growing trophy bucks

[Savagevervet]

Oh, and don't forget the mud wrap. I mean, if you're going to be sitting still for hours on end you might as well get the full day spa treatment while you're at it. Gee, I could probably get my wife interested in hunting at a place like that.

Savagevervet

[crazyfarmer]

Aw, c'mon, A.W. Don't knock the butler service! Bacon and eggs, fresh juice and hot coffee delivered right to your stand. Maybe a masseuse to come and work the knots out of your shoulders after all that hard work and effort spent cocking your bow. Cucumber slices for your eyes to help keep them sharp and in-focus. I don't think you've thought this through...

Cheers!

Savagevervet

I believe they have LCD TV's in the stand also. Not to mention surround sound to make the hunt more realistic

[TPM]

Grizz, very nice fowling piece! The styling sure captures late 1700's - early 1800's look. Would love a custom made muzzle loader someday.

I don't have one, but I love TC Hawkens ... not because they're authentic copies of anything, but because of what they are ... a stand-on-their own American icon. They are by far the best of the economical sidelocks available ... dependable and well made ... a real trademark of American quality. There are more of them around than any other muzzleloader, including originals. I'd love to have one of the early production models in my collection, just because of what they represent. They were almost wholly responsible for the renaissance of modern blackpowder shooting. I'm sorry to see the decline of their popularity in favor of the more "modern" in-lines.

There is a lot of bull out there about blackpowder. That ol' Hawken you've got will do it every tiime you want it to, and do it well.

Enjoy it, man.

I owned a few Italian made repro's and then stumbled on this .54 cal. T/C Hawken a few years ago. It's now the only muzzle loader I own.



I'm not a big fan of the newer in-line's. I understand why people use them and that's all cool. Truth is most front loader hunters are into it for the extended season not the historical trip and for them in-lines are great. I was quite disappointed when Toby Bridges turned coat and went gang busters for the in-line side. A former true buckskinner who now just wants to shoot deer at 200+ yards.

[Kenton]

I think the sidelocks can make you a better shooter, because you have to stay on target even after you pull the trigger and wait for the delay. I also like the fact that you only have one shot. Make it count or go hungry.

[raydaughety]

Crazyfarmer, I am in a wheelchair and If I had to hunt this way I would have to give it up. I hear what your saying though, to each his own.

[crazyfarmer]

Crazyfarmer, I am in a wheelchair and If I had to hunt this way I would have to give it up. I hear what your saying though, to each his own.

well said man:) I'd like to think I'd say the same exact thing if I was also

[Fergie10]

personally i would rather buy a truck then pay for the "super gold buck" why would you want top pay over 10 000 for a animal that is dead really not my kinda a thing id get the tag and go harvest a true wild animal.

[crazyfarmer]

well said... I know we all want the monstor buck thats out there. But we also hunt for the unexpected. That type of hunting kinda takes that away, along with a big wad of cash

[Grizzly Adam]

Edited by me ...

I've removed the pic of the guy hunting out of a hot tub because of Kendo Kid's objection to any "fun-making."

Having done that, I will say that my posting it didn't have anything to do with an arrogant, superior attitude. Nor do I think others wrote what they did because they consider themselves better than anyone else.

I think we were just having a little fun, and I don't think there was any harm in it, but for the sake of harmony and not causing needless offense, I'm willing to delete my contribution.

I doubt if they really have hot-tub stands anyway.

[kendo kid]

Perhaps some of these folks have not had the opportunity to mentor with other great hunters. It is not my style of hunting but I do not consider myself superior to them. They are brothers of the hunt also. They choose to do it differently then many of us. Until we know the facts behind their decision it might be difficult for some of you to understand to accept this style of hunting. The surface appearance can be very different from the real situation. We as hunters can not afford to condem or make fun of other hunting styles. Remember how it feels to us when the vertical bow hunters take shots at us as crossbow hunters. Many of us hunt crossbow because we choose to; others hunt crossbow because of injured shoulders, wheelchair bound or other physical restrictions. The fact is we all appear as the same to many vertical bow hunters. We are not. Arrogance shows lack of understanding and willingness to assume the worst in other people and their reasons for hunting in this manner. They are our brothers as hunters.

[DrDan]

The "big" problem with hunting preserves is that the animals are congregated together in unatural numbers and fed from communal feeders. This has raised major issues with Chronic Wasting Disease in Wisconsin. Authorities believe the disease started in a fenced hunting preserve and escapees caused the spread into the wild population. I believe that if these canned hunting preserves are allowed then it should only be under conditions that the herd is blood tested at frequent intervals for CWD among others. The disease issue could rapidly depopulate the wild deer herd. In the wild it is extremely rare that one feeding deer ever comes in contact with the saliva, feces, urine of another deer so disease spread is not so prevalent. This is also the reason that many states have made it illegal for the rereational feeding of deer populations. If you feed and bait deer by all means throw the feed in a large area on the ground. Feeders are dangerous means of disease spread. Fortunately we still are CWD free in Ohio, but I'm afraid with hunting preserves and recreational feeding it will be here sooner than we think.

Just a couple links on this disease - do a Google on deer cwd hunting preserves and you will get tons of references...



DrDan

http://lists.envirolink.org/pipermail/a ... 05290.html
http://health.dailynewscentral.com/content/view/615/0

[BigTiny]

This hunting preserve/high fence hunting issue drives me nuts. On one hand, there is no way I would ever want to infringe on a property owner's right to manage it responsibly any way he sees fit; on the other hand, I know this practice makes us all look bad. If the general public has a negative opinion of our sport, it makes it easier for them to vote for those who would raise our license fees and restrict further our access to public land. What are taxes like on cigarettes and liquor now as opposed to 25 years ago? The same principle applies to hunting and fishing. I don't think there is one single thing that will resolve the issue. So far, what I have been trying to do is this:

1. Badmouth(that is southern for "speak ill of") any practices in the sport which you feel undermines it every chance you get.(especially to those outside the sport, it gives you a good opportunity to invite them out for #2 below)

2. Get someone with little or no outdoor experience "into" predatory outdoor activities(hunting, fishing, gigging, etc..). That doesn't mean taking them once and let them try to keep up with you. They don't return your calls if you do that.

Those things won't settle things overnight, but they can't hurt!

[bbbwb]

'DrDan---- you stated the thought that I was going to make. I feel these farming operations should have strict controls for the heaslth of the animals to prevent a serious problem from arising in the wild herd. Our overall mandate should be to protect the health of the natural wild animals.
It may be a thrill for some to take an animal but I would rather go the "wild" way as it provides greater sense of accomplishment. However, to each his own.

[flbuckmaster]

Now the butler service I can do without...offer in stand "lap dances" and I might consider booking a "hunt".

[DrDan]

bbbwb

Exactly! My gosh when refering to CWD we are speaking of a disease that has the possibility of killing human beings and wiping out the whitetail deer, mule deer and elk populations. Since the only test involves submitting brain tissue for analysis it means the deaath of many, many wild animals. I think this needs a very watchful eye by wildlife officials. Deer hunting licences dropped by 30% when it hit Wisconsin - that's major money!