpg/)
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just an update that I have been hunting this place pretty hard,,, i checked another one of my spots and I noticed that nobody has been hunting this other area, rubs and scrapes everywhere, deer droppings and the leaves all moved around from deer browsing for acorns. SO i get my nifty seat and head into this small patch of pines and use my pruners to trim two windows and while I'm doing that A 8-point buck starts bounding slow away from and behind me!!! I'm not sure if it was bedded or standing there but I never saw it! I mouth grunted when it was hoping and stopped it at maybe 35yds but I didn't have an arrow on the bow yet and not that I would of took the shot but its the last time I listen to people and still hunt without an arrow ready..
I stayed there till darkl and hunted the next afternoon and didn't see anything,,, friends of mine who shotgun hunt and like to do drives pushed an area a 1/2 mile from this spot and got 8 deer and they saw a buck but missed it..
another thing about this buck is I could of sworn when it was hopping away form me it had an arrow in its back leg,,,,,, I could swear I saw bright green and orange right above its knee but I'm just not positive it was an arrow--> I checked for blood but didn't see any.
I finally got my delivery of those 200gr vpa 3 blades that kustom king sells,, have 3 sharpened and pretty scary sharp.. I really like the way this bow shoots and I'm pretty confident out to 30yds with it even though I wouldn't do it because I'm a "too close" freak wanting my shots 10yds or so.. Shotgun closed here 12/11 and I'm glad,,,,, its blackpowder now until the 31st and those guys are a bit more laid back if they even come out at all after the shotgunners mowed this place down for two weeks..
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Faith arrived today. Curt sent her early so I will have her a little longer than planned. Got her unpacked and took her outside and did a little shooting with her. She will definitely be going to Texas, Hopefully we will get her bloody out there if not before. I want to thank Curt for sending her early. If this wind would die down I might take her out this afternoon for awhile......stabow
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I hope ya'll have a good time making meat! Ms. Hope sure does shoot like a dream. She has a little blood on her (literally, my bad), but she needs alot more.
God Bless,
Nathan
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Would who ever has Hope at the moment...will you please contact Rickey Couch at......
[email protected]
Mike Rizzo is going to have to pass on January, and I need for you to contact Rickely and send it to him instead.
Thanks
T
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I will write him now.
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Contact has been made with Ted and everthing is set. Am looking forward to hunting with Hope!! Saving a deer tag just for her!!
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Thanks Terry and Rick. Due to so much work and little play I wasn't going to be able to give the bow much woods time. Glad someone will be able to fill my spot. Hopefully I'll get another chance someday. Thanks for the opportunity.
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Hope's last report from Mass. first I want to say we hunted hard here, I guess my chance was when we walked up on that bedded 8 ponter that stopped at 30yds but the angle wasn't perfect for me doing a 30yds shot so I just watched that big boy and I hoped I didn't spook him into some shotgunner but I didn't hear any shots so that was fine and he made it.
We hunted in New HAmpshire where I do have some pics but I forgot my camera and I will get them up later. I want to thank everyone including Terry, lewis Hollow and all those involved for being a part of this with me because I really enjoyed spending some time with Hope.
finally December is tough here in Mass, while I had this bow some friends of mine who still use shotgun and push deer got 16 deer which is pretty good in these parts but they make it hard for us stand hunters who need that 20yd shot and still hunt these areas but no excuses just the way it is here. because of the holidays I wanted to be sure this bow made it to the next person by thye 1st so I have Hope all packed up and ready to ship to Copperas Cove, TX.
I will confess I liked this bow so much I ordered one :scared: hope my wife don't find out.
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Awww Man, your wife won't care! Tell her it is a Christmas present for next year :) Glad you had fun with her! Good luck the rest of the year :campfire:
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ahh man you don't understand I just signed a P&S on a new house too and told her we have to go easy on presents between us this year,, no lie I have to just get it in the house and under the bed,, I'm on a rescue team at work which gets me some bonus money for it.
anyway I got a 62" cocobolo riser and red elm limbs, and I asked if he could hit the weight right at 49@28, I was pretty impressed with Hope and longarrow will be too.
speaking of that Longarrow,,, the bow is on its way 2nd day priority because of the holidays so you may have it a bit longer .. I'll PM you some more info.
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Pics of my hunting spot in NH with Hope
(http://img574.imageshack.us/img574/4910/2010huntingpics001.jpg) (http://img574.imageshack.us/i/2010huntingpics001.jpg/)
this is hope on my bow hook overlooking one of the many swamps here, this swamp I believe is because of the beavers where every tree laying in it was chewed down.
(http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/912/2010huntingpics002.jpg) (http://img211.imageshack.us/i/2010huntingpics002.jpg/)
just some more pics of the area I'm looking into, this is a natural funnel here though, the deer usually come from front to back through some thick pines and you have to turn and shoot behind your stand into this area where they are going behind you and finally offer a shot,, I have yet to see one deer in NH during 7 sits,, they are having it bad with the herd this year.
(http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/2851/2010huntingpics003.jpg) (http://img687.imageshack.us/i/2010huntingpics003.jpg/)
the frontal view with swamp to the right
(http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/8777/2010huntingpics004.jpg) (http://img221.imageshack.us/i/2010huntingpics004.jpg/)
My stand with Hope at the ready,, usually have an arrow nocked but only when I'm in the stand.
(http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/2610/2010huntingpics008.jpg) (http://img718.imageshack.us/i/2010huntingpics008.jpg/)
Allenstown, NH
(http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/6489/2010huntingpics009.jpg) (http://img811.imageshack.us/i/2010huntingpics009.jpg/)
what would of been Me and Hopes deer,, beaten by the pushers that day.
(http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/7996/2010huntingpics015.jpg) (http://img18.imageshack.us/i/2010huntingpics015.jpg/)
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Ted, Thanks, I'll be looking for Hope. Just to let you know, we set a new "Record" today with a temp of 86! Hope that cold front hits real soon, or I'll be huntin' at noon!!!
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Well, Hope arrived late this afternoon, she's in fine shape! Just want to thank Ted for getting her here, he shipped her from MA 21 Dec "Next day" air! She must have got snowed in the big storm on the East Coast!!! She arrived with about 55 minutes of sunlight remaining. Mail run runs LATE out here on Mondays!! I've got several pictures and will try to get them in order with this report. I had made (two) sets of special arrow for her...first the field points (RED) POC, 29" long, 5" shield feathers, 125 grain FP with an added 50 grain of weight upfront total weight @550 g. Second are Broadhead tip, (Yellow) same POC, 29" Zwickey 4 blades, 50 grain added up front and 5" shield cut feathers, @550 grain total weight. ALL shafts are splined 52-53 lbs. Hope is 62" long and 49#. This arrow setup is my standard setup and shoot excellent from my 50#, 60" longbow, my 54# 60" one piece recurve and my 51# 56" TD Recurve. After setting the nock height at 1/2" I shot my first field point arrow at R'Coon at @18 yards, as you can see from the picture, it hit dead center..arrow had PERFECT flight...the bow was as quite as I could ask for!! After a couple more shots at the coon' I move on the buck deer at @22 yards, you can see the 3 RED arrow and about a 3" group!! Next came the YELLOW Broadhed tiped arrow, a shot at the buck @22 yards, with Broadhead (YELLOW) and a Field Point (RED) show a group of about 3"!! I think hope and I will get along just fine!! I plan on being in a POPUP blind and hour before legal shooting time (in the morning) and hope will be with be. We still have about 10 days of regular season, then 2 weeks of spike and doe only. I hope, that Hope can help put deer #3 in the freezer!! I'll try to update this every day or two. (http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab44/keystonecattlecompany/Hopecase2.jpg)
(http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab44/keystonecattlecompany/Hoperiser.jpg)
(http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab44/keystonecattlecompany/Hope1arrow.jpg)
(http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab44/keystonecattlecompany/Hope21YD.jpg)
(http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab44/keystonecattlecompany/Hope21BHFP.jpg)
(http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab44/keystonecattlecompany/Quiver.jpg)
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wow nice shooting area you have there. looking forward to what the next month brings for Hope and you in TX.
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Hope update...have hunted with Hope everyday since she arrived. Have taken a large Jack (rabbit). Pasted a couple of small bucks yesterday afternoon. Had a HUGE 10 point on the way in, he was within 50 yards and some dummy down the road cut loose with a 9mm (target pratic) and he put on the breaks so hard I could see dirt fly! Am headed back out to the woods shortly. This is the last weekend for BUCKS, on the 3d Jan. it turns to spikes & does only.
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anything?
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From "longarrow" I'm at my brothers house..he taken a turn to "bad" I gusess you could say, as soon as I get back to Texas I'll get this updated!
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tell him no rush with that and we hope everything turns out okay with his Brother.
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How is Ms. Faith doing?
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Ms Faith is doing fine she’s getting ready to visit Oklahoma I Will be shipping her out on Friday.
I have to report that I let her down out in Texas I didn’t do my part I missed a turkey, shot right beside him and lost a doe, we were unable to find any blood so hopefully it was just a flesh wound. Had several opportunities for other shots on some does but didn’t take the shot was waiting to see if a buck would come in. I did enjoy my time with her but it’s time that she moves on......stabow
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Picked up Faith at the post office yesterday and did some shooting with her today. Nics looking and shooting bow. I'll take her for a walk this weekend. Deer season is over, but I' m hoping to stumble up on a hog or some armadillos.
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Looking forward to the stories and pix bud...good luck!
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Thanks Curt. So far only targets and stumping. Pretty nice shooting bow, and quicker than I was expecting for the poundage. My wife said that the riser is prettier than my other bows. Is she trying to make me bid on the bow? I do like the leopardwood. I'll be heading to TX in a week and a half for a 3 day hunt. Hope some hogs or javies want to play. I know that Faith is up for it.
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Good luck Pat!! I am excited for ya.
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Yes Sir, good luck to you!
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I'm thinking Pat has a story..... :archer:
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Well, a little story at least. I'll make a post in the PowWow section, but suffice it to say that this little bow is a a fine shooter. I went on what was essentially a 2 1/2 day hunt for hogs and javies at a ranch outside of Laredo. The first half day the javies weren't moving much from the cold front, but I saw some activity the next couple of days. I was lucky enough to take my first javi at around 22 yards. Had another about the same size at around 10 yards later in the hunt, but I saw a large boar that was around 40 yards away and I was going for it. He wound up going into cover before I could get a shot. I shot a hog by a feeder under lights, then shot a very large hog that would have gone over 300 pounds about 20 minutes later. I couldn't see that arrow on that second hog, and it didn't seem right. I couldn't find either arrow or blood at the site, so I went back to camp to get my sidearm and a better light. By the time I got back to the spot, it was around 2 1/2 hours later. Found the first arrow broken and good blood. The hog went around 50-60 yards through the thick stuff, but the coyotes had gotten after it. Couldn't find the second arrow or blood, so I came back the next morning. Found the arrow with only blood on around 4 inches of the shaft. Must have hit a shoulder. I'm sure that the hog is still around causing trouble.
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd102/pdk25/099-1.jpg)
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd102/pdk25/098-1.jpg)
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd102/pdk25/editpig2.jpg)
I'm probably not going to have much time for hunting the rest of the month because of my work schedule. I'm gonna send it to the next lucky customer a little early. Some bidder at the St. Jude's auction is gonna get a fine little bow.
Oh yeah, here is the gratuitous head shot armadillo pic.
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd102/pdk25/096.jpg)
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Wow those 'Yotes really tore into that hog! Those Javi's sure are mean looking! Great Job!!
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:notworthy: :clapper: Great stuff Pat...Congrats.
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Very nice Pat maybe we'll get after them next year together.
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No doubt it will happen, Dave. It'll be nice to get together with you, Tim, and Mike for another hog hunt. I look forward to hunting with your brother, too.
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I told Dave it had to be a big place Pat. You need your own space. Remember the squirrel ?
Miss ya and cant wait until we can hunt together. But I really want to play with your dogs.
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He was a little noisy.
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Man those Havi's have some mean lookin choppers :)
Great job !!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Sent Faith to Don Wilson today. I hope that it get's there before the weekend. I here there is a hunt coming up. ;)
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Sent Faith to Don Wilson today. I hope that it get's there before the weekend. I here there is a hunt coming up. ;)
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:dunno:
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anything happening with Hope?
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Hope was waiting on me when I got back from a CE course in Charleston today. Got to shoot for about five minutes before dark. Lowered the brace height and the last shot looked better. Hope to get her tuned up tomorrow and hog hunt Tuesday after opening morning turkey hunt.
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Good luck buddy! :thumbsup:
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Good luck Sunny Hill.
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I had some old woodies that I got when I bought some deadheads. The deal was for 1/2 doz deadheads and 1/2 doz razorheads. Guess what? The woodies with the razorheads fly like freakin DARTS!!!!!!!!
Woe be unto the hog that crosses paths with me for the next three weeks!!!!!!!!!!
I am really looking forward to these next few hunts.
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Go git em'!!
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:clapper: :archer2:
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:bigsmyl:
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Got within 15 yards of a red boar hog this morning around 8:45. Too thick to shoot. Needed one more step.... The cussed wind swirled. Maybe Friday.
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Sunny-Now I know where you were at this morning. I was cursing you on my text about not killing any hogs. I expect pics reeeeeeeal soon.
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Stay after em Sunny.
Faith got some foul play this weekend....someones got pics.
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Terry,Sunny says Woods is coming reeeeeal close. I've got a feeling it wont be too long before blood is shed.
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Yep...pulling for woods for sure. :pray: :pray: :pray:
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Faith arrived safely in Texas today! I dressed her up in some of Frank's bearclaw antler bolts and matched with some Gt35/55's with 200 grains up front and she is tuned and ready to go....
Most of my hunting land for spring turkeys is either burned or they are drilling a oil well on it,,, but we will certainly dance the dance and see what happens....stay tuned and wish us luck!
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Good luck Barry !! I'll be lookin for some feathers :thumbsup:
:campfire:
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Go get em', Barry
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JoeBuck has Hope....and a likely spot....so hopefully both will score soon....
T
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FAith is getting out a couple of times so far...sure is dry and windy here...every step is a crunch and things are pretty barren....So far in last year's nests there are no birds this year...
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Keep after them Barry.
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Finally got to hunt Hope a bit before she heads to Tom Phillips and Bear Quest.. I've had a lower back that has put my hips out of commission and haven’t been able to walk for a week; with a ton of Ibuprofen I decided to take a walk and see if Hope and I could find some trouble. I've hunted this ranch in Indian Valley for a few years now and have a fair Idea where the hogs will be if they are on the ranch. I've only managed to time it right once as they use this 3700 acres as a highway and are not permanent residences here...
Beautiful morning at Indian Valley Ranch...
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Pig%20hunt%20Indian%20Valley%20March%202010/2011%20Hope%20for%20Saint%20Judes/untitled-1.jpg)
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I spent a few days shooting Hope and I have to say this is a very sweet bow... very smooth on the draw and the 3555 I use with my Big Jim Buff were made to order for Hope..
In the far north east corner of the property there is a cattle tank at the bottom of a long draw. It snakes thru the property and the East Ridge affords perfect wind to walk the edge and peek into every nook, cranny and hiding place that it has.
Hope watchin the wind for me :)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Pig%20hunt%20Indian%20Valley%20March%202010/2011%20Hope%20for%20Saint%20Judes/IndianValley2011HopeforStJudes005.jpg)
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I started walking when there was barely enough light to see and slowly made my way up the draw. Along the way I found quite a bit of sign but the air was dead quiet and I did not see or hear any hogs but the evidence said they were using the area recently…
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Pig%20hunt%20Indian%20Valley%20March%202010/2011%20Hope%20for%20Saint%20Judes/IndianValley2011HopeforStJudes009.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Pig%20hunt%20Indian%20Valley%20March%202010/2011%20Hope%20for%20Saint%20Judes/IndianValley2011HopeforStJudes007.jpg)
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At the end of the draw and the property line I stopped for a drink and a bite to eat. Hope and I had covered a mile or so and I was trying to figure out the next plan.
Hope needed a rest...
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Pig%20hunt%20Indian%20Valley%20March%202010/2011%20Hope%20for%20Saint%20Judes/IndianValley2011HopeforStJudes.jpg)
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After a bit I decided or rather the wind decided that the only course we could take was to slowly go back the way we had just come. This goes against my normal inclinations as I would normally look at this path as used up, but after some thought I decided there was not a choice.
Slowly I went back down the ridge staying just off the top so as not to skyline... we walked… Sounds? A smallish red body? Three black body’s? Maybe a dozen hogs appeared at the bottom of the draw. They were moving at a pretty fair clip and my position made it impossible to approach them strait on. There was a small crease in the ridge to my right and I figured that if I could reach that and pop over the top away from the hogs I could move ahead of them and wait for them to come buy me?
Come on legs, Ibuprofen don’t fail me now…. I got ahead of them and came back over the top. I had run, that’s right a fat 60 year old ran and the pumper was field testing the buttons on my jacket. The hog had either stopped to rest or I am faster than I think as they were now about 50 or 60 yards down the draw and heading my way…. I wasn’t that happy with my location behind a big oak, not because it didn’t cover my position well but because it was pushing my range threshold a bit but it was the only available cover. I
Waited for what seemed like an eternity but was probably only a minute…. All in all there were a dozen hogs in the group. They were all on the smallish side but for me they would make dandy eaters… They walked by me but stayed on the opposite bank out of range and I thought I was not going to get a shot, and then a sow decided she liked something in my direction and started to walk my way… closer… come on old girl turn, turn… that’s right a few more steps…. Come to full draw that’s the spot….. I shot and with grunt as my arrow bounced off the top of her back and my hunt ended… I sat there for the longest time trying to figure out what I had done. The truth is I just missed, somehow I misjudged the distance and shot high and that sow got her first shave...
I truly wish my work schedule and health would have allowed me a little more time to with Hope, someone is going to get a sweet shooting bow and help the kids at the same time….
Thank you for letting me spend a bit of time with her …
Now she's on her way to Tom Phillips and Bear Quest...
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Thanks, that was a fun hunt Kip! Good luck with the back. :thumbsup:
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Hope to hear some more stories out of Bear Quest....
:campfire:
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Faith is on her way to her new home, my house. :bigsmyl: .....stabow
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Just wanted everyone to knwo that Hope has made it safely to AZ! hopefully this weekend I can get around to shooting her and next weekend I can take her out for a quick rabbit hunt.
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Krink...glad to see your post....best of luck with her. You are carrying a Trad Gang tradition....and there's mojo in that bow.
:campfire:
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I want to give an update about Hope. I have not been able to shoot her as much as I wish I could have. Shortly after I received her I had family come to town for a few weeks which cut into my shooting. While they were here I enrolled in college which also hindered my ability to shoot. Also my new assignment at work has had me running ragged with 10-14 hour days. The job and college has taken most of my free time. Also (I know the list keeps going and going) My shoulder has been acting up to where just moving my right arm hurts.
With all that being said when I have shot her she has been a dream to shoot. Holy cow do I like pulling it back. Unfortunately I feel like I have had my time with her. I wish I could keep it but I know someone else out there wants to have their turn. So Terry if ya could email me who the next lucky guy or gal is and their address is I will get it out next payday.
Kyle
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Krink...there is no one else in line....She ran her course and she was given to you.
Why don't you keep her a while longer...surely you have a season open, and when the next St Judes roles around, you can either offer it back to the original winner that sent the bow to you....or list it on the auction.