I was shooting an 870. It was operator error more than anything. I had the plug out for turkey season and my buddy reminded me just before we got into the blind to check to make sure it was plugged. Luckily, I keep my plug in my hunting bag, so I quickly stuck it in so we could start blasting. I was in a hurry and I didn't realize that I put it in backwards. After the 2nd flock came in, my gun failed to load new shells into the chamber because the spring in the mag tube was caught up on the plug. We were in the midst of an onslaught and I was in single shot mode. I'd pull the barrel off to try and get the plug out but then another flock would come dive bombing in, so I'd quickly put the barrel back on, take my one shot and then take it apart again. Wash, rinse, repeat for 15 or 20 minutes with flocks coming in non-stop. Finally, I found something I could use to pull the spring out with and corrected the problem . . . just in time for the geese to stop flying.
That sounds like a massive pain in the dick. Though, at least you didn't do what a friend of mine did. He forgot to put his plug in until we got into the blind. As he was putting it in, a group locked up on our decoys and was coming in fast. In his scramble to to get everything back together, he apparently didn't tighten the end cap enough--or at all. So the group comes in and two shots later, his end cap, plug, and spring fly out of the blind and right into the Chesapeake. He was less than pleased.
I bought myself a tandem axle 8x16 hydraulic drop down ice house, it also has doors in the back for hauling a wheeler. In the process of putting in a side door, some bunks, and an oven/range. I'll get some pics up when I'm done. Absolutely cannot wait to get out on the ice now.
No pics of the ice house yet. But what I do have is some pics of being out on the Big Lake[Superior] and some kings we caught. Note, not me in the picture but I did catch 2 of them. Spoiler Spoiler
Does anyone have any experience with Sitka Gear? Looking to invest into some. <a class="postlink" href="http://www.sitkagear.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.sitkagear.com/</a>
This article was published a few months ago, but is still interesting... Scent-Lok is being sued for false advertising: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/hunting/2013/07/something-stinks-scent-lok?src=related&con=outbrain&obref=obnetwork" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/ ... =obnetwork</a>
Look I don't want to piss anyone off who may swear by Scent-lok or any of the other products but the shit is a gimmick. They don't work. I used to smoke in my deer stand and still take deer every year, wore the same boots I had on at the bar the night before, smelling like stale beer and piss.
I've thought it's bullshit all along, just thought it was interesting someone finally took 'em to court for it.
I was going to say. As long as you don't smell too foreign deer don't seem to notice. I once spilled diesel gas on my pant leg before going out and the deer noticeably caught wind of me and took off. I'd say breaking up your outline is probably most important.
Most of the deer around here are used to human scent because they're in the vicinity of farms all the time. Even if that shit did work, it would be pointless unless you're hunting in the wilderness.
I've heard similar opinions from Dr. Kroll (Dr. Deer) during his seminars at the Texas Trophy Hunters Extravaganza. He wouldn't name any big companies, but the only scent blocker he said that he liked was a sort of skunk scent that stopped being produced years ago. I have pissed out the back of my stand while deer were around and they didn't do a damn thing. I agree with breaking up your outline is most important. I have sat under a tree with deer walking within 5 feet of me without any scent blocker on. As long as I stayed still and quiet they would look at me, but would move on after a while.
I know a heavy equipment mechanic who would shoot some monster deer in his work coveralls. Hydraulic fluid, grease, diesel, the whole bit. Deer can smell several time better than dogs. Ponder that for a minute.
At one time I wore the clothing that had silver in it. I think it works pretty well. Hunting from the ground, I have had deer within feet of me. Some directly downwind. I now use a scent killing body wash and wash my clothing in the same brand laundry detergent. I think it helps but not as much as the silver clothing. I hunt wide open fields, thick hardwood bottoms and timber company land consisting of mostly pine trees. I haven't been winded in several years and most of the time I don't bother with wind direction.
After a long night of drinking whiskey last deer season, I had a civil war going on in my bowels. When I finally realized I couldn't hold it anymore, I ran off as far as I could from my stand, which was only about 20-25 yards and dropped trou. The result looked like a crime scene and smelled even worse. 15 minutes later, I had a doe and a buck walk so close to me I could have killed them with a bayonette.