tallydude

Agreed. I far prefer winter to summer in Florida. However, after spending the last 3 and a half years in Kansas, I'm just glad to be near the water again.

For my wife and I, along with our two boys (ages 5 &1), I'd say we're right around $1000 per month.

Herniated disc kept me from going. Grr.

I don't. LMB is catch and release only for me. Like some of the other guys here have said, there are too many other fish that taste better that I'd rather eat.

I'm gonna bank fish El Dorado, KS in the morning. Not necessarily just for bass; I'd happily take crappie or bluegill if they are biting. However, I was warned that all of the decaying trees in the lake can make it somewhat toxic for the fish- is that true of the lake? Anyone have any tips to fish it?

I'd be down for this. Actually the best way to do it is to have everyone meet at a park and bank fish. I organized all of the South Florida get togethers when I lived in West Palm Beach. We got almost 20 guys each time. A little different here, obviously.

I'm getting my first bow next month with hopes to be ready by archery season. The much longer season combined with the lower amount (but still present) of bow hunters might offer a better experience.

I ended up not going out at all. Just too hot for me. I planned on getting up and heading to Marion County Lake this morning but obviously the thunderstorm erupting overhead at 4:30 convinced me to roll over and go back to sleep.

That's just crazy.

The problem I had last year hunting on public land in Kansas was other hunters constantly setting up around me even after I had flashed them with my flashlight to let them know where I was. I could tell a long story here but let me just state that last year's hunting was the single most frustrating experience in my life. I've sworn off public land (at least anywhere near Wichita) for gun season. I understand there are far less bow hunters here and I'm getting my first bow next month so that I can maybe avoid the fools with rifles in December. Grr.

I'm not afraid of the wind. More like utterly annoyed by it.

I'll just be bank fishing so I was considering Milford Lake or perhaps Elk River. Honestly, I'd almost given up fishing here because it is so much different than Florida. I can handle the heat, but I HATE this wind. Hate, hate, hate it. It never stops. Will probably head to Marion County Lake tomorrow to catch bluegills on ultralight tackle.

I love to hunt white-tailed deer and Kansas has some big ones. It was maybe the one positive about leaving Florida and moving to Wichita. The deer in Florida are the size of my Labrador. I don't care for predator hunting but I'll happily hunt pheasant, squirrel, turkey and waterfowl. For me, I just really enjoy the experience of getting outdoors and taking part in the cycle.

Hey, jrsmith, where did you end up going? I also live in Wichita and am going fishing/camping this weekend.

Andrew Zimmern did an episode of Bizarre Foods America that focused on the snakehead in Maryland. He swears by them. Check your listings and you can probably find a rerun and DVR it.