Youbetcha wrote:

I am curious with the older bucks do you typically get more than one picture of them? They seem to notice the Cam. I never have luck with that unless i hang them pretty well hidden and they cant see it.

IMO mature deer are a whole different breed. Early in the year you have to have your camera soooo close to their bed in order to get any consistent pictures. I have never noticed a mature deer not showing up because they noticed a camera. They just don’t like to travel much. But also remember no two mature bucks are the same. They all move differently and some are patternable but I have found most are not.

I have run a number of different cameras. Right now MidwayUSA has a great deal going. Bushnell cell cam for $50. Then they have a bulk pack of Muddy cams for roughly $100 for 3 of them. I have ran a few of those and have been happy. I’m not a huge fan of the TactaCam picture quality.

Andrew Gilberg wrote:

+2 for Rogers and the free shipping when you buy a case worth. I’ve been shooting Rio shells through an SX2 the last few years and been happy with it. No duds so far and seems to shoot a little cleaner than the Federals in my experience.

Federals shoot awesome but damn are they dirty!

I’m with you brown dog. I wish I could use the action of the medium to work the bait but use a ML to fight the fish. The medium action definitely works the bait with much less effort.

The problem with ammo seek is the shipping costs most places charge. By the time you pay shipping you might as well spend the $8.99 at most retailers

Personally I am a very KISS method when it comes to scopes. I don’t like BDC reticles so I am an old fashioned regular crosshair guy. So I would personally put something in the 3-9 power range from a reputable company that you like. Leupold and Vortex both make great scopes in all price points with great warranties. My best advice would zero the gun at 75-100 yards and learn bullet drop out to 150.

BigWerm wrote:

Congrats! I’d have a chat with my buddy about who else in the family might be out there, so you both know who should or should not be out there. And to keep it between parties that need to know. You don’t need the family non-hunting Karen coming in and raising a stink that he let you on.

We’ve already had those talks. I told him I didn’t want permission if I was going to be stepping on anyone’s toes. He informed me I was the only one to be out there. Previous to him taking over the hunting rights their family always required yearly permission so if anyone is out there this year they definitely don’t have permission.

I have already informed him that when the big one hits the ground that he will be the first to be informed and also the one I will be cooking the fresh back straps for. He is also excited to see what the trail cameras show. Hunting doesn’t run in the families blood. He has a sister that enjoys it but doesn’t live in the area and also just doesn’t have the time.

CaptainMusky wrote:

Good luck! Sounds like an awesome opportunity! I had a spot for my son lined up for him to turkey hunt this Spring. Got the guys contact info, address, etc. Sent my son over there to introduce himself and the guy had a change of heart and wouldnt let anyone hunt now. Apparently some fool went wandering around all over the place and ruined it for anyone else. I havent seen the guy since. I dont blame him I would be ticked too!

That was actually my concern. I have definitely heard my fair share of horror stories from farmers and land owners. My go to comment to them is that I will always treat the land like it was my own. If I wouldn’t want to tear up my land why would I tear up theirs? Once they understand that then their anxiety levels tend to lessen considerably.

I am hoping to get out this weekend and spray the area I want to plant. I think my area is going to take multiple sprays. Unfortunately I can’t get any equipment into the area so it will all be done by hand.

So a hair jig like you are describing are well known for off shore structure fishing. I would read into the off shore fishing tactics people use on the Tennessee river system. That is where the hair jig became popular. Personally I have had better luck throwing a flutter spoon over a hair jig. But also don’t over look a larger swimbait on a jig head in those same areas.

What kind of hair jig are you thinking? Like a Marabou jig or a rooster hackle jig? There are many different ways to fish hair. A marabou for example is best casted and steady retrieved back. A bigger hackle or deer hair jig are best fished aggressively. More so snapping or stroking it back to the boat. Sometimes letting it hit bottom. I pour and tie up all of my own. The more minnow looking the better.

The issue I have is this grass is very very thick and dense. My concern is getting a good kill. So my thoughts are to spray it, wait a couple weeks, then depending on the kill either spray again and wait to seed. Or hopefully spray and seed the same day the second time. Also this area doesn’t have access to any equipment. So it will be a sweat equity plot. But of course I am game for any advice I can get!

I am hoping to plant a plot on my grandmothers farm this year. There is a big creek bottom full of what I call marsh grass that I will spray with Gly a time or two then broadcast some kind of brassica/rape/raddish blend right before a rain. With there still being a creek running through I am hoping there should be good moisture held. The hard part I feel will be killing the grass allowing the seed to get good soil contact. It should be interesting. A couple years ago EHD wiped out all the mature bucks I had. I found 4 dead bucks. The biggest going well over 180″. So the area can kick out some big deer. Hoping a decent 1/2-3/4 acre plot can attract something worth getting the heart racing.

Side note to the Fenwick lover out there. Gobble them up why you can because starting next year they will not be offering a rod under 300$ anymore.
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Where did this information come from? They currently don’t have any rods OVER $300. So I find it hard to believe they will only offer rods over a price point they have yet to venture into.

The best deals I have found on most cigars is on cigarpage.com

Lately it has been a mixture of Gran Habano Cabinet’s plus all of the Cult line. My father in law and I have tried so many of the “budget” cigars. We don’t like to spend more than $3 a stick. And we have found some absolute gems. Cult Fuerte being the most recent. Another gem of a stick is a Cupido.

I would definitely lock a bluegill swim jig in my hand. Don’t be afraid to throw a heavier swimjig in the deeper water. We wrecked them Saturday on them.

Just throw a Bluegill swim jig and catch the pre spawn cruisers and any that may have already spawned out. Then if you see one on a bed throw a drop shot or wacky worm on it.

4 baits. Jerkbait, Ned rig, Keitech, and a black marabou jig. Keep it simple and you’ll catch your share of walleyes along the way as well.

I personally disagree with so much of what you have said Spoon Minnow that I think the best reply I can give is, to each their own and happy fishing.

No concerns. Just curious how the fishing has been.

We have been covered up in Orioles and a few Finches in SW Iowa. My neighbors have a couple hummingbird feeders out but I have only seen a handful so far. Usually there are hummingbirds all over their feeders so maybe the late spring has slowed their progress. Does anyone have a good way of feeding Cardinals but keeping all the starlings and sparrows away?

Youbetcha wrote:

On a random note wasnt there talk of using a toyko rig with a swim bait on it in cold water to use it to slow roll the bottom? That might be something worth trying too.

I slow roll a 5″-6″ swimbait on the bottom quite a bit in cold water. It works well! I’m sure the tokyo rig would work but isn’t necessary IMO.

$100-$150 would get you well on your way with plenty of materials to start. Buy a decent rotary vise to make wrapping the chenile easier.

With that little of visibility I would go with a crankbait and black jig. Keep the jerbait put away unless you find cleaner water. Not saying you cant catch them, but the crank and jig will do better in those conditions. Try speed cranking a red or spring craw flat side crank. I would also have a red wiggle wart tied on. The chatterbait might work well in the warm afternoons on sun beat banks. Also don’t overlook a slow rolled spinnerbait.

I 100% agree with the recommendation of the Tatula line. I run the 100’s. I believe I have 6-7 of them. As far as line, don’t go lighter than 30 pound braid. The smaller diameter braids tend to dig into the spool worse on hook sets or snags. Once you become proficient with casting straight braid then you can look into running braid to a flouro or mono leader. But the leader knot can cause back lashes at times.

Seaguar Inviz-X is the only flouro I will buy with Sunline Sniper a close second.

If this is your true dream rifle that you’ve always wanted then I say go for it and don’t look back. I know a few guns I have on my wish list aren’t the “best bang for the buck” or best deals. But I don’t care about that. I want them and that’s all that matters. One mans beater gun is another mans safe queen. So who are we to tell you what you want? lol. Buy it and let us know how she shoots. I don’t see their resale value going down anytime soon. So you always have that going for you.

We leave next Thursday the 20th and of course the weather is taking a turn for the worse. Just my luck…..

The only buck I have ever shot with a smoke pole is the buck in my profile pic. Thompson Center Pro Hunter with a 240 grain Hornady XTP dropped him in his tracks at 157 yards.