Upcoming season is approaching, good luck....

Right back at ya Eyes, we will be waiting for the pictures.  Mentioning your kids and the excitement over hunting with dad, sure does bring back memories, of twenty years ago for me.  Heck, I'm even getting over the mentored hunt thingy......... just not completely, yet.
 
Kudos
 
 

Mr. Gills, I fondly remember those years and the times I spent with my son and daughter both hunting and fishing. Enjoy those times together, and good luck with the season. And to all have a safe and enjoyable season.

LMAO Eyes, I sure do remember those extra curricular activities, good luck.
 
Myself, after using a bearing type release for 25 plus years, I switched to a caliper type release.  Whyyyy, I asked myself, did I ever wait so long?  
 
I guess being a newbie back then, I relied on those whom I thought to be experienced at the art of archery hunting.  A bearing style release was thought to be more forgiving but unfortunately, is harder on the bow string serving.    Well I don't know about the "forgiving" part but I can attest for the serving thingy.   Seems every six shots or so I was pushing the serving back up the string to close the gap.  Oh, I tried the trick of pinching the brass nocking points above and below the release contact point which didn't take long to create a large gap to appear on the right side of my beard.
 
Anyway, at first I found the calipers somewhat cumbersome as the pincers, unlike my bearing release, doesn't pivot.  The good news, I have not had a problem with the serving.   I seem to be (slowly) getting use to the calipers and, I can hit the dam target three times in a row from, twenty yards out.......  how cool is that??  And they said "bearing style releases" are more forgiving.
 
I make it a point to practice no less than twice daily shooting 4 rounds of three arrows from twenty yards out with a 55 lb draw.  As opening day draws nearer, I'll turn the draw weight up by  1 to 2 pounds until I can draw and hold 65 lbs at 65% let off.
 
I know it is recommended to practice wearing the clothing of which one will be hunting in  but today, is very warm so I shall be wearing only my new 800 gram Thinsulate 8" high waterproof Wolverines and a pair of my favorite shorty shorts. 
 
Now there is a picture to be painted in the minds eye, of those people that know me.  So the next time yinz are sitting  in your favorite tree getting bored, waiting on Mr. Trophy, just remember me practicing with my new caliper release.
 
Good luck to all and to all, from your tree, do not fall.
 
 
Safety first, wear that harness. 

eyes, you hunt in 2B right?  so, you'll get to start this weekend?
 
so glad i bought a crossbow for my son when he was 10.  hands down the best time of the year to be in the woods.  he missed a great 8 a few years ago (i misjudged the distance - clean miss) but other than that hasn't shot at one with the x-bow.  have had plenty of close encounters though and have seen some great sights you normally don't get to see in gun season when deer are often moving quick.   
 
i love the mentored program!  although, he's 12 now so he'll be toting his own weapon into the woods, which during archery season means i'll be watching since i sold my vertical bow 10 years ago.  
 
love our ground blind.  i hate tree stands, but he loves 'em.  have some friends with 2 man ladder stands set up around their property.  although this year, i guess i can send him up while i sit on the ground 

I got somme studs on cam....

eyesandgillz
You don't use a string loop for your release?

 Yes Eyes, past two years I used both the string and metal type "D-Loop" and they did make a difference with with wear/separation on the serving.  The metal "Loop" was very close to the string and posed a problem in that, the bearing release would barely close and sometimes hesitate before releasing. Also, I had difficulty in holding my set points precisely, each and every time, as  I developed a bad habit of allowing my release hand to drift right of string and I think it was because the extra 1/2" added by the loops.  There did not seem to be the same "feel of the string" as when not using a loop.  
 
As my luck would have it, I shoot a 29" draw and that is the minimal to which my bow can be set or I think readjusting to a 28 1/2" draw may have been just the ticket for using a "loop".
 
So far the calipers (and they are cheap) have caused no problems at all so I'm thinking of investing in a better quality release which will be shorter in construction and, should help with the draw length.
 
To think, it's only taken 25+ years but, like they say in the old country; "Yinz is never too old to learn".
 
 
Good luck and hunt safely.
 
 

The defiant is shooting great stands been up over a month now I CAN NOT WAIT!!!! I'm super pumped this year for hunting season between archery and duck season I'm gonna be a busy guy till April and steelhead on Sundays , been seeing a lot of nice bucks hope this year is the year I finally put one on the wall

Eman89so
I can't even show you these....

Pictures or it didn't happen.
BTW, flocks and flocks and flocks been flyin over the house last couple of days.
 
BH

Good stuff.  I always debated if I should get a bear tag "just in case" but I haven't the past couple years.  Did see some bear scat while scouting in northern 2B on Friday.  

Bear rugs are expensive but a tanning job is much cheaper- still a lot though.
The meat is excellent as far as wild game goes.
Don't listen to those who have never actually had one but 'have heard all about it'.
The only thing about the meat is a very different oily feeling fat when handling it.
NEVER cut open the stomach or entrails--yucky stuff in there.
Kinda reminds me of beef without all the tasty fat on the steaks-- makes nice roasts on the grille.
Double wrap it in foil with some bacon and tomatoe on it so it wont dry out too much while cooking.
They can be heavy boned so make a good broadside boiler room shot.
Perhaps angled slightly forward towards the opposite leg.
Don't be surprised if you don't pass through- they are tough critters.
Good luck.