Mike...I empathize on the shoulder. I was not sure I'd be bow hunting this year. In fact I missed the Vintage Cup due to a chronic shoulder & neck issue I have. I believe that was my wife's motivation to help out. I've had a couple cortisone shots and a bunch of physical therapy. In fact another appointment in the morning. The bow works fine unless both neck and shoulder go south at the same time. Then I literally can't move much.
In any even my brilliant son Maxx and I were having a heart to heart about me not bow hunting this year...He tells my I only have to manage to shoot once. Apparently so...;-) I have been fortunate and hope my shoulder holds up several more seasons. I like bow hunting...it's quiet, warmer and the animals are relaxed. I don't shoot bad either.
As for Bob Rowley busting my stones...Gun season opens Saturday. It's the first time ever we get to use rifles in upstate NY. I typically hunt with a fully rifled Ithaca DeerSlayer shotgun with a low mag scope and sabot slugs...at least I have for the last 5 or 6 years since the sights on my SxS Bernardelli slug gun went blurry on me.
This year I spent the summer developing a load for my 9.3x74R
Merkel 140 1.1 Double rifle. I settled on 59.5gr of Reloader 15 in Norma cases with WLR primers and a 250 grain Nolser Ballistic Tip (I bought a bunch on close out).
Both that and my Krieghoff Plus Drilling will be called into service for the balance of Deer blasting season in NY...Both wear low mag scopes...Leupold 1.5-5 VX-III's...The Drilling uses the same load as the DR but can reach out to 300+ yards...It also has an illuminated reticle scope (perfect for late high stand hunting).
So yes...the double gun guy will be doubling up on the balance of the season.
I will note that my freezer is full a bow "eating doe" a few weeks back and the buck above...If I shoot another it's gotta be bigger and I can say with some certainty my wife won't be so kind about me monopolizing das freezer!
Thank you all for your participation and your kind words.
