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Anything Goes Thread 2023

8827 Views 185 Replies 24 Participants Last post by  repsag
Started a thread last year about preparation during the summer and what everyone was up to that I really enjoyed .
Want to start something similar a little earlier this year and hopefully guys will participate. I know I will.
Anyhow sometimes a random thought may pop into your head or you purchased a new piece of equipment that you would like to mention but you don’t feel it’s worthy of its own thread . Maybe you had a cool experience you would like to share or a question . This would be a good place to do it because as the title of thread states….. anything goes .
Anyhow I went out scouting today and it was wonderful. Found a lot of sign that was widespread and spent a lot of time walking around and through a giant clear cut . Found an obvious buck bed on a point in that clear cut that’s almost impossible to get near without getting busted. Also found a spot that I have been ignoring for years because it didn’t look that attractive to me from a distance. Kind of funny how sometimes there are spots right under your nose that you miss year after year and one day the lightbulb goes off and you realize it could be really good . That actually happens to me a lot . I don’t know why but perhaps experiences in other locations changes my perception. Anyhow its basically on a hillside that I thought was steep all the way to the top but after walking it I discovered there is a huge bench halfway up it . The woods are a couple hundred yards wide with a clear cut on each side . It will make a perfect rut spot but also a good early season spot if acorns are dropping. Long walk but relatively easy to get to and overlooked. I honestly will be shocked to find another guy hunting there . A lot of factors as to why but too lengthy to explain in detail.

Most importantly my number one target buck has now been identified and thought I would share it with all of you to kick things off . Also hope to read some posts as the months roll by leading up to the start of the 2023 season !

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I bought a LWCG 1.0 two years ago.I imagine the concept and similarities make them pretty compatible.I climb with one stick and that combination beats anything I've ever use.I use it as a hybrid with my saddle,depending on the situation.I did put a mesh seat on mine and that made a huge difference.
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I have a mesh sweet on my summit climber, is lighter and much more user friendly than the seat it came with. Silent, and you can push it completely out of the way easily, like it's not there when nesting the 2 sections together. Great upgrade on a climber.
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I am going to go scout after work today . Will only get a couple hours but it’s better than nothing. It’s unbelievable how busy I have been lately and the kids didn’t even start their spring sports yet .
Anyhow there is a spot I am going to check that I know where bucks are bedding. Been aware of this location for years but can’t figure out how to set up on it . Hoping this evening I will finally figure it out and perhaps find a shed . Two years ago I hunted it in the late season and had a big 10 point come in and last season I shot a coyote there in mid October. Also missed a doe in there a few years back with the flintlock.
It’s on a leeward ridge that comes to a point and has a bench below it . Long walk and hard to get in there without being winded or being seen .
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I will also agree that the kill can be anticlimactic because once you get your hands on the deer the chase is over which always leaves me feeling a little disappointed.
I might have had the old "ground shrinkage" a time or two, but I've never been disappointed to put my hands on a buck at the end of a blood trail. Heck, I don't even mind the drag out, no matter how far. That's all part of the program and I savor every minute and ever step.
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I have a mesh sweet on my summit climber, is lighter and much more user friendly than the seat it came with. Silent, and you can push it completely out of the way easily, like it's not there when nesting the 2 sections together. Great upgrade on a climber.
This is more LIKE the seat on MILLENIUM.
I might have had the old "ground shrinkage" a time or two, but I've never been disappointed to put my hands on a buck at the end of a blood trail. Heck, I don't even mind the drag out, no matter how far. That's all part of the program and I savor every minute and ever step.
I am never disappointed but there is a part of me that comes to the realization that it’s over . Also a touch of sadness that I ended a deer’s life . Just have so much respect for these animals .
Over the years I have definitely changed. I am sure some of it has to do with age but the emotional experience is now different.
The buck I shot back in November might very well be my biggest and I surprised myself with the sense of calm I had when I walked up to him . Even when I hit him and watched him thrashing around for a bit after he fell I was pretty calm . Maybe it has something to do with my body using up all of its adrenaline before the shot and nothing left to give once the deer is finally down . I have watched a lot of videos where guys can’t contain themselves in the stand after shooting a deer . Also noticed guys tackling each other once they made the recovery. Seems to be a knew trend these days . Never have been able to relate to that . Also not judging guys for it because we’re all different .
Anyhow the journey leading up to the harvest is what makes it so great for me . The scouting, practicing, messing around with gear , the anticipation of every hunt and the highs and lows are why I enjoy it so much and what makes it a year round endeavor. Without all those things leading up to the actual kill I am not sure if I would even want to do it . I would probably just be one of those guys who only hunt the openers and a Saturday here and there .
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Very well said, however, it doesn't have to be "over".....there's other states to hunt.
Very well said, however, it doesn't have to be "over".....there's other states to hunt.
My wife might not agree with you . Lol
One of these days I do want to hunt Ohio being it’s so close to me .
Usually after I kill a buck here I continue to hunt with doe tags but it’s just not the same. Doe are basically my excuse to keep hunting.
Heading out in a couple hours to do some scouting and shed hunting . Hopefully run into some turkey sign as well . Should be a really nice out there .
When I was younger scouting at this time would be the last thing on my mind because I would be too amped up for opening day of trout . Kind of miss those times because it was something I did with a close group of friends for many years. We all just sort of drifted away due to starting families.
If you’re young and haven’t started a family yet don’t take those times for granted because they go by fast .
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Shooting the recurve daily. I dropped the total arrow weight down from 510 gr. to 410 gr. and I'm really liking the 4-blade Magnus Stinger flight characteristics. Shooting this combo the best of any thus far. No idea what the FPS is @dpms broke my chronograph. :mad:
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Are you planning on shooting a bleeder or just going with two blade?
Are you planning on shooting a bleeder or just going with two blade?
With the bleeders. Just hard to see them from that angle. This was always my go-to head before crossbows. Now I remember why.
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My last vertical bow kill. Mathews compound/4-blade Magnus stinger. 15-yard shot - 60-yard recovery. Also the heaviest-bodied deer I've ever killed in PA. 206 pounds field dressed. (I've got a shot at topping that this year.)
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Did you ever try those Stingers out of a xbow? I shot my VPA's out of mine last fall, perfect flight to 50 yds.
Tbrom me and you shoot about the same weight recurve arrows. What spine are yours? Those stingers have to be about the best thing going for screw in resharpenable or replacable blade heads for a traditional setup.
No idea what the FPS is @dpms broke my chronograph. :mad:
Thats what you get for putting the bomb I gave you next to your expensive chronograph. :D
Did you ever try those Stingers out of a xbow? I shot my VPA's out of mine last fall, perfect flight to 50 yds.
Yes. I got them to fly good out of one model, but for the most part, they sucked. I had great success with Tuffheads, which are similar to VPA's.
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Tbrom me and you shoot about the same weight recurve arrows. What spine are yours? Those stingers have to be about the best thing going for screw in resharpenable or replacable blade heads for a traditional setup.
400 spine cut at 29".
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54 pounds @ 28" draw.
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I agree 100% about the Stingers. I have a lot of time to keep playing around, but I'm pretty certain this will be my setup. I raised my nock point, switched to three fingers under, and started anchoring off my nose. I'm laying them in there all day long now at 15 yards. I'll be good to 20 by fall.
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Thats what you get for putting the bomb I gave you next to your expensive chronograph. :D
You're a terrorist. :mad:
Sounds great todd. My bow is about #44 at my draw. I shoot 600 spine at 29.5. I use 18 grain inserts ans 150 tips They finish at about 420 and bareshart really nicely. Ive considered going down a little on length and adding 50 grains in front, but i hate fixing what isnt broke.
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