Kayser

I was using NAP Thunderheads, 100 gr. Fixed blade, with replaceable blades. I think the shot was too forward and low, and stuck in her leg. I did, however, get another chance last Friday morning. Deer came across the field, and into the trees 20 yds north (right, upwind) of my stand around 7am. He hit a shooting lane, I made a noise, he stopped and I shot. Couldn't find blood or the arrow, so I backed out, went to town for breakfast, drove around and scouted ducks, came back and found him 50 yds from the shot, already stiff. Found the arrow broke off in him, shaft in the heart and lungs, broadhead poking out 1/2" on the far side. Antlers were less than 3", so I was able to use the antlerless tag. Good first deer- nice body, no rack to speak of. Left the woods happy.

It doesn't. As a recent college grad, I can attest to this.

#6 black, of my own creation- two layers of .20 lead wire on the shank, rubber legs.

I guess not. Went to the range today, dialed in a little better. Hopefully I'll put it a little higher next time, and a little further back. I guess I just wasn't thinking about the arrow's path, and just missed the spot. Friday's gonna be good weather again, maybe I'll get another chance.

Went out last Saturday morning- cold, slight breeze, overcast. Sat in a burr oak next to a picked corn field in the river bottoms. Around 7.30, a 4-point buck chased a nice doe across the field to me- just inside a limb I stuck in the ground at 30 paces. Drew, aimed, and finally connected! Felt good after 7 years of trying. She was mostly broadside headed left, slightly facing me, head turned back to the right, and the arrow hit just behind the shoulder below the center-line and stuck. She lowered her head, sort of moaned, spun and ran off into the swamp. Waited over an hour, then went looking for blood. Found the arrow near the shot, less 4" length, with 5" blood up the remaining shaft. After about 300 yds, the blood trail went cold in the saw grass. Nothing. Searched for 5 hours, then another 1.5 with a dog later. Nothing. The only thing I can think of is that I hit too far forward and low and the arrow missed low, breaking off when it hit the opposite leg? I feel like hell for losing her in the swamp. Anybody know what could have happened?

Nobody really likes killing, but it has to be done to get meat. I feel that it's best done by having as much respect for the animal as possible. To kill fish, just put them in a cooler with ice. They lack the neural system responsible for feeling pain and distress that mammals (like us) do. This method draws the blood from the meat into the internal organs (tastes better, less mess), keeps the meat fresh/reduces waste, and makes the fish easier to clean. I think the most respect I can have for the lives I'm taking is to use as much of the animal as I can, and the ice reduces waste. If I don't have cooler space for catfish, I have a tool for that- my dad took the butt end of a pool cue, drilled it out and filled it with lead, then wrapped it in electric tape to keep it from splitting. The "cat bat" will make a big flathead quiver with one good hit. Quick, humane, effective. And as far as throwing suckers onto the banks- you are seriously missing out on the best eating fish in MO streams. People gig them for a reason. Just scale, score, bread and deep-fry in hot oil. White meat, kinda sweet. Spotted bass are pretty darn good, too. Haven't found a use for carp yet, though...

When did you find them? Maybe I was out too late.

IL has them spread out pretty much anywhere- I found a BIG patch of them a few weeks ago on the bluffs while I was out squirrel hunting. As long as there isn't exposed rock, there should be a few. Once you start looking for them, they'll start popping out at you. Kinda like sassafras, or honeysuckle, in that regard.

"No commercial fishery for billfish exists in the US." What about the longliners chasing swordfish out of ME and MA? Do they go into international waters, or does the bill not deal with swordfish, and only marlin?

Glad to hear I'm not the only one that didn't find any paw paws this year. I guess the drought had something to do with it?

Edible. I'm looking for some oysters, though.

I feel the same way. But a handful of sportsmen aren't going to do a whole lot against the cattle industry in this state- follow the money, find the power. And there's a lot of money in cattle.

Do you have any videos of this "tension drift?" I like nymphing with no indicator- two BB split shot, two nymphs, 12 ft total length- but I generally only fish it in faster water, and mostly upstream. Punch the flies into the pocket, get it to bottom quick, strip in line to keep it barely taut and the flies off bottom, and hang on. Is fishing the slower water and further away just a matter of adjusting the weight?

Wild onion?

Looks like some redhorse got stuck by giggers. Tasty little suckers. Looks like they might want to refine their cleaning method- lot of meat left around the heads.

I'm 6'2", and the wire isn't cranked tight- not much of an issue there.

I'm living pretty much between Kirkwood and Valley Park on Marshall, so I could put in around 141 in 15 min or less, I think. And for all the cranks in my box, I don't have any bandits. Lots of shad-raps and rapalas, though. Some jerkbaits, and a lot of big bagley's. And what line would your recommend- is 8lb enough for those fish?

To clarify- the water isn't running in, just kind of seeping. Not nearly as bad as it could be. I did talk with the local MDC people, and they said it's an ongoing thing that they're trying to resolve, possibly through a legal recourse on behalf of the public? They were kinda vague on it, and didn't seem too thrilled about the fence from what I could tell. Something about a lack of a watergate in the stream. I also didn't see any "Posted" signs around, just the fence. Flow was better than expected, water was gin clear. Saw a few hoppers, almost switched to a big dry after a bunch of fish ate my indicator. Nothing worth writing home about, but it was good to get out again. Rob

I'm assuming that massive pit/lake on the east side of the creek is that active gravel mine? If so, that is the section where the cows are. The gravel mine really hasn't done much to affect the habitat, as it seems isolated from the stream. The degradation comes from the cows trampling the streambank into the creek, stripping it from stabilizing vegetation, and tearing up the streambed with their hooves. Lastly, it doesn't matter what we think of the habitat currently- there are still trout there, and it's still a public resource.

No run-ins with landowners or anyone else for that matter, but definitely a problem at Vida Slab. It seems that the landowner has "fixed" the barbed wire fence that goes completely across the creek downstream from the concrete bridge. The cattle have already torn up the bank in a few places since I was last there in March, and have free reign to enter the stream. A lot of mixed sand and gravel has entered the stream just downstream from these areas and has begun filling in the streambed. Now, I'm not saying I did cross the fence, but one could most likely hold it down and step over without leaving the stream. I'm just curious- is this legal? To string barbed wire across the river and give cattle unrestricted access to it? Saw a lot of cows just hanging out mid-stream, too. I do plan on calling the folks at the local MDC office, just to get some answers on it.

A very greedy heron. I've seen little green herons stab 15" bass, and then wonder what to do with it afterwards. Good shots, though- got them in the head and killed them quick.

Looks like lots of clouds and browns. Man, I've gotta get back there...

So, are you using nylon rope flies to tangle their teeth? Any kind of leader, or just mono? I've been trying to figure this out for a while, with only broken lines to show.

Went to a local oxbow lake this past weekend, hoping to have some fun with the local rough fish population. Took a few cans of corn, some nightcrawlers, and bread heels drenched in vanilla and covered with salt for dough bait. After battling little white bass on nightcrawlers, I finally managed to get my doughbait rod set up- medium treble hook and a small slip sinker. Got 5-6 bites on it, but couldn't hook any of them. I would let them pick it up, run with it, then as it pulled tight- sweep set. I would feel the resistance, and then it would just pop out. Only got hooks stuck in the catfish that came after the salt. So no carp, all afternoon. I looked at my hooks later, and noticed that the points were bent in towards the shank, kinda curious if that could've been the difference? Or have I just lost my skills?

Recent report says that Mill is dry above the ford above Bohigian. I'd wait for some more rain before you go chase the little guys.