Frank's outdoors...

This past weekend, went back to the lease to try and get on that big 14pt.  Unfortunately, didn't get on him, but got some good pictures of a nice 8pt working a scrape.  Been tough getting in position.  I grabbed my portable 11' South Texas Tripods & Feeders tripod , and tried to setup on the scrape, but the action I saw were 2 does that came out about 40-45yds away, and I am just not comfortable with that shot. By the way, it was GORGEOUS weather out there... sitting in the stand and 50 degrees was perfect.  No skeeters, etc..

Opening weekend came and went with nothing taken this trip.  However, I did have some pretty good excitement that I have never seen. Opening morning, I saw the biggest deer of my life.  A tall-tined, chocolate antlered 14 pt.  Its the best count I have, need to get him on the ground to get an accurate count, but double crab claws on his upper main beams of an otherwise 10pt, and little kickers here n there. Sunrise was at 7:13am, and about 5 minutes later I see movement about 50-60yds in front of me through the woods.  This deer (coming from the right) goes behind my protein feeder, and around the corn feeder, and passed me to my left.  I was thinking, "why isn't he going to the feeders???"  That became very evident when he took a sharp turn at the treeline to my left, and came in behind me to a scrape that was 7yds from my tree!!!  Of course, no chance at a shot on him through the tree I was in, but I could turn and see the whole thing. ...

My buddy Mark found the old fella back and still alive after the crossbow shot on his shoulder last season on opening day archery.  He appears to be no worse for wear and still in the area.  Oh yeah, and his rack has grown!

Well, if you recall, last year I purchased a bow (see post on my Mission by Mathews ) in anticipation of using it on our lease... well, that was squashed when the lease was sold.  This year, I am back in business and in the past 3 weeks I have actively gotten the bow sighted in and begun to practice. I am the first to admit that I am NOT Robin Hood with this thing.  I will also say though that I have practiced and researched technique, and I am improving.  My main focus is to focus on technique and practice as much as humanly possible before the season.  If you have the time, there is tons of information and opinion on how to improve technique and form.  For simplicity's sake, I have condensed it down to these 3 things: Consistent anchor position.  Each and every time to insure the same sight picture. Do NOT grab the bow with your hand, but let it lightly rest in your holding hand so as not to torque the bow. Relax and have fun.  Again, I am no...

Guess who bought a bow?  That's right, I did.  I have been chatting up a few of my friends (Mark, Aaron, and Paul)  for almost 2 years now, and finally they have broken me down.  I bought a Mission Venture (by Matthews).  I will get into all of the setup later, but I can tell you it is a TON of fun to shoot!  I haven't shot a bow in over 15 years, and this was as easy as can be to get started.  Now, accuracy to hit the bulls-eye is something that will take refinement, but just shooting is a treat. I went to Bowzone in Spring and was working with Richard.  This guy knows his stuff!  He matched me to my bow, and I got the kit that comes with a quiver, Tru-glo site, stabilizer, and upgraded to a fall away arrow rest.  Beman ICS Hunter arrows to round it out.  I am likely going to go with a fixed blade broadhead, probably the 100-gr Muzzy 3-blade.  I haven't bought a release or case yet, but I was practicing with a Scot release,...