Most Recent
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Rich from WI asks:Hi Bill, Ive been a fan of your's for years and consider you one of the best. I have drawn an Iowa bow tag about 5 times and have found the overall hunting experience to be phenominal in regards to pressure, buck sightings, friendly farmers,good public land. One thing that really worries me is the loss of habitat in Iowa. Fencerows and stands of timber are being bulldozed at an alarming rate to make more cropland. Where do you see the long-term Iowa hunting experience in ten years? Is there gonna be any cover left besides the large river drainages that are already controlled by hunters? $7 corn is taking it's toll on Iowa's wildlife isn't it?Winke Responds:Rich, For sure the high commodity prices are giving the financial incentive for farmers to make more farm ground. Little has changed in the parts of the state with poorer soils because the stuff that they would have to clear would not produce much return. So I haven't been seeing the clearing of habitat in southern Iowa much at all. Other parts of the state are a different story. Here is what the farmers face as an example: the CRP on my farm comes out next year. I can't renew it because the ground is too flat. My income on those acres will double when I lease it out for farming. While there really wasn't much deer habitat there, the CRP in theory would be home to pheasants and possibly quail (if the winters, wet springs and predators weren't so hard on them). Same tradeoff goes for people farming in good soils, but they are pushing in fencelines too and small wood lots, etc. I guess to be honest with you, I don't see it stopping until all the good soil is in production unless the price drops on the commodities. That will make for some messy bankruptcies too, as some farmers are paying prices for land that all but requires at least $5 corn for the next 20 years. If it drops, a lot of decisions will be changed, but the habitat lost will likely never come back. Regardless of the economic cycle, I think that recreational land is still a good long-term investment because there is going to be less every year for the rest of your life and your children's lives. Harsh reality. Good luck. (2-4-12)
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Jeff from MO asks:Bill, You had such a great year I would like to see a picture of your European mounts together. It would be a cool picture to have Daggers and G5 in the same picture. I guess while you are at it maybe one with G4's sheds in there too. Love the site.Winke Responds:Jeff, I will get this for you soon. I am working on putting the G4 sheds on a Mountain Mike's replica skull, but I am having a hard time getting myself to drill holes up through the bottom to mount them. Maybe I will make myself do it today. Video of the results in the off-seaon shows. Best regards. (2-4-12)
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michael from IL asks:Bill,love the show, got a question for you. I'm buying a vector 35 with a brace of 6 3/4 or vector turbo with a brace of 5 7/8 for 30 in draw acording to the tune charts. love the way the turbo holds and shoots but not sure in a hunting situation how I will like that brace, I currently shoot an alphamax, your comments? also I've shot a lot of deer over the last few years and whats worked very well for me, I use a single pin slider sight, set on 25yds, I hold dead on center of the deer out to 33yds, drop is just about right for them dropping at sound of the bow around here.Winke Responds:Michael, Good advice on the pin setting. I like that. I think you will notice the difference in the brace height more if you are a casual shooter. If you practice a lot, the extra couple of milliseconds (that's all) that the arrow is on the string won't matter much because your form should be good enough that you aren't moving the bow anyway. That is the thought anyway. In normal hunting situations, I doubt you will notice an accuracy difference but the extra speed might really come in handy. Good luck. (2-3-12)
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Matthew from OK asks:Hey bill, one more question, when is the best time to kill my grass before planting my food plot and how long should i wait to plant after i spray it? thanks.Winke Responds:Matthew, It is really a soil temperature thing, but I would say in your area, late April will work. With most glyphosate killers (RoundUp and variants), wait ten days or so to till and then plant immediately if spring blends like clover. If you are planting a fall blend like Big N Beasty, spray in late July and till and plant in mid-August or a bit later. You try to time any good late summer rains when planting the fall seeding. That way you get a nice jump start on germination. You can't afford to miss a single late summer rain so watch the weather and make sure to get the seed in the ground if there is rain the forecast past about the first of August. Good luck. (2-3-12)
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Jacob from MI asks:When did you frost seed last year? are you planning on the same time this year? and lastly would these times roughly coincide with when I should Frost seed here in MI.Winke Responds:Jacob, I may frost seed some of the plots that got killed off from the drought, but some of those are bouncing back surprisingly well on their own. I did my frost seeding in February last year (late Feb.). Anything in that time frame would be good for MI and other parts of the Midwest. Good luck. (2-3-12)
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Jordan from IA asks:Bill, if the winter here in the midwest continues to be extremely mild do you think this could result in a better than average antler growing year? If we continue to stay dry maybe that will end up off-setting the easy winter months. Your thoughts? God bless.Winke Responds:Jordan, I would say so. Deer express their body health in their antlers. If they are healthy, they grow bigger antlers than if they are stressed and recovering from a very hard winter. I think the food supply is easier to access and their calorie needs are not as high so they should not have any real stress times this winter. I expect that will produce some bigger antlers this year. I don't think the dry is a problem yet. It will be if the browse doesn't spring up in late March and early April to take the deer to the time when they hit the ag fields. Good luck. (2-3-12)
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Matthew from OK asks:Hey Bill, I'm planting a food plot this spring which I usually dont do. It is a small plot only about a half acre. If the rains aren't as good, would watering it manualy be possible? And how can I keep the deer off my plot until it is mature? Will it make the deer reluctant to come into my area? Thanks MattWinke Responds:Matthew, You could definitely water it with a water truck (or large tanker wagon) and a long hose, but short of that, I don't think it would be feasible to water a plot that size. You can keep the deer off with electric fence or even a double height of woven wire fence. The electric fence needs to be set up a certain way to keep the deer out - you can search it on Google to see strategies. A couple of my neighors do this routinely, but I never have. They take the fence down and the deer find it just fine. I don't believe keeping the deer out of your plot will cause them to avoid your area in general. Good luck. (2-3-12)
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Trae from IN asks:Bill, Great show. Really enjoyed the main show and the addition of the daily video blogs this year. I have a question regarding how much racks lose during the 60 day drying period. I arrowed a buck in early November that grossed just short of 136" and netted around 131" at the time. In your experience what % of the original score does the rack lose in the first 60 days? Hoping the net score stays above 125" Thanks.Winke Responds:Trae, Not much at all. It is almost all in the spread as the bone in the skull dries and contracts slightly. The antlers themselves aren't going to shrivel up or anything like that. I have seen guys put boards in between the beams to keep the spread from getting smaller, but that is not actually "legal" for official scoring purposes. I am not sure if it would be better to keep the antlers on the entire skull until 60 days (my guess is yes) versus cutting off the skull cap that can more easily change shape as it dries. I would be shocked if he loses more than an inch. Good luck. (2-3-12)
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Brandon from MO asks:Bill, I enjoy the show and website a lot, so thanks for all your information and tips you and the team share. I have two quick questions. 1) Is it ok to set a brand new ladder stand this Spring before crops go back into fields, or should I wait until the Fall crops are harvested? Wasn't sure if it is ok to leave ladder stands out. 2) Can you give more tips on how to select good evening bow stands during the rut? I have limited timber cover to hunt near big ag fields, and I feel like my morning spots are the same as the evening locations. Thanks Bill.Winke Responds:Brandon, 1. Now is a great time to set the ladder stand - the perfect time actually. You can leave them out for a while (I would not go too long because the tree will grow and that puts stress on the attachment system). 2. They may be the same. In some cases, that is all you have. However, in general, you like to set up in the direction the does are moving. If the does are moving toward thick cover (mornings) you should set up there. If the does are moving toward fields to feed (evenings) you need to be closer to the food. If you have very limited cover, the stands may actually overlap (funnels between food and bed). But then your number one challenge and the number one thing you need to consider when setting the stand is making sure you can get to it and from it without the deer knowing. That may be the number one thing that affects where you hunt. Good luck. (2-3-12)
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Jared from PA asks:Bill, I have been really interested in the land manangement segments lately. I have watched your video on direct nut seeding several times now. Question, Do think you could have any success at getting direct nut seeding a valley that has just been agressively logged, if I were to just broadcast the seeds around the downed tree tops. My thoughts were. All the large canopy is gone so it should get great sunlight. The downed tops would protect from deer just eating all new growth. The ground is tore up from the equipment taking logs out. Naturally the acorns start to grow from just falling ontop of the leaves. My approach would just be to broad cast them and hope that they start on the exposed dirt. Do you think that this would work to any degree or am I just wasting my time and money. Thanks, JaredWinke Responds:Jared, I don't think so. I think you need better seed to soil contact and you need to protect the seed from the animals and birds. When you think about it, very, very, very few acorns grow for the many that hit the ground each summer. So nature's way is not the most efficient when it comes to seeding acorns. I would build a sort of tool (I have had others call them "corn seeders" that you can spud a hole in the ground, drop the acorn in and then cover it back up. About an inch deep. I have done this in small areas (up to 1/4 acre) and it worked great but takes a lot of time. Jared, I don't think your approach will work the way you want it too. Get them into the ground. Good luck. (2-3-12)
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Jarrod from IA asks:I just bought a dozen arrows and I have a 27 inch draw. The arrows were cut to 29 inches. Do you think it will be ok? Wish I would have done more research and gotten easton axis those and the rocket steelheads seem like a deadly combination!Winke Responds:Jarrod, I am guessing they will be OK. If you want to cut them shorter you might be able to get in behind the existing insert and still be long enough for your draw, but you will need to get another dozen inserts. It might work or might not depending on how long the inserts are and exactly where you need to cut them to fit correctly (I like to have the arrow overlap the rest by at least 1/2 inch). Good luck. (2-3-12)
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Jamie from IN asks:Bill, Just curious...when did you come to faith in Christ? And how do you balance your responsibilities as an active church member with your hunting schedule? I have heard you say on at least one video you have gotten out of the stand to go to church. God bless, Jamie Philippians 1:3-6Winke Responds:Jamie, I was in college and got connected with an on-campus ministry group called the Navigators. I think I was 20 at the time - at the University of Iowa. It is not that hard to balance church with hunting. I just climb down and go to church. Doesn't matter what is going on in the tree. You just decide which things in your life are the most important and that is what you do even if you feel that at the moment there is something else that you would rather do. You stick with the priorities and don't try to come up with excuses to compromise. God bless you as well. Best regards. (2-3-12)
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Michael from ON asks:Bill, Great show... Is Bubba high on your list for the 2012 season??? I imagine Big, Double G4, Bubba would be near the top... Bubba was one of my favorite bucks you have encountered... A mainframe 8 with stickers always looks awesome... Good Luck shed hunting...Winke Responds:Michael, I love that deer too. He would have been right up there with Double G4 on my list, but he is such a nomad. We didn't run camera in that area all the time, but to the best of my knowledge, he was only on the farm a few days all fall. It is hard to go after a buck that is only around occassionally and you never know when he may come back. If he is here more often (he will be 8 years old this year) I will definitely hunt him as hard as I dare. We will try to find his sheds. Man, that would be cool. In the past, he has not wintered on this farm. Good luck. (2-3-12)
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Scott from IL asks:After watching the last Illinois show I thought that the late firearm season was doe only.Winke Responds:Scott, Paul was hunting in Winnebago County, which is in the CWD zone and he was permitted to use any open tag right up until the end of the season in that area. Best regards. (2-3-12)
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Paul from MN asks:Why move to the Steelhead XL instead of the Meat Seeker - both have chisel points, 3 blade, 1.5" and 100 gr.? Bill, I enjoyed the recent questions/comments and science on broadheads. We're still shooting 2 blade 1 3/8" Snypers with great penetration and kill rates, but we will be running out soon! We bought as many Snypers as we could at Cabelas a couple years back when they were discontinued. Anyway, it sounds like you may be making a switch to the Steelhead XL. #1) Curious why you're thinking of switching and #2) if you do, why would you choose the over-the-top deployment of the XL vs. the rear deployment of the Meat Seeker since they are both 3 bl, 100 gr, 1.5" cut? Thanks for the great show this year.Winke Responds:Paul, I am conservative. I like simple things that you can see. When that blade flips over center, I know exactly what my cutting diameter will be at all times. Plus, the blades aren't super long so they don't shock the arrow too much when they open. I understand the logic behind some other styles, but like I said, the steelhead design is very simple and I like simple. Snypers were interesting heads too. I always felt that the drag from the stub end of the blade that kept it open, seemed counterproductive to me. However, Sam Collora shot that giant he killed back in mid 90s with one of them and he showed me the shoulder blade that he had to shoot through. There was a perfect hole about the size of the head when it was folded, punched right through the blade. The blades folded back when they hit the bone and snuck right through. I am not sure he would have gotten that buck with a standard that didn't fold down on that hit. Again, right or wrong, I am a simple guy. What you see is what you get with the Steelhead and Steelhead XL. You don't have to wonder what it is doing. Plus, I have killed probably over 200 deer (and other big game) with them over the years. Good luck. (2-3-12)
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Thomas from IA asks:Keep in mind that these are practices that I have enjoyed for years in the past, putting out mineral for helping herd health, put a camera on a pile of corn or a salt block. I would love to be able to continue these practices BUT I love the sport and I love being out there too much to risk ultimately hurting the resource. I believe everyone should step back and maybe think about this a little. It is OUR herd, OUR wonderful resource, WE need to work TOGETHER to do what is BEST for the deer population. My 5 year old son is champing at the bit to go deer hunting, I want it to be as wonderful of an experience as it has been for me. Of all the legislation to comes and goes, bills regarding the use of mineral/supplemental feeding may just have more impact on deer hunting as we know it that any bill before or after. Thanks for you time.Winke Responds:Thomas, I appreciate the feedback. I am sure that this argument divides hunters. I believe from a biological standpoint, the problem is excessive concentration. I think that is more important than actually what concentrates the deer. I believe keeping the numbers in balance and finding ways to keep the deer spread out while maintaining their overall nutritional and mineral needs is the key to overall health. Of course, that is very hard to legislate. Overall, I feel that mineral serves a valuable role, but knowing how to implement it correctly is the challenge. No one ever talks about how many acres per mineral site, etc. Good luck. (2-3-12)
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Thomas from IA asks:What do you think about the possible transmission of disease through mineral and/or baiting sites wether they are there for hunting purposes or for a trail camera site. Is there an inflated risk of transmission due to these and if so do we as joint owners of a terrific resourse have a responsiblity to stop such practices if there is an apparent risk of either spreading or speeding up transmission of the disease - regardless of the current state regulations for baiting/supplemental feeding of wildlife. If a risk exists, is it irresponsible to continue to put out mineral and/or supplemental food. I believe that it is irresponsible. Thanks Bill, best outdoor show ever produced. Also, no music when a buck is coming in, there is enough suspense already and we like to hear the footsteps!! Thanks again.Winke Responds:Thomas, I am sure it depends more on deer density and how many sites you maintain. For example, if you have low numbers and several mineral sites, you really aren't concentrating deer that much. Also, in a dry year, you may actually be concentrating deer more around a water hole than you ever would around a mineral site. Again, it comes down to the situation itself. I believe mineral is a good idea for animal health. Almost everyone I know uses it. I am considering it this year too. You just need to keep the deer spread out, I believe that is most important factor. If you are going to do it, use a number of locations to keep from concentrating deer. Thanks for the support. I will pass along the suggestion about the music to the producers. We have heard that from a number of other viewers too. Good feedback. Have a great day. (2-3-12)
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Zach from IA asks:Hey Bill, first off just wanted to say i love the show, i go on every morning to see the updates. My question is i have a trail cam up and all the bucks in my area still have full racks, could the G4 buck of shed early due to the stress caused when you hit him with an arrow?Winke Responds:Zach, I don't think he was necessarily that early. Several other bucks have turned up without antlers recently too, and the guys found several sets off other known bucks on other parts of the farm already too. I don't think the arrow caused the buck more than a slight problem as the wound never seemed to be infected or even appear at all on the trail cam photos. It is as if it never occured. If you look at the broadside photos and say, "Where did an arrow go through this buck?" I bet ten people would give you ten answers and all of them would be wrong. You just can't see any evidence of the hit. I am guessing that this was just the normal time when the buck sheds. It is probably somewhat regional but mostly related to genetics, is my guess. Some of our bucks shed early and some shed late, for no apparent reason. Good luck. (2-3-12)
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tyler from OK asks:have u ever thought about dropping down to a little lighter arrow and a 100gr broughhead?? i think that if you did that u would gain enough speed to help with the string jumpers?? like you i shoot an 80lb hoyt carbon matrix rkt at 29.5" and i shoot about a 440gr arrow and i gain about 9-13fps just by shooting a 100gr head vs. a 125gr head and i dont notice the bow being any louder, so i was thinking that may help u out?? and u wont be losing an cut by going to the 100gr steelhead....Winke Responds:Tyler, I agree that a fast arrow will improve results on string jumping. 20 fps can make a noticeable difference. But I think I would be too light if I dropped to 440 grains of arrow weight especially at my draw length of 32 inches (longer draw means more stored energy that hits the arrow at release). A bow and accessories can only take so much abuse from vibration and the ligthter the arrow the more abuse the bow and accessories have to take as they soak up all that leftover vibration. I believe something might be wrong with your numbers. I have never seen 25 grains less of arrow weight producing a speed gain of 9 to 13 fps. I would say 4 or 5 is what I have seen. Anyway, I appreciate the info. I am shooting an arrow around six grains per pound of my draw force now and at 32 inches, I hate drop much lower. Lots of energy getting dumped on every shot. You need an arrow with enough weight to soak most of it up. Good luck. (2-3-12)
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Dustin from IL asks:Hey bill I have a younger sister who is starting to develop a strong interest in hunting. She has been gun hunting with me now for 4 years and harvested her first good buck this year which I was really proud of her for. I am looking into getting her a bow, so she can start bow hunting with me. I want to get her a youth bow like hoyt's ruckus as she is a medium framed girl height wise (about 5'8") and i don't think a full sized bow with heavier poundage limbs would be the right option for her. Is the youth bow the right route or should i look into something different. I know your son has shot a deer with a bow before on one of the episodes and was he shooting the ruckus, if not, does hoyt make any other youth/women model bows. Also what type of arrows would you suggest i buy, what grain size tips and other options etc. for a youth bow setup. Just wanted to get pointed in the right direction and have her set up with the right equipment. Thanks bill. ps. your show is awesome and i amWinke Responds:Dustin, Drew was a lot smaller than that when he shot that deer back in 2009. He is going to try it again this year so we will gear back up for him. He killed that deer with a Trykon Jr. I think. It was a youth bow, but he was definitely a youth. In your case I would be looking more at adult bows. The Ruckus would definitely work, but my fear is that if she really enjoys it she will want a full featured, faster bow and you will be upgrading the youth bow to a full adult bow very quickly. Hoyt had a bow called the Vicxen, but I don't see it anymore, so basically, any of the adult bows should work fine for her. I notice that the Rampage XT goes down to 24.5 inches draw and 30 pounds (my guess is that she will be shooting a longer draw and eventually more draw weight), so I think you should be able to find one of those that fits her. That is a good bow. Possibly you can find a good used Vicxen on E-bay too. It is definitely worth a try. I do really like the Rampage XT. It is a lot of bow for the price. Basically has all the features of the CRX but with a molded instead of machined riser. Good luck. (2-2-12)
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Johnny from OH asks:Thanks for putting on such a great show. With this season ending, I am already looking forward to next. I am planning on putting in a few half acre or so plots this spring. I am on a low budget so I will be purchasing my seed from my local CO-OP. I would appreciate it if you could tell me what types of clovers or other spring seeds have worked well for you. Any input would be greatly appreciated.Winke Responds:Johnny, You can save that way for sure, but even when I was on a budget, I always used the blends because they tended to do better. My co-op blends often did well in good conditions but if we got too much rain one year, or too little, they tended to be less hardy. To answer your question, when I was doing it that way, I bought 2/3 ladino and 1/3 red clover. Ask for seeding rates when you buy and then adjust the amount you purchase to fit these ratios. Good luck. (2-2-12)
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Stephen from NC asks:I was looking back at your shed hunting shows from last year and it got me wondering. How many sheds do you have from Big and DG4 over the years? How many did you have for G5? Good luck searching for Big's this year!Winke Responds:Stephen, We found Big back in 2009 (from the 2008 season), 2010 and 2011. We found only side from each year. He will be on the top of our list of antlers to find this winter. On the DG4 we found one in 2009 (from the 2008 season) and none since until early last week. So that was a big deal. We have two from G5 from the 2010 season (found in Feb 2011). That is it on him. He was a smaller, non-descript generic 3 1/2 year old, so we may have him from that year too, but I don't know if anyone really looked for them. He made big jumps from 3 to 4 and from 4 to 5. Good luck. (2-2-12)
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Sean from IA asks:Hey Bill, In the past few years I have tried quite a few broadheads. Muzzy 3 blade, Muzzy 4 blade, Muzzy MX3's, Rage 2 blade, Rage 3 blade, G5 T3's, Meat Seeker 1.5" 3 blades, and Rocket Steelheads. I have killed a lot of deer with Rage 2 blades but no question about it the Meat Seeker 1.5s and Steelheads had the best performance. Now for the question...In theory wouldnt the Meat Seeker 1.5" have better penetration than the Steelhead XL as the meat seeker is a rear deploying head and the Steelhead is an over the top? Both are 1.5" but the way the heads open as well as operate in high resistance areas the Meat Seeker 1.5 would seem to penetrate better. Thoughts? Thank you!Winke Responds:Sean, Possibly in theory. I have not done the testing. I did set up a test a while back - a very scientific one using shooting machines, controlled target media, etc and the Steelhead 125 (not XL) penetrated better than any three blade, fixed-blade head on the market at that time. It was impressive. I think it is because the blades are fairly short given their cutting diameter. They don't have to push outward very far as they open being that short and then they have a flatter angle on the head once deployed getting them their wider cut. It is a good subject for testing actually. I would love to see a truly scientific test regarding the penetration of all the current mechanicals on the market. I think the Steelhead 125 would still accord itself very well. Good question. (2-1-12)
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Matt from TN asks:Bill, I just finished my 2nd year on a 350 acre lease here in west Tn. It's mainly rolling hills with hardwoods and small crp fields running in between. The only crop that is planted nearby is cotton. Our woods are full of white oak trees though. We ran 4 cameras over the summer and during the hunting season and never got a picture of a mature buck. However, my partner ended up killing an old 12 point with a very messed up rack. The area I hunted most of the year was a ridge with white oak trees and there were 3 massive rubs in there but I never saw the deer making them. We saw tons of small bucks. My question is, other than pictures, is there any other way to determine if you have many, if any, mature bucks on the property, or at least passing through? Thanks again for such a fantastic show. It is the ONLY one I watch now, because I believe its the ONLY authentic hunting show now days. Thanks for giving our Savior Jesus Christ props during the Christmas time too!Winke Responds:Matt, I appreciate the support and loyal viewership. Cameras are by far the best way of knowing what you are dealing with. The only other decent indicator you have is tracks. Really big tracks are nearly always associated with big-bodied deer and big-bodied deer are usually mature bucks. That doesn't mean that an average set of tracks is made by a young buck (some old bucks do have small feet) but you can usually assume that big tracks are from older bucks. Good luck. (2-3-12)
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Joe from ME asks:Hi Bill, Congratulations on the great season, I enjoyed watching every minute of it! Seems like the coyote population in Eastern Nebraska is booming. I saw more dogs this last season than I saw deer. Seems like no matter how many I shoot I just can't get ahead of the game. Any insight on an effective method of predator control?Winke Responds:Joe, Thanks for watching. From the experts I have talked with, you will have a very hard time ever shooting enough of them, but if you are serious about it, you need to get really good at trapping. Trappers have a much higher kill rate than hunters when it comes to coyotes. I understand they are very hard to trap because they learn fast, so study up on the best methods. But the good trappers can really take a bunch of coyotes. Good luck. (2-1-12)
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James from MN asks:Hey Bill, I was looking at the 3 blade, 2" cut meat seekers and I just can't convince myself that style of deployment will work if it doesnt have a locking mechanism once open. It seems to me if there is more pressure on the three blades than there is on that sharp pointed tip, it would just close on itself. So that makes me wonder, why don't they make a locking mechanism to keep the blades deployed till you unlock it? That would be more beneficial if the arrow stuck in the deer's body cavity I would think anyway. Thoughts? As always, thanks!Winke Responds:James, I am sure there are two schools of thought on this. Here is the opposing view to yours. If the broadhead is pentrating soft tissue the resistance on the blades will go down and the blades will tend to cut easily and thus the leverage applied to the head by the blades should be lower and potentially low enough that the blades stay open wider. My guess is that the blades will open up a bit more when passing through soft tissue - exactly what you want to happen. When the head is passing through heavy tissue (muscle, bone, cartilage) the overall resistance will be greater and the leverage caused by the blades will be great and the blades are likely to close down somewhat. Again, this is what you want to happen to aid penetratoin. I am not sure exactly how well this occurs and to what degree, but in theory it makes sense. It would be good to see this head deploying with a super slow motion camera as it goes through ballistic gel. But I am guessing that is the theory behind it. I have not hunted with the Meat Seeker. I know many who have and they really like it, but I have always been very conservative about heads. I like the simple designs and moderate cutting diameters. I have said it many times here, I love the Steelhead series. I have always shot the Steelhead 125 for the past 15 years, but this year I may try the XL. It is not a big change (only slightly larger), but for someone who has shot the same head for that long, any change is a big one. Good luck. (2-1-12)
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Brad from OH asks:Hi Bill, I have a couple questions. #1 did i read correctly that u shot G4 buck & he reappeared on trail cam? U talked about a pocket of fat above shoulder i believe. The reason I'm asking is because I shot a nice buck on Thanksgiving morning a lil high & didn't find the buck. Trailed blood for nearly 2 miles. #2 What's the odds that this same thing happened to me? Is this common to happen? Have u ever done this before G4 buck?Winke Responds:Brad, 1. correct. He has showed up many times now and looks fine. I think it hit the muscle of the hump high above the shoulder. We had blood for only about 100 yards, not much blood. Your hit may have been lower than mine. 2. As stated, I am guesing with that much blood you got into the body cavity, high and possibly just under the spine. Deer often recover from this hit. I have seen it happen a number of times. It is fairly common. Most shots are high for two reasons. First, the deer drops at the sound of the shot, to load up its legs. This is very common. Second, it is a natural tendency for some bowhunters to shoot high from a tree stand. You need to practice a number of times fromm stand height to be sure of where your bow is hitting. Yes, I have done this a few other times, unfortunately. IN nearly every case the deer survived and I hunted him again the next year and sometimes even later in the same season. If the hit is far enough into the cavity it sometimes clips a single lung and that tends to produce a kill but the deer is often very hard to recover. That is the big risk of high hit, that it clips a lung, kills the deer but the deer dies later and is not recovered. Do everything you can to reduce the odds of a single-lung hit. Good luck. (2-1-12)
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Billy from TN asks:76 yo avid hunter with Concept Arch. mini 29(99% let off)with marked contact between lower hen vane & shelf of riser to right of Rip Cord rest. With bow pressed there is 1/8" wobble in cam & 1/16" wobble in wheel as det. with eze-center laser tuning instru. Obvious lean in both to center of bow at full draw as det. with laser. Wheel & cam have roller bearings.Winke Responds:Billy, If I had to guess, I would look first at cam timing. If I am not mistaken, that one given the depth of the letoff cycle might cause some strange arrow flight if the cams aren't timed correctly. That will affect up and down arrow flight primarily. If the cams are leaning (as you state) or loose as you suggest (though 1/16 inch wobble isn't much), that will have more impact on the sideways path of the arrow and that affects side to side arrow flight. Based on what you state, it could be a number of issues, but assuming you have already eliminated the obvious ones, I am left wondering about cam lean and cam timing. That is where I would focus. Remedy is harder than most other tuning issues. A dealer might be able to help if you are unsure how to go about trying to fix timing or straighten the cam lean (not always possible). Good luck. (2-3-12)
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Chris from LA asks:How did Double G4 get his name?Winke Responds:Chris, Good question. When he was 3 1/2 years old (back in 2008) he had two G4 points on each beam. They were side-by-side on the top of the beam and were about four inches long, or so. He was a short-browed basic ten pointer that would likely score in the 140s. Going into 2009 season I put him on the hit list thinking that he might be a really cool deer with those extra points, and gave him that name at that time. You can even go back to the video with my hit list on it near the start of the 2009 show season and see the shed. That fall we spotted him three times and he had dropped the extra G4 on each beam and was a clean ten about upper 160s. I was trying hard to kill him then. 2010 I got some trail cam photos of him but never saw him though I hunted him all the time. He was likely about 180 by then - again no second row of G4 tines. Then this year. And through it all he kept the same name. It is a very interesting story. I think that is the funnest part of this stuff that we are doing now with the video - being able to document the way the deer change over the years. It is fascinating for me. Good luck. (2-1-12)
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Tracy from IA asks:Hello Bill, I hope you don't mind, but I had another question for you. My brother shot a big doe on the last weekend of the late antlerless season. He didn't know where he hit it, so waited until morning to look. He found he had hit it perfectly, and it only went 100 yards. It wasn't gut-shot at all, but when we cleaned it the insides had a strong odor. At the time we thought the meat was fine, but when we cooked some, it had a very strong "rancid" odor, and a strong flavor as well. Why would this be? It should have been plenty cold enough to leave it overnight like we did (~20 degrees). Thanks, TracyWinke Responds:Tracy, Not sure on that one. I agree though that it should have been fine at that temp. Here is one thought. If the deer died from a liver hit or anything but a lung/heart shot, the blood will still be in much of the meat. Blood spoils faster than the meat. Usually when you open a deer a couple hours after the hit and the body cavity stinks, it is the spoiled blood. So if that blood is not let out of the vessels and veins because the deer was hit in a spot that didn't cause massive hemmorage it is much more likely that the meat will have an odor and bad taste from the spoiled blood within the meat. I love to eat deer, but I don't like to eat deer that didn't die from a quit loss of blood due to a lung/heart shot. That is my guess. Good luck. (2-3-12)
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Alex from OH asks:Hello Mr. Winke first off I just want to say congratz one the Best Hunt Show Award all of you guys deserve it! I have about a half acre where I can put in a foodplot that is open and gets good sunlight. I'm having trouble holding deer and was wonder what frigid forage plot you think I should plant or should I do a half and half of 2 different mixes? Thanks, AlexWinke Responds:Alex, Thanks so much for the support. We all appreciate it. I think the ideal is 1/2 the plot to Big N Beasty and 1/2 to Trophy Clover blend, but given the small overall size, that might not be feasible. Again, if you don't mind the effort, that is the best strategy, Otherwise, I would plant Big N Beasty the first year, clover the next spring (possibly frost seeded that winter) and then back to Big N Beasty in two more years. One year brassica, two years clover and back to brassica again for a year. That is a good rotation for a single small plot. If you don't mind the effort, 1/2 to each and then rotate in two years. Good luck. (2-3-12)
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joe from MN asks:Bill, Hi my name is Joe Marshall I am a taxidermist and have had and run my shop for over 25yrs.I've watched your show and it ranks at the top for the simple reason is, it's a teaching show which means alot for people who are out there to learn. I had noticed your sponser list and you don't have a Taxidermist. We do work for Dave Watson from Matthews T.V. also Babe Winkelman also work for North American Whitetail T.V. I know Bill your a very busy person but when you find a little time check out my web site northernwoodstaxidermy.com and or call me at 218 828 1438 for more questions. I'll look forward hearing from you and thank you for your time.Winke Responds:Joe, You do great work. Congrats on the quality of the work. I have used a local guy here for a long time and he does a nice job for me. Lately, I have done a number of European mounts because I enjoy the way they look and because they are small and easy to transport and take up limited wall space. I have a lot of mounts and the Europeans are a nice option occassionally. I hope the viewers up in your area (Minnesota) will take note of your phone number and website and check you out. Again, very nice work. I hope you have a great day. (2-3-12)
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Brian from PA asks:Bill, I just wanted to congratulate you for winning best hunting show, and say thanks for making the show so informative. It's refreshing to watch a show that teaches sound tactics and isnt produced just to promote a specific outfitter. ThanksWinke Responds:Brian, Thanks for the support. I really appreciate it. We plan to keep doing it the same way. Have a great day. (1-31-12)
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Josh from VA asks:Hey Bill, if the deer have not shed yet, then when would be a good time to go shed hunting again??? thanks, God Bless, Josh!!!Winke Responds:Josh, I am not sure there in VA, but here it seems that mid-Feb is going to be a good time to really get after it. I bet at least 50% will on the ground by then - at least here. 80% of them should be on the ground by the end of February. Several neighbors went out last week and found very little in this area, so I feel that most of the bucks are still carrying here. I bet 80 to 85% are still carrying. Good luck. (1-31-12)
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John from IA asks:Bill, Hello. Enjoy all that MW staff and you do to provide the most realistic hunting show. So, now the season is over and some much appreciated down time is available; how can I get in touch with the MW staff and yourself to try to get you guy's over here in Ottumwa to shoot at the Wapello Chiefs Bowmen's Club some time this summer. You mentioned last year when I posted a very simliar question to you about this. You responed by saying "not shooting at my best right now". Well, if you don't practice and push yourself or shoot with others that may be better shooters than how do you expect to get any better? I'm also curious about if it is just a timing issue for MW staff and yourself? Is it a money issue? Do you not normally do public appearances of this nature? Personally, I think the off-season is more important than opening day, because if you are not mentally confident in your shooting abilities than all that fancy expensive equipment isn't worth nothing if you can't putWinke Responds:John, Thanks. I will put the invite out to the other guys. I shoot a lot leading up to the season, but I don't shoot much again until late summer. It is just a time thing. Between the family and the various work I have to do (Midwest Whitetail is only part of what I do - and it really takes a lot more time than people think to pull all this together every year) I am just about tapped out. Heck, I spend nearly three hours per day (sometimes more) corresponding with people, answering the Ask Winke Qs, etc. I don't like to shoot in a tournament when I know I am going post a score but have not practiced regularly for it. To shoot well takes a lot of hours of practice. I can get where I need to be in September and October when I am preparing for the season. I am always ready when the time comes. But I don't have the necessary hours to reach top form during the rest of the year, unfortunately. It has probably been 15 years since I shot year around and competed regularly in regional shoots. I can't speak for the other guys at the office, they may be in peak form all summer, but as for me, I am generally very rusty in the summer. That is why I don't like to compete much anymore. It is just a time thing. Best regards. (1-30-12)
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Joshua from KY asks:I always see you in the videos with a vest on. I was wondering if that was to keep your core warm. Also to shave a couple of layers from your arm sleeves so they will not get in the way of the bow string. I have a problem sometimes staying warm without bulking up on clothing. If you suggest anything I would appreciate it. Thank you Joshua HepnerWinke Responds:Joshua, Yes, I always wear a vest unless it is really warm out. The vest helps to hold heat without the bulk in my sleeves. Vests are very cheap these days. I would definitely get one. Good luck. (1-30-12)
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Chris from LA asks:Hi Bill. I've been doing a little research on these Trophy Rock mineral blocks. I've read a lot of good reviews. I've always put out the regular old red mineral blocks that farmers put out for cattle. I get them from the local farmer's co-op. I don't know how much good they do for the deer but they always disappear and then there's a big hole in the ground where they dig. Just wondering if you think the Trophy Rock will work better or about the same?Winke Responds:Chris, I have not done the research. I understand that deer have somewhat different mineral requirements than cattle, but I am not sure what that means. I do know that Dr. Grant Woods has done the research and he says it is the best. So I just go by what he says. I trust Grant on that kind of thing. I also know some guys that grow deer in captivity and they use it too. Best regards. (1-30-12)
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Jacob from AL asks:Hey Bill, we just looked at some of our trail cams and we have a fawn on camera! It was taken in the middle of Jan. and the spots didn't look very faded. Wondering if you have seen that before and if you knew about when it had to be born. Thank you!Winke Responds:Jacob, It would have had to be about four months old to still have any sign of spots. I have of spotted fawns in September around here but not January. I guess the odd doe comes in really late and gets bred somehow. That would be very late though - that deer would have had to be bred in roughly March. I really don't know how that happens. It is a question for someone else, I am afraid. Good luck. (1-31-12)
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Brandon from CO asks:A couple years ago you guys were hunting a buck I think you called the high 8. It was said he could have been a 180 4x4. What ever happened to that buck?Winke Responds:Brandon, I sure wish I knew. He probably wasn't that big - likley 170ish, but still a huge 8. We saw him often that summer and then when the bucks shed their velvet and broke up their bachelor groups he disappeared. Often they change from a summer to a fall range. I only hoped they were both on the same farm, but apparently not. We never saw him again or any sign of him. I am not sure if someone else shot him - we never heard that they did. It is just another of those bucks that disappears. Best regards. (1-30-12)
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String jumping revisitied: do you think that you are hitting them at their lowest point in the drop?John from PA asks:Bill I hate to beat a dead horse but I would like to discuss the subject of deer ducking the arrow. I to have unfortunatly experienced this first hand. I know you shoot heavery than normal drawl weight and not overly heavy arrows. I dont know what your arrow speed is compared to the average guy. Im guessing pretty fast. Do you think the deer you shot at were at the range where the speed of sound, there reaction time to it, and your arrows arrival time, put the deer at the lowest point of his reaction. What I mean is if your bow was a tad bit slower would it put your arrow to the deer when he is on the upside of his spring to flee motion. I know you are doing everything in your minde to combat this issue. It is a sickening feeling to hit a deer and not recover it regardless if he survives the shot or not. Thanks for telling the truth and bearing the pounding you take for it. It is a learning tool for all of us who strive to understand and improve. (How can you truly know until you haveWinke Responds:John, Not the lowest point, for sure. We slow the footage way down and the Double G4 buck actually keeps dropping until his chest hits the ground! It is amazing. You can't see any of that in real time. Slowed way down it really tells the story. They fall so fast it is like they are sucked into the ground. I shoot about 310 to 315 fps. I have thought about this every way you can think about it and there is no combination of arrows speeds that works every time. I would say that aiming low (or using a 20 yard pin on 30 yard shots) is the only way to go. If you try to tweak the arrow speed to catch the buck coming back up at 30 yards, for example, you run the risk of creating a tougher situation at longer distances and you will likely have other problems associated with a slow arrow - like very little range estimation forgiveness and trouble shooting through small holes in the cover (you will hit branches that are out of your sight picture on upper side). The other thing that people don't really consider (and I never focused on it) is the mental state you find yourself in after watching a buck you really want to kill inch ever closer to you for an hour! No excuses, I didn't get it done. I hope I am at least learning! I would hate to think all of this is for nothing! Best regards. (1-30-12)
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Leon from IN asks:Hi Bill i was wondering how i would get on the prostaff in Indiana for the upcoming 2012 whitetail season and what are the requirementsWinke Responds:Leon, Please send us an e-mail at info@midwestwhitetail.com and we'll get you out that information. Thanks for the interest. (1-30-12)
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Josh from VA asks:Hey Bill, i walked through the woods for 2 1/2 hours the other day, through big bedding areas and key feeding areas, and all i found was a skull of a 4 pointer. Do you think the deer have not shed yet, or maybe someone shed hunted that farm already???? Thanks, God Bless, Josh!!!Winke Responds:Josh, Doesn't seem like they have dropped much, at least not here. Some of my neighbors went this weekend too but no one found a shed. From trail cam photos I bet at least 90% are still carrying here. I think it is later than normal, probably because of the mild winter. Good luck. (1-30-12)
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Mark from AL asks:Bill - I want to find more private land to hunt in my area, what is the best way to go about asking for permission from land owners?Winke Responds:Mark, It is always best to start with friends, family of friends, people you work with, their friends, etc. It is much easier to gain that initial acceptance if you know someone. If not, all you can really do is knock on a bunch of doors. Be willing to offer work for hunting rights. That works well if you have some kind of specialized skill like carpentry, etc. but it is OK just to offer general work. Have something you can leave them with your name and number on it, because they may change their mind later. It is a process that you have to go through. If you are patient and work hard at it, you will eventually find a good spot. Be willing to get away from populated areas. It is really hard to find permission near population centers. Good luck. (1-30-12)
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jake from IA asks:Bill, I am a frequent viewer of your shows. Ever since you started hunting the double G4 buck and the G5 buck you stopped talking about the buck you call "BIG". I was just wondering if you had gotten any pics of that buck. Or had any encounters with him. ThanksWinke Responds:Jake, I decided to stay out of his area and not hunt him this year. One neighbor claims to have seen him on the road, but otherwise we have no information on him. His core area had gotten really small, probably not much over 20 acres. Unless he died of natural causes - in which case we will find him shed hunting - he will be right back there again this year. He has been in the same area for the past three years and each year his range has been shrinking. He used to stray to other trail cameras, but recently he has covered very little area. I will hunt him this year for sure. I let him go last season because I wanted to focus on the other bucks. He will be 7 this year and a prime trophy regardless of what he has on his head. I am really looking forward to finding him back this summer. Best regards. (1-29-12)
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Josh from VA asks:Hey Bill, If yo use trophy rock, be sure to put a trail camera over it, and enter some of the pics on trophy rock.com for their trail camera contest!!!!! Thanks, Have a great day, Josh!Winke Responds:Josh, Good idea. I understand it is a very good contest. Best regards. (1-29-12)
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Kevin from AL asks:Bill, Congrats on thethe Sportsman Channel awards...you definitely deserved it. A few quick questions. Which pair of Nikon binoculars do you recommend for bowhunting...I do not mind spending a little extra for better a better model if you think that is necessary? Also, which vane have you found to provide the best broadhead flight...Blazers or the 2" NAP Quikspins? Thanks in advance for the response. Keep up the good work. Oh, do you ever speak at Churches for a wild game event?Winke Responds:Kevin, Thanks. I used the Pro Staff 7 last year - seriously. It is a $200 bino. I have several higher dollar binos from Nikon but I wanted to try the Pro Staffs. I was very impressed. In the end they may not have been quite as good in low light as the EDG but were nearly as sharp. I have not tried the Monarch 3, but it is supposed to be better than the Pro Staff 7 (though I think it costs a bit more). I believe they are having a promotion on them in the near future so you might want to take a look at the Monarch 3. We should be running some banners on that promo soon. I bet it is a really good bino. I was sure impressed with the Pro Staff 7. Best regards. (1-29-12)
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Adam from WI asks:Bill, I have some cut off tree stumps in the middle of my future food plot. Any recommendations on what to do with those? Also, what would you plant in an ambush plot in the middle of the woods? There is a plentiful amount of corn in the surrounding area. Thanks for what you do, Bill.Winke Responds:Adam, Cut them off at the ground and apply a product called "Stump Out" that you can use to cause them to decompose quicker. You can find similar products at some garden centers at stores like Lowes. Spectracide is another brand name. For an ambush plot (assuming about 1/2 acre or so) I would plant clover. If it is over an acre I would plant half to clover and half to brassica blend like Frigid Forage Big N Beasty. Good luck. (1-28-12)
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Pete from AL asks:Good morning, I have two questions for you. I am just getting into video for hunting (archery). I have a opportuniy to buy a Sony xr7 for around 500. is it worth buying since everthing is switchig to hard drive or chips. Would it be good just to figure out how i like doing it. Also, please check out my web site and give any feedback. hit-emhardoutdoors.com I had pancreatitis this summer and was in the hospital for a month and this is what i want to concentrate on. Thank you Pete Williams 763-234-2471Winke Responds:Pete, It is a good idea to get in cheap. I would look at that camera on e-bay to see what they are selling for. Look in the advanced search under "ended listings". That will show what they actually sold for. If you buy used at a good price you can probably get pretty close to your money back when it comes time to upgrade. Looks like you are off to a good start on the site. Keep it going. Good luck. (1-28-12)
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bill from PA asks:I gotta say that the crew from Ohio does a great job. Their videos are entertaining with a lot of variety. My question is, on the last Ohio show what did that little guy Easton shoot his buck with? For a little 6 year old he planted that arrow. Was that a crossbow or compound?Winke Responds:Bill, I love that show too. Jason and the crew do a great job. Jason is actually a top-notch editor and cuts a few of the most popular shows you see on the Outdoor Channel. Not sure on the bow but it sounded like a crossbow to me and the arrow had too much zip to it for a youth compound. I probably would have gone ahead and shown the crossbow, but Jason took an understandably conservative route and probably decided not to because Hoyt (our sponsor) doesn't make crossbows. Best regards. (1-28-12)
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bill from PA asks:Hi Bill, during the season I keep my bow in a garage that is not heated. Should I store it in a heated area or is it OK to keep it in a cold setting? Also, I am going to be out of action for a few months due to a health issue. Should I back the weight down on my bow while it sits? ThanksWinke Responds:Bill, Should be OK in the unheated garage. I don't think you need to back the weight down, but to be on the safe side you could. I never have in the all the years I have bowhunted. Good luck with the health. (1-28-12)
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bill from PA asks:Hi Bill and thanks again for a great season. my question is related to buck bedding behavior. Have you ever known a buck to bed in the exact same spot lets say over a month period of time? I assumed that bucks just bed wherever they feel safe after a night of feeding but it seems like this guy might be going back to the same small thicket every night. What do you think? Have you ever had one do that? Thanks, BillWinke Responds:Bill, I am not sure as I have never tried to figure that one out. My guess is that none of the deer I have hunted (except maybe Big) beds in the same area most of the time. They come from different directions regularly when they approach the trail cam in the evening. I assume it is possible that it may be happening as every mature buck is unique in personality so you can't really generalize - all you can do is learn the personality of each buck separately. Good luck. (1-18-12)
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Chad from MB asks:Hey Bill, Just wanted to thank you for the best show out there for serious deer hunters. I learn a lot from you and your pro staff that I take to the field here in Mantioba. I look forward to every Monday night when I can sit down and watch your latest show. I celebrated and felt your disappointments with this season. You handled your downs way better than I do mine! (lots of sting jumpers here!!) Love the show, keep it up! I remember one of the webisodes this season you had some awesome pictures of G5 buck with his velvet hanging. Some really cool shots! Where could I see these again? An artist friend of mine is looking for a unique deer picture for a charcoal drawing and I would love to see one of a buck as awesome as that one! Congrats on your amazing year. God bless and hope this one is even better! Sincerely, Chad HiebertWinke Responds:Chad, Thanks for the support. I agree that is the coolest trail cam photo we have ever gotten. What a cool deer. If you send us an e-mail at info@midwestwhitetail.com we'll send you that image. Have a great day. (1-28-12)
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robert from IL asks:What seed or seed blend do you prefer for a 1 acre food plot here in pike county il?Winke Responds:Robert, I would likely split it in half and put half in a clover blend (I use Frigid Forage Trophy Clover) and the other half into a brassica blend (I use Frigid Forage Big N Beasty). Rotate them every two years. I promote Frigid Forage here quite a bit because they are sponsors, but I also really like their products. They work well. Good luck. (1-28-12)
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Andrew from MI asks:Bill, Wow this late season was a roller coaster. Mondays couldn't get here fast enough! Its amazing how it has all played out! I keep trying to convince my wife Albia needs us to plant a church there! lol My question is do you put out minerals? IF not have you considered pumping the minerals and feed to G4 through out the winter months? You know he is feeding on your camera sites. A few thoughts. OH and I am calling it now, He is going to add 4 inches next year. Just because he is afterall G.....4! Best wishes! AndrewWinke Responds:Andrew, That is a good one. I have been talking with Dr. Grant Woods and he loves the Trophy Rock mineral so I am thinking of putting that out this year. I have not used mineral in the past, but I know it is something the deer need to reach their potential. I have decided not to supplemental feed this buck. I have a few reasons not to do it, including the fact that it is mild winter and the food plot still has plenty, but in the end I just want to see what natural system provides. Will be interesting. Four inches would be just fine with me. My prediction: he gets smaller. They can keep growing at this age, but it is kind of hit or miss really based on their health and it hard to tell what is going on inside the deer. He has already beaten the odds to get this big and this old. It will be fun to find out. (1-28-12)
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Roland from AR asks:Hi Bill. I emailed you a few weeks ago about suddenly being unable to view some of your videos on my home computer. I finally fixed the problem by switching to Google Chrome. Videos work fine with it. I still can't watch your latest videos with Internet Explorer. Thought you might want to know this in case someone else has similar problems. RolandWinke Responds:Roland, It must have something to do with the version of Adobe Flash Player that is running in each different browser. Thanks for the information. (1-28-12)
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Mike from MD asks:Portions of our farm drain very poorly. Are there any food plot recommendations that require little soil preparation and would do well in this type of condition?Winke Responds:Mike, There are certain clovers that do well in wetter soils. I believe alsyke is one of them. Take a look at that. The other option is to plant it on dry years to annuals like brassicas (dwarf Essex rape works well here) or even a green browse like oats, but wait until August to plant it. Good luck. (1-28-12)
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Eric from IN asks:Hey Bill Wondered if you could make a reccomendation for a tripod to handle a 501 head and AX 2000? Not wondered about brands, just function. Thanks Congrats on DG4's sheds!!!Winke Responds:Eric, We have a few different ones, by my favorite are the couple of Gitzo Studex G1340 legs that we have. They are very sturdy and adjust fast. I am not sure they still make this exact model but you should be able to find it on e-bay or find the comparable among current models. We also use the Gitzo 75 mm bowl and use a bowl adjustment on the head to make it much faster to get the camera level. It adds expense but is definitely worth it. Good luck. (1-28-12)
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Allen from PA asks:Hi Bill, I see you found double G4's sheds! Boy, what a year you had. I had my best year as well! Cant wait till 2012 seasons. I have a question about arrow penetration. I shoot a Z7 at 28.5 inch draw,at 62 lbs.I,ll be using axis arrows with a G-5 montec cs broadhead. My maximum range is 30 yds. most shots are 20 and under. I'm willing to sacrifice speed for penetration. What would be a good finished arrow weight for my setup? Do you think this setup would have enough kinetic energy to penetrate a shoulderblade?Winke Responds:Allen, I think the two-blade head is the key for you to penetrating the shoulder. I believe overall you can probably get it done, but it would be marginal. Of course, that is not where you are aiming, but it is sure nice to know you can handle the shoulder if you pull the shot a bit. I would say, you should go for a finished arrow in the 400 to 425 grain range. If you keep the shots under 30 you won't have to worry too much about range estimation errors, but shooting through holes in the brush and string jumping may still get you with the slower arrow. Be sure to check for any branches above your lind of sight on 30 yard shots and be sure to aim well low in the 30 yard shots if the deer looks alert. I have learned that one the hard way haven't I? Again, it is a margin shoulder blade setup, but probably the best you can do given that draw weight. Good luck. (1-28-12)
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RON from WI asks:why are the buck's in Iowa more beat up than other midwest state's...watching outdoor show's on both channel's, these deer always have way more patch's of hair missing , scare's bare spot's.....on their back's..... Thank You...Winke Responds:Ron, I don't know. It is a good question. It is caused by their antlers, that is about all the experts will agree on. Some think it may be related to ticks, but then they go on to question this theory because the does don't scratch. If it were ticks they would would scratch with their back hooves. It is still not well understood. All this came out as experts from across North America weighed in via e-mails to me about what might have been the issue with this buck's hair falling off his back. The discussion went on to include the bare spots seen on other bucks caused by what they call "grooming". Best regards. (1-27-12)
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Tracy from IA asks:Hi Bill, not really a question, just a couple of comments. First congrats on finding the sheds from DG4, those have got to be the biggest antlers you've ever found! He sure is a sorry-looking old rascal without his antlers though, isn't he? My other thought was, it is even more incredible to me that he scores that high with brows that are quite short, they look like only 2-3 inches from the photos, and most high scoring bucks have 5+ inch brows. Take care, and have a great day! TracyWinke Responds:Tracy, He is a rough looking old codger. Makes me question his overall health. I suspect he will bounce back because his body size and condition seem fine. Appears to be just his coat that is rough. His eyes are kind of funny looking too, but they looked that way back in September already. That is just the way he looks. Yep, brows were 2 1/2 inches. He has nearly the same size brows he had back when he was just 3 1/2 years old. If nothing else, a lot of people will get to join me as I learn what this deer turns into next year. Should be very interesting. My guess: he starts to get smaller. Time will tell. (1-27-12)
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drew from IL asks:This years shows were amazing i really learned alot from the shows. I hunt in Northern Il and I know that there are huge deer around. On the cameras ive seen huge bucks passing through wfor a few weeks at a time. the is no food on the 300 acre farm i hunt. This coming fall i was planning on planting a food plot out in the old cow pasture. 1. ive always hunting deep in the timber on oak ridges and dont realy know how to hunt a food source 2.how big of a plot and what type of food do you suggest 3. when do i start preparing? should i plant spring or fall?Winke Responds:Drew, Thanks. I appreciate the support - thanks for watching. 1. The trickiest part, by far, is figuring out how you will get away from the food plot at the end of legal shooting time without alerting any of the deer nearby. There are three ways that will work. First, arrange for someone to come and blow the field - run the deer off with a vehicle or ATV so you can slip out. That works pretty well, you just can't do that every evening. Second, you can plant something that you can sneak behind when it is time to leave. We have been experimenting with Frigid Forage Plot Screen for this purpose and it works well. I would suggest planting the outside 10 feet, or so, of the plot in the area where you plan to hunt in this mix so you can sneak away unseen. By sneaking away, I am talking about taking the long way - straight away from the stand and from the field - don't try to skirt the edge - that doesn't work. Third, you can hunt staging areas or trails that the deer go past or through on their way to their nighttime feeding area. This works well because the deer are gone by the time you climb down - not hanging around nearby. I feel that you need to be at least 50 yards from the deer when you climb down to be able sneak away without alerting them. If you can do two 1-acre plots, that is better than one two-acre plot. Spread them out a bit and that spreads the hunting pressure. If you can do more that is even better. I like rotating them between clover and brassica blends (Frigid Forage Big N Beasty has worked well for us). Rotate the planting every two years. If you can plant bigger plots you may consider soybeans as another good option. Clover is a spring planting in your area and Big N Beasty is an August planting. There is much to learn about soil prep, so be sure to do a bit of research (call Frigid Forage for details). Good luck. (1-27-12)
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Trevor from PA asks:Hi Bill, quick question on the big and beasty food plot mix. The frigid forage website mentions applying urea in 4-6wks. this means after the food plot is established correct? I have a buck that I am after next year, he'll be 5 1/2. Haven't seen him from stand for last 2 years, only trail cam pics. Try to put a plot out there and see what happens. Your show has made me a better hunter overall. thanks.Winke Responds:Trevor, I would call them. I think you need to apply that before soil prep so you can till it in. Urea is very volatile and will evaporate quickly if left on the surface for long. Food plots will definitely help you to tag that buck. We live and die by them. Good luck - he may start to get easier as he gets older. We have seen that happen sometimes here. Best regards. (1-26-12)
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cw from VA asks:Bill, congrats on the shows success and a great season. Was curious about Big. Did you have any encounters with him during the season? Have you seen any signs of him recently (trail cam photos). One final question. I am fairly successful at seeing bucks during bow season here (month of October), and I don't see many does during this time. I generally do not hunt directly over crop fields or food plots. I struggle to get on bucks during the rut, should I concentrate my efforts more around food at this time? Thanks very much. Appreciate and enjoy your thoughts.Winke Responds:CW, I stayed out of his area. I wanted to see him next year to see what he looks like at age 7. Looks like I may get to see what G4 looks like at 7 too. Those two bucks have bene at the top of my hit list since 2009. Next year, regardless of what Big looks like, I am going to try to get him. He was much more visible this year (early) than last so I hope that trend continues. I haven't seen him or run cameras in his area, but his core was so small this past year that I think he will be there again. He has lived in the same area for the past three years. I hope we find his sheds, but the real thrill will be when we start to pick these deer up again in the summer. I like to focus near the food in the evenings. I guess I just figure the does are heading that way and so are the bucks. You don't have to be right on the food, but close is good. Staging areas are ideal. Best regards. (1-26-12)
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Mark Pattison from MI asks:Bill just want to thankyou for the great shows this year.I cant wait to watch next year, keep up the great work.God bless. Mark PattisonWinke Responds:Mark, Thanks. It should be a lot of fun, but don't forget we will be doing the off-season shows starting in mid-February. I appreciate all the support. God bless you too! (1-26-12)
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Jacob from WI asks:Bill, I was just wondering if you would possibly consider doing one of your off season episodes on how you make your european mounts. I really like the way they look, and would like to try and make one. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. ThanksWinke Responds:Jacob, I think we have enough material filmed over the years that I believe we can pull that off. Look for that among the off-season shows. Best regards. (1-27-12)
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Josh from VA asks:Hey Bill, do you have a "Sanctuary" on your farm? Like where you would let the deer be all year long accept to recover an animal???? Well i'm really excited that you guys got G4's sheds!!!! he is huge!!! When do you think is a good time to start putting out mineral licks??? Thanks, Josh.Winke Responds:Josh, I bet at least half of the farm is sanctuary. I believe in the idea of hunting the frings. There are parts of the farm that have never been hunted since I bought it - at least five or six years. These are large areas. I generally stay completely out of areas that I don't think I can get to without alerting deer and I stay out of areas where the wind swirls. That eliminates a big part of the farm. By default, these areas become my sanctuaries. You are correct, we only go in to recover a deer or to shed hunt. It is surprising really how few stands I actually hunt. They are all killer stands but I bet I only hunt about ten stands to 12 stands all year. Now would be a good time to put out mineral. Thanks for the support. (1-26-12)
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Brandon from IA asks:Just curious what your thoughts are on Shed Hunting. I live in SW Iowa and started looking for sheds a couple weeks ago. Last year about this time I was find some. This year still seeing alot still carrying. Do you think the weather effects them on the time they drop? Also when Im out walking it seems like there are still some scrapes being opened up. Bucks still have high testosterone levels make them hang on to their headgear longer? Thanks for what you do. Always fun to watch. Look foward to seeing you at the deer classic.Winke Responds:Brandon, The winter was a lot harder last year. For sure the hard winter will cause more stress and cause them to drop sooner. I think they scrape sometimes just from habit. I don't think I would read too much into those late winter scrapes. Have a great day. (1-26-12)
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Justin from IL asks:First off love the website. I am on it daily. My question isnt about hunting. I was wanting to get my brother one of the slate tees for a gift. Will you ever have them in large. Thanks.Winke Responds:Justin, I may order some again at some point, but I don't have any plans to do it in the near future. That is a good looking shirt. I should order some more of them. Thanks. (1-26-12)
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Jim from MI asks:Would you consider posting the measurements from G4's sheds? Would you also consider a video tribute to G4 and his interactions with the other deer in the field? I think you said you have 2hrs video time on him. Great show. Jim.Winke Responds:Jim, We will probably talk about him some during the off-season. It is a rare gift to have that much really prime footage of such a special deer in a free-range setting. It is amazing really. I am sure you will see plenty of that. Best regards. (1-27-12)
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Tyler from FL asks:Hey Bill, I'm interested in seeing your blind setup that you were sitting in those last few times when you were hunting the G4 buck. We have some spots on our property that doesnt have trees big enough for a loc on yet I want to be elevated. Can you share with us how that is built/setup?Winke Responds:Tyler, It is technically not an elevated blind. It is built from plywood (flooring sections are treated). It has 6 X 6 base (I don't think I would make it much smaller if you intend to bowhunt from it) and it is actually two stories. both levels are roughly 5 1/2 feet tall. We built it with a peak on top (actually four gables) so that the person up there filming would have headroom while sitting. The idea was to give the camera man his own level so he never had to work around the bow and vice versa. That makes it much easier to hunt from the blind. It is double wall and insulated between the walls. All the edges and seams are glued and screwed so it should be pretty durable. The windows are on the inside - plexiglass. Everything is painted with outdoor paint so it won't absorb moisture as quickly. I would love to be able to store it indoors, but I don't have a place that tall. On the trailer it is probably about 13 to 14 feet tall. We slid it onto a big heavy trailer and then attached it securely to the trailer. We can pull with the truck. It is huge, and Jason Vickerman did a really good job with the building plan. It has already stood up to one 50+ mph wind day without giving ground. I don't think that blind is the perfect model for most people. The upstairs would be overkill if you aren't filming. But the kids love it! Also, we got some killer footage of the G4 buck from that blind filming right through the plexiglass. Good luck. (1-29-12)
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Jeremy from AL asks:Bill, Why do you think that the deer in Iowa (your area) shed their antlers so early. In IN (northern) my Dad and I don't really start finding them until very late Feb to early March. We are pretty serious at it and I do not remember ever picking up a sizable shed in Jan or early Feb.Winke Responds:Jeremy, Not sure on that. Maybe something in the minerals or maybe genetic. I am not the expert on this. Some years when the winter weather is really rough, people around here find sizeable numbers even in December. Normally here on this farm it is late Jan before they start dropping in enough numbers to be worth taking a walk. We found one other antler the other morning when looking for G4's sheds. I am just starting to see some shed bucks on the trail cameras, but this not at all uncommon for this area. Best regards. (1-26-12)
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Jimmy from AL asks:Hello Bill, I have really enjoyed watching the show. I wrote to you last year about switching from fingers to a release and peep. Well, I couldn't quit make myself drop the fingers, but I did get used to using the peep. The release is coming this year. I notice you hook up directly to the string, do you have extra serving there to help with wear? I am thinking of not using a d loop, are there any other tips you can give for hooking directly to the string?Winke Responds:Jimmy, I place a rubber "eliminator button" between the arrow nock and the release aid and I overserve the string serving in the area where the release contacts it with a layer of old string material. You may be just fine attaching to a nocking loop. I do it my way because I feel that I can get the release hooked up faster this way. Maybe you can do a great job going to a loop. It is like a bit more accurate attaching to a loop. Good luck. (1-26-12)
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michia from MO asks:Feeding deer pellets? I saw where you answered a question about feeding deer right now and how it is expensive and results vary in areas, I am with you on that especially if you have already done the work like all your food plots! But on the other hand, I have several deer that made it through the gun seasons and I poured the deer pellets to since I knew he was there and I noticed 40'' jumps on those few deer! I think its worth it when you know the buck your after for the next season is eating it!Winke Responds:Michia, I know it. I have been trying to get confirmation from experts that in my situation it will make a difference. There is still the standing bean field right there and I am not certain how much of the supplement this buck would actually get given that a number of other deer are also concentrated about the bean field. My guess is that I will spend a bunch of time and money to supplement his intake by 10%, and maybe less. I am not sure he needs it. There is really plenty to eat there and the winter is mild. It is tempting and I am still considering it. I just don't really like micro-managing deer. I would rather set things in motion and then see where this ends up. It feels more natural to me. Not that supplemental feeding is a bad thing, I am just not sure it fits my psychology. I even had a few people tell me I should put wormer and/or antibiotics in the feed. For now, I am not making plans to supplement. I want to see what nature (and my food plot) provide. Best regards. (1-27-12)
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rob from IA asks:Hey Bill since you will be at the deer classic any chance you`ll bring the shed`s off G4? even fakes would be fine with me.have a great off season.Winke Responds:Rob, I won't have any replicas made, but I can bring them. I plan to be there Saturday. (1-26-12)
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Ryan from IA asks:Bill, Do you think G4 dropped his antlers earlier than most mature deer due to the fact that he was injured or maybe a strenuous rut? Congrats on finding his sheds. Awesome find.Winke Responds:Ryan, There are other deer on the farm that have dropped too. In fact, we found another antler while looking for his. Mike Sawyer actually found one back in late December when going to a late season stand. I think it is genetic to some extent. Deer seem to shed at roughly the same time each year. I also think that stress can play a role in the timing of shedding too. I know in really hard winters they shed earlier. In this case, the deer shows no signs of the hit so I doubt that came into play, but I could be wrong. My guess is that this is when he normally sheds. Thanks. Have a great day. (1-26-12)
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Jarrod from IA asks:Hey Bill, I was recently out shooting and it's a problem I've been ignoring all year but now in the off season I need to take care of it. It seems like when shoot the arrow seems to start to sidewind right out of the rest. I am shooting at 70 lb. draw and shooting 340 grain arrows. It has a 100 grain field tip and I'm assuming a standard nock (I didn't set it up). Would a heavier arrow fix the problem or a different rest? By the way I am definitely taking you're advice and putting on a rocket steelhead. Thanks, JarrodWinke Responds:Jarrod, I don't think a stiffer arrow is needed in this case. I would look at four things. 1. fletching contact - make sure the fletching is not touching the rest as it leaves the bow. You can tell that fairly easily by spraying the fletching with foot spray and seeing if it rubs off anywhere. If so, you may need to rotate your fletching or try a different rest. 2. Center shot adjustment. Move the rest in and out a bit and see if that fixes it. 3. Shooting form - By adjusting your grip (pushing straight at the target with a consciously relaxed hand you can often eliminate the sideways tear. Also, make sure that your string elbow is pointing straight away from the target and not at all pulled behind you. If it is applying any sideways pressure on the string at full draw that will come out as sideways string movement and sideways arrow flight. 4. Your cam(s) may be leaning. The cams should be perfectly in line with the string to assure that the string doesn't have any sideways movement in it. You just sight down the string and see if the cams line up. If not, there are sometimes some things you can do to fix it. Your best bet is to take it to a good pro shop and see if they know what to do about it. I know what to do, but it requires some tech savvy and is beyond the scope of this short Q&A. Good luck. (1-29-12)
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Eric from MN asks:Bill: I hope the off-season and short break for you guys is enjoyable. I saw (from the preview of the ATA show) one of the new products from muddy. It was called the ZVT string brush. I was wondering if you have shot with it on a bow or heard it shot before? Also some other questions. Does it do a good job for hunters that have a problem with the string hitting their arm? Does it decrease the accuracy of the bow any since the arrow isn't leaving the knock at the same exact moment anymore? How many more feet per second does it add? I know how salesmen are and that sponsors are needed. But if you have any facts let me know.Winke Responds:Eric, I did shoot it at the ATA Show. I am waiting to get one to put on my own bow for further testing. It is very loud at the ATA so it is hard to tell the exact degree of improvement it makes, but it did seem to make the bow quieter. As soon as they have them in I will test one and talk about it in an off-season episode. It won't help you with wrist slap. The string will still take its normal power stroke going forward. I will give it more of a test soon. Best regards. (1-29-12)
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Ian from MI asks:Hi, I am 16 years old and live in Michigan. I killed a big bodied buck that seemed to be a 3 1/2 year old last fall. He had a big body and a very engorged neck as well as a defined brisket and Roman nose. His legs did not seem to be very long or awkward for his body either. Most other hunters I show my pictures to tell me 3 1/2 as well. Here is my question: One antler had been broken off and healed (it looked as if it had broken off sometime in velvet) the other antler had 4 (almost 5) points. But the antler wasn't very big! It looked as if it could have been a 2 1/2 year old's antlers on a 3 1/2 year old buck! Is that normal? Genetics? Thank you very much!Winke Responds:Ian, It definitely happens sometimes. We have them here too. It is genetics. Sometimes the antlers develop better later in life, like people, some are late bloomers. But generally if they aren't impressive at 3 1/2 they tend to stay fairly small for their age all their lives. Still a very worthy trophy. Congratulations on a great mature buck trophy! Good luck. (1-25-12)
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Jeremy from IL asks:I am a resident of IL and was wondering what kind of tag was used to harvest the buck from the IL show? They said it was harvested on the the 15th of Jan. and that is doe only gun season here. Thanks.Winke Responds:Jeremy, In Northern Illinois there are 7 counties that are in the CWD zone. In these counties, hunters are allowed to use an unused permit from a previous firearms season to take either a buck or doe, depending on their permit. Paul hunts in Winnebago county, one of the 7 CWD counties. All this is listed on page 17 of the regulations. Thanks for the support. (1-25-12)
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Jake from WI asks:Bill, that was an awesome find!! I know you've been there in the past, but I don't see you on the list of exhibitors for the Iowa Deer Classic this year. I want to see G4, G5, and Daggers in person, will you be there? You should come to the Wisconsin Deer and Turkey Expo sometime.Winke Responds:Jake, Thanks. I just sent in my check. I assume that they will add us to the list when they receive it. We will be in the same booth we were in last year - should be 620. We went to the WI show two years and it was very good. We have scaled back in 2011 and 2012 to just the Iowa show, but I think in the future we will do them all again. It is a good way to get the word out. Thanks for the support. (1-25-12)
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Robert from CA asks:S G 4 Buck, I dont't think it means safe.. I think it means .. Special, Superb, Super. Stupendious, it definantly gives a new meaning to the phrase; Size does matter. What a great looking shed...Who's dreaming Big? Your living Big.. Nice Buck , Bill.. have a great off season..Winke Responds:Robert, Thanks. He was bigger than I thought. Makes me even sicker that he got away. It will be interesting to see what he grows this summer and how his behavior changes. Not that it is consolation or anything, but him getting away does hopefully give us a chance to learn more about these old deer. He is a very cool, very special deer. We will be back again with the off-season episodes starting in mid-February. Best regards. (1-25-12)
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Joey from MS asks:I've always said, "God knew what he was doing when he didn't make me rich. I would hunt all the time! God bless you! I have been watching the show from day one and it is no doubt the best I have ever seen from every angle imaginable! Hunting is very important to me, God almost took me home turkey hunting one day (I will give you the testimony sometime)so keep keeping on!Winke Responds:Joey, Thanks for your kind words and encouragement. I love that we can connect with so many people. Even as big is the viewership of this show is, it does feel a lot like a giant family. I appreciate everyone's support. I look forward to your story one day. God Bless you too. (1-25-12)
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Michael from ON asks:Congrats on finding those massive sheds... You bring a truly awesome show to us viewers and you deserve all the success you have received in the field and with the awards... The feeling you get when finding a good shed is almost like another encounter in itself... Congrats againWinke Responds:Michael, Thanks for the kind words and for watching the shows. It was certainly a shock to find that antler. I couldn't believe how big it looked 10 feet from me on the ground - what a whopper. Have a great day and thanks for all the support. I really appreciate it. (1-25-12)
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Brad from VA asks:Hey Bill, I was wandering which mix would be best to put in a 1.5 acre food plot & I know Beth Winke. ThanksWinke Responds:Brad, Yes, that is my sister. She owns a pain rehab clinic down there in the Norfolk/Suffolk area. I think I would put 1/2 in clover and the other half in a brassica blend. I like the Frigid Forage Big N Beasty blend. It has done very well for us. I also use their clover blend. After two years, rotate the two so that the clover is where the brassica was and vice versa. Follow the label instructions on lime and fertilizer and soil prep you will have a very good plot. Good luck. (1-25-12)
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bill from AL asks:Hi Bill, thanks for a great season...I began to feel like a woman running home to watch her soap operas during the Double G4 drama....my question is, at this time of year are the bucks bedding with the does or do they immediately form bachelor groups again? I have a three year old that shows up with another small buck and some does when I see them working through the timber on the way to feed but I can't determine if they split up before they bed down. ThanksWinke Responds:Bill, I know, it got to be quite a drama didn't it? I think it is a bit early for them to rejoin the bachelor groups. My guess is that they don't hate each other anymore but are not yet seeking each other's company. I think that comes when they settle back into their summer ranges. That likely won't occur for a couple more months. I think bucks will live together at this time, but it is mostly just coincidental. As I said, I don't think they have reset their bachelor groups yet. Best regards. (1-25-12)
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Dusty from OH asks:I only saw a couple deer this year because of people riding there 4 wheelers around the woods I hunt in and I think there were even people cutting wood. Do you have any suggestions i could do to try and stop it?Winke Responds:Dusty, If you don't own it you can't stop it. The landowner has to stop it. If the landowner doesn't care you are left with only one option - find a new area to hunt. I would start by humbly talking to the landowner about it and see what reaction you get. If they don't seem too concerned I would start looking for a new hunting area right now. However, deer do get used to normal human activity if it isn't too extreme. For example, I let neighbors cut wood on my land and I never worry much about that intrusion. As long as they stay on the fringes, the deer adapt to it very quickly. If it is taking place right in the middle of the property, that is another matter. The deer will move on. Good luck. (1-29-12)
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Robert from WI asks:Bill, just wanted to say congrats on the Sportsman channel award. Also wanted to say don't let the haters get to you. The majority of these bashers haven't had a 120" deer in range, and would soil themselves if the got close to a booner. Keep up the great work, and take care.Winke Responds:Robert, Thanks. For the most part people have been pretty decent to me (though I think on some forum sites it may get dicey from time to time). I suppose it goes with the territory. I could hide my mistakes but I don't think anyone learns from that. Also, people don't realize what having a giant deer you have been hunting for three years in front of you for an hour does to your nervous system. My brain is fried crispy brown by the end of that time. When he finally makes his move and offers the shot, there isn't much level thinking left. I love it when they come in fast and you don't have time to get nervous. I seem to do better in those encounters. This guy sucked every ounce of adrenaline out of my glands both nights. Either way, I will never forget those experiences. Thanks for the support. (1-27-12)
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Dusty from MN asks:I have a 2011 Carbon Element, I was wondering if I can upgrade to a RKT Cams?Winke Responds:Dusty, My guess is that you can, but it may be expensive to do because you may need new limbs (to make your draw weight) and new strings and harnesses too. You can check with a Hoyt dealer to see how much it costs. Good luck. (1-17-12)
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Paul Bonack from WI asks:Hi Bill, Great show and congrats on the award for best hunt show. How cool to win on a write in vote. Do you have an update on the scent suit that you developed with Cabela's? You mentioned this past fall that you might start selling them again.Winke Responds:Paul, Thanks. It was a great thrill. I understand that the first prototype is done. I have not seen it yet. It is at Cabela's. I am sure I will see it soon. It is supposed to start selling in the catalogs and the website late this summer with the release of the Archery Catalog. Best regards. (1-29-12)
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Hunter from MN asks:How high up do you recommend putting your treestand in a tree. On your shows it seems like the guys all have various heights but what would you recommend, and having a fear of heights are not involved?Winke Responds:Hunter, I like to be about 20 to 22 feet up. That is my ideal height, because it gives me a good angle to vitals on deer that are fairly close to the tree. If you get too high, the angle gets tough and you are more likely to get just one lung on deer that are 10 yards away, or less. In certain situations it pays be higher (when you need your scent to blow over downwind deer, for example, or when set up along a slope where the deer on the uphill side may otherwise be close to eye-level). I sometimes go as much as 25 feet but rarely ever higher. I tweak the height of the stand to get into as many branches as possible. I love being in a big oak right where several branches come out of the trunk. I then set up so that the big branches are roughly waist height when I am standing making it easy enough to shoot over them but using them for cover still. Good luck. (1-29-12)
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James from FL asks:Bill, just about done with your bow book. I have a quick question in regards to the weight of the bow. I know you are shooting the new carbon bow, but what are your thoughts on the weight of it. In the book you wrote about liking a heavier bow. I really like the weight of the carbon bow. Planning on buy a hoyt this year and using some of your other sponsors as well. Really impressed with the products. Congrats on a great season!Winke Responds:James, Thanks for supporting our sponsors. By the time you get all the accessories on it, the carbon bow is not a lot lighter than a comparable aluminum one - a half pound maybe depending on what accessories you select. So that is not a huge issue. I hunted with the CRX 35 most of the season. There is a tradeoff for sure. People like a light bow, but for pure accuracy the heavier one has to be better simply because it is harder to move heavy objects quickly. We are splitting hairs to some extent, but if you are looking at target bows, those guys aren't trying to shoot something light. They are trying to shoot something stable. For hunting, where timing may be much more important than pure long-range hair-splitting accuracy, the weight of the bow is not quite as big of a deal. That said, I still have no problem with heavy bows. I have never selected a bow to hunt with just because it was light. Again, for hunting purposes a half pound difference is really splitting hairs. I think the length may actually be just as important as the weight - but then we get into another argument where we end up splitting hairs. If you don't shoot long distances, you will do fine with a short, light bow. If your shooting is very demanding, the added stability of a longer, heavier bow would be valuable. Hope that didn't just make things more confusing. Good luck. (1-29-12)
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Jim from OH asks:It is stated by you and many others that if a deer knows he is being hunted he is much tougher to kill. I can agree with this to a point. Example the G4 buck. He was mildly spooked off the field on one hunt. Back in the same field well before dark within a week at which time he had an arrow ran through his loin. The next day he was blood trailed through his core area by stinky humans and not recovered. Within a week or two he shows up on camera in the same field well before dark. In my opinion that is a great deal of pressure on any deer outside of the rut let alone a trophy buck. Sanctuaries and low impact hunting has its benefits. I just don't feel bumping an occasional deer is going to ruin your season or send all deer nocturnal. Has this experience changed your opinion?Winke Responds:Jim, It is a very good question. That deer does shatter the norms. However, with all the messing we do in his area, we notice on the trail cameras that it takes him at least ten days to come back around again when human intrusion is greater than just pulling the cards from the camera. Also, I generally wear Elimitrax boots when pulling the cards to keep the scent down. That deer is the exception to the rule, I think. I think he is more accepting a human intrusion than most other deer I have encountered over the years. Maybe it just because we know more about him and his home range is so small that we can seem to find him back easily all the time. If his range was larger and the human activity was more intense and more focused on him, I bet he would have relocated by now. In other words, I don't think he has figured it out yet that I am hunting him. We often make loud noises and give the impression of normal human intrusion (like running a chainsaw when shed hunting) so that he never really associates the scent as being too out of the ordinary. Managing impact really is an art that requires as much information about the deer as possible. I took several calculated risks in hunting him last season. Most of the time I knew what the risks were and what the trade offs were, but based on what I knew about the buck I felt they were worth taking. I think every deer and every situation is different. That is why I think it is an art more than a science. In other words, it has not changed my opinion. The next buck we go after may be way different. For example, try this with the buck we call Bubba who seems to have a giant range. I would guess you won't see him again. It is a good question and worth a book in itself. (1-29-12)
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Nathan from IA asks:When do you usually start your shed hunting season?Winke Responds:Nathan, I think it makes sense to start getting out in early Feb this year. Some years when the winter is harsher, it makes sense to start a bit sooner. Good luck. (1-27-12)
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PAUL STRINGER from TN asks:Bill ,thanks for sharing with us a great season. I have experenced string jumpers a couple of times, and I was wondering if you thought it possible that with our faster 320 pre sec or so bows,if the arrow gets there that mill second faster while the deer is at the bottom of his drop .Just wonted to get your thoughts on this...Again thanks for a great season . PaulWinke Responds:Paul, From the video, at least on shots to 40 yards, the deer is still dropping when the arrow gets there. I don't think shooting slower will fix the problem because I think they will still be dropping - just farther. I think it comes to what most people are stating, you need an aim point or a way to force yourself to aim at the bottom of the kill zone on all shots over 20 yards. Aim for the heart. That will help on 30 yard shots, but on 40 yard shots (if you even take them) that may not be low enough. You may literally have to aim under the animal if it is alert at 40 yards. I guess that is the price you must pay if you want to take those longer shots. Have a great day. (1-24-12)
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Hunter from OK asks:Bill, congrats on the award! You and the team sure deserved it. Also, very happy the G4 made it...I know you felt confident he would be alright but there's always some shadow of doubt. Two questions. I noticed that Rocket has come out with a 1.5" Steelhead; will you consider switching? I would have to think that with your #80 setup you'd have no difficulty penetrating the shoulder of a big buck with a slightly larger head. Thoughts? Not to beat a dead horse, but I had two bucks get away this year from jumping the string...so I am also formulating a gameplan for longer shots. I'm considering aiming for a low rear lungs - liver shot on anything 30 yards and out. It seems that when deer jump the string my arrow not only hits high but it also lands forward (I assume it hits forward because the deer is ducking and turning away at the same time). Of course it makes sense to aim low on far shots, but do you agree that aiming a little further back is a good strategy? Thanks forWinke Responds:Hunter, Thanks so much for the support and the vote of confidence. I think I may try that head in 2012. I have not tried it yet, but it does make a lot of sense. Yes, again from the video evidence, they are ducking and sometimes turning. We have seen this a couple of times. Sometimes they drop straight down and sometimes they duck and start to turn, almost like they are leaning away as they drop to load the legs. I would say that is a good strategy. How low you aim depends on the length of the shot. I shoot about 305 fps. The bucks that have gotten away on me recently have dropped roughly 10 inches at 30 yards. That is a long ways. At 40 yards I fear it would be more like 14 inches and a lot more turn. Those shots past 30 yards on alert deer are very, very unpredictable. Sometimes they drop and sometimes they don't. I have shot a few that didn't drop much at all (a couple of inches) and have seen that on the other videos from the pro staff. I think on alert 40 yarders it is still very tough to know exactly what to do. To be safe I think we need to aim at the very bottom of the deer's chest line - possibly even below. I don't have a lot of those shots, fortunately. I just wish I could get some easy shots for a change! Good luck. (1-24-12)
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kevin from MN asks:Bill, How many acres do you hunt and manage? One large tract or smaller parcels broke up? Keep up the great work and congrats on the award. Thanks for your time.Winke Responds:Kevin, 1,000 acres, more or less in one track, kind of strung out. Thanks for the support. (1-23-12)
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Buddy from IL asks:Re: Best Show Bill, no need to respond. Congratulations, you deserve the accolades and you DO have the best hunting show on any network. Thanks for doing it!Winke Responds:Buddy, Thanks for watching. I do appreciate the support. Have a great day. (1-23-12)
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Brian from IA asks:Hi Bill, congrats on the great season. Now that the season is over the next thing I have to look forward to is shed hunting. When do you suggest starting to go out looking for sheds? I dont want to go out too early when the deer have not started shedding and don't want to wait too long and have squirrels and other animals eat at them.Winke Responds:Brian, According to the trail cameras, they are just starting to drop here. I would say if you started sometime in early February that would be good timing. Good luck. (1-23-12)
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Jamie from NC asks:I found a shed in my yard the other day on the 21st of January. Obviousley not all the deer have shed their antlers yet but can you look for sheds multiple times in one area or would that disturb the deer that havent shed yet? If so when would be the optimal time to start looking for sheds? We don't usually get much snow here so we generaly don't have to wait for the snow to clear. Thanks, JamieWinke Responds:Jamie, I am not sure on timing there. My guess is that you should wait until you think at least 1/2 of the antlers are down to start hitting it hard. Otherwise you run the risk of disturbing the bucks too much with multiple trips. Two trips is probably OK, three trips is probably too much. One at the half point and the other when you think most are dropped. You may need to talk to other local hunters who are running trail cameras to see about timing. Normally we start looking hard in early February. In my area they are holding a bit longer this year - probably the mild weather this winter. Not much stress. Good luck. (1-23-12)
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Jacob from WI asks:In a recent question, you said the G4 buck had shed his horns. Is this the time right now, when bucks start to shed their antlers, if not, when do they start to drop them? Thanks Bill!!!Winke Responds:Jacob, I think this is a bit late really. In our area they normally start dropping a bit earlier than this. I would say that we are about a couple weeks behind on the shed timing this year. Probably due to mild winter. Good luck. (1-23-12)
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Travis from IA asks:Where can I get one of those scott archery hats. They do not sell them on their website.Winke Responds:Travis, I don't know. They just sent me a few to wear on the shows. Try calling them and see if they have some for sale that aren't listed. Good luck. (1-23-12)
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David from NC asks:Bill, I"ve got input rather than a question. Take it for what it's worth, which is only what you paid for it. You seem to be a very analytical type of guy. Sometimes bordering on over analyzing hunting situations. I see this with your recent DG4 encounters. You seem to be analyzing every detail for the takeaway lesson. For that reason, I'm surprised to hear you say your takeaway is to trick yourself by using your 20 yard pin for all shots out to 32 yards. Respectfully, I think that's a poor decision. For one, I think you are too smart for that, and in the back of your mind you will be analyzing and computing the difference of using the 20 yard pin. Like setting your alarm clock 10 minutes fast, you will eventually begin to compensate. The correct answer is to re-train yourself to aim at the heart. If the deer doesn't drop, you nail his heart. If he does, you will hit somewhere in the lungs. I have spent the last couple of years re-training myself to aim for the heWinke Responds:David, I suppose you are right. I have had that solution thrown my way a number of times. I need to practice shooting low then, because I have a hard time doing it automatically on game. I don't think about it. I am sure that retraining is the key. Thanks. (1-23-12)
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Josh from IA asks:Bill, You probably get asked this a lot, but i am in the market for some new camo clothing. I have had my old clothing for over 10 years now. I have noticed a camo called vertigo grey. Would this be a good camo to use year round. I only hunt archery season. I don't see any of your pro staff use it, but would appreciate your input. Keep up the good work. I love watching your show. Thanks.Winke Responds:Josh, Realtree is one of our sponsors so we only wear Realtree camo. I have seen the Vertigo and I think it is a good looking pattern. It is probably better after the leaves turn as the color will match best then, but if you don't move when the deer are looking your way, it will work fine at other times too. Good camo is only as good as your ability to remain still when the deer are looking in your direction (and only as good as your ability to pick a stand location where you are concealed by the tree trunk and branches). Good luck. (1-23-12)
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Joe from MD asks:Many knee high rubber boots are now insulated with neoprene. They advertise being scent free; however, I know when you perspire neoprene smells incredibly bad. How can these boots still be considered scent free? What knee high rubber boots do you suggest that are quality scent free boots? Thank you for your suggestions in advanceWinke Responds:Joe, The only ones that seemed to be really scent free to me were made of PVC. I suppose the real question is not whether they are scent free, but if if they are offensive to the deer. I am not sure on that. I always feel that if I can smell it, the deer can definitely smell it. I think if you leave the rubber boots out in the sun for a few days, the most volatile surface coatings will evaporate. I think that plus spraying them down with a good scent eliminator spray is the best hope for rubber boots. Good luck. (1-23-12)
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Dylan from MN asks:Bill, First of all, thanks for such a great show. I look forward to it every week. I like your show so much because of the management aspect and look forward to the offseason shows the most. Anyways, It's obvious that you are very careful about the amount of pressure (hunting and nonhunting) put on your farm. I would love to see a segment dedicated to how you control pressure. Maybe discuss your stratagies with sanctuaries, do you ever go in them? just in winter? in rare cases do you ever hunt one? how about shed hunting? Do you spend time on the other parts of the farm (not santuaries) during the off season? Do you take a different approach when shooting does? meaning do you try to harvest does in different parts of the farm so your not putting pressure on your biggest bucks? Do you drive your vehicle in to the farm when you shoot a deer? How about when you let other people hunt the farm, do you direct them where and where not you want them to hunt? A lot of landowners aroundWinke Responds:Dylan, I think that would be a good segment. I am very, very careful about this stuff. It is rule number one: if they know you are hunting them, they become very hard to kill. I am pretty extreme when it comes to keeping the deer from knowing that I am hunting them. In the long run, that is the key to getting them within range. I seem to be able to get within bow range of some nice bucks every year, proving that the approach works. Contrary to what some may think from the fortunate season we had this year, there aren't a lot of big deer here, so we have to hunt very carefully to keep the bucks from knowing they are being hunted. Go to extremes. That is the key. I will try to remember to cover that in the off season shows. Thanks. (1-23-12)
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Josh from VA asks:Hey Bill, Congrats to you and the pro staff on a great season!!! was the G4 buck, in the field where you had missed him when you showed the trail cam pic at the end of the monday main show??? Anyways, i liked the ATA show, your sponsers have some new, and really nice products! Thanks!!!Winke Responds:Josh, Thanks. Yes, the camera was located right on the corner of the blind. I had it set for the Field Scan mode. It is Bushnell. In that mode it takes a photo every minute from 3:30 to 5:30 (the way I have it set). He walked right past the blind at 30 yards! - broad daylight. I got some shots from last night with the antlers shed. Now I need to get out and find them. Best regards. (1-23-12)
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John from MN asks:Hey Bill, Congrats on the win...your awesome productions, your truthful depictions of your stories, and your willingness to teach are the reasons I voted for your show. One question... I thought I remember you writing in the early 2000's about making blinds in the middle of fields and you used saran wrap over the windows to make them scent proof, and you could shoot through them. Is this correct? Would it work for your blind? Thank you for your devotion to us fans...Winke Responds:John, Yes, I have done that. I am not sure why Jason and I didn't go that route this time, but it is an interesting possibility. I will likely do it that way next year. I can still use the Plexiglass to make the blinds weather proof during the rest of the year and then have more windows open in the deer moves unexpetedly. Good point. (1-23-12)
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Aaron from WI asks:Congratulations on a great season and on the Best Hunt Show Award! Your show and website are the best. I can't tell you how much I've taken the info I've learned on here and applied it to my own hunting. I was watching this week's episode and was wondering: Did Muddy come out with any new treestands (particularly hang ons) or make any changes to past models? Thanks!Winke Responds:Aaron, Nothing new this year. They had the small lightweight Bloodsport stands last year, but no new stands this year. Thanks for the support. I really appreciate it. (1-23-12)
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Robert from CA asks:You've heard it all... congradulations on the award. Nice to see SG4 again...Winke Responds:Robert, Thanks buddy. I appreciate it. He's a rough looking old codger, but at least he is still alive and shows absolutely no signs of being hit by the arrow. It is amazing. I have some close up shots from the camera that I pulled today and even at a few feet you literally can't tell where the arrow zipped through his back. They sure can recover quickly from flesh wounds. Best regards. (1-23-12)
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BoB from IA asks:I am thinking of planting fridge forage this upcoming season. When is the best time to plant Big-N-Beasty (month) and Wild Game Buffet (month) for here in Iowa?? Thanks for your time and hope to see you at the Iowa Deer Classic.Winke Responds:Bob, I will be at the Deer Classic Friday evening for a while and most of the day Saturday. The other guys from the office will be there the entire weekend so be sure to stop by and talk with them. Big N Beasty goes into the ground in early August in Iowa (or really from late July through early September). I like this time frame for planting because generally it is much easier to get into the field than in the spring. Wild Game Buffet goes into the ground either in the spring (my preference) at the same time as the Big N Beasty. To get the most out of it the first year, you should plant in the spring, but if you can't get into the field because of weather, then an August planting will work too, but will not produce much forage the first year. Wild Game Buffet is primarily a clover blend so it will come back for roughly three years, meaning that even if you plant it in August or early September and don't get much growth the first year you will benefit for a couple of years into the future. Big N Beasty is an annual meaning you have to plant it every year - you should rotate it with a different food plot crop after two years (ideally every year). Good luck. (1-23-12)
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Brian from ME asks:In your opinion what is the best strategy for scent elimination when walking to a stand location? Recently I had a giant 5x5 walking right for my stand and looked like a shot at less than 20 yards was inevitable, instead he hit my scent from walking in at 35 yards and bolted. I had not observed deer using the path he took, and thus determined my route to the stand accordingly. I usually spray my boots completely before traveling to the property and again after putting them on. The path I took was over a dormant alfalfa field so I'm thinking not much more the the sole of my boot made contact. Will you be attending the Big Buck Classic in Omaha at the end of this month.Winke Responds:Brian, The very best strategy I have found is to wear PVC waders. They aren't very warm so you end up having to swap out to other boots at the tree, but they definitely contain the scent. I think the scent falls off your clothing and also out of your boots (especially rubber) when you walk that is why they can smell you on the bare ground. Yours was kind of an extreme case though. That buck must have been hyper sensitive. The second best strategy is to wear a set of Elimitrax booties and leggings. They do a good job too of holding in scent. We will not be going to the Omaha show this year. Possibly next year. Good luck. (1-23-12)
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Dan from MI asks:Hi Bill, love the show. What do you think caused double G4 to lose, then re-grow the hair on his back end? Do you think he will survive, despite whatever might be causing this problem? Hope so, would love to see more great footage of him next year! This time with your tag on him! DanWinke Responds:Dan, None of the experts knew for sure, and that show attracted the very top people in North America. I got feedback and suggestions from several of them but none knew for sure. Whatever it was, it was just a passing thing. They all felt that the skin condition was resolved and that it would not affect his survival. We got a few trail cam photos of him from a week ago, so he appears to be doing just fine. I hope we are able to find him back this fall. Best regards. (1-23-12)
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MArtin from NY asks:Bill... you're my hero! I just got back from the proshop with a New Hoyt Vector 32. I also shoot steelhead broadheads. Is there anything else you shoot that I might need to get? :-) What brand outer wear do you wear? JK...Winke Responds:Martin, Thanks buddy. I need all the support I can get! I have been wearing the same coverall that I helped Cabela's produce back in 2004. I have worn it every year since. That is part of the reason I was excited to work with Cabela's again on a new one - my old one is wearing out! It is a scent containment suit, but it is very functional since it is waterproof, scentproof and windproof making it a very useful for most deer hunting. Anyway, it will be back out on the market in the late summer. Best regards. (1-23-12)
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Mike from IL asks:How did the guy from Illinois get to shoot a buck on the last day of the season? Our late winter season is doe only, unless maybe it had to do with the cwd area?Winke Responds:Mike, I believe it was the last day of the regular season, not the antlerless season. Best regards. (1-23-12)
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Jeff from MO asks:Bill, there seems to be lots of talk about the blinds and suggestions so I thought I would give you one more... I have used a Double Bull blind a lot on the edge of foodplots to help contain scent and hide movement from the deer when they seem to come from all directions. I have always hated the limited visibility as well and so what I have done is open the front of the blind all the way across and then use brush to cover parts to create my shooting holes. What this does is allow me to watch the deer move through the brushed area (as long as it is not too brushed) and then shoot through the hole. That is as close to hunting out of a stand with shooting lanes as I can make it. The disadvantage is the more it is open, the more scent is released. My only other thought would be add more viewing windows that do not open (small horizontal windows)that allow you to watch the deer between shooting windows. You have probably already considered these options, but thought I would share anyWinke Responds:Jeff, It is good input. I would be reluctant to have so much open window space because it seems there are always deer downwind. When we open a second window in that blind, for example, we see the downwind deer start to get goosey. I think the viewing windows are a great idea. That is something I should employ. Blinds are imperfect. In fact, I have never found a perfect way to hunt a feeding area - except possibly to hunt staging areas nearby where the deer flow past and then are gone into the larger feeding area at dark. Blinds are a necessary evil in some situations, however. With a gun they are deadly, with the a bow they can be frustrating at times. I will keep thinking about it. Thanks. (1-23-12)
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Kevin from IA asks:When is the ideal time to start putting a feeder out? Is it specifically to just get good pictures of the deer in the area, or attract deer to the area? What kinds of things do I need to keep in mind? I'm on an 800 acre farm, but it is mostly crops, just draws and fingers along creeks and a couple 20 acre patches of woods. Corn and Beans, 70% beans. Thanks, love the show, first year watcher. KevinWinke Responds:Kevin, I would say now, but in your situation you may not need one. To actually feed deer or attract them, you need to put out a lot of feed - too much. It is better (cheaper and more pleasing to look at) to actually grow the food and leave it. Mark Drury used to supplemental feed on his Iowa farm for a few years to see if he could produce bigger deer. He eventually quit because it got too expensive and was too much work. He wasn't sure he was seeing the benefit here in Iowa. In other areas it likely would produce more measureable results. I just use food plots - no supplemental feeding. The little bit of corn I put out in front of my trail cameras is like a drop in the ocean, not worth considering. I would not worry about supplemental feeding in your situation. Best regards. (1-23-12)
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Keenan from MT asks:Congrats on the award. And also will it affect a deer pattern if you gut out a deer in the timber close by a stand.Winke Responds:Keenan, Thanks. I appreciate it. I think in the the short-term the gut pile is a problem not so much because of the gut pile itself, but for the predators it attracts leaving scent in the area. I still do it, though, but not in my best areas. In my best areas I move the deer a few hundred yards and then gut them. Long-term I don't think it makes much difference where you gut them. Good luck. (1-23-12)
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Jeremy Miner from IA asks:Bill, Just wanted to say Thanks for another great season of MW. Congats on the Best Hunt Show award as well. There is a reason you won....you & your staff do a teriffic job! You put out a high-quality show with high quality information, with out all of the over-the-top antics & fluff. I learn something every time I watch the show & so does my family. When I can watch a show that gives me everything I need to feel good about deer hunting & helps me learn new tips on how to try & make my own hunting experiences better, thats all I need...No other shows required. Best wishes on a successful 2012 season & here's hoping to see you at the Iowa Deer Classic....I still need my lucky hat signed! Sincerely, Jeremy Miner Williamsburg, Iowa ljminer@fbx.comWinke Responds:Jeremy, Thanks. I appreciate the kind words and the support. It is really the viewers like that made us winners. Without your loyal support it is not possible. I will be there buddy - with Sharpie in hand. Best time to find me there will be Saturday. All the best. (1-23-12)
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Bobby from KY asks:Bill, I just wanted to say that I was heartbroken for you about the G4 buck. I am the same way about forgetting sometimes to aim low when you are in the heat of the moment. People who don't understand must have never had a buck drop on them before. Anyways, I went squirrel hunting today and found a dead buck. I had only just seen him appear in trail cam pics in late December after I filled my buck tag. Unfortunately, I was looking forward to seeing him next year. My question was I found this deer with just a skull and spinal cord intact. There were several different piles of deer hair about 50 feet from the carcass. I found the carcass close to a ledge by a river. I didn't find deer ticks and from the picture I found no skin disease. What do you think would have been the cause of this? Do you think it would have been coyotes? I know they attack fawns but would they kill at mature buck, 4 years old?Winke Responds:Bobby, Thanks. It was very disappointing for me. Yes, I had a great season anyway, but shooting that buck was my primary goal heading into the season. I think I would have traded the other two for him. Not that he is that much bigger, but because I have been after him for so long and then had him right in my grasp. Coyotes don't often kill mature bucks unless they are wounded or sick. They sometimes die fighting, sometimes from fighting, sometimes wounded by other hunters, possibly some kind of infection from fighting. Very likely it was not a skin condition like the G4 buck had. That is very, very rare according to the experts. Sorry to hear about that buck. I hate it when that happens. Very disappointing. Hope you find another to hunt this fall. Best regards. (1-23-12)
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Chase from IL asks:Bill, first off, I love the show and it deserves to be a winner! Congrats! On another note, have you had any sightings of the G4 buck? Do you keep cameras out this time of year? Or, maybe just this year to see if you can get any pics of the G4 buck? Please keep us posted if you find his sheds or see him out in the field. Best, ChaseWinke Responds:Chase, Thanks friend. I appreciate it. I did get some photos of the buck last Sunday (1-15-12). He looked fine, walked right past the blind! He was out there for about 20 minutes feeding. I had the Bushnell camera on Field Scan mode so I got a photo of him every minute for the entire time and he looked perfectly healthy. Hair seems to be have grown back completely too. We will definitely keep you poste on any sheds we find. Have a great week. (1-23-12)
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Sean from ME asks:Congrats on the big win!!!!! Great to see so much support! It goes to show there are a ton of people just like me that love and follow this show religiously. I voted and I dont even have a facebook account. I had to use my fiances account!!Winke Responds:Sean, I really appreciate. I was overwhelmed by the amount of support we received. Thanks to everyone and especially to you for voting. The award actually belongs to everyone, not just the guys at the office. Best regards. (1-23-12)
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Jay from VA asks:I live in Virginia where hunting deer with dogs is legal. I do not support this practice as I am an avid stand hunter. I was wondering how does dog pressure affect deer and if so how to pattern deer to be able to stand hunt these deer?Winke Responds:Jay, From my experience here with coyote dogs, which are much less invasive than deer dogs (they just kind of run through and are gone), the deer circle and are back on their patterns shortly after the dogs leave - usually that same day. However, I am guessing deer dogs are wise to circling so it may not be the same with them. They may be better at really pressuring the deer. If that is the case, it could take a few days after a dog drive for the deer to get settled back in. I can't answer for sure since I have no experience in this area. I wish I had more to offer. Best of luck. (1-23-12)
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Jake from WI asks:Are you going to change G4's name to Winke now? Or does a flesh wound not count as a miss? Seriously though, I think string jumpers illustrate why shots past 40 yards are unethical. Too many TV shows are showing people shooting deer at 40+, 50+ and even farther. There's no question many of us can shoot accurately at those distances but if animal behavior can cause a miss at 30 yards, 40+ is just not ethical. You took a good shot and got unlucky. I really applaud you, number one for sticking with the bow, and two, for not taking a poor shot.Winke Responds:Jake, That is a good one. It might be a good idea, but people would think it was vanity in that case, I am afraid. We will stick with his original name. I agree, if the deer is alert, anything past 40 yards is really just a crap shoot. At 40 and under you can kind of anticipate what will happen, but when the arrow is in the air that long, a lot of bad stuff can happen when a deer is alert past 40 yards. Even unalert deer are hard to kill with shots past 40 yards. I have taken 40 yard shots often with does, but I have also seen some does completely vacate the sight picture before the arrow arrives (even when they were seemingly relaxed) only to come right back and then not jump at all on the next shot taking it square in the vitals. It is really something to see. I have had this happen several times. Anyway, thanks for the input and for the support. I appreciate it. (1-23-12)
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Kevin from AL asks:Bill, thanks for the quick response last week to my question about the new scent suit you are working on with Cabelas. If the new suit does not have a hood, a contoured collar that dips in the front to give an unobstructed anchor point at full draw like on other Cabelas Super Slam xtreme bowhunter jackets would be nice. Just a thought. I just purchased a Hoyt carbon matrix and wanted to know what length Fuse carbon blade stabilizer you use with your matrix. I wish Hoyt had kept the 7" brace height on the new matrix but the 6.75" brace height shot just as smooth and Hoyt said you would not notice any difference but would get more speed. Also, do you prefer blazer vanes or NAP quik spins to steer your rocket tipped arrows? Just wondering which you had found to be best in your tests. If you see a similar post earlier today, I apologize but I did not think my first post went through. Keep up the good work with your show and website!Winke Responds:Kevin, Thanks for the input. I'll pass it along. 1/4 inch difference in brace is not noticeable. I think both fletchings are fine. I used the short (6 1/2 incher). It is a cool stabilizer. I gave the one I had (complete with blood from the G5 buck) to one of my parting interns so I need to get another one. I shot the QuikSpins for several years and liked them. They don't require as much helical so they may work better for some situations. I will likely stick with them.
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Gary from GA asks:Its great to see all your hard work paid off for you and the other prostaffers.I know your last hunt was not the way you expected it, but you seem to learn well from disappointments. It was hard to read all the ridicule, however in the end you showed great poise and a much needed Christian attitude from which most famous people lack. Look forward to next years great shows. God Bless- GaryWinke Responds:Gary, Thanks for the nice words. Everyone did work hard but in the end it really was the fans that won the award. I am hoping that we can get back on that buck again next year. That would be a lot of fun. Best regards and God Bless you as well. (1-21-12)
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Jerry from AL asks:This isn't really a question but a suggestion. Instead of using plexyglass windows try using the plastic window insulator kits that you use a hair drier to make the plastic wrinkle free. No need to open windows, just point and shoot, and they would keep your scent in.Winke Responds:Jerry, Yes, that would have been a good option. I have done that before with blinds, but I am not sure why we used Plexiglass on this one - maybe to weather proof it because we knew the blind would sit out all year for many years. I may do that next year. I agree though, you can shoot through the plastic like it is nothing. Thanks for the tip. (1-21-12)
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drew from MO asks:What is the minimum draw wight you would use for expandable broadheads like rage, grim reaper razorcut and the meatseeker. Also what is your thought on cut on contact broadheads.Winke Responds:Drew, That is an inexact science because it depends on draw length and also where you hit the deer, weight of the arrow. However, for sure I can say that a large mechanical head (one that opens wide) needs more punch behind it. I would say for those heads 50 pounds is probably a realistic minimum. Put it this way, I would not recommend them for draw weights less than that. There are other mechanicals with smaller cutting diameters (like my beloved Steelheads) that will penetrate better (maybe not cause as much damage, but better penetration). And as you state, the cut on contact heads are even better at these lower draw weights. That is what I would recommend. Heads like the Bear Razorhead, etc. are good for lower poundage bows. Our son killed a buck in 2009 with a two blade cut on impact head at just 24 pounds of draw weight. He is going to be hunting again this year at roughly 30 to 35 pounds, but I think I will still keep him on fixed-blade, possibly cut on impact, heads. Good luck. (1-24-12)
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Josh from VA asks:Congrats on the Sportsman Channel award!!!!! woohoo!!!!Winke Responds:Josh, Thanks buddy. It was pretty dang cool! Congrats to you on the award too! (1-21-12)
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Noah from OH asks:what is a good stragety to get deer to come to where you are hunting in the late bow season in ohio.Winke Responds:Noah, You have to be near food. Baiting is legal there. I have hunted over bait in the past in Texas and it was fun there. While I don't particularly like baiting in the Midwest (I think it is more enjoyable and satifying to hunt them here without bait - and it can be done successfully) I don't condemn hunting methods that are legal. So if you don't have any food sources near your hunting area you can consider putting out some corn to hunt over. Good luck. (1-21-12)
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Kenny from IL asks:First off thanks for keeping us up to date with your hunts throughout the season. I am close to your age and started bowhunting in 1981. I have experienced everything you have gone through this season except multiple Boone & crockett deer in the same season. I have went through the hitting deer high (spine shooting deer) and killing multiple times. A buddy use to call me the spine shooter. It happens.I know you have come under some pretty close scrutiny lately and I like the way you have handled it,always straight up and without excuse.Can't wait until Monday for the next episode and to see what the g4 buck turns into next year.Winke Responds:Kenny, Thanks for that. There is always more to learn isn't there? I am looking forward to seeing that buck again next year too. I am also looking forward to redeeming myself on these high hits. It is not something I enjoy. Have a great day. (1-27-12)
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Noah from OH asks:In the late season in Ohio. And you put corn out. In the field and the woods will the snow ruin the corn if it covers itWinke Responds:Noah, Nope, it will be fine and the deer will still find it. Best regards. (1-21-12)
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Dan from MO asks:I guess you won the Sportman Award? CongratsWinke Responds:Dan, Yes, thanks and congrats to all the viewers of Midwest Whitetail. You guys actually won it. (1-21-12)
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Andrew from MN asks:Sportsman Channel’s:Best Hunt Show: Muddy’s Midwest Whitetail with Bill Winke – WINNER Hosted by Bill Winke, Produced by Midwest Whitetail Productions .... congrats!!! you earned it!Winke Responds:Andrew, Thanks buddy. That was quite an accomplishment that all the fans pulled off. Congrats to you and thanks for the support. (1-20-12)
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David from IN asks:I just saw Midwest Whitetail won!!! The Sportsman Channel And a real upset in the Best Hunting Show category, the first ever write-in winner Muddy's Midwest Whitetail Bill Weinke!!!! Thats great Bill, keep up the good work!Winke Responds:David, Thanks very much. As I have said before, you guys actually won it since the vote was a write-in. Congrats to you! (1-21-12)
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Martin from NY asks:Bill You've shot a lot of different bows. Can you tell me why you chose Hoyt over all the other brands? I'm thinking about purchasing a new bow this year and I'd like your opinion. Thanks.Winke Responds:Martin, I started shooting Hoyt quite a bit back in the mid 90s - about 15 years ago. I started because I liked the people there and they made some good bows that fit my 32 inch draw length. For a while they were the only company making good long draw bows. Now there are others. Over time I just grew to really appreciate the legacy, people and bows at Hoyt. There president is a former product engineer at Hoyt - that should tell you about their focus on building it right. I still have many good friends there (I have friends at other companies too), but the bows have really gotten better over the past five years (starting with the AlphaMax). There are other good bows on the market, but I just like the way the Hoyts feel during the shot - they are always well-made and accurate. My advice is to shoot the bows you think are most interesting - side-by-side if possible - and then pick the one that feels the best to you. Also, the way the bow looks plays a role since you have to think it looks cool in order to really love it. Good luck. (1-21-12)
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James from MN asks:Have you got any more trail cam photo's of the Dbl G4 Buck since the near miss?Winke Responds:James, Just started getting them. We'll show them to you in the Monday show. Best regards. (1-20-12)
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Greg from WI asks:Bill: Congrats on another successful year! I really admire the fact that someone like you, at the top of their game, never stops learning. I know you are bummed about the G4 buck and ground blind hunting in general, but the positive is the fact you duped that mega buck twice with your ground blind set. Four more inches lower or using your 20 yard pin and we wouldn't be talking about this. So what sort of improvements could you make to your ground blind to up your odds when things start getting dicy? Different window designs? More portals to watch the behavior of the deer? GregWinke Responds:Greg, Thanks. Possibly corner windows is what I was thinking, but really it hard when hunting in the middle of food plot to have more than one window open because you have to keep the scent inside - deer are always downwind in situations like that so you are stuck only using a single open window. If the deer follows the script it is all good. If not, it turns to chaos fast. Good idea. Best regards. (1-20-12)
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Matt from TN asks:I'm trying to decide between the new Element or the Matrix with the RKT cams. I notice you shoot the Matrix. Besides the axle to axle length difference, is there any other big differences in performance of the two bows? Why did you chose the Matrix over the Element?Winke Responds:Matt, I believe the Element is a bit faster. I need the Matrix to get the draw length out of it. If you don't have a long draw, I think I would probably go with the Element. Good luck. (1-20-12)
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Tim from IA asks:Bill,If you were starting out and were going to be putting something together for a dvd to put out for potential sponsors.Would you use products from big name companies or smaller ones that are known but not as popular.The big ones got all the top hunters advertising for them already not sure if it be a waste of time for someone starting out to use their products and try to get them to sponsor you.Thanks,TimWinke Responds:Tim, I would probably focus on the smaller companies. The odds of working with them are much higher. As you say, the big brands get hit up all the time. Best regards. (1-20-12)
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chad from WI asks:hey Bill, just seen on facebook, that you won best hunting show..! first time a write in ever won..! congrats, i am a huge fan of yours, hope my vote helped.. keep up the Awesome work.Winke Responds:Chad, I am sure that every vote helped. Thanks so much for the support. The award is partly yours too! Best regards. (1-21-12)
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Jacob from WI asks:Bill, I was on bowhuntingmag.com, and it said that Midwest Whitetail won the "Best Hunt Show", congradulations!!!Winke Responds:Jacob, Thanks buddy. I appreciate the support. I hope you have a great day. (1-21-12)
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Jarrod from IA asks:Hey Bill, I have asked a couple questions on here before and I had a couple more.. I am shooting 340 grain arrows out of my Mathews Switchback XT. I am going to order a dozen arrows fairly soon and wonder if it will make a difference in arrow flight if I put different vanes on such as the blazer vanes. My second question is what do you think of the G3 Tekan Broadhead? Thanks for your time.Winke Responds:Jarrod, It make a small difference - it depends on the rest you are shooting. If you are shooting a drop-away it shouldn't make a difference as the rest is probably clear. If shooting other styles you may see a difference because the Blazer vanes are slightly higher profile than some other types on the market. I have shot the Tekan and wasn't a huge fan. I think if I was going to shoot a G5 head it would probably be the T3. As you probably know I love simplicity, that is why I like the Rocket Steelhead. Just make sure that you are comfortable with the way the blades stay closed in flight and then open on impact. If the mechanics seem good to you go for it. Best regards. (1-20-12)
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asa from ID asks:Just wanted to congratulate you on the Best Show award, love watching the show cant wait for next season alreadyWinke Responds:Asa, Thanks so much for the compliment and for supporting the show. Have a great day. (1-21-12)
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Jeremy from ID asks:Bill- Why do you never discuss Boone and Crockett or Pope and Young scores on deer harvested on the episodes of Midwest Whitetail?Winke Responds:Jeremy, We just don't worry about it that much. I am more interested in age. The age is actually a truer indication of a trophy than antler size. We do like to hunt the largest antlered bucks when we have them, but when they aren't here we have just as much fun hunting any of the other old bucks on the farm. I hate to stress inches. I don't want to boil a memory down to a number right after the kill. (1-20-12)
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Frank from MI asks:Can't open the last show of the year, and can't open any of the other ones either? All it says is loading video but it never does load. Always enjoy all of the shows from every state. ThanksWinke Responds:Frank, We switched video hosts a while back. The new host is Vimeo. Some corporate firewalls may have Vimeo blocked. You might want to check with the IT guy if you are trying at work. It may also be that you need to upgrade to the latest Flash Player. Download it here: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ Sorry for any inconvenience. Best regards. (1-21-12)
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Alex from NY asks:First off...I want to say congrats on an unbelievable year. Its very easy for some of these fellow 'hunters' to question your shooting or shot placement sitting on their couches. Anyone, no matter how accomplished a shooter or hunter has missed and made 'poor' judgements in the heat of the moment. Adapting to a changing environment is part of what makes certain hunters more sucessful then others. I'm sure you will make adjustments and start to feel more confident in your changing environment. On another hand..this is part of why we bowhunt...the challenge, the uncertainty, and the ultimate reward I hunt a very pressured area in suburban new york that is almost exclusively bowhunting. I have experienced this 'ducking/jumping' very often but not everytime. Often it has to do more with alertness, body posture, and area pressure. We tend to see it happen more towards the end of December then in early October but everydeer is different. I found that moving stands within certainWinke Responds:Alex, Thanks. With all that was going on, I just take the time to read the deer's body language. It is sometimes hard to pull it all together when you can't really see the deer that well from the blind etc. Either way, I probably missed seeing the important signs that he was alert and held accordingly. Part of your question got cut off, but I do think you are right about it happening more in late season. Deer at that time just seem to be wired tighter. We don't pressure them during the gun season, but yet they still seem to be wired tighter in the late season. It is an interesting discussion. Best regards. (1-20-12)
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Josh from VA asks:Hey bill, what time do you think i should start putting liquid supplements out???Winke Responds:Josh, I don't much about those products. I am assuming they are like some sort of mineral? I think if you are going to put them out, now would likely be a good time. I doubt they are actually supplements so if they are not mineral either, they are primarily attractants and those may not have much to offer deer nutritionally. If they aren't at least mineral based, I don't think I would put them out at all. Save them. Again, a true supplemental food source is likely not a liquid - it would disappear too quickly. Good luck. (1-24-12)
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Chris from OH asks:Bill, While watching the last episode about the G4 buck you explained that he always seemed to circle the blind. I know that you hate to hunt out of the blind, so I thought you could use it in another fashion. Do you think you could position the blind in the field to alter how the buck enters or moves through the field so that his path would cross a treestand setup? It sounds risky, but when all else fails what do you have to lose. Thanks, ChrisWinke Responds:Chris, In hindsight that probably would have worked. I never thought of that, but since you mention it, I am thinking about it now. Thanks for the idea. That is pretty creative thinking! (1-20-12)
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Mike from IA asks:If there are the same food sources(corn) on both sides of the woods what are the factors in determining which side to hunt? One side they have to cross a road.Winke Responds:Mike, Wind for sure. You need a wind that won't blow to the deer before or after they get to the field. After that it comes down to which side a nice buck is using. Scouting (glassing) or trail cameras will tell you that. That is how I would approach it. Find the buck and then figure out how to hunt him. Good luck. (1-19-12)
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Matthew from AL asks:Just remember Bill, you shot two magnificent bucks this year with your bow. You had the chance at what is at least a 200" plus buck. I will never criticize your shot selection. For most of us mere mortals we'd be lucky to do that in a lifetime of hunting. I seemed to have notice Greg using a GoPro Hero in a sequence taking a doe. It produced some great video. If this is correct, what are yours, and Greg's thoughts on the camera?Winke Responds:Matthew, Thanks. I appreciate it. Greg uses the heck out of the Go Pro. He places them in some of the coolest places. One time he hung one from a branch over a trail near the stand and we go some killer footage of the deer going by from that angle. We think they are a great addition to any action filming situation. Not good enough to film an entire hunt, not by a long shot, but great for support. Best regards. (1-19-12)
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Rusty from GA asks:I've never owned a top of the line bow in my life. I've been bowhunting 15 yrs. and was wondering how to get a good used Hoyt and which one you would prefer? I shoot a 465gr. arrow and broadhead and would like more speed than the 235fps I shoot now.Winke Responds:Rusty, I would likely get an AlphaMax or Maxxis and look at Craigs List and then e-bay. If you have never bought off e-bay, please get some help from an experienced buyer. There are definitely things to look out for, but overall you can expect honest transactions. The AlphaMax and Maxxis are no longer in the line but are very good bows. I think you will love either one of them. Plan B is to look at a new Rampage XT. That is a great bow a good price. Good luck. (1-18-19)
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Tink from MN asks:Bill, Why does it seem that all the deer you have shot at or tried to shoot this year you have missed or shot high? You keep on making excused that the deer drop or jump your string, although not many of your other staff have the same problem. Also why is it "OK" for you to make poor shot placement and angles just because you "shoot a high draw weight", if you just allowed for the right shot window, it would come, and you wouldn't have to rely on pure luck of hoping for your arrow to hit true when you take spine shots. I feel it is very hypocritical of you to give suggestions to other hunters and tell them not to take risky shots and then you do just that because you are in the moment. Take a little more time---Winke Responds:Tink, A fair question. If you go back and look at the shots, the arrow actually was heading to roughly the center of the vitals. I didn't take a spine shot, the deer dropped ten inches. Go back and look at it again. That is the entire point. I am not defending bad shots I am pointing to the fact that during the moment of truth I don't always remember to aim low. I have never had a buck jump the string on me here in the Midwest since prior to 2009. I have shot a lot of them and none dropped much if at all. Even a few of the ones I have shot since then that were obviously alert didn't drop at the sound of the shot (they drop to load their legs to run off when they hear the bow and then as a result it is easy to shoot high if you didn't anticipate it). It is a bit of a crap shoot as to whether they will drop. Watch the IL finale show. A number of shots at alert deer that didn't drop at all. I have hit a run of string jumpers and as a result I have to remind myself to aim low. During the moment of truth I can't always remember that so I have to try other strategies to make that a permanent part of my shooting routine. Obviously, a buck has never dropped at the shot for you - when it does, you will understand. Good luck. (1-18-12)
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Charlie from NY asks:First off that me say you are a very accomplished hunter that has been hunting for many years and taken many big deer with the bow. I just read on your blog that you feel the need to hold low or use the wrong pin when shooting a deer. I don’t understand why your not taking the sound of your setup into consideration. Sound travels around 1100fts and having an amplified sound could be causing the deer to drop. I’m sure Your bow is fast but it’s not as fast as sound. For you to consider aiming low or using the wrong pin after harvesting so many deer is just bizarre. What has changed that deer are reacting different to the shot? I don't think the deer have gone through a genetic alteration to cause this current reaction? Could sound be your true nemesis?Winke Responds:Charlie, Not sure what has changed. Possibly just a run of bad luck. The shots I have had over the past few years have been harder than in the past. I never had a Midwest buck jump the string before 2009. I have had many southern deer jump the string on me, but not northern deer. My bow is already quiet. It is very hard to make a bow quiet enough that an alert buck at 30 yards won't hear it. Yes, at longer ranges on breezy days you can make a bow quiet enough that the deer don't hear it and under 20 yards it doesn't really matter anyway because the deer don't seem to react fast enough to avoid the arrow - at least not here in the Midwest (that is based on our video studies). I repeat, you can't make a bow quiet enough that an alert deer can't hear it at 30 yards. At least I have never seen such a bow and I have shot literally hundreds of bows in my life. The bows I am shooting now are much quieter than the bows I shot back in the 90s and early 2000s. Again, I think it has been just a bad run of luck when the bucks are reacting more than I have seen them do in the past. I will mess with my arrows to see if I can silence my arrow some, but I really doubt that matters, I am quite sure the deer are reacting to the sound of the shot. It is real. Good luck. (1-17-12)
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Steve from IA asks:Is it possible that the deer are jumping the string because it's your bow? Don't get me wrong I shoot Hoyt and I love it. But maybe there just to loud. Maybe Mathews or pse just make less noise.Winke Responds:Steve, I doubt it. I have shot a lot of bows and that one is not really all that loud. It sound loud in the blind because the noise echoes in there. In reality, when you shoot it outside, it is not very loud. He was just a jumpy deer, I guess. Good luck. (1-17-12)
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Kevin from AL asks:Bill, I love the MW show and really enjoy the vast knowledge and advice containedwith on your website. Thanks for sharing! My question pertains to your scent suit that you are currently working on with Cabalas to be introduced in their 2012 Archery catalog. What type of material will the outerwear be made from (fleece, microtex, polyester, etc...)? The Deer in my area of South Alabama get heavy pressure due to the lengthy season and liberal bag limits. I strictly bow hunt and after a few weeks of gun season the Deer really get spooky and any noise whatsoever ever; therefore, I was looking for a really quiet outer farmer that fits the demands of the avid bowhunter and curious about the new suit. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for the response and hunt safe?Winke Responds:Kevin, Thanks for the support. I have not seen the final prototypes, but the samples I have tested were a low-knap fleece. It was a bit loud, but I know they were still working on that. It will certainly evolve over time, but I can't say for sure what the final will feel like until I see another sample. Have a great day. (1-17-12)
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James from MN asks:Hey Bill, thought I would share my two cents. Even though I shoot 80+lbs out of a very fast bow, I always aim for the top of the the heart or in other words, the top of the bottom third of the deer regardless of the distance. At closer distances (if I do my part) I take out the top of the heart and bottom of lungs leaving a very short track job and at longer distances it ends up somewhere in the lungs usually. I am sure you probably have come up with this already, just thought I would share. As always, love the show. I don't mean this to sound snyde, but in a way I'm glad you didn't get the Dbl G4 buck, gives us something to look forward to for you next season! Besides, three booner bucks off a fair chase farm would have made other professional hunters look bad ;)Winke Responds:James, It was certainly a crazy season. There was no precedent for that kind of year. We have had good years before but it always involved 150 inch deer, not deer of this caliber. I think I just have a hard time remembering to aim low. I have done it a certain way for so long that I need to reprogram my mental approach to shooting at deer to make sure it is automatic. I thought I would just remember, but it didn't work. Funny how I go brain-dead when I am shooting at a buck. Have a great day. (1-17-12)
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Tracy from IA asks:Hi Bill, guess I should offer my condolences on the G4 buck...;) Anyway, after a very tough three months of bow and muzzleloader hunting, without shooting a single deer, I was lucky enough to harvest the biggest buck of my life on the last Sunday of muzzleloader season. He was 6 1/2 years old, and grossed 180 1/8" non-typical; and 170 6/8" typical. We had been chasing him for a couple of seasons, but this was a first time he slipped up. Was wondering if there was a way to send a photo of him to post on the site...? Good luck, and God bless, TracyWinke Responds:Tracy, Congrats on the buck! That is a great deer and a great story. You are welcome to send an image to us via info@midwestwhitetail.com along with a short description of the hunt. I would love to post it to the Big Buck photos on the site. Again congrats! Best regards. (1-17-12)
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Ken from IN asks:Bill, I wish I could feel your pain with the miss on the G4 but I'm not feeling it, You took two great bucks with bow in hand Daggers and the G5, That G4 buck had T/C written all over him, Just my opinion have a great year.Winke Responds:Ken, I know it. I just wanted to shoot him with a bow. Yes, I probably could have shot him fairly easily with the gun, but that is OK. I knew it was possible for him to get away with the bow, but I just wanted to take him that way despite the lower odds. Best regards. (1-17-12)
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milo NW Illinois from IL asks:Hey Bill- I am sure everybody and his brother will have suggestions for you on your sight placement when shooting at an alert deer. My thought is that it is a direct result of shooting from a tree for so many years then trying to shoot from ground level. That to me is the most likely reason you "struggle" with shots from ground level. I do not hunt from trees and would have the same preoblem in reverse if I were to all of a sudden hunt from a tree. But I think what your situation truly illustrates is the real challenge of ground blind hunting- making a shot when a deer is so close and you are on the same level as the deer. It creates all sorts of issues. Would you consider doing a series of shows on the challenges and rewards of ground blind hunting. I know I am not the only soul out here that does not hunt from a tree! Thanks Bill for thinking about it!Winke Responds:Milo, I will definitely put that one on the list. I have hunted from them some and found them to be very challenging, especially with a bow. Maybe I am not the right guy to tell people how to do it. Thanks for the input, it is all good stuff. Have a great day. (1-17-12)
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Cody from MN asks:If G4 is around next year, would you consider hunting for him earlier in the season so we as viewers could learn your ideas during that season? I know you aren't a fan and I'm not necessarily either, but for a lot of us viewers we have to hunt whenever we can if we want to try and get a nice buck. Hopefully it's something you consider because I feel a lot of people have learned more from this show than you think. Oh, and not to be too hard on you but it is nice to see one get away from you once in a while. Your farm is setup so amazing it leaves most of us honestly wondering about a highfence because we simply don't see that anywhere else! Thanks and great show!Winke Responds:Cody, Early season is really challenging and I am very busy in the office at that time so I tend to steer clear of that time frame. Instead, I like to focus my efforts on the times when the bucks are most vulnerable. I will try to get you something from early October though in the coming year, I just can't promise it will be a giant buck. He was underground most of October this past year. I knew that there was a risk to showing these deer, but trust me, it was just a freakish year. Go back to the beginning, watch all those videos from 08, 09, 10. Have you forgotten the long hours in stand I spent with nothing? I haven't. There were always some decent bucks around but no giants. That has been our history. There were just a few bucks that kept getting away from us and they got old enough to get very big and their personalities changed enough to make them visible. I am sure that we won't have many bucks like this to hunt for a while again. It cycles like that. Best regards. (1-17-12)
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Brian from MD asks:What are your plans for G4 now. Leave him alone and try and find his sheds? Maybe try and get him on a trail cam to see if he survived, wait til summer? I would imagine that patience would play a part in the decision making process. Congrats on your awesome season!!!! I would still watch even if you just shot does!!Winke Responds:Brian, I have had years like that - where it seemed that all I could get were does and I likely will have others. I am going to try to get him on trail camera. I have two spots where I think I can get him. I will monitor him to determine both his health and when he drops his antlers. Once he has shed I probably won't run the camera anymore. Then it is just patience to wait until next summer to try to find him back assuming he survives. I doubt he will leave after all these years, but it does sometimes happen. So it is possible that he might not be here next year. Either way, that is the plan. Thanks for the support. I really appreciate it. (1-17-12)
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derrick from MI asks:I walked by trail cam and noticed that the photo showed my scentlok suit as almost white while the rest of camo showed camo, (not scentlok).What do you think the deer see when they look at my camoWinke Responds:Derrick, That is an infra-red flash. They don't see that way. I am not 100% sure what they see, but it is not the same as infra-red, we do know that. So don't worry that your camo looks all white to deer. Have a great day. (1-17-12)
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Dan from TN asks:Hello! Great website. Just FYI, I can't view the videos on my iPhone and iPad. Here is my question, Can you do a video on how to find antler sheds? We didn't get our top bucks on our hit list. Which should make next year incredible!!!? We want to make sure we track these slammers throughout the spring and summer. Can you do a show on shed hunting and keeping tabs on the bucks the got away?Winke Responds:Dan, We will have a solution for you soon, but in the meantime you can watch Flash video on an apple device using the skyfire browser app. We will cover shed hunting at length in the Off-Season Episodes that start in Mid-February. Good luck on your big ones. Should be an exciting year. (1-17-12)
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jordan from MO asks:What a great season for you bill congrats. Unforuntately my season didnt go well. My question is did you score the two bucks you harvested? And is the doubt G4 really a 200 incher? ThanksWinke Responds:Jordan, Thanks for support. We never did more than just rough estimate the bucks. Drew's buck (we called it "Flyers") was about low 170s. Daggers was roughly low 180s, G5 was around 190 and I don't really know on the Double G4. He looks awfully big, but he has really short brows so it may be deceiving. I am not going to guess. Quite an amazing year! Best regards. (1-17-12)
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Jake from IA asks:Bill, Do you think part of the reason you have shot high on a few bucks over the past few years is because of your draw weight? I know you can handle 80lbs shooting in the back yard but in a treestand or sitting in a ground blind couldn't the draw weight have an affect? You could still generate a ton of penetration at 70lbs with your long draw length.Winke Responds:Jake, It is not the draw weight - the problem is where I have the pin when the bow goes off. I am hitting where I am aiming. I am just aiming in the wrong place given the deer and their alert state. It is hard to figure out which ones to hold low on and which ones to aim dead on. However, I think I am finally zeroing in on the solution (after some very painful lessons). Best regards. (1-16-12)
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Jake from WI asks:Bill, congrats on the amazing year. It has been a blast watching. If you could go back and change one thing this season besides what has happened with the G4 buck over the last few weeks, what would it be? What will you do differently next year? (food, stand locations, etc.)Winke Responds:Jake, I would like to have hunted more days. I love hunting and I was tagged out too quickly in the bow season and then I had to wait until the right conditions to hunt the late season and didn't get a lot of hunting time then either. It was a successful season, but I sure didn't get to hunt much. I would also have changed the outcome of our daughter's shot during the youth season at that nice ten pointer. She shot just low. I wish she had gotten him. Thanks for the support. Have a great day. (1-16-12)
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Robert from CA asks:I think that deer management is a great tool. especially letting deer reach there full age potential.. But i also think that every farm needs a good seed buck, One good thing to take away from this is.. Look at all the good looking offspring this buck will bring to the farm.. It's all genitics.. leave that big boy for seed..dream big!Winke Responds:Robert, I hear you, but he has made that decision for me for a few years. He is 6 1/2 and in theory will be here next year, possibly breeding does again. My guess is that he has passed along his genes to several does already. Genetics quickly get swamped in a free ranging herd because the doe carries some of it and you can't tell which does produce big bucks in the wild. Also, some generations can get skipped and then the trait shows back up again. No doubt, having more big deer on the farm will increase the quality of the buck offspring, but it is a tricky bugger to try to put your finger on exactly how much affect that has in a wild, free-roaming herd. Best regards. (1-16-12)
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Martin from MT asks:Good Morning Bill, Congrats on an excellent season and THANK YOU for sharing it with us. I have a quick question for you regarding deer management; ideally, should we be shooting does before or after the rut? Thanks. MartinWinke Responds:Martin, Ideally before the rut. Then the bucks don't have to exert energy to fight for and breed that doe and also, in theory, you aren't wiping out the genetics from a big deer on the farm. For example, suppose we shoot six bucks off the field where the G4 Buck was living. Though not likely, we could wipe out all three or four of the does he bred this year. Better to kill them before the rut. Best of luck. (1-16-12)
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Eric from IN asks:Hey Bill I finally recently took the plunge and bought an AX-2000 and a couple GoPro Hero 2's and have been filming. I'm not overly tech savvy but have been researching all the standard venues and trying to get myself up to snuff. I needed a real computer because my 5 y/o junky laptop won't even play AVCHD files so I went and visited an old co-worker/computer nerd. I had initially thought I would need a desktop but after talking to him he suggested a laptop that he had recently purchased. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...&CatId=4938 I am going to be using Premeire Pro 5.5 which is on the way. I guess I'm just worrying myself a little bit that the computer might not be able to handle it properly and am wondering if I should return it and go a different direction. Any help would be greatly appreciated.Winke Responds:Eric, That link didn't work. The most recent laptops, especially those running Core i7 processors and with at least 8 GB of ram, can handle PP CS 5.5. We are doing it here on a Dell with those specs. That was a pretty expensive laptop though (as laptops go) in the $1,400 range. A desktop at that price would be faster. I guess, you can try the laptop and I beleive if it doesn't work you can probably send the computer back and just say it was too slow for the appointed task. More than likely you will get the refund or apply the refund to a desktop or components. We make all our own computers (desktops) and that has proven to be fun and gets us killer computers at a decent price. Best regards. (1-16-12)
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Todd from IL asks:Bill, Just read your 2 options for shooting lower on deer. Here is a third option for you that I have used for years. Set your pins to shoot 4 inches low. This allows you to stay natural by shooting at the center of the deer and get your desired arrow impact location. Great Show! ToddWinke Responds:Todd, That is also a good option. I am a little reluctant to do that because there may be situations where I am shooting at something that is ulikely to jump, like a wounded deer, etc. and then I want to know I can aim dead-on. I am still trying to decide the best strategy for me and my own mental state during the moment of truth. I am sure I can come up with something, but it is clear that simply aiming at the center of the chest and hoping they don't drop isn't going to cut it. Thanks for the input. Have a great day. (1-16-12)
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Bill from PA asks:Hi Bill, Need your oppinion on something, today is Sunday (no hunting!)Jan 15th in Southeast Pennsylvania. I was doing some scouting and jumped a nice 2 yr.old buck from a nasty thicket by a frozen pond and then when I walked back by the thicket 5 minutes later a mature doe jumped out of the same spot. Based on the time of year, do you think this buck was locked down with that doe or were they just bedded down together? Weird! Thanks for a great season...Winke Responds:Bill, My guess is that they were just bedded down together. If the doe was hot, I doubt the buck would have left until the doe did. That has been my experience at least. Good luck. (1-16-12)
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Jeff from MO asks:Bill, I have watched Midwest whitetail since the first season and I love the show. I have learned a lot which has helped me take some of my top hit list bucks the last few years. However, one of the things about Midwest Whitetail that I love the most is how you show everything a bowhunter goes through. The "ups" and unfortunately the "downs". I am very impressed that you are willing to show some of your mistakes to try to help everyone else learn from you. So I don't have a question but just wanted to say THANK YOU! I love to watch every week and I appreciate the honest portrayal of what a trophy whitetail bowhunter goes through. Keep up the good work. Hope you get another chance at G4 next year.Winke Responds:Jeff, Thanks for all your support and for watching the shows. As much as they sometimes embarrass me, we can't be as helpful if we hide our mistakes. I would love to have swept that G4 fiasco under the table, but then we would have missed a prime opportunity to use it as a learning (and teaching) event. I hate screwing up. I really do and to do it in public is even worse. Best regards and thanks for the support. (1-16-12)
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What is the technical explanation for how a bow creates letoff when the harnesses approach the axle?Jerod from TX asks:What is the mathematical/technical explanation as to why the letoff of a bow increases as you get the buss cable closer to the axle??Winke Responds:Jerod, It is just leverage. It is like a teeter totter. By moving a the lighter kid farther from the pivot and the heavier kid closer you can still balance them. By moving the harnesses in close to the axle, you give the string the advantage so it doesn't take as much force to hold it back because the heavy kid (the harnesses) are closer to the pivot point. Does that make sense? There are some physics formulas that apply: sum of the torques acting around the axle must equal zero when the cam is being drawn or at full draw and then acceleration forces of the arrow balance the same torques when you release the string. I forgot much of what I learned in college nearly 30 years ago, but the basic concept is what I am trying to explain. A cam is just a series of levers that change as you draw the bow and that is what creates the force draw curve, determines how much energy the bow stores and how much the draw force lets off. Good luck. (1-14-12)
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gary from WI asks:Bill, what do you think changed this year on your farm to get these deer to explode like they did and stay on the farm as well? Did you plant more food, less pressure? My farm did the same thing here in Wisconsin 2 years ago, had 4 booners killed in a 2 week period on the farm. Seems like all the planets were in aline at that time but this year was less than spectacular after a season like that. Looking to see if there is some similar clue so I can accomplish that same feat again in my lifetime. Thanks GaryWinke Responds:Gary, I think we have a low deer number in general now, but I am not convinced that is what caused this. I think it was just one of those years when several of the bucks we have been hunting and watching all appeared within bow range. I don't think I did anything much different. I think I am getting a bit smarter each year and more patient, but really the deer were just more visible - at least the right deer were. In general I didn't think it was a great year for deer movement. I think it was just luck. Also, some of the deer had gotten older than I normally try to shoot them so they were much bigger as a result. That has changed my thinking from hunting them at 4 years old to hunting them at 5 (should probably be 6 but every year introduces a lot of risk that they will die of natural causes, etc.). Good luck. (1-14-12)
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Will from AL asks:Bill, I just went back and watched your "great 8" hunt from '09 and it made me think of your G5 hunt. Both times you mentioned that you had to kneel down on your platform in order to make the shot, and I am assuming that both times this was so you could get footage. My question is about how you set up for filming. Is your cameraman's platform more or less on the same level as your own stand? How much higher do you try to get the camera than the shooter? An interesting off season episode might be your strategy for setting up with cameras. I know you probably don't want to give away your secrets, but it is interesting that the same thing occurred twice for what I assume are similar problems. Thanks for the show, you help and inspire a great many hunters, myself included.Winke Responds:Will, I don't have any secrets. They were both from the same stand - that is why the situation was identical. Anything in that direction requires that I drop down so the camera can film over me. If you look at it close, you will see the same dead tree at 35 yards, but it will also be obvious how much the cover has grown in. Man, it is thick in there now. Anyway, we tend to set up very close to the same height and very close together because I also film the cameraman shooting deer sometimes too because there are mature bucks here I don't want to shoot that need to be removed. Any mature buck has the potential to become a bully and keep other better genetic bucks away, so we try to shoot some of them each year (in addition to the deer I shoot). Having the stands side by side makes it much easier for me to grab the camera and film them killing deer. Good luck. (1-14-12)
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Bob from CA asks:Ikeep playing your last episode. Your blind is loud! I'm a heating and air contractor. You need some duct board liner in there to deaden the noise. maybe some rubber van mats forthe floor or old carpet that does thetrick. or just insulate it with that pink wall insulation. not pretty but will do.Winke Responds:Bob, It actually is insulated. Double wall - entirely insulated upstairs and down. It is always going to sound louder inside than outside because the microphones we use are pretty sensitive and the sound echoes inside. We could definitely benefit from acoustic foam the walls and a better floor mat system for sure - you are right about that. However, we never had a deer on the outside hear us moving around that I am aware of. Have a great day. (1-13-12)
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steve from IN asks:Bill, my son and learn alot from you and your pro staff. I want to use the 100 grain steelhead for whitetails and black bear. I'm having a confidence issue since the first time i'll be using them will be in May for bears. I know if I put it in the right place thats the key to a short blood trail. Have you ever had any issues with angle shots using the steelheads? I shoot an Alpha Max 27" draw, 65# with FMJ 400s. Thanks for your advice.Winke Responds:Steve, In my experience, bears are actually easier to kill than deer if you hit them right (kill zone is lower and farther forward than you might think). I have literally killed hundreds of animals (mostly whitetails and mostly does at that, but some elk, mulies, bears, caribou too) and have never had a problem with the heads doing their part. Sure, a larger head would be nice on some hits, but if you hit them good, the Steelhead will deliver the kill. Your setup sounds really good. Steelheads are very good penetrating heads and very accurate. Good luck on the hunt. (1-13-12)
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Alex from MN asks:Thinking im finally going to make a change from my 2005 PSE Pro Series Venom to a Hoyt. Even though my bow is outdated I cant put it down. I have been doing some research on the new Hoyts. Getting a lot of information in regards to the "fuel" cams vs the new "rtk" cams. My question is a two-parter...what are advantages of the 2012 Hoyt Vector 32 vs the Hoyt Cxr 32? (other than the cam)...and would it be smart/cost efficient to just buy a 2011 Hoyt Cxr 32 and upgrade to new cams? Thanks, AlexWinke Responds:Alex, I don't think you can upgrade the cams normally. I think you may end up needing all new string and harnesses and maybe even limbs too. I would not do that. Buy the bow with the cams you like. The CRX is a great bow. It is not quite as smooth as the new Vector because of the RKT cam. However, if you are pulling into the back of valley at full draw while aiming, you likely won't notice much difference. If you creep a bit, you will notice it. If you can get the 2011 CRX for a good savings, that is a great bow. I shot the CRX 35 most of last season and loved it. Just know it is not going to be quite as smooth as the Vector with the RKT. Otherwise, they are more or less comparable. Good luck. (1-13-12)
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Jeremy from AL asks:What kind of windows did you use on your new blind that you hunt the G4 from?Winke Responds:Jeremy, They are plexiglass with black felt draped behind them to keep the blind dark inside so the deer can't easily see in. Greg actually filmed all that footage right through the plexiglass because we dared not open any more windows. Best regards. (1-13-12)
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john from AR asks:Bill thanks for sharing the chase for the G4 with us. I have really enjoyed it. How many buck tags can you get in Iowa... :) just kidding I have about 6 weeks of season left and have word on 3 nice bucks. (havent seen any of them but I would like to) Ive never killed a big buck late season any tips on how to get started?Winke Responds:John, Good one. I answered that question a few times didn't I? Now to your Q: It is all about the food. Find what they are eating and find the deer. If you are not sure, find a local/regional biologist and learn all the things that deer commonly browse on in your area and then locate concentration areas of some of them. That is where you will find deer. A trail camera will help you determine which areas to hunt. I like finding them first before just randomly hunting and hoping for blind good fortune. If possible, move the camera around until you locate one of them and then start hunting the best food sources in that area. That plan will work best. Good luck. (1-13-12)
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Joe from WI asks:What ever happened to the buck you called the great eight from last year?Winke Responds:Joe, He was actually from 2009. My neighbor found him dead in the spring of 2010. He felt that the buck had been dead for only a short time. That deer was very old, possibly died from natural causes that winter (it was a very harsh winter). Best regards. (1-13-12)
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Tim from NC asks:Bill, My question is why didn't you open up all the windows in the blind when you first got in or when he walked away to check out the doe. Thanks again for a FIRST CLASS HUNTING SHOW . I love the way you all are doing this...it's great.Winke Responds:Tim, There were also deer downwind. If you open more than one window you suck scent out of the blind at a much greater rate. I like to sit with all the windows closed, but I couldn't do that in this case because I had to pick a shooting lane well in advance. I picked the one in the direction he went the time before and then he reverses field on me and goes the other way leaving me in a panic to catch up. Just bad luck really. If he had gone the same way he went the time before he would have fed past at roughly 30 yards broadside and I had the perfect window open for that. If I had opened more of them, the deer downwind would have spooked and blown the field. Good question. Best regards. (1-13-12)
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Allan from ON asks:Just curious about the age of a buck that was in the field with the Double G4 buck. The buck in question has about 4 inch spikes. Is that a really small 1.5 year old buck or a fawn born really early in the previous year? Thanks for the great season.Winke Responds:Allan, I have always wondered that too. My guess is that he was a late born fawn the year before. We sometimes see them with spots in September. It is possible he was born very late in 2010. I don't think they can grow three inch spikes their first year if born a month earlier than normal here. I have never seen one born two months early, but it is possible. Again, my guess, late born the year before. Good question. Best regards. (1-13-12)
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Kaden from IA asks:Bill, can you use a youth tag for archery? I know you can use them for any gun season but what about bow?Winke Responds:Kaden, Yes you can. Good luck. (1-12-12)
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Bob from CA asks:Was that not one of the most awsume sights? As G4 was winning the battle.. Running away through the brush, antlers held high..Hope you find them I'd like to see them up close..Hope the wound, doesn't droup his antler size down for next yr. He won.. he's a servivor. you will see him again..Winke Responds:Bob, We will be looking for those antlers pretty hard. Assuming the wound doesn't get infected, it should pose absolutely no threat to the deer. I spoke with Randy Ulmer about it at the ATA show (he's actually a degreed veternarian) and he said that hits in that area rarely get infected. So we can hope for the best. Best regards. (1-13-12)
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bill from PA asks:Hey Bill, Shouldn't we find out how the show did in the Sportsman Channel voting this week?Winke Responds:Bill, Next week we find out - at the SHOT Show. Thanks. (1-13-12)
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Husky from PA asks:You have taken 2 awesome deer so far and now you are on the trail of the double G4 buck again. How many tags do you get a year? And yet a out of state tag in Iowa is so hard to come by.Winke Responds:Husky, I can shoot three bucks here and a large number of does. As a landowner, I get an extra tag. I can buy a statewide bow tag, statewide late muzzleloader tag that you can also fill with a bow and the landowner tag. Best regards. (1-11-12)
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Cameron from AB asks:Hi Bill Sorry about the G4 Buck. You have had one heck of a season!!! id love to see bucks like that let alone shoot at them!! Your a great hunter bill. My question is how many bucks are you allowed to shoot in Iowa?Winke Responds:Cameron, Thanks. Landowners can shoot three bucks. Two statewide tags and one for that particular land. (1-10-12)
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bill from PA asks:I guessed that you would not shoot the buck off camera and nobody seems to get the obvious big part that Greg has played in this story. He is so good in the moment and in the production studio. He has provided "oscar" worthy drama! How long has Greg been with you and what is some of his storyWinke Responds:Bill, No question. He actually had a small handheld camera ready to go in case the buck did something unpredictable and he was not able to follow it with the big production camera. If you watch the end of the encounter you can see that he is not filming with the big camera. I didn't know he was doing it that way. Takes a lot of thought and planning to be ready for something like that. He also does a great job in the editing studio, no doubt. I will let him tell his own story sometime, but he has a masters in deer studies at University of Nebraska, Lincoln and worked in their biology department as a videographer among other things. Thanks for the support. (1-10-12)
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Ted from LA asks:Bill: I think of deer hunting as matching my wits against the wits of the deer. What do you think about the integrity of using cameras? Cameras give hunters technological advantages that... hmmm...seem unfair? Is a hunter really hunting when he looks at his computer monitor in his office to see what and where he has deer?Winke Responds:Ted, For sure it is a question worth asking. We definitely showed the value of cameras in putting together the game plan on the G4 buck. I am not sure. I guess it is like the argument about compounds versus traditional. For some, they get maximum satisfaction from doing it one way while others get satisfaction doing it another way. I am measured by what I teach and what I shoot (or shoot at) and that pushes me toward learning as much as I possibly can about the bucks I am hunting. I can then teach better, but in the process it also makes me a much more effective hunter. I don't mind that. Maybe someday I will go back to just hunting deer. I do enjoy making it personal with these bucks though. Cameras make that possible. I have learned so much from them that it is truly amazing. I don't think I will ever cross that line that you mention (having real-time feedback from cameras via cell phone or other wireless uplink). That might be pushing things too far for me. Everyone has to decide what produces maximum satisfaction for them and then not apologize for that (as long as it is legal). That is my position. There are things I won't do but I will never condemn others for doing it if it is legal. Good question. (1-10-12)
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Brian from MD asks:Wow, thats a heartbreaker. Sorry you didn't get him. Just want to say that your show is awesome and it makes me love bowhunting even more. You have truly been a huge inspiration for me so hang in there because what you are doing is more than you may realize. Thanks for everything and can't wait for what's to come!!Winke Responds:Brian, Thanks for the support. It would have been nice to have killed that deer after all this time and years of hunting him, but maybe I can still get him next year. Best regards. (1-9-12)
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bill from PA asks:Hi Bill, I want to personally thank you for the honest portrayal of the emotional roller coaster we encounter ever time we go after them with our bows.The uncertainty is what obviously makes our sport both wonderful and heart breaking. Question, did you make an attempt to hold low or not on that shot? Thanks againWinke Responds:Bill, No I didn't. I never thought about it. Things were happening too fast to really think about anything. The video portrayed it like I had time, but I really didn't. Greg is filming out of much largerw windows than I am shooting out of. I had to open three windows to finally get ahead of him and then it was just a matter of guesing the range, hit full draw, plant the pin and punch. I may have had more time than I thought, but with the activity of opening windows, I kind of lost a feel for the buck's body language and I felt like he was actually leaving the field. I thought I had to act fast. (1-9-12)
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Donny from MO asks:I was wondering your thoughts on trail cameras? I have switched to infra red on some of my cameras and every mature buck I get pictures of are staring directly at the camera. Makes for a great photo but I can tell it bothers them. I also have noticed the deer bypassing camera locations and I seem to only get pics of the good bucks on one camera set and then I need to move them. Just curious to your thoughts on the issue. Thanks for your time, great show by the wayWinke Responds:Donny, I have not had that situation here but I do know that the infra-red flash is not invisible. I don't know exactly what deer can see, but I can see the infra-red flash when it goes at night. I think they may react to the sound of the shutter too. Some bucks are also more sensitive than others. Some cameras now have a black flash that are said to be truly invisible. I have tried them and they seem to work very well. For more information on camera features and what works and what doesn't, please visit our sponsor TrailCamPro.com and you can see tons of independent testing. Good luck. (1-9-12)
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Derek from IA asks:Bill, Noticed that you brought your muddy camera arm with you into the blind you built for late season. I have the muddy hunter tree arm and was wondering what you used or built in your blind that you still bring the camera arm into the blind with you. Is it easier than a tripod to use with less floor space covered our what is the meaning? Thanks for your time and can't wait to watch you get another crack at the G4 buck!Winke Responds:Derek, Thanks. You can swing the arm from window to window and pan around much quieter and easier with the arm. We built two bases into opposite corners of the blind so we have the ability switch from side to side as needed based on the location of the blind. Best. (1-9-12)
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chad from OH asks:i was just wondering how you can get three buck tags. i plan to look at the iowa dnr rules but i thought i would ask you first.Winke Responds:Chad, I get a statewide bow tag, a landowner bow tag and a statewide muzzleloader tag that you can also fill with your bow if you choose. The muzzleloader tag was the one I was carrying during the late season hunts. Best regards. (1-9-12)
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cal from MO asks:i was wondering if a 100 grain, meat seeker, 3 blade broadhead with a 1.5 inch cutting diameter is to big for 50 pounds draw weight and 24 inch draw length. or what broadhead you think might be better for me. love the show. thanks, CalWinke Responds:Cal, The 1 1/2 inch model is probably OK, but a bit marginal. If was going to suggest one, I would suggest the Steelhead. It is smaller and I have done testing to show that it penetrates very well. It might be a better choice of your lower poundage and shorter draw length (less stored energy). Good luck. (1-9-12)
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Tim from IA asks:Bill,Me and my buddy have been videoing our turkey hunts for the past 4yrs with just the family videocamera.We're looking to expand to both deer and turkey with an hd camera.Of the three which would you suggest.Sony ax2000,Canon XH A1, or Canon HF AX10? Thanks,TimWinke Responds:Tim, I think the Sony AX2000 is by far the better camera of the bunch. Good luck. (1-8-12)
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Lee Reynaert from MI asks:Bill does a person who wants to be a pro staff member need to go out and purchase the same a equipment or same brand as you use on the show?Winke Responds:Lee, Yes, eventually. The people who have reached regular pro staff level get discounts. There is no reason to change any gear until you at least apply to the pro staff and find out if it is a good fit. Not everyone makes it. Thanks for the interest. (1-8-12)
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Colton from PA asks:We own 200 acres in central PA and my dad and I just recently decided to manage it the best we can for trophy whitetails. Upon our decision we posted our ground which consists of 100 tillable acres and 80 of mountain ground. We plan to designate 15-20% of the wooded ground as sanctuary. One problem in our area though is trespassers. How do you manage tresspassers and what is a surefire way to ensure our sanctuary remains one?Winke Responds:Colton, Not sure on that one. You will likely have to patrol regularly. Also, make sure you maintain good relations with your neighbors. It is a team approach in a neighborhood. If your neighbors don't care it will be harder for you to keep folks out. You have to be diplomatic with the neighbors. I would not be a bull in a china shop. Go easy but drop a few hints that you are getting more serious about your deer hunting and ask them if they want to join you, etc. work it into the conversation that you are going to watch out for trespassers more too, etc. Given some time, that will work. Good luck. (1-8-12)
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James from FL asks:Bill, I just ordered your two books and either didn't see it or just missed the comments section on the order form. If you would personalize it with "James, remember always dream big!" Thanks!Winke Responds:James, You got it. Thanks for the order. (1-8-12)
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Lance from WI asks:I was wondering how you go about exiting your blind or tree stand while hunting a food source when deer are still in the field after darkness has set in and the hunt is over? I have always just tried to wait them out, so I don't have to blow them out of the field. How do you go about this?Winke Responds:Lance, Waiting them out can work sometimes, but generally it doesn't. I have someone drive in and move the deer off the field and then I get down or climb out of the stand. It works pretty well. You can't hunt the same spot every night, but if you spread the pressure around a bit you can get good hunts on food sources for the whole season this way. Best regards. (1-8-12)
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Tim from MI asks:I have a farmall 65hp tractor. 140 acres with 3 and soon to be 6 food plots. Some will be in woods and some in open fields. I am considering purchasing either a all-in-one food plot planter or would it be better just to use a rototiller and spread seed with hand planter? Plots avg half acre. Just worried roots and / or rocks might be too much for rototiller.Winke Responds:Tim, I am not a fan of the all in one machines. I would much rather have a roto tiller and maybe a small Brillion planter when the time comes to spend more money again. The tiller and a sprayer will do most of what you need. You can always hand seed and then drag something over the plot to incorporate or find a cheap cultipacker. I have seen some that you can fill with water so they are very easy to move when they are empty and then fill them for use when you need to pack the seed into the ground. A good tiller can handle some roots and rocks without much trouble. We have used the Maschio brand and they do a great job. Size it to fit the PTO output of your tractor so you get good performance from the tiller. Bigger would seem to be better but it isn't always. Good luck. (1-8-12)
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Josh from VA asks:Hey bill, where is the best place to hunt when it is warm? Funnels, Food, Cover, Water?Winke Responds:Josh, Food and water are always a good bet, but when it is warm, the deer can and do browse more so it is harder to identify the best feeding areas. Hunting in the timber is better in warm weather than in cold weather when the deer are move locked on agricultural fields. Good luck. (1-8-12)
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tim from PA asks:Are you coming coming to the Eastern Sports show this year?Is Muddy going to have a stand again this year?Winke Responds:Tim, I won't be coming to that show this year. I keep saying I will eventually go, but I am always so busy with stuff here that I can never seem to find the time to get there. I appreciate you asking though. I am not sure on Muddy. I know they have in the past, but not sure if they will this year. I know they have a direct sales force now that works all parts of the country and maybe some of those guys will have a booth at the Show. Have fun. (1-8-12)
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benji from TN asks:what about the hoyt rampage xt would you like better than the mission venture?Winke Responds:Benji, I have not shot the Mission, but I do think for the price the Rampage XT is one of the best bows on the market. I would shoot them both side-by-side if possible to see which one feels better in your hand. Good luck. (1-8-12)
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tom from PA asks:bill,just want to congratulate all the pro staff and especially you and your son on this exceptional season.let me comend you on on the true commitment to bowhunting,to have a 200 class buck in easy gun range not once but twice and still not give in!! there are two real winners here bill winke and the g4 buck.Winke Responds:Tom, Certainly don't feel like a winner this time around, but I appreciate the kind words. Nothing noble really. I just wanted to shoot him with a bow - I stared the quest that way and I wanted to finish it with a bow in my hand. Have a great day. (1-8-12)
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Bert from SC asks:Bill, I really enjoy your website. For the past month or so I have not been able to get the Midwest Whitetail Main Show videos to play on my computer. I am able to watch the videos on Winke's blog. I have the latest Flash Player installed on my computer. Do you know of any reason for this? Thanks for your help, BertWinke Responds:Bert, I am not sure why that is. I am surprised that the latest Flash Player doesn't fix it. I partially swithed the place where the videos are being served and it is possible that you have a firewall that won't let them through. Could be a business thing or if it is in your home, I am not sure, could still be something with the firewall. Check the firewall settings to make sure that vimeo videos can play through. That is where we are hosting some of the videos now. You may even go to vimeo.com to see how to get their videos to play on your computer. Thanks for the support. (1-7-12)
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tyler from OK asks:i'm trying out for the OK pro staff but will have to get a new camera and was wanting to know if a sony hxr-mc50u would be a good enough camera to use for the show (if i get on the staff)???Winke Responds:Tyler, I think that camera would work. It is not perfectly ideal, but for the price, it is hard to beat. I think it would be OK. We like the 20x lens and three sensors, but that is not a bad camera. Another option is the Canon HF G10. We use one of those and it is in the same category as the one you are looking at. Just make sure you have a really good manual focus ring. Good luck. (1-7-12)
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Chris from MO asks:Any encounters with "BIG"?Winke Responds:Chris, Nope, but we stayed completely out of his area this year once I decided not to hunt him back in late October. As far as I know, he is still alive, but I don't know that for sure. I should run a few cameras in those other areas to see what deer are still here. Best regards. (1-8-12)
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Brennan from IA asks:When are you gonna let Jim come down and take a crack at some of those trophies? I've been hunting a large river valley bottom containing picked corn that isn't chiseled under. I've sat down there 5 evenings total. The first 4 the ground was frozen and 50+ deer entered the field each of those nights. The 5th night the temps warmed up and the field was soft with that number cutting down to just 4 sighted. Do you think deer just don't want to sift through mud to get the kernels and prefer alfalfa or other standing forage when this condition is current? Or is it just the break in weather?Winke Responds:Brennan, Dad is not a big tree climber but he would be a good candidate for a ground blind. Mom and dad aren't real ambitious about driving across the state any more. I think your situatoin is at least as much about the temperature as the composition of the ground. When it is warm in the late season, deer don't move very well. I do think though that they may be avoiding that muddy field. Probably a bit of both. Weather plays a big role in how much the deer move during the late season. Best regards Brennan. (1-7-12)
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Matt from IA asks:Bill, not so much a question as a request. Next season could you please try not to shoot so many GIANT bucks or even show them. You are giving people the wrong impression about Iowa. Not asking you to tank the season, just tone it down a bit. Now when I travel for work and meet a deer hunter that hears I'm from Iowa they're going to think there's something wrong with me when I tell them what my biggest buck is. Just kidding. I'd love your show, and I don't like many, even if you only were shooting 125ers.Winke Responds:Matt, We will start trying to shoot smaller bucks next year. Actually, within a couple of years, I fear that all the big ones will be dead anyway. They are getting very old and their days are numbered. We should have at least one more interesting season and then we will need a fresh crop of bucks to test us. Have a great day. (1-8-12)
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robert from CA asks:Camera man be damned! Take the shot.....Winke Responds:Robert, I hear you. Sometimes it is brutal having to wait, but I am getting used to having someone else call the shots when I am at full draw. At first, I hated it, but now I am getting used to it. Best regards. (1-8-12)
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Kevin from MI asks:Hi Bill, I really enjoy the show and the message of "truth" that you share with your viewers. I am planning on building a pole barn in the near future and I wanted to get your comments/suggestions on the details. Do you have a pole barn and if yes how do you utilize it? What size would you suggest? How do you store your hunting gear/clothes with the other equipment (scent)? What about set up for butchering? Any other help would be appreciated. God Bless.Winke Responds:Kevin, I actually have two of them. My home office is built into a 36 X 45 foot pole barn. And my office in town where the guys produce the videos is 40 X 80. Only a portion of both is finished and that works well because there is always a place to store things. I would say that we have 20 feet X 40 feet (1/4) of the one in town finished and about 15 feet X 36 feet of the one at home finished. I just use tubs to store most things and the outerwear (the suit I wear) is always in a canoe bag (waterproof and scentproof). Good luck. (1-8-12)
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Jesse from IN asks:WAIT till Monday! Come on man... Hope you smoked him and if so congrats. I was also wondering if you've had any more sightings or pictures of bubba?Winke Responds:Jesse, I have been so caught up in trying to kill this buck that I have not gotten any more cameras out, so I have nothing on Bubba since mid-October. We have hunted that area some, but no sightings. Sawyer hunted there this evening, does only. Thanks. (1-6-12)
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Jason from IA asks:I have the utmost respect for you sticking to your guns with trying to kill G4 with your bow. Obviously he would have been dead if you had chosen to take your muzz. Reguardless, the footage you have gotten so far is incredible, what a awesome buck. IMO You have separated yourself in this industry with the real life way you conduct your shows. Great workWinke Responds:Jason, I appreciate the kind words. Thanks. (1-8-12)
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bill from PA asks:Hi Bill, I have a question about spring triggers and draw length. I recently bought the Rhino XT release by Scott. It came with three different springs to insert for different tension. Is this release what you refer to as a "spring triger release"? You also said that if your draw length is correct your arm will be straight back at full draw. Do you mean it will be parallel with the ground or in line with the stabilizer?Winke Responds:Bill, Yes, that is a spring trigger. With your correct draw length, your elbow will point straight away from the target, you forearm will be parallel (not necessarily in line with) the arrow when viewed from above. Correct form has the elbow just a bit raised so when viewed from the side it is not in line with the arrow. But when viewed from above, it is. I hope that makes sense. Good luck. (1-6-12)
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If you keep hunting, how are going to sequence the Monday show because the season will be over soon.bill from PA asks:Hi Bill, I am writing this on Friday Jan 6th. If you hunt G4 tonight, how are you going to sequence the shows? By the time Monday comes around you will be done hunting? Just curious! Thanks for the dramaWinke Responds:Bill, You will just to have to wait and see. Can't let too much out. We intend to run at least one episode after the season ends to show everything that happened in the final few days. Good luck. (1-6-12)
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bill from PA asks:Your a cruel man Mr. Winke leaving us hanging like that!!! How about sneaking in the field and putting in a bedded doe decoy soaked in estrus urine?....would that get him close and give the time for a shot? Just wondering!Winke Responds:Bill, Not sure that would work. Decoys can work for you sometimes and against you sometimes. When you have a deer on a pattern, it is usually best to do as little as possible to alter his environment. I don't think I would risk that one. (1-6-12)
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John from MN asks:Hey Bill, after watching your daily blog video and your comments in other questons, I can only assume you didn't get the buck and that he probably jumped the string. So going with that I have been thinking a lot about it, and I just have some ideas for you to roll through your head...When you shoot a bow, the only deer that jumps, is the one you are shooting at, in my experience. That means some noise is being directed right at that deer, as long as your bow is reasonably quiet it seems like that noise is most likely the arrow?? Pretty much all broadheads hiss in the air, and my steelheads do, just like everything else. I even twist the rubber band so the wind doesn't catch it and make it flap (I got that from truck drivers twisting the straps they use to tie down loads...if you twist the strap, they don't flap). I don't know what the answer is, but I am looking at the quietest broadhead I can find...the new Ulmer Broadhead that will be from trophy taker looks alright, but I suWinke Responds:John, I am not sure on that. I would need to look at it closer. It seems that when I shoot at them, there is only one deer nearby, the one I am shooting at. I won't rule out the possibility that the arrow plays a role. Fletching is much louder than broadheads. Hide behind a wall and have someone shoot an arrow past you. You will see what I mean. I am not convinced that is it. In order to spin an arrow, you have to displace air and that is going to make noise. I will give it some more thought and do some experimenting, but I am still mostly convinced they are reactiing to the sound of the bow. Not 100% sure though. Thanks for the input. It is good stuff. (1-6-12)
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Brent from IA asks:As it relates to deer dropping on shots, I think it is likely that the deer hear the arrow as much as or maybe even more than the bow/bowstring. A couple years ago I was practice shooting with some friends at long distances (60+ yards). The setup enabled some of us to hide behind a building next to the shooting corridor. It was amazing to me how much vane noise I could hear as the arrows flew by us. Everyone was shooting blazers. I guess it's my feeling that no matter how quiet the bow is, past a certain distance the deer will have the opportunity to react to the arrow noise as much as the bow noise.Winke Responds:Brent, This is a continuation of the question I just received. I am not sure. I sure have been getting a lot of string jumping in recent years, I do think I have tried several different fletchings during that time and I don't believe it has made a difference, but I will take a much closer look at it. Maybe I need to experiment with various styles and degrees of offset to see which is the quietest. Thanks for the input. It is all very valuable. (1-6-12)
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Jeremy from IL asks:Bill, What do you think is the best time to start shed hunting in West-Central Illinois? Do larger (Older) bucks shed their antlers sooner than young bucks? Where do you find most of the ones on your farm? Thanks for Midwest Whitetail JeremyWinke Responds:Jeremy, I would think by the end of January it makes sense to start. When a deer sheds has to do with its health and the genetics of the deer. Some shed early and some shed late, for no apparent reason. I wouldn't say the biggest ones shed early though. Where are the bucks spending the most time during late winter? - that is where you will find their antlers: their beds, their feeding areas and the trails in between. Good luck. (1-6-12)
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James from MN asks:Hi Bill, after reading some of the "hints" you gave some fellow viewers about the Dbl G4 buck, I can only offer this thought. Most hunters will never get an opportunity to ever even get a trailcam pic of a 200" class buck. You have been lucky enough to get trailcam pictures, professional quality video AND see him for hours while on stand! That is awesome! So, even if you don't get a picture of you holding the bucks antlers, you are still truly blessed. On to my question: What website do you use to get your weather info from? I would like to know when the barometer is changing as well as other things. So if you know of a site that has temp, wind, barometer and more that would be great to know. Also, barometer falling or rising better for deer movement? Good luck the final few days!Winke Responds:James, Yes, I am sure you are right. That was the goal going into the season - get awesome video of him. I appreciate what you are saying. I have been using wunderground.com for weather and wind forecasts. It has proven accurate here but doesn't always do a good job of listing the pressure. I have never tried to correlate barometric pressure versus deer movement. I know that storm fronts and their passage have a big affect, but not sure that the actual direction of the barometer affects them. It may, but I have never tried to correlate it. That might be a good future project. I appreciate the support. (1-6-12)
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perry from WI asks:Can you guys set up the videos to work on smart phones better? With I pads could take along on the road..thanks great program otherwise.....Winke Responds:Perry, You are probably looking for a downloadable version of the show. We are working on that for the next upgrade of the site. In the meantime, you can get the downloads via an app called Skyfire browser or another one called Photon Flash Web Browser. We are running the Skyfire on Drew's iPad and a friend is using the Photon browser. They seem to work. Best regards. (1-6-12)
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Andrew from WI asks:You gave the monday show away from one of the questions you answered! you over shot the deer and missed! Either way watching your quest for the G4 buck is amazing, I for one would like to see what the deer would be as a 7 1/2 year old buck. Plus you guys will find his sheds anyways. I hope you get him someday, thanks for the website it is alot of insperation for me to make my hunting grounds even better!Winke Responds:Andrew, You will need to watch the episode to know for sure. Thanks for the support. I am glad the show is inspiring you. Best regards. (1-6-12)
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matthew from TN asks:bill, you are mean to us monday is along time away. you better not come up monday and tell us you missed even with a string jump.just the idea of that is breaking my heart.me missing i can live with that im not the PRO.if you did miss GOD bless you and i will pray harder for you.so hurry up and get that deer dead.thanks for the funWinke Responds:Matthew, Thanks for the vote a confidence. I won't give it completely away. Seems like I am better at getting them within bow range than killing them. I can use all the prayer you have to give! Thanks for the support. Regardless of the outcome, it has been fun hasn't it? (1-6-12)
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dan from WI asks:I hunt the mature forests of northern Wisconsin which are largely devoid of agricultural fields. It's really difficult to understand deer patterns. Will winter scouting when there is snow cover showing heavily used trails as well as deer beds provide information I can use to choose stand locations for November or is there no correlation in deer movement/bedding areas between seasons? Thanks Bill!Winke Responds:Dan, The very best time to scout is right after the season if there is no snow. If there is snow, then scouting after it melts will reveal most of what you are looking for. Focus on old sign. The new sign can be a bit misleading because in some areas the deer have different fall and winter ranges and patterns. So you have to focus on the older trails and the older rubs, scrapes. You will be able to tell them apart fairly easily. They will just look older. That simple. Beds will be tougher to find, but definitely worth looking for. In that area, rub lines are also often useful. Look for those and hunt them in October, especially late October. Good luck. (1-6-12)
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erik from MN asks:I would like to buy an hd camcorder for recording my hunts. I don't need or want a professional model. I need serious bang for my buck. Any advice on what is durable, high quality, at an affordable price? Any help would be appreciated. LOVE THE SHOW!Winke Responds:Erik, There are so many options it is hard for me to know. I only know what we have used but that tends to be higher end am or professional stuff. I would look for something in the $700 range. That will likely get you the feature set that will produce good video in good light and acceptable video in low light. Manual focus is definitely a plus because sometimes the deer goes behind brush and you need to be able to stay on it without having the focus jump to the brush. Good luck. (1-6-12)
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Keenan from MT asks:I was wondering if you can reuse broadheads and arrows after you've shot an animal. And if so how should I clean them.Winke Responds:Keenan, I just wash them in warm water. I reuse arrows all the time. I had one arrow a few years ago that I had shot seven deer with. Do you think I felt deadly when I put that on the string? It was awesome. You can also definitely replace the blades on the broadheads too. Good luck. (1-6-12)
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Jake from WI asks:Bill, I'm completely hooked on your website and your quest for G4, I really hope you get him. I think I was more nervous watching that clip than I've ever been shooting a deer myself! 2 questions - When evaluating a farm, would you rather have one with bigger buck potential and poor access, or one with great access but poor big buck potential? Second, do you think you get most of your bucks on trail cam using them the way you do?Winke Responds:Jake, Thanks for the support. I guess if I had to choose, I would rather have big bucks and poor access than no big bucks and good access. They have to be there. You can always get creative with access - you can't get creative with conjurring up a buck that isn't there. I feel that we get nearly all the bucks in the area on the trail camera doing it the way I do it. After several years of running the cameras, there are very few strangers on this farm. Good luck. (1-5-12)
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shawn from WI asks:hi.. i was wondering if you ever herd of howa rifels.and how they are .i was looking at browning but well out of my budget.also will a 243 cal be ok for deer .thank you. i realy like your program alot i watch all the videos on web site you have i watch the wisconsin ones first seeing thats were i live. thanks again for provideing us sportsmen and women for such a outstanding program.thank you. shawnWinke Responds:Shawn, First off, thank you for your support. I really appreciate that. I can talk about bows until I am blue in the face and the cows come home, but I am not too sharp on guns. I have shot a lot of birds and some large and small game with guns through the years, but I am far from an expert on guns. I can say that .243 is fine for deer, but unless you have a reason for sticking with it, I would rather have a .270. The .270 caliber is also potent enough for some other bigger game too. Though I have heard of them, I don't actually know anything about the Howa brand. Sorry. Good luck. (1-5-12)
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Matthew from OK asks:Bill, I just have one more question and i wont take up anymore of your time. You need it to kill the double G4! I have seen that people have been putting in request to become a part of the prostaff for the great plains show for Oklahoma. I have the deer, the time, and teh land to fit these quallifacations. What does it take to get a form? thanks, Matthew.Winke Responds:Matthew, I think OK would fit very nicely into our Great Plains show. I would love to have a couple of good teams from OK. Please contact us at: info@midwestwhitetail.com and request application information. Thanks. (1-5-12)
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Mike from NY asks:Mr. Winke, In your last few hunts I noticed you were shooting Harvest Time HT2 arrows. Do you have much experience with these arrows and what do you think of them? Also, what has been your arrow set up for the Jan. 1st and 2nd bowhunts. Are you shooting HT2's 300 spine at 9.1 gpi? I know you like to shoot with a GPI to bow draw weight ratio of between 6-7, but it seems like this particular HT2 (300-9.1gpi) arrow with your 80# draw weight would put you closer to 5. So I am just curious as to what exactly your total arrow weight is with broadhead, fletching, broadhead (125 or 100?), etc.. and where that puts your GPI/bow draw weight for the January 1st and 2nd hunts for the G4 buck. IF is it lower than 6 for these hunts, was there a reason for doing so?Winke Responds:Mike, Muddy Outdoors bought Harvest Time. I have been shooting them for a few weeks and really like them. They are very accurate for me. I was reluctant to shoot anything but Easton, so I was slow to really embrace Larry's new arrows, but I have been impressed. I am shooting the 300s. I believe I am more than five grains per pound. I shoot a 125 grain head on a 30 inch arrow. I have not weighed them, but based on my shooting in the yard, they are a bit faster than what I was shooting before, but not a lot faster. So they must be somewhere around the 5.5 grain per pound range. I had already dropped down a bit by going to the N-Fused Axis which is lighter than the FMJ. I continue to have problems with string jumpers for some reason. They haunt me and I am starting to feel that speed is the key to getting them. There may not be a key, actually, other than getting lucky and guessing what a buck may do at the shot. Watch the Monday show and you will know exactly what I mean. Right now if I could shoot 500 fps, I would do it! I don't think you can get a bow quiet enough that an alert or sensitive deer won't hear it. I shot from the inside of a fully insulated (potentially very soundproof blind) and he reacted, so I am thinking that speed is the way to go. I wrote an article for Petersen's Bowhunting last year comparing how various arrow speeds impact how far a buck can drop. For sure, they can still drop, but the faster the arrow, the less they can drop. Best regards. (1-5-12)
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tom from PA asks:Great video of a great buck the G4. I would be happy to fill in for you at the convention if you need to stay on the hunt January9th and 10th. I may not be to informative but you need to pursue the G4 to the very end of the season. Good luckWinke Responds:Tom, The Show is when I do a lot of business for the year - can't miss that. I do appreciate the offer, however. That event seems to fall right at the end of our season every year. I need to get a mask made so someone can go in my place. Good thinking. Best regards. (1-5-12)
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Tracy from IA asks:Hey Bill, if you get G4 before you read this, then I guess you won't need any advice anyway. ;) But I was thinking, I know you didn't like using a regular ground blind because of the difficulty in filming from one, but couldn't you just put the cameraman in your tower blind, and you sit in a regular blind closer to where he's been coming out? It looks like he's pretty consistent in where he enters the field, so I would think it would work if the footage would be good enough. Anyway, good luck, and have a great day. TracyWinke Responds:Tracy, That is a really good idea. I wish I had thought of that about two weeks ago, or had you suggest it then! I needed about a week, as it turned out, for the deer to get used to the big blind. I bet I could have snuck a smaller blind out there at the same time and it would not have changed the length of time it took for him to start moving again. Very good idea. Thanks for the input. (1-5-12)
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Matthew from OK asks:Bill, I am going to be straight forward. That is HUGE buck! I wouldn't be able to pull my bow on the deer! Working all those summers has really paid off for you! I have been looking up to you as my deer hunting mentor for years and i have used your great advice. I have one question, In my area, it seems that the only way to kill a deer is buy feeder. I have one, but i dont always use it. I have a new big buck come every other night! the problem is, they come out at 3 in the morning. My feeder is at the edge of a field that we work on and cattle graze. If i made a "brush fence" around my food plot and feeder, would they feel safer and come earlier? thanks. matthewWinke Responds:Matthew, Thanks for all your support. I think that is great. He is Huge. For sure, planting something around that area (without hemming it in too tightly) would definitely make the deer feel safer coming out in dayligyht - or move the feeder to a spot that is more secluded. Frigid Forage makes a product called "Plot Screen" that does a great job of hiding food plots and making it easier to sneak to and from stands as well as hide them and make the deer feel more secure. Good luck. (1-5-12)
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Peter from MN asks:I am just getting started in this business and I would like any help you may offer. I am a salesmen in the meat industry in Minnesota. My territories are iowa and Nebraska. I have just started a web site called hit-emhardoutdoors.com. I am also looking into getting a video camera. Where should I start and what path should I follow to try to get into the business. I know most don't make it; however, it is something love and want to be apart of. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time! PeteWinke Responds:Peter, It is really tough to make money at it, so be very realistic in what you spend. Do it for fun, with a low to modest budget and see if it grows. You can spend a fortune on this stuff and not get anything back if you aren't careful. So, again, do it because you love it. Share it with people, promote it if you feel good about what you are doing. Long-term it can take on a life of its own. Short-time, my advice is to keep it small and do it for fun. Keeping a website current, shooting video all the time, editing the video, etc. is very time consuming and it can be a real burden if you let it. But if you can keep it fun you are more likely to stick with it. Maybe the niche isn't deer. Lots of guys are doing that. Maybe the niche is something else: waterfowl? upland? predator? maybe even fishing? Not sure. That is about the best I can offer. Don't spend too much and have fun and see where it goes. Good luck. (1-5-12)
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Mike from IA asks:Love the show. I check out the website daily. I remember you mentioning you will assist hunters for stand placement and access routes to those stands with aerial photos. I have ~600 acres I hunt, and I was wondering what your fee is for that type of service?Winke Responds:Mike, Thanks for the support. I appreciate it. I did offer that service last year and may do it again this year. I am not sure. It takes a lot of time. If I choose to do it again, I will post it on the blog. Good luck. (1-5-12)
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Brian from MD asks:Bill, This is torture!! My nerves are worn raw. Hope ya got him. C'mon Monday!Winke Responds:Brian, I can't spill the whole story, unfortunately. I will give you a clue: Do you see any pictures of me with a dead deer anywhere?
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Travis from MO asks:Is it Monday yet? Just watched your latest blog and was wondering if you all discussed possibly not getting an impact shot of G4 on video, since the season is winding down and you all ready have hours of pre-roll of him? If in fact that is what happened, then in my mind that would be more satisfying as a viewer vs. watching an impact shot of a muzzleloader at 80 yards a week ago. The daily blogs all through out the season have been awesome and glad you decided to stick with the bow for G4! Can't wait to see how it all turns out!Winke Responds:Travis, It is quite an ending - or shall I say, the end of a chapter, unfortunately. I will give you a clue. Do you see any photos of me holding the deer? Best regards and thanks for the support. (1-5-12)
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Dan from KS asks:Bill- I am not up to speed, but what happened to the hair on the G4 buck? And I am excited to see Monday's show.Winke Responds:Dan, It all fell out on his rump area. No one (including leading experts) know for sure what caused that. It is growing back strong now though. It is nearly fully regrown. Thanks. (1-5-12)
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Robert from WI asks:Bill, I was just curious if you think mature bucks are more skittish around box blinds/tower stands? I have been watching your blog and it seems you see plenty of deer from the box blind. I have been thinking about putting a few up on my land to make hunting more comfortable for my kids. We use brushed in pop ups now with decent luck. But I would think the box blinds would be nicer since they could be left out year round.Winke Responds:Robert, If they are permanent or there well before you hunt them and you are careful not to let the deer know you are there (including how you get out at the end of the hunt) they seem to tolerate them pretty well. Good luck. (1-5-12)
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jody from IA asks:I just finished watching your monday night hunt for the G4. Tell me that you are not going to make us wait for Mondays main show before we see the outcome. That is flat out evil. P.S Hope you got him!Winke Responds:Jody, I have offered a few clues here, but you will just have to wait and watch on Monday to get the full story. Thanks for the support. (1-6-12)
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Brandon from AL asks:Wait til Monday? Really? I just got done telling you about how I've been losing sleep since that buck ran off last week. How can you do this to me? I'll sleep a little easier knowing you took the gun to the blind this time. But Greg struggling with the camera isn't good. Being a cornhusker myself, I'm just gonna choose to believe he'll come through in the clutch. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to seeing how it ends.Winke Responds:Brandon, Greg does fine. I would like to be able to say as much about me. No pictures of me with a dead deer should tell you something. Best regards. (1-5-12)
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Andy from WI asks:Hey Bill, Watching this past ohio show and watching the coyote hunt made me think to ask you if it would be possible during the winter months to have some predator episodes. Maybe get a group of friends or other coyote hunters and film all the hunts. Maybe have the hunters give some tips and show us their calling strategies. I'm getting into coyote hunting to try to lower the coyote population and raise the deer population only because my county needs it badly. Do you think it could happen this year? As always, love the show and good luck on the G4 buck! -AndyWinke Responds:Andy, We will definitely see if we can pull that off. For sure we have plenty of them here. It would be good to see a few of them dead. Thanks for the support. Best regards. (1-4-12)
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Greg from WI asks:Bill: What steps did you take structurally (windows, door, seams, ect), to make your 2 story ground blind scent free? Does this allow you to hunt any wind with it? What do you believe is the best scent free/scent tight hunting blind on the market today? Thanks. Hope you knock down the Double G4 buck! GregWinke Responds:Greg, It is nearly scent tight. When we close all the windows deer downwind may raise their noses but they don't usually spook and eventually they go back to eating. The blind is 6 X 6 feet and about 11 feet tall. There is corner cut out of the upstairs floor and a couple of steps to climb up there. The upstairs has four windows (one per side) that are roughly 3 feet wide and 9 inches tall. The windows are outlined in weather stripping and made of plexiglass with a lot of bent nails holding the glass against the stripping. The windows also have hinges and fold downward. The plexiglass is actually clear enough that we film right through it. All the footage from the blind was shot through the glass. That allows us to keep them closed for better scent retention. I suspect we will have to replace the upstairs plexiglass next year to make sure we have crystal-clear glass for filming. The downstairs has 10 windows (most are 15 inches tall by 8 inches wide). Again, all are covered with plexiglass. I keep them closed until the buck I am after shows up and then open just one to keep scent from blowing out. Overall, it works quite well. I have not tried many (just one) manufactured blinds so I don't have an opinion on which is best at containing odors. Thanks for the support. (1-4-12)
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Danny from IN asks:Hey Bill! Love the show! I just have a question right quick for you, what gloves do you recommend for late firearms season? It gets pretty chilly here in Indiana and I am having a problem keeping my hands warm. Thanks for your input and good luck to you.Winke Responds:Danny, I wear thin gloves but I wear a hand warmer muff on really cold days. I like being able to handle my bow easily with the jersey gloves, but the muff is enough to keep them very warm when I am not trying to shoot a deer or glass or call. Good luck. (1-4-12)
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Robert from WI asks:Is there a way to download your shows to a player, such as an android phone, kindle fire, ipad, etc. so the show can be watched when there is not access to wifi, such as on a plane?Winke Responds:Robert, Right now we don't have a way to do that, but it is something that we intend to add with the next upgrade to the site - expect that in the next couple months. Thanks for the support. (1-4-12)
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Brandon from CO asks:What trail camera takes the best night shots? I use a bushnell that takes awesome day shots but the night shots are almost always blurry. I think this is due to shutter speed, but perhaps also because of placement. Regardless, you often show clear night shots and I would like to know what your setup is. On the side... I have been losing sleep ever since the double G4 buck ran off, and I'm pretty sure the only remedy is for you to put him down! Please help me. ;-)Winke Responds:Brandon, Get ready for more lost sleep. You and me both. Encountered him Monday but the story is even more heartbreaking. I use Bushnell Trophy Cam cameras and Reconyx cameras. I get blurry pictures sometime when the deer is walking past. If the deer is stationary, like feeding, they are great. We don't show the blurry ones. I am guessing it is very hard to get away from this as the cameras themselves (lenses really) in these units are not super-high-end so the shutter speed has to be pretty slow to get images in the low light despite the IR flash. A traditonal flash camera would likely produce better night images but at a cost. Ideally, get something in front of the camera (bait, scent, whatever) to stop them for a picture. I am satisfied with the blurry pictures as long as I can tell which buck it is. Good luck. (1-4-12)
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John from WI asks:Im a lil unimpressed with the Ohio show this week. I always hear abot deer management on your show then I see a guy go out and kill a year old button buck. What gives?Winke Responds:John, Not all of the pro staff are trophy hunters. Some of them just hunt because they like the meat and they like the comeradery and family tradition of hunting. That is the case with the Mullins family. I doubt Justin knew it was a button buck when he shot it. Sure, we don't like to shoot button bucks, but not everyone is after a monster. I still have a lot of respect for people who just love to hunt and aren't worried about what they shoot. Though their number may be dropping, they are still the backbone of our sport. Best regards. (1-4-12)
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Jim from PA asks:I am looking for a set of rattling antlers for archery season and would like to know where I can purchase them. I have no idea how much or where....Any help would be greatly appreciated....jimWinke Responds:Jim, I have personally given up on antlers. I just use the Pack Rack (Knight&Hale). I hate carrying antlers all the time - noisy, big, a pain. However, if you really want a set, I bet you can find something on e-bay that is fairly inexpensive. You might also try some of the guys that are big shed hunters in your area to see if they have anything they would sell. Good luck. (1-4-12)
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rob from IA asks:Hi again Bill well the last weekend is coming fast I have no food source to hunt 2 tags in my pocket and a head full of indecision. with no food to hunt do I kiss the wife on friday night and hope she`s here after a 48 hour sit? Or I have a couple of good creeks to hunt would those be worth sitting near? Thanks as alwaysWinke Responds:Rob, I think with the weather we have scheduled, the deer movement will not be too great. Deer may still be browsing actually, without snow, no huge need to be sitting on the best food sources. So you may do just fine getting back in the timber near some oak trees, hoping some still have a few acorns under them and maybe something will come through. Other option is to get near the bedding areas (if you know where they are) and hope for the best. There is always hope. Warm conditons in the late season are tough to hunt because the deer aren't stressed or focused on food sources. They kind of spread out and move whenever - no sense of urgency. Regardless, good luck. (1-5-12)
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Mike from KY asks:Congratulations on a great year! Are you concerned that this years success on your farm (I believe 4 mature bucks) will adversely affect your hunting next year? How large is your farm?Winke Responds:Mike, Thanks. It is 1,000 acres. I don't think so. I think as long as you are targetting the older deer (most were at least 5) you don't have to worry about over harvesting. I think you need to be very careful not to overharvest the younger bucks though. Once they reach older age, you need to kill them because a percentage of them are going to die each year anyway and they don't live forever. Our new standard is 5 years old for harvest. It used to be 4, but we have really seen some big jumps from 4 to 5 so I have new rules for the bucks with better gentics - let them reach five if you can. Best of luck. (1-3-12)
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matthew from TN asks:Bill where is chad,I watch everday and Ihave not seen him since early season. ThANKS for all the fun.Winke Responds:Matthew, Chad hasn't had much luck hunting Iowa. He shot a buck in MO in early November that ran on an episode in mid-November, but has struggled since. Thanks for the support. Have a great day. (1-3-12)
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Chris from OK asks:Hi Bill, noticed the critics talking about the quality of footage and thought about it a little. Most of the TV shows are filmed with outfitters setting the hunters up.Haveing to set yourself up,do your own scouting,work a normal job ect,like alot of MW Whitetail producers do and have alot of quality footage would be difficult.Hats off to them for what they do! thanks , ChrisWinke Responds:Chris, I agree. It is a lot of work and it has been a tough season. Thanks for the support. I know the guys appreciate it as much as I do. Have a great day. (1-3-12)
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Alex from WI asks:Bill, question 1: how do you get away with almost never wearing a face mask? i feel like deer can see my pastie white face from hundreds of yards away and hate to break it to ya but your not exactly the tannest guy in the world. question 2: you should add a game cam page to your website and post the good pics you get as the year goes on. to the website. i feel if people saw the game cam's you were using that got good pics they would fly off the shelves. I will even let you name the page after "alex's great idea." Give em Heaven AlexWinke Responds:Alex, Funny. I admit that I have a white face by November. I almost always wear a facemask when hunting, but I usually take it off for interviews in the tree. The game cam page is a good idea. I had a different spin on it, but I do like your idea too. We are finally going to add a new section to the site this off-season and some kind of interactive trail cam section is on the list of features. Thanks for the feedback. I'll be sure to name it after you. Have a great day. (1-3-12)
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Paul from MS asks:Bill, Your show is head and shoulders better than anything else out there. Keep it up. How do you determine whether a stand location will provide a steady wind? I've been hunting mature bucks with a bow for the last 5 yrs. Last year, and now this year even worse, some of my stand locations never have a steady wind from one direction. Some are on ridge tops and some in creek bottoms. I tie a thread to my stabilizer to watch the wind and it's not uncommon to sit and watch it sway one direciton for a couple minutes, then swing 180 deg for a couple seconds, then back to where it was. Some times it rotates like a helicoper. Very frustrating! Again, keep up the great work.Winke Responds:Paul, That may be something to do with the local weather patterns. Normally, here in the Midwest a stand on a ridge will produce steady winds because our winds generally will blow pretty consistently from one direction for long periods. When the wind gusts, all bets are off, however. Gusty winds swirl even on flat ground and for sure in areas with the ridges and valleys. I always figure that if I am protected from the direct flow of wind, I am likely to encounter swirling. If I am in the direct flow (like one a ridge) not likely to have swirling. Best regards. (1-3-12)
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Josh from OK asks:Bill, I want to start by saying I love the show and all the hard work you and all the pro staff put into it. I live in Oklahoma and was wondering if you have thought about adding Oklahoma to the show? If so what are the requirements to be apart of the pro staff?Winke Responds:Josh, We would like to add a couple of OK teams to the Great Plains show. If interested in applying, please e-mail info@midwestwhitetail.com and we'll get you out an application. Thanks for the interest. Have a great day. (1-3-12)
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Nick from IA asks:Bill, a couple things; Just want ya to know I tune in everyday hoping for an update of you killing the g4 buck, good luck. Also, and I dont mean to sound rude or critical or put anyone's hard work down, but it seems the Iowa show sure could use some help... the length of the shows and quality of video sure seems like it has suffered this year. Just wanted to give ya a little input. I still love what you do.Winke Responds:Nick, Thanks for the support. Yes, the guys have struggled this year. I think the deer numbers are definitely down in Iowa over the past couple of years and that showing up in the form of less sightings and less footage. Also, some pro staffers drop out and we have not found replacements for them yet. People get busy or they get tired of the trouble, or whatever it may be and they drift off. We had a couple of guys that were regular contributors do that this year. The guys that are left are working hard and doing a great job, they have just struggled getting on deer this year. Best regards. (1-3-12)
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Mike from IL asks:Bill is there anyway for a guy to film his hunts with the quality high enough for your web shows or videos without spending $2000 to $3000?Winke Responds:Mike, We really like the footage from the Canon HF G10 camera and the audio from the optional Canon microphone is very good. I really like that camera a lot except it is just a 10X lens which is not enough for most hunts. However, it does have digital zoom so in a pinch it can get the job done. We have used it to film hunts and it is definitely TV quality as long as you don't get too far into the digital zoom or the light gets too low. That one new with the mic is about $1,650 or so. The Sony AX2000 is still the camera we recommend to everyone, however. It does everything we need and has the 20X zoom lens. Best regards. (1-3-12)
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Mike from IL asks:The deer on my farm just will not eat turnips or any kinda of barrasica at all. I hear and have read it might take them awile to figure them out and start to eat them. I have been tring for 6 or 7 years. Is it time to give up?Winke Responds:Mike, Yes, I would give it up now. That is definitely a long enough time to try. Our deer pound them, and most deer get after it pretty hard, but I have heard that some deer just don't ever get used to them. Could be they have plenty of options and never have to try them so they never gain a taste for them. Best regards. (1-3-12)
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Seth from WI asks:Bill- I noticed that you have been carrying your muddy arm segment into your blind for your quest for the G4 buck. How are you using your muddy arm in that blind, I am always looking at ways to better my footage. Good luck once again with the G4 buck and Happy New Year.Winke Responds:Seth, We have bases built (bolted) into two corners in the "upstairs" filming portion of the blind and we drop the arm in one of those bases depending on where we expect the deer to come out. It works really slick, no tripod, all the leveling features we need and dead silent. That is a big part of how we have gotten the really good footage of that buck. Best regards. (1-3-12)
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Andrew Schwengel from IL asks:We watch most of you television on a media streaming device called a Roku. We would LOVE to see you add a Midwest Whitetail channel on the device. Im sure there are others that would love to have the option to watch our favorite hunting show right on our big screens! Thanks and hope to see you soon on Roku!Winke Responds:Andrew, We may get there with the web shows, but I am certain you can watch the TV shows on Muddy's video channel on Vimeo. I believe all Vimeo content is supported on Roku, or am I wrong? We will definitely evolve in that direction. Best regards. (1-3-12)
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jody from IA asks:It is so cool to be able to follow you on your quest for the G4 buck on the daily blog. Almost as if I'm hunting right along with you. Congrats on the G5 (awesome video). Just wondering how close to the spot where you are hunting for the G4 buck,is the stand that you killed the G5 buck from and saw the G4 buck from back in November?Winke Responds:Jody, It is atually very close - about 150 yards away. We are just on that food plot ridge you can see whenever we do a pan from that "Death Ridge" stand. G4 hasn't moved much since November. Best regards. (1-3-12)
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Cody from MN asks:I like how your a straight shooter on the show and through the questions, so I'll ask you this. I've shot Mathews for 4 years and its never done me wrong. We are doing food plots and may start seeing some good results, leading me to think I may try taping and trying for MidwestWhitetail eventually. The sponsor is Hoyt and if I don't shoot that I can't be on the show. I am looking at upgrading bows this year. With this predicament what would you suggest?Winke Responds:Cody, Mathews makes good bows, but we have no flex in this. Hoyt sponsors Midwest Whitetail - our pro staff has to shoot Hoyt. Let that guide you. I have shot Hoyt for a long time, but the pro staff who have switched over from other brands are not complaining about their new Hoyt bows. So I think you will like them too. Good luck. (1-3-12)
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Cody from MN asks:What is the most economical way to remove tree roots from ground we have cleared for food plots. Some is smaller brush (10'), others are 25' sumac trees. We are guys on a limited budget and aren't afraid to get hands dirty.Winke Responds:Cody, You can chop them out, but there may be other ways using farm equipment if you have access. I have seen root rakes for mounting on the back of a tractor like a blade that you might be able to rent somewhere. If you want to do it without equipment you have no choice but to till the ground with a disc to expose the roots and then chop them out. It will take a few hours but if the plot is not too big, they will come out fairly quickly. Sumac and not hard to root out and it may not even be necessary to root out the small brush. It may just fall apart when you disc it. Good luck. (1-3-12)
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Trevor from MI asks:Bill, I love watching your show; it is very refreshing watching all the Hi's and lows of hunting, most show only show the kills. The fact that you didn't edit out the disappointment of not shooting the G4 was good to see (what all hunters go through at some point in their life.) I do have a question after my ramblings, after looking at all the footage of the G4 and G5 buck; do you think they are related? They seem to have a lot of the same characteristics. Keep up the good work.Winke Responds:Trevor, I bet if you go back a few generations, nearly all the deer on my farm are related. Many of the deer have similar antler characteristics. I think that is typical in an area. The only way to alter that (if they are bad) is to go on a doe killing spree to cycle through the genetics quicker. Removing a lot of does seems to be the quickest way I have seen to change the genetics in an area. Best regards. (1-3-12)
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bill from AL asks:Hi Bill, I hope the wind gets right for G4 soon....in the course of responding to a question about target panic, you mention a "spring trigger release"...what is that? I have a release called "The Answer" that when adjusted properly, will not release if you punch it. Is that what a "spring trigger" does? What Scott back tension release would you recommend? Thanks again for taking the time answer these questions.Winke Responds:Bill, By spring trigger I am referring to a Scott release where you can actually screw out the peg trigger and screw in a spring in its place. The spring permits a lot of squeezing before it goes off. Check out the Deluxe line of Scott Releases to find the spring trigger option. I believe the releases ship with both a peg and spring trigger in the packaging. Great product. I have been a fan of Scott for as long as I have been a bowhunter. Good luck. (1-2-12)
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Brandon from CO asks:How often will you change the blades on your hunting steelheads?Winke Responds:Brandon, I am spoiled, I never change the blades, I just throw the heads away after shooting an animal and replace the head with a new one. If I was changing them, I would change the blades after every time I shoot the head. I would not shoot one into foam even, without changing the blades. Good luck. (1-2-11)
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Matt from VA asks:Bill: Just watched the 1/1/12 Wisconsin show "Late Xmas Present". During the video it shows the hunter climbing into a tower stand with his rifle slung over his shoulder. All the safety rules say not to climb with a gun or bow. Thought you should know MattWinke Responds:Matt, Yes, I saw that too. I will pass along the concern. Thanks for the feedback. Have a great day. (1-2-12)
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Tom from IL asks:Bill, I first want to commend you on your fantastic show and how you really separate yourself from the rest! My cousin introduced me to the site and the show and it's a breath of fresh air. The other shows have become to production oriented and I can't even stomach them anymore. Other than voting for the show as the number one show, how else can we support it?Winke Responds:Tom, Thanks so much for the support and for voting for us. I really appreciate that. The best way to support our show is to consider one of our sponsor's products when it is time to upgrade or replace your existing gear. Supporting them supports us. Mention Midwest Whitetail to your dealer when you go in to purchase the gear and the word will trickle back. Again, thanks for the support. Have a Happy New Year. (1-2-12)
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andrew from MI asks:What happened to Larry Zach? really enjoyed the hunt he would put together!Winke Responds:Andrew, I always enjoy Larry's hunts too. We tried to connect with him but I don't think he hunted much this year. I believe he hurt his shoulder and was not able to draw his bow so he spent time helping his wife hunt. I hope we get him back again next year. He is one of the best deer hunters I know (not exaggerating) and very knowledgeable about behavior and management. Best regards. Happy New Year. (1-1-12)
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Nick from MN asks:Could the use of lighted nocks be part of the problem you are having with deer ducking the arrow at distances of 35 yards or more? In low light conditions could the deer see the light from the nock and react to that rather than the sound of the shot?Winke Responds:Nick, I don't think so. In the first place I have not been using them, but also they jump even when they are looking the other way. It is not a vision thing, it is a hearing thing. They hear it and drop down to load their legs up to bolt and that causes the high hit. We are still learning about it, but the best strategy seems to be to aim low on all shots where there is a chance of jumping. Good luck. Happy New Year. (1-1-12)
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Bob from IA asks:Hi Bill, What do you feel is the best hunting strategy for hunting the very windy days of the late season? I want to go this afternoon but with 50mph gusts forecasted I'm thinking it will be a waste of time...your thoughts?Winke Responds:Bob, I can't always get to these in time to give real time advice, but based on what I saw from the the blind this evening (not a lot of deer movement and skittish deer) I don't think you missed much by not going. 50 mph is pretty dang high winds. I have done fine in high winds, but not usually that high. Tomorrow evening should be good, I think. Good luck. Happy New Year. (1-1-12)
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Rob from MI asks:Hi Bill. I just got a magnum Pack Rack for a gift. One of the appealing features of the pack rack is the compact design, however, the magnum is significantly larger. I was wondering which model you preferred using....magnum or standard?Winke Responds:Rob, I like the Magnum because it seems louder and with a lower pitch that I think comes very close to the sound of real deer. It is a great product. I love it. Good luck. Happy New Year. (1-1-12)
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bill from PA asks:Hi Bill, I have a problem, I think it is a problem, with my collar coming in contact with my string. If you go to the ARTICLES section of your site, then click on ARCHERY TECH, then TARGET PANIC then look at the photo that starts the video. You can see that the hood/collar is contacting the fletching of the arrow. This is what is happening to me. Will this affect the arrow flight or will the arrow correct itself? Thanks for all the advice you give us mere mortals!Winke Responds:Bill, You definitely don't want anything to contact the arrow. I would find a way to get the collar to stay closer to your face/neck or cut it off. Even if it seems to be only lightly brushing the arrow, a slight change in body position could result in greater contact. It is not as critical as contact with the arrow after is free from the string, but I would still do whatever you need to do to eliminate it. Good luck. (1-1-12)
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Randy from PA asks:I noticed you aren't now using a stabilizer on your bow. Is that because you are hunting out of a blind and don't want the stabilizer to be a concern for getting a shot from the blind. Happy New Year Bill and pro staff hope you have a wonderful 2012.---RCSWinke Responds:Randy, Yes, that is correct. If I have to get the bow close to the window for a certain shot angle, I don't want to worry about the stabilizer coming in contact with the wall of the blind. Good eye! Happy New Year (1-1-12)
