ghost hunter

Find someone whose already a bow hunter and ask lots of questions. Check out what they have. Then go to a good archery shop. Look at what they have, ask alot more questions. Read through lots of websites, most all have an archery section. Pretty soon a pattern will start to show. From there, go back to the archery shop and have them help you pick which one will fit you the best. Then the fun starts.

Registration is based on MSRP and year of manufacture (depreciation). If its older, it won't cost as much. I can't remember what the registration is but I pay $90/yr for insurance which I know is more than the registration. When I first called about insurance, they quoted $40/yr.

I thought about this topic all day. Sadly, there has been a documented decline in the work ethic in our country over the last couple of decades and I think that road hunters and e-scouters are the end result of that bigger problem. They will tell you that they are "trying to hunt smarter not harder" and that technology, be it a computer, a quad, or a slow moving Chevy are tools to be used. I have to call BS on that. They are just looking for the easy way, for people to do the work for them so that they can reap the benefits of others labor. Asking for help is one thing, but the "I've never hunted that unit before and need to know where there are lots of bucks" is another. Yes, we can ignore them, but almost always, someone will POST an answer. If you feel generous and want to give info, do it in a PM. But remember the old principle about GIVING a person something verses TEACHING a person something. Before I get the quad riders all riled up, I'm talking about the ones who ride irresponsibly, off the road and actually hunt/shot from their quads. Riding them responsibly, to/from camp is what they are intended for. I've seen both at their worst. I've had people splash the latest "hot spot" all over the cyber world and on opening weekend had several dozen (at least 65 of 200 permits) all hunting in a 5 square mile area of where I had been scouting. I've also seen a surburban creeping down the road during the archery season with all four doors propped open with bows and arrows at the ready for a quick shot. Which is worse?...I don't know, but I'll get off the rant now. By the way, people who still love to hunt and be outdoors but can't get around as well as they used to, ARE NOT the road hunters we all loath.

Interesting question. I've felt that way for a long time. First time I went on an archery elk hunt, I could not believe the number of people I ran into that started their story, "ya I got a shot at 75 yards, 95 yrs, (what ever) and I hit it in "the neck, the leg, the jaw, etc, and it ran off". They just couldn't believe it. As some of you have said, there are both rifle hunters and archers who are guilty of taking shots and making poor hits that they shouldn't have. I've wondered how many of the successful archery elk hunters are really gun hunters who just decided to 'give it a try' because the draw odds are better.

I'm almost always hunting solo (some times my choice, others not) but I haven't lost one yet. (Knock on wood). Shortpants had alot of good ideas, and you hit on one I've used. If given the chance, I'll wait on the shot until the buck is either near a readily identifiable landmark before shooting or wait until he's in the middle of the hill (gives me a follow up shot if needed while he's still very visible). If he's gone after the shot, I know he's down some where close to that area. The other that I've used, was to set my spotting scope up directed at the bedded herd of javies on my archery hunt. As I worked my way to them, I kept looking at the scope with my binos, until I could tell I was looking directly back through it. By then, I knew I was close anyway. You could use this with your example of having the binos set at the shot. Hunting solo is fun sometimes but it makes you change your style because you have to factor in safety. Good Luck

Don't they make a 7mm short action? If so, which would you chose?

Bownut, What did you finally decide on?

Huntnut, Thanks for the input. I ordered one the other day but just got the "back ordered until ?" card today. Might not have to worry about knocking the calibration off this year.

I am interested in feedback from anyone who has or has looked at one of the range finders with the ability to compensate for the uphill/downhill angle. It seems that Bushnell and Leupold both have one.

This is scary because there are other calibers where the cartidges will inter-change but not be the correct one. I'm glad he is alright, but it could have been different.

I think there is some good advise in all of this. Glad it was brought up. As for the "they are where you find them", I've heard this before, but personally, I like a little more control and certainty than that. Make me try harder.

Happy B-Day!!! Hope it was/is a good day.

I put a Trophy Taker Shakey Hunter on my PSE Thunderbolt. It worked well but I had to turn the cock vane up to get clearance and even then, I still get just BARELY clear it. If the nock moves just a hair, I start getting contact with the rest. The rest is too wide to allow it to fall all the way down. Where it hits is on the side of riser. I've thought about going to the original Trophy Taker, but with a new Mathews, it might not be a problem.

My 721 is in 30-06 and I've loved it for years. Have thought about retiring it and getting something else, but never did decide what "new" rifle to get. Finally narrowed it down to either a 25-06 or a 7mm. Then along came the short mags. Still not convinced they are better, but the balistics look better. But what do I know...

I've been getting that way all my life. Each year it just gets worse about now.

Far as I know, all the 99's were lever action. I always thought it was cool cuz it had the rotory magazine and the little round counter window on the side. Again, I'm partial to the .300 and didn't pay that much attention to the other. Might call them and see.

Muleskinner, I was just at Cabela's today and they had 2 of them in .300 and one in either .243 or .308, can't remeber FYI

Been there....Done that......left disappointed! Got up and left early this AM...drove 225 miles one way...hit the door with several years worth of accumulated bonus points and a long list of things to spend them on. An Elk deli sandwich and an hour and a half later, I got to the check-out with only 2 items, neither of which were on my list. Grand total: $12.67. I didn't know whether to laugh or be insulted when they asked if "I wanted to use my points for that". To be honest, they did have just a handful of the small items I wanted but couldnt see buying them and having to order the rest anyway. Not sure if my expectations were too high, or maybe I'm just hard to impress, or maybe all the Grand Opening hype was just that... Guess I'll just have to order out of the catalog like I was gonna do in the first place. The displays were neat though..

Not sure where you are gonna use it, but I bought one a couple of years ago that has the detachable legs. Take it hunting, works great. Soon as you hit camp, fire it up and by the time you put your stuff away, its pre-heated and then only minutes before the steaks are done. Can't remember where I got it, but I've seen the same model at Barbeques Galore.

From what I've heard, everyone who drew a unit 32 tag got one of those postcard invites. It is a good idea. There needs to be lots of people jump in and help.

I dont know, a big old Ceegar and that great smelling smoke tends to keep them at bay.

I'd be torqued too. But you gotta give him credit for coming to get it and not leaving it up all year so he can "claim that tank". Any deer coming in would hear him there, wait until he left, then come on in anyway.

I agree. Its not like he's selling them just to buy something else. The money is going for a good cause.

My first was a Daisy BB gun that had my dad's and uncles names scratched into the wood stock. I shot lots of things with it and it still worked when I gave it to my son. Didn't work too long after that, but I still have it. My first 'real' rifle was a Winchester 94 in 25-35. My grandpa bought it from a guy who was headed out in WWII and didn't think he would be needing it. My dad had it and thats how I ended up with it. Still have that one too. Lots of memories here... The old Savage 99's seem to be popular. That's what my dad had when he gave me the 25-35. His was a 300 Savage. Man, it shot good.

Guess I was hoping it was one of those "find the deer" photos. I'll order the Claroxan in the morning , I promise.