Hello fellow hunters

Hello everyone, I read about this site in the NAHC LM forum and came to check it out.
 
A little about me, my name is Blake and I'm in NE IL.  Hobbies include any kind of hunting I can find time to do, personal favorites include deer, coyote, and goose, but also pheasant, dove, duck or anything else I can find a place to hunt for.
 
Next big hunt I'm trying to line up is an elk hunt in CO for my father's 55th birthday this year.  I'm hoping for OTC bull in the 2nd rifle season.  Can't wait to hear about everyone's hunts.... 

                  Glad you could join us! I guess alot of us are moving over. There's alot of good guys here. Hope you enjoy it!!
 
Paul

Hunt Hard, Hunt Safe and enjoy what you got in life
Paul Snyder
LM NAHC,NRA,SCI,DU

Unfortunately, this year I did not take any deer.  I had high hopes as I had drawn a permit to hunt in a large state park run.  I hunted for 2.5 days straight and had almost 30 does come within 50 yards.  I did see one nice 10 point buck 300 yards out in the swamp, but never came close. 
 
On my last day hunting I did get a shot off at a doe, but my arrow hit a small branch I didn't see and deflected over her back.  One drawback of hunting the public land is the requirement to use a treestand and you cannot cut or damage any trees (no lanes to shoot).  I ended up setting up in a a small tree with no cover to break up my outline, very hard to get a shot off.  I stuck out like a sore thumb.
 
I also hunted back at my parents back 40 when I could, but never had a deer come close enough to shoot.

Welcome to the forum!  Hey, it's the getting out there that counts.  Have a good time and as far as I'm concerned, it's a success.  I hope you're able to get a good elk hunt lined up for you and you Dad.  If you have never been out West you will have the time of your life!!!

Mike Stephenson
aka Topgun----30-06

Howdy Pard, welcome to the site Blake.

Old Cowboys never die, they just keep riding the Range.