Big Cliff

Well, if that is true, why are they faster, have more power, and use a different limb technology? Excalibur tried to sue them for pattent infringement and lost. It may look similar but IMHO it is a better product!

Thanks for asking Stan. I'm doing fine, Sue has some issues we have to deal with but we have an appointment with a specialist next Monday and I am going with her. I'll be asking some questions and expect some answers. Every day is a blessing! Anytime you want to pay a surprise visit, I'd be happy to see you again; might be a good idea to phone ahead though, I'm currently going to school five days a week, working three evenings and most Saturdays. If you do come up, I'd be happy to let you try my Middleton and see what you think of it. Let me know!

Well, I'm not in sales but the place I work for is. However as I was trying to point out, deal with someone local so you can get service and support if and when you need it. We do support and service our customers but you have to get it to us if there is a problem. As far as dropping in for a chat or a hot one (or a cold one) the door is always open. As many have said they have older units and are very pleased with them but the unit you buy today from Ariens/JD/or anyone else isn't the same quality as the unit you bought even 10 years ago. Price wars and off shore production have driven prices down but to be able to sell these units they have had to cut the cost of production. The result is a product that is made with the least expensive components. Would you invest $1000.00 without doing some research on the investment? Probably not so don't go out and spend $1000.00 on a snow blower without doing your homework first. If you find something that you are interested in, get me all the information (make, modle, price, and name and address of the dealer) and I'll try to help you make an educated decision.

Well, first of all I wouldn't buy a JD, as has been said by others, the quality isn't anything like it use to be. It might say JD on it but it isn't made by them. Ariens are good units but it is hard to find an authorized warranty depot. Craftsman, Mastercraft, and many of the others have switched to imports in the last two years, I'm not too impressed with the quality of most of them. One of the most important things to consider when buying anything like that is customer service, who will do the warranty if you do need it. Will you have to haul it 50 miles down the road and wait for two weeks to get parts? CTC and most of the others don't do warranty work, you will have to take it to a dealer so why not just go to a dealer in the first place. When we sell anything, it has been set up, started, tested, and any adjustments needed are done before you ever take it home. We also go over the unit with you so that you know about any safety features and how to get the most out of your unit. In many cases our prices are as good as or lower than the big box stores. My suggestion; find a local dealer, check out their service shop, see what kind of parts inventory they carry and make sure they can cover any warranty issues.

Before you buy one, I would really suggest you take a look at the Middleton Crossbows. They are the hardest hitting, fastest crossbow I could find (rated for 375fps) but when we tested mine we were getting 383 consistantly, made in Canada. I have had one for 3 years now and love it. The limbs aren't affected by normal heat, ie, you leave it in your car strung and the sun is shining in and it gets hot in the car, no problem, it won't affect the limbs. Their customer service is second to none and they come with a lifetime warranty which they stand behind. Price worked out to about the same or a little less than Excaliber.

Sorry Alex, I didn't realize when I offered to help and passed along the information that I did that your wife is a realestate agent and that you had already talked to Rhonda this past spring. She explaned to me that there some ethicall issues with what she could do to help you because of the circumstances. Good luck in your quest!

And I have the plate to prove it!

And here I thought I knew how to cook fish! I've been schooled!!!!!!!! Fantastic job you did there!

While all of the lakes have much to offer, we really prefer Sturgeon Lake. we spent four years looking and researching before we bought this place and the effort was worth it. There are some very nice cottages/year round houses in your price range if you just know where to look but you do need to know what to look for/at. There is one not too far from me that isn't on the market yet but I have reason to believe it will be by spring, it will probably be well below your bottom price as it will need some work done to it but with your budget you could have the whole place rebuilt and still be well under your top end. It is a nice large lot with nice homes on either side of it. The elderly gentalman that ownes it spends his winters down South and I know his kids aren't interested in it and he is finding it too much work for him. I've sent you a PM and would be happy to help you anyway I can. Good luck in your search!

A couple of years ago I bought a Middleton Crossbow from my good friend Sam. To say I am pleased with it would be an understatement. Two weeks ago a good friend asked if he could borrow it, he was having a problem getting a part for his crossbow (not a Middleton) and since I knew I wouldn't be able to get out for a while and I knew he was in a jam, I reluctantly agreed. Sunday evening I got a phone call; my crossbow was broken! The part that holds the bolt in the bow had snapped off. I talked to Derrick @ Middleton yesterday morning and he shipped me the part Canada Post Express yesterday, NO CHARGE! It turns out that when they say "lifetime warranty" they mean it! If you are thinking about getting a crossbow, check out the Middleton 375, not only is it the fastest, hardest hitting crossbow available but they sure know what "customer service" is all about! Thanks again Sam and Derrick!

I've been dealing with RBC for about 30 years now. About 8 years ago an employee of mine went into our branch to cash her pay cheque and since she didn't have an account there they told her they would have to put a hold on the cheque. Now, this was my branch and I had a long history with them and more than enough in the account to cover the cheque. She phoned me in a panic; she needed the money now! It took me about two minutes on the phone with the manager. The first 60 seconds were me explaining what I was going to do if they didn't give her the money right then and there. The second 60 seconds were him apologizing and assuring me it would never happen again! They never put a hold on any of my cheques no matter how much they are for! You are a customer and you should expect good customer service unless you have given them reason to believe there could be a problem. If you don't get the answer you want from the teller, go right to the top!

Our dog got sprayed a couple of years ago. We tried almost everything mentioned above but if the dog got wet, the smell came back. A friend rexomended we try this. NokOut One application and that was the end of the smell. I was so impressed with it I decided to wash my hunting cloths in it. Next evening sitting in my tree stand, I had a coyoty come out 20 yards down wind of me, it had no idea that I was even in the area. Since then I use it frequently and ever since, I have never been winded by deer. It is 100% safe, won't hurt you or your dog and it ELIMINATES the odor. A lot of sport shops are carrying it and quite a few pet shops, contact them to find out who has it in your area.

Thank you all for the kind thoughts and well wishes. Just a quick update for you. Beans, thank you so much for posting this for me, I just couldn't seem to sit down and type anything with all that was going on. Between running back and forth for my own appointments, trying to take care of Sue, the house, Andy, and work, I've been kept busy. As some of you know, Sue has a long history of heart problems, it runs in ther family. She has had three very bad heart attacks over the years, a quadruple bypass, and last year a stint put in. Last Saturday morning at 4:30 am she woke me up, she was having chest pains again. I called 911 and the ambluance was here within minutes, (got to Love our Canadian Health Care System). Sure enough, the ECG showed problems. She spent She spent Saturday to Wed. in emergency on oxygen and nitro before they could find a bed for her in ICU and waiting for emergency triage to Sunny Broke. Thursday morning they took her to Sunny Brook where they did an angiogram, yup, one of her bypasses had colapsed. They may be able to do something to repair the problembut a big concern is the amount of damage that was done to her heart by the three heart attacks. The cardiologest is talking about "options" , it seems there are three of them: Go back into the original artery that was bypassed and try to put two stinta in to get it working again, open heart surgery to put in another bypass, or trying to help her by releaving her symptoms with medication. There are many factors and risks that have to be considered regardless of which option they choose and they will be doing more tests in the next little while to determin which is the best way to go. For now, they have let me bring here home, and she is doing very well and looks fantastic, I have a defibrulator here and know how to use it if necessary. Anyway, for now, all is good and I'll post an update when I know more. Thanks again one and all for the kind thoughts and prayers, it all helps!

Joey, I am so very, very sorry to hear of your dad passing. His spirit will live on and be with you forever in your heart.

Remington 870 12g express! I have owned one for about 15 years now, never let me down once and I've used it for every thing from trap, sporting clay, deer, turkey........... Don't even bother to buy the slug barrel for it, I use 3" magnum 00 buck or SSG loads and have never lost one deer that I have shot at with it. Mind you, if I can't get a good heart shot, I don't shoot. I have several shot guns, some fairly expensive but when I want to go hunting; it is always the 870 that I grab first. The 20 ga Wing Master is also an excellent gun (870 but in a 20 ga) you won't find a more reliable gun for the money if you want to hunt upland game birds.

Be well my friend and enjoy the trip, I'll be watching for your reports. If the family needs ANYTHING while you are away, all they have to do is call or if Bly and Sydney want to come up fishing, we'd love to have them, they don't even have to bring their rods, I've got more than enough!

Just a special moment in time. my signature is in honor and support of all those who serve our country both at home and abroad.

LOL, our 25th and my wife's plans kind of kept me busy. I would have loved to have gone to that party but the one I did go to was really special too!

I've been hanging around this board for a while now, I've sort of lost count but it has to be close to 10 years. When the board changed a few years back I opted to not keep my old post count; history never really did interest me much. I have looked at a few other sites, even registered on a few but never found a place that I was as comfortable as right here! Over the years I have made so many wonderful friends that I couldn't possably count them all, as time has gone by, some have moved on for one reason or another but many have stayed part of my life. Some I have never even met, some I have enjoyed many wonderful fishing trips with. Some I only get to see once or twice a year but I cherish each and every one of them just the same. I have had the pleasure of being able to be a part of the "Fishing for Tyler" event (which is such a pleasure and an honor), go on some of the most wonderful charters in my life, get advise and help on almost any topic often within minutes of asking, and when I asked for help to put my docks in last year, 16 people showed up in cold windy weather, and before you could say "thank you" the docks were in. You tell me, do you know any other websites where that would happen? This board may not be to everyones liking, no matter how hard you try, you just can't please everyone! If you feel this isn't the place for you then you should explore other options. I am always sad to see someone go (well almost) but if you do take the time to hang around you will quickly find that this isn't just a message board, it is a family. So, go if you must; stay if you will. Keep it civil and the door will always be open.

Sorry we didn't get to see you again later in the day. Did you manage to find that place and if so, any luck? BTW that email didn't come through. [email protected]

I am so very sorry for your loss Wayne!

Keeping my fingures crossed and saying a prayer just for good measure!

I wish nothing but the best for that young man, I only met him once and he did nothing but give heart and sole! If a prayer will help, it is the least I can do for him! Get well soon My Friend!

You know, I think I'd like to fish with you some time! I think we both have the same ideas and it would be a blast to work with someone like you especially when the catching is tough! If you ever want to take a trip North for a few days..... I have accomodations, boat, and love to fish? All you need to do is get here. Interested?

A friend just did something similar about two years ago. Hasn't been any problems to date.