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Hey everyone, just last year I started getting into the realm of traditional archery. After shooting my compound bow extensively for the last 11 years I decided to try something a little different and more challenging thus went traditional. I am now shooting a 64" Carpathian Traditional Archery (CTA) Redstag Longbow 57# @ 28" draw.

And I've got to say I have not touched my compound since! I started out shooting carbon shafts but now have ventured into the craftsmanship and traditional feel of wooden arrows. Made my second dozen batch a week ago along with a self-made B-50 Flemish Splice string, and am very happy with the results. Now with all this snow I am looking for a great day to shoot them and I am anxious to use them this hunting season.

So who all shoots traditional? and have you had any luck hunting?

BTW: I am on our desktop, I'll have to get onto my laptop in order to post some pictures (I have all my pictures on my laptop)

Hey everyone! I know it's been a long time since I last post and I apologise for that. But my summer has been kinda busy. I now am back in college for my third semester (started yesterday). I know I missed out on a lot that has been going on, and I will try to check in as much as my schedule will allow.
 
I would like to thank Daryl and Rockinbar and anyone else who watched over the Junior Outdoorsmen section for me and for Jay for posting some real interesting stories, and keeping the section of the board alive!
 
 
I may dissappear from time to time and not post in a while, but believe me when I say I will never forget this wonderful board and the friendly members who post here! I will check in from time to time!
 
Wishing everyone the best!
 
God bless :angel:
 
~12 gauge~

[I am not taking her anywhere! I am going to pick her up!]

A old man just had his 50th anniversary, and his best friend asked him: "Hey man! Congratulations with being with your wife for 50 years! How did you manage to keep your marriage a success?"

The old man looked up at his friend and said gently: "I travel with her all over the world!". His best friend then said "Wow! Great idea man! Where did you take her on your 25th anniversary for example?"

The old man responded: "Well for our 25th anniversary I took her to Bejing, China". His friend then responded, "That's nice! Where are you taking her for yall's 50th anniversary?"

The old man then smiled and said:



"I am not taking her anywhere! I am going to pick her up!" :laugh:

Happy Turkey Day everyone!!!!
 

 
Yall go out now and eat some turkey and give thanks! Thanks for god to create such a beautiful world to live in and the blessings of your family and friends!
 
I wish yall a great and enjoyable thanksgiving!
 
God bless all! :angel:

Bluewater (41), PSO (38), RatherBHuntin (37), ThunderBuck (35), 19ktanker (34), 1979brj (28)
 
Wishing you all a happy birthday!
 
RBH, hope your birthday was good and enjoyable!

God bless all :angel:

Well I don't know if it is because of the Thanksgiving holiday or just because there is a shortage of gas (doubt). But here the gas prices went up from $2.65 instantly up to $2.93 in some places and in others a little over $3!
 
Diesel now is over $3.20 and usually it is cheaper than gas! What is going on? Have any others seen this happening?
 
I am guessing it is due to the holidays and after Christmas it will drop back down to it's 'normal' prices...
 
God bless :angel:

Well I know here in Virginia it is indeed illegal to keep any wild animal as a 'pet'. But here around the house we've been having a 5-6 pointer and a doe hanging around and is not afraid of me or my family.
 
Personally I think the buck and the doe trust me enough so far because I've walked out to them about 20 yards away and they just stared. Then before I know it the doe walked up to me and was roughly 10 feet away! I recon she thought I had food on me. But basically these deer are becoming so called "pets" I would certainly not hurt these deer in any manner.
 
Sitting on the front porch with my folks they walk up to 25 yards away and eat. Any noise or moves we make they ignore and they occasionally look up to make sure we aren't making any sudden moves, but other than that they are at peace.
 
I know the dangers of approaching a wild animal, so I am well aware of the capability, strength and territory of these animals. But I trust they are more curious than anything.
 
 
Has anyone else had this experience where you watch a wild deer in the summer time or off season and instead of being afraid they are more curious and they approach you?
 
I just thought I'd share this story as a peaceful and moments that will be in my memory forever. I've never had any wildlife approach me and be that close (10 feet!) and not fear me.
 
God bless :angel:

I am off to college! These 13 years of school has come and gone (1 being kindergarden :smiley: )
 
I am set for Germanna Community College here in Virginia and then I will transfer after my associates degree to VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University). As far as a plan to go, I will minor in Marketing and major either in Computer Technology or Computer Programming.
 
School starts the 22nd and I can't wait to get started! Community college will offer me the credits needed through base courses as a gurantee transaction to VCU.
 
I will keep in touch throughout this time with everyone. And hopefully my hunting and fishing season isn't too affected by my class schedule come this fall
 
I wish everyone the best and god bless! :angel:

Well my friend Shaler came up from Florida to spend part of the summer with me and my family. So I figured what better time than to go fishing?? Well yesterday we did just that on Lake Anna.
 
The day went partially smooth except the wind was blowing 15 mph which made boat control a little difficult but I wasn't bothered by it much .
 
As far as catches, I caught a bluegill, crappy and a bass. Shaler landed a 12" bass, which I was proud he did!
 
We had a great time on the water and we will be heading out sometime soon!

Here are the pix...
 
Shaler:
 

 
and good ol' me!
 

Yesterday I was down at the pond fishing and I seen a huge turtle surface a few times. I've seen this turtle before and I wanted to get him out of the pond because he had done killed a pound and a half bass (bit off the tail) and a few bluegill. He was surely a nuisance, so after a few attempts of taking him down with my .177 cal pellet gun and having no effect I decided to live up to my name.
 
You guessed it! I brought out my 12 g. single shot! Seen him surface 10 yards away...BOOM!
 
I shot him yesterday (mom and dad witnessed), and he ended up floating today when I found him while fishing. He is easily 19" long (I didn't have a ruler; but I wear a 11 1/2 size shoe...)
 
Here are the pictures...
 

 

 
 
you can see where his head was destroyed thanks to the #1 buckshot below....  
 
 

 
and my measurement (of my foot...)
 

 
This proves that when you are an amphibian, reptile, mammal or any creature, you really can't stand a chance against a 12 gauge!!
 
I think there is one more in the pond that is bigger than this one. I will keep searching and wait. When that day comes he will be in heaven with his little brother! :angel:
 
 
God bless :angel:

I am more of a bass fisherman than anything. But here are a few pictures from last year and this year.
 
37" striped bass caught out of the chesapeake bay April 20th 2006:

 
 
13" bass caught out of our local lake (Lake Orange):

 
Went with dad on Lake Anna fished around for 30 minutes and hooked into these two. (ps forgot my camera at home, so I took pictures at home):
 

 
A 2 pounder I caught on the hot side of Lake Anna, we had a club tournament there in December, it was 19 degrees outside, but thanks for the discharge side of the powerplant the water was in the 60s. My hair is messy because of the mask I wore.
 

 
Here's me with the mask I wore standing next to my buddy Randy Beasley II, he ended up catching three bass (this one he is holding was his biggest) and my one two pounder (caught on spinner-bait) beat his three.
 
 

 
 
There will be plenty more bass caught this year! Just need to bring the camera! :laugh:

For all those in the class of 2007 who graduate today, I tip my hat to you all. Your acchievements and goals in high school are what determine your future!
 
There are many who graduate along with me. I wish those who are good luck in the future and may that important walk to the stage be a safe and enjoyable experience for all!

God bless to all!

12 gauge aka Randy

My folks decided to get my graduation gift yesterday. So they took me out (I was out of school due to inclement weather *snow*), to a Chevrolet Dealership and said that there was a brand new, 2007 Chevy Silverado, snow white, long wheel base, 8ft bed, automatic transmission, AM/FM radio, heater/AC, with a V6 for $18,000! So we went up there and looked at it and it was the truck of my dreams! (needed one to haul my boat, go to work in, etc.)
 
So I traded in my "Rat Mobile" (2000 dodge neon) for $1,500 and basically paid off part of it, my dad knew a guy in the dealership (our neighbor's brother in law) and he cut us a deal. The total would have come to $19k but with the deduction/deal, trading in the car, etc. They lowered it down to $15,700! My dad paid $10,000 (as he did with my brother and sister with their new vehicles so he is passing down the tradition; I am the last one to get it though lol) and I owe him the rest, which I already have $2k in the bank so all I owe him is $3,700.
 
It is a beautiful truck, I will take pictures this evening and post em!
 
God bless :angel:

I finally bought my first boat entitled to myself last night! It was a 12' heavy aluminum jon boat with a 27#, twin prop trolling motor with a 5 speed forward and 3 speed reverse hand gear! It was built back in 1950 and it looks brand new! All it needs is a little cleaning and washing and it will be good to go. It came with the title, the registration numbers, and two swivel seats for $375!
 
We had to drive all the way to Waynesboro (sp?), Va to pick it up; it was at least a 1 1/2 hour drive up there.
 
But regardless the boat is MINE and she is in top shape (after cleaning). I will post pictures of it once I clean it, the weather just needs to warm up it is about 30 degrees outside at 10:00am :frown :cry: , they are calling for a high of about 40-45 so that will be O.K.
 
 
God bless

Hey everyone! It certainly has been a while since I logged one last! I missed everyone and things for me have been going on and on. For one thing this is my last year in HighSchool and now I got College to look forward to, so I been planning on where and what to do as far as college is concerned. Another thing is finding a job somewhere near here. Probably all I can get would be something like Food Lion, Sheetz, etc. Also our bass club has been going all over the place, we had the Bass-A-Rama show last weekend, we have a tournament this weekend on the Hot Side of Lake Anna, etc.
 
Well I am glad and happy to say I am back on THL! I've missed the joy of being here but now I am getting that joy back! It's good to see everyone and I see there are tons of new members here who are posting and making friends!
 
I will get to moderating my section of the forum asap, thanks Jay Edward, RatherBHuntin, and everyone else who has "checked" the Jr. Hunters section.
 
Good to be back and seeing everyone again!
 
God bless to all! :smiley:

Just thought I'd let everyone know that I have a fishing tournament at Claytor Lake on the 12th. I will be leaving tomorrow (10th) and the pre-fish is 11th. So I will be gone from tomorrow and probably will come back either Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
 
This is my 2nd MAJOR tournament where we will be facing guys and fishing groups from all over the state. Hopefully this time I will have better luck and at least catch a bass unlike I did at Gaston...
 
Wish me luck all! I would really like to get the 1st place prize!!!  
 
I will be sure to post about the trip either Saturday or Sunday :D
 
Take care all and BEHAVE! :D
 
God bless :D

Hey all, Just wanted to inform everyone that I will be going to Gaston this evening and I won't be back online (or home) until Sunday. We are having a big tournament this weekend at Lake Gaston and we will be competing against all the other bass fishing clubs in the state!
 
When I do get back either Saturday or Sunday (more probable) I will let everyone know how things went and how I did. I will miss everyone while I am gone, but I will be glad to share my adventure with everyone.
 
So wish me luck on the tournament, I gotta go to pack, I've got until 4:30 this evening to pack up for it, might as well go ahead and jump on it.
 
See yall on Sunday!
 
God bless :D

Hey everyone, sorry I haven't been on the forum in a little while but I got some splendid news to tell everyone...
 
I joined my school's 4H Angler Club, and Sunday (May 21st) we had a tournament competing with other 4H Anglers at our school. This was my first tournament I had been to and I've mainly done cat fishing and not bass fishing, but I wanted to know more about bass fishing so I joined the club.
 
At the tournament we had a total of 15 members (not including adults this is a youth tourny) including me, at the Lake of the Woods in Locust Grove, Virginia. I had paired up with a partner and we got our boat captain, and we fished from 2:00pm until 6:00pm. That entire time I had caught a 10 in. bass and a 5" rock bass. Which personally I thought I wouldn't get a good placement so I didn't give up. I fished til the 5:50 pm limit before we headed back to the dock but I still didn't get anything. Oh well, I thought, might as well take what I get. When we got back to the dock, to my surprise the anglers who had more experience and more time fishing under their belt didn't catch a thing! I had done better than most people in our tourny.
 
My total weight came up to 1 pound 10 ounces, and much to my surprise I came in 4th place! It is outstanding news for me, as I thought I would get creamed. But I am looking forward to our next tournament! Hopefully this time I will be able to get a better ranking!!
 
So I am pretty pleased with my results of my very FIRST bass fishing tournament. Even won tons of baits and magazines from the holder of the tournament (also my science teacher) Mrs. Becky Gore.
 
Next tournament I am ready to give it 100% and try some new techniques as this being my first tournament I just flipped out my spinner bait, crank bait and all hardbaits, next tourny I am going with soft baits! (plastic worms, etc.)
 
The next tourny I believe is at Lake Gaston, so if anyone is living or residing around that area or knows that lake I would be very appreciative if you are willing to give me some pointers or locations that you know are some pretty good bass spots!
 
Thanks all and god bless!

For Hunterbug and Motor! Have a great birthday fellas and may god bless you many more!! :D

Howdy yall! We came back earlier than I thought we would, we left Friday around 1:00pm, and we got back today at like 3:00pm. I just been watching tv for the past hour and a half or so...
 
Our trip was a complete blast! it took 2 1/2 hours to get there, but it was well worth it. When we got there we were early, we were supposed to meet with Tony, Missy and their son Zachary in town and then go out to eat, but they didn't show up until like 6:00pm last night (we got there around 4:00pm) so we spent about 2 hours riding around and looking at the different views, etc.
 
When we finally met, we went off to a sea food restaurant, me and Tony (the man who paid for us to go on the trip) got a dozen steamed oysters (which I ate most) and we chatted around between the six of us (mom, dad, me, Tony, his wife Missy and their son Zachary; who is almost my age). After dinner we went to bed in our motel. This morning we got up early (around 5:30) and got ready, the captain of the boat told us to be at his house (where his boat is) around 6-6:30 and be out on the water no later than 7.
 
Well we got there around 6:15am and we met the captain and his first mate, loaded up everything and headed out. We went on maybe a 30 minute run out in the chesapeake (not far, you could still see land) and we started fishing. Our rig was 9 or 10 heavy duty rods with 80 pound test line and 12" jug head, they had those poles all over the boat in the rod holders (which if one gets a fish, someone takes it)
 
(BTW, the slot limit is 1 fish per person and it has to be longer than 33")
 
Within 3 minutes FISH ON! First one to take the pole was Missy, she was skinnier and smaller than me! She grabbed that pole and the fish almost yanked her in lol! The first mate gave her the belt with the rod holder in it and she kept her balance while fighting the fish, once we got it aboard (after 3 minutes of fighting) they measured it out and everything, it was a nice 37" striped bass! I got pictures but unfortunatley everytime I try to download my pictures into the computer it has an error and it kicks me off line. But I will try what I can on this post (try different things) to see if I can get some images.
 
About 10 minutes later another pole went off, my turn! I grabbed the pole and of course didn't need the belt, I reeled it in without a problem, this fish was 38" 1 inch bigger than Missy's. After that Tony and Missy's son Zachary reeled in a 33" er. So that's three keepers so far. We goofed around a few minutes and then from the horizon we seen some big ships comming, one was a cargo ship and another was a big yacht. I got the picture of the cargo ship downloaded to the computer after fighting with the computer for a bit...and I didn't waste time with the yacht...
 
Here's the cargo ship:
 
After bickering around and talking, etc. another fish hit the line, this one was my mom's, she grabbed the pole and reeled it in, and it was 38" same as mine. And after her my dad reeled in a 36"er which we had 5 keepers at that time. Tony hooked into another 33"er but we didn't keep it, he said throw it back. Come round two, Misty had the first hit, 37"er again and then me again...
 
But this time it was something different! Once I grabbed the pole and started reeling it in, it felt like I was snagged, but yet I could reel it, etc. Then the tugging surprised me, it was a nice sized fish! Within 2 minutes my left arm which was holding the pole was worn out, but I was persistent (like most teenagers these days ) and continued on. It wound up being a 5 minute fight before I even seen the fish, and finally when it came aboard, realization hit us, instead of one BIG fish I had two decent sized fish!! DOUBLE WHAMMY! We were fishing with split rigs and even rigs that simulated a school of fish. And on my split rig, I had two stripers, one was 37" and the other was 30". No wonder I got a bit tired after a while lol! My arm and hands were so clamped I couldn't barely open my hand and fingers from holding onto that pole (I didn't want to loose it lol)
 
Well after that, 30 minutes went by and nothing. So we packed up and left, got back to the captains quarters ( ) and they cleaned the fish. Then we headed home...
 
It was a great day of fishing, and a day I would never forget. Expecially with the double whammy lol.
 
Can't wait to get these pictures down loaded so I can show you all. Once I do get them downloaded I will post em!
 
God bless