What ya got goin?

[Ralph]

#3104

Saturday morning, off to chase turkeys this evening (camo is too prove that you’ll not be seen if you don’t move:roll: )actually, I’ll shoot while they’re standing still gawking in shock. 3D tomorrow so I can practice missing again what I’ll probably miss today.. 😀

What’cha y’all got goin’? Jim be shootin longbow, Neil be watchin it rain on soccer team ……………Ralph be freezin his hiney off in new camo outfit.

[Jason Wesbrock]

#16607

I have a little work around to thouse to do today and a bunch of us are shooting the IBO state championship tomorrow. Next weekend I’ll be heading up to our property in WI to see about filling a turkey tag, planting about a hundred spruce seedlings, install the well pump, and de-winterize the camper.

[grumpy]

#16612

Well, we did laundry, went to dentist (she has diamonds in her mouth now), waiting for some guy to come and till the garden, and she is insisting she cut up my bandannas to make doll clothes, and of course the mouth hasn’t stopped since she woke up at 7:30 this morning. I MEAN SHE KEPT TALKING WHILE THE DENTIST WAS FILLING HER TEETH!!! Is it nap time yet??? AUS don’t teach those kids to talk!!!!

[paleoman]

#16684

Am On Call 24/7 for a large Mi. utility. They got me good last night with some wind damage issues. Not worth much today. On the “re-charger” (couch) hoping to be left alone tonight.

[Cameron Unruh]

#16890

I decided to trade in my morning view of the backyard…

For a more open and fresh perspective…

I took the new Spalted Maple bow our for her first adventure…4.5 mile hike

A break for lunch…

I am finishing the day full circle back in my backyard…Good Day!

[Raymond Coffman]

#16893

Cameron –

Bravo! – truly a great day, wish I could have joined you —

Scout

[coastalbendbows]

#16900

I crossed off three bows on my todo list. Now I’m only seven behind.

Kids soccer games and weightlifting meets keeps us pretty busy around here. Turkey season is over. I went one time and didn’t have any luck. There will be another season to try again.

I’m getting excited a out this years Wyo elk hunt. Trying to put together all my gear. I got a list but don’t even know where to start there’s so many choices. I figured the frame pack and tent are top priorities.

Shawn

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#17839

Just lots of practice shooting right now, and getting ready to go scout for turkeys next week…

[Ralph]

#17948

Well, the best laid plans of mice and men….. Forgot about senior prom and senior papa be official picture taker.. Some things way more important than turkey hunting.

Did do 3D today but, I thought I gave away range cap’n but I get called to set up targets.. Dang. Was planning on helping but not setting them all up by myself. Set 10, shot 3x’s different stakes, easier on me than 15 shot twice.Glad for help taking down. Old guy does get tired once in awhile.

Found out my wounded hand ain’t fit for duty with my 50# boo/osage wood bow. Ouch, swelled up now. Better stick w/45# recurve and longbow. Better for me, better with them. Anyway, alive and well and happy and blessed. What more??? Wish same to y’all.

[Col Mike]

#19150

Finished up the last of our tours this season with a tour bus of 33 seniors about the age of R2 and me. After 3 days of finishing the season will be out tomorrow Hunting turkey. May not have mentioned in my previous drivel about First Hunt- but for those of you who are interested–I am in position at least 2 hours before sunrise–and the last 1/4 mile to the selected ambush spot is reached on my hands and knees. Trust I will have some entertaining posts tomorrow evening—I see that many of you have a very low entertainment threshold:) For all have a good hunt.

Semper Fi

Mike

[James Harvey]

#19621

Ralph, in my limited capacity to soldier I was left out on a lonely sentry post at a live fire range back gate while the lads were playing army. Anywho, one rainy night I heard some very unusual animal calls… and they were onto my little camp because I could hear them boxing around me. In the morning I went out and found a heap of fresh tracks, that looked to me a bit like cattle, but maybe washed out and softened by the rain. When I got back to civilization I checked online for tracks compared to some sketches I made. I also explored some animal calls and I reckon I have may have come across some feral camels. There’s heaps of them in Australia but I’ve never heard of them being this far east.

The most exciting part of that for me is that I’ve been angling to get permission to hunt on a pretty big cattle station that borders the army range. I’ve never even seen a wild camel and the chance to hunt camel has me pretty excited. I need to find someone who knows anything about camels. Because I don’t know a thing 😕

And they could have been cows 😉

[Ralph]

#19633

From my experiences with camels that I recall in Morocco from my youth, they didn’t like me much and the feeling was mutual. Matter of fact, I couldn’t see where they liked anything much, even each other. They sure can slobber a bunch! Yuck!

In the dark on sentry duty is spooky to get surrounded by anything. I think I’ve been surrounded by my imagination a few times cause there were no tracks:wink::wink:

Good luck on the “fishing”:lol:. Everyone needs a place to hunt.

[James Harvey]

#19647

Ralph, this is a pic I took by holding my camera up to my spotting scope while I was hunting something entirely different. I’m kicking myself now for not paying more attention to the marks they left behind 😛

Oh and I’m a shameless coward mate, the number of times I’ve thought something is stalking me when I’m alone at night.. I think my 2 year old has less fear of the dark than me 😀

[Ralph]

#19718

Jim, where you’ve been you’ve well earned that fear of the dark my friend. Thanks for that service.

I lived in eastern Colo. when young, 13 mi. east of Aquilar. No lights at night except moon and stars. Lots of rattlesnakes and only outdoor facilities. At least those snakes usually made noise. Yours don’t!

You learn to always know where the flashlight is.

Things that make noise in the dark still get my attention.

Wished I’d bow hunted then. Lots of prairie land but the canyons held some monster mule deer bucks.

[Raymond Coffman]

#19753

Ausjim-

I think you will have trouble finding someone who has hunted Camels {but you never know}Most parts of the world it would probably get you in trouble like “horse stealing/killing”. If you get a chance to hunt them, make a great batch of Articles for Tradbow. They’re pretty big, better get those efoc arrows worked up – haha.

I have eaten camel –it is OK –but like we say here in the SW you can eat just about anything with good Chile Sauce on it.

PS — Maybe Dr Ashby will chime in– he is one of the few who might have had a run at Feral Camels in his work “Down Under”

Scout

[Wexbow]

#20022

Hey Ralph I hope you’ve bagged one of those gobblers since. I was “standing” for my first godchild over the weekend, proud moment! And guess what, it didn’t rain! In fact 20C and sunny here lately, spring has finally sprung 😀 Been crazy busy with work lately so haven’t been on here much so I’m slow on the replies these days.

[Ralph]

#20059

Hey Neil, played photographer for prom grandson and didn’t get to go. Better place I was tho. Kids need dad even if it’s old grand dad that’s dad. My kids, her kids, our grandkids… If those boys bring home some more kids to raise………..:roll:

Good tourney Sunday even if my beat up hand got beat up more shootin my all wood composite bow. I can’t really feel hand shock much with it but it beats me up after a day shooting.

89 deg yesterday, 35 today w/35 mph N wind. Brrrr….

[Mark Turton]

#20846

Been cleaning the truck off and on since Saturday youngest son has another passing out parade this Friday so the girls have all got new dresses and I got no money left!

Saturday too early driving to Switzerland 12 hours plus stops via France and Germany, factory tours and meetings all week, must be on best behavior.

Jim, my grandad was in Egypt during WWII and developed a deep hatred of camels that I knew nothing about until he took us to the zoo when I was a kid, he stood in front of the enclosure and described every kick, bite, spit and nasty bodily function he had ever encountered, took a while. If you bag one your going to need a bigger barbie.

Mark.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#21934

We’ve just finally gotten to a point where some south-facing hillsides are free enough of snow to get out for the first stump shooting session of the season yesterday.

My buddy Kevin who just made the leap from compound to trad:

Those darn uphill shots…:(

This little Kanati has really been growing on my lately:

It felt great just to get out and stretch the legs with a bow again!

[Ralph]

#21980

Need to move that stump a yard closer. 😆 Nice looking bow. It peaked my interest so I went to Mr. Kendall’s website and found he his full up for 2013. Good to be busy.

My “wassup” today here in Amarillo is to watch the wind blow and hope the 20% chance of rain turns out to be a 100% at my house.

[Mark Turton]

#21984

Good to be out stretching the sinews and feeling the sun.

Mark.

[Ben M.]

#21998

I’ve been renovating the upstairs bathroom in our 115 year old house. *whew* What a project! Knob & tube wiring, cast iron plumbing, lath and horsehair plaster. Haven’t taken the time to do much shooting lately and I’ve missed the whole first half of turkey season. Been running quite a bit lately, too. Gearing up for some summer distance races.

Hope your leg heals up completely, Jim. If you kill a camel, post a lot of pictures. Better hope it’s good meat; you’ll have a bunch to eat.

Thanks for keeping us all engaged, R2.

[Ralph]

#22012

Camel be “whale” of a mount! Probably have to get a new house and wife and all of that if I wanted to put one in my house 😆

[lyagooshka]

#22020

ausjim wrote: Oh and I’m a shameless coward mate, the number of times I’ve thought something is stalking me when I’m alone at night.. I think my 2 year old has less fear of the dark than me 😀

You’ll have to fight me for first place on that one. 😆 I have absolutely no issue with the fact that I do not hunt until the sun has been up for a long while. 😳 I watched too many horror and nature movies. It’s either got fangs and claws or will infect me and turn me into one of the undead minions. No thank you! If it don’t walk around in daylight, I don’t want it! Can’t wait for my moose trip in September. Wake up at noon, fish until dinner time, try to spot one on the way back in the boat. And you know darn well I’ll be complaining when I get home that I didn’t get anything. 🙄 Be well.

Alex

😕

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#22032

R2 wrote: Need to move that stump a yard closer. 😆

Ha. No kidding. We were “stretching out” pretty far on those shots. 😀

R2 wrote:

Nice looking bow. It peaked my interest so I went to Mr. Kendall’s website and found he his full up for 2013. Good to be busy.

Thanks. Jason makes a great hybrid, but I don’t think he makes a whole lot of them (which is good, ‘cuz I’d probably order another one…). For being 56″ inches, I’m impressed that there is no stack or pinch at all, and it flings a 620 gr. arrow with plenty of authority. After shooting my recurves exclusively for a while, it’s nice to go back to a bow that is so quiet and ridiculously light.

[James Harvey]

#22213

Smithhammer, I am constantly disgusted by the plethora of beautiful bows you trot out like a Saudi king parades his wives. Do you know there are children in Africa that don’t even own a bow? My god man, think of the children!

Incidentally, I happen to be an African child, so if you want to make amends I’ll give you my mailing address and you can change a child’s life 😉

Guys, if I kill a camel, it’s likely I’ll be sharing a camp with a few other fellas, so as much as possible will be used as camp meat. I’ve eaten camel in a restaurant before, cooked much the same as goat, so I guess that will be the go. It’s a big animal though, so I’d like to think I’ll separate the left overs into a few different piles so it’s not just the big dogs that get a scavenge. There are a number of endangered cat sized native predators up here abouts.

Of course there is every chance I just saw some washed out cow tracks 🙄

It’s great hearing what everyone is up to btw. Thanks for the thread Ralph 😀

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#22251

ausjim wrote: Smithhammer, I am constantly disgusted by the plethora of beautiful bows you trot out like a Saudi king parades his wives….

I have been known to refer to them as “my harem” on occasion… 8)

ausjim wrote: Incidentally, I happen to be an African child, so if you want to make amends I’ll give you my mailing address and you can change a child’s life

I like to think it’s never too late to have a happy childhood…

[Ralph]

#24742

Saw not turkeys today but what a rare Panhandle day, calm water, a rare thing.

And a windless windmill

rare indeed but oh so nice.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#34507

Took a drive through Yellowstone last weekend, on our way to meet up with friends in Paradise Valley. Traffic was horrible:

Our humble abode for 4 days:

Other than catching up, hitting the local hot springs, mtn. biking, doing a little fishing, and blasting clays, we enjoyed a profusion of ‘adult beverages.’

Bulleit Rye, a whiskey with enough character that we decided it needed a mustache:

More local residents:

The “Moscow Mule” – a specialty in these parts, served in a gen-u-wine copper mug (warning – it is very easy to drink a lot of these…):

Another view of the homestead:

And one very tired pup:

Not much to do with archery, but I figured if I threw in enough wildlife, it would qualify…:wink:

[Ralph]

#34529

Looks like you’d find something not quite so boring to do. 😆

Nice pictures and glad you had a good time.

Ralph

[paleoman]

#34605

Those were worth seeing and posting. Now I gotta Google Moscow Mule and see what that’s about:wink:

[Vintage Archer]

#34868

SMITHHAMMER Those pictures are great I bet that was a fun trip.

That Mosco Mule looked very interesting.I had to check it out. Found this recipe on OPRAH.com….What kind of bar did you say that was??:D:lol:

Servings: Serves 1

Ingredients

1 ounce vodka

1 tsp. sugar syrup

Fresh lime juice

1/2 cup ginger beer

1 sprig fresh mint

1 slice of lime

Directions

In a copper mug, pour vodka over ice. Add sugar syrup and lime juice. Top with ginger beer and stir. Garnish with mint sprig and lime slice.

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/food/Moscow-Mule-Recipe_1#ixzz2SZYEC7hM

Maybe Robin can use this as the tip of the week:D

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#35632

That’s it, Joe!

Oh, and the bar in the pic is @ Chico Hot Springs, north of Gardiner, MT. An old resort with a lot of history. Definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area. But don’t wait till then to have a Mule….:D

[Ben M.]

#36160

Thanks for the update, Blacksmith.

There’s a special place in my heart (and stomach) for that Bulleit Rye. I try to reward myself with a double after every whitetail. Sometimes a double-double. I’m still taking care of my kids, working on my bathroom, and running my ass off in this Kansas wind.

-Ben

[Ben M.]

#36165

Shewt! Where’d that asterisk come from?

[Steve Sr.]

#38232

Waitin’ (AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!) on something to show up that I dumbed into on “the auction” about 12minutes after it was posted to see “how good/bad it is”.

Shouldn’t have but I CAN STAND ONLY SO MUCH TEMPTATION (broke or not!)

PB&J sandwiches for two weeks….at least. 🙄

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#42116

Some high quality stumpin’ was had today! Went on a 7-mile hike back into the hunting grounds to see what sort of fresh sign might be around, and of course, to mercilessly lay waste to every stump in our path.

On the hike in:

Spring is finally coming to the high country (this is at about 7000ft):

A little lunch break:

And then it was time to get down to business:

Came across some not-too-old elk sign:

And some pretty old elk sign:

What else is there to say? It was an awesome Sunday, and good to finally stretch the legs with the Quick Styk!

[Ralph]

#42189

I see you guys had considerable more fun than I :~{

Good pics and nice bows!

[Ben M.]

#29398

I had the honor of shooting with these young archers today.

They each shoot like their posture suggests: On the left, “As long as I look good with my tackle, what’s it matter?” Middle, “As long as I get to see the arrow fly, who cares where it lands?” Right, “Stick that sumbich!”

Loosed nearly 300 arrows, lost only one.

[Ralph]

#30010

😆 Well done! Good they’re on your side????:D

[tailfeather]

#30051

This is a great thread. lol:D

[T Downing]

#30179

Awesome pics…Tailfeather is right, great thread!

[Ralph]

#30218

Hey, I got one of those (grandson) that’s still a shootin buddy. The two older brothers, 18, 17 have more important things other than Papa goin in life right now but they’ll be back. I remember as a lad that there were other priorities in life that didn’t include dad’s and grand dads, but I learned better. Miss’em.

At lunch with 17 yr. old today and we were discussing college plans, it hit me like a truck, dang it’s been a half century since I started college.

So “what I got goin”? Three fine young men and my 3rd set of kids. Whoa!

[James Harvey]

#30363

Ben, the photos of the boys is a classic. Looks like a pack of lads ready for adventure!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#38308

Been shooting just about every day in the backyard, still trying to decide which bow I want to use for the upcoming elk season. More and more, I’m reuniting with my Kanati:

56″ AMO

#53 @ 28″

This sweet little hybrid gives nothing up to my recurves and throws a 650gr. arrow with authority. And it’s so light and maneuverable, that I’m finding it increasingly hard to go with anything longer or heavier. Jason certainly builds a sweet bow.

[Ptaylor]

#38403

Jim,

Camels have a long track that splays a lot to help with traction in the sand. And the soft pad takes up most of the space in the foot, which gives the bottom of the track a wavy appearance (instead of being a flat footprint). The hard toenails are just a little of the track at the front.

Compared to cattle, which have a hard toenail that runs down almost the entire track, they rarely splay very much, and the bottom of the track is totally flat.

Hope that helps. preston

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#40106

[Ralph]

#41200

Went to Borger, Texas yesterday and shot in a T.H.E. tournament. What this is is an outfit that has basically redrawn the kill area somewhat on 3D targets, established another scoring system and included their version of “ethical education” of prpoer shots in their program. I enjoyed, just a different view. Took nothing away from “killing” shots on 3D’s other than where the lines were drawn. What was different than the “norm” was similar to what we call “Fred Bear” shoots where negative points are received for body hits other than the vitals scoring areas. We all know there are fatal areas outside these “heart, lung, liver” parts of critters but we also know that is not what we are trying to shoot at. More apt to wound by a big percentage than doing fatal.

It was fun, just another mans game in attempt to reach the same goal. I heard some mumbling and grumbling “if it was our system that woulda scored” but it didn’t in yesterdays game. The way I see it, if you’re gonna play another mans game you just play in the spirit you’re gonna beat him at his own game and have fun tryin’ to do it.

Nope didn’t win but maybe 2nd.

What was cool is that they had kill area drawn on critters for angle specific conditions, broadside, 45° angle away and facing (there is a shot for that but not for my expertise and probably not most of us) and also and extreme angle away shot. To me it was a lesson in what my skill level is at times and what would possibly be pure old luck if I were to make a shot like that so don’t shoot it if iffy.

I started coming back on my scoring when I quit worrying about the score and shot to “kill”. Heart shot scored 15 (which is not very big and not what I be thinking when shooting at an animal), heart lung 12, liver (only on larger animals) 10, a body hit neg. 5 and a miss 0.

But a whole bunch of what would have been “edge” 8’s on this system were -5’s. Learn, learn and I enjoyed it.

I know the normal 3D targets are scored as such in order to try to get people to shoot center mass of heart-lung area on animals and then up, down, forward, back there is a margin of error figured in.

Just another way to enjoy the day!!!!!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#49305

We decided this morning, after a couple of hefty egg burritos and a gallon of java, to check out a new trail a friend had told us about, but that neither of us had hiked before. More importantly – I’ve been thinking that elk season starts at the end of next month, and I better start pro-actively working on getting my @ss in shape….So up into the Big Hole mtns we went:

Lots of wildflower action going on right now:

Getting near treeline and better views:

Hank the wonder mutt, topping out:

And me catching up (in the distance, you can see the Grand Teton)…

The obligatory couple of knives I brought along – a Great Eastern “Boy’s Knife:”

And a Bark River “Trail Mate:”

Some cool lichen on a big old spruce we found on the way down:

And that’s all she wrote.

Cool to check out a new trail so close to home.

And now it’s time to hit another cool place close to home…

[David Petersen]

#49364

Richardson’s geraniums

Injun paintbrush

lupine (the subject of a great Monte Python skit)

Mariposa (Nutall’s) lily

I like the looks of that Trail Buddy … can you post another pic showing the blade better?

I would hope that at timberline here we still have wildflowers too, but with the damn drought I don’t know and can’t bring myself to go check and be disappointed.

Yes, for those of us who start hunting the last weekend of Aug., the time in well nigh to get our acts together. I’m doing plenty of indoor exercises but not nearly enough walking thanks to the heat.

Good stuff, thanks.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#49390

David Petersen wrote: Richardson’s geraniums

Injun paintbrush

lupine (the subject of a great Monte Python skit)

Mariposa (Nutall’s) lily

Thx for the flower ID! I appreciate them, but I suck at retaining names. Well, #2 & #3 are easy, but I was pretty curious about the 4th one in particular, which I don’t see very often, and which, of course, I always forget to look up by the time I get home…

David Petersen wrote: I like the looks of that Trail Buddy … can you post another pic showing the blade better?

You bet. I love that knife – Bark River’s interpretation of the Marble’s classic “Fieldcraft” knife, dressed in some lovely bocote. 6.8″ overall, with a 3″ blade (it’s actually the “Trail Mate” – they also make a larger version called the “Trail Buddy”). Here’s a better pic of the blade:

David Petersen wrote: Yes, for those of us who start hunting the last weekend of Aug., the time in well nigh to get our acts together. I’m doing plenty of indoor exercises but not nearly enough walking thanks to the heat.

Good stuff, thanks.

Yeah, it’s been pretty hot here as well, but at least we’re getting somewhat regular afternoon thunderstorms. I hope that continues. And I hope it cools off by the end of Aug…

[David Petersen]

#49412

Bruce– Have you had the chance to field dress a big animal with that blade? Say, WalMartian size or bigger? 😛 I absolutely love the way it looks, but am also aware that looks don’t always equal utility (yes, that can be taken as a wide-ranging metaphor). The handle being longer than the blade is my first requirement for a go-to skinner, and perhaps because the handle is slender it makes the blade look “fat.” But too, it seems possible that the blade in fact is a bit too wide for max maneuverability when working on and in an animal? And what is the steel quality? Now, if Helle would just design a knife that looks that great and performs like a Helle, they could rule the world! I’m yet to find any knife that holds an edge anywhere near like a three-layer Helle blade, but for the most part they are plain if not downright ugly, IMO. If my pal Doc Dave Sigurslid was still frequenting this site I’d make an appropriately rude Norsky joke at this juncture, but poor guy has gone to the dark side and retired from hunting.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#49487

Dave –

Haven’t field dressed a large animal with it, as I only got it last winter, after hunting season. But I’ve done lots of other work with it (it has a nice patina on it since I took these pics shortly after I got it), and I think it would work great for game.

The blade is a full-tang, A2 steel, with a convexed edge. I have a number of other knives of the same steel, and same edge grind, and I can tell you that it holds up really well. I prefer a convex edge on all of my field knives now. It’s a more durable edge to begin with, imo (as opposed to a Scandi, for example), especially when combined with a good high-carbon tool steel like A2. And easy to touch up in the field with a strop loaded with some compound, which I always keep in a ziploc in my hunting pack.

Though for big game, such as elk (and beyond), it might be a toss up between the Trail Mate and its larger cousin, the Trail Buddy for something more capable of all around processing, more than just skinning. I think either could work, it just comes down to preference. Here’s a size comparison:

[Ptaylor]

#49534

Bruce, great photos. Looks like a nice place to hunt. And Dave good plant ID!

I spent the weekend up in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Took my gal “camping” to a place I look for deer too…:wink:. And here’s a few of the many flowers that were going.

Columbine

Monkey flower

Lily- not sure which one.

Arrowleaved Balsamroot

Firecracker flower.

preston

[Ben M.]

#49640

Darn my hide! I took my boys out froggin’ today and didn’t even think to bring the camera. Didn’t have much luck but we had a heap of fun skipping rocks.

Smithhammer wrote:

David Petersen wrote: Mariposa (Nutall’s) lily

Man, that Nuttall went everywhere, didn’t he? We came upon a patch of Nuttall’s Death Camas today and I dug one up to show my boys how closely it resembles wild onion. Best to start ’em young.

[Ben M.]

#55943

Put together a little bench for bow building. Makes it a little easier to chase a ring on a stave.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#60705

Why is it that those first few arrows in a fresh target feel especially good? 😀

[Ralph]

#61281

It’s not that I live in and hunt in Texas that would cause this rock to catch my eye or anything like that when I was stumping at my lease but…….Top is how I found it laying, bottom, I turned it and silhouetted it at home.

Not as pretty as y’all’s flowers. I like the saw/vicehorse:D

You don’t suppose some ancient Indian had a premonition whilst chipping on flint…..:lol::lol:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#62562

Been thinking about scouting a new area lately, and it was cool enough this morning to get me off my butt and go check it out.

Great looking country, with promise, but much of the stuff down low is really thick, and up high I couldn’t find any springs or water sources. Still, it could be a really good place to pack farther in to, and install and spend a few days. Decisions, decisions…

[Ben M.]

#63825

Good stuff there, Bruce. Beautiful country! I’m looking forward to your elk season again this year.

R2, I have never seen folks so darned proud of their state as Texans. You folks have Texas-shaped waffle irons and bags of Texas-shaped chips. I even saw an article once on a guy growing fruit–pears, I think–that had mould clamped on it to force it to grow into the shape of Texas. Maybe you oughta haft up that Texas point and see what kind of luck it brings you.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#9442

Just ‘stretchin’ out’ on a hot afternoon…

[Ralph]

#9512

Me too! Put a cornbread casserole together, using deer burger, then been out back shootin’ “The Boss”, my Boo/Osage that David Knight built for me 3-4 years ago. It’s a beaut! 49# @ 28″ and shoots as fast or faster as many glass bows do that I’ve been around for it’s weight.

Agree on the hot afternoon, 95º and 35-45% humidity which is hard on we dry lander’s. Calm winds too which is total unlike Amarillo.

Looks like I need to fork out for new innards for my deer!

[David Petersen]

#9633

Durn Ralph that’s a gorgeous bow! I’ve built a dumpster full of boo-backed-osage bows and some pretty ones and even a few r/d’s … but nothing that pretty and nothing that lived so long. Likely because I used osage boards rather than staves. I figure if I’m going to shape a stave it might as well be a selfbow. I must however forewarn you that it is bound to break someday. But to save you that heartbreak I’m willing to take it off your hands … just a nice guy, me. :P:lol:

[Ralph]

#9642

Yep, composite like self, not if but when. But, maybe it’ll outlast me then you can wear it out the rest of the way. You gotta pay postage though. Couple Texans want it but you know Texan’s will trade bout anything they got if you provide nuff beer! Maybe that’s why I get shafted, I don’t drink anymore 😆

[Ben M.]

#11397

Hard at work on this year’s hunting tackle, though I should probably be refinishing that wood floor. Enh. I’ll make that my next project.

River cane stalks, osage stickbow, tonkin cane stalks, wild turkey feathers.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#11737

Nice, Ben. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

[grumpy]

#13262

When I finally got a bow in the 50 to 60 lb range, I felt a ping in my right shoulder. To make a loooooong story short, I went to the Dr., to the physical therapy, then the surgeon, and they are going to fix the rotator cup on August 18. Thus no archery, or fly fishing until after I recuperate. Six weeks in a sling. Dreading more physical therapy, seemed silly. They had me doing exercises with a 3 pound weight. Arwen was doing the same exercises with the same 3 pound weight, and made fun of me.

Arwen is still torturing me. Her latest trick is to scream in my left ear (the one that works) and whisper in my right ear (the one that doesn’t work).

footwear Saw another thread on footwear. Again I like non-skid footwear made for restaurant workers (search the web). I spent yesterday working on a slate roof, and didn’t slip once, and could feel every slate under my feet. A good second choice would be skateboard shoes. They are made to grip the top of skateboards, and work. Again you can feel everything you are stepping on. As for waterproof, put a plastic bag over your socks and inside the shoe and your feet will stay dry, sans perspiration. Or, you can make socks out of gore tex fabric to go over your socks, as I did.

As I said in BUILDING THE BOW there is not much doing here in the winter. LOTS doing in the summer, so I haven’t been here much (also getting hard to get computer time from my constant companion). Been going to outdoor concerts (cheap), trucking Arwen around (theatre rehearsals, swimming lessons, play dates, – I never had the social life this kid has) and working a lot more. I also have Audry to put a big grin on my face on rain days.

This weekend we are going to take “dirty old hat” pics for a thread. I know I’m not the only one here with dirty old hats, so you take some pics too.

I do miss you guys, but don’t want to burden you with my troubles, and haven’t worked on anything you would be interested in. Will try to stop by more often, as I have noticed I have been missed, just to leave a few wry comments when needed.

[Ralph]

#13645

Get well. Sounds like you got a cheering squad of the best kind!!!! I enjoy your dry humor.

Ralph

[James Harvey]

#13972

Hope the surgery goes well Grumps!My main job this year has been administering wounded warriors. One of the commonly occurring problems is motivated guys pushing their rehab so they can get back into what they love quicker. Often enough, guys trying to short cut two weeks off their rehab programs end up spending an extra month or two missing out because of reinjuries.

My small advice is to be patient and commit to the post surgery strengthening exercises. If you can afford it, Human Growth Hormones are about the best thing in the world for rehabbing, but I don’t know what legalities surround it there, or costs. Here it’s expensive, and for soldiers illegal. But it works wonders.

[grumpy]

#16116

HUMAN GROWTH HORMONES!!!!

I wanna be 6′ tall!!!!!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#18421

More scouting this morning. One month to the day till ‘game on’….

[David Petersen]

#18454

Bruce — If that’s you in the last photo, what’s with the bandaged right hand? Did you injure it in the big jewel heist in France the other day? 😛

[James Harvey]

#18472

In about 2 hours a man is going to drill a hole in my head to anchor some kind of artificial or ‘robotic’ tooth in place. So I’m basically going to be robocop. Alas I will no longer be kocher or halal, as some portion of a pig is getting grafted onto my face to rebuild some bone as well. But seriously, who doesn’t love bacon?

Looking into my crystal ball I foresee much bed rest and ice cream in the next 24 hours 😉

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#18631

David Petersen wrote: Bruce — If that’s you in the last photo, what’s with the bandaged right hand? Did you injure it in the big jewel heist in France the other day? 😛

Naw, that’s an elk hunting buddy who took a good spill on his bike a couple weeks ago. Ended up with some pretty bad road rash.

And I was never in France, just for the record…8)

ausjim wrote: In about 2 hours a man is going to drill a hole in my head to anchor some kind of artificial or ‘robotic’ tooth in place. So I’m basically going to be robocop. Alas I will no longer be kocher or halal, as some portion of a pig is getting grafted onto my face to rebuild some bone as well. But seriously, who doesn’t love bacon?

Wait – what? Yikes – good luck with it all, compadre.

[James Harvey]

#19731

Smithhammer wrote: Wait – what? Yikes – good luck with it all, compadre.

Cheers mate, all done. I’ve even got a few days off work, which I was hoping I could spend tuning some new wood shaft/head combos. Alas my face is swollen like a melon so I don’t think the string will get past my lips. Also I’m fairly heavily doped up on painkillers so I probably shouldn’t be handling any weapons 😀

[grumpy]

#20660

Don’t over stress yourself while recoperating.

[James Harvey]

#21177

Got my ribteks, got my brew and got my safety supervisor.

[Ralph]

#21279

Ahhh, the ribteks! I have 9 left. You and your safety man figured out how to go after those axis yet?

[James Harvey]

#21723

Not legally Ralph 😕 Not allowed to hunt them on the public land I found them on and all the properties up there are cattle stations. Cattle farmers in my experience have always been more accepting of ferals and less accommodating for hunters, all for understandable reasons. There are some properties that offer guided axis hunts but I’ve avoided guides so far, I’d like to hold off on that still. I’ve met a few local bowhunters hereabouts now, I’m hoping I can meet someone who knows someone who’s uncle runs a station, or something like that 😉

By the way, I was out there recently and most of the cattle are brahman, but they have some Texas Longhorn as well, including apparently, the world record holder for longest horns, JR:

[Ralph]

#21780

Be a hell of a loop to throw if heading that one. That’s the front half of a head’n and heel’n team Jim! :D:D

Good luck on finding hunting place. Some people take it for granted how fortunate we are here in the states.

[Ben M.]

#22932

That’s alotta horn right there.

I’m in the slow process of making and testing cane arrows. It’s a beautiful day here, 83*F and 75% humidity; perfect for working outside. The Mississippi Kites have been flying over all day with their fledglings. A good day and good place to be alive.

[William Warren]

#23005

Wow! Ausjim, hope you heal up soon. Thats some long horn there.

Ben, I’ve been procrastinating on some cane arrows. You make me want to get to work on them.

Well the wife has me stripping wall paper and painting the master bathroom. Gotta sand the walls and paint this evening. I’m fixin’ to make a knife sheath. More on that later.

[tailfeather]

#23769

Glad to see you got some cane, Ben. How’s it working for ya? Was working on some yesterday too. I’ll be cutting another batch this fall, lemme know if you want any.

[Ben M.]

#23833

That’s a generous offer, man, and I’d like to take you up on it. I’ll PM you. I got some medium-quality cane from SE Missouri, species unknown. It’s hollow & rather flimsy. It only makes low-spine arrows. I’m having better luck with tonkin cane. So far my knapping sucks. Might be hunting with trade points this year.

[Ralph]

#31842

We have green this year! I went out snoopin in the hunting grounds today.

[Ralph]

#31846

We have green this year! I went out snoopin in the hunting grounds today.

Even beauty in the weeds

Saw lots of tracks. Ready I am. The second pic is a well used draw for mule deer going from one drainage to another. One of these days!!!!!

[James Harvey]

#32067

Looks much nicer than usual Ralph. Has it been a good season for rain?

[Ralph]

#32432

We’ve had more but still behind. ‘Some’ is the key here. For the past couple of years I’ve pretty well patterned the deer in the drought conditions, watering/feeding routes/etc. Now that it’s green and water standing in tanks and whatnot I get to spend more time out snooping :). Carrying my bow and stumping while scouting and oozing around I enjoy as much or perhaps more than hunting. That’s when I usually see and find the neat stuff.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#33965

More productive scouting this morning:

[Ralph]

#33975

That puddle looks like Bigfoot might have lain in it 😀 Mighty purty country.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#43709

Trying to work off a summer’s worth of pints and tacos before my elk tag starts in 9 days…

[Ben M.]

#45349

Smithhammer wrote: Trying to work off a summer’s worth of pints and tacos before my elk tag starts in 9 days…

*Like*

Looking good, Bruce. I’m excited for your elk season this year too. 🙂

I’ve been busy getting my kids settled in to a new school routine. My youngest started kindergarten this week. Hard for this stay-at-home dad to believe. Not ready for him to be that grown up yet, I s’pose.

Spent the week cutting firewood. I’m way behind for this year but it looks like we’ll make it just fine.

[grumpy]

#49793

Stiches out today. Itching less, down to dull pain (tylenal)

, PT starts Wednesday, same day Arwen starts school. OK, I’m going to start scouting Thursday. Know where there are deer and Turkeys from seeing tracks while fishing. I can walk with my arm in a sling can’t I??

[Ralph]

#51729

Sorry, pics not that great, one of those deals when good camera needed it needed fresh batteries. Anyway at the archery range this AM, about 3 hens and 10-12 half grown poults.

[Ben M.]

#53503

Anyone heard from Elkheart lately? I’m sure he’s busy getting ready for the upcoming season. Just wondering.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#53653

Ben M. wrote: Anyone heard from Elkheart lately? I’m sure he’s busy getting ready for the upcoming season. Just wondering.

Got a scouting report from him a couple days ago, and it sounds like he’s been busy getting his woodpile in before the season starts…

[Cameron Unruh]

#53706

Made a new bow form for a R/D 58″ longbow and glued up the first attempt. I have been using the Bingham form for their 62″ Hybrid. This form has more R/D and I am looking forward to seeing how it shoots…

[Ben M.]

#54244

Cameron-Looking good on the new bow. I’m interested to know how it turns out.

Smithhammer wrote: Got a scouting report from him a couple days ago, and it sounds like he’s been busy getting his woodpile in before the season starts…

I can relate. This was my haul for the day. Some of it is potential bow wood.

[Ben M.]

#56441

🙂

[Troy Warner]

#56937

Ben M. wrote: 🙂

Well… Now we know where your bows really come from.:D

That’s smart, how’d you get those kids to make your bows for you? Most parents have to do the work so the kids can shoot.

Seriously it’s great to see kids doing something productive instead of playing video games. That’s good parenting! 😀 looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Troy

[paleoman]

#56961

[quote=ausjim]Got my ribteks, got my brew and got my safety supervisor.

[/quot

Love that Rabbit Hash mug. Kentucky has some of the best place names around. Hope you’re doing well. Saw that about being all swollen up.

[Ralph]

#57126

Working on some new shafts, tapered cedar from Braveheart. Nice! Thinkin on those guys out chasin and I gotta wait til the 28th. Could chase doves but they’re smarter than my arrows.:D Too hot for pigs in daytime.

Go out later this week and do some scouting, stumping and may have to take bang, bang. Dove breasts good with jalapeno stuffed inside and grilled. Can’t even imagine how good a bow shot dove would taste!!!:lol::lol:

That ol’hacksaw was my dad’s, so it’s older than most of us. Even me and David!

[James Harvey]

#57289

Paleo, Rabbit Hash is one of the little pilgrimages I do every time I go to the US. Beautiful Kentucky hills all the way down to the Ohio River. Australia doesn’t have any inland rivers quite like the Ohio. It’s filthy now but I always sit and wonder about the men who explored the river on canoes, paddling into unknown lands. It must have been beautiful pre-industry.

The last time I went though I think ownership of the general store changed hands. They used to always have a backroom full of old tools and bits and pieces. Now it’s all full of new age merchandise. The way of the world I guess.

[grumpy]

#57422

There is a REAL General Store just west of Manchester Vt, hasn’t changed, next time you are here I’ll take you. Yup, you can get muskrat traps, .22 rimfires, trout flies, seeds, gingham, and a bridle for your horse. Only way to find anything is to ask. Not just the back room, its tha whole store. If they don’t have it, you don’t need it.

[Ben M.]

#58648

tradhunter1 wrote: Well… Now we know where your bows really come from.:D

Hmm… Maybe that’s why they keep breaking.

These kids are amazing. They just jumped right in and started working. Only downside is that I own only two drawknives.

R2, I chop wood with a pair of brothers who are in their late seventies. Their favorite, and most used, wedge was handed down to them from their grandfather. It looks like a mushroom.

[Ralph]

#61588

Now what:? 🙂 Still have 3 weekend to go. 🙁

Last pic shows why we clean the inside of new glue-ons with cotton swab and alcohol.

[Ralph]

#61590

Just for fun!! . 😉 Obviously no chance of rain!

[tailfeather]

#62552

grumpy wrote: There is a REAL General Store just west of Manchester Vt, hasn’t changed, next time you are here I’ll take you. Yup, you can get muskrat traps, .22 rimfires, trout flies, seeds, gingham, and a bridle for your horse. Only way to find anything is to ask. Not just the back room, its tha whole store. If they don’t have it, you don’t need it.

I bet there’s a healthy contingent of old men who sit around drinking coffee, too. Sounds awesome.

Ben, those yellow shavings are killer, good luck with em. That’s next on my list.

[Ralph]

#9748

Was out stumping at the range with a couple of buddies this morning. At about 20 yds., shooting blunts I “blunt” Robin Hooded this arrow. Kinda different. The other arrow bounced back about 3 feet.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#12214

Pssst…..Asbell wool plaid hooded vest for sale in the classifieds…

[James Harvey]

#12696

R2 wrote: That ol’hacksaw was my dad’s, so it’s older than most of us. Even me and David!

That is really something.

[Ralph]

#26347

Interesting find. Download the link below. This is one bad a***** eagle.

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/thoughtful-animal/2013/09/25/golden-eagle-versus-deer-eagle-wins-photos/

[Brennan Herr]

#26487

That is truly remarkable!

[Ben M.]

#52380

http://youtube.com/watch?v=j6Nwdpa5PcU

I watched the movie “Epic” with my kids this evening and it was so good I can’t wait to watch it again tomorrow. It seems more and more movies being produced are weaving a traditional archery theme into the plot and this one has some great stuff. If you’re looking for a great family flick this is one. My kids raved about the archery scenes all evening till bedtime.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#61342

Out bird hunting the other day, a piece of obsidian near where I placed my foot grabbed my eye. Bent down and uncovered it and lo and behold:

[Ralph]

#61752

That is a fine find. Way to go!

[Mark Turton]

#61836

Painting, has to be done…….so I’m told.

Tomorrow will be good some friends coming for breakfast and an update on their hunts for elk, whitetail and pig.

Mark.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#14773

Got out yesterday for a little hike, searching for grouse. Even lost a few arrows shooting at one…:roll:

This is a crappy pic, and the track is a little melted out, but we came across some grizz tracks up on the plateau down the road from the house:

[paleoman]

#14859

Smithhammer wrote: Out bird hunting the other day, a piece of obsidian near where I placed my foot grabbed my eye. Bent down and uncovered it and lo and behold:

Man, a guy could spend a lifetime looking for that. Too cool! Back in from a 2 pm til dark hunt. Zilch now the last 3X out. Always fun groovin’ with Ma Nature but….there is a point to this at end of my arrah that needs work.

[Col Mike]

#14897

Scott

I hear that. Wonderful fall day, set up ambush site top of ridge bordering soy bean field, sun just setting over the ridge when two doe walk out and start feeding 80 m out. To far to stalk before end of shooting light–so I just watched through those great bino’s smithhammer put me on. What a wonderful end to the day–what the heck does anyone see in “outhouse channel”?

Good hunting

Mike

[Ralph]

#15699

Ha, didn’t get picked for jury duty! Hunt tomorrow. Not that I wouldn’t rather be doing my civil service or anything like that………….

[James Harvey]

#15749

I managed to get myself on a 4 week army sea kayaking course starting next week! Not exactly hunting related but I’m keen to get canoeing and figure this is better than nothing 😉

[Ralph]

#15756

Might be interesting shooting a longbow while sitting in a kayak!:D

[James Harvey]

#15828

I was thinking of packing my Sage Ralph. Put a little reel on it. Also I think we’ll be island hopping through some pig and goat infested islands 😉

[Ralph]

#15836

Nantucket sleigh ride in a kayak behind a 20′ great white. That be a story to share. Bury that shaft deep!!!:D:D Big reel perhaps? “Young man and the Sea”. Different guy, different fish.

[Col Mike]

#15986

ausjim wrote: I managed to get myself on a 4 week army sea kayaking course starting next week! Not exactly hunting related but I’m keen to get canoeing and figure this is better than nothing 😉

Jim–Good for you. Trust your army uses either the Klepper or Nautiraid folding kayaks and not those plastic things. Our guys use the nautiraid–filled with a weeks provisions dropped from 15 feet from helio jump in and go. Linda and I have the 17′ nautiraid–you can stand up in it–try that in a plastic kayak. Great for fly fishing or bow. And another of like soul crossed the Atlantic in one some years ago–a Brit of course.

If you have the time–Cockleshell Heroes, C.E. Lucas Phillips–There is also a 1950’s movie of the same name–good one if you can find it. I had the honor of being the XO for Col John Ripley USMC (Navy Cross Viet.) who had the pleasure of training with Lt.Col “Goldie” Hasler–while John was on an exchange with the Royals.

And just to bring it back on thread if webmom is hovering–traditional transportation and I believe there was a bow somewhere in the book to take out sentries.8)

Keep us posted on the trip and stay away from the croc’s.

Semper Fi

Mike

[grumpy]

#15995

Don’t forget to bring a pee can!!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#16140

grumpy wrote: Don’t forget to bring a pee can!!

Not to be confused with a pee-kahn. 8)

[Ben M.]

#17784

You guys, an amazing and beautiful thing happened yesterday evening and I was there to witness it. I’ll just copy the post I made on FB because I can’t sum it up any better than that:

I’m a lousy photographer, but an amazing thing happened this evening that is truly worth sharing. I was walking out of some hunting grounds in total darkness (no flashlight, a habit of mine) and happened upon a glowing speck on the ground. While trying to locate the source of this ethereal glow I came to realize that I was standing in a small sea of glowing, pulsing hay meadow. Glow worms: the larvae of fireflies! Like their adult counterparts, these small creatures are bioluminescent. Apparently, the magic combination of moist earth, unusually warm temperature, and hatching time of this species led to their dense and active population in this one place at this one time…and I happened to bumble into it. It is one of the most spectacular things I’ve ever seen. I really, truly, wish you all could have seen it. A meadow transformed into a carpet of glowing speckles; it was like the ground became a mirror of the night sky. There is no end to the beauty in this life.

When I got home I called my friend Colin, a professional photographer (https://www.facebook.com/KansasLandscapePhotography). We went back to the meadow to get a picture (a thing I could never do myself), but several hours had passed and the temperature had dropped fifteen or twenty degrees. The meadow was not the same as it had been. Colin later posted this on FB:

This evening, Ben Miller was walking back from a deer hunt in the dark and ended up in a field of what turned out to be hundreds of firefly larvae. He called me up to see if we could go out and get an exposure. This photo was taken at 11:48pm.

Find more information on the larvae here: http://bit.ly/1bazyGq

Surely, awareness is the greatest gift of hunting.

-Ben

[mhay]

#17882

I’ve never seen nor heard of that . I would like to have seen it myself . When I was young the firefly was everywhere here in southern Ohio . Now we only seem to have very few in certain locales .

Guess while I on this thread I’ll answer the title question .

Started full time training on Sept. 9 for Residential Electrician . It has been some experience too . At 56 I am not so accustom to CRAMMIN’ as the young fellers say . My ol’ walnut size brain ain’t as quick as it once was .

And to make matters worse , I haven’t been able to hit the woods as often as I would like to . But , still am able to shoot every day , even if for only a few arrows , and hunt on the weekend .

[Ralph]

#18031

“As for the Zen and hippies… that is one pretty Zen-like commentary for your signature line, there! Ooommmmmmm” from another thread!

Um, electrician training uh? Well you’re gonna learn that Doc cain’t spell:D, it’s oooohhhhhmmmm.:wink:

Glad you have time to shoot.

I got out yesterday and the only place in the panhandle it chose to rain was the quadrant I was in. We need the rain but preferably not when I’m hunting. Didn’t get too wet…….

[paleoman]

#19883

Went out all day yesterday and saw the big SKUNK again:) Ah well, it’s going to take my area near home a few more years to recover from EHD. I did see 5 coyotes moving single file past me at 25′(from the ground) and a big mink (and 3 bushels of squirrels – I know dang well if I took the .22 after them I’d see a deer). With the guns set to start banging away next Fri. I fear I’m done with the bow very soon if not now. I haven’t seen but 4 deer all season so far and those on the first time out. Looking forward to heading E for Thanksgiving and the following week of deer season there. Parents are still alive and well in the 2nd 1/2 of their 70’s and I can walk right out the door and have several sq miles and more all to my lonesome. Not many deer but every year rubs as big as my thigh keep me on my toes! Good luck, patience and persistence to all those still pounding the ground!

[James Harvey]

#20158

Ben that is a spectacular photo.

[Ralph]

#20309

I was out yesterday and saw does, and does, and does. I’m not against does at all but now I am chasing a buck. I wasn’t going to get up at 3 AM again this morning but I told myself last night if I wake at 3AM I’m going. Danged if I didn’t wake up at 3AM. You know how it is, any old excuse…….Anyway this morning I see one little spike buck being stupid and one doe in another draw being just as stupid. What the???? Where’s all the deer I saw yesterday???? I was oozing around trying to figure things out and whoosh. Damn wind, never blows here :wink:, about 45-50 mph. They knew what I didn’t. All the smart animals were already bushed up. So I ended that excursion. Monday again for me I guess. The 12 year old, I’m amazed how the football jocks chauffeur gets info in bits and pieces, has some kind of regional tournament game tomorrow 50 miles away and if they win, another game at the same place Sunday at 0815. They keep this up they may be playing the Broncos in the Superbowl. 5th and 6th graders be being pretty tough!! As far as archery, he shoots!!!

[James Harvey]

#25760

colmike wrote: Trust your army uses either the Klepper or Nautiraid folding kayaks and not those plastic things

Mike, we do have and use Kleppers but this isn’t a tactical course. We have a wing in the army called Adventurous Training Wing. So this course will qualify me as an adventurous training leader and allow me to take out completely inexperienced seakayakers and give them ‘adventurous training’ in sea kayaks. We use a range of civilian plastic and fibreglass kayaks.

I am LOVING it 😀

[James Harvey]

#27968

I did a little overnight trip to one of the islands off the coast here a couple days ago and tomorrow we set off on a 10 day expedition, island hopping up the coast. The best part is I’m getting paid for it 😉

Alas we’re bouncing from Nat. Park to Nat. Park so I can’t bring my hunting gear. Can’t win em all!

Jim

[paleoman]

#27974

Are the salt water crocs an issue where you are? I’ve seen the aerial views of those in the water and OMFG I wouldn’t want to be closer than I had to!

[James Harvey]

#28430

We’re right on the bottom of the salty’s range here. I pucker up a bit every time I wade across a creek (I waded a very dodgy looking estuarine creek about a week ago to get to a delicious looking mango grove on the other bank… I hope the crocs don’t get wise to that!), but they’re not very common here. Tiger sharks are all over the place though and the stinger season has just started (1 metre worth of tentacles on you is enough to kill a healthy adult), and we are paddling a long way north, which puts us deeper into croc country…

Should be fun! I just bought a waterproof camera so hopefully when I get back I can post some pics to help get you through winter 😉

Jim

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#28807

ausjim wrote: We’re right on the bottom of the salty’s range here. I pucker up a bit every time I wade across a creek (I waded a very dodgy looking estuarine creek about a week ago to get to a delicious looking mango grove on the other bank… I hope the crocs don’t get wise to that!), but they’re not very common here. Tiger sharks are all over the place though and the stinger season has just started (1 metre worth of tentacles on you is enough to kill a healthy adult), and we are paddling a long way north, which puts us deeper into croc country…

Should be fun! I just bought a waterproof camera so hopefully when I get back I can post some pics to help get you through winter 😉

Jim

So just to sum up….saltwater crocs, tiger sharks and lethal jellyfish. Right…

I’ll take bears any day. 😀

Have fun, Jim!!

[grumpy]

#29233

If a croc swallows the waerproof camera, will it still work when Peter Pan gets it?

[Ralph]

#29240

:D:D:D

[Ben M.]

#42701

Whipped up another two dozen arrows for my kids:

Not that they really needed them:

…but I had the extra supplies and, anyway, kids can never have too many arrows.

Worked up a few dozen wild turkey feathers too:

They’ll make great fletching.

[Ralph]

#42985

That’s eye candy for sure!!!! Nice work.

[James Harvey]

#44494

Geeze Ben, make me some arrows 😀

I’m going to try and restrain myself from posting too many pics from my little adventure as there isn’t a spec of hunting in there… But there was one place that was pretty special that wanderers, outdoorsmen and romantics can all appreciate I think.

We came paddling up to this bay and couldn’t believe our eyes….

You may not be able to see it in the above photo so here’s a close up…

It was like jurassic park. So this place was a high end eco-resort to the stars. But in the last 10 years or so we’ve had some epic cyclones and there are only so many times you can afford to repair and rebuild. For the last two years it’s been abandoned. Windows are smashed, the jungle has overgrown staircases, parts are falling down, cabins have been looted and destroyed by idiots.

Right at the top (out of view in the close up shot) after an Indiana Jones style adventure including bypassing rotting stairs by climbing a cliff face, battling snakes (ok it ran away when it saw me… because it wasn’t a snake it was a goanna) and some other misadventure I found one perfect cabin, untouched by tropical storms or filthy looters.

It was a truly special night, staying in this tiny piece of civilization in the midst of destruction and decay, all framed by some of the most beautiful wilderness I’ve had the pleasure of seeing.

Here’s a shot looking across the bay..

Another expedition next week 😀

Jim

[Ben M.]

#44949

Wow, Jim. Did you have any idea this place existed before you stumbled across it?

[James Harvey]

#45731

Ben, none of the trainees (my peers and I) knew and while the old sea dogs running the course knew they gave us no hints beforehand so it was still a magical discovery for us 😀 The old fellas were quite jealous of my untouched cabin though, none of them had found it before!

Here is another pic because it is just so nice. Except all the tiger sharks. And irukandji. At least you get to see them coming in that water 😉

[Ralph]

#46521

irukandj

Looked that up. Nasty little buggers are they not.

Not only is swimming and kayaking “adventurous” in Australia, bet stumping can get you bit or stung by something unpleasant.

I think that’s cool what you’re getting to do Jim. So many things I’ve seen in my lifetime the next generations will not see. The same as you’re getting to do and see.

[Ben M.]

#49474

Befriended a goose hunter. An endless supply of feathers begins…

[Ralph]

#49933

Nice.

Now you can hunt in the rain! 😉 I need some feathers that are windproof. 😀

[Ralph]

#55899

I have a new Samick Raider longbow. 60″ bow, 45#’s, bamboo front and back with black glass in the middle,rosewood riser. Put a fastflite string on it. Nice, shoots good but not for very long. 3 sets of 4 arrows at 12 yds at 19 deg, 15 mph wind, me in a t-shirt is all it could handle just now. Me, didn’t bother me. I just felt sorry for the bow being out in the cold.:D

—

G’day to ya!!!!

[James Harvey]

#55990

Hahah, your poor bow Ralph!

Here’s a neat Christmas tree I found on the Internet…

Jim

[Ralph]

#55999

That’s neat but no plugy inny. 😀

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#56099

“…my true love gave to me…

12 DOUG FIR SHAFTS!

11 brass inserts

10 Bunny Busters

9 spiral flu-flus

8 Hairy Beavers

7 Carbon collars

6 Big Shot gloves…

5 GOLD TIP NOCKS!

4 Flemish strings

3 Tuffheads

2 Asbell hoodies

and a partridge STILL sitting in a pear tree (after three shots…..)” 8)

ausjim wrote:

Here’s a neat Christmas tree I found on the Internet…

Jim

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#58199

Sold a couple bows this fall, and I have a new one on the way shortly, courtesy of Jason Kendall (JK Traditions). He sent me this pic tonight. I already own one Kanati from Jason, and it’s become one of my absolute favorites. This one will be 58″ AMO, and #53 @ 28″, walnut riser with elm limb veneers, action-boo cores, red/black phenolic accents. Can’t wait…

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#13996

Today’s wonderful archery lesson:

Hitting aerial targets when it’s 26deg. outside is not easy. 8)

[Ralph]

#14050

Running targets not a problem I suppose? :D:D Been cold here too!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#14057

I should just stick to shooting them on the ground. Much easier. 🙄

[Ralph]

#14088

You wouldn’t believe how hard of a time I had trying to track down a target like this one. 😉

I’d probably have to be hunting along the road to find a flying one.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#14775

R2 wrote:

I’d probably have to be hunting along the road to find a flying one.

I usually have the best luck when I can bust up a covey, and mark where they went down. 😉

[Ralph]

#14877

What’s those coveys worth a pound nowadays? 😀 I was gonna go out a shoot a few with temp in the 20’s but the wind is up to 20-25 mph and I ain’t that interested now. I don’t mind cold, I do mind windchill.:x

[Troy Warner]

#15877

Ralph,

Do you do any hog hunting around where you are.

I’m working in Clovis, Fort Sumner area for a few months and am looking for something to extend my season.

Troy

[Ralph]

#15921

I woulda said come on up but we, for some unexplained reason have not seen nor gotten a picture of a hog in three months. I know we’ve not exterminated them. I think it’s drought related and we’ve no water or muck in the river bottom right now. I was hoping to hunt pigs. I bought a hog squealer call and was ready to go for it. When-if it comes rain I bet they’ll be back cause we had a bunch and some pretty darn big ones. I guess a pig’s back as high as the 4th wire on a 5 wire fence be pretty darn big. Maybe damn big. 🙂 Will keep in touch and when we start having life at the archery range here I’ll let you know too.

[Troy Warner]

#16464

That sounds great. I’m still looking into the area I’m going to be in for places that have some hogs that they want to scare.

[Ralph]

#16940

Troy, from what I research and from knowledge of the Pecos River area from years of working in the Roswell south to Carlsbad area (my wife is from Artesia), pigs are plentiful along the river drainage. There is plenty of access to the drainage, you just have to find the right roads and when you do you can go for miles. Of course the pigs move around so locals probably help. I don’t think the pig hunting in NM has gotten way commercial yet. In one area yes, around Pinyon. Had a friend/acquaintance that once welcomed me to bow hunt pigs in that area but he became an outfitter and I can no longer afford that “friendship”. Anyway, I’ll stay in contact. I have a contact or two down there and will dig into things.

[wahoo]

#17418

I just picked up a bow too – I don’t know what it is but I take them any way. Been hunting deer above the home stead and having big fun – Merry Xmas to all

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#17555

wahoo wrote: I just picked up a bow too – I don’t know what it is but I take them any way. Been hunting deer above the home stead and having big fun – Merry Xmas to all

And here Dave is giving me grief about my small “collection.” I’d love to see your entire collection someday!

I did some basement shooting today with the new Kanati, and the love affair deepens.

And then I finished up an atlatl:

[strait-aero]

#17969

Nice piece,Bruce…..Wish I were that handy! Hope you are having a Merry Christmas! Wayne::D

[Ralph]

#27017

At least he got close enough to my camera.

But not to me and my bow. I was up on the hill to the right but I couldn’t see him in the fog. I was too far up the hill anyway if I could’ve seen him. This is my honey hole that I keep a camera in all the time. One of those deer gathering points as the do their thing. I rarely ever set up in it. I enjoy the pictures I get. Now if he goes about 50 yds. up the hill to right on the trail, story changes.

[Troy Warner]

#27026

That is a very nice pic, the fog adds a little surreal feeling to it.

[strait-aero]

#27058

Nice one,Ralph……..we’re nearly snowed in here. Wayne

[Ralph]

#27060

Yeah Wayne, I see snow is bad in places. We’re about to blow away and again for the next few days with cold. You guys be careful. It’s a deadly storm. Thx about pic.

Gonna go look for that guy in the morning but 40 mph winds out of the arctic will probably have everything holed up. I gotta go kinda that way before the morning is over so might as well go take a look around.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#27127

Strait-Aero wrote: Nice piece,Bruce…..Wish I were that handy! Hope you are having a Merry Christmas! Wayne::D

Thanks, Wayne. Now it’s time to fletch and mount points on the 6′ darts!

R2 wrote: At least he got close enough to my camera.

Very cool pic of a beautiful buck, R2!

[Col Mike]

#27275

Bruce

Nice work–when you get the time how about posting some details on construction, what’s the leather loops for? I understand the atlatl and concept but the details would be helpful. Perhaps a short video–now that I have the long bow figured out:shock: and the throwing stick:roll: would like to try something new. However I’m not real handy kinda like that bull in the shop–my idea of finesse is to get a bigger hammer. Any help on building one appreciated.

Mike

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#27557

Mike –

I actually built this one from a rough-cut kit sold by Thunderbird Atlatl. They offer several kits of various designs, as well as fully-finished atlatls and darts.

Mine is made out of ash with a rosewood spur, and the sinew lacing provides extra strength. With the ‘kit’ version, all I really needed to do was sand it down, finish it (I chose to just use several coats of linseed oil), mount the spur and lace it up.

The leather strap allows you to get your thumb and forefinger ‘locked in’ for a little more leverage on the throw.

They also have a good YouTube channel that explains a lot of their designs, how to use them, etc:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Thunderbirdatlatl?feature=watch

[lyagooshka]

#28116

Wow, great picture. I totally agree that the fog adds to the “mood”. Just knowing he’s out there waiting for you must be unbearable. Definitely would love an update at the end of the season. 😀

Be well,

Alex

[Col Mike]

#28409

[quote=Smithhammer]Mike –

I actually built this one from a rough-cut kit sold by Thunderbird Atlatl. They offer several kits of various designs, as well as fully-finished atlatls and darts.

They also have a good YouTube channel that explains a lot of their designs, how to use them, etc:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Thunderbirdatlatl?feature=watch

Bruce

Thanks great links and now another trad en devour. Great video’s—I guess they would consider us high tech:D

Mike

[skinner biscuit]

#31444

Down to a R2 dozen 😀 time to make a few arrows!

[grumpy]

#31741

nice hot water heater.

[skinner biscuit]

#31781

Nice hot water!

[James Harvey]

#53086

My wife has been doing some conditioning to hiking with packs and today we went for a 15km hike through pig country..

A lovely morning hike with plenty of sign, fingers crossed the City Council opens this area to bow hunters this year!

Jim

[Ralph]

#53412

Good luck on the hunting possibilities Jim. Is that marshy off track there?:?

[James Harvey]

#53774

It’s marshy in the wet season Ralph. Right now the wet season is very late coming so the dark brown patch just to the right of the trail is churned up mud full of wallows. To the left of the trail (out of shot) is like a lake once there’s some rain but at the moment it’s not even marsh it’s so dry.

[Ben M.]

#55973

Ninety-six handmade arrows, ready to deliver. Four dozen for neighborhood kids, six half-dozen for nephews and a niece, and one dozen for a brother in-law. Thats alotta arras.

[James Harvey]

#56035

That’s a lot of arrows Ben! Well done mate. Your neighbourhood must be cooler than mine 😉

Jim

[Ben M.]

#57938

Haha… Yah, Jim, the kids in my neighborhood are becoming more and more armed. Fortunately, there’s no sign of revolt.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#57959

Wow – impressive, Ben! An army of little archers could be extremely useful. 😀

[Ben M.]

#58060

Ha- They’re starting to sound like hobbits. Well…barefoot, eat six meals a day, avoid work whenever possible…yah, I s’pose hobbit is about right.

[Ralph]

#58142

Yea, but hobbit’s habits keep us hopping right! 😀 That’s a batch of arrows there.

I’ve got a dz. surewood shafts brewing but it’s not conducive for drying finishes out in the barn right now. I’d bring them in the garage but the lady who shares this house with me doesn’t have the same opinion of the odors of wood, stains and finishes that I do.

Patience young man, patience. 😀

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#59041

Too snowy to shoot outside the last few days (though I’m glad we’re getting the snow). So instead I’m playing around with filters/effects on some photos from last season. I particularly like the way this one turned out:

And I need to get started on fletching more arrows…

[Ralph]

#59052

That’s cool!

[James Harvey]

#59421

That’s a beauty Bruce! I remember that photo from last year. I thought it looked properly steep then and the filters have done nothing change my mind 😀

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#59468

ausjim wrote: That’s a beauty Bruce! I remember that photo from last year. I thought it looked properly steep then and the filters have done nothing change my mind 😀

Thanks. My “winter coat” and a seasonal abundance of malted beverage have done nothing to make it look any less steep, either…8)

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#60721

Closing the day out, good and proper. Hope you all are having a fine weekend.

[James Harvey]

#10975

After a cyclone and another tropical low in a two week period we’ve finally had some rain, which means creeks flowing with fresh water again…

Animal sign has dispersed a lot, what with the sudden abundance of water I guess.

I spotted a couple of feral dogs out today though. I tried calling them with an Ishi style finger kiss, but they were too far and didn’t hear me. Or heard me and thought “what’s that idiot human doing?” 😉

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#11013

ausjim wrote: …Or heard me and thought “what’s that idiot human doing?” 😉

I get that a lot. 😥

[David Petersen]

#11024

Jim, that’s gorgeous scenery. But where’s the snow? 😛

[James Harvey]

#11176

Bruce, when I gave up my pitiful little squealing, I looked up and saw a Kite sitting high in a tree some 50 metres off and it gave off the distinct vibe of “Stop that nonsense.. Bumble around in the bush some more and spook out some rodents for me!”

So even if the dogs didn’t judge me, someone did 😳

Dave, the mini Ice age gripping North America is steering well clear of tropical north Queensland and the ‘mountain’ that these creeks run from reaches the dizzying heights of some 600 feet… a touch below snow line… 😀

[Col Mike]

#12278

So even if the dogs didn’t judge me, someone did Embarrassed

I really get that one alot8)

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#17723

A fresh dozen. Feels good…

[Ralph]

#18650

And whilst ye olde wind doth blow I keepest busy.

Remeninencse of days when skunk screen was all the rage :D.

Think I’ll use these when the weather stinks. 😉

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#32106

Felt like spring here today! Had to get out and close the day good n’ proper:

[grumpy]

#35340

Heard we are getting over 20″ of snow Mon. When I made the comment in front of the girls I got a horrified look, and they said “We only have 3 rolls of toilet paper!!” No worry about food, water, fuel, just need toilet paper. Hoping to go snow showing in while it snows. Haven’t heard the snow falling in the pines in years.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#47824

Whipped up a fresh batch of stringkeepers today for friends and family:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#58473

Decided to put a leather grip on my Quick Styk this morning. Feels great, and I like the extra thickness:

In fact, I liked it so much I went ahead and put one on my Kanati as well:

[Ralph]

#58595

Nice.

I like a leather grip also. I have one longbow without so I went by Tandy’s today to look for scraps and the store was gone. Dang, I was just there a couple of weeks ago.

Guess I’ll go searching.

[James Harvey]

#10221

I’ve been shooting my longbow almost exclusively this year, pouring lots of practice and time into it. This morning I decided to check the brace on my recurve, and once I’d done that I thought I may as well shoot a couple of arrows.

I would be lying if I said this was my first 10 yard group in months. It was my second such group and reminded me why I’m so much more confident with my recurve 😕

In other news I got certified by Australian Canoeing as a Sea Kayak Guide last week which is kinda cool. Now I just need to become competent at bowfishing and I would have one of the tiniest and most niche markets in my pocket… sea kayaking/bowfishing guide for tropical north Queensland, haha. Good luck with that business idea pal 😀

[Ralph]

#10227

Nice shooting multi-guide to be!!!:D

[James Harvey]

#11694

Had a nice little family hike/scout today. This bit of public land is one of the parcels set to be opened up to bowhunters in the near future.

I found a healthy amount of pig sign without trying too hard. Fingers crossed it opens up soon!

This was our end point and found some likely bowfishing spots as well, rocky outcrops and big sand bars.

The little fella was very proud of his ‘dinosaur bone’ and ignored all my suggestions that it may have belonged to a wallaby 😀

Next time I come this way I’ll have a bow and fishing rig 😉

[paleoman]

#11838

Ah, the sun is a’shining on you Jim. Nice pics and a great time of life with little ones like that. Enjoy every minute. Ever see a Great White out there in your kayak? I hear a few of you down under get chomped on every year?

[Ralph]

#11868

Ah Jim, y’all’s trek was a whole lot more refreshing looking than my stumping one was through our archery range was a couple of days ago.

Good luck with the pig hunting.

[James Harvey]

#12391

Paleo,

I’ve been wildly disappointed with the lack of big shark attention I’ve received kayaking. I’ve seen reef sharks and plenty of big sea turtles (they are suicidally curious), but never a big shark or croc that has made me poop my pants. That would be a thrill!

Whites have been gps tracked coming this far north outside of seal breeding seasons down south but I don’t think they spend much time in around the beaches, I think they are more out in the open waters near the reef. Plenty of bull sharks and tiger sharks, but like I said, none have come and said hello 😕

My wife is a marine biologist and tells me you can pretty much guarantee every time you hop in the water on Australia’s east coast there is a shark big enough to eat you that has caught your scent. That’s a nice thought isn’t it?

I paddled all around Australia’s biggest island national park, which is notorious for big salties, and not one of them was nice enough to come and scare the bejesus out of me either 😡

Ralph, yes, it does look a bit more luscious in my part of the world doesnt it? Don’t worry, the first time I walked down the track pictured, every blade of grass was brown and there was no water, just caked mud. It’ll back to that by September or October I reckon. In the meantime I’m going to enjoy the tropical feel 😀

[Ralph]

#13193

Snow shovel?????????

Sometimes ya just gotta do what ya just gotta do.:wink:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#13197

ausjim wrote:

I’ve been wildly disappointed with the lack of big shark attention I’ve received kayaking.

Plenty of bull sharks and tiger sharks, but like I said, none have come and said hello 😕

I paddled all around Australia’s biggest island national park, which is notorious for big salties, and not one of them was nice enough to come and scare the bejesus out of me either 😡

These statements really do bear further scrutiny. Probably by a professional…

[Col Mike]

#13601

Bruce

I have seen these Aussie’s in combat. They require no further scrutiny. Other then the obvious–don’t go kayaking with Jim.:D

He is welcome in my home anytime :D:D And some one you want backing you up in the crap holes we have experienced:shock:

Mike

[James Harvey]

#15120

Mike, you’re too kind!

Bruce, one of the games we played on my army kayaking course was that if anyone saw a shark we all had to do a roll. We only ever saw reef sharks, I don’t know if we would have stuck to the rules if we saw a tiger 😉

[paleoman]

#16974

I see a woman got chomped in Tethra in New South Wales. Is that a longs ways from where you are?

[James Harvey]

#17250

Paleo, it is a long ways. About as far as Boston is from Miami. 1500 miles or so. I imagine going into the ocean here is a bit like going into brown bear country, every time it’s a roll of the dice, but most people win, most of the time.

When I was 8 we moved to a coastal city from the country and I thought the big river was awesome. I was forever racing my brother across it after school. It wasn’t until I went to university a decade later that I found out that mature bull sharks bred UP stream of where we used to swim and would regularly be swimming up and down the river. But this bite sized snack never got eaten, not even once 😉

I know a navy diver that met a bull shark on an exercise in Sydney Harbor, a stones throw from Bondi and other outrageously popular Sydney beaches. Cheeky bugger pinched an arm and a leg off him. Roll the dice eh?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#20060

Got out for my first hike of the year into the high(er) country behind the house today. Snow is still pretty deep so I didn’t go that far, but I wanted to at least get over the ridge to a good glassing spot and see what’s out and about.

Bumped about a dozen muleys on my way up the hill.

Glassed a moose bedded down across the drainage, and watched a couple harriers doing their spring aerial dances. No sign of elk or bear at all.

Looking back toward the homestead:

Lots of snowshoe hare tracks criss-crossing my path. Gotta love it when the only tracks you see are non-human…

A few more weeks, if the weather stays like this, and it will be time for more exploring and shed hunting…

[Ralph]

#20095

You sure have pretty country to take pictures of. The memories of my years in southern Idaho as a youth are etched in my mind.

I’ve learned though all through the years and in all of the places in this country, north Africa and central Europe that I’ve been that there’s some kind of beauty everywhere. You just have to sort it out and recognize it.

You have chosen to live in a place where that is easy to do.

I’ve been in some places though, when thinking back on it, that it make me wonder why I just said what I said.:D Dust storms have been bad around here this year but until you’ve been in a Sirocco on the edge of the Sahara…the beauty of that is when it’s finally over and you’re still alive.

To me the beauty of things, I guess, is that which you can pull out the dark and into the light and appreciate where it all comes from.

Just me thinkin, Ralph.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#20155

R2 wrote:

To me the beauty of things, I guess, is that which you can pull out the dark and into the light and appreciate where it all comes from.

Well said, compadre.

[Cameron Unruh]

#21354

My son and I went out to a buddy’s place to shoot at our 3D deer…we had a hard time breaking up a new friendship. We would chase her away and get a few shots off and before long she would be back for more…

[Troy Breeding]

#22381

Cameron wrote: My son and I went out to a buddy’s place to shoot at our 3D deer…we had a hard time breaking up a new friendship. We would chase her away and get a few shots off and before long she would be back for more…

Ain’t that the way it goes? Just trying to have a little fun and somebody always has to stick their nose into your business.

[Ralph]

#25705

So nice here today. Wind is nil for a rare time.

Shooting my “Great Plainsman”, 52# @ 28″. It was built by the mentor of Great Plains Archery, Reece Field.

Osage can get some of the neatest colors. This bow is about 26-27 years old. She’s called “Yobow”. When Reece handed it to me he said “Here’s yo bow” 😀

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#25741

Great looking bow, R2. Juniper limbs?

And Cameron – that pic is classic. 😉

[Ralph]

#25757

She’s Osage Bruce.

[critch]

#25870

Packin’ to go to Denver for a week on business….any good bow shops there?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#26023

Critch wrote: Packin’ to go to Denver for a week on business….any good bow shops there?

Yes. Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear:

https://www.rmsgear.com

Good folks.

[James Harvey]

#26924

Well, I had been planning on a day trip kayaking and bowfishing today…

But I’m sitting in the eye of a little cyclone right now so there’ll be no paddling 🙁

I did just watch Clay’s new vid about serving your bow string and figure I might as well give his nocking trick a go, so the day is not a complete loss 😉

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#27022

Got out today with a buddy for our first stumping session of the season. Still too much snow in the forest, so we stayed out on the open slopes, picking off sage bushes and what not.

The Thunderchild, taking a rest:

We had some pretty good views along the way:

And even found a little shed:

Great to finally get out and stretch the legs, and our shooting range!

[Brennan Herr]

#28125

Got out scouting today amd found this. My first impression was the tire had to be cut. A closer look showed it wasn’t and the tree had grown inside of it.

A little coffee (it is an elkheart made by greg coffee)to go with the very gorgous thunderchild. 😀

Brennan

[Col Mike]

#29045

Stunning photo’s! Darn I do not need another bow:lol: I already have two of the coffee variety . Bruce will the thunder child be at ETAR this year?

Hammer and Clay–have you seen this book,” Super Volcano–The Ticking Time Bomb Beneath Yellowstone National Park.” Greg Breining.

As Lin and I downsize our business and look for another place

your area has always been my top choice, Linda wants a boat and condo in Fl. I have already cautioned against–because of all the people and rising seas8) and besides we lived aboard for some years–to much stress.

But then this book spells out the possible events in your area–and as a geologist before the Corps–I’m thinking property values will go down if this book becomes more wide read and thus affordable:D

Again great photo’s, snow still on our ski sloops and more headed this way on Wed. We have had over 160″ this year with another foot or so of the wet heavy stuff on Wed. But the daffodils are in bloom:lol:

Semper Fi

Mike

[James Harvey]

#30327

One of the things I enjoy most about sea kayaking is getting in real close to rocks, where the waves etc are and playing around with fine control skills. Well, I’ve discovered an almost analogue to that in rivers. Paddling up little tributaries until you just can’t paddle anymore, it’s not quite as exciting but it’s a fair bit more peaceful 😀

Some guys I’ve spoken to use this in what they call ‘paddle and stalk’ hunting. If you’re careful with your paddle you can be very quiet. I sense… possibilities 😉

[Brennan Herr]

#30449

Jim,

I have thought of that method but haven’t been able to try it yet. Maybe this fall.

Was at work dispatching an injured deer when a fellow worker said his sister in Australia said they hit kangaroos there like we hit deer. Well then the questions of legal hunting and taste came up.

So Jim can you hunt kangaroos and if so how do they eat?

[James Harvey]

#30481

Well, you’re not allowed to hunt roos with bows. You’re not allowed to hunt roos on public land. Strictly speaking, you’re not allowed to hunt roos on private property either, with one exception. That being if you’re a property owner (or his/her agent) and you consider that a population of roos is reducing your capacity to produce livestock/crops etc. In which case you can cull them with rifles.

The upshot of that seems to be that there is little government management of roo populations, no ‘recreational’ hunting of them and widespread shooting of them on private properties (generally spot lighting).

There is fortunately a legal capacity for commercial harvesting for food/leather which means we can buy it (cheaper than beef). The big roo harvesting business here says that they entered the US market about a decade ago briefly before a PETA campaign got a US federal ban on selling their roo meat in the US. Go PETA.

I wrote up a little eating guide to roo in Dave P’s recent thread ‘darned elk’. Probably safer to read that than get me writing about it again 😉

I’m keen to give the paddle and stalk a go… something that I can’t figure out is how you’d keep your rig on the deck of an exped kayak like mine and keep it quiet. It’d be easier with a fishing style ‘yak. I think maybe an unstrung longbow strapped to the deck could be out of the way and could be quickly/quietly strung on the river bank before the stalk. Experimentation required 😀

[Brennan Herr]

#30788

Thanks Jim…I went back to darned elk and read over you assessment of roo. Something I hope to try someday. I don’t know how I missed that very well written explanation of roo the first go around. 😳

I think boating in would be like riding a horse hunting. You have to do one at a time. That is boat then get out and hunt. Would seem to me that this method would cut down on the mishaps of unwanted baths. Not that it can’t be done but I like to keep things simple. This would also lend to keeping the bow and such secured until the hunt is on.

But again I have never done it…yet!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#31051

brennanherr wrote:

What a cool pic!

colmike wrote:

Hammer and Clay–have you seen this book,” Super Volcano–The Ticking Time Bomb Beneath Yellowstone National Park.” Greg Breining.

As Lin and I downsize our business and look for another place

your area has always been my top choice, Linda wants a boat and condo in Fl. I have already cautioned against–because of all the people and rising seas8) and besides we lived aboard for some years–to much stress.

But then this book spells out the possible events in your area–and as a geologist before the Corps–I’m thinking property values will go down if this book becomes more wide read and thus affordable:D

I have seen that book, Mike. And I’m well aware of the ‘ticking time bomb” that we live next to. Supposedly it’s on about a 600,000 year cycle, and we’re about due for another one…give or take a 1,000 years. But trust me – I do everything I can to further the rumors that this is an extremely dangerous place to live…. 8)

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#31058

Jim – I used to do a lot of ocean paddling before I moved from the coast. And as I tend to do with most things, I got really into studying the history (and pre-history) of kayaking, and the cultures it came from. The Inuit were very adept at hunting from their craft, though it seems they usually used a lance or atlatl:

But they also had some interesting bows as well:

One of my biggest concerns would be the bow’s frequent exposure to moisture (and salt?) if you were paddling with it on your deck. Might be the perfect use for an old, short fiberglass bow if you can find one!

[Ralph]

#31076

Like this old 55# Shakespeare uh!!!

There’s a good program on the TV series “How the Earth Was Made”, I think that’s the one, about the super volcano under Yellowstone. When it blows you’re gonna be pretty much shafted 😀 no matter where you live. The end just quicker in some places than others.

I need to find the book and read also.

[skinner biscuit]

#31113

Yard work up the ying yang,a combination of rider,push mower and weed eater.Fixed a broken well water line and working on the driveway.Been too pooped to shoot a few arrows but on the plus side I’m losing my winter fat.Speaking of volcanoes,my sister and a few friends went to mount St.Helens and were going to stay the night.For some reason they decided to pack up and come home instead.The next day she blew.Lucky for her.

[James Harvey]

#31577

Bruce,

I share your concern re: exposure to salt water. I reckon the Sage will serve as a bowfishing rig as I can keep it stowed en route and set it up when I’m in location. I reckon I might look for a very short once piece as something I can keep on deck while on rivers. I saw a review Jeff Cavanaugh (sp?) did on the Bear Supermag and that may be a good option, especially if I can find a second hand one down here. I figure a well sealed one piece will be fine in fresh water. Plus the very short bow would have obvious advantages with deck stowage and shooting from sitting.

It may have been in Art Young’s Alaskan Adventure film that I saw some Inuits (I’m not clear on the right name for those folks) rolling their kayaks for the camera. I do rolls for fun here, but the water is refreshing. Those guys are mad, that water must put hair on your chest!

PS

Is that a big float bladder on the back deck on a line to the spear? That is awesome.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#32034

ausjim wrote:

PS

Is that a big float bladder on the back deck on a line to the spear? That is awesome.

Yup – typically it was made from an inflated seal’s stomach, and sealed with fat. It would then be attached to a long line and the harpoon. I can imagine that things could get ‘interesting’ real fast when you stuck a walrus…

[Ralph]

#32072

Yeppers:D

[James Harvey]

#32214

Ralph, I can’t tell you how many hours of my life have been wasted pouring over my dad’s old collections of BC’s and Wizard of Id’s. I love it :D:lol:

Bruce, I read in an old TBM from a few years back a story by a fella (Clint Miller) who doesn’t live too far from me who took a pretty decent tiger shark and hammerhead with his recurve. As I recall he had a custom pronged broadhead with the line feeding onto a rod and reel. I’m really taken by the idea of this big float business though. Having to pursue the animal after its been shot could be a grand adventure. But I’d worry about losing it 😕

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#32228

Yup – I remember that article. Pretty impressive.

When I worked in Southeast AK we would fish for halibut from kayaks with a handline. They are incredibly strong fish, and I went for a few “Nantucket sleigh rides” before the jerk at one end or the other cut the line. We would use inflated paddle floats tied to a several feet of floating line and a gaff, and when you would get one to the surface, you’d sink a gaff into the fish, and then let it fight against that for a while till it was tired enough.

A buddy of mine still holds our informal record for landing one from a kayak – 125lbs. It took a team effort with four inflated paddle floats gaffed to this fish, and over an hour, to finally drag it to shore where he killed it. He said that even with four floats attached to it, it would still dive and pull them all under.

Good times….8)

[Col Mike]

#32298

Turkey seasons opens tomorrow. Broad heads are sharp gear is all ready and in day pack. I’ll be out there 1 hour before sunrise. Thanks to my good friend David Petersen who reintroduced me to this addiction some 4 yours ago.

At least hand lining for halibut won’t result in being eaten maybe drowned nice story Bruce.

Jim, Tiger sharks with recurve from a kayak? Sounds like a prime candidate for a Darwin award:lol: What was it the Capt said in Jaws “He’s a big one” just before the shark ate the boat

At least if I get a turkey I won’t need a seal skin bladder to slow it down and haven’t heard of someone being eaten by one yet.

I believe you can still get a copy of “Nanook” black and white made in the 20’s or 30’s great flick of the Eskimo’s and their skills.

Mike

[Ralph]

#32434

But, then there’s Roy Scheider’s thoughts on the matter, ” I think we need a bigger boat”. 😀

[James Harvey]

#32543

Bruce,

that Gaff and paddle float game sounds pretty exciting. 125lbs of anything would be a challenge in a kayak, let alone 125lbs of unimpressed fish!

Mike, lucky for me sharks come in all kinds of sizes and if you ever hear me brag about a shark I took you’ll notice I won’t mention how big or small it was 😉

I got out for a paddle this fine Easter morning, with a bow stowed in the yak and some bowfishing in mind. After setting off from a place I went a ways and along a lonely stretch of beach something about it made me think it was worth a look.

I just had to take this photo as I love these things… this was a LONG stretch of long beaches and I’m pretty sure these are the only human footprints laid on them today…

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Turn around though and there are signs of other kinds of life…

What was particularly exciting about that collection of tracks is the canine (unaccompanied by man) using the beach as a highway. That could be a dingo (which has just been classified by a group of zoologists in the Journal of Zoology as it’s own species..another tale) or a feral/wild dog, the latter of which would be fair hunting game.

Something about the lay of land begged further questions though so I let myself be further distracted from my bowfishing purpose and trekked in a ways to find this…

I don’t know if you can see it but leading from bottom left of shot, through center of shot and and curving back to left is fresh little piggy track leading into the mangroves there. There was actually a little piggy highway over another rise but I liked this shot of a clean single track.

Noting this spot for another time I climbed back into my yak to find a sandbar I had noticed on another little adventure. I got out there and set up my rig. I don’t know if you’ve ever put together a recurve on a sand bar surrounded by ocean but there is something a little surreal about it… My leather tab, armguard and flemish twist string seemed a little out of place.

Out of place or not I set off on a lap around this ‘archipelago’ of sandbars with bow in hand. I skewered a several clumps of seaweed but only had one shot at a real fish. Notched up another miss. I’m an Ace at that 😉 But I didn’t get stung by any box jellyfish and some pelicans came and hung out on my way back…

A nice morning in the sun 😀

[Brennan Herr]

#32555

Wonderful adventure Jim! Great pics as well, thanks for sharing.

Good luck Mike and be safe.

[James Harvey]

#34872

Smithhammer wrote: The Inuit were very adept at hunting from their craft, though it seems they usually used a lance or atlatl

For those interested I came across an interesting old film of an Inuit walrus hunt.

http://aifg.arizona.edu/film/eskimo-walrus-hunt

I was particularly impressed by the bloke at about 2 minutes who paddles off with a pipe in his mouth… that’s multitasking 😉

[Ralph]

#37135

Thanks Jim. That was cool to watch. It’s amazing how innovative people can be when it comes to surviving and also how quickly bad habits can be picked such as tobacco. 😀

[paleoman]

#37281

R2 wrote: Thanks Jim. That was cool to watch. It’s amazing how innovative people can be when it comes to surviving and also how quickly bad habits can be picked such as tobacco. 😀

I picked a lot of tobacco for that habit! CCC. Consolidated Cigar Corp. Dirty rotten job. I bet some of those old “straw bosses” could come close to matching the cuss outs you guys in the military got:lol:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#39255

Just got back from a quick trip down south for turkeys which opened a few days ago. Had lots of good action on the first day, including a really fired-up gobbler that we called in, but he hung up in the cover on the edge of the clearing, not 15 yards from me, and wouldn’t come out. Still, it was a really fun hunt.

And I finally got to put my Seek Outside stove to good use. Worked great for cold nights/mornings:

Our season is just getting started – more to come…

[David Petersen]

#42285

I got out midmorning for a few hours today with Dave Sigurslid, my first turkey hunt this year. Heard a couple of distant gobbles, saw lots of fresh sign, but no close action. And no matter! The grass is green, willows are heavy with catkins, the wildflowers are gorgeous, all the birds are singing their spring love songs, the woodpeckers hammering everywhere, the creek running cold and clear, elk fat with calves and standing around in grassy meadows by the hundreds and it just smells like spring everywhere. It was hard returning to the quiet empty cabin. Soon, I’m going to take the dogs up the creek on a super short backpack trip and bivouac there for a night, near a small waterfall. It’s something I’ve talked of doing for decades and just never got around to. Now is the time.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#42291

David Petersen wrote: I got out midmorning for a few hours today with Dave Sigurslid, my first turkey hunt this year. Heard a couple of distant gobbles, saw lots of fresh sign, but no close action. And no matter! The grass is green, willows are heavy with catkins, the wildflowers are gorgeous, all the birds are singing their spring love songs, the woodpeckers hammering everywhere, the creek running cold and clear, elk fat with calves and standing around in grassy meadows by the hundreds and it just smells like spring everywhere. It was hard returning to the quiet empty cabin. Soon, I’m going to take the dogs up the creek on a super short backpack trip and bivouac there for a night, near a small waterfall. It’s something I’ve talked of doing for decades and just never got around to. Now is the time.

[James Harvey]

#42451

Dave, sounds beautiful there.

Bruce, that stove looks a touch heavier and less packable than the kidney stoves we discussed :shock::D

I got out for another early paddle today, caught the sunrise while on the water…

I set out thinking more about mangrove pigs than fish, so pulled the boat up and hid it in the trees so I could go for a wander. I often think of all the kinds of things I should take when I’m exploring, first aid kits, good knife, bug spray etc. Of course, once I got there I thought bugger it, I’ll just take my binos, a brew and my little waterproof camera..

This is the kind of break, or rise, between the mangroves that’s giving me the best view of what the piggies are up to… in this approx 200m x 50m rectangle of grass was abundant ground sign that the mangroves obviously do a pretty good job of hiding. You can see some pig tracks in the bottom left of shot heading away from where I’m standing. In this single small break I found 3 distinct and well used pig crossings. Seems promising 😉

And these little doggy tracks get me excited. I’ve never hunted a predator. But there was a lot of sign just behind the beach line in the trees, with occasional forays out into the open, maybe to investigate something interesting that washed up.

[Ralph]

#42933

There’s hope for all of us!!! Good luck Jim, be blessed David. Hope it rains on me.:)

[David Petersen]

#43328

5pm in SW CO, snowing and sticking. As I type this, there’s a hen turkey (a hen jake, it appears) pecking and scratching around under the bird feeder. I wish I could go out there and shake some sunflower seed down for her. Now that they know it’s here, the seed, they, or she, will be back. Turkeys are among the easiest “wild” animals to tame and yet another reason baiting them isn’t hunting. Of course I don’t have a camera out here in the office. But you’ve all seen turkeys before. This reminds me of all the times over the years when I would head up the mountain on foot before daylight to hunt elk, and almost immediately encounter a herd behind a summer neighbor’s cabin, who keeps out a salt block. How weird it felt to have to dodge around those elk and keep going up the mountain looking for animals I didn’t feel I was taking unfair advantage of. In the fall season when all turkeys are legal, a young female would be my pick every time for the table. There is no trophy value in turkeys, no matter how some try to make us believe there is. The trophy is hunting them square and fair and once in a while, winning. Whoever says you can’t love to hunt and love wild animals simultaneously, is pretty darn clueless. What a lovely spring snow!

[Ralph]

#43350

Sounds like a good day David and I’m glad your getting moisture and seeing a bird.

We’re having another dirt storm.

I started to go out this morning but the weather folks put out an extreme fire danger warning and my hunting grounds are very dry tinder right now. With 40+ mph winds it’s my choice to stay away. Wildfires scare the peawadin out of me.

In these kind of winds I don’t feel that one needs to be shooting at critters anyway. I was out back experimenting awhile ago and even at 5 yards arrows were kicking and it was impossible to hold my bow hand steady.

Good day to work on my new dozen arrows I got going.

[paleoman]

#43403

Dave – glad to hear you’re out and about. I understand the sentiment of your last sentence, but edit out the last word. Some of us will heave if we see one more flake:D

[James Harvey]

#43602

paleoman wrote: Some of us will heave if we see one more flake:D

Don’t worry Paleo, winter is only 6 months away 😉

[Ralph]

#45424

Punxsutawney Phil say six more weeks of winter? Or months? 😀

[Fallguy]

#45815

Paleo: You never would be able to fully appreciate spring, summer, and fall without winter. But then I do love to ski so I guess I need all the seasons.:D

[Ralph]

#46310

I think bow shootin’ out of the picture around here today . 😉

I was just joshin’ earlier. For real now.

Pretty much sucks. Anyone got any snow they wanna trade?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#46992

ausjim wrote:

Bruce, that stove looks a touch heavier and less packable than the kidney stoves we discussed :shock::D

Just a touch heavier. It’s made out of titanium, packs flat, except for the stove pipe which rolls up to about 8″ long and 2-1/2″ high. The whole deal weighs 2.5 lbs.

Here’s the stove broken down and in the stuff sack, with a 1L. bottle for scale:

Combined with the tipi tent (150sq. ft.), the whole thing is just shy of 10 lbs. Split it between a couple people and you can carry it just about anywhere into the backcountry.

[Mark Turton]

#47662

Ive looked a tipi’s a couple of times, been canoe and tentless for a couple of years might have to do something this spring, the kids are getting fed up with me borrowing their tents.

Mark.

[Ralph]

#47939

OK, puttin bow up today. So dang much wind and dirt my bow’s getting dusty while I’m shootin it.

I come in the house and my wife says I smell like dirt and I haven’t been plowing, just shooting.

[paleoman]

#47995

R2 wrote: OK, puttin bow up today. So dang much wind and dirt my bow’s getting dusty while I’m shootin it.

I come in the house and my wife says I smell like dirt and I haven’t been plowing, just shooting.

On the + side you’ll have a “good” mosquito season?Sorry to say we have had so much moisture we are going to get hammered with the biting hoardes this year.

[Ralph]

#48059

It wouldn’t surprise me to see them dang skeeters rise out of the dust like the Phoenix out of the ashes. 😀

[James Harvey]

#48401

Smithhammer wrote: Combined with the tipi tent (150sq. ft.), the whole thing is just shy of 10 lbs. Split it between a couple people and you can carry it just about anywhere into the backcountry.

I’m actually super impressed. What’s that tipi like in hot weather? Can you partially roll up a side or something for more airflow?

[David Petersen]

#49070

Jim — your end quote, Yes! 😀 And politics doesn’t qualify, unless it’s necessary in service to what’s truly important, like conservation. Check Hammer’s end quote, Leopold, for something that’s truly important.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#49164

A few pics from a hike today:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#50147

ausjim wrote:

I’m actually super impressed. What’s that tipi like in hot weather? Can you partially roll up a side or something for more airflow?

Jim –

There is built-in vent at the top of the tipi which helps with ventilation, but isn’t enough on its own in hot weather.

You can also order the tipi with two built-in doors/screens (as I did). The doors are large and allow for a fair bit of airflow:

You can also pitch it high (the central pole is adjustable) so that air can flow in underneath.

All of that said, I have yet to try it in truly hot weather – just warm Idaho summers. Some friends of mine took the 12-person SO tipi on an expedition to Myanmar last year, and said that between the heat and the humidity when they were at low elevations in the jungle, it didn’t ventilate all that well, and created a fair bit of condensation inside. But I’m not sure if they had screen doors on theirs or not.

[Col Mike]

#50172

Paleo is dodging skeeters, R2 dust storms, Jim is rolling with finned fishes, mom is basking in the sun down south, and Bruce as always is beating us up with those awesome scenes and great gear=$.:D

I trust all of you feel as I do, I have only met personally a couple of this tribe, but I feel closer and more family with you then—well, you make life fun and this trad addiction, sanity in a world of chaos.

Thanks to Dave and Caroline and my short time with Larry and Belinda–and the rest of you bums–you saved my life.

Hammer when you get the time send some real estate info on your grid–you have the home e-mail–it just might happen:shock: Wouldn’t it be fun to be there when the big one blows:roll:

Semper Fi

mike

[David Petersen]

#50192

Hammer, tell us about the Indian nickel bow. If you already have, sorry but I missed it.

Mike, who is Russell Kirk? I’ve heard of Kirk Russell … or maybe it was Kurt. Guy who made that great ’50s film “Lonely Are the Brave,” based closely on Abbey’s great novel “The Brave Cowboy.”

[James Harvey]

#50209

David Petersen wrote: Jim — your end quote, Yes! 😀

My problem is Dave, I’m torn between two great passions. How can a man decide between coffee and whiskey?? They both offer so much to the world…

Bruce,

I the fly screens look like the way to go. I’m used to using a hoochy (you might call it a fly or light weight tarp) which is basically a square sheet you can use as a roof. It’s great for light weight backpacking but I’m looking at light weight family friendly options now and that looks just the ticket.

[James Harvey]

#50214

colmike wrote: I trust all of you feel as I do…

I know exactly how you feel Mike. This place draws a great crowd.

[Col Mike]

#50222

Dave

http://kirkcenter.org/ . Movie was, Lonely are the Brave–Kirk Douglas. And yes your right based on Ed’s novel and after the screen play was a hit –Kirk never even acknowledged Ed (as I remember Ed had a cameo in the film).

Why do I remember all this–first movie me and my dad went to all by our selves–think 58 or so. Good memories–one of those times when the old man said–good questions–you think about the answers.

Hammer, what darn Nickel bow I missed that one to, too, two.:lol:

Warning the link to the kirk center may be disturbing to those who haven’t spent time in the wild:twisted:

Semper Fi

Mike

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#50274

colmike wrote:

Hammer when you get the time send some real estate info on your grid–you have the home e-mail–it just might happen:shock: Wouldn’t it be fun to be there when the big one blows:roll:

Will do, compadre. It’d be great to have you in the ‘hood! The Teton Valley Traditional Archery Club needs more members!

ausjim wrote:

My problem is Dave, I’m torn between two great passions. How can a man decide between coffee and whiskey?? They both offer so much to the world…

You don’t have to choose – with diligence, hard work and extensive practice, it’s not hard to transition straight from one to the other. 😉

David Petersen wrote: Hammer, tell us about the Indian nickel bow. If you already have, sorry but I missed it.

Dave –

It’s a Big Jim’s Thunderchild – 2 piece, 56″ AMO, #55 @ 28″, bocote riser and mango wood limbs. You didn’t miss anything – I’ve been keeping it under wraps…8)

Jim embeds a Buffalo nickel on both of his current models – the Thunderchild gets the Native American portrait side, and his Buffalo bows show the flipside of the coin. Pretty cool detail, in my totally biased opinion.

ausjim wrote:

I know exactly how you feel Mike. This place draws a great crowd.

It really does.

[Ralph]

#53117

Smithhammer wrote: [quote=colmike]

Hammer when you get the time send some real estate info on your grid–you have the home e-mail–it just might happen:shock: Wouldn’t it be fun to be there when the big one blows:roll:

Will do, compadre. It’d be great to have you in the ‘hood! The Teton Valley Traditional Archery Club needs more members!

Hey Jim, half a cup of coffee and half a cup of whiskey put hair on the bear. Best of two worlds.:lol: Not anymore though 😀

Hey Jim, some of the best of both worlds? I was in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco fishing one cool morning and came across a French couple camping out. A half cup of coffee and a half a fifth of whiskey:D was not a bad “end” to the morning.

It’s bad to wake up at 5:00 PM with a headache! 😉 You’d think an 18 year old woulda known better.

ausjim wrote:

My problem is Dave, I’m torn between two great passions. How can a man decide between coffee and whiskey?? They both offer so much to the world…

You don’t have to choose – with diligence, hard work and extensive practice, it’s not hard to transition straight from one to the other. 😉

David Petersen wrote: Hammer, tell us about the Indian nickel bow. If you already have, sorry but I missed it.

Dave –

It’s a Big Jim’s Thunderchild – 2 piece, 56″ AMO, #55 @ 28″, bocote riser and mango wood limbs. You didn’t miss anything – I’ve been keeping it under wraps…8)

Jim embeds a Buffalo nickel on both of his current models – the Thunderchild gets the Native American portrait side, and his Buffalo bows show the flipside of the coin. Pretty cool detail, in my totally biased opinion.

ausjim wrote:

I know exactly how you feel Mike. This place draws a great crowd.

It really does.

Hey Bruce, you know Warm Springs Creek? Not so warm when you fall in!:cry:

[Ralph]

#53384

We had a TBOT shoot at Memphis, Tx. this weekend and I had a good time. I also made a decision about split or 3 under.

I’ve shot split finger most all of my shooting years but about six months ago I decided to try 3 under and it seemed to be working, in the backyard and stumping around the range any way. But shooting a tourney that was set up with hunting type and shots and situations, my mind went to s..t. I kept wanting to grab the string like always and with the tab I made I couldn’t, (no split.:)So duh!

I guess at my age I oughta just keep doing what I been doing and be happy. Kinda got a lot of years doing split finger and my mind is trained.

Here’s one of the targets I set though. I set the 20 target “fun” and Selfbow/wood composite bow championship course (I’m trying to retire from that job but seems a generation or two behind me would rather show up at shoot time and leave when done):evil:

Here’s my desert sandgator!!!:wink:

Can you tell it’s dry? This shot is set up in the creek bed. Creek beds are supposed to be green in spring.

[Fallguy]

#53595

R2 looks like you guys had a nice setup for that shoot.

[James Harvey]

#54476

Looks like a fun day Ralph! I like the desertgator 😉

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#56477

I hope everyone can get outside and do something FUN today, with bow in hand!!

[Ralph]

#56594

My wife’s definition of “bow” differs from mine.:D

Done though. 😆 Shower time, shoot time!!!!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#57003

A fine evening of stumping with good friends:

[James Harvey]

#57913

Looks like a great afternoon Bruce!

I spent most of yesterday paddling a river looking for river access to a particular piece of land to hunt on. I forgot to bring my camera but I had my first ‘croc right next my kayak’ experience! So close I could have reached out and touched him with my hand. The story is kind of spoiled by the fact that it was a a little freshwater croc, about 2 feet long 😉 But it was still pretty neat!

Ralph, I’ll be doing that same chore this afternoon 😕

[Col Mike]

#59011

Two days ago I’m sitting in a great spot 3 trail intersection turkey sign all over the place and I know there roosting about 100yds down in the ravine. Sitting in my hammock seat–thank you Mr. Smithhammer–that has to be the best piece of gear I have ever carried in the field, sets up in seconds and so comfortable you just don’t move. There I am enjoying the sunrise when a black coyote walks by 15 feet from me (measured it later) never saw one all black. He was hunting and about 20 min. later 5 turkey flush down trail and fly right over me:shock: Gave it about a half hour then went down to check it out–no sign that he had any more success then I did:( Now some may call that an unsuccessful hunt–but I figure I will remember it for a long time.:lol:

If you hunt on the ground check out that seat best $49 I have spent.

Mike

[Ralph]

#60064

I see some of y’all having another snowstorm. Be careful. We’re having another dust storm. YUK. Ain’t too lovely out. 👿

[Ralph]

#60827

Wildfire!!! Panhandle!!

It was headed to my hunting grounds at 40+mph then the wind shifted from the north at higher speeds and hit some populated areas. Bunch of burned houses, at least 75.

The people’s lives changed by the fire way more important than my hunting grounds. Bless them.

I chose not to go hunting, snooping and stumping up there this past month because of the high winds and fire danger.

It pays to be cautious and aware of conditions. Where I hunt I’m down wind from fire sources with nowhere to run.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#60939

Got out looking for bear yesterday morning. It’s a little odd at this point, but I still have yet to see any bear sign at all in the usual places, and yesterday was no exception. Still a fair bit of snow on north-facing hillsides and the dark timber, so I opted to get up on a ridge with a good view and glass down into some good looking drainages.

Saw at least half a dozen moose, a few elk and a bunch of muleys, but no bruins at all. Still, it was a fine morning in the mountains, with no one else around for miles.

And then on the way out I came across these very fresh tracks on a muddy 2-track:

They weren’t there on the way in. I kept one eye over my shoulder till I got to the truck…8)

[James Harvey]

#61216

Smithhammer wrote:

That’s a good shot Bruce, but I think the idea of stump shooting is to hit the stump with you arrow, not your bow.

I always enjoy the photos of your hills mate. Keep us updated on the bears, I love reading about bears and lions and all the things we don’t have here 😀

[James Harvey]

#61219

Ralph, I’m glad you dodged the fire mate. There’s no mucking about with them.

[David Petersen]

#61292

Mike, your black coyote encounter reminds me that after numerous occasions when I had to say to myself, “I’d trade my bow for a camera right now,” I finally started carrying one in my right-hand shirt pocket (the left pocket is for binocs). I’d trade every dead turkey in the universe for a close sighting and good photo of a black coyote. It’s the unusual in nature, as with people, that has always intrigued me most. We had a black “red” fox here some years ago, but I’ve never even heard of a black coyote. Depending on species, melano animals can be even more rare than albinos. Thought I saw a black spike bull elk once, but on closer inspection he was fresh from a mud wallow.

[Brennan Herr]

#61393

Smithhammer,

Great pics and stop with the bow shots…The Humphrey knife pissed off the wife enough. Can’t imagine what would happen if a thunderchild made it home. I still don’t think I am out of the woods yet on the Elkheart and it has been over a year!

I would love to sit at that place in your picture just for a hour and take in that scene. But I would probably linger for days!

[Col Mike]

#61397

😳 Well Dave my camera was sitting on top of my map pouch (possibles bag) right next to my left thigh inches from my hand. Once he moved into the gloom I thought–I should have gotten a picture of that. Then I glanced down. Probably a good thing Smithhammer would have just critiqued my attempt at art:lol:

R2 stay clear of those fires–heard it on news this morning wondered how close it was to you. Stay safe

Mike

[paleoman]

#61432

Ralph – hadn’t seen news of the fires until this evening. I’m glad you got missed. Up here seems a good year for tree frogs with all the moisture we’ve had. They’ve been making those loud chirps they do from all directions. I love the sound of spring. Even walking out to my truck in the pre-dawn to go to work on a nice spring morning is not 1/2 bad.

[Ralph]

#61504

I’m glad for y’all that are not “droughting” :D. Enjoy the spring.

Scott you give me inspiration.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#62051

Yesterday’s after-work project:

[Ralph]

#62195

Nice work.:D

[Ralph]

#8030

The wind finally laid today after a week solid of it and we got to get out and play.

The bases of these yuccas make fine targets.

Some things havin’ a hard go of it in the drought.

There are things like this mesquite branch that neither your foot nor your truck’s foot need to find unawares.

[paleoman]

#8808

Any of you Texans need ice:lol:? Here is a pic of Lake Superior ice near Marquette, Mi. on 5/13. It snowed just N of here yesterday and was down below freezing last night.

[Ralph]

#8845

Man, that looks a mite nippy. Trade with ya, go 50/50?

Somewhat more refreshing looking than this. 🙂

Actually not quite that bad but nearly.

[Ben M.]

#9609

Hi, folks. I haven’t been around much since deer season. Been tending to family matters. Sure was a hard winter. We set a new record in firewood use this year; matter o’ fact, there’s a fire in the stove right now. It must be over for sure now though: the tips are worn off the feathers of every turkey wing my friends have brought me.

It’s gonna be a good summer. I can feel it.

-Ben

[James Harvey]

#10347

Glad to see you’re back Ben 😀

[Col Mike]

#10492

Hey Ben welcome back:D.

[Ben M.]

#10650

Thanks, guys. That’s very kind of you. Ya’ know, in a way, it’s nice to look back through this thread and see that life goes on without you. I ‘spect that’s a thing my dear old Grandad would have wanted me to know. Sure do miss that guy.

Hey, how ’bout a kitchen tip? I’ve tried two new ways of using wild turkey meat this week and they were both blinding successes.

1) Hamburgers. Great way to use the thigh and leg meat. Remove as many sinews as practical before grinding.

2) Fajitas. Slice the tender inner breast meat into very thin strips. Toss in a cast iron skillet with ample olive oil, thick sliced onions & sweet peppers, and spices. Add chunks of fresh tomato in the last minute of cooking. Fantastic!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#12335

Great turkeys tips, Ben. Unfortunately, it looks like my spring turkey season is over – we made another stab at it last week, but the gobblers weren’t very fired up at all, and the hens and toms we were seeing were still very separate. It felt like it hasn’t even really kicked in yet. We called a couple gobblers part way in, but they hung up in the thick stuff and wouldn’t close the distance. So I moved in on one, and got very close to him without a clear shot, and then he disappeared. Still it was a lot of fun.

Here’s the Better Half, schooling the boys with her Alaskan the other day:

[Col Mike]

#13835

Smithhammer wrote: Great turkeys tips, Ben. Unfortunately, it looks like my spring turkey season is over – we made another stab at it last week, but the gobblers weren’t very fired up at all, and the hens and toms we were seeing were still very separate. It felt like it hasn’t even really kicked in yet. We called a couple gobblers part way in, but they hung up in the thick stuff and wouldn’t close the distance. So I moved in on one, and got very close to him without a clear shot, and then he disappeared. Still it was a lot of fun.

Here’s the Better Half, schooling the boys with her Alaskan the other day:

Bruce

It appears that the better half could use a new bow and what about a side quiver:lol: A balanced inventory!

Mike

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#13945

colmike wrote:

Bruce

It appears that the better half could use a new bow and what about a side quiver:lol: A balanced inventory!

Mike

I know what you’re up to, Mike.

Thankfully, she doesn’t read this forum. Yet….

[Ralph]

#16094

You guys would not believe how nice it is to smell something besides dirt in the air. It’s raining!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[James Harvey]

#16370

Ralph, I know how beautiful the clean smell of rain can be on a dusty day, but I think what you’ve been going through is a whole all ball park. Must be a relief 😀

[Ben M.]

#16397

I’m happy for you, R-Squared. You and your folks have had it harder than I ever have.

Been making arrows here. Between soccer and baseball, I spend a lot of time at my kids’ practice sessions. I’ve taken to working on arrows while they’re working on sports. On the right are sixty-six shafts lacquered, tapered, bundled, and ready to finish.

[Ralph]

#16723

Busy man Ben. Looking good.

Thanks for well wishes on the rain guys.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#16792

Glad to hear you got some rain Ralph, and I hope there’s more on the way!

Got out stumpin’ with a buddy last night. It was a much-needed good time, but the skeeters are coming out something fierce in the woods right now!

[Ralph]

#16844

It’s good they come by every now and then.

Maybe I oughta be a little sweeter and they’ll come by more often. :D:D

Bruce I been dried and pruned too many days, the type of quiver you have pictured? I want to order one methinks.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#16983

R2 wrote:

Bruce I been dried and pruned too many days, the type of quiver you have pictured? I want to order one methinks.

R –

It’s made by Big Jim, and I’ve been really happy with it. Here are a few more pics:

http://www.tradbow.com/members/cfmbb/messages.cfm?threadid=9AE90C16-1422-1DE9-EDFCCB184FBBA6AA

[James Harvey]

#17059

Ben, you’ve racked up some serious fletching experience by the looks of things mate! Well done, no wonder we haven’t seen much of you lately 😀

I’ve been wheeling and dealing all week, I’m run pretty ragged (that doesn’t take much, I’m pretty lazy!), but I’ve got myself signed up to be a guide for a 700km sea kayaking expedition through tropical Queensland for Aussie veterans who received serious physical or psychological injuries in Afghan/Iraq. The best part is I’ve got my CO’s approval which means I’ll be getting paid by army for the pleasure. Sometimes I seriously love my job 😀

I’ll leave in late August and be gone pretty much all of September. One of the guys who lost his legs on the trip with me in 2012 did a similar paddle last year with the same organisation and loved it. I’m really looking forward to it!

[Ralph]

#17068

That’s a big thing you’re doing there Jim. Gung Ho!:) I respect the hell out of that. Thanks.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#17154

ausjim wrote:

I’ve been wheeling and dealing all week, I’m run pretty ragged (that doesn’t take much, I’m pretty lazy!), but I’ve got myself signed up to be a guide for a 700km sea kayaking expedition through tropical Queensland for Aussie veterans who received serious physical or psychological injuries in Afghan/Iraq. The best part is I’ve got my CO’s approval which means I’ll be getting paid by army for the pleasure. Sometimes I seriously love my job 😀

I’ll leave in late August and be gone pretty much all of September. One of the guys who lost his legs on the trip with me in 2012 did a similar paddle last year with the same organisation and loved it. I’m really looking forward to it!

Fantastic, Jim!! It’s a great thing you’re doing, and I bet it’s going to be a helluva trip! Can’t wait to hear more about it – I used to spend a lot of time in a sea kayak myself before I moved inland. Such a great way to travel and explore.

Btw, have you ever heard of a Yank named Chris Duff? He was an acquaintance who was really into doing these BIG kayak trips, usually circumnavs. He wrote two books that you might enjoy – one about paddling around Ireland, and the other about paddling around the south island of NZ. The latter, in particular, had no shortage of hair-raising moments:

http://www.amazon.com/Chris-Duff/e/B001IXTP3Q/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

[James Harvey]

#17185

Thanks fellas 😀

Bruce I haven’t heard of Duff but Southern Exposure is now on my reading list.

I read a story (don’t remember if it was in TBM or an Aussie mag) of a fella hunting elk in NZ. He got to the hunting ground by water and I’ve been dreaming of an NZ hunting kayak exped ever since. Stalking around Hollywood’s Middle Earth for deer bigger than I’ve ever seen with no roads or people within cooee sounds pretty spectacular to me!

[Ralph]

#17191

Jim when we dream we might as well dream big.

I hope you can make it happen someday.

[Col Mike]

#17196

Jim

That sounds like a lot of fun and for a very good cause. We do similar thing here next month Team River Runner all wounded vets will be here for a few days of white water kayaking, my duty is less dramatic, man the grill cook the burgers and chicken and ensure the keg stays pumped up:D

Trust we will see some great photo’s come Oct.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Cameron Unruh]

#18394

I am just finishing up a bow that was supposed to be for a friends birthday – surprise gift from his wife. The weight came in a little bit high for what he likes. I could taper the back and bring it right to where he wants OR I just might keep this one and start another one for him. This is my first bow using Cocobolo and I fell in love with this wood.

This bow is 58″ ntn – 53# @ 28″

I am planning on hunting a new zone this coming deer season and I think this bow might need to accompany me.

[Ralph]

#19006

Mighty purty bow. I think you thinkin’ right!!!:D

[DaveCrow]

#19109

Got out yesterday and put some arrows in my backyard target. And a few into the hard maple logs behind it.

Busted one off right at the field point, which is still stuck in the maple. Had one splinter and still have only found the feather end, you’ll think a nice red shaft would stand out in green grass. And had a feather come off one.

Thanks to you fellows on this forum I built these arrows myself and now have the equipment and know how to fix two out of three. Unlike years previous when a busted arrow was a serious thing, now I just put these aside for repair or replace and carried on shooting. It is a nice feeling.

Now I am going to try to pry the youngest out to shoot some with me.

[grumpy]

#19520

Jim, I’m jealous. Tomorrow I get to “guide” two 10 year old girls to a Memorial day parade.

[Ben M.]

#20269

That’s all good news, fellas.

I did some more of this over the weekend:

[Cameron Unruh]

#20378

Ben – You are an arrow making machine. Are you storing up for Zombie Apocalypse or do you provide arrows for all your friends and family? LOL 😯

[Ben M.]

#20411

S-L-O-W-L-Y but surely, Cameron, I am getting an archery business started out of my home. Once I get ~300 arrows stockpiled I’m going to start making kids’ bows out of PVC and selling them off with a half-dozen arrows. I’ve been staying home with my kids for six years now and I always sort of figured I’d go back to school when my youngest started kindergarten but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen. They still depend on me to be the anchor here at home. But, like everyone, we could use a few extra bucks. This little side business gives me the flexibility to be available for all my kids’ needs while earning a little coin doing something I love. (That’s the idea, anyway.)

Speaking of kids, they’re bugging me right now. Gotta go. Time to fire up the grill.

[Cameron Unruh]

#20435

Sounds like a plan…Ben

Your arrows look good!

[Ben M.]

#20675

Say, guys, just to be clear: I wasn’t trying to market to anyone. My plan for this is so small and so locally focused that it simply didn’t occur to me that I was advertising here. I wasn’t trying to sell anything and I won’t post about my business venture anymore.

-Ben

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#21128

Ben M. wrote: Say, guys, just to be clear: I wasn’t trying to market to anyone. My plan for this is so small and so locally focused that it simply didn’t occur to me that I was advertising here. I wasn’t trying to sell anything and I won’t post about my business venture anymore.

-Ben

Ben –

Fwiw, I didn’t take your post that way at all. Good luck with the new business venture!

[Ralph]

#21659

I just figured you took a likin’ to building arrows and came upon a small fortune to buy all those feathers with. :D:D

[Mark Turton]

#23237

Good luck Ben, I guess Fred Bear started by making a bow and a handful of arrows.

Mark.

[Ralph]

#23481

OK folks, nuffs enuff!!!!!!!!

I am definitely tired of this target panic crap I’ve been fighting for a year or more.

I’m putting things down, revamping my pea brain and starting as a new student. I know all the supposed cures but none are effective till the brain disengages from the shot process. I need to Zen the deal, get it out of the right side and let it flow through the left. Funny though, when stumping I rarely miss. Right now though I’ll leave the critters alone till I get over this malady.

I got into this aim while drawing, shooting then faking a hand trip by an anchor point. Aim, draw, shoot, anchor is very sporadic when it comes to getting an arrow where one intends for it to go rather than arrow going to where it’s pointed.

Anyway, newbie here for awhile. 😉

It’s hard on one’s pride when you look at your wall of fame filled with trophy’s, pins, awards etc. and now last place is nearly out of reach.

Never give up, just take another approach. 😀

Never unhappy, just a bit peeved now and then.

[tailfeather]

#23535

You make some fine looking arrows, Ben. Nice work.

When you get ready, lemme know. I’ll buy some of those kid arrows from you.

[tailfeather]

#23544

It’s fishing season now, but I’ve been shooting the bow some in the evenings to stay somewhat on point…..the better half is doing pretty well with hers, so that’s fun. Got a 5 day river trip coming up on the Buffalo River, Ark in July. Really looking forward to that! I’ll get in a hog hunt or two in June and August, but other wise hanging around the water.

Speaking of turkey recipes, we’ve been doing wild turkey barbacoa lately…..and it’s really good. Just use Hunter, Angler, Gardener, Cook’s venison barbacoa recipe but chunk in turkey instead (and use chicken or turkey broth).

http://honest-food.net/2013/10/28/barbacoa-recipe-venison/

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#23824

tailfeather wrote:

Speaking of turkey recipes, we’ve been doing wild turkey barbacoa lately…..and it’s really good. Just use Hunter, Angler, Gardener, Cook’s venison barbacoa recipe but chunk in turkey instead (and use chicken or turkey broth).

Turkey barbacoa sounds awesome, and HAGC is a great resource for all things game and forage. So many excellent recipes on there. Hank Shaw’s two books are also good reads.

Ralph – good luck with the ‘target panic!’

[paleoman]

#23980

OK…my wife wanted to do something together…so I got dragged into a tai chi class. I felt out of place at first but am starting to “get it”. This could be very helpful with lots of things related to generally sneaking around the woods. It is uniquely humbling when you think you have mastery of your own movement to try it anyway..

[Col Mike]

#24026

Paleo

Linda wants to know if you fell on your face:lol:.

Grasshopper, I have learned when the ladies invite you to do something be prepared to have your butt kicked or embarrassed. Or learn something–which we can never admit:shock:.

Watch out for those MI knife and gun shows.

Mike

[Ralph]

#24800

Ain’t much that tastes worse than one’s pride just before one swallows it, uh? 😀

Been there with yoga. It’s not meant for things to bend like that.

[Mohawk13]

#24884

Wife and I are moving to Logan, Utah for work. Be there on June 8th…Anyone local or close. Need some new shooting and hunting partners…

[Ralph]

#24893

Went stumpin this morning.

I believe this guy was telling me who that belonged to that he was sitting on.

People been sneaking in the back part of the archery range and using 4 wheelers illegally. Our recent rains sure make the damage they can do shine out.

Bet you find plenty of archers in Utah.:D

[paleoman]

#25019

colmike wrote: Paleo

Linda wants to know if you fell on your face:lol:.

Grasshopper, I have learned when the ladies invite you to do something be prepared to have your butt kicked or embarrassed. Or learn something–which we can never admit:shock:.

Watch out for those MI knife and gun shows.

I didn’t fall in my face:D I’m a stump jumper extraordinaire, but when it comes to balance without lots of movement I think it might help. I do wish there was some contact though. Guys just wanna hit something!

Mike

[Robin Conrads]

#25715

Mohawk13 wrote: Wife and I are moving to Logan, Utah for work. Be there on June 8th…Anyone local or close. Need some new shooting and hunting partners…

I believe there is a very active club in that area. Contact Guy Perkins at Camp Chef and he can point you in the right direction.

[Mohawk13]

#25815

Thanks Webmother. Good looking out for a stranger in a strange land.

[Brennan Herr]

#31141

Passerby called in a large object on a road. This is what I found.

I washed him off and turned him loose in a little better area

I put a quarter on his back for reference.

Biggest one I have seen to date. Web mom

I did shoot my bow today!

[Ben M.]

#37937

Wow, Brennan. What a coincidence: my kids found a snapper just the other day and I took a picture with the same reference.

By the way, how’s your boy doing with that kit? It’s been a couple years and I’ve changed my profile name but I still remember the arrows.

[Brennan Herr]

#38471

Ben,

The arrows are great and working well. He loves to shoot any chance he gets. Thanks again to you and Troy for taking the time to add great experience to his life.

Brennan

[Ralph]

#38479

I like the big quarter, little quarter posts. 😀

Mine don’t swim, he just roams the countryside looking for lost change. 😆

[Cameron Unruh]

#45650

I was out doing some scouting in prep for deer season saw three does but no bucks this round but did however get some great fishing in.

The first lake pic is where I started my hike and the second is my favorite fishing spot. At just under 10,000 ft and a little bit of a climb with only foot or horseback access I rarely see others up there at the same time I am there. Makes for a quiet get away!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#45713

Great looking country, Cameron! Sierras?

And it looks like a tasty lunch as well!

[paleoman]

#46119

Ya don’t need no words with pics like that! Little bit of heaven right there.

[Cameron Unruh]

#46321

Smithhammer – it is the Sierra’s above Courtright reservoir. It is a four mile hike back and is typically my first night of a several day journey to several high mountain lakes with awesome fishing.

[Ralph]

#50032

Just gotta say it’s one beautiful morning here in the Texas Panhandle!!!! Wonderful to go stumpin” but………..someone has to mow. 😀

Hey, that guy looks older than me:wink:

[paleoman]

#50134

Beautiful here too after a rainy, t-stormy week. The past 3 weekends have been perfect weather. I may mow today. I may not:wink: Enjoy the day!

[Joseph Miller]

#51067

Rockford isn’t that far from Berrien Springs. Were you at the Compton Rendezvous? I think it was the best ever with great speakers.

[paleoman]

#51166

No, I wasn’t there. I’d heard of it but didn’t know for sure it was in Michigan:roll: Getting me in a vehicle on a weekend is a challenge with all the miles I log for work.

[Ralph]

#53339

Ha! New string on bow, new adjustable nock set, new wool silencers, pouring rain. Darn the luck but rain way more important than me playing. I have no desire to be a lightning rod!!!

We’ve actually gone above our yearly average, ta da!!!! But got a few years of make up to go though.

How nice it is to see green,

Different than the mountains where I’m from but for where my life is now it’s wonderful.

My life too!!!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#53342

Glad to hear you’re getting rain, Ralph! Sounds like that part of the country could sure use it. Let’s hope it’s a trend.

[Ralph]

#53352

Yup, maybe mud and skeeters but I’m retired and only have to put up with those when I choose to do so. Ha!!!

Shootin’ in the mud way more fun than putting high lines back up in it.:D

Or other mud activities, some of which pictures of not apropos for some places. 😀 Not bow shooting related. 😉

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#62980

Beautiful day here in the Tetons – got out stumpin’ with a couple good friends. Brought along a classic Marbles ‘Sport 99″ knife that recently came my way (15 years old and unused, in the original box!). Double-dose of cocobolo for ya:

[Ralph]

#63293

Nice!!!

I like cocobolo.

Sprinkled here but dumped buckets 50-100 mi. west.

I shot my 50# Yellow Jacket,Osage/glass, longbow very well, my 45# Samick Sage, not so well, and was playing with a Samick Red Stag, 40#, when the mosquitoes won the battle. What’s worse methinks is the biting flies. Those peckerwoods enjoy mosquito repellant as an hors d’oeurve before the bite!

Me and longbows just get along better than me and recurves. Not saying one better than the other, just saying I’m better with one than the other. Neva, neva open that debate:D.

Me and skeeters and flies don’t get along at all.

[Ralph]

#63796

Was out stumping today and came across these little guys.

Good to have had rain and see turkeys running around again.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#9796

Today I hiked into here:

And caught lots of these:

But in order to qualify this post, I thought about my longbow quite a bit today. And I think there are lots of parallels between trad archery and fly fishing…

[Ralph]

#9814

Nice.

Your fishing rod “bows” with a fish on the end of the line right. 😀 The bow of the rod!!!

[James Harvey]

#9837

Got out for a bit of stumping with two of my best mates…

30 metre shot at a piece of a car… point of aim was the hole just above the arrow there.. these little supermags are plenty accurate

A wider angle shot of this little Mad Max style stumping ground

Big game stump hunting…

Nice spot down by the creek… where the bank is too steep for crocs 😉

[James Harvey]

#9918

Bruce and Cameron, thanks for sharing those photos… American forests look so exotic to me, and trout in mountain streams… beautiful stuff 😀

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#10658

ausjim wrote:

Great pic.

ausjim wrote: American forests look so exotic to me, and trout in mountain streams… beautiful stuff 😀

I feel the same way about your pics, Jim! I’d love to get down there some day.

[tailfeather]

#10899

Leaving on a three day river trip Tuesday, camping on sandbars. The best part of summer.

[Ralph]

#12788

Was out stumpin’ this morning. One has to be very selective with one’s shot choice since we’ve had some rain.

Ragweed is killing me!!!!!!!!!

I’ve been taking pics of this majestic old dying tree for many years.

The tales it could tell.

30 + years worth of me tromping around it. 🙂

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#12925

Nice to see how green it still is there, Ralph!

I got out for a stump hike behind the house this morning as well. Did my brain and my body good…

[paleoman]

#13158

I found a 2 week gap in the employee prison fence:D This was the 1st of 2 so far. If I’d have had my bow I’d have shot him….for compliance reasons here:lol:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#13841

Nice! I can eat the heck out of those yummy crustaceans! Are you in Maine?

[paleoman]

#14108

Smithhammer wrote: Nice! I can eat the heck out of those yummy crustaceans! Are you in Maine?

Looks like it:D

[Carl Brickey]

#14161

Backpacking wood stove for my tarp and this years hunts in the northeast tn southwest va deer seasons. No chimney yet.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#15137

Interesting looking stove – how much does it break down? Weight? Love to hear a little more.

I got out yesterday for a hike across the state line into Wyoming with the mutts. It was a good stretch of the legs up a trail that isn’t maintained anymore, and doesn’t see much traffic at all.

There’s a trail here somewhere…

Up above 7500′ the wildflowers are still in full effect:

Seems like most of my hikes this time of year are a quest to get somewhere off the beaten track, ideally near some flowing water, and then find a good spot to pitch the hammock and enjoy the view:

I had a very tired shorthair by the time I got back to the truck.

Saw some big elk tracks, spooked something large above me that kicked boulders down uncomfortably close to us and found some old bear sign. But honestly, every time I saw a stump, all I could think of was “I wish I had my bow with me…”

[Carl Brickey]

#15178

Gorgeous country and pictures Smith! The stove will weigh about a pound and a half with the foil roll chimney. It’s two steam bar pans 2.5″ deep by 6″ wide by 10″ long (I think) haven’t put a tape to it yet. It nests together and is about 4″ thick broken down. Boiled a tea kettle of water in under 10 min. Last night. Hopefully I’ll get to put it to good use this season!

[Cameron Unruh]

#15329

Here is a video of my day on Monday this week…

Oh well – I could not seem to get that working…

Awesome pics Smithhammer!

[tailfeather]

#15929

Molly, the kids, and I spent three days and 34 leisurely miles on the river. Not much better than a river trip. Some pics:

[tailfeather]

#15932

Last ones…..Quickie tarp shelter from pm thunderstorms

[tailfeather]

#15972

Hey cpbiv- that’s a really slick little stove. Very cool.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#15983

cpbiv – I like it. Looking forward to hearing more once you get it all together and use it for a while. I used an ultraralight wood stove on a turkey hunt this spring, and man, it sure was nice on chilly mornings.

Cameron – if the video is hosted on YouTube, try just copying and pasting the “Share” link.

Tailfeather – looks like a fine trip! And I agree, there’s nothing like a good river trip. I’m due for one this fall – hopefully we’re going to float the Middle Fork of the Salmon in early Oct. which is a great time – hardly anyone on the river, fall colors, and lots of chukar…

[paleoman]

#16417

Nice pics gents! Love to see other areas of the country.

[Cameron Unruh]

#17136

Ok I will give this video effort another try…

http://youtu.be/iy76oHlYJr0

[Ralph]

#17144

Well done!:) Nap and peach well deserved.

[Cameron Unruh]

#17151

Thanks R2 – this was kind of a joke video in that my brother is not the kind of guy that understands solo time in the woods and is always giving me a hard time about disappearing in the woods on my own…asking what in the world do you do all day? So I thought I would give him a window into my world.

BTW – The bow is a three piece takedown that I just finished up. It is my second three piece attempt and I am loving it! 57# @28″ 62″ All Cocobolo wood with Red Elm core wood.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#17247

Now that’s just good livin’ right there. Nice little vid, Cameron.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#19531

Got out for a nice stumpin’ session this morning.

Two well-exercised longbows, taking a rest:

[Cameron Unruh]

#19613

Good looking bows Smithhammer! Glad you got to hit some stumps…

I was out this morning as well and got into a stare off with this lovely lady…This pic was taken with my phone so it is not super clear but look just right of the tree in the middle of the pic.

[Col Mike]

#19791

Cameron

That video brings a :D. gonna have to try a hammock usually just lie on the ground–oh well old habits die hard.

Thanks for the effort.

Mike

[Cameron Unruh]

#19879

Colmike – The hammock is awesome for day use. I spent 8 nights last year and discovered that for night time sleeping comfort I am a ground guy. But the hammock is great for daytime relaxing and I use as a chair as well.

[Ralph]

#20331

Guess I be sticking to the ground,

Very selective of location however,

:D:D

Bed of my pickup???????????????:wink:

[Ralph]

#21793

Stumpin’ at the range today.

Floating bear:D, actually our running animal target.

Got some rain and the turkeys are back

Some things not good but this a good knot

[David Petersen]

#21838

Finally hiked up to check my two long-neglected game cams yesterday. One had dead batteries and no photos. The other had 1587 shots, all but about a dozen of which were wind in the aspens. Total take was just two fat bears (or the same one twice) and a very pregnant elk cow on June 26, two weeks beyond normal end of calving season and a bad indication that the recent trend of late-born calves continues.

[Ralph]

#21851

David, what’s the thinking on the late calving? Weather changes, human pressures, drought conditions?

It doesn’t look very drought like there.

That bear hasn’t been without for sure. Food anyway.:D

[Ben M.]

#21918

I’m at the 2014 MOjam primitive archers gathering right now. Great company, great food (I just ate enough pork chops to choke a goat), great moonshine. Great weather, too. Come on out if you’re in the area.

Watch it with the moonshine, though. That stuff means business.

The osage log I brought yielded six adult staves and one youth stave.

My first bow in progress.

[Ralph]

#21955

Moonshine blew him outta his sandals. Wow!

I missed the Ojam, in Oklahoma this year but by golly next spring I’m going. I have a hankerin’ to build a bow!:D And I know nada.

Looks like a good time at the Mojam too. I’ve heard it is great.

Have fun. Hope it shoots well.

[David Petersen]

#22014

Ralph — This is the third year I’ve seen this here: elk calves by Sept. are long weaned and spotless and bigger than most deer … now we have spotted calves in Oct.! I think you hit all three primary problems: excessive hunting pressure during the rut, climate change and drought, with the latter two being likely the same at root. You’d be surprised how skinny some of these “fat” bears become when they get wet, or skinned-out. But yeah, since we outlawed baiting and hounds here, now long ago, we have lots of beautiful big bears. It’s a joy to behold. A cup of my wife’s ashes are in the little spring the bear is headed for … I like that a lot, and so would she. The bear isn’t commenting, just trying to cool off on a warm summer midday.

[Ralph]

#22030

Thanks David. I’ve been seeing some of that around here, whitetail fawns with spots at Thanksgivings and still suckling. Of course we’ve been in extreme drought so I expect a lot of abnormal.

Another factor of drought I never thought of is, one of many of course, the decrease in bigger whitetail bucks last year.

A game biologist explained that the bigger bucks get totally worn out during the rut and with the lack of forage due to the drought they can’t handle the winter and many prime breeding bucks die of malnutrition. The younger bucks aren’t as beat up and worn out so they continue on. He explained that when, if, the drought ends there will be a couple of year gap before it gets back to normal.

I haven’t observed much effect of the drought on our mule deer. Mule deer are by nature a dryer climate type animal and seem to be more adaptable in a semi-arid land becoming more arid.

David that is a beautiful place for part of her to be and for you to spend time with her. Be well and blessed.

Be careful too. We’re becoming old timers you and I!!!!:D

Tornado warning. Bye

[William Warren]

#22031

Battling the yellow jackets on 2 fronts. Eliminated the threat next to the septic tank lid but they still reign supreme in my foam block. I’ve absorbed 2 stings and they drank 2 cans of spray unfazed. There’s piece of cardboard partially covering the opening. Working up the courage to run by and snatch it off 😯 I’d burn it but that foam would probably burn down the woods so that is out as a tactic. Once they are gone I’m thinking I’ll replace it as this is not the first time they took it over.

[David Petersen]

#22040

It was N.C., in 1984, when I got the 50-some yellow jacket bites that now curse me with a potentially lethal allergy. I’ve gotten many more since and now have to carry a “bee sting” kit everywhere in the ‘jacket season. There are many different species, but here, with our two main varieties which I cleverly called big and little, Black Flag wasp killer spray works like a nuclear blast. They don’t even twitch but just fall like gravel. If you can find their nest, usually in the ground, wait until almost dark when they’re all in, spray in a good dose of BF and cover the exit hole. Good luck and bee careful.

[William Warren]

#22047

Dave,

I find they can be difficult to kill when they are above ground like these are. They will build their entrance looking down and the nest will actually be above the entrance so you have to get the spray to go up into the nest. That cardboard is blocking the hole so I’ve got to get that off. I always go after them after dark as you said when they are all in. I’m not afraid to get up close with the spray at night to be more accurate.

Duncan

[Ralph]

#22507

There is an arrow of mine lost at our archery range due to a nest of ground wasps claiming the surrounding territory.

Good luck.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#24915

The Better Half and I got out in the woods for a little stumping session last night. Good times…

[tailfeather]

#26543

Supper: Homemade wild turkey tamales (leg/thighs) with fresh salsa from the garden.

[Ralph]

#27455

OK, since we’re on the topic of traditionally collected food:

Gotta have something to enjoy it with (not anymore me, but for y’all…):D

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#28391

Woke up way too early this morning, and with 5 weeks to go till the elk/deer/bear opener here in Idaho, I decided I better tick some places off the list that I’ve been wanting to scout (and start getting back in shape for daily hill climbing…).

Heading up the hill at first light:

Spent some time sitting and glassing at the top of the ridge in the pic below, but even though it was early in the morning, I didn’t see much. Still, not a bad view… 8)

Came across several patches of wild mint along the way:

Obligatory bow shot:

And then from the top of the ridge I ducked into the forest in a place I hadn’t explored before. Lots of good, ‘elk-ey’ looking timber, above a known water source:

And some nice little meadows mixed in with the thicker cover here and there:

Not much fresh sign, unfortunately. But I’ve hunted the next ridge over many times, and watched plenty of bulls and bears head up this ridge. I think it’s just a little too hot right now, and most of the animals are hanging at higher altitudes (I was at about 7200′ ft.).

Still, it was great to add more info to the mental map, and I’ll definitely be spending some time up on this ridge come fall. Of course, I brought some stumping arrows along, and had a great time on the hike back out lettin ’em fly.

All in all, not a bad mornin’…

[Ralph]

#28613

Thar she is, Tonkin bamboo.

46# @ 28″. Yellowjacket Longbow. Gerald retired several years ago but he still had some new bows he’d built stuck back.

Brand new she is.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#28639

That’s a great lookin’ bow! Myrtle limbs? What’s the length?

[Ralph]

#28648

Not Myrtle, it’s Tonkin bamboo. Pretty stuff. She’s 62″. At 69 years old I’m way happy shooting 45# to 50# bows. Got nothing to prove and they’ll do the job I need to do.

[Charles Ek]

#29080

Apart from its shooting qualities, I found the 66 inches of my longbow handy once when I sat down next to an underground nest and shed my pack for a lunch break. The locals came boiling out looking for a fight. I fled and had to use the longbow to retrieve my pack when I came back.

Raspberries are at peak here. Which is undoubtedly why we had a furry black, yearling visitor last evening. Went to the neighbor and suggested it would be a good idea to put the goats and chickens in their respective sheds for the night. Got a dozen eggs in return. 🙂

[Ralph]

#29086

Figured out how fast you could move eh. 😀

Untold times my longbow has probed the snaky looking bushes ahead of me.

Fried eggs from friendly advice. That’s a good deal.:D

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#32671

My next door neighbor is an Idaho Fish & Game officer. They were trapping a grizz yesterday to put a radio collar on it. It’s a 500lb boar. This is what the grizz did to a tree before they got there:

😯

[Ralph]

#32681

Was he in a trap when he that took place or what? Mad at the tree? Just wonderin’. 🙂

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#32687

Yup. Apparently they’d been trying to coax him into a culvert trap (like this) for some time, and he just wouldn’t do it, so they had to set a foot snare. I don’t think the boar was terribly happy about it. He’s fine now, and out roaming the mountains again, with a snazz new collar.

It’s always a bit of a sobering thought, whenever I see pics like this, that I could run into one of those when I’m out bowhunting, and doing everything exectly the opposite of what is recommended in grizz country…

[Ralph]

#32693

Get me caught in a foot snare and I might feel the same as the grizz, might PO’D.

I’d be a bit more peaceful you come to help me though. The tree be OK too. 😀

I understand the sobering thinking there. We’d be nothing compared to the tree.

Thanks Bruce for satisfying my curiosity.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#36581

Glued up the new Meatheads today, combined with a 75gr. steel adapter, and a 100gr. brass insert for a total head weight of 365gr.

Total arrow weight – 660gr. They flew rock-solid.

18 yd. shot:

I think they’ll do just fine.

Thanks for making a great broadhead, Joe!

[Charles Ek]

#39226

Forty-six days to deer and turkey openers here in NH. In the meantime, whenever practicing where granite is way more common than corn and bean fields, remember these words:

“Always bet on blunt.”

[Ralph]

#44158

Got up to the lease Saturday. Didn’t stay as long as I wanted cause the 4×4 cratered on my truck, but better now than when nasty and I got in a bind. Here’s some pics: I can hunt all that can be seen in the picture. I’ll be awhile doing it. Hopefully. I’ve tramped most. Across in the breaks on the far side I’ve not worked as much. Hard as all get out to get into. Which is a good thing.

Piece of petrified wood and a way old point.

Love it when it works, 27 paces. makes for sticky arrow though.

I always wonder why this pile of rocks. There are no others around for a couple hundred yards. My 50# Osage Yellow Jacket bow.

Another big canyon area on the east side, looking north

[jerrynhook]

#45231

That is some good looking wide open country your in. Critters would see me coming for 11 miles.

[Ralph]

#45248

That country is so full of little draws, deep draws, little gullies, dips and such it’s unreal. Deer can and do hide in any or all of them.

But point well made, the mule deer get high and bed in the brush with the wind at their back. Very hard to get close. The whitetails bury up in the draws closer to the riverbed and down in the riverbed itself (that is the Canadian River or what’s left of it).

Those mulies will bed in the brush in the river to. The salt cedars down there are almost impossible to move through and visibility is zero.

Glad I have it.

One is liable to find the Rio Grande turkeys anywhere. They roam all over the place.

Pigs, mostly down in the bottom but they get around some too.

It’s a game of spot and stalk, ambush, or sometimes luck. I do a lot of looking and roaming about.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#46388

That’s some cool looking country, Ralph. I’d love to go stumble around in that for days on end looking for Rio Grandes and pigs. And maybe conclude the day with a Shiner Bock or two. 😉

A buddy and I got out for a bit this afternoon and reminded the uppity stump population ‘who’s boss.’ But then the rain rolled in thick and heavy, and Mama Nature put us in our rightful place…

[Ralph]

#46423

Wouldn’t some rain be nice again. We’re back in the extreme drought category. A least we had a break and Momma Nature let it be green for awhile.

I intend to get back out soon, just ain’t got my truck fixed yet. May not like what I hear when I hear. Yuck!!!

Your country looks good to me! Might be hard to get back to not being able to see the forest for the trees though. 😀

Went stumping at the range yesterday, suffered today from the effects of chest high ragweed.

P.S. I got a whole bunch of Indian Head nickels. Trade you a couple for the bow. 😀

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#46443

R2 wrote:

P.S. I got a whole bunch of Indian Head nickels. Trade you a couple for the bow. 😀

If by a “whole bunch” you mean 80,000 of them, then you got yerself a deal, hombre. 8)

[Ralph]

#47177

You get the right buffalo nickle might be worth it ya spose? 🙂

80,000 x .05= $4000 😀

Better hang on to that bow hadn’t ya? 😉

Now if your interested, I have at least two that I’d let go for half that much. Throw in an arrow or two proven to hit a stump or two. 🙂

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#47518

This is what it’s like to haggle with me after a couple IPAs.

In the cold light of day, I’m willing to drop the price to a mere 20k nickels. 😉

[Ralph]

#47554

What I found out on truck today you’re going to have to give me the bow and throw the 20K nickels.:cry:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#48186

R2 wrote: What I found out on truck today you’re going to have to give me the bow and throw the 20K nickels.:cry:

Deal!!

A couple scouting pics from yesterday of some nice elk country:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#51688

Another scouting hike this morning, and I wanted to check the condition of a few ground blinds I’d built in years past.

Found some old wolf sign:

Lots of bone material in this one:

Brought along my bolo for trimming some limbs and adding more branches, etc. to my ground blind spots. Every time I use this beast, I’m blown away by what an effective and effortless chopper it is. I like big blades…

The highlight this morning was coming across a Great Grey Owl. It’s unusual to see one around here, and they are really impressive birds. For those of you familiar with Great Horned Owls, a Great Grey is even larger. With a wingspan of 5ft. and measuring approx. 32″ from head to tail, they are the largest owl in N. America. This photo was taken from about 50ft. away:

The light was horrible for pics, and all I had with me was my phone. But I decided to see how close I could get, and so every time it turned away from me, I took a few steps closer and then froze again. It definitely saw me, but didn’t seem concerned at all. It would look at me with those intense yellow eyes, and then go back to preening and looking around. Finally, when I was no more than 15ft. away, and it still didn’t seem to be the least concerned, I decided to chance one more pic:

I didn’t dare get any closer, in no small part because if this bird suddenly decided I was in its space, it could probably rip my head off in seconds. I slowly backed away. It never spooked at all. What a cool interaction with an amazing bird.

[Brennan Herr]

#53125

SH,

Great pics, especially the owl. They are such awe-inspiring creatures. Thanks.

[tailfeather]

#56067

Welcome to the jungle

[wojo14]

#57935

colmike and I went stumping on some great property across from his. The weather could not have been more perfect!

Wish I could have spent the whole day. I envy you guys that live in such beautiful places.

We even stocked 2 bucks and got pretty close. The 6 pointer was a shooter for sure!

Mike’s shooting was on par as well. We were calling shots on random flowers. He was so in the zone, he was shooting the stems and not the flowers!

Mike, next time put that camera you brought to use!

These guys like to see pictures!:D

[Ralph]

#59792

Of course my camera wasn’t where I was today, twice.

I got on a muley doe with two fawns then a little while later I got another muley doe up with one fawn. The fawn bleated and so did I and momma started looking for another little one. That was fun.

I honestly believe prey critters have a 7th sense that let’s them know whether I’m hunting or not. Kinda like the pictures of herd animals in Africa just watching the lions walk about. Those deer all were within 50 yards of me, they studied me for awhile, then just moseyed off.

Like the herd animals in Africa though, there’s always a leery eye peering at the lions and at me here in my world.

P.S. I got to play with an atlatl some. That ain’t as easy as it looks. Got me to wanting one though. I figure if I lived to 96 I might get proficient with it. 😀

[Ralph]

#13497

I was out snooping today and saw several mule deer does with youngun’s.

Go figure how they can disappear down there in those salt cedars:D,but they’re darn good at it. Whitetails thrive down in that jungle. The government and ranchers are trying to get rid of the salt cedars. They’re terrible about consuming ground water. Another non-native species problem, along with the tumbleweeds. They’re non-native also.

Didn’t go stumping here:D

In here was good for stumpin though. No stumps but plenty of “brush bucks”.

My old dog was ready for the truck. She don’t do hot weather to well. She’s 13, pretty old for a pit.

[Ben M.]

#19201

Hi, all!

Been busy here lately. Whitetail season, as with many things recently, has snuck up on me. My bow has gathered a bit of dust but I’m fixing that. Lots of good stories and pics while I’ve been away. Tailfeather’s hog taken with all handmade tackle is probably my favorite. Great scenery pics from everyone, too.

A portion of my recent work:

Two culinary delights designed to induce introspection: Reaper Juice, made with the fury of carolina reapers, and my life-altering Reaper Madness: a tomato juice made with a hodgepodge of 15 of the world’s hottest known peppers. One sip and you’ll walk away with a different perspective.

[James Harvey]

#19321

Ben, you’re going to need a bigger table mate 😀

Ralph, I love those rocky hills you’ve got. I bet you could hit one of those rocks if you really tried 😉

I’ve been pretty flat out with work lately, but got away for a 2 week kayaking trip. I had originally packed my take down bow but as one of the guides I pretty quickly started having to jettison my own gear to make way for various safety things. In place of my bow was this reverse osmosis pump in case we got stranded on a deserted island somewhere 😕 . Oh well, it was still nice paddling.

This was a nice beach we pulled up on for lunch…

There were so many beautiful points where we were paddling… but as a guide I was too busy usually to take many photos, but this was a nice one…

And a view of my office for the two weeks out there… tough life eh?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#19635

Strong work, Ben! ‘Reaper Madness” sounds like something I need to try at some point.

Great pics, Jim. I bet that sail makes 30-mile crossings a little easier! 😉

[James Harvey]

#19861

Bruce, I’d never used a sail before and this thing was awesome. Our biggest day was 55km, which was a long day, but I’ve worked harder paddling 20k’s I reckon. Once there’s a bit of tail wind, even quartering wind, and you’re in paradise!

The only downside is that if you capsize with the sail up, you need to take it down, underwater and upside down, before you can eskimo roll. That’s a hassle 😉

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#19911

Yeah, there’s no rolling back up with a sail rig, in my experience. Were you just using the rudder for steerage when under sail?

I used to play around with a foil kite for downwind sailing in a kayak, and it worked pretty well. You get easily pick up a couple extra knots with it. And you could tie it to a cleat and paddle at the same time. Fun stuff, though I remember a few times that it became a handful when the wind built quickly!

[Ralph]

#20194

Hey Jim, there’s a really rocky island you could practice on. At least my hills have a little bit of dirt.

For the record, I’ve never hit a rock. 😉 More than once with the same arrow anyway. 😀

[Ralph]

#20200

I was helping Doc do a little house hunting this weekend. Found a little fixer upper.

With an outdoor privy

Just a little work but he said NO!:)

Actually, all that’s left standing in an old ghost town on the Whittington Center in NM.

[Ralph]

#20203

Jim, I just cain’t get enough rocks it seems.:wink:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#20241

R2 wrote: I was helping Doc do a little house hunting this weekend. Found a little fixer upper.

So much potential!!

[David Coulter]

#20575

I can feel the potential blowing through that place like a stiff breeze. Location, location, location!

[Ralph]

#20677

Ahhh!! But the picture window……………..:)

[James Harvey]

#20928

In the spirit of outhouses… here’s one I found on my recent kayak adventure… on a private island no less…

[Ralph]

#20943

That’s kinda like taking one’s privacy to extremes eh mate.:D

[Mark Turton]

#21854

Reminds me of the book ‘Dunkem Dunnies’ I think. Outhouses of the Outback.

[Ralph]

#22056

I was out trying to stump at the archery range today but it’s sad what invasive species can do for the country. From this,

To this, full of tumbleweeds. I can’t even see the yuccas now.

plus ragweed. Ragweed is not an invasive species except to my body.

Needless to say that part of the range ain’t stumpable 🙂 for awhile.

[James Harvey]

#22068

Smithhammer wrote: Were you just using the rudder for steerage when under sail?

The rudder is another thing I’d never used before really. I quite enjoy paddling without one, you pretty quickly figure out if you have a stroke imbalance between left and right. The only time I found it a pain to not have a rudder is in quartering seas, as just about every other stroke is a sweep stroke. This trip we had quartering, following seas pretty much the entire journey, so I pretty much used the rudder the whole time 😳

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#22073

ausjim wrote:

The rudder is another thing I’d never used before really. I quite enjoy paddling without one, you pretty quickly figure out if you have a stroke imbalance between left and right. The only time I found it a pain to not have a rudder is in quartering seas, as just about every other stroke is a sweep stroke. This trip we had quartering, following seas pretty much the entire journey, so I pretty much used the rudder the whole time 😳

Agreed. I spent many years paddling yaks with no rudder, and it’s the best way to learn boat control and proper steering strokes. And rudders represent a number of additional things that can break on an otherwise simple boat. Even when I had a yak with a ridder, I paddled with it retracted most of the time.

But sailing represents additional steerage/leeway challenges that can make a rudder a handy item.

Sometimes I can’t believe I now live so far inland, after all the time I spent on the coast in small boats. But I ain’t complaining – I love where I live now.

[James Harvey]

#23474

Smithhammer wrote: Sometimes I can’t believe I now live so far inland, after all the time I spent on the coast in small boats. But I ain’t complaining – I love where I live now.

I don’t know why… all those photos I see of the country around your place your look horrible… hideous evergreens over unsightly hills and mountains… separated by disgustingly clear streams… makes me sick just thinking about it 😉

[James Harvey]

#23485

I got out for a little stumping this morning. I really love this style of side quiver (even though this is my dodgy, home made out of an old army pack quiver). I had a big pack on this morning and the quiver just tucks behind your arm for when you’re in walking mode, then slips down under it when you’re ready to shoot/stalk. Fletching stays out of sight behind you and the whole thing just slips through the close stuff tucked into your body.

I may have to buy one of the nice leather ones from big jims or go to my local saddlery shop with the plans Duncan gave me for this one… I love it 😀

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#30114

Been bowhunting almost every day since the opener, for at least part of the day. Experience has taught me that if I keep that up, I can burn myself out. So today I got some work done, and since Hank needed a good run, I had a healthy change of pace:

[Brennan Herr]

#30129

SH,

I grew up on ruffs and dogs with a few woodcock mixed in. That is a photo that really gets me excited for the up coming seasons! Great looking bird and congrats! Thanks for sharing, it really brings back some great memories.

Brennan

[Carl Brickey]

#30667

Nice .16 ga Smith. Nice bird too!

[paleoman]

#30781

I did quite a bit of field work yesterday and must have walked at least a few miles of chest high, ragweed and bullthistle infested right of way. I think it really pissed off my immune system because only now has my nose stopped running. There was greenbriar mixed in and and at one point I said, out in the middle of nowhere “I hate the f’in outdoors”! I will poke my head out in my hunting area near home this weekend, but not today..

[David Coulter]

#30842

Smithy, nice photo, nice scattergun and really nice bird! Paleo, man, we have those days. our Season starts in about 20 days. Oh yeah! good luck you guys, dwc

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#31776

Thanks, folks. Gotta mix it up now and then.

But my bird hunting season is a lot longer than my archery season, so it’s time to get back in the game!

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#32211

I just fletched new arrows. I’m going Orange this year, in honor of T.J Conrads, who introduced and addicted me to traditional archery 10 years ago through his great Handbook! I I’ve been fletching White and Traditional Barred White since started making arrows, but I thought a change was in order for this 10 year Anniversary!

[Col Mike]

#32229

Alex

Very nice. Happy 10th my friend.

Now with a good pair of bino’s you can find them when you miss.:lol:

Mike

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#32262

Thanks Mike! See you soon!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#32366

Today I pulled all of our carrots and beets out of the garden, shot my bow, and then went to the “lawnmower races” in our city park:

Always a good time. And then I rode my bike to get a hot dog and a beer, and then shot my bow again, and got my stuff ready for an early morning start for elk tomorrow. Hard to imagine a better Saturday.

[grumpy]

#33348

Didn’t know they had elk in Idaho. Thought it was just potatoes?? Do Elk eat potatoes??

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#33426

There are no elk in Idaho. I highly recommend Colorado. 8)

[James Harvey]

#42522

Out for a little afternoon stroll. I’ve been so impressed with this little bow. First shot of the walk was at a sapling about an inch in diameter at 30 yards. I wish I could say I split that sapling… but I only nicked it.

[Ralph]

#44261

Smithhammer wrote: There are no elk in Idaho. I highly recommend Colorado. 8)

Colorado’s got ‘funny pot’taters’ too I hear. Not recommended by me though.:P:P

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#44336

Phrank.

R.I.P.

[Doc Nock]

#44407

But, but, but, bruce…can you do that on the wing???:D:D:D

What an honorable death to a 3d!?!

EXCELLENT…I’d say you’re dialed in!

[James Harvey]

#44826

alexbugnon wrote: I’m going Orange this year, in honor of T.J Conrads, who introduced and addicted me to traditional archery 10 years ago through his great Handbook!

Happy 10th Anniversary Alex 😀

Bruce, I think the second coming of Phrank could be achieved through the liberal use of duct tape 😉

I was outfitter and guide for a Billy Berger inspired afternoon hunt today…

Hiking into the hunting grounds:

Checking for sign:

Game claimed! (It’s possible dad knocked it out of the sky with his hat and handed it to the little adventurer when no one was looking.. but we’ll never know)

[Doc Nock]

#45036

Too Cool! made me smile!:D

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#45307

Doc Nock wrote: But, but, but, bruce…can you do that on the wing???:D:D:D

!

I’ve only hunted pheasant with a bow once, and I bounced one off a rooster in flight. They are such tough birds. I’m going to spend a little more time trying to get one with a bow this year, but with a different head setup.

We have an area west of us where there is pretty good pheasant hunting, and not far beyond that is some good sage desert full of jackrabbits. Once big game season is done here, I’m thinking that could make for one heck of a fun “combo” day.

ausjim wrote:

Bruce, I think the second coming of Phrank could be achieved through the liberal use of duct tape 😉

Jim – it’s hard to tell in the pic, but he has several layers of duct tape around his neck. In addition to a counter-sunk screw, that was bored into a hole filled with gorilla glue! That lasted for almost a year, but alas, all good things come to an end. 😥

Great pics too – start ’em young!

[Doc Nock]

#45361

Now, Bruce, you know I was just messin with ya on the aerial shooting!

Briar Chickens are tough hombres! Trouble is if you hunt with a dog, pointer or flusher or retriever, IS the type head used! It can hurt the dog when that big ole rooster is thrashing around with the arrow in it!

They’re danged near bullet proof. I used to say hunting them with shotguns, “Keep bustin caps till they stop flappin flaps!”

I doubt I have enough confidence or whatever to even try to hunt them with bows! I can bust a few aerials now and again, but the cackle birds?! I’d be intimidated and you’d have to have a very target -rich environment I would think… danged preserves here cost too much and clean farming has near wiped out wild populations…

Another good reason to move!:roll:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#45385

Doc –

Yep, when bird hunting with my dog, there is no way I would use a broadhead, for obvious reasons. And I don’t have a lot of faith in blunts when it comes to roosters, as noted above. I’m experimenting now with a combo bodkin/Zwickey Scorpio setup. Not much to hurt the dog that way, and with this combo you get penetration along with an arrow that ideally stays in the bird to bring them down.

Luckily, we still have a number of WMA’s in my part of the state with good pheasant #’s, and at lower elevations, prolific populations.

[Doc Nock]

#45457

I’ve seen on other sites where guys even used field points and the fingers behind… or ones that slide up the shaft… finding them for carbon arrows is not easy, but those with larger dia woodies probably are in luck!

I used these gizmos made to drive into wood so you can screw legs onto a table or something. I imagine if you could affix a field point with it over, it would be an ugly wound channel!

Good luck! They are still built like tanks!:shock:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#46178

That’s a good idea, Doc! I’m headed to the hardware store later today anyway, I’ll look for some.

[Doc Nock]

#46184

Never tried it, for birds! The “inside” is threaded to receive all-thread or a bolt. Might not fit behind or over a field point, but, Bruce, if anyone can jury rig it, I’m betting on you, Hoss!

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#46701

Received Clay Hayes book ” Traditional Bowhunting ” today!

[Ralph]

#46719

I’ve been sorting hunting gear today and trying to assist Doc find a mover.

Since he’s trad like we are, I was thinking this might be OK. A traditional mover for a traditional guy:

😀

[paleoman]

#48418

Day 7 of heaven here in Michigan! Sunshine, cool mornings and mild days. 7 days in a row. I wish I could press the hold button! The foliage ought to be fantastic this year and is coming along nicely. Too bad we lost most of our ash trees and the yellows they brought!

[David Coulter]

#48433

Hi Paleo,

I’m sad to hear about your ash trees. I friend in Mass. is loosing his. He’s cut many for firewood and lumber as to get some value out of them. I have a few on my property and they are still doing well. I want to watch them everyday to enjoy them. Enjoy your time in the woods, dwc

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#48672

Rainy morning, so I decided to knock out a new batch of string keepers:

[David Coulter]

#48947

Very nice. It’s fun to put together things you’ll use. Looks like about six lifetimes worth there, dwc

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#49702

dwcphoto wrote: Very nice. It’s fun to put together things you’ll use. Looks like about six lifetimes worth there, dwc

Actually, that’s just about the right number for the bows I own at the moment.

But it’s a good way to kill time on a rainy day after too much coffee, and I keep a bag of them on the shelf to give away to friends. Been playing around with making my own leather grips for some of my bows as well – easy once you get the hang of it and learn a few little tricks.

[David Coulter]

#49756

Yes, I forget some of you own a room full of bows. I suppose I own more than I can use at one time, too. I also suppose if I had the cash I’d own more bows, too! Nice work. Take a photo of your grips when you get a chance, dwc

[Ralph]

#53916

Been waiting for the first true front to blow through with winds out of the north and cool (85° yesterday). I have 2-3 areas where I love to hunt mule deer but the way the terrain lays and with a rising sun being a challenge, the only way practical to hunt them is into a north wind.

Got one!!!

But, I have an obligation to tend to. Durn.

Tomorrow though, north breeze instead of 30+ mph, 40’s temp, ha!!! I’ll be goin huntin’!! :lol::lol:

[Joseph Miller]

#54993

Wednesday was the opening day of my 60th season of archery here in the beautiful Northern Michigan woods. In those 60 years I have only missed 2 opening mornings. One in 1962 when a jerk professor scheduled an 8:00am exam and the other in 2002 when Christine was putting up a valiant battle against breast cancer. She gave me hell for not being in the woods but I couldn’t leave her.

[Joseph Miller]

#55014

By the way, the reason I’m not out this morning is because it is raining like crazy! I will sit in the rain on opening morning (if it is raining hard I won’t shoot) but not after opening morning. I am a retired guy and have plenty of time to hunt when it is not raining.

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#55043

jlmiller wrote: Wednesday was the opening day of my 60th season of archery here in the beautiful Northern Michigan woods. In those 60 years I have only missed 2 opening mornings. One in 1962 when a jerk professor scheduled an 8:00am exam and the other in 2002 when Christine was putting up a valiant battle against breast cancer. She gave me hell for not being in the woods but I couldn’t leave her.

Nice story, Jimiller! The Michigan Northern Woods! What an enchanted place! Stuff of dreams!:roll:

[paleoman]

#56672

jlmiller wrote: Wednesday was the opening day of my 60th season of archery here in the beautiful Northern Michigan woods. In those 60 years I have only missed 2 opening mornings. One in 1962 when a jerk professor scheduled an 8:00am exam and the other in 2002 when Christine was putting up a valiant battle against breast cancer. She gave me hell for not being in the woods but I couldn’t leave her.

One Michigander to another, keep those arrows straight! Congratulations on all the years you’ve enjoyed.

[Ralph]

#62354

Three days in a row, up at 3:30 driving an hour each way to hunting grounds. Having fun even if two days were hot. Today was cooler, on/off rain showers. Muley does is all I see game wise but the country, God how I love being in the country.

This 69 years+7 month old child is tired tonight though.

jlmiller, glad you’re still going strong. I’ve been hunting since I was 9 but not with bow. That’s about 35-40 years worth but not inclusive with a longbow. I like to hunt with guns also. But when it comes to archery my choice of weapon has been a longbow for a long, long time.

I just like to hunt.

[paleoman]

#62407

Ralph – is that up at 3:30 pm?:lol: I’m not familiar with Mulies…do they rub and scrape like whitetails this time of year down there or do you get a later rut period?

[Ralph]

#62455

Excuse me, 0330 🙂

Mulies are a lot different fellers than whitetails. They rub but it could be anywhere as they are more of an open country animal. By that I mean not in thick of the woods type critters. They do the canyons and flats and stuff. They like to bed just under the top of a hill with a view of the world and the wind at their back. When you spot one that makes a tough stalk. I get busted a lot. Those guys also got the does spread around as lookouts too. Stinkers! You’d think they didn’t like me.

Cool today though, I spotted an eyeball before I got spotted. Turned out to be a doe but ‘eye spy first’:)

The mulies rut here pretty much in Dec. into Jan. They start hanging with the does around Thanksgivings but the main rut is after season closes. Probably a good deal cause when they’re rutting, they don’t disappear with a doe like whitetails, they seem to try to take on the whole batch at once. Dumb as me back in my drinking days in the CW bars. :P:P

Maybe I can find the bachelor group again that I saw Monday, nice, nicer and damn nice. I’d of tried any one of the three but the last one was as big as any buck I’ve seen in Texas and there’s some big deer around here. I been seein’ him at night when I’m supposed to be sleeping and I’m not a trophy hunter but if he gets in range I’ll become one in a heartbeat and care not what some may think. 😀

We have whitetails too, I’m just hanging cause they ought to start roaming and getting girly in a couple of weeks. I usually have some of that time to myself before rifle season opens early in Nov.

Tough hunting in these hills and draws and gulleys and winds but I love it no matter the end results.

And speaking of 1530 😀 when it gets colder and darker, about that time of day “them ol’deers”, like my old buddy likes to allow, just start popping out of those gulleys and draws. Problem is with that is I’ve had some bad experiences with late evening kills and retrievals. My hand still ain’t happy. I don’t know if I want to arrow a buck late day again.

I’m not as young and chipper anymore, the country is rough and has a lot of hazards (I’ve put pics on here of the dang cactus patches) and I also have concerns with coyotes getting an animal if I can’t recover it that night. Also too warm for that to happen right now. Spoilage.

But if MR. Big becomes stupid and I get lucky…………

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#62473

Good luck on those mulies, Ralph!

After a morning of driving and meetings and an afternoon of mundane tasks around the house, I needed to get out this evening and whack a few stumps and hopefully stumble across a grouse or two before dark. None of the latter were seen, but many of the former were laid low by the Primal Styk. I know of few things more therapeutic than a little stump shooting in the woods…

[Ralph]

#62975

Nice pic Bruce but you’re looking a bit thin:D

Weathered in today here. A day of catch up and rest is in order so it bothers me not.

I’m amazed at how much stuff that I don’t use gets stuffed in my bags and my truck.

At least I’ll have what I don’t need if I don’t need it. 😀

[Doc Nock]

#63030

R2 wrote: Nice pic Bruce but you’re looking a bit thin:D

Weathered in today here. A day of catch up and rest is in order so it bothers me not.

I’m amazed at how much stuff that I don’t use gets stuffed in my bags and my truck.

At least I’ll have what I don’t need if I don’t need it. 😀

Although you’ve never said, Ralph, you WERE an English Professor at one point in life with the syntax you use, huh?!:shock:8):roll:

[Ralph]

#63047

Syntax??? Is that what I paid on alcohol and tobacco back in my other life:?: Ain’t sure if it’s the right syns we’re speaking of here. 🙄

[Doc Nock]

#63058

🙄 Lordy, lordy… yeah, ralph, that’s it!:lol:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#63093

R2 wrote: Nice pic Bruce but you’re looking a bit thin:D

After a month of chasing elk, and cutting most carbs and dairy out of my diet, I’m down to my fightin’ weight, bruthah!

[Ralph]

#63101

Good to be a lean and mean huntin machine!!:lol: Just don’t bugger up the first 3 fingers on your right hand there Mr. Fiesty!!!!!

Is that your quiver from Big Jim? I think I’m remembering correctly.

Doc should that be hunting? 😀

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#63105

R2 wrote:

Is that your quiver from Big Jim? I think I’m remembering correctly.

It is. Love it for stumping and small game. And I bet I’ll be handing it down to someone someday, cuz its definitely built to outlast me.

A little bird recently told me that Jim is having a 10% off sale on lots of stuff, including quivers…

[Doc Nock]

#63107

Yup, Bruce,

You be looking thin as a rail post and so straight you can hang yer hat on ya (it) 😯

[paleoman]

#7917

Here’s a couple from my world. I had a few more but they exceed the 200kb size so I have to resize sometime. I saw a bushel of squirrels yesterday and that was it. So go figure, I’m walking out to get the mail today and about to cross the road, and I hear the screech of brakes locking up and 4 hooves flailing in the ditch by my mailbox. No one hurt and the doe got up and limped off. I sure hated to see that. Off to Michigans’ UP this coming Saturday for a week. A lot of this seasons’ eggs in that basket. Less is more for some reason these days.

[paleoman]

#7933

Here’s 2 others I’m sure no one wants to miss:lol:! A little foliage and the view from my seat. I’m finding a lot of joy in just going out and taking pictures of my hunts. I always bring something home that way.

[Ralph]

#7946

‘Purty’ country!!!!! I can see why you guys don’t worry bout shooting over 10 yards. You’d never get thru all the trees at 11. 😀

[paleoman]

#7967

R2 wrote: ‘Purty’ country!!!!! I can see why you guys don’t worry bout shooting over 10 yards. You’d never get thru all the trees at 11. 😀

and…I ain’t kiddin – that’s the best open shot I could find! Acorns were falling like rain too.

[Ralph]

#7974

Bruce, here’s mine. Similar. I got mine from Raptor Archery 20 + years ago.

I like it.

In case anyone might be interested, I spotted some bling camo today.

That’d probably hide ya in the woods.

If you’re wearing that you might wanna hide in a hole til dark.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#7979

Aw, c’mon, Ralph – we know that hoodie is hanging in your closet right now…

[Ralph]

#8031

Wat you sayin Bruceee? :D:D

I think anything would work in here.

[grumpy]

#8056

That’s not Texas.

[Ralph]

#8069

Nope, I’m glad. I like to see where I’m goin and where I’ve been. 😀

But I bet they wear pink camo in that mess and nobody knows the difference. 😉

[Ralph]

#8705

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AhDG_WBIQgc

One little solution to the problem.

Maybe some kind words to those who train raptors:wink:

[Ralph]

#16033

Gotta be a story behind this:

I was fixing to peek into a canyon looking for deer when a little glint of light caught my eye. I found this porcelain, broken, partly buried in the dirt and brush

I’m talking in the middle of nowhere.

It would be interesting to know how that got there.

[Doc Nock]

#19050

Alien space debris fell outa orbit!?:shock::roll:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#19102

Doc Nock wrote: Alien space debris fell outa orbit!?:shock::roll:

I’m going with drugs being smuggled inside porcelain figurines.

Or chupacabras have weird collection fetishes.

[Ralph]

#19154

Y’all making me feel real comfortable.:D

I guess I better save one arrow for me uh:? In case the goin gets tough.

S’pose that’s one of Cynthia’s trinkets that Quanah gave her. 😉

[paleoman]

#22426

Here’s another “middle of nowhere” thing I saw a few days ago in Michigans’ U.P. There wasn’t a house in sight. There was only one quite a ways down the rd. Must be an old goat there sick of being hit by gravel from logging trucks.

[Ralph]

#22682

T’was so foggy this morning that the spot half of spot and stalk was totally out of the picture

So I went looking for bedding areas of smaller game 🙂

Heck, it ain’t always just about the hunt. 😀

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#45537

The dreaded “Polar Vortex” arrived like a freight train a couple days ago. Yesterday the high temp was 12F. 😯

Got out for a hike behind the house, in the first snow of the year. Lots of deer sign, but no critters sighted. Still, it was great to be out there, all alone, with fresh snow on the ground telling the story of the previous 24 hours. I love that first snow, and the tracking it allows one to do…

With my big game seasons behind me for now, and a javelina hunt still a couple months away, it’s time to go chase small game again. With pheasants and rabbits in mind, it was time to replenish the flu-flu supply:

[Ralph]

#45552

Not a scenic as yours but we have our first snow of the year also.

The tracks of activity are wife to and from school then to the hairdresser. Different kind of wildlife, not huntable but lucky for me, catchable. 😀 Or who got caught???:?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#45561

R2 wrote: Different kind of wildlife, not huntable but lucky for me, catchable. 😀 Or who got caught???:?

Ah, the complexities of the ‘predator/prey’ relationship…

[grumpy]

#45897

LOVE IT when R2 gets snow before I do :lol::lol: :lol::lol:

[Ralph]

#49322

Deer everywhere today but, muley does and they’re not on the menu. it’s always successful though when you can get out and you’re rewarded with something like this

[Troy Warner]

#53752

R2,

You taken to head stand picture taking?:wink:

[Ralph]

#53760

? Looks good on my computer.?

But if I have I ain’t sharing how to do it. 😆

[James Harvey]

#54654

Beautiful photo Ralph.

[Ralph]

#54685

Thank Jim. You do pretty dang good yourself. 😀 I’ll bet there’s some fabulous sunsets on the ocean. I like taking sunrise and sunset pics.

[Ralph]

#56500

Mule deer rifle opened here yesterday and here’s old R2 poking around with his bow, orange cap upon me noggin, snooping in the draws and canyons with my new Canyon Archery bow, and this caught my eye

It’s not always about the hunt.

Good thing I have other things to find as the two tracks through the area are quite well traveled now and after only the first of 14 days. I just disappear into the country as much as I can and snoop around. Perhaps someone will move something to me.

Amazing to me how the nature of the beast, the difference in life patterns between mule deer and whitetail deer, turns so many people into road hunters.

I think it best for me to let all get back to work after Thanksgivings and then perhaps I’ll have the last week to myself mostly.

I could change weapons, still may, but I hunt with that as I do with my bow, I attempt to go get’em.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#56860

Ok Ralph, I’ve looked at ths photo every which way, and I’m still scratching my head. Leach lines in some sort of marble-ized conglomerate?

[Ralph]

#56917

Bruce it looks like a butterfly or bird wing. There’s more on the other side. The more we study on it we think it’s a fossilized egg of something. If you can look at the whole rock it looks like it has eggshell lines, broken on the end, one can make out what looks like perhaps a leg bone and possibly hip socket. I’m going to try to get it to someone at West Texas State U one of these days. Maybe they’ll not tell me it’s just another “you know what’n rock”.:D

[Doc Nock]

#56949

Look like the leaf of some prehistoric fauna…

…or its an Indian Sex Stone!:shock:

[Ralph]

#57000

Doc your so old I didn’t think you’d remember them, er that. 🙄

I got a weather rock too, you want one? Guaranteed to work in TN, just like it does here in TX. 😀

[Doc Nock]

#57057

Hmmm…weather rock: Wet = Raining, white = snowing; dry means not? One of dem types?

[Ralph]

#57063

Yep, but mine are special. Made from Alibates flint. Some of the most traded by the Native Americans. And of special note, if you don’t hit’em they won’t break your arrow.

Just to get back on the archery subject mom:D

[Doc Nock]

#57069

Sure, send me some of the special ones…or at least one…I can tie it to a string (old used bow string perhaps, to keep it “trad archery related”, and then I can also tell if it’s windy if it’s moving!

Course if you knapped it into a useable head, I could haft it to a cedar shaft or perhaps a cane arrow and TIE THAT to a string and have a really TRAD Weather rock and stick forecaster…

[Ralph]

#57090

These are real South American rubber rock points

We use boulders around here for wind indication. 😀

[Doc Nock]

#57142

Ralph,

Take your medication and put back your grand kids blowgun toy darts!

[Ralph]

#58079

Took my meds Doc, now what were we talking about? 😀

I’m going to snuggle up with the rest of the rocks in my box.:D

[Ben M.]

#58315

Keeping it real here. Winter’s on. Deep in the throes of whitetail season. Looking forward to snow and rabbits! 🙂

[Ralph]

#58674

Good luck on the bunnies and not too much snow. Rabbits have been a rarity around here for the past few years due to the drought methinks.

Rabbits are like the quail right now, I won’t shoot them until their populations build back up.

P.S. That is one fine looking stove. The bread looks scrumptious too.:D

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#58795

Doc & R2 – you guys crack me up. I can easily picture the two of you sitting on a porch giving each other crap and bantering till the cows come home…

Ben – that’s a beautiful stove. Nothing like fresh bread out of a wood-fired oven!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#60353

Got out for a stroll in the big sage country looking for hares today. Didn’t see any, but I still love walking through that vast open terrain. Found lots of deer tracks, and some very large canine tracks following them…

[David Coulter]

#63881

Such beautiful country. Nice to be able to see for miles. Beautiful. Dwc

[Col Mike]

#8296

Wojo and I got out yesterday for a little shoot in my backyard. Beautiful day!

Range 20 yards–Brennan watch out!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#8320

dwcphoto wrote: Such beautiful country. Nice to be able to see for miles. Beautiful. Dwc

Thanks, David. That’s about an hour west of me, but quite different country (I’m up in the mountains). I love going out there and wandering around.

colmike wrote: Wojo and I got out yesterday for a little shoot in my backyard. Beautiful day!

Right on, you guys. The season isn’t over till we say it is!

[Ralph]

#8457

Bruce, how far is that from Mountain Home?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#8501

R2 wrote: Bruce, how far is that from Mountain Home?

Ralph – it’s about 6 hours, at highway speeds.

[James Harvey]

#8779

Hey Ben,

Great looking stove mate, is it brand new or refurbished?

Mike and Wojo,

Great pics.. I miss the snow.. wish I was there!

[Ralph]

#9018

Thanks Bruce. I don’t know where you live in ID. but I remember that kind of country south of Mountain Home.

Heard of or been to the Indian Bathtubs.

Interesting place, especially if you’re a member of a small Boy Scout troop skinny dipping in the warm water and a tour bus of elderly women appear on the cliff above the “tub”.

[Brennan Herr]

#9150

Mike,

Looks like a bunch of fun. And really nice shooting, I am going to practice!!!!:D:D

[wojo14]

#9656

Smith, Season is NEVER over!!!:D

MIke and I had a great time!

Boy, seeing those pics, I need to work on my form!:(

Mike, See ya in a few weeks for more snow shooting fun! We will spend more time together next time and maybe meet up at the Round Bar around the fire place for a few brewskis!?8)

Brennan, you should try and join us.??

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#14739

Little selfie in the drizzly, foggy mountains this morning! 😀

Nice stalk on a doe with fawn! Almost got within 20 before they ran off to a less crowded acorn flat!

[wojo14]

#14846

Nice foggy woods Alex! Where you hunt in upper NY? Public land, lease or private? Any luck so far?

I should have went out this morning too! It has been raining pretty steady for the last 36 hrs and not going to let up unitl late tonight. I spent a lot of miserable days in the woods this fall. I decided to sit this wet/cold day out.

I will hit it hard next week. Hopefully I can connect on the 6 point I have been after all fall!8)

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#14853

wojo14 wrote: Nice foggy woods Alex! Where you hunt in upper NY? Public land, lease or private? Any luck so far?

I should have went out this morning too! It has been raining pretty steady for the last 36 hrs and not going to let up unitl late tonight. I spent a lot of miserable days in the woods this fall. I decided to sit this wet/cold day out.

I will hit it hard next week. Hopefully I can connect on the 6 point I have been after all fall!8)

Hey Wojo!

I hunt middle Hudson Valley, in the Hudson Highland State Park. Some of it is bow only, and some shotgun/Muzzle also. I was in shotgun area today, but there’s no one in the woods around here after Thanksgiving! Just hardcore hunters! the yahoos are gone! 😀

I killed a nice big bodied spike 2 weeks ago> You should have gone out! you know the drill: you won’t kill’em from your couch!! well technically you could!:D

where do you hunt?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#14874

Right on, Alex – glad to see you’re still gettin’ after it!

I came across this the other day, and thought it was worth sharing here:

[wojo14]

#14926

Alex, I am from South Western PA in the foot hills of the Laurel Highlands of PA. The last 4 years I have hunted my uncle in law’s property. 60 acres. Not a lot of “BIG” deer, but plenty of them! I have had a great year so far, but no arrow left my bow so far this deer season. I hope to at least get a doe by the end of the second season.:?

Congrats on the deer! Good luck the rest of the season. Maybe I will run into you sometime if you visit with Mike in MD.?

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#15010

Smithhammer wrote: Right on, Alex – glad to see you’re still gettin’ after it!

Oh yes Bruce! Another week in NY state then until New Year’s Eve in Westchester County, NY, and then “Winter Bow” season the whole month of January in Jersey!! And I also have until March to get a coyote, which I almost did two weeks ago. I would have got a shot had he walked another 30 yards!

Wojo, I will see you at Mike’s!

[Col Mike]

#15204

Alex

Let us know when–given enough notice maybe can get Wojo and Brennan down here for a fun shoot heck might even get two for out here he is only an hour and half east.

[Ralph]

#16316

Can’t hunt’em but at least I can get sorta close and look at’em.

[David Coulter]

#16349

Wow look at the size o them dawgs! Seriously, pretty country. How the heck would you sneak up on those. They look like they are ready to bounce. Have hunted them and how successful were you? Dc

[Ralph]

#16376

I didn’t get to hunt today. I was going to chase turkeys with my longbow but a hunting buddy wounded a little muley buck late yesterday eve so I went to help him at first light and we spent the biggest part of the day searching. Sad to say we didn’t find the little guy. The blood trail quit and the terrain got way rocky and we lost his trail. So I started zigzagging around, dropping into draws filled with plumb thickets, which totally suck trying to get through, hoping to find him brushed up or dead. No luck. I hate that.

Anyway later I spotted these guys and decided to get my camera and see what I could do.

Hunting antelope in Texas is by permit only and our landowner has no permits. If he were to get some I imagine they’d be priced way above what this old guy could afford. Season is way over anyway.

I could have maybe gotten a bit closer, there was one more bush I might have slithered into but one of my legs was about to cramp up so I thought I’d best take pics while I could. It seems at times that my lacking just a few months of being 70 some things:) just don’t work as good as they used to. My legs either. 🙄

Unseen to the left and about 50 yds. farther out there’s about a dozen more head and they were working on figuring out who that was crawling around out there.

Was fun.

And as an afterthought, this country is full of cactus, sand burrs, mesquite thorns and rocks.

A picture is worth a thousand punctures I guess:). and I feel like I got a couple of flats.

Like I’ve said before, “It’s not always about the hunt”.

[David Coulter]

#16459

Sorry you didn’t find the buck, but finding those antelope was nice. Thanks for posting the photo and the story. D

[James Harvey]

#17210

Ralph, great photos mate. Even though the plants and animals are different, I always get the impression I’d feel quite at home in your Texas countryside.

[Ralph]

#17248

Yep Jim. Like everywhere we have our yuck and more wind than most others but then like today, about 55*, hardly a breeze and beautiful. Enjoyed 3 hours of stumping with a couple of buddies.

My new bow is tuned well, finally was calm enough to see what it needed. Actually, I guessed right:wink: and all is well.

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#17272

Sunrise over West Point this cold morning! Sitting at my favorite spot. One little forkie showed up, but stayed a little too far. It was fun watching him react when he finally got my wind. 14 degrees! Man, my feet got cold! Time to go buy a few full length foot warmers!!!8)

[Col Mike]

#17407

ALEX!! I know exactly where you are. Many years ago I coached the Naval Academy powerlifting team. At West Point in Feb.we did a bus drive and a run and got that same view. My comment to the midshipmen was–don’t ever complain about Annapolis in the winter again. That looks like a 4 year sentence:D

Paleo–my best regards to your brother8)

Alex time to schedule that visit.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Ralph]

#17470

I was able to take this with my phone today cause THE WIND WAS NOT BLOWING :):)

We had some great stumping at the archery range.

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#18604

colmike wrote: ALEX!! I know exactly where you are. Many years ago I coached the Naval Academy powerlifting team. At West Point in Feb.we did a bus drive and a run and got that same view. My comment to the midshipmen was–don’t ever complain about Annapolis in the winter again. That looks like a 4 year sentence:D

Alex time to schedule that visit.

Semper Fi

Mike

Yes let’s schedule it!

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#27040

Well, the end of Southern NY deer season is over! I hunted from sun up to sun down yesterday! Really fun day! I had another encounter early with probably the same doe with fawn as last week, but she was even wiser this week, scanning my spot for 10 minutes before deciding it wasn’t safe, and walked away. Early afternoon I worked the top of a hill which is a nice hemlock (mostly dead) and oak flat where the leaves were torn upside down by hooves. I didn’t see any deer but I stumbled onto an abandoned campsite! And a sorry one at that! I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning it up. I got a new tarp and two swimming pool lounge chairs out of the chore! 😛 After bringing those plus some trash back to my truck, I still had an hour and a half before sunset so I parked myself between two trees below thick mountain laurels bedding area. My phone died as I was taking it out of my chest pocket, but not before it took this cool, mossy picture! With sunset came the rain, so there it is… Now, I will be concentrating my NY hunting on hopefully a coyote or a rabbit, while waiting for the January 1st opening day of New Jersey “Winter Bow” deer season, which runs until January 31st! It’s a lot of fun hunting in group along the Delaware river with the Jersey trad boys!! After that I probably will burn out and call it quit!! 😀

[Ralph]

#27183

That’s grand of you Alex to clean some slob’s mess.

We all should care about our land like that but apparently some don’t.

That moss is neat. We don’t get that in this part of the world.

Good luck on the rest of your hunt and also on the rest of your excursions into the wild. I had planed an outing today but the weathermen changed their minds about what it is today. I need to visit with those fellers. 😀

[David Petersen]

#27364

Good going on the clean-up, Alex! Any indication in the trash whether they were hunters or not? Years ago, when I guided for Mike Murphy, every year he packed out a huge amount of trash, I mean four horse-loads, left by rifle and black powder hunters from the South. They came in on horses and left amazing stuff: like your trash camp, most of it was plastic of various shapes, but also Coleman lanterns and other useable stuff. I guess, had we not cleaned up after them, they’d have camped in their own garbage, as they used the same spot for several years. After complaining to the Forest Service for years, they finally got busted and quit coming. A rule of human nature I’ve seen all my life is that the easier it is to haul stuff in, the more junk people leave in the woods. ATVs are worst today, but cowboys have been doing it forever, and still do. Hard to understand how you can haul in, say, a case of beer, then feel unable to haul out the empties. Such a world. Good to know you’re still hunting on bare leaves. It’s getting froze-up here. Time to think about AZ.

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#27461

No I don’t think they were hunters, Dave! The tarp and the 1/2 length floating loungers they were using to sleep on were brand new, probably bought for the occasion! 😀 Probably kids or people coming up from the city. Anyway, it clearly was someone who never camps, or doesn’t do it often!

[Doc Nock]

#27467

I know I’m old, but the old backpacking motto was “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints… we policed our campsites so nobody could even find our fire ring…!

Excellent effort on your part. Glad you harvested a new tarp and beach chair…

Once I found on public game lands, a double wide trail over a mile wide of orange surveyor tape…I thought I wandered off the game lands and someone was preparing to bulldoze a road in!:shock:

Once I determined it was on public land, with strict rules about such shenanigans, I alleviated the scene of the double-wide trail of blaze orange ribbon. Sue me!!! I re-did it from the trail head into a briar patch…

Slobs deserve what they harvest!

[paleoman]

#28454

Great job Alex! We need so many more with your character.

[David Petersen]

#28494

Excellent response, Doc! Even Abbey, in “The Monkey Wrench Gang,” didn’t think of replacing stake and tape lines … leading to nowhere. A line of bright engineer’s tape in a forest area is like a big fat zit on a lovely girl’s face. And in my experience ONLY “hunters” put it there. I understand and have used it myself … but geeze, how much effort does it take on your last trip out to pull the tape and haul out with you?

Alex, I hope those littering jerks had a lousy night’s sleep … say, nightmares of “The Tracker” Brown’s supposed murderous pagans in the “wilderness” of NJ’s Pine Barrens. 😈

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#28540

David Petersen wrote: ….And in my experience ONLY “hunters” put it there.

Unfortunately, I’m seeing lots of orange flagging these days in my woods from a different user group – mountain bikers. Specifically, bikers with a fervor to develop as many trails on public land as possible, and on a number of occasions, illegally. A number of trails in the mountains around my house – even fairly obscure game trails, have been flagged every 15 ft. with orange flagging for “future development” (never mind that these trail expanssions have not been approved by land mgrs). I spent a lot of time this past fall tearing down every piece of it that I came across, only to find new flagging a few weeks later – and it’s clearly not being placed there by hunters.

I grew up mountain biking, and still do on occasion, but a certain segment of the mountain biking community, and their entitled attitude that seems to assume all public lands are fair game for more and more trails, with no concern for impacts on wildlife and other user groups, has gotten out of hand in some areas.

[Doc Nock]

#28577

David, wasn’t looking for kudos. I was cringing when I wrote it, think someone would chatise me for doing so. Citified hunters bother me… bright eye trails in my flashlight that look like a 745 runway also bother me…but bright flagging, double-wide trail…almost a mile? nah…not in my game lands! jerkwads!

We have multi-use on our state game lands in PA where I spent much of my life. Trouble is, hunters license fee and excise tax pays for it all. Then along comes everyone else, acting like they “own” it. Sorry to step on anyone’s toes, but the worst are the “horse people”. We’re not allowed to go off “groomed trails” but those horse folks would go straight up a steep slope, cutting underbrush and causing erosion ditches into tiny streams with native trout…siltation killed the trout eggs from horse beaten paths causing erosion..and nobody ever got arrested… but they tried to arrest archery hunters for snipping a shooting lane!?! Seriously? It was high time to vacate PA. I may yet find worse in TN, but God I hope not! 🙁

I digress. Bikers, hikers, whatever… IF there are rules…adhere to them or find your own land to desecrate!

This is Alex’s kudos for removing camping trash… but I concur with his efforts and applaud him for coming out with a good tarp and a beach chair! LOL…

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#28934

Ugh! The infamous flagging tape!! Unfortunately, like Bruce said, my experience is that it’s not only from hunters around here, but also, and mainly from overzealous hiking trail maintenance volunteers. While I applaud their overall good work, Some guys of the NY-NJ Trail conference, of which I’m a member, are the worse, and they feel that they have to nail a blaze macaron every 5 yards, which not only makes trails look like Times Square at rush hour, but also, and most importantly deprives city hikers of the benefits of having to pay attention to where the hell they are going!! The new fad is also for some individuals to bushwhack and blaze new trails with orange flagging tape! :x:x:x

I usually remove excess macarons, and definitely every piece of flagging tape, sometimes filling both cargo pockets to the brim! 😀

[Col Mike]

#29078

These posts remind me of Smoke Blanchard (earlier mountaineer) whose favorite sport was using his ice axe (the old kind that you could use as a hiking staff) as a golf club to knock down those cairn’s of rocks that folks would put up to mark trails. By the way not trad bow–but his book Walking Up and Down in The World–is a great read. Available on amazon for a penny in hardcover:shock:

Good job Alex:D

[Stephen Smiley]

#29211

Great job Alex. I am fortunate enough to live on 40 acres of hardwoods in the Finger Lakes and have still had to remove orange flagging tape put up by people marking trails across my land. I even had a new neighbor cut a trail onto my place with a bull dozer last summer and commence riding his ATV on my trails because he felt it was his right! Needless to say that did not end well.

Dave you made me laugh with the Tom Brown Jersey Devil reference. I didn’t think you western guys knew about him! I have literally met people that will not go into the pine barrens because of the JD.

Now that our season is over its time to start stumping with the orange arrows. Also I found a place with a bunch of rabbits so I’m going to try and get my first one with a bow.

[Doc Nock]

#29216

Goat— Actually bulldozed across YOUR land…OMG… where does this selfishness end!? 😈

There was a favorite road (Buckchutem Road(sp?) that was a “shortcut to the shore points we would blast down…nothing but straight line blacktop thru the lower NJ pine barrens… we never stopped to check out the country, but lots of sand roads leading back in.

One chap in our HS hitch-hiked down there…ONCE. Said he got picked up by a carload of NYC “girls”… not Trad or Bow related, but he CLAIMED they made him their beau for a few hours where he was scared to death!

Talk about “approach-avoidance”… so many wonderful tales from the Pine Barrens!:shock:

[Stephen Smiley]

#29231

Doc; Swear to God. All good things come to an end it seems. I have bow hunted my “back yard” in complete peace for 5 years and one pork chop has come in to the valley and caused havoc.

My two closest neighbors are also bow hunters and very respectful, only take what they can eat. The “new guy” came in this year with 6 (yes 6) friends during gun season and shot every dear they saw. Disgusting. By the way, he has also lined the wood with orange tape. He literally cannot tell north from south and needs the tape to find his way!

[Doc Nock]

#29235

I guess, GamaG…

One reason I packed up at this ripe old age and moved to TN alone… too many flipping people back up country and too many of them got that entitlement mentality, but this is starting to inch it’s way up on political, so I’ll quit and say I cannot imagine!

Good luck and congrats to all who do their part to keep the impact of the nummies out of the woods or to minimize them…

[Ralph]

#32766

Just love this old composite bow made by David Knight.

Boo over Osage, 66″, 49# @28″. She shoots as fast or faster than my glass bows of comparable weight.

Kinda partial to the old dog too.

She has a pigs ear buried behind that stuff and was nervous that I might find it.

Tried to tell her it’s OK, I don’t like’em. 🙄

[David Petersen]

#32933

Ralph … old dogs rule! I’m down to one now, having lost my beloved pal Homer, a spaniel mix who stepped in boldly to keep me alive after we both lost Caroline, to sudden death a week ago. I am still trying to catch my breath after that one. I am currently struggling inside whether to let my lovely old Golden pass on (12+ old), which I fear won’t be too long, and then do some serious long-term travel I can’t do when I have dogs (can’t afford boarding and view it as low-key cruelty, like permanent kenneling, my primary grind against bird hunters) … or saying I’ve had enough travel for one life and start taking in every fellow needy old dog I encounter. I’m leaning toward the dogs. By the way, that’s a cool looking bow.

Joe Cocker, RIP

[Ralph]

#32950

Sorry about your loss Dave, Homer RIP as the same with Joe Cocker. One of my favorites.

I’ve traveled enough methinks for the most part too so I’ll always have a four legged friend..

Thanks for bow comment. She’s a winner.

[Ralph]

#33507

This is not archery related, but….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFWUlObSgn0

I cannot help but wonder what might be the result of an accidental collision…:D

Not with the roo of course:)

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#36900

My uncle, who first took me hunting as a kid, just gave me his old Woolrich hunting coat today. Of course, true to form, he just shrugged and said it didn’t fit him anymore, like it was no big deal – but it was a big deal. Not only is it a fine coat, but it has more hunting history woven into it than I could hope to equal in this lifetime. I’m truly honored to be its recipient.

[Cameron Unruh]

#36972

That is a double treasure…your Uncle being the treasuer of family with a rich heritage that has been passed on to you…and the treasure of the coat that now rests on your shoulders as you continue to carry on the rich heritage! That is what I call a true blessing.

[Ralph]

#37423

Bruce, that’s nice. Carrying on the tradition!

Now my best buddy, what he’s doing for me is a tradition he loves, rubbing it in.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#37869

That is one very nice buck, Ralph. Glad to see you two are growing close! 😉

[Ralph]

#37897

Wonder if those guys feel degraded when their antlers fall off. Hope so. 👿 🙂

[David Coulter]

#38467

That’s a beautiful coat. Quite an honor to carry on that traditional. Merry Christmas! dwc

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#38711

dwcphoto wrote: That’s a beautiful coat. Quite an honor to carry on that traditional. Merry Christmas! dwc

Thanks, David. I wore it while out stumping yesterday – it’s a perfect fit, and definitely a more dense, quality wool than a lot of the newer stuff.

[Ralph]

#38725

Bruce, that’s an ideal color of plaid for where you be going hunting for javelina me thinks. My part of the world this time of year also.

Looks good.

[paleoman]

#40237

there was some “mutt”ering and a dog pic or two up there… here’s our old gray girl. 1/2 lab/Shep mix. @12 years old now. Better “person” than I’ll ever be:D

[William Warren]

#40291

Smithy,

I snagged that same jacket last year on FleaBay. Mine has a little more blue in it and yes it is 100% wool unlike the blended ones they make today. It has not been cold enough here yet to get it out but Jan and Feb are yet to come.

It had bits of sticks and leaves still in the pockets when it arrived along with some subtle signs of wear. Made me wonder if the the previous owner was a hunter or woodsman.

Duncan

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#41184

Duncan wrote:

It had bits of sticks and leaves still in the pockets when it arrived along with some subtle signs of wear.

Ha – nice. Hope they didn’t charge you extra for the foliage. 😉 I’ve gotten most of my best wool shirts off the Bay, for a fraction of the cost of a new one, and often better quality!

[wojo14]

#43583

Nice jacket Smith!

I have been looking for a nice all wool vintage jacket to wear in the woods for a while now. I look on flea bay all the time. I am looking for a deal, but a plaid pattern I like.

I guess I am picky!8)

[David Coulter]

#43592

Wojo, be careful with the size on the auction. Usually they list measurements. “Medium and large” can mean a lot of different things. I bought a medium and it was way oversized. I liked it enough to have it taken in by a taylor and it was still a bargain. Have fun. Dwc

[wojo14]

#43635

Ya, I noticed that. That is another reason why I have been slow on pulling the trigger on one. I like to try clothes on. I am picky about fit. I like clothes perfect!

There is one on there, Sears, all wool jacket….size med 40r. That sounds like a lrg to me. But a 40 should fit like a gloves……..:?

[David Coulter]

#43652

Trick is to measure across the shoulders of your favorite shirt/jacket and make sure it matches what you bid on. The listed sizes might or might not work for you. The measurements should work right. dwc

[wojo14]

#43669

Roger That!

[Ralph]

#43741

Smithhammer wrote: [quote=Duncan]

It had bits of sticks and leaves still in the pockets when it arrived along with some subtle signs of wear.

Ha – nice. Hope they didn’t charge you extra for the foliage. 😉 I’ve gotten most of my best wool shirts off the Bay, for a fraction of the cost of a new one, and often better quality!

The price of shipping nowadays, the sticks and leaves probably cost ya.:roll:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#43928

dwcphoto wrote: Trick is to measure across the shoulders of your favorite shirt/jacket and make sure it matches what you bid on. The listed sizes might or might not work for you. The measurements should work right. dwc

This. I never go off of the stated size, only the measurements. And if the measurements aren’t posted in the item description, then I will contact the seller and ask for them. Otherwise, there is just oo much variability in wool shirts/jackets.

[Cameron Unruh]

#45912

Got out for some stump shooting with my wife yesterday and it was her first day with her new bow…built by me BTW.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#46222

Nice pics, Cameron. Beautiful looking bow, and your wife’s form looks really good!

Nice boxer, too – I was just saying the other night that if I didn’t have a hunting dog, I’d very likely have a boxer. Every one of them I’ve been around has had a really nice temperment.

[Ralph]

#46285

Is that tulip wood? It’s really nice looking for sure.

[wojo14]

#46306

Nice bow!

I need to get out and stump more!

[Firedog]

#46333

R2 wrote: Bruce it looks like a butterfly or bird wing. There’s more on the other side. The more we study on it we think it’s a fossilized egg of something. If you can look at the whole rock it looks like it has eggshell lines, broken on the end, one can make out what looks like perhaps a leg bone and possibly hip socket. I’m going to try to get it to someone at West Texas State U one of these days. Maybe they’ll not tell me it’s just another “you know what’n rock”.:D

I know I’m way late on this but the first thing I thought of is a fossilized leaf – look up Ginkgo Biloba and check out the similar patterns. This was a tree that was long thought extinct but has been around for literally ages. Good luck on figuring it out – cool find.

-Matt

[Cameron Unruh]

#46381

R2 wrote: Is that tulip wood? It’s really nice looking for sure.

It has Southern Red Cedar on the belly lams and the riser is Paduak with some Cocobolo.

Smithhammer…it is a privilege as you know to have a wife that likes the great outdoors and archery. And you are right in regards to Boxers – they have a great temperament and very smart…Calm around people and lots of energy to burn off in the hills.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#48526

Spent the afternoon helping a friend who is a biologist for IDFG with setting up a wolverine trap (so they can put a radio collar on it, and set it free again).

On the way in:

The trap. They haven’t baited the actual trap yet, but they are “pre-baiting” right now to draw wolverines into the area, and watch for sign. Ifd you look closely, you can see a deer leg wired to the trap above the door:

The trap will eventually have bait inside of it, on a wire connected to the big swing arm you see above the trap, which will slam the door closed.

Even so, there is often not a long window of time before a wolverine will chew/claw it’s way out. I’ve seen some pics of traps that they have escaped from, and it looks like someone tossed a grenade into the trap.

Hopefully, we’ll get a call to help out when they actually trap one…

[Cameron Unruh]

#48557

Smithhammer -you get in on all kinds of fun…that is so cool.

It is Monday morning 8:54 a.m. where I am – which is the Taiwan airport waiting for a plane to Cambodia. I am working with an organization rescuing girls from the wreched world of human trafficking. We work with girls to help them recover from their experiences and then train them in new jobs skills so they can make their way in a new life.

[Fallguy]

#48613

Nice pics Smithhammer. If you get called to rescue a trapped wolverine do not forget the camera and your chainmail.:lol:

[John Dilts]

#48688

So this is what i got going on. I have been thinking about starting an archery club in this hamlet from a few years now and this is finally the year we are going to due it. I have done a bunch of bird hunting with a bow since I moved here. But ever since i have arrived I have talked about doing and all bow season and just take the rifle for saftey. And this is going to be the year. With the club starting this Feb. that gives me 3 months to refesh my skills before the muskox season ends and the caribou start back in good numbers. Can’t wait for this season.and my wife who is very new to archery has joined the site as well. Could be one of your only Inuit members.

[wojo14]

#48999

John, sounds greaT and welcome to the site!8)

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#49248

Cameron – I hope your travels go smoothly, and huge kudos to you for the work you are doing.

Fallguy – no kidding. By all accounts, there are few things nastier than a trapped wolverine! The trciky part is lifting the lid to get the tranquilizer needle on a pole inside the trap and to the target…:shock:

John – love to hear more and see some pics, of life in Nunavut when you get a chance. So are you planning on hunting musk ox in the coming year?

[John Dilts]

#49284

Ya i got muskox in the fall of 2012 and 2013 sorry with a rifle. last fall i just couldn’t get the time off but the season doesn’t end intel late may so i hope to get one in the last couple of weeks of the season with a bow. The Carbou and birds come back about the same time so i have a month booked off.I had a bunch of meat destroyed by a wolverine a few years back and one friends tried to park is yahama bravo on top of one to protect his dogs and it lifted the snow machine off of it self they are not to be messed with.

Smithhammer wrote: Cameron – I hope your travels go smoothly, and huge kudos to you for the work you are doing.

Fallguy – no kidding. By all accounts, there are few things nastier than a trapped wolverine! The trciky part is lifting the lid to get the tranquilizer needle on a pole inside the trap and to the target…:shock:

John – love to hear more and see some pics, of life in Nunavut when you get a chance. So are you planning on hunting musk ox in the coming year?

[wojo14]

#49378

john dilts wrote: Ya i got muskox in the fall of 2012 and 2013 sorry with a rifle. last fall i just couldn’t get the time off but the season doesn’t end intel late may so i hope to get one in the last couple of weeks of the season with a bow. The Carbou and birds come back about the same time so i have a month booked off.I had a bunch of meat destroyed by a wolverine a few years back and one friends tried to park is yahama bravo on top of one to protect his dogs and it lifted the snow machine off of it self they are not to be messed with.

John, Wow, sounds like it would be an awsome hunt!!

Those wolverines must be mean!!

[quote=Smithhammer]Cameron – I hope your travels go smoothly, and huge kudos to you for the work you are doing.

Fallguy – no kidding. By all accounts, there are few things nastier than a trapped wolverine! The trciky part is lifting the lid to get the tranquilizer needle on a pole inside the trap and to the target…:shock:

John – love to hear more and see some pics, of life in Nunavut when you get a chance. So are you planning on hunting musk ox in the coming year?

[Col Mike]

#49691

Cameron wrote: Smithhammer -you get in on all kinds of fun…that is so cool.

It is Monday morning 8:54 a.m. where I am – which is the Taiwan airport waiting for a plane to Cambodia. I am working with an organization rescuing girls from the wreched world of human trafficking. We work with girls to help them recover from their experiences and then train them in new jobs skills so they can make their way in a new life.

Cameron

Now that is an honorable profession! I continue to be amazed at the quality of the members around this campfire.:D

[John Dilts]

#50334

Some of you have asked about pics and life in Nunavut. Thier is a new iniut made movie out called UVANGA they have it on itunes very very good protrail of life in Nunavut. A must watch and it has some seal hunting in it. We just watched it last night.

[Ben M.]

#50927

A picture my six year old son drew, which I adore very much. It has a little fridge wear.

[David Coulter]

#51204

That’s a beautiful drawing. Elliot’s on to something there! Very nice, dwc

[Ptaylor]

#51417

john dilts wrote: So this is what i got going on. I have been thinking about starting an archery club in this hamlet from a few years now and this is finally the year we are going to due it. I have done a bunch of bird hunting with a bow since I moved here. But ever since i have arrived I have talked about doing and all bow season and just take the rifle for saftey. And this is going to be the year. With the club starting this Feb. that gives me 3 months to refesh my skills before the muskox season ends and the caribou start back in good numbers. Can’t wait for this season.and my wife who is very new to archery has joined the site as well. Could be one of your only Inuit members.

Hey John. Are you taking your rifle as safety because of polar bears?

[John Dilts]

#51616

Ptaylor wrote: [quote=john dilts]So this is what i got going on. I have been thinking about starting an archery club in this hamlet from a few years now and this is finally the year we are going to due it. I have done a bunch of bird hunting with a bow since I moved here. But ever since i have arrived I have talked about doing and all bow season and just take the rifle for saftey. And this is going to be the year. With the club starting this Feb. that gives me 3 months to refesh my skills before the muskox season ends and the caribou start back in good numbers. Can’t wait for this season.and my wife who is very new to archery has joined the site as well. Could be one of your only Inuit members.

Hey John. Are you taking your rifle as safety because of polar bears?

Bears and wolves mostly the wolves here are huge. and it has been the worst year for bears in town since i got here 5 years ago. If the atv breaks down 40 miles out i don’t want to rely on my skills with a bow for food. River level can change in minutes. And muskox can be very dangerous in the spring when they have young. So anyway if your ever hunting in the artic DO NOT GO WITHOUT A RIFLE it’s just not smart. I have seen seasoned hunters here fail to make it home.

[Ralph]

#54120

Dang pigs. Wish I could catch’em doing this in the daytime.

This is just out in the sagebrush. Why here?

Maybe they’re working on the whole dang section, dunno.

[Ralph]

#56231

My kinda “shootin’ sticks”:

[David Coulter]

#56295

Nice looking rig. Dwc

[David Coulter]

#56325

Took the kids for a walk along the creek this afternoon looking for tracks in the snow. This is my favorite. Dwc

Well, it makes no sense without the photo, which I couldn’t post from my smarter-than-me phone. Here’s the photo of turkey tracks, landing on ice. thanks, dwc

[John Dilts]

#61998

Just had to tell you folks This. Got some really good news today. We have been paying off an old bill amountS to around 600 a month well finnaly have it paid off. I can see many many customs bows coming this year HEEHEHEHEHEHE. I don’t think i’ll stop smiling for a week.

[wojo14]

#62502

Congrats John. No debt is freedom! I hate owing even a dollar to a credit card!

I think a bow would be a nice reward! But be careful, it is addicting! I think I bought and sold over 15 last year until I setttled on 4. 2 of which are custom built for me with one more on the way in 6 months.

Stay warm up there!8)

[John Dilts]

#62764

Put 200 down on this one from BAMA Hope the exchange rate gets better before he finishes it.

Longbow model

Hunter – one piece

Color of the glass

black

Limb core wood

black walnut

Riser wood

black walnut

Accent strips – you can choose up to 3 woods or phenolic and custom arrange them within the riser

black walnut, white oak

Riser overlays – you can choose up to 2 different woods and how the are arranged

black walnut, zebrawood

Tips – all tips are reinforced with 1 layer of phenolic – you can choose the color of phenolic and up to 2 different woods

osage orange, tiger maple – natural

Are you right or left handed?

right-handed

Bow length

66″

Shooting style

split fingers

Your draw weight at your draw length 45# @ 31″

[wojo14]

#62874

Sounds like it will be a nice bow. Congrats on your purchase.

Now the waiting game!:( How long you have to wait?

[John Dilts]

#62935

2 months but that sould still give me time to find a grove with it before my holidays in May and Caribou in June. Got May 15th to June 15 booked for Payed holidays. May 15th to the 31st we are going down to Ontairo to visit Family and go to any 3D shoots we can find and the first 2 weeks in june will be caribou. Hope it come in time.

[wojo14]

#62966

Keep us posted! And congrats again! I love getting new bows!

[David Coulter]

#62974

Congratulations on you new bow, John. Enjoy! Dwc

[Ralph]

#8646

Took this picture of a fluffy feather on a weed at the archery range today just cause I could.

One of the few days in the Texas Panhandle when the wind’s not blowing and this pic would’ve been impossible with a phone camera in the wind.

Shot with a buddy for 3 hours.

Winter is back tomorrow.

Bunch of y’all wintered in I guess?

[paleoman]

#9967

Cool pic. Getting so my hunting is pretty much roaming around with my camera on the lookout for things like that. I’ve learned not to make it a job:D Winter has not been too bad in my part of Michigan – not yet anyway.

[David Coulter]

#10417

Paleo, love to see some of your photos of your neck of the woods. dwc

[Ralph]

#11960

This oughta be a bit of help for our drought, 13″ heavy wet snow.

Normally I’d have my targets dug out but after digging out my little Escape, my wife’s car and my truck, nuff is enuff for one old man’s day.

Where’s those grandsons you raised Poppa?

[grumpy]

#15467

Doesn’t snow in Texas.

[Ralph]

#17605

Not as much snow as, is that youse’guys:?, get and we Texas boys make sure our arrows are all properly “over-inflated”. 🙄 😀

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#17684

Whoa! 😯

That’s gotta cause some pandemonium in a place that doesn’t usually have to deal with snow like that. Stay warm, Ralph!

[Ralph]

#17727

That was a great snow Bruce. Very rare around here that it falls straight down. Kind of snow to start breaking drought. Usually big drifts and worse mess on the roads.

This was few years back.

I actually got this pic put on the local TV stations:)

Last year with the drought one couldn’t buy a flake of snow.

2 yrs ago

6′ picket fence in my backyard.

Last year with the drought one couldn’t buy a flake of snow..

Looks like Grumpy getting a dose of weather.

[paleoman]

#17778

You sure that’s not poppy flour blowing in from south of the border?:lol:

[Ralph]

#17814

Dunno! Sure do get happy sometimes :D:D Maybe why I don’t mind shoveling the stuff.

[William Warren]

#17835

R2

Last week you were taking pics of fluffy feathers, this week its fluffy snow 😀

[Ralph]

#17846

Man, I’m getting all fluffed up. 🙄 🙂

[John Dilts]

#18653

I read these forums almost every day and it’s startin to make me crazy. it’s going to be at least 2 months before it warms up enough outside to just shoot. Come on May hurry up and get here already.

[Ralph]

#18668

You mean like 75* here yesterday, 67* right now:?

Sorry:D

Actually that’s pretty unusual for us. Enjoying it cause winter coming back tonight.

I know ours is nothing like yours is up there though.

Hang in there!!!!!!!!!

That’s the way I get here in the spring when we’re having our hellish winds and dust storms.

[John Dilts]

#18720

-35 here everyday -45 to 55 with the wind

[Ralph]

#18742

Hey John think you oughta just stay in the house.:D

[John Dilts]

#18834

R2 wrote: Hey John think you oughta just stay in the house.:D

In the 5 years i have been here this one has been the hardest. No place to shoiot indoors but we’re working on it.

[grumpy]

#18884

We got 2 feet here. NOT inches, feet. Light powder. When it was coming down (actually sideways) it wasn’t flakes, more like a frozen mist that piled up. It is still powder. We would have a hard time finding the canoe, the kayaks, the archery target, anything outside. Was lucky I thought to put the shovels on the porch (one year never found the shovel till snow melted in March). With drifts over 5 feet. Could loose one of us in that, and I don’t mean the younguns. Not gonna melt tomorrow, going down below zero tonight, and this snow will probably be here till spring. Here in Mass it used to be 6″ per storm, and melt before the next storm. Over the last 10 to 20 years it has changed. Fewer storms, more snow per storm, less melting. This is more like the winters I grew up with in Upstate New York/Vt. Yes, the climate has changed, ask anyone that works outside.

This storm was a true Nor’easter. Some cold air from out west (damm cowboys), hits warm wet air from Dixie (damm rebels)coming up the coast, swirls around counter clockwise and sits on New England. Used to be followed by more warm air from Dixie, but no longer. Now it is followed by more cold air from the north west. If the cowboys kept their cold air, and Dixie kept the wet, we would be fine.

We are expecting a few inches later in the week, and another big storm early next week.

No 70s like in Tx. This snow will be here till March. We will see 70s in May or June. Snowshoes will work if we get some thaw/crust so it thickens up a little, but too fluffy now.

Thinking about tying a string to the arrow so we can find it… Also thought about tying a string to Audrey when she went out to fill the bird feeders.

Audrey just said “Seems like 100 years since I shot an arrow.”

[Ralph]

#18892

After all that it seems like a good time for the orange sled when it warms up a bit.:D

Stay warm, safe and keep your head above water, er, snow.

Wish there was a way people could share all that water.

Some day we’re going to be:

Oil, oil everywhere

But ne’er a drop to drink.

🙂

[David Petersen]

#19908

Hey Ralph– While I haven’t paged back through months and years of threads to confirm it (that’s Mom’s arena), I’m guessing this is the most popular and long-running thread ever … and all from one simple open-ended question. It’s almost like a forum of it’s own. I hope you are appropriately proud … or shamed, depending. 😀

[Ralph]

#19928

Thanks David. Who’d a thunk it. :D:

I’ve really enjoyed the variety of thoughts, ideas, experiences and things that have passed through on this thread. Kinda fun just to have an outlet for whatevers:D.

A place to have a little fun.

Thanks all y’all 😆

Thanks Mom for letting us have a place to play.

[Robin Conrads]

#19947

It is indeed the most popular thread with 658 posts! The next one is The Trad Knife Thread with 225.

As my grandson, Jameson, would say…”Yelcome!” 😉

[Ralph]

#20858

If this works there are some very interesting and good pictures in it.

There’s a bunch of them.

http://www.rivermenrodandgunclub.com/cool-and-different-pictures.html

[John Dilts]

#21049

R2 wrote: If this works there are some very interesting and good pictures in it.

There’s a bunch of them.

http://www.rivermenrodandgunclub.com/cool-and-different-pictures.html

Thanks for posting

[wojo14]

#21563

R2, great link!

[grumpy]

#21650

Later dudes, gotta go chase the deer out of the canoe.

[Ralph]

#21715

grumpy wrote: Later dudes, gotta go chase the deer out of the canoe.

You take your camera? Be cool to see how well they paddle. 🙄

[paleoman]

#22849

Well, we here in southern Mi. are getting our dose of snow today. Is good! The old snow was needing a freshening up, and I’m all for a high water table come spring. Now and then I’ll open the slider and pop a few airgun pellets at a can in the backyard. It’ll be a couple months before I can get out and shoot the bow much. Yessir, cabeen fever time has set in..on the plus we had a lot of sunshine last week and I stayed out of the office and walked a lot on the job. Man, I felt like a Tigger on springs after that and goes to show how fitness plays into mood this time of year. This is a tough time of year. Stay fit my friends!

[Ralph]

#22930

Yup! My dumbbells and workout bench be getting used whilst the north wind doth blow!!:)

Dang it.

[John Dilts]

#27638

If i had a choice between waiting for my new custom bow and getting a tooth pulled well hand me the pliers and give me my bow.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#28438

[grumpy]

#28762

Waiting for our Monday blizzard.

[Ralph]

#28784

Golly Grumpy. How deep is it now?

We set a new record warm here in Amarillo today. 82*

Be nice if we could trade some of your snow melt water for some of our unusual warmth.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#28823

TGIF, Brother and Sisters!!

[Ralph]

#28844

That was an oops!:D Good I can edit me. 🙄

Nice group. You weren’t having the problems that were biting me today.

My arrow set up experiment flopped, kinda figured it would, I was just playing for my info.

I smacked two carbon arrows, got my neck sunburned, shot too many arrows trying to fix me (throwing my bow arm) and only making me worse.

I know better, a tired shooter mends no faults, only amplifies them.

So, good group.

[David Coulter]

#28850

Smith, nice group. I also like that evolution poster. Beauty! dwc

[grumpy]

#30953

Actually the 3 feet we have has settled down to around 2 feet…I think. They are saying we will get another foot. School has already been canceled (got a really dumb robo call from the supt of schools), so youse guys need to post something interesting to entertain us tomorrow.

Snow showing today, Audrey fell down, and Arwen’s snowshoes fell off, but we all survived. Right now I’m thinking we need thicker snow, bigger snow shoes, or I need to loose weight. It is still fluffier than goose down, and expect what is coming will be just as fluffy.

We’re counting on you to post something really interesting by morning…

[Stephen Graf]

#31540

Smithhammer wrote: TGIF, Brother and Sisters!!

Haven’t seen that American Semi Longbow lately…

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#31701

Steve Graf wrote:

Haven’t seen that American Semi Longbow lately…

Truth. I actually shot it that same day, just didn’t make it into the pic. It was nice to see that there was really no “transition time” from shooting the D/R bow above to the ASL – when I picked up the latter and shot it, it was dead-on accurate from the first shot. It’s a wonderful bow…but, after not having shot it for a few weeks and shooting my D/R bows exclusively, there’s an amount of handshock that is hard to ignore on that ASL which is completely absent in my other bows…

[Ralph]

#31721

grumpy wrote: Actually the 3 feet we have has settled down to around 2 feet…I think. They are saying we will get another foot. School has already been canceled (got a really dumb robo call from the supt of schools), so youse guys need to post something interesting to entertain us tomorrow.

Snow showing today, Audrey fell down, and Arwen’s snowshoes fell off, but we all survived. Right now I’m thinking we need thicker snow, bigger snow shoes, or I need to loose weight. It is still fluffier than goose down, and expect what is coming will be just as fluffy.

We’re counting on you to post something really interesting by morning…

How bout some snorkels?

Heard 62″ in Boston. That’s about head high to some. 😀

[grumpy]

#31802

62″ is over my head by 1″. Think of the deer who are only 36″ at the shoulder. Fauns, who were born last spring, are shorter. I suspect they will all be dead soon. If not from starvation, than from the coyotes, who can get around much better in the snow. There may be little to hunt next fall. 😥 And there is nothing, nothing, anyone can do, except have faith.

[Stephen Graf]

#33143

Smithhammer wrote: [quote=Steve Graf]

Haven’t seen that American Semi Longbow lately…

…after not having shot it for a few weeks and shooting my D/R bows exclusively, there’s an amount of handshock that is hard to ignore on that ASL which is completely absent in my other bows…

To me, it’s kind of like a handshake. Too much grip and it is overbearing and obnoxious. Too little and it’s fishy and untrustworthy.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#33178

Steve Graf wrote:

To me, it’s kind of like a handshake. Too much grip and it is overbearing and obnoxious. Too little and it’s fishy and untrustworthy.

Very true, Steve. I think it’s just particularly noticeable after not having shot them for a while.

Of the two Primal Styks I have, the #50-er is the regular Primal design, and the #55-er is the “Overdrive” version, which has more reflex. The latter is the one with more noticeable handshock. It’s not bad, by any means, just a solid thump upon release.

I still like shooting them very much however – there is just something so cool about that design that is hard to describe. In fact, I think I’m going to string one up and play around in the backyard right now…

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#33216

Ahhh….that was downright therapeutic.

[Stephen Graf]

#33763

showoff 🙄

but 8)

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#34381

Steve Graf wrote: share-off 🙄

Fixed.

Seriously though, Steve – thanks for the prodding. I had a couple great sessions with my ASLs the past couple afternoons, and remembered why they are so fun to shoot!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#35415

FWIW, I strung up the Primal Overdrive with a SBD 8-strand string made of BCY-10, tweaked the brace height a bit, and paired it up with a heavier arrow, and it settled down considerably. It’s much more of a pleasant ‘thump’ upon release now. And man, that bow can smoke a heavy arrow – even more so with the new skinny string…

[Ralph]

#35660

Oldest tuning trick in the world and great for quieting a bow (longbow for me), a little piece of popsicle stick under the rest and another behind the side plate.

I’ve used other things, pieces of zip ties, weed eater string, lots of things similar to that. Good old wood works best for this old guy and you can always whittle on it to adjust, whatever you need.

These were shot from 10-12 yards out to about 20 yards, some standing, some kneeling.

When I had the bow out in the field the other day and was have tuning problems I broke off a mesquite thorn and slipped it under both rest and side plate. Worked til I got home and fixed for real.

Those thorns make good field toothpicks too but man they’re hard on one’s body and hell on tires. I find them buried under the hides of deer sometimes too. Bet that’s miserable.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#35752

Interesting, Ralph. Do you have to tweak your spine/brace height when you do that?

[Col Mike]

#36228

Underway at 0700 this morning destination Key West. Last minute trip as a boat came in that fits our needs and is available, within budget. Headed down to check it out. Likely have limited internet access, will check back in a couple of weeks. -5 this morning will put as much southing on the van as possible today:D.

It is a “traditional trawler”:lol:

Semper Fi

Mike

[Stephen Graf]

#36236

Good Luck!

[Ralph]

#36287

Smithhammer wrote: Interesting, Ralph. Do you have to tweak your spine/brace height when you do that?

Bruce

Sometimes I need to move my nock set a tad but most of the time when I’m having a bit of a problem (I’m in good shape, just got a little wiggle or noise bugging me) my brain finally clicks and remembers “Hey” that is sometimes a cure. Especially with carbon arrows in my limited experience with those guys. Moving your arrow away from the bow a bit will sometimes allow you to shoot a stiffer spine because it can give just a bit of clearance needed for the arrow to clear the bow and rather than spend my life savings 😀 on different arrows, different lengths and heavier lighter points this makes what I have work.

That’s why the in/out adjustment on elevated rests, adjusting the bow to the arrows, within reason of course.

I like using wood for the spacers, it’s more “cushiony”:) it seems than plastics but there’s all kinds of goodies. You can use different diameters of weed eater string for example.

But for me, my arrow tuning consist of my arrows flying straight and true to my eyeball out to any distance they fly, it works great.

I tend to not complicate simplicity.

Just thinking, I’ve seen videos showing the paradox of wood arrows. Are there any of carbon that anyone knows of?

Gotta be to different worlds …………

[Ralph]

#36288

colmike wrote: Underway at 0700 this morning destination Key West. Last minute trip as a boat came in that fits our needs and is available, within budget. Headed down to check it out. Likely have limited internet access, will check back in a couple of weeks. -5 this morning will put as much southing on the van as possible today:D.

It is a “traditional trawler”:lol:

Semper Fi

Mike

Good sailing!!!!!!!!!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#36353

colmike wrote: Underway at 0700 this morning destination Key West. Last minute trip as a boat came in that fits our needs and is available, within budget. Headed down to check it out. Likely have limited internet access, will check back in a couple of weeks. -5 this morning will put as much southing on the van as possible today:D.

It is a “traditional trawler”:lol:

Semper Fi

Mike

Good luck and keep us posted when you can, Mike!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#36373

Ralph –

I probably wasn’t doing a good job of explaining the issue – the bow/arrow combo is tuned in this case, with a brace height at the high end of the suggested range, but being a D-bow with a fair bit of backset, I believe it’s just the nature of the beast that it’s going to have a decent ‘thump’ (though there are still some things that can be done to minimize it). It’s certainly a notable difference from shooting my D/R longbows – not bad, just different, and most noticeable when I haven’t been shooting it in a while. After spending a couple days with it again, it’s not as noticeable. And it’s definitely not as bad as some Hill-style D-bows that will rattle your teeth out of your head.

Here’s a comparison of the two bows that I’m talking about. The one on the left is the regular Primal Styk, the one on the right is the Primal “Overdrive.” The regular Primal is a very smooth and mild-mannered bow to shoot, the Overdrive is a little more “lively” by design, shall we say. Even Dick Robertson told me as much, and that he personally preferred the regular version. But handshock, like recoil, is also somewhat subjective of course, and I don’t mind a certain amount of it:

R2 wrote: Moving your arrow away from the bow a bit will allow you to shoot a stiffer spine….

Hmmm…this particular bow is already cut 1/8″ before center, so I would think that building out the strike plate further would require an even weaker spine in this case, no? Is your bow cut to center, or perhaps past center?

[Ralph]

#36540

Bruce, wasn’t trying to tune your bow, wouldn’t even think about it, just trying to show that sometimes adding a little thickness to the side plate and or under the rest can solve a problem.

An arrow that is a tad too stiff can be used sometimes because with a little thicker side plate you can get just a hair more clearance and things work. Sometimes not.

I should have said that a thick side plate makes an arrow act weaker. I shouldn’t have put that in anyway because it’s really a moot point to me. There’s some dynamics in that statement that I’ve read that don’t compute to my brain.

Your right on need to shoot weaker farther out but sometimes a little helps.

“Fine tuning of arrow spine can be done by going up or down in point weight, arrow length, and adjusting the side

plate thickness on your bow.”

I’m used to shooting bows cut 1/8″ before center also so my subconscious instinctive view of a shot is ingrained that way. The bow I was shooting yesterday in center shot and messing with me. The popsicle did the trick instead of spending forever thinking I had spine problems.

I have a center shot longbow that was given to me. If I shoot it off it’s side plate I’ll shoot a foot to the right for a few hours then all will move to normal. Then when I pick up one of my normal longbows, I’ll be shooting a foot to the left til all comes back together.

So to simplify life, I built the side plate out on the center shot bow.

To those, a center cut is the edge of the side plate lines up with the bowstring. Center shot, the middle of the arrow lines up with the string. Clear as mud?

If I consciously aimed the point of the arrow that wouldn’t happen methinks.

Hand shock? I’ve shot some bows that would loosen your fillings. Perhaps they weren’t set up for me but I think it wouldn’t matter.

I have a hickory selfbow, shoots a fine arrow even if a bit slow but it jars me like crazy. Heavy arrows, whatever, it beats me up. I might could diddle with the tiller some but no more knowledgeable than I am about whittling on a bow that has a potential of turning into toothpicks in my hand, I’ll leave it be.

Pretty simple info here.

http://arrowtrademagazine.com/articles/july_12/July2012-TuningTraditionalBows.pdf

[paleoman]

#37078

colmike wrote: Underway at 0700 this morning destination Key West. Last minute trip as a boat came in that fits our needs and is available, within budget. Headed down to check it out. Likely have limited internet access, will check back in a couple of weeks. -5 this morning will put as much southing on the van as possible today:D.

It is a “traditional trawler”:lol:

Semper Fi

Mike

Have a good trip. Weather down the coast looks interesting. Safe travel.

[David Becker]

#37186

Well,

I’m three and a half weeks into this whole becoming an archer odyssey. The Big Brown Truck of Happiness should labor up my drive way come Monday, not a moment too soon. As I’m almost out of arrows and my rug rest is coming unglued and the Elmers isn’t fixing it anymore.

I started with 6 arrows, now I’m down to 2. First there was an accidental Robin Hood, then I shot one over my target and into a rock. Then just today I busted one stump shooting, and then a second by once again missing the target and hitting a rock. Shoulda quit before that last one, as I was tired and my form wasn’t good.

I’m still a mite frustrated, mostly because I’m finding I’m shooting pretty good when I can empty my mind and focus, but it’s been 8 months since we had the baby and probably 10 months since I’ve had 8 hours of unbroken sleep, so my head has ping pong balls in it. I need to start meditating on a regular basis again….

This sure is fun though.

[Cameron Unruh]

#37207

I finished up a nice 3 piece take-down today. I am really enjoying the feel of the three piece bow. This one is Curly hickory veneers – Sugar Berry core wood – Cocobolo overlays with Cocobolo and Hickory riser. Custom built for a 31″ draw.

[Stephen Graf]

#37559

We have lots of sugar berry on our place. I’ve been thinking about cutting some to cure up and see what it will do.

What do you think of the sugar berry for lams? You’re the first I’ve heard try it.

BTW – Nice bow! For you, or a friend?

[Stephen Graf]

#37577

SH – on your bow hand shock question…

I’ve made bows with backset like your two. I went as far as the overdrive model, but ended up backing off to about what the regular primal stick shows.

When I look at the primal stick on the Robertson website, it looks like there is some reflex in the riser. Can’t see it in your picture though.

The bows I make have no backset at all in the riser. And when I first started making them, they would rattle your teeth some 😳

But I found that if I could get the tiller just right and made sure both limbs were working the same, I could get rid of the hand shock. In fact, the other day I did some crono work for a friend who likes target archery but wants a really fast bow. So I shot mine at his draw length (29 inches) and preferred arrow weight (9gpp) and found the bow shot 183 fps. About what his fancy reflex/deflex getup shoots.

I was expecting a hard smack of a handshock, but it was still quiet.

So that prompts me to suggest that maybe the tiller is out, or the limbs are not working together. If you are shooting split fingers, it should be 3/16 or more positive.

Most Importantly, don’t grip the handle too tightly and try varying where you heal the bow. This can help the limbs work together better and reduce hand shock.

But in the end it’s true: No D bow will ever be as calm as a R/D bow.

[Ralph]

#37591

Wose wrote: Well,

I’m three and a half weeks into this whole becoming an archer odyssey. The Big Brown Truck of Happiness should labor up my drive way come Monday, not a moment too soon. As I’m almost out of arrows and my rug rest is coming unglued and the Elmers isn’t fixing it anymore.

I started with 6 arrows, now I’m down to 2. First there was an accidental Robin Hood, then I shot one over my target and into a rock. Then just today I busted one stump shooting, and then a second by once again missing the target and hitting a rock. Shoulda quit before that last one, as I was tired and my form wasn’t good.

I’m still a mite frustrated, mostly because I’m finding I’m shooting pretty good when I can empty my mind and focus, but it’s been 8 months since we had the baby and probably 10 months since I’ve had 8 hours of unbroken sleep, so my head has ping pong balls in it. I need to start meditating on a regular basis again….

This sure is fun though.

Glad you’re having fun.

I’ve spent over 4 decades trying to learn how not to miss and I’m still having fun.:D

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#37702

Wose – your last sentence is the most important. No matter how long you’ve been shooting, you’ll go through some slumps and some times when it all comes together. But you are already realizing how important one’s mental state is to shooting well, and that can’t be stressed enough, imo.

Steve – thank you for the continued advice. In addition to the changes I made mentioned above, I’ve also been playing around with how I grip the bow as well, and finding that keeping my fingers loose around the grip, but applying more heel pressure than I would with my D/R bows works well. Also, in all this back and forth, I think the handsock issue might have gotten a little over-stated – it’s really not bad at all, and nothing that I don’t expect from this design. It’s really an awesome, fun bow.

Cameron – Wow, fine work!! I think that’s the nicest one of yours I’ve seen so far! I don’t think I’ve ever seen cocobolo and hickory together on a bow before, but it’s a great combo.

[Cameron Unruh]

#37737

Steve – I have used Sugar berry on about 4 bows so far as core wood and it is very nice. This one is for a friend with a long draw. So I went with a 66″ ntn and it pulls so smooth all the way out.

[Ralph]

#37832

These are legal in Texas.

Ol’droopy has a new look. 😉

[paleoman]

#38049

Ralph – utterly unethical to target the neck and arse only:lol:

[paleoman]

#38060

Nice sideways blowing snow today here in Mi. I feel bad for my New England fam and Grumpy too, they have it worse this year. Cabin fever is bad right now…

[Ralph]

#38102

But one needs to practice for a Texas heart shot.. 🙄

[paleoman]

#38143

Touche’! I like your quote too.

[Ralph]

#38165

You folks all snowy and we had a grass fire just west of Amarillo. 2nd one so far.

Thx.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#38264

That’s friggin’ hilarious, Ralph.

R2 wrote:

[grumpy]

#38940

Yup, sideways snow here too, can’t see the church across the common. Trouble seeing the ladies on the fountain, which is half the distance.

Windchill temp is too cold to contemplate, like minus 30. Somewhere beyond our frame of reference. We will have to go out to move our cars when the plow comes. Gee, guess I’ll have to stay inside and make bows…

Read about a bow made in 1453 (A PLACE CALLED ARMAGEDDON by Humphreys – The fall of Constantinople). Maple with sinew back, horn riser, and a horn ring for the arrow rest. Took a year to make it.

[Ralph]

#45543

I really thought about a bunch of y’all today whilst me and a buddy were out stumping. I really did.

Very, very unusual calm day and 72* for us here.

I do sympathize folks.

Our weather is going sour tomorrow for a couple of weeks, but we’ll have nothing like Mass. has had.

A blizzard ain’t good anywhere though. We get bad ones here just not for months at a time.

Best wishes to y’all that’s buried up.

[David Coulter]

#45555

R2, thanks for the well wishes. I don’t have tons of snow like lots of folks, just about 14 inches on the ground. It’s colder here than usual, even for February. 72 degrees would cause a flood here. I did get out snowshoeing with a friend today for a few hours. It was nice to be in the woods. More snow coming tomorrow and more single digit and below for the next week or so, except for a peak above freezing on Sunday.

Enjoy your sunshine. best, dwc

[Ralph]

#45562

We so desperately need some of that snow/rain/ice, don’t care which or all three, so maybe we can avoid the wildfires that we’ve had the last several years. We’ve lost a lot of homes and lives. Wildfires scare the s*** out of me.

We’ve got some moisture coming I think/hope.

[David Coulter]

#45647

I wish you enough and not too much. Stay dry when it’s all wet! Dc

[grumpy]

#46613

Snow fall is 67″ above normal.

My heating bill is twice normal.

Hope you are not praying for anything like ice, snow, or rain R2, as (given God’s sense of humor) you could have a epic experience. Somewhere I heard we were going to get a snow storm of “Biblical proportions.” Now I remember reading about the Nile turning to blood, frogs, grasshoppers, blah, blah. Don’t remember anything about snow in Egypt. But if somebody in Texas prayed hard enough.. Some Long Tall Texans, could be up to their eyeballs in snow!!!

[Ralph]

#48458

You don’t gotta pray for big rain/snow/ice, just enough.:)

You guys seeing and end yet or more coming?

Where does all that water go when the snow melts? Are there reservoirs on the rivers in that part of the world to collect it?

Reckon it’ll raise the ocean level a tad? 8)

[paleoman]

#48856

was -14 here this a.m…..made me think of a dumb one…what do Eskimos eat? Brrrrgers! And they hold their homes together with Ig-glue. Hang in there!

[grumpy]

#48948

Where does it go? Since it is unprecedented I couldn’t tell you. Haven’t heard anything about it on the news. If it warms up fast, it will melt fast, and flood. If it warms up slow, it will be OK. The big worry is all of the old mill dams, if one goes, there could be dominoes, all the way to the ocean. Not personally worried. We are close to the river’s source, and have marshes to act as buffer. Cities, like Springfield, and Hartford, are right at river level.

No more snow in the forecast, and March is just around the corner. Not that it means much. We have had blizzards in March and April.

Five deg now, and expecting -11 tonight (plus wind chill). We have water trickling in the kitchen, and bath as we have had frozen pipes. Audrey couldn’t wash dishes for two days, and she was panicking. She was babbling incoherently when the water came on, then she sang the dish washing song, and danced a jig. Arwen just giggled. Ice inside a couple of the double pane windows, but nothing like what I grew up with.

Finishing up on 2 bows, but there is a snowbank the size of R2’s camper between here and the target. Would like to use the snow bank as a backstop (almost as big as the broad side of the barn), but the arrows may just disappear in there. Been using the snowshoes to fill the bird feeders, and they get emptied as fast as we fill them. Looks like bunnies have tunneled under the snow to get to the overflow.

When the snow melts, we do have the MUD season. People have been known to lose boots out there. Audrey loves the spring peepers, who drag themselves out of the mud to sing to us. The geese come back, we have back yard campfires (with our strange neighbors), and go fishing…

[Stephen Graf]

#49362

Sounds like a good life grumpy!

As for where the snow goes, it’s gonna flood bad this year I would guess.

poor moose and deer in the mean time.

Keep those birdies fed! they are greedy little buggers ain’t they? This is the time of year when ours eat two or three times as much as normal. I guess the natural feed is about spent.

Nearly stepped on a big fat woodcock a couple days ago. Then my wife threw some dusty old “how to hunt” book on my side of the bed. I guess it must have been under the bed. Anyway it flipped open to woodcock.

Here’s what I learned: They are a sea bird that no longer lives at the sea. Their eyes are on the top of their head so they can keep their beak in the mud looking for worms. As a consequence, their brain is pushed back down to the bottom of the scull, and is actually upside down.

[Ralph]

#51047

I know a lot of people seems like they have that upside down brain thing. ::roll: 😀 Didn’t know it really was a bird brain thing too.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#55113

Sippin’ coffee on a sunny Sunday morning, reading Toby Walrath’s account of his Idaho bull moose – what a great read, and congrats, Toby!

[Ralph]

#55303

Foggy and icy here so I was just reading and getting “en-lighted” by Dennis. 😀

[paleoman]

#55517

Got a lot done today. Poured a little Russian rocket fuel in a glass from time to time as I puttered along. Ended up on the floor with the dog for a nap:lol: Not a normal thing but all in all it’s been a long G-damn winter! Have fun out there, it’ll be over soon I hope.

[grumpy]

#55519

NICE CUP!!!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#56307

grumpy wrote: NICE CUP!!!

Thanks! I love how hefty that mug is.

Lest we get too heavy and political on this fine Monday morning, this is a pheasant I shot with my bow last fall:

and this is the plan for dinner:

http://honest-food.net/2015/02/19/green-curry-pheasant-recipe/

Should be good!

[Ralph]

#56326

Pheasant, squirrels, rabbits, quail, etc. all delicious when substituted for chicken in chicken and rice casserole. Yum.

Congrats on pheasant shot with bow. Fun. Bet it helps to have a dog though to avoid total surprise. :D:D

[John Dilts]

#58720

I’m Going to be in Winnipeg next week on business if anyone lives in the area or knows of any good shops please shoot me a message. I hate going to the big city but gotta pay for my hunting gear some how.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#62288

Been shooting ASLs exclusively for the past few weeks and loving them, but I got a wild hair to pull out my Buffalo Bow this evening, and man what a fine shooter. Extremely quiet and completely dead in the hand. It was a great backyard session…

[grumpy]

#62842

WOW!!! Saw deer yesterday. Not one, lots!!

Stopped on a ridge to cool off, and catch my breath, looking west at another ridge about 100 yards away, I saw movement. I counted 6 deer, and suspect there were more, hopping through the snow, moving south. I froze, no stood still, thinking “I am a tree.” They turned crossed the valley and climbed to my ridge. Only 40 feet away. Then disappeared. Did they turn, and go back into the valley, were they over the crest where I couldn’t see? As I stood there acting like a tree, I could see occasional movement. Like a ear or tail moving. With the crusty snow, there was no way I could move without making a racket, so I just waited. Suddenly there was a loud snort, and 6 or 8 deer suddenly appeared, and bounded back they way they came. They really exploded, with snow flying everywhere and bounded back they way they came.

When they reached the other ridge they went straight over.

When I looked at where they has “disappeared” they were bedded down in the snow. They had beds they had apparently used before, that were several feet deep. They could bed down there with nothing but their ears showing above the snow. Protected from the wind (although there was none) and catch the heat from the sun.

When they left there were leaps 20 to 30 feet in the snow. Humbling that they could leap through the snow so fast and it took so long for me to tramp through the snow to follow.

To be continued….

[Col Mike]

#63126

Linda, Goldie and I are in Camp Lejeune NC on Onslow beach. Will be in our seaside cabin for a couple of days. Weather warmed into the 70’s today with chilly nights. It appears we will have a weather window to head back to the mountains later this week—although Lin has her teeth into this boat search so future plans unsure.

Enjoyed catching up on all the posts today–Welcome to our new down under join–I trust he won’t be disappointed with the level of intellectual discourse here.

After some 3k miles of driving am just “watching the tide roll in and roll away again”.

Come on Spring!

Mike

[paleoman]

#63133

Hey Mike – welcome back! I thought you discovered the flat earth theory was correct. Is that beach a USMC fringe benefit? If so, you guys earned it. Bright blue sky here in Mi. and the snow is taking a beating. Might build myself a nest and start singing:D Anyway, good to hear all is well.

[Col Mike]

#63169

Rick—What flat earth theory–it is, we have almost driven far enough to fall off—but the dragons alert us and we turn back.

Yes the beach is one of those “benies” Linda loves it as we are walking the dog and all the Marines address me as sir–she asks how do they know your a Col.? I respond, they don’t but I’m old,I limp, and I’m bald–what else would they use to acknowledge the obvious sage among them.:shock:

Tomorrow we have a visit from one of our young hero’s whose father was one of my officers and Scott is now with the Marine Special Operations Command–he was 10 years old last we saw him and now a Capt. 2 tours in Afghanistan purple heart and silver star.

Nice to hear your weather is improving–we actually (on advice) had the house water pipes drained and anti-freeze injected–it was -9 when we left W MD 3+ weeks ago.

A note for all you “gear” folks out there–went to PX today,amazed at the quality of field/camping/hunting gear available and it’s all “issue” stuff–man I could have spent a bundle on stoves, water filters, knives, sleeping bags, bivvy tents, etc. Long story short I bought some green t-shirts and a 500 ft roll of 550 chord (the real stuff).:D

Good to read in the forum that you all are keeping the discussions going and Bruce is still killing us with those great pictures.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#63173

Mike – I’m guessing you’re probably in shorts and flip-flops right now, but thanks for not rubbing our faces in it. 8)

When you get a chance, I’d love to see a pic of that boat.

[grumpy]

#63182

You may have seen pictures of central/west mass, with rolling hills. That may be in places, but the Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are land that can’t be used for anything else. Swamps, and rugged glacier carvings. While I saw the deer on the opposite ridge at 100 yards, it was more like 150 yards down and up. As I followed the bouncing deer, my snowshoe was grabbed by a unseen branch, and with the steep slope, I tumbled. While the snow up on the ridge wasn’t that deep, and well crusted, the snow toward the bottom was powder, and I don’t know how deep. Of course I had to take the snowshoes off to get my feet under me, then put them back on, all the time sinking deeper into the snow. By the time I found everything I was looking out of a foxhole, yeah, my eyes were even with the snow. From there I had to climb out with the snowshoes. No, I didn’t loose my hat.

Up the other side I had to switchback, the deer went straight up.

I backtracked the deer to see where they had come from, and found a hemlock thicket. Counted 12 deer beds, and that doesn’t count what was back in there where I couldn’t get into. There were tracks out the other side, over half a dozen deer that I apparently flushed out. Followed the tracks half mile to a pine thicket and a truck that looked like the deuce and half my Dad drove on the Burma Road, and about the same age.

Now I know where they bed to hide, where they bed to get tanned, and the escape routes.

[Col Mike]

#63193

Grumps

Now that’s what I call a good scout report:D. Speaking of the Burma Road I just picked up today “Defeat Into Victory” Field Marshal Viscount Slim–just released again after first in 1957. I don’t normally read books about war ( a life time of it was enough) nor those written by Generals, but this one on initial first chapters is a winner–you might want to check it out given your family connection.

Bruce

Actually it warmed to the 70’s today, this morning beach walk/run was in fleece:shock: Haven’t worn shorts except for 2 days in Key West–to cold even there. No pictures yet as the search continues–well, there are a lot of pics but by now they all run together. If you have ever been Boat/Trawler shopping it’s an event in itself–nice if you have lots of money but when your on our budget it is a challenge8).

Time to get off so Lin can answer all those e-mails:P

Mike

[David Coulter]

#63263

Mike, you going into the fishing business? Dwc

[grumpy]

#7803

Thanks for the compliment, Mike

[Ralph]

#15322

Snows starting to melt some in MA I see. Fire weather warnings out for here.

Lots of beauty in spring but floods and fires not so pretty.

[Col Mike]

#15918

Back home after 31 days on the road-no boat and lot’s of education–more when we recover after 5k plus miles.

Mike

[Ralph]

#16561

Nothing like being home again. Glad y’all are back safe.

[paleoman]

#16874

Really hoping to see the Northern Lights after dark. Clear sky! For Mi. that is a minor miracle.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#16891

Welcome home, Mike!

[Fallguy]

#16925

Pulling a cork on a bottle of Irish Whiskey and celebrating the birth of my son 27 years ago today.:D

[David Coulter]

#17008

Welcome home. Didn’t find a boat equipt with a 3-D range? Don’t know how much stumping a mast can take. All the best, dwc

[Col Mike]

#21226

For the first time in over a month did a great 3 hour stumping walk with the pack and bow. After the trip and a week of ceaseless work on our anti-fracking movement during this current legislative session—it was indeed a pleasure. One sometimes forgets how much tranquility comes from observing the first buds, the sneaking deer, and the turkey’s (knowing it’s another month to the season).

I can’t imagine living in those concrete jungles that we drove through. It’s great to be back.

Mike

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#21233

colmike wrote:

I can’t imagine living in those concrete jungles that we drove through. It’s great to be back.

No kidding. I swear, the more I travel, the more I love being home. I think my inner Hobbit is taking over.

Started the day with homemade strawberry waffles and coffee, then got out for a little stump hike with a buddy, and now I’m researching Finnish knives and simultaneously tryng to convince thee Better Half that I need a rematch in our ongoing cribbage tournament – it’s been a good Saturday…

[David Coulter]

#21260

Mike, nice to read your voice. Welcome back to the woods. Smithy, nice drill on that stump. Sounds like a nice day. best, dwc

[Stephen Graf]

#21864

Smithhammer wrote: …- it’s been a good Saturday…

That does sound might fine! For me, I split / stacked three quarters of a cord of wood in the morning, goofed in the shop in the afternoon, took the boy out for supper and a run to the hardware store, and finished up with a few hours of bow fishing. Got home about 2am.

Staring at the last quarter cord of wood that needs to get worked this morning 🙁

My ars is dragging.

[David Coulter]

#21893

Steve, you couldn’t find time to rake the driveway stone, too? Geez. Sunday is for rest, after that last cord. best, dwc

[grumpy]

#22408

and you damn well better clean up the wood chips after you finish splitting that cord!

[Col Mike]

#22501

Dave

Thanks. Trust you can make ETAR this year would like to meet the face.

Steve

I hesitate to ask–why isn’t the son chopping while you supervise?8)

Another stumping walk today–drew down on this perfect clump of mud then let down and said that ain’t nature–walked up on my target and it was a wallet! Long story short called the owner (tourist down state) he loves me and to add to the fun he and his family were tour guests here some 5 years ago. I’m presently drying out the contents to include his son’s high school base ball card photo.

Ya never know what your going to stumble on out there.:shock:

Another great day of life.

Mike

1

[Stephen Graf]

#23032

colmike wrote: …Steve

I hesitate to ask–why isn’t the son chopping while you supervise?8)…

Mike

Usually I get the kids to do the fetching and the stacking while I run the splitter… But after my boy asked if my elbow was sore from all that lever pulling I had to do (his sarcastic way of saying his end of the job was more work than my end) I pronounced that he would run the splitter and I would fetch.

So Sunday he ran the splitter and I fetched. It ended up being half a cord, not the expected quarter cord. Anyway, he did a good job and didn’t mash any fingers.

I then complemented him on how he seemed to always have a piece of wood ready to split and never had to look around for where his next one was coming from. And how he split the wood so well it just naturally stacked itself neatly in the trailer instead of in a sloppy pile (I think he got my sarcasm, but being a teenager he didn’t let on)

And then I topped it off by saying that next year, he and his sister could take care of all the splitting now, and I could take care of other important dad stuff, like finishing my coffee and posting on tradbow 8)

Maybe I’ll get one or two more seasons of work out of the little wonders. Just when the kids get really useful, they grow up and leave. That’s gratitude for you 🙄

[grumpy]

#23584

Steve Graf wrote: [quote=colmike].

Just when the kids get really useful, they grow up and leave. That’s gratitude for you 🙄

I’ve noticed that. Anybody got any solutions? I have another generation coming along…

[David Becker]

#23911

Me and Neighbor Jim finally managed to get up in the mountains to our Elk hunting grounds, about 12 miles away. My friend left a camera up there during last Elk season and the weather moved in before we could retrieve it. We found it still snapping away. I know folks have different ideas about trail cameras, and I have some unease myself, but I did rather like this picture of the Elk on Christmas day.

In other news, I got my taller limbs for my bow. A 64″ bow is a much better fit for my draw length. I only got to shoot for about 20 minutes today, but I’m getting a much cleaner release.

Is it deer season yet?

[David Coulter]

#24265

grumpy wrote: [quote=Steve Graf][quote=colmike].

Just when the kids get really useful, they grow up and leave. That’s gratitude for you 🙄

I’ve noticed that. Anybody got any solutions? I have another generation coming along…

“Don’t want to disappointed? Don’t get you hopes up!”

Not my quote, but words to live by.

[Ralph]

#29740

A place I need to build a hidey hole. From big game to the smallest at this spot. This is a little draw between to high ridges. Usually whitetails too but I don’t know where there holed up right now.

Pigs have wallowed out that area for some reason.

[John Dilts]

#29967

Taloyoak Nunavut’s New archery club’s if night shoot this tuesdays can’t wait. haven’t been able to shoot all winter.

[David Coulter]

#30034

R2, that’s a sweet spot you have there. Good luck with the set-up.

John, have fun Tuesday. Must have been a long winter for you. best, dwc

[Ralph]

#32024

I was surprised the camera picked up that mouse in the middle of the last picture.

Thanks, I’ll be snooping around there Sat. I hope.

[grumpy]

#32357

What is the mouse’s name?

[Ralph]

#32382

grumpy wrote: What is the mouse’s name?

Minnie!

I had to look real close to see that it was a girl. 😀

[Cameron Unruh]

#32586

My son with his first bow build – he was out putting some arrows through it! He was dead set on having a 75# take-down. This thing throws a 700gn arrow fast!

62″ ntn

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#33082

Nice, Cameron! Bow building is becoming the family tradition, eh?

[Cameron Unruh]

#33115

Bruce – I would love it if he would take up the joy of building with me but I think after one build he realized how much work is involved. His commitment was for his one bow and I think that is as far as it is going for him. The one thing we really do together as a family is surf. He would love to craft his own surfboard one day.

[grumpy]

#33472

Hoping you don’t get too attached to Minnie, and Audrey doesn’t get too attached to Fred.

Cam. My son wanted to be a slater with me, till he sweated out a few summers on slate roofs when he was in High School. Now he is a electrician, and thinks it is really neat to make money regardless of the weather.

[Stephen Graf]

#34098

Building a surf board can’t be much different than building a bow…

Especially a self surf board… I saw the penguins movie 8)

I haven’t shot in over a week. It’s spring break and I have my boy working with me. Doing all kinds of spring things including my big spring project – building a walk in cooler under the back deck (complete with a rail system from my hoist right into the cooler). Should have it dried in today 😀

[David Coulter]

#34305

The cooler project sounds neat. Wish you good luck. The year after I bought a big freezer I didn’t kill a deer! Dwc

[Ralph]

#34324

Ah Grumpy, Minnie has to be careful with both a coyote and bobcat knocking on her door every now and then.

Them boys!!! Grandsons we’ve been raising forever, 19, 18, 13 now. Girls, girls, for the two older ones, track, football and wrestling for the young’n. .

When they come back to archery at least I’ll have higher poundage bows for them and lighter for me. Kind of turn things around from the old days. :D:roll:

[John Dilts]

#34726

Taloyaok’s first archery night went really well got a chance to try out my new American Leather glove it shoots really nice can’t wait tell the Birds return to try it in the field.

[Ralph]

#36706

This morning. The eclipse went full but I didn’t get pic of that, too low on the horizon it was then.

I’m gonna shoot my bow later:D

[David Coulter]

#36749

Very nice! Thanks for posting this. Beautiful shot. dwc

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#37399

The Better Half got her 1970 Bear Alaskan out today, and we shot for a while this afternoon. It’s her first time shooting this year. In yet another demonstration of how much infinitely wiser she is than yours truly, she waits until the snow has stopped flying to consider it “archery season.” 😉

[grumpy]

#37939

YUP,Audrey has the same concept of “archery season” I went stumping yesterday, and only lost 1 arrow!!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!!

[John Dilts]

#38218

Smithhammer wrote: The Better Half got her 1970 Bear Alaskan out today, and we shot for a while this afternoon. It’s her first time shooting this year. In yet another demonstration of how much infinitely wiser she is than yours truly, she waits until the snow has stopped flying to consider it “archery season.” 😉

If i waited tell the snow stop flying i would only shoot 6 weeks of the year LOL

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#38368

john dilts wrote:

If i waited tell the snow stop flying i would only shoot 6 weeks of the year LOL

Ha. Yeah, she’s not quite as obsessive as us weirdos are. But she absolutely lives for winter – loves to backcountry ski, etc. But I’m glad to see her getting back into it with the coming of spring. I’m hoping to coax her into coming along to a trad shoot this summer – I think she’d have a great time.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#38372

The Better Half and I got out for a little rove this afternoon (at her request!):

GBPs:

A good stretch of the legs climbing the hill behind the house, some shooting, and kicking back under a juniper taking in the view and eating Easter chocolates. It was a darn fine Sunday with my favorite stumping partner.

[Ralph]

#39958

Looks like a great day, and great company.

Glad you had a great day.

Today you say it’s snowing uh? That’s OK. I think the whole left half of the United States needs moisture this year.

[Ralph]

#42265

I’ll be darned if it didn’t rain today. 🙄

Made it smell good for awhile anyway.

Thought I’d make a big pic so’s you could see it. 😀

[Doc Nock]

#42335

Wow…! I count 29 rain drops…sizeable, but prolly just normal TEXAS size drops huh…

almost get yer nickers damp with all that, huh!?:roll:

[Ralph]

#42342

Every drop counts. Or is that dollar?

Didn’t bother me feathers none though.

[Doc Nock]

#42346

R2 wrote: Every drop counts. Or is that dollar?

Didn’t bother me feathers none though.

HA!

I remember reading in Reader’s Digest as a young kid some woman visited a rich Texas relative (are there any other kind in texas?) and it was hot and dusty so she started to draw a bath…

The older lady of the house comes flying up the steps and bursts in the guest bath room and turns off the tub water…looks at the Eastern woman, and said, “Deaery, we don’t spend water like money!”

Now I begin to understand…

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#44516

A dozen fresh Surewood shafts, straightened and clear-coated, ready for dressing:

[Ralph]

#44526

Way to go Bruce, wood rules!!!:D

[Doc Nock]

#44571

R2 wrote: Way to go Bruce, wood rules!!!:D

I AGREE! I wish all you trad guys would buy and shoot wood…might make carbon less expensive for ME!

I used to complain that wood required more “toys” Straighteners/spine testers/taper tools, etc…

Uh-huh… I started a greenfield garden this year here in TN by cutting up 40×50′ plot out of the yard… I got more stinkinig $$$ tied up in that sink hole…:shock: Starting to remind me of a Yacht, which is hole in the water you pour money into…this is a hole in the yard I pour money into…

I could like bought all the gear for woodies and shafts by the 1000 to get my 3-4 good matched dozen for 1/2 what I got in fencing, stakes, tools, fertilizer, soil looener stuff, plants, seeds, etc… :cry::roll:

Still you boys go for the woodies… I don’t need them at my age! :shock::lol:

[Ralph]

#44581

Dang Doc, you coulda bought a half dozen carbon arrows with all that garden money + a can of peas. 😀

[Doc Nock]

#44622

Exactomundo, Ralphy…

Alas, I don’t eat canned peas…just frozen baby peas… I hope to put stuff up out of this garden… eventually…right now, it’s just spend and nothing to show but sore muscles…

Now if Grumpy would send those kids of his down I could use some forced labor for sure!

[Ralph]

#45234

One really handy thing about wood arrows, if you don’t loose them all:D, is that you always have kindling for a fire starter in a pinch.

Better have an ignition source though cause rubbing two arrows together may take a bit longer that you want.:wink:

[Doc Nock]

#45254

Now, now, Ralph… that point belongs over in the Emergency Gear thread…

Besides, just untwist a few turns of your B50 string turns to maintain brace, and use your bow to be a twirler and some bird nest tinder and there ya go!:shock:

[Ralph]

#45262

What ya sayin? Wood arrows, B50 string? 😀 Ummmm!

[Doc Nock]

#45301

R2 wrote: What ya sayin? Wood arrows, B50 string? 😀 Ummmm!

Doh:oops:I thought all Woodie shooters/builders/promoters also shot B50 string… why would you go to the trouble of TRADITIONAL wood arrows and then shoot a high -tech, artificial material string???

Anyway, to each h is own…remember me sharing here about a guy built cane arrows and put a luminock in one…hilarious!

It’s all about what makes you feel good and generates joy!

Carry on…:lol:

[Ralph]

#45353

What a modern traditional bunch we are uh Doc? If we use the real traditional stuff they call us primitive.

[Stephen Graf]

#46311

Doc Nock wrote:

Doh:oops:I thought all Woodie shooters/builders/promoters also shot B50 string… why would you go to the trouble of TRADITIONAL wood arrows and then shoot a high -tech, artificial material string???

Anyway, to each h is own…remember me sharing here about a guy built cane arrows and put a luminock in one…hilarious!

It’s all about what makes you feel good and generates joy!

Carry on…:lol:

silk or linen would be more primitive than B50. B50 is just as “high-tech” as the other man made fibers, it just ain’t as good.

I shoot woodies and fast flight string. Works for me.

I did the calculations for my new bow that I’m making. It looks like I’ll be able to shoot a 50 grain per pound arrow at about 3000 feet per second.

[Doc Nock]

#46361

Indeed, Steve…

friend made string from Cordage (sp?), stripping and weaving bark of some obscure plant.

used “dogbane” or some odd named thin weedy looking stem along wood edges and roadways…

[Ralph]

#46441

Steve Graf wrote: [quote=Doc Nock]

I did the calculations for my new bow that I’m making. It looks like I’ll be able to shoot a 50 grain per pound arrow at about 3000 feet per second.

That’s too hot!!!

Steve that’d be a fire hazard in these parts dry as it is.

[Doc Nock]

#46465

R2 wrote: [quote=Steve Graf][quote=Doc Nock]

I did the calculations for my new bow that I’m making. It looks like I’ll be able to shoot a 50 grain per pound arrow at about 3000 feet per second.

That’s too hot!!!

Steve that’d be a fire hazard in these parts dry as it is.

You guys and keyboards!:roll:

First, Ralph, that toothache is makin you crosseyed… That was Steve’s quote, not mine, so you gotta cut the right stuff! 🙁

Second, I think Steve got a bit carried away on his ZERO’s… Maybe they were Jap Zeros or some other “INCOMING” aircraft buzzing the Carolinas…

I DOUBT his bow is recording 3000…as in THOUSAND fps! 300 would be incredible, 200 is pretty sweet on a trad bow!

Steve, you shooting rebar for arrows… 60 gr per pound?

OK…I’m outa here and going to go pray for insight this Sunday AM!:roll::oops:

[Ralph]

#46505

I forgot to delete Doc Nock. I need to get better at that:roll:

Doc take my toothache with ya would ya.

I think Steve has his figures correct. A little fly on the wall told me he makes good bows. :D:D

[Doc Nock]

#46558

R2 wrote: I forgot to delete Doc Nock. I need to get better at that:roll:

Doc take my toothache with ya would ya.

I think Steve has his figures correct. A little fly on the wall told me he makes good bows. :D:D

😯 I don’t want deleted, just from quotes, Ralph!

I’m sure Steve does build GREAT bows… but 3000, fps?! I can’t get my 30-06 to that speed, maybe my 22-250 with a 50 gr. bullet…

If Steve could build a 3000 fps bow, I’d say he’d not have time to come here to post as everyone would want to buy one!

As you say..it’d be a fire starter… shoot right thru his backstop!

Say it’s 50# pull x a 50 gr per pound arrow…ain’t that like a 2500 gr. arrow going 3000 fps? :shock::shock::shock:

[Ralph]

#46629

OK Doc. You have a lot of work still to do on garden so you’ll not be deleted, just depleted. Fair nuff’. 😀

And I’m tellin ya, Steve’s arrows get there plenty quick.

[Doc Nock]

#46636

Fair enough…depleted I be…

Again, ya hard headed Texas Longhorn,:D

I don’t doubt Steve’s bows or arrows, just those #’s… but when it comes to math computations, I usually suck in stereo… :oops::roll:

[John Dilts]

#46864

My New hunter long bow from BAMA is ready to Ship

[Stephen Graf]

#47462

Doc Nock wrote: …I don’t doubt Steve’s bows or arrows, just those #’s… but when it comes to math computations, I usually suck in stereo… :oops::roll:

It’s not so much about the computations of the numbers as it is about the levity of the prospect of an arrow going that fast. As R2 said, it’s a fire hazard!

I’as just funnin’ with you fellers. But here’s the truth: I went out yesterday with it and shot 7623 perfect bulls eyes in a row with it 😀

[Ralph]

#47921

Gotta remember Steve, there’s folks who have lots of April Fools days. 😀

7623, that all? Bad day?

Funnin’ too my friend.

[grumpy]

#48017

Doc Nock wrote:

Now if Grumpy would send those kids of his down I could use some forced labor for sure!

KIDS? KIDS? Only one kid, Arwen, and I have to pay her to get any work out of her. Eleven year old Grandaughter. Audrey is my VERY significant other, who spent the afternoon working in the garden while I went stumping. Eat your heart out!:twisted:

Don’t know what you are complaining about. All I ever put in the garden is horse manure (free) seeds (cheap), and $50 for Farmer Jim to rototill it. The fence is only 3 feet high (rabbit fence) bought it 3 years ago, still works. AND Farmer Jim complains about all of the veggies I give away, says he can’t make any money at the farmers market.

Take bushels of veggies to work and church. Have to cut shooting lanes thru the tomato plants to the target. Oh, a little water too, but that’s cheap here, we have plenty, unlike someone…..

Stumping today, saw a blue heron, who didn’t have anything to say. Finally took the snowshoes out of the car. Wore my camo sneakers 😀 Saw lots of poop again. Went to that big truck and found a DESOTO that I didn’t know was there. Looked to be in great shape, except for being upside down, older than I am, and a little rust. Those were BIG. Actually I walked right over it in snowshoes, and never knew it was there.

Campfire tonight. We were harassed last night. Neighbor next door (we call them the crabapples) who has NEVER spoken to me before, said the smoke has been bothering him for 2 years. Seems he has to keep his windows closed when we have a campfire. Been thinking we should take the cover off the septic tank. We had to move the campfire 30 feet back. Closer to the garden and spring peepers, further from the house. Willing to bet it is not going to make a DAMN bit of difference.

Arwen has a bragging size scrape on her left knee. Took a digger on her scooter. Didn’t think she could walk this AM, went scooting this PM.

[Cameron Unruh]

#48191

I got out for workout hike – the day warmed up a bit more than I anticipated! Longbow in hand of course and turkey caller and broadhead ready arrows. Ok so I was turkey hunting but when I come home empty handed and someone asked what I did today…I was hiking.

[Cameron Unruh]

#48195

I am also finishing up a black glass bow. I am developing a real taste for the black glass. Need to do my finish sanding and spray finish. 50#@28″ 60″ NTN.

[Stephen Graf]

#48517

Nice!

[Doc Nock]

#48653

grumpy wrote:

KIDS? KIDS? Only one kid, Arwen, and I have to pay her to get any work out of her. Eleven year old Grandaughter. Audrey is my VERY significant other, who spent the afternoon working in the garden while I went stumping. Eat your heart out!:twisted:

Don’t know what you are complaining about.

Mia copa, Grumpy…

You referenced in another post some short while back about being a “single parent—again” so I figured you were without a help-mate… pardon my burp!:oops:

Guess some of my level of exertion is A) Making the garden from scratch and pulling of 40’x50′ of sod the cutter cut 2.5″ thick! Finally got it chisel plowed and had to use a walk behind tiller to do it 3…actually 4 times now, to break up all the clods, work in some stuff.

Horse manure? Don’t you get a lot of weeds from undigested seeds? I was told horses don’t ruminate so they don’t break down seeds like cows do, so horse manure is pretty “hot” and seed laden.

Glad you have help in yours!

Carry on!

[Doc Nock]

#48656

Steve Graf wrote:

It’s not so much about the computations of the numbers as it is about the levity of the prospect of an arrow going that fast. As R2 said, it’s a fire hazard!

I’as just funnin’ with you fellers. But here’s the truth: I went out yesterday with it and shot 7623 perfect bulls eyes in a row with it 😀

Aww, shucks, I was trying to figger out how to save up enough money to ask you to make me a 50# bow that would shoot CLOSE to 3000 fps 🙄

[Doc Nock]

#48662

Cameron,

That is gorgeous country…who cares if you shot a bird! Very, very nice bows, too…those handles would eat my wrist, but I love the look and lines!

black glass just adds a look of “authority” to a bow I think… in contrast to great woods!

[John Dilts]

#48730

New BAMA hunter longbow can’t wait tell it gets here

[Doc Nock]

#48754

john dilts wrote:

New BAMA hunter longbow can’t wait tell it gets here

Wow…pretty too…sleek lines!

Just how LONG does it take to get things IN the outback where you are???:shock:

[John Dilts]

#48875

Doc Nock wrote: [quote=john dilts]

New BAMA hunter longbow can’t wait tell it gets here

Wow…pretty too…sleek lines!

Just how LONG does it take to get things IN the outback where you are???:shock:

I hope it will be here with in 3 weeks

[grumpy]

#49118

Doc Nock wrote: [quote=grumpy]

KIDS? KIDS? Only one kid, Arwen, and I have to pay her to get any work out of her. Eleven year old Grandaughter. Audrey is my VERY significant other, who spent the afternoon working in the garden while I went stumping. Eat your heart out!:twisted:

Don’t know what you are complaining about.

Mia copa, Grumpy…

You referenced in another post some short while back about being a “single parent—again” so I figured you were without a help-mate… pardon my burp!:oops:

Guess some of my level of exertion is A) Making the garden from scratch and pulling of 40’x50′ of sod the cutter cut 2.5″ thick! Finally got it chisel plowed and had to use a walk behind tiller to do it 3…actually 4 times now, to break up all the clods, work in some stuff.

Horse manure? Don’t you get a lot of weeds from undigested seeds? I was told horses don’t ruminate so they don’t break down seeds like cows do, so horse manure is pretty “hot” and seed laden.

Glad you have help in yours!

Carry on!

Audrey only showed up couple years ago.

I mulch the garden, landscape cloth, and lawn clippings. Weed seeds are everywhere, regardless of what you put in the garden, you need to mulch or hire a bunch of rabbits that only eat weeds to weed it.

Third year with this garden. 20 by 30 I think, is plenty. Needed lots of horse manure (have to pay for cow manure) it is free at the stable. They try to get me to take more. Land had been lawn for over a century before. So it was really depleted.

[Doc Nock]

#49186

Sent you an email with apology as well, Grumpy. Never meant no disrespect, just got confused by some of your references… 😳

I’ve not had a garden for oh…20 yrs perhaps… so lots to relearn and what I knew might not be relevant here…

Got lots of Johnson and Bermuda grass with roots that go to China…so might find myself weeding that crap a lot… sure tilled up a lot of coarse white roots…all raked up on top now…

Working on ideas for keeping them down…having help can’t be a bad thing.

[grumpy]

#50155

I use landscape fabric (or black plastic) and plant thru it. That way I get the best coverage. If you cover grass with black plastic for a summer, it will kill all of the grass. Frugal, and easy.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#51421

Fine looking bows Cameron and John!

I finished building up my Surewoods the other night, and finally got a chance to shoot them – they fly great and I’ve never shot a quieter arrow.

[David Coulter]

#52167

Nice looking bows and arrows you guys put up. Been nursing a twisted neck i earned chopping a dead locust widow maker. Cut it clean off and it’s still hing up in a big maple. At least the trunk is on the ground and i can deal with it better. Haven’t shot my bow since Easter. I’m ready for the all clear so I can shoot again. Thanks for sharing all the great photos. Peace, dwc

[Ralph]

#53283

A selective Robin Hood. I decided to see if I could split a nock without harming the arrow.

I’ve also got some sea front property in Arizona up for sale too if ya think I can shoot that good.

It’s got little piggys on it Bruce. 😀

[John Dilts]

#54436

Weather is finnaly getting warmer not warm but warmer. Finnaly up to -12. So took a bunch of my arrows that where broke or had the tips pulled off and cut them down to my wife length and retipped them. What a great night of sitting on the porch most relaxed I have been all winter.

[Doc Nock]

#54491

Up to -12*….

I’d be relaxed too… in a state of suspended animation at those “UP” temps! Gads!

You’re a wild man…glad it was a great evening for you! 😯

[Ralph]

#54588

I can’t even imagine what archery has become in some circles.

Two friends just returned from a big tourney (wheel bow dominated) and sent me this pic of the gear being used. This couple is totally trad and they said “Imagine feeling like a fish outta water”.

They also told me there were other rigs there even more elaborate than this one.

There’s a reason I do what do and I go where I go with my archery.

This is totally unreal to my way of being and thinking, but to each his own methods and madness.

It ain’t for me though.

[Doc Nock]

#54640

Saved and blew it up…so it’s some sort of rigged up “wagon”?

What are the orange upright things? Are those orange sprayed tubes holding arrows… ?

Where are the bows?

I cannot imagine dragging that around some of the course trails (coarse trails?) I’ve stumbled around on at shoots!

they “camp out” with that thing?

[Ralph]

#54684

They’re probably sitting on the folding stools while someone is holding the umbrella to block the breeze. Have seen that. 🙄

[Doc Nock]

#54692

Must be relatively YOUNG to tow that contraption around… If’n I was going to be that silly, why not get an electric golf cart?…gizmo on the back to hold bows like bicycles got

[Charles Ek]

#55532

dwcphoto wrote: Been nursing a twisted neck i earned chopping a dead locust widow maker. Cut it clean off and it’s still hing up in a big maple.

I feel your pain. Well, at least I dodged some pain by dropping a large dead oak that hung ominously above my archery range, at an angle suggesting imminent injury or worse to your correspondent.

Didn’t cut the first notch deep enough, for fear of working too much under the lean, and the #$%^!@# rewarded me by hanging up on its stump at about a fifty degree angle from horizontal, partially supported by another tree. Finally got it down but it took far more of an afternoon than I intended or wished.

[Doc Nock]

#55590

I used to be fearless, but in recent years, things I’m not sure about doing right, I hesitate and if it involves running away I don’t run much anymore! 😥

I had a bit of a silver maple limb come down today and skim the gutters and side of house, but it was all brittle tipped so the ends just busted off and the butt end missed my new backstop.

I want to get up there and cut off some more limbs that lean way toward the house, but … well, you can figure the rest! Not rich enough to pay someone and not agile enough anymore to do with confidence… dang!

You young guns be careful out there… injuries of our younger days have a way of being put in CD’s and coming due in older life with plenty of interest paid on maturity! :shock::roll:

[Charles Ek]

#55695

Doc Nock wrote: I used to be fearless, but in recent years, things I’m not sure about doing right, I hesitate and if it involves running away I don’t run much anymore!

Let the record show I hired a tree contractor a month ago to take down two very large oaks underneath our utility lines. Gravity is a you-know-what, and electrons move far faster than I can jump out of the way. 😯 😆

[David Coulter]

#55730

I also hire a guy to cut anything that might fall on anything other than leaves. I do enjoy cutting my own firewood. Gotta be safe, treestands or trees. Like you said, gravity.

[Ralph]

#57349

Another variation of archery means and methods.

I found this and thought it was cool to share.

[David Coulter]

#57361

That cat’s thinking, “soon as those guys get rid of their arrows, I’m gonna eat both of them.”

[David Becker]

#58112

So I’ve been shooting every day now for three months, at least one twenty minute session a day, sometimes as many as three.

I’m starting to figure this out a little. The arrows go where I want more than they don’t.

I was pleased to find today that my finger strength has improved to the point that I can start using a much shallower hook on the string. I’m getting a cleaner, quieter release.

The more shallow hook seems to have solved a vexing problem. My arrows kept landing with the nocks kicked left, suggesting they were underspined. I tried all sorts of different point weights and it never got better or worse. Now they are straight.

I’ve practiced to the point I starting to get it right. I have until September 1 to practice until I won’t get it wrong….

[John Dilts]

#58798

A nice relaxing night last night making ariel target out of an old foam mattress and card board dispite my young niece trying to “help”. Custom bow should arrive by april 29th. In about 3 weeks the geese should start to arrived so it will be ariel targets every night after my new bow arrives.

[Ralph]

#58948

John if I was guessing man I say you were ready to hunt geese with a new bow. 😀

More power to ya!!!:D:D

Be glad for you for it to happen.

[paleoman]

#60942

Ralph – did you get a gullywasher down there? I saw the severe weather map had your area covered in the last day or so. I do enjoy knowing where some of you are and checking in to see what the weather is doing in your ‘hoods. The US Drought Monitor has been scary, scary looking the last couple years out West! N central Nevada must look like the surface of Mercury? I know most of Cali is very bad but I think they had a bit of a break at one point, that bubble in Nv has not changed in a LONG time. As I remember it anyway….

[Ralph]

#60976

Scott the heavy weather has ended being SE of here, we just got tinkled 😀 on a couple of times.

My bro lives in the DFW area and has a habit of texting me -got 4″ rain this week, got a 1/2″ awhile ago, 2″ last nite. Thanks bro. If it rained that much here we’d think the gulf had expanded.

I’m glad the closest storm went south following a little cool front. Good for me but not for folks at Happy. TX. with baseball size hail.

I check on weather happenings for other folks I know too.

Hey Doc, it’s raining uh? How does your garden grow:?:?Shootin your bow?

So Scott, y’all through with winter yet? Shootin your bow?:D

[Ralph]

#61042

Whilst we’re on the topic of weather, if I was younger and richer I think I’d search the world over for the place with the least wind and plant my seeds there. ARGHHHH!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#61046

Without going into all the details, the past couple weeks have been pretty crazy for me. Last night I got home from work, hung out with my better half for a while, and then cracked a cold one and built some stumping arrows. Today is the first day that I truly don’t have anything I have to do in a long time. I think I’m going to grab a bow and a quiver and go wander in the woods…

[paleoman]

#61058

R2 wrote: Scott the heavy weather has ended being SE of here, we just got tinkled 😀 on a couple of times.

My bro lives in the DFW area and has a habit of texting me -got 4″ rain this week, got a 1/2″ awhile ago, 2″ last nite. Thanks bro. If it rained that much here we’d think the gulf had expanded.

I’m glad the closest storm went south following a little cool front. Good for me but not for folks at Happy. TX. with baseball size hail.

I check on weather happenings for other folks I know too.

Hey Doc, it’s raining uh? How does your garden grow:?:?Shootin your bow?

So Scott, y’all through with winter yet? Shootin your bow?:D

Yup, I have been shooting my bow. So far, so good! Winter is over, but everyday shortsleeve shirts and grass mowing season is taking its time.

[Ralph]

#61193

R2 wrote: Whilst we’re on the topic of weather, if I was younger and richer I think I’d search the world over for the place with the least wind and plant my seeds there. ARGHHHH!

All better now:D:D:D

The wind has laid after a week of it, and it’s nice and warm. Think I’ll stay here with my wife and family:D and dog. Ha!!!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#61481

First time I’ve gotten outside to shoot in way too long. Took the Primal and the Surewoods, and they are getting along nicely.

However, one of my Hammer heads broke on the 2nd shot…:?

JW putting his old Super Grizz through its paces:

Some cool lichen:

GBP:

[Stephen Graf]

#61930

Bruce,

I had the same problem with the hammer heads. The Ace heads are much stronger, and a bit cheaper too…

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#62106

Good to know, Steve. The steel on the collar was very brittle and kept cracking and breaking off in pieces as we tried to pull it out of the stump with a leatherman. So far my others have held up ok, but I think I’ll be switching to Ace for my next order.

[Ralph]

#62481

I guess I’m old style but I use a 125 gr. glue on blunt on a broadhead adapter. It weighs 167 gr. so with a 100 gr. insert I have enough weight up front to suit me on 29″ 35-55 arrow.

I’ve done the same with glue on judo points and that’s even heavier as my judo’s weigh 132 gr.

[Cameron Unruh]

#63719

I got out for some much needed stump shooting today!

Even found some snow…

Ground is still soft from snow melt and it is nice for moving through the woods without a sound. To bad it is all crunchy in August during deer season when it matters.

[John Dilts]

#8101

Went out sunday night to shoot aireal targets but it was new windy so we rolled the targets acrossed the ground and shoot at them did better then expected. My new bamabow came in monday. Really happy with it. Shot it last night. Getting up to -8 here most days so will be shooting or hunting almost day tell Sept

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#10374

Nice looking country, Cameron.

john dilts wrote: My new bamabow came in monday. Really happy with it. Shot it last night….

Let’s see some pics of the Bama when you get a chance, John!

No matter how crazy the day, a good walk in the woods and laying waste to old stumps along the way can make everything alright. From last night’s session on the local NF:

[David Coulter]

#10557

Nice spots you guys have to hunt dead wood. Beautiful. Been stumping just a little and a little bit of form work most days. Took a dip in the creek this afternoon with my son. Didn’t take long at all to get the full effect. Sorry, no pics of me in a speedo. Dwc

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#10668

dwcphoto wrote: … Sorry, no pics of me in a speedo. Dwc

😯

Oh, darn…

[Stephen Graf]

#11094

Went tilapia fishing again last night in the pouring rain. Shot another 20 😀

Now I gotta go clean ’em…

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#12650

Fun stumping session today:

Till one after another started biting the dust:

On the plus side, I found all my heads! Woohoo!

Woodies are fun and all, but weighing time and expense against durability and longevity, I think I’m going back to carbons…

[David Coulter]

#12668

I tried the hex head style once. Granted, I shot into a frozen stump, but they were so hard on the arrows I took them off immediately. The head did not sink into the stmp at all, just bounced right back. All the energy went back into the arrow. I was shooting aluminum at the time and they made like an accordian on the first shots. I think I shot two and destroyed two. Small game? I bet they’d be great. Give me judos for stumping anyday. A friend just rounds off the heads of field points and that works well for him, too. The judos shoot straight and I usually get months out of each one.

I also used to carry pliers to grab the heads to pull them out of the stumps. I don’t bother with that so much now that I’m shooting carbons. Best, dwc

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#12675

I’ve been shooting the VPA Thumpers for years on my carbons and they work great (at least up to 200gr – the 250’s are prone to breaking). But part of the limitation for me with judos is that the heaviest they offer are 135s.

Those are 11/32 Doug fir shafts too – they are pretty tough, but still not comparable to carbon for durability. It was a good experiment – my buddy and I were taking all the exact same shots, from the same distances, and he walked out of the woods with all of his carbon arrows intact, I walked out with a quiver full of kindling. 😆

[David Coulter]

#12712

Yes, judos are dependent on your set up. I’m able to put 125 adapter and 100 inserts into match my hunting rig. That’s all because I’m shooting carbons. D

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#13044

Been working like crazy and absent from tradbow these past few months. I left for Europe last Monday, but I had a chance to make a quick visit and shoot one course with my Shrew and a couple of friends at the Whittingham trad shoot in NJ before I left! The next two pics were taken early this morning in the Swiss Alps while spending the weekend with my brother. that nice buck Roe deer was gone as soon as I turned my shoulders in his direction, even though I was about 150 yards away. After I saw him from the proverbial corner of my eye, I had to prepare my camera while I was still running before I turned towards that what we call “Brocard”! I thought you would enjoy these pics!

[David Coulter]

#13286

Beautiful, Alex. Really stunning. I didn’t get to Whittingham this year. I ended up with work Friday and family plans on Saturday. I looked you up on youtube and have been enjoying some of your music. Great to see your post. best, dwc

[Stephen Graf]

#13319

Bruce,

I’ve been shooting douglas fir and had but one break on me in six months. I don’t shoot many stumps though, mostly leaves, twigs, etc. Our stumps would break carbons too.

I agree with Dave about the blunts causing some of the trouble. Great for rabbits, not so great for stumps. Judo’s better. But weight may be an issue.

If judo’s too light, add lead shot before glueing on.

Bruce, shooting ASL’s and woodies is like going to the Hotel California… Sorry dude. 😀

Alex – Nice pictures!! Glad to see you taking your bow on your travels. Good idea.

[David Coulter]

#13325

Great analogy. love it, d

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#13385

Steve Graf wrote: Bruce,

I’ve been shooting douglas fir and had but one break on me in six months. I don’t shoot many stumps though, mostly leaves, twigs, etc. Our stumps would break carbons too.

I agree with Dave about the blunts causing some of the trouble. Great for rabbits, not so great for stumps. Judo’s better. But weight may be an issue.

If judo’s too light, add lead shot before glueing on.

Bruce, shooting ASL’s and woodies is like going to the Hotel California… Sorry dude. 😀

Believe me, Steve – I love the idea of shooting woodies with my longbows. They’re fun to make, extremely quiet to shoot and as we all know, there’s just ‘something’ classic about shooting wood. But I also love to stump shoot, several times a week when the schedule allows, and I can’t afford to go through a quiver full of arrows every time I go for a hike. Never had that happen with my carbons. I’m often torn between the nostalgia of classic materials and the improvements that have come since….

[paleoman]

#13463

Really enjoyed the pics. Thanks Alex!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#13759

Always good to hear from you Alex. And even when we haven’t heard from you in a while, and you’re off gallavanting around the globe and making beautiful music, we know you’re having a great time.

I pulled out the D/Rs this afternoon for a change. Loosened up my grip a bit and they were shooting great. Both of these bows are just smooth and effortless to shoot, and no slouch in the performance dept. either…

[Ralph]

#13922

I’ve been at Memphis, TX since last Thursday setting up a TBOT tournament Thursday and Friday, 50 targets, 30 for one course, 20 for the other.

I shot 80 targets Saturday and 80 today. After two days of target work, 3 of us, and two full days of shooting, this old feller about wore out. Happy though, I had a great time.

It’s about time that I pass on the target duties to the younger generation methinks. Maybe there is such???

Time to retire and just enjoy shooting.

I came across this neat little cactus and just had to share the picture.

It looks alive:D

[Doc Nock]

#13925

That li’l hassenpfeffer is a visitation on ya guys who hunt em with pointy sticks…it’s come back from the Grave with points of it’s own ready to stick the first cutesy that wants to pet the danged thing…

Cute, but not cuddly! 😯

Guess the only good thing to living in drought areas is camping in the dry, Ralph?

[Stephen Graf]

#14355

R2 wrote: I came across this neat little cactus and just had to share the picture.

It looks alive:D

Your intuition is spot-on R2. After much time and money spent researching the issue, I can now conclusively state that: Cactus plants are alive 🙄

Does look like a bunny though…

[David Coulter]

#14427

Steve, i just hope it was either public funding or involved beer.

That’s a neat cactus. Thanks! Dwc

[Ralph]

#14552

Steve Graf wrote: [quote=R2] I came across this neat little cactus and just had to share the picture.

It looks alive:D

Your intuition is spot-on R2. After much time and money spent researching the issue, I can now conclusively state that: Cactus plants are alive 🙄

Does look like a bunny though…

Yup, only bunny cacti live around Memphis, TX.

If it had come to a committee decision of those around me, it would have been a beer matter for sure and someone probably would have watered the poor thing.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#15645

Last night was the first opporutnity I’ve had to get out for the spring bear season. I have a new commute these days, which conveniently takes me through some good hunting country (not coincidentally…:wink: ). So last night after work I made a little detour on the way home.

Found a great spot to sit an glass in all directions, and watched many mule deer, several elk and a couple moose feed around me till dusk. Didn’t see any bear sign at all, but recent elk sign was everywhere, and the entire time I was sitting and glassing, strong whiffs of elk scent were coming up from the timber below me.

Brought the Whip along for the hike:

I need to do this on the way home from work more often…

[Doc Nock]

#15658

As Commutes go, Bruce, that ain’t too shabby, Hoss!

If there is elk calving grounds around that area, does memory serve me that Bear will focus on that?

Nourishment for the soul from those pics! Not bad, guy, not bad at all!:lol:

[Ralph]

#15660

😀 Nice Bruce

We’re getting some much needed rains in my part of the world. :D:D:D:D:D

[Doc Nock]

#15673

R2 wrote: 😀 Nice Bruce

We’re getting some much needed rains in my part of the world. :D:D:D:D:D

HA! You hid it well, R2, but I knew all along that you were “all wet!”😆

[Ralph]

#15685

Wet behind the ears still perhaps but plenty prune dried in between. 😆

[Doc Nock]

#15701

R2 wrote: Wet behind the ears still perhaps but plenty prune dried in between. 😆

:shock:Now where’d I put that “super hide glue?”…

🙄

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#15975

Such great pics, Bruce!

[grumpy]

#16146

In our neck of the woods you have to drive 4 hours, and walk 8 hours, and the view isn’t half as good. Thanks for sharing.

[Ralph]

#20597

Gettin bored, hunting my salad

[Doc Nock]

#20621

HA! My bio teacher told us the only difference tween a plant and animal was in the center of the carbon ring was a CL molecule in a plant vs. a FE one in an animal!

Makes a body stop and think…

Good blood trail…er, chlorophyll trail?

[Cameron Unruh]

#23072

I got out for nice 8 mile hike up to about 9,000 feet for some high mountain trout!

Always with the bow in hand for stumping!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#23440

Looks like a fine adventure, Cameron! And a tasty dinner!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#23453

I’ve been back to shooting my ‘ASL-style’ bows the last few evenings after work. Shooting these bows is like putting on a pair of my favorite broken-in jeans – they just fit and do what I need them to do. Grip ’em properly, look at what I want to hit, and they don’t let me down…

[Ptaylor]

#23477

Pretty fish Cameron!

[Doc Nock]

#23482

Fine looking country, Cameron!

Looks like a refreshing day for the soul and body!

That be one gorgeous trout there…

[Ralph]

#23502

Life is good:

Green and wet this year:

Shootin good:

All in family are well,

and I’m feeling ornery:

[David Coulter]

#23972

R2, nice to be ornery, ain’t it? Nice shooting. Where’d you get a Labrador Retriever target? dwc

[Doc Nock]

#24013

dwcphoto wrote: R2, nice to be ornery, ain’t it? Nice shooting. Where’d you get a Labrador Retriever target? dwc

First, he ain’t got no choice in the part about being ornery…he likely never knowe’d differently.

As for the Lab target…8) Here we go…

🙄

[Ralph]

#24032

dwcphoto wrote: . Where’d you get a Labrador Retriever target? dwc

😀 What goes on in Texas stays in Texas. 😀 All kinds of hybrids running around my backyard.

Problem?:D

[Stephen Graf]

#24472

Now I know why they call him pop-eye 🙄

[Doc Nock]

#24545

Once a Marine, always a Marine…

Crusty old salt looks a bit more like a Merchant Marine, though…pretty scary looking dude! Uglier’n a mud fence too!8)

[Ralph]

#24624

I told my son that strange things happen when you join the Navy. 😀

He lives in FL. and told me the other day he’s still shooting the two longbows I gave him years ago.

He’s in search of some good backstop material now after a trip into the neighbors backyard to fetch an arrow.

I clued him in to the options we’ve discussed here in the past. 🙂

Just wonderin’:?

What’ya do

With a gator

In the pool?

[Doc Nock]

#24633

R2 wrote:

Just wonderin’:?

What’ya do

With a gator

In the pool?

According to a chap I met on the SC / GA border some years back, SHOOT! SHOVEL! SHUT UP!

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#24974

Great pics, Cameron!

[paleoman]

#25031

Nature called a #1 and whilst standing and minding my own biz one of these guys was looking back from a bank side.. I found a whole tribe of them trying to look inconspicuous and mined a potful for my wife. She loves the things….so I’m in real good standing now:D I remember slimy mushrooms from a can as a kid….I think come the weekend a shot and a shroom sounds like a good time and maybe I can develop a more mature appreciation for these forest fungi.

[Cameron Unruh]

#25203

Just curious…how far might have you been standing from them? I am hoping it was a healthy distance – :shock:. I am going to research my area and see if we have them growing out here. I would love to hunt some…

[Stephen Graf]

#25509

paleoman wrote: Nature called a #1 and whilst standing and minding my own biz…

Being the humorist that you are, I’d a figured you would have phrased it: “Nature called a #1 and whilst standing there minding my own wiz…”

Good looking pile of shrooms.

[Doc Nock]

#25553

Cameron wrote: Just curious…how far might have you been standing from them? I am hoping it was a healthy distance – :shock:. .

Sounds like they were up on a bank…:roll:

Course, keep a mushroom a few days and the ammonia smell would rival anything our boy could produce…8)

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#25618

Nice find, paleoman. I love morels, and finding them is half the fun. Speaking of which, they’re on the menu for tonight’s meal at the Hammer homestead:

Got out for a hike with the Super D last night on the way home from work. Glassed some mule deer for a while, contemplated shooting a squirrel, thumped a bunch of stumps instead and appreciated the views and the fresh air after a day of sitting in front of a computer screen. I need to make sure to do this after work more often.

[Doc Nock]

#25686

Hey, Bruce….

Don’t forget to stop and take a stroll on you way home, week’s end to set your weekend in the right frame of mind…

Tuesdays and Fridays ought to be a good schedule?:roll:

[Ralph]

#25720

Yep on the peaceful sojourn, a man might find an additional gift:D

[paleoman]

#26151

Steve Graf wrote: [quote=paleoman]Nature called a #1 and whilst standing and minding my own biz…

Being the humorist that you are, I’d a figured you would have phrased it: “Nature called a #1 and whilst standing there minding my own wiz…”

Good looking pile of shrooms.

I actually did and hit delete because that was just too lame, even for me:lol:

[paleoman]

#26160

Smithhammer wrote: Nice find, paleoman. I love morels, and finding them is half the fun. Speaking of which, they’re on the menu for tonight’s meal at the Hammer homestead:

Got out for a hike with the Super D last night on the way home from work. Glassed some mule deer for a while, contemplated shooting a squirrel, thumped a bunch of stumps instead and appreciated the views and the fresh air after a day of sitting in front of a computer screen. I need to make sure to do this after work more often.

SH – you are the best pic poster on the site! Always awesome. I almost felt guilty last night…..my wife cooked some up since she loves them, and I have to say, my God I’ve been missing out. Just like steak! I have to give up my childish notion of mushrooms I’ve held for so long:oops:

[paleoman]

#26175

R2 wrote: Life is good:

Green and wet this year:

Shootin good:

All in family are well,

and I’m feeling ornery:

That’s great Ralph! All that green. The U.S. Drought Monitor is one of my regular bookmarks and I keep an eye out for Amarillo now…..I recall recent years past when you posted dirt. Ca and Nv are just downright SCARY to look at on that map…

[Stephen Graf]

#26629

I heard yesterday that el nino is finally on the rise, good for the west, not so good for us on the east side, rain wise…

[Ralph]

#26700

Steve, I’m having to do some rethinking on how to alter plans around rain and mud rather than wind and dust. 😀

Hope it doesn’t dry you guys up too much but I’m enjoying it for a change.

We’ve already received more rain this year than all of 2011 and nearly as much as all of 2012.

Think maybe the skeeters and chiggers gonna be way bad at the archery range this summer.

I hate chiggers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope for the best for the west.

[Doc Nock]

#26706

NOt to sound like a nay-sayer, but Global Warming, El Nino, El Nina, El Greco….WT???? I guess they have to call things they can’t control “something“

Earth and it’s normal cycles have been around a long, long time… man has had recorded history a tiny blip on the radar

Who’s to say if some of these “changes” are normal cycles of Mother Earth, or something man had help initiate with all the crud we pump into the atmosphere? Or Space litter 🙄 Or…???

My 88 yr old “2nd Mom” up in Central PA says, “When I want to know the weather, I don’t listen to them forecasters, who are usually wrong, I go outside and look!”

After all this hard work putting in a garden, we’re pretty light in rainfall right here local, but few miles up on the mountain ridge, they got plenty recently. Whatever will be, will be.

Stay safe everyone and take no chances…weather is an equal opportunity dis-respector of persons!

[Ralph]

#26709

Tried to talk ya into plantin’ turnips. If they dry up it ain’t no loss to anyone. 😀

[Robin Conrads]

#26828

T.J. and I leave tonight for two weeks in Costa Rica. We stay in a little surf/fishing town called Nosara on the Nicoya peninsula. I can’t unplug completely; they do have internet service, so I’ll still check in on you guys between cervezas and long walks on the beach. 😉

Other trips this year include the Compton Rendezvous and (for the first time in a very long time) I will be at the ETAR (Denton Hill) this year with our new Advertising Manager. It’s been a wild ride here lately, and it’s gonna be a busy summer, so I’m really looking forward to these two weeks in the tropics.

[Ralph]

#26867

Well, have fun on a well deserved vacation. I’ll bet there’s plenty of cerveza and sunshine!!!!!!

Enjoy yourselves, Ralph

[Stephen Graf]

#26999

Enjoy!

We’ve been to Costa Rica once a couple years ago. Really enjoyed the mountains, the coast was a bit hot, and the cicada’s were going crazy. Couldn’t hear myself think.

Had a blast. Great food, people, and hiking. Kids loved it. Nobody got sick, whew!

sg

[Stephen Graf]

#27008

Doc Nock wrote: …Earth and it’s normal cycles have been around a long, long time… man has had recorded history a tiny blip on the radar

Who’s to say if some of these “changes” are normal cycles of Mother Earth, or something man had help initiate with all the crud we pump into the atmosphere? Or Space litter 🙄 Or…???

El Nino and La Nina are normal cycles that have been around forever. They are exaggerated as the planet warms up though… And since the ecology of the planet is already stressed, the affects can be much worse. Kind of like if you have a compromised immune system, a cold, or toenail fungus can kill you.

Doc Nock wrote: My 88 yr old “2nd Mom” up in Central PA says, “When I want to know the weather, I don’t listen to them forecasters, who are usually wrong, I go outside and look!”

It’s a common mistake to confuse weather with climate. They are two different things. Weather is what is happening right now. It changes all the time and is less predictable. Climate is what happens over the long term. It is more steady and more predictable.

There was a really good TED talk a year or so ago about climate, what we know about it, and the current state of the art of climate modeling:

http://www.ted.com/talks/gavin_schmidt_the_emergent_patterns_of_climate_change

Well worth watching for those who want to understand…

[Doc Nock]

#27074

“Current state of climate modeling…”

That is my point… I returned to college a bit later in life and when I took science classes, from now greying profs I’d have decades before, the whole knowledge base had changed…

Which is my point. Man can study all he wants… much of the past “science” is based on part research and a huge amount of extrapolation from current trends...

And current trends have only been recorded for a blip on the life scale of Mother Earth…

When they changed some major foundational information (FACTS) about science between my tours in school, I told the prof since what he told me 15 yrs earlier now changed, that since he lied then, I figured he’d just better put an “A” on my paper for whatever I choose to put down, because in a few years, whatever he’s telling us THEN, won’t hold up anyway.

Thankfully, he had a great sense of humor…:shock::roll:

I just don’t buy into all that I once did…having a past dedication to science, but some of the stuff that has come out in my few decades here on Tera firma about climate, etc, etc… seems, at best, a bit speculative,— well grounded in scientific thought, but not on scientific DATA… too little time line in science to truly know other then to measure what is changing…and we don’t even have enough pre-post data on that to make Conclusive arguments…

At least, that is how I view it all momentarily and try to keep an open mind… but I look at HOW they came to some of the more alarming conclusions about CHANGE and I’m not impressed…

[grumpy]

#27168

WOW!!!!

Got a text from my big brother (OK, older brother, the one that made me tough and humble) asking if he had my address right. I asked why, and he said I would have to wait.

It arrived today, I got 6 carbon arrows!!!!

He said I deserved something more accurate than “home made”.

I’ve only made a dozen shots with them, and they seem to shoot about the same as my old ones, even though they are a LOT different. They are a full 33″ long, 5″ x 3/4″ fletches, and as I said carbon. With tiny little (light) target points. On the arrow it says RADIAL WEAVE STL 300. OK, maybe the points are over 100 gr, they still seem light for a 33″ arrow. They balance about 19 1/2″ from the nock.

Do they have a spine appropriate for a 47# bow drawn 22″??

How heavy a head should I have? Mike’s outfitter told him the longer arrows would shoot straighter, and went on to tell me how longer boats were easier to track straight (he makes kits for ceder strip canoes newfoundwoodworks.com).

Is there any data to back that up?

This was a total surprise to me,

[Stephen Graf]

#27225

Doc Nock wrote: … I just don’t buy into all that I once did…having a past dedication to science, but some of the stuff that has come out in my few decades here on Tera firma about climate, etc, etc… seems, at best, a bit speculative,— well grounded in scientific thought, but not on scientific DATA… too little time line in science to truly know other then to measure what is changing…and we don’t even have enough pre-post data on that to make Conclusive arguments…

You’re in good company…

How many millions of people died because South Africa denied the existence of aids and refused to treat it?

How many millions died from smoking because the government and corporations argued that there just wasn’t any conclusive evidence that smoking caused disease?

How many centuries passed between the time copernicus showed that the sun was the center of the solar system, and people stopped being executed for saying it?

We are all entitled to our opinions. But I respectfully suggest that when an opinion goes contrary to the overwhelming evidence for a thing, than it isn’t an opinion any more. It’s just denial.

I’m not trying to pick a fight, I’m just frustrated to see the lack of informed opinion that runs rampant in this country.

[Doc Nock]

#27263

Dear, Dear Frustrated Steve,

SHOW ME THE SCIENCE…not extrapolated scientifichypotheses based on short term data…

I’m not as “up” as you are, at least not in the near term…you’ve shown you’re tied in...

The “Denials” you referenced as examples were tied directly to cost and benefit…

I’ve read the raw “SCIENCE” and much of it is based on EXTRAPOLATING from a known… and then projecting backward 10,000 years and forward.

I do NOT call that science…scientific hypothses perhaps, but not SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE…

Nah… you’re not wanting to pick a fight, you say… suggesting if we do not concur with your sources and reported views, then I’m in denial STINGS, brother. I do not believe I’m in denial other then denying the SCIENTIFIC conjecture that shrouds much of purported data… measuring with infinite precision changes in the past what??? 50-100- years…then projecting forward and backward…????

I’ve spent my time in grade. I’ve delved into the actual research…saw what to me was smoke and mirrors… I’m not arguing if there is a problem or not, Steve…but I am CHALLENGING the process by which said problem is “DOCUMENTED”…

there are a lot of “Sky is falling” science “groups” rattling sabres these days to undermine the whole of credibility.

Let’s just agree to disagree— and see if someone can help Grumpy with his arrow conundrum…

[Col Mike]

#27308

Steve, Doc perhaps this disturbing article will help.

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/scientists-earth-endangered-by-new-strain-of-fact-resistant-humans

One of the neat things about science is that it never says “we know” all science is based on peer review and the desire to prove the other guy wrong. What is actually really disturbing about this–given the tongue in cheek article above–is that 97% of the peer reviewed articles that I have personally reviewed indicates that climate disruption is a fact and that it is caused by our species continued burning of fossil fuels and rape of other natural resources to fuel our consumer oriented culture with no regard to the planet.

And Doc –when I was a young geologist the concept of continents moving around was considered, that German weather guy’s heresy. Yep I was one of the young Turks that said “but the data show’s he’s right”.

The other neat thing about science is if you disagree on a point all you have to do is produce data that supports your hypothesis, confirmed by testing (experiment).

Sorry Doc your statements are not supported by experiment.

Steve’s are.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#27320

I shot my Big Jim’s ‘Buffalo Bow’ when I got home from work today. It was immensely pleasurable and therapeutic. 8)

Mom – have a great time with TJ down south. We’ll be on our best behavior in your absence. 😉

[Ralph]

#27359

I hope we can all go out tomorrow and shoot bows, chase arrows, shoot the bull and have a good day.!!!

[paleoman]

#27907

I remember being a kid in the 60’s, dumping trash over the riverbank with my grandfather at the farm. Not uncommon in those days. That era was the start of the environmental movement, and I was aware. I asked, “Pop, are you sure we should be doing this”? He answered dryly, “we never had all these problems before all these g-damned Professors came around”. I have great memories of him and those days, but times and attitudes did change. I hope the new generations, and many of us, can unglue our brains long enough from the digitized world to feel the earth again and what’s real and give something back. Easy to say, harder to do. Enjoy your weekend!

[Ralph]

#28224

You guys just don’t know how hard it was to listen to the rain and thunder and lightning for most of the night and this morning. :D:D

Tough on an old man that’s seen mostly sand and winds for the last several years.

I had to shoot in the rain for a bit this morning just to see if feathers still get wet.:roll: 🙄

If I seem happy, yep, along with this whole chunk of the world. :D:D

[grumpy]

#28267

Rain and thunder??? Just one night and morning??? Try listening to the wind drift snow for 3 or 4 DAYS!! Then try to find an arrow in all of that white stuff.

All the snow is gone, ran down the rivers to the ocean. Hasn’t rained since March here. We are watering the garden as I write this.

I worked outside from the late 80s until a few years ago. Climate change is REAL. I’ve seen the summers get longer, and the winters get more severe. Back in the 80s we could predict the number of rain days in the summer months, we threw those numbers out in the 90s. The snow used to melt between storms, that is no longer true.

The arrows are great, getting tight groups when I pay attention. 🙂

[Ralph]

#28270

Grumpy, I ain’t grumpin, I’m elating, playing with some satire.

I’m glad it’s raining!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#28841

Lots of rain here in Idaho lately as well. While it’s foiling some of my plans for my days off, I’m liking the rain. And after a drier than normal winter, it’s a good thing.

I have some knives that need attention, a few arrows that re-fletching and I hope to get out for a stump hike, if nothing else. Hope everyone is having a fine Sunday.

[Etter1]

#29118

One thing is for certain, thousands upon thousands of square miles of land will be under water next year because antarctica and greenland are melting. Carbon Dioxide causes global warming. We are making millions upon millions of tons of it every single year. None of this is debatable.

Anyway.

I went bear scouting in the big mountains yesterday. Saw five. Went trout fishing this morning. Caught about 20. Great weekend really.

[David Coulter]

#29126

Beautiful day here. It pretended to rain last night and we really need it.

Trying to get my form back. I’m hitting pretty well, but the bow makes noises when my form is off.

Doc, sorry to play opposition, but climate change is real. And what is really real is not natural climate change, but Global warming, which is man made climate change. The outcome is not good, even for us optimistic types. A story in the NYTimes told of a team of Chinese scientists heading to Antartic to find evidence that climate change is not man made. China and India have huge coal reserves and now they want to have their turn. Hard to blame them, but it ain’t gonna help the cause. Wish I had some answers. Dwc

[Etter1]

#29165

dwcphoto wrote: Beautiful day here. It pretended to rain last night and we really need it.

Trying to get my form back. I’m hitting pretty well, but the bow makes noises when my form is off.

Doc, sorry to play opposition, but climate change is real. And what is really real is not natural climate change, but Global warming, which is man made climate change. The outcome is not good, even for us optimistic types. A story in the NYTimes told of a team of Chinese scientists heading to Antartic to find evidence that climate change is not man made. China and India have huge coal reserves and now they want to have their turn. Hard to blame them, but it ain’t gonna help the cause. Wish I had some answers. Dwc

Watch the HBO show “vice” on climate change. Any evidence against climate change is provided by oil companies. You’re just burying your head if you can’t see it. Personally, I don’t care what you believe because the world will not change so there is no way to stop it. I drive a big truck. Burned probably 200 gallons of gas to go hunt javelina with smith hammer. I’m part of the problem, but it’s totally silly to think that this isn’t going on.

Anyway, my business should slow down in two weeks. Awesome fishing opportunities but it’s hard for me to leave my bears. Will probably be up watching them every couple of weeks through the summer. The opener of our season will be mid september but I gotta run to the mountains whenever I can this time of year. I’ve noted some wild brook streams while bear climbing (wild trout are a rarity down here) so I’m gonna tie some caddis and get to chasin!

[David Coulter]

#29370

A story in the NYTimes told of a team of Chinese scientists heading to Antartic to find evidence that climate change is not man made. Dwc

Fact check. I believe I misread that part. I’ll take another look at this when I’m not so bleary eyed! Misinformation is no good. Thanks. Dwc

[Ralph]

#30292

Sure was a fine day here in Amarillo yesterday.

Green grass, partly cloudy, mid 70’s, light winds and a traditional 3D shoot with a dozen or so friends.

Cain’t complain bout nothing and see no reason to.

Gripin and grumpin only ruins one’s day and that of those around. 😀

Would rather smell the “roses” 🙂

[Stephen Graf]

#30318

Nice!

Been working on my “travel’en case” for my longbow/arrows. When it’s done I’ll post pictures somewhere or other. Getting ready to head out to CO again this fall for some “elk hunting”. It should probably just be called “That sorry sack couldn’t kill an elk if it fell on his arrow, what’s he thinking drinking all that whiskey and getting up late?” trip. 😀

[Ralph]

#30334

Steve seems like all that other stuff I take besides the bow and arrows and don’t use either, that takes some figgerin on ahead of time too.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#30428

R2 wrote:

…Would rather smell the “roses” 🙂

Amen!

Steve Graf wrote: Nice!

Been working on my “travel’en case” for my longbow/arrows. When it’s done I’ll post pictures somewhere or other.

I’ll be curious to see what you come up with, Steve. I’ve been kicking around some ideas myself.

Got out mid-day for a little stump hike. It was good, as always.

and then I came home and prepped a big slab of salmon for the smoker:

It’s been a pretty darn good day off! 😉

[Col Mike]

#30464

Climbed the ski mountain this morning (black diamond slope) with 30lb pack–whew. After some chores started bare shaft tuning some carbons–what a neat thing.

Then called Elkheart and wished him a happy 69th birthday. Now time for some grass feed burgers on the grill and Linda’s homegrown spinach made into my favorite salad.

Another day in paradise:D

Semper Fi

Mike

[paleoman]

#30503

colmike wrote: Climbed the ski mountain this morning (black diamond slope) with 30lb pack–whew. After some chores started bare shaft tuning some carbons–what a neat thing.

Then called Elkheart and wished him a happy 69th birthday. Now time for some grass feed burgers on the grill and Linda’s homegrown spinach made into my favorite salad.

Another day in paradise:D

Semper Fi

Mike

Happy Birthday Elkheart!

[Ralph]

#35850

Little bit different view to the north of my house than what I’ve posted in years past.

Playa lakes all getting full, other lakes are rising, people driving into flooded ares, etc….

Then

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#35858

Whoa – hope everything is ok down there, Ralph. That looks like a lot of rain in a place that isn’t used to gettin it.

Still raining here as well. In fact, we watched one of the most impressive lightning storms I’ve ever seen rage over the mountains behind us last night, including one strike that blew up a tree – you could see the bolt connect with the ridgeline above us and then a huge flash as the tree exploded. Impressive, to say the least. Today is my Sunday, so I’m hoping it will dry out enough that I can get outside for a stump hike today…

[Ralph]

#35876

We good.

Everyone knows where the flooding areas are so they can go drive into them and get rescued out of them:roll::roll:

Farmers grumpin’ cause it’s too wet to plant, they were grumpin’ cause too dry to plant. Heck, on perfect days when they’re in the coffee shop they’re grumpin’ about the ……:lol:coffee.

No shootin for awhile today methinks. Me no likey lightning!!!!

[David Coulter]

#35878

Ralph,

Hope you dry out sufficiently. Wood arrows only during electric storms! Wish you the best, dwc

[Ralph]

#35899

Bet that was cool to see Bruce, from a very respectable distance.

Dave, from an old lineman/substation electricians experience, no outside for me when lightning if I can avoid it.

[David Coulter]

#35970

Ralph, agreed. The closer lightning gets the more nervous I get. dwc

[grumpy]

#36220

On one fishing trip, I got off the stream, and back to camp as a storm approached (graphite rods conduct elec). Just got back to camp, and was sitting in front of the tent, I heard a crackling noise, smelled something funny….and the lightening hit about 30 feet away. FELT the sound waves, and of course was blinded by the light.

You remember that thing about April showers bring May flowers? We didn’t get April showers. Haven’t had a good rain since March. They are saying the state is in drought. All of that snow melted and has gone down into the Atlantic….

[Col Mike]

#38789

Well a day late–but Wojo came over yesterday morning and we shot a couple of rounds in the back yard 3-d straw course with the addition of 2 2-d targets from wojo. Great time and we missed Brennan. Wojo a little less bourbon the night before may help your accuracy.:lol::lol:

Semper Fi my friends

Mike

[drew4fur]

#39135

R2 wrote: We good.

Everyone knows where the flooding areas are so they can go drive into them and get rescued out of them:roll::roll:

R2 for the past two weeks I’ve had to make several trips down 87 southbound to San Angelo and occasionally on to Del Rio for some part time work doing wildlife surveys. I’ve been living in Lubbock off and on for the last 3 years, first time I’ve seen it “flood” on top of the Llano Estacado; there has been a car stranded in a highway median “playa” that spans 87 for the last two weeks.

I’ve lived in Texas off and on since 2010, in that time, I’ve seen one of the worst droughts in recorded history, wildfires that blazed from Conroe to Monahans, and now some pretty epic flooding. That being said I lived near the Missouri river during the flood of 1993, so none of this is all that novel to me.

-drew4fur

[Ralph]

#41061

Drew, you been around enough you don’t need to practice gettin rescued uh!!:D

[shreffler]

#41602

Like to poke my head in every now and then, have just been a lurker lately…my Dad decided to buy me a Binghams kit to build a bow for my college graduation present. All of the materials just came in, starting that this weekend.

Hopefully things go somewhat smoothly on our first build, this is the first step towards building one pieces, which has been a dream of mine for a few years now.

Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day!

[drew4fur]

#41623

R2 wrote: Drew, you been around enough you don’t need to practice gettin rescued uh!!:D

I had to swim out of my toyota 4runner in a creek in the MO Ozarks in 2009, now my address is on top of the Llano, as you know R2 it’s rare you need to even wade out of anything up there.

[Stephen Graf]

#41966

shreffler wrote: …my Dad decided to buy me a Binghams kit to build a bow for my college graduation present. All of the materials just came in, starting that this weekend…

Sounds like a great thing to do! Once you have the form built and have made a bow, you will need to make one for your dad too.

Longbow? Hybrid? Recurve?

Graduating from college is a great time of life. Enjoy it fully!

[David Coulter]

#42094

I never saw the Bingham site until I read your post. Neat stuff. I’m interested in seeing the details. Good luck with your project! Best, dwc

[Ralph]

#42156

drew4fur wrote: [quote=R2]Drew, you been around enough you don’t need to practice gettin rescued uh!!:D

I had to swim out of my toyota 4runner in a creek in the MO Ozarks in 2009, now my address is on top of the Llano, as you know R2 it’s rare you need to even wade out of anything up there.

When I refer to playa lakes:

http://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/land/habitats/high_plains/wetlands/playa.phtml

From past experience Drew, not involved myself but from the experience of having been there at the time when reconstructing the power grid in Lubbock after the 1970 tornado and having worked in the Lubbock area off and on for years, don’t get caught in the underpasses during downpours or in the playa lake areas around the south loop. A bunch of rain can fall in a hurry and nowhere for water to run off to. 😀

[Col Mike]

#42514

dwcphoto wrote: I never saw the Bingham site until I read your post. Neat stuff. I’m interested in seeing the details. Good luck with your project! Best, dwc

David what is the link for the site? All I get is an investment firm:evil:

[David Coulter]

#42635

Here ya go. Neat. dwc

http://www.binghamprojects.com/

[drew4fur]

#42774

R2 wrote: don’t get caught in the underpasses during downpours or in the playa lake areas around the south loop. A bunch of rain can fall in a hurry and nowhere for water to run off to. 😀

R2 I can’t hardly be convinced to drive down the block in Lubbock when it rains, the poor drainage is unreal, the streets turn into raging torrents and driving at any speed over 5mph results in a wave that is impossible to see through.

[shreffler]

#42795

Steve Graf wrote: [quote=shreffler]…my Dad decided to buy me a Binghams kit to build a bow for my college graduation present. All of the materials just came in, starting that this weekend…

Sounds like a great thing to do! Once you have the form built and have made a bow, you will need to make one for your dad too.

Longbow? Hybrid? Recurve?

Graduating from college is a great time of life. Enjoy it fully!

A friend of the family fortunately already has the form and heat box built because he’s built one from the same kit. We’re building a 58″ 3 piece recurve. Should be great to learn on. Once I get one or two of these down I’d like to start making one piece bows, that’s my ultimate goal. We’ve already got the riser block for a second bow for my Dad as well 😀

DWC, Binghams has been around for a long, long time. You call them up and they mail you everything you need to build the bow, besides the forms. They send you blueprints, DVD’s, riser block, epoxy, all glass/veneers/cores for the limbs, and all hardware. It’s a great company and where a ton of bowyers throughout the years have gotten their start. I will try and post some updates as I go.

[David Coulter]

#43136

I look forward to the progress reports. Take lots of photos. Congratulations on your project. Best, dwc

[Cameron Unruh]

#43303

[quote=…my Dad decided to buy me a Binghams kit to build a bow for my college graduation present. All of the materials just came in, starting that this weekend. quote]

My first build was a Bingham R/D Hybrid longbow kit. That was about 8 years ago and that bow is still one of my favorites bows.

[Ralph]

#44258

I came across this this morning and I thought cool, in reference to our previous discussion about lightning.

Scroll down a ways and there’s a video.

Safety first during t-storms.

http://www.grindtv.com/random/explosive-lightning-bolt-captured-by-police-das

[John Dilts]

#44517

Haven’t posted in a while between practicing at night and working all day haven’t really had the time. All my stuff came in finally to start putting my own arrows together. The first couple came out really ugly but I got my flechter set better now and the next bunch don’t look to bad at all. All I have managed to havest so far is one Sik Sik (a type of ground squirel we have here) Got a shot a an in flight goose last week my line was good but came up about a foot low. Hoping to get a good chance at some geese tonight. The midnight sun is here so it’s the season when I eill start having a nap after work then go out hunting juring the night hours my the birds are not as jumpy. Go luck on all your hunts this weekend.

[Stephen Graf]

#45454

Time does fly! I spent a few weeks in Alaska during the midnight sun. It was a lot of fun.

Good luck with the goose hunting! How do you cook those geese?

[John Dilts]

#45802

I cook them in the slow cooker most times with orange slices. You don’t really taste the oranges but the acid cuts that greesy taste and feel in the meat and helps stay it tender. Then left overs i refry and add it to things like fried rice soups and stews.

[David Coulter]

#45835

Sounds pretty tasty. Dwc

[Stephen Graf]

#45961

We have lots of Canada geese around here. They don’t migrate anymore, just hang around all year. That said, they don’t hang around my ponds or pastures.

The neighbors have to kick them out of the way to get to their cars in the morning. But I can’t get within a thousand yards of one. Makes a guy feel like there’s something wrong with him.

[Ralph]

#47041

Steve, they sense your relationship with possums………:D

[David Coulter]

#47145

[quote=Steve Graf]We have lots of Canada geese around here. They don’t migrate anymore, just hang around all year.

Steve,

The reason that they don’t migrate anymore is that “they” ain’t them anymore. Correct me if I’m off base here, but the way I understand it is that the PA Game Commission wanted to enhance goose hunting. The problem was that the Canada geese flew right over PA, with the exception of a rest stop on the Pymatuning Reservoir. When I was a kid geese were seen in Spring and Fall, way up high. It was a wonderful passage of seasons.

My guess is that goose hunting got started in PA on the Pymatuning. The PGC then imported a strain of Canada Geese from Wisconsin that were said to be much heartier. These geese stayed put, finding a wealth of meals on every golf course and playground around. Now when a child slips on the soccer field, they often come up wearing green. They are smart and hard to hunt, so hunters don’t put a dent in the population. I also understand that they taste terrible. One guy I know makes jerky treats for his dogs with his kills, but won’t eat them himself. We now have a cottage industry of geese police who, often with trained dogs, try to keep grassy areas in parks and golf courses free from geese.

That’s the story I heard. Have fun with them. dwc

[Stephen Graf]

#47162

Wow. That’s news to me. So they have spread from PA all the way to NC? Not Canada Geese? I ate a local one someone else shot. It didn’t taste bad, for shoe leather.

[Ralph]

#47191

Who remembers these???

I’ve had’em a long time. They be arrow stoppers deluxe.

I keep’em behind my other target so when they start shooting thru I’m not tearing up my fence or arrows.

I keep them tied up so they won’t leave:D:D

This was what we used between paper animal targets and the 3D target era.

[David Coulter]

#47216

Steve Graf wrote: Wow. That’s news to me. So they have spread from PA all the way to NC? Not Canada Geese? I ate a local one someone else shot. It didn’t taste bad, for shoe leather.

Well, I’m making an assumption that since they can fly long distances and you’re just a few flaps south of PA. If it walks like a goose and doesn’t migrate like a goose…. dwc

[David Coulter]

#47310

So I had to fact-check my own old husband tale. I could not find anything to substantiate my own story, but just maybe got the essence right. The over population is the fault of humans trying to correct for other human behavior. This blog tells it as well as any I’ve found. I heard it blamed on the PA Game commission so perhaps I owe an apology for passing misinformation. Anyway, here’s the link. Best, dwc

http://blog.allaboutbirds.org/2013/09/17/canada-goose-resident-vs-migratory/

[Col Mike]

#47335

David

That was a great informative link as we have the “goose” problem here at our lake a major tourist destination. What I really enjoyed was the responses to the Cornell article. Yep when you really get to the bottom line the problem is not goose crap it’s human crap. Will we ever learn?:shock:

Mike

[paleoman]

#48345

First Ladyslipper I’ve seen in a long time! A real treat. Right up there with finding an arrowhead or a shed antler:)

[David Coulter]

#48428

That’s a beauty! We’ve had an increasing amount of Jack in the Pulpits here. Some are little and some seem huge (a foot or so tall). Nice find. Dwc

[wojo14]

#48823

Thank you for the informative “goose” article.

I too am a part time resident of the lake Col Mike speaks of. Anf there is a ton of geese. Kind of noisey and annoying. But I ignor it, or maybe I just got used to living with them…honestly, the goose dont bother me at all. The only thing I can not get used to is the “poop”. It does get everywhere. If we can only teach them to use the restroom…:D

Everytme I read into contriversial enviromental topics like this one and fracking for example, I always find myself stuck in the middle. I always respect and understand both sides, but never find myself picking a side…what does that make me…??8)

[David Coulter]

#48848

It is an interesting article. Once again, man trying to correct what he’s undone. Wojo, it’s a tough spot sometimes when you can see both sides of an issue. Usually, that means you have an open mind and empathy for your fellow man and that’s a good thing to be sure. I have a personal conflict with us trying to accommodate more and more people with energy, water, space. On the other hand, the way I make a living requires a population base.

My son’s school recently did a tour of a living history village. They asked how many would be willing to give up their computers and go back to an outhouse. Knowing what I know now, I’d go. But, my dad grew up in rural, western PA, Coolspring,in the 1920s and early 30s, and later in life he often commented about how much he liked it better having a bathroom in the house, especially in winter.

Hope to meet you at ETAR if I can get away. best, dwc

[Ralph]

#48995

“Wojo, it’s a tough spot sometimes when you can see both sides of an issue. Usually, that means you have an open mind and empathy for your fellow man and that’s a good thing to be sure.”

How can this be a tough spot to be in? Seems being blind to one side or the other would be a lot tougher place to be.

Example, those who totally knock down others choices of bows or arrows or choices of weapons they hunt with or vehicles that are being used in pursuit.

I could expand further but this a non political site and some things mentioned above are of a political nature.

[wojo14]

#49471

dwc, I wish I could go tho ETAR, but family vacation and work are prohibiting it yet again. I will get there one of these years.I will do Pine Hill this year. Also a nice trad event.

I don’t know about the outhouse, but I could go with no computer. I am slowly getting rid of material things I do not need. Although, some things are nice to have and I use em…:?

I do have a very open mind on lots of subjects. That is why I do not argue. I listen and learn.8)

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#51117

Been pretty busy lately, but I’ve been finding time in the evenings to shoot my bow and ride (trying to keep in shape for elk season, which starts in less than 3 mos!!):

Came across this fallen nest on a ride yesterday. I don’t recall ever finding a nest before where feathers were such a large part of the materials used in construction. Very cool, and I bet it was warm and cozy!

[David Coulter]

#51234

Been trying to get my form back in line. One thing I’m doing is spending part of my time shooting lknger distances, which means 30-35 yards. I’d show a photo of my groups but my lens isn’t wide enough! Funny thing is when I shoot from my platform or shoot through holes in the brush, I’m pretty much right on. When I’m in the open my shots open up. Pretty sure it’s about focus. Dwc

Ps. Smithhammer, looks like a nice ride. Enjoy. Dc

[grumpy]

#51645

wojo14 wrote: …what does that make me…??8)

SANE

[Ralph]

#54598

Some of my friends.. err …acquaintances have been making referrals behind my back about R2 Squatch be he don’t exist.

Really!!!!!

I attended the Tri State Traditional Championship shoot at Wellington, TX, Sagebrush Archery Club,this weekend and this was one of their new target acquisitions. Quite the beast it is. It’s about 10′ tall.

There were some excellent shooters there.

Me, I won a knife and a chigger. 😀 Neither from shooting skills. 🙄

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#55604

[Ralph]

#55890

Better squatch out, someone be gettin after you. 😀

[Cameron Unruh]

#57818

My wife and I got out for an amazing 10 mile hike! This was her first time back with me to my favorite fishing spot. I am blessed to have a wife that enjoys the outdoors with me and willing to sweat a little to get to the good spots.

[Ralph]

#58058

Nice Cameron, good pics, big country.

It’s great to have one’s wife share one’s interests in the outdoors.

Other things too 🙄

[Col Mike]

#58087

Nice pictures.Beautiful country the Mrs. looks happy.

Spent 3 1/2 hours this morning cooking 60lbs of ribs for some 70 wounded vets and their families here for the white water course with Team River Runner. Off to serve up the feast at 1800 (rumor has it there may be a keg of our local breweries beverage). Linda has been helping serve meals for them past week this is our last event with them so should be fun.

Semper Fi

Mike

[David Coulter]

#58174

Cameron, nice hike and good smiles. Colmike, good work you and Linda do. Best, dwc

[Mark Turton]

#59209

Mike

Hope you and your guests have a good evening, tell them your friends this side of the pond honour them and their service.

Cameron

Regained a little perspective hiking with the Boss last couple of weeks, it’s a precious thing time alone in nature.

I promised to mow the father in laws back yard this weekend but Im sat here with a glass of wine watching the rain, to every cloud…..

Have a look good weekend all, Mark.

[SteveMcD]

#59460

You would think after decades of shooting we would know better! In the “off” season, I am known to experiment with anchors, tabs, gloves, form…. then as usual I get tangled in my shorts and all heck breaks lose. And I couldn’t hit the ground if I tried! Thank goodness I recovered today, and I’m back to my time tested form and ability! Thank God! Local Fathers Day shoot next week!

Other than that, there’s a hungry trout out there waiting for my fly!

Have a good summer everyone! Safe travels! Those going to Compton’s… wush I was there, but will be in spirit!

[Stephen Graf]

#59955

colmike wrote: …this is our last event with them so should be fun.

Does that mean you found a boat?

[paleoman]

#60341

Those in Michigan probably know, but we have our first confirmed case of CWD in our wild deer now. Our DNR has put its contingency plans in force, but the genie is out of the bottle. Am hoping for the best.

[Ralph]

#60419

I hope things stay in hand up there Scott.

I just did a search for CWD in Texas and it said detected in one mule deer in Hudspeth, Co. which is way west, bordered by New Mexico on the north and Mexico on the south.

More info I can’t seem find so I dunno. Hope for the best for bofus:D and all other areas with the disease.

[grumpy]

#62786

Audrey just reported seeing 3 turkeys.. in someone’s yard. While getting buzzed by a third, luckly she was in her car, and there was no release…

[Col Mike]

#62838

Steve Graf wrote: [quote=colmike]…this is our last event with them so should be fun.

Does that mean you found a boat?

Steve–no it means they left yesterday for home. No boat and I trust Linda is starting to see the $ involved as I remember the work involved:shock:.

Steve Mcd–think you can make it down to ETAR this year? It appears a few of us will be there would enjoy shaking hands and seeing the face as dwcphoto would say.

Pothunter–Mark

Thanks for the kind words

Semper Fi

Mike

[Ralph]

#11804

Just luvin life on a hot afternoon!!!

[SteveMcD]

#11926

Local 3D Shoot tomorrow, looking forward to it. Been shooting a bit each day this past week, just waiting for it.

Wish it were Compton’s, but a bit of life changes over the past couple of years. Hopefully, next year.

[Ralph]

#11934

Have fun.. Hope the weather holds up for you guys. 😀

[paleoman]

#12894

R2 wrote: Just luvin life on a hot afternoon!!!

Glad to hear it Tex! Life’s good up here on the peninsula too.

[John Dilts]

#13896

Been Getting ready for the N.A.L.S. shoot in Calgary in just over a week. Made some cool bottons for my trad gear out of a muskox horn from my first muskox i shot a couple of years back. Going to try and make some heads out of the same horn tonight since it’s raining. My over all shooting and groups have gotten better over the last few weeks. Finally at the point where only one in ten shoots test the back stop.

[James Harvey]

#13998

Lookin good R2!

I have been doing some form shooting, trying to regain some talent after a few months of not shooting. If I’m shooting well enough by the weekend will head on down to the local club’s 3d shoot.

[Ralph]

#14044

😀

Went out to the hunting/stomping grounds this morning.

Looking darn good after 3 years of drought busted for awhile.

Knock on wood!!!!

[Ralph]

#14060

ausjim wrote: Lookin good R2!

If I’m shooting well enough by the weekend will head on down to the local club’s 3d shoot.

Good luck Jim and have fun.

How’s your knee doing?

[James Harvey]

#14164

Ralph,

Someone I’m used to seeing those hills all brown and dry.. they look great!

I got the MRI results back a couple weeks ago and see the orthopaedic surgeon on Thursday to get his opinion on surgical solutions/timelines. I was encouraged reading the latest TBM to see the story from Andersohn about his come back hunt. I daresay he overcame more arduous terrain than I’ll be dealing with in the next 6 months.

[Ralph]

#14191

Hope it goes well Jim and an easy fix.

Enjoy the shoot this weekend.

Having a good time at an archery gathering is not all about shooting well.

Sometimes everyone has fun when I shoot 🙄

It’s not that funny!!!!!!!!:evil:

[Stephen Graf]

#14702

Ralph – Those stomping grounds DO look good. Have fun and take a deep breath on top of that hill for me!

Jim – From the looks of those leaves around your bow, fall is well underway. Enjoy the best time of year!

[Ralph]

#17478

Pretty Poison

The bow is my 47# Yellow Jacket. Osage and glass. My favorite bow.:D:D

Oh yeah, and the weed too is poison.:D

It be silver leaf nightshade. Toxic to animals and I imagine people also. Especially if you graze or browse on it. 🙄

It’s becoming quite prolific this year.

[drew4fur]

#17512

Ah, good ole Solanum elaeagnifolium

[Ralph]

#17525

drew4fur wrote: Ah, good ole Solanum elaeagnifolium

That ain’t the name of my bow. I can’t even say that!!:roll::)

[drew4fur]

#17530

Well, since your bow is made from osage it’s alternative name is Maclura pomifera!

[Ralph]

#17536

😀

How bout “Joe”?

Can go grab Joe and go stump shoot toxic weeds. :D:D

Don’t even wanna mention my cedar shafts. 😉

Drew whenever you get around up here some, you’ll have to visit with Curtis, from OK. He’s a PhD in weedology:? mostly dealing with ag I think.

He’s also an excellent shooter.

Panhandle State

[drew4fur]

#17585

I’m certain he’ll run circles around me, I just happened to have my Trees and Wildflowers of the southern great plains field guide next to me when you posted about the silverleaf nightshade. And as far as Maclura pomifera, I took dendrology years ago, but can only remember the scientific name of the best tree for making bows.

I’m shooting almost daily since I’ve returned to the USA, but I’m certain when I get up there no one will believe that I shoot that often.

[Ralph]

#17610

Drew, they’re bound to believe you if they believe me.

The proof dang sure ain’t in the pudding. 😀

[Ralph]

#18486

Lest we not forget those of the past………..

I came across this tidbit of days past of a record perhaps that still stands.

[Mark Turton]

#18536

2028 yds I’d give a prize to the guy that found the arrow

Heck of an epitaph

And going out on his bike, hope he had a bottle of Bushmills to hand, the gods would have welcomed him with open arms.

Mark.

[David Coulter]

#18695

That’s a crazy long shot. Wonder where the shot was taken. Thanks for that post! dwc

[Stephen Graf]

#19143

Hay R2, what book is that page from?

[Ralph]

#19219

Steve Graf wrote: Hay R2, what book is that page from?

Steve, it’s from VINTAGE BOWS-II by Rick Rappe’

[Stephen Graf]

#19342

I have that book I think. ain’t read it yet though.

[Cameron Unruh]

#19444

I just found the Vintage Bows II book on lulu.com for 5.99 in e-book format and picked it up! I am loving the read – great info on the history of bows. I am currently reading through the first section on production bows. Thanks for noting the book! Also the e-version has full color pics. I read the the hard copy does not.

[John Dilts]

#29207

Just finnished the N.A.L.S. 2 day shoot what a blast shoot 2 really good days for me. Thanks to all involved in setting it up.

[David Becker]

#29431

Just got my tree stand hung on the top of my property, right on the deer highway, which is on the edge between the heavily forested ridge on my property and the 5 year old or so reprod on the Weyerhauser land.

I hate hights.

That platform is awful small, I’m practicing my shooting now with my feet much closer together. Today I practiced shooting sitting down too.

Less than two months to deer season!

[Ralph]

#36666

Ha!! Two winners today, knife from shooting skills this time, cappuccino from loving wife.

Was good day!!!!!!!!!!

I shot my bamboo over Osage composite bow.

[grumpy]

#39175

Not to make anybody jealous…..

But we are sitting here eating strawberry rubarb pie (our own rubarb), and zucchini bread (our own zucchini), baked by our own Audrey!!!!

[Ralph]

#39193

Soundin mighty good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Too bad you can’t text some to us. :D:D

[Stephen Graf]

#39912

Ain’t it grand to feed yourself grumpy? Good job to all!

R2 – what’d you do, hold the previous owner of that knife at bow point?

[Ralph]

#40072

Steve, I hit one of them thar bulls eyes that Grumpy was talking about and it surprised them so much they gave me a knife and sent me home. 😀

Actually a 12 on the raccoon target…:lol:

[David Coulter]

#47253

Hey, gotta keep this thread at the top. Good news I’m working on those focus exercises and my shots are improving. Good stuff. Dwc

[Ralph]

#48431

Wahoo!!!! Texas is officially out of the drought. Nice and green and water everywhere around here in the panhandle.

Deer oughta be fat and sassy this fall!!!!!!!!

[Stephen Graf]

#49154

Good to hear! Living with drought sucks. We’ve gone several years now without a drought. I thought we were in for one this year, but so far so good.

In fact, it’s raining now 😀

[paleoman]

#49707

Every time I hear the great Stevie Ray Vaughan song “Texas Flood”, I hear it differently now knowing it really does flood in Texas:lol: Keep your powder dry and arrows straight!

[David Coulter]

#52052

Cheers to Stevie Ray. Great tune, great artist. Stay dry down there. Breaks my heart to see folks get a damaging amount and others in dire need. My regards to both ends. best, dwc

[Ralph]

#60737

Found this little 30# Indian bow buried in the back of an old target shed at our archery range.

I made a string for it and the next time I’m at a shoot where there’s kiddos I give it to one. May have a little contest or drawing or see a long face cause they don’t have a bow. The last is the best. :D:D

I also happen to know where there’s a bunch of kids arrows out there in another cubby hole:D:D

[grumpy]

#60831

Good for you. 😀

Guess that is what old men are for. 😀

[Brennan Herr]

#61122

R2….. What kind of hat is that?

Thanks,

Brennan

[Ralph]

#61533

[quote=brennanherr]R2….. What kind of hat is that?

Thanks,

Brennan.

Brennan that’s a Tilley hat with a shorter brim than others I’ve had or seen. I came across it somewhere a couple of years ago. Academy I think.

My shooting/hunting hat. 😀

[Brennan Herr]

#61927

Looks like a good one. Thanks for the info!!!

[Ralph]

#10783

Was out checking out the hunting grounds yesterday.

Lookin good this year.

But Lordy the tumbleweeds and sunflowers are taking over some places big time:

But doves and sunflowers and Sept. 1st :D:D

[grumpy]

#12167

WHERE ARE THE TREES????

[Ralph]

#12196

grumpy wrote: WHERE ARE THE TREES????

They’re mighty hard to hide behind. :D:D

[ChumpMcgee]

#15284

I am pretty excited just hung my first tree stand of the year…1 of 2. This will be my first year hunting the whole year from a tree. Hopefully it will suite me well…I also put out a trail camera….(ssshhh don’t tell my dad or he will disown me)….and ended up getting a picture of this guy. This is mid August in Minnesota, I would expect him to be a little heavier than this. He looks skinny to me but what does everyone else think?

[paleoman]

#15619

Body-wise it looks like a year and a half old buck to me with great antler growth? He looks thin in the haunches to me to be an older buck… Enjoy all the prep, I think that’s where a lot of the fun is. My 2 cents though, don’t get hung up in a tree all the time, hunters throughout time moved and learned as they did. You can learn a lot in a tree but it can be boring as hell too:lol:

[ChumpMcgee]

#15792

This is on public land where I typically only see 4-6 pointers so I was quite surprised to see this many points on a deer! This is the first year that I will be hunting from a tree, I typically do all my hunting on the ground but I am giving a tree a shot this year since I have not had much luck hunting from the ground. The preseason scouting has been great! I have new areas where I will be hunting plus I have seen several shootable bucks IMO! I am pretty excited about this season after getting skunked out last year. I need to get a higher deer count under my belt!

[Stephen Graf]

#16220

Deer looks tasty to me!

I like hunting from a tree. But it can be challenging with a traditional bow. Need to do some practicing from the tree to make sure you’ve got the angle thing figured out and that your limbs don’t hit the stand.

Last year I shot 3 deer with my longbow:

-a 3 pointer while stalking

-a doe from a ground blind

-a 7 pointer from a tree stand.

It was enjoyable to mix it up. But mostly it was luck. I spent the least amount of my time in the blind, which I find the most boring method.

[Ralph]

#16558

This ain’t huntin’ deer but it’s another hunter at work. Cool to watch.

[Stephen Graf]

#16679

I’ve seen that before. And I still can’t get over how they got the camera in the water to watch the osprey catch the flounder. I really have a hard time believing somebody got that lucky. I have to call BS on that.

Which doesn’t take away from the coolness of it. And if it is real, that photographer should have bought a lottery ticket or ask a super model out that same day 😀

The bass has me thinking about a time I saw that very thing happen. I looked out of my jeep over the lake that the road ran by to see an osprey grab a bass about that size. He too had trouble getting air under him. Problem is, he was heading my way. He just wouldn’t drop the damn fish. I hit the breaks, best I could, but it wasn’t enough. That osprey lost his life over a bass, and I had to replace my front right headlight, blinker bracket assembly.

Sometimes you just gotta know when to let go 😯

[Ralph]

#20106

We had a nice gathering of 12-14 trad folks here in Amarillo today. Shooting a 30 shot 3D setup, keeping score some but more for fun than anything.

We’re a close knit fun loving bunch.

We’re fortunate enough here that our club allows us to have the 3rd Sunday of the month just for traditional archery.

Pleasure to meet you Drew and enjoyed the day. Glad you came up to see us.

Make sure you clean the hole in the bow out really well before you epoxy the inset back in it. 😉

Good luck with the one one the way:D:D

See in a month perhaps. :D:D.

[Col Mike]

#20164

Rick

Isn’t it a treat when you can put a face to the name. Bought time, I think for Trad Bow to host a shoot for all of us.

What say you Mom?:D Something mid Continent so travel is equal.

Last thought–for those I have met–not one I wouldn’t want to share a campfire with. What a tribe we have:lol:

Semper Fi

Mike

[grumpy]

#21179

Scouting/stumping yesterday. Was only 86* and 88 % humid, so not as bad as last week. Skeeters liked it (OUCH!! Audrey JUST MISSED A FLY AND GOT ME IN THE HEAD) as there was no wind. I did OK with them as I had a Mosquito head net and wearing the plastic wrist bracelets. Head net works as both protection and camo.

Was proud of myself as I located a cliff. Saw all the contour lines really close together on the map out in the middle of a WMA and found it using the compass and dead reckoning. Was about 60 feet high, and at the bottom a giant jumble of rocks in the car/house size. Went north along the ridge until it petered out, then came back south in the valley. That is where I saw it. I had seen scat along the ridge, and then some places that were dug up. I was wondering what would have dug this up, and also thinking “It rained last night. This is really, really fresh.” Then looked up to see a bear looking at me with his beady eyes over a rock about the size of a ’50s MG. He swayed his head from side to side, probably didn’t recognize me (the bug net covered my mustache). Then I believe my scent reached him and he disappeared. I just got glimpses of black crashing through the brush. Couldn’t have shot him, even if he was in season, wouldn’t have shot him as I could never drag him out over all the boulders.

[Stephen Graf]

#21680

Good Story! I am sure that if he had seen your mustache, he would have been much more friendly 😯

[grumpy]

#27408

Only wild animals that are friendly are skunks and porcupines.

[David Coulter]

#27510

Grumpy,

Last night after getting my kids and their friends set up to camp out in the back yard, I was walking down the overgrown path and saw the weeds move. I didn’t think I kicked a stone or anything so I shined the light on it just in time to see a skunk lift his fluffy white tail. I almost ran my wife down getting out of there and for some reason it didn’t spray. Who knows why, as I was only five or six feet from it. Dang glad to be lucky. dwc

[Stephen Graf]

#27786

That story smells a little suspicious to me. 😀 I nose you got out of there whiff your dignity intact 🙄

[David Coulter]

#27946

Dignity was left in the dirt as I practically ran over my wife trying to save my butt! :arrow::oops:

[Ralph]

#28865

I had a good time at a trad 3D gathering at Leedey, OK. this weekend. Those guys set a fun course. Thanks guys!!!

It’s so good to see playa lakes, stock tanks, and farm ponds full of water after all these years of drought.

I feel for the people in the west who are experiencing drought and horrible fires. My prayers your way.

I’d like to say the feller that owns the arrow with the pink fletching was shooting at the coyote’s ear but………..that was a major whoops……….

That is locally known as a line cutter 5:wink:

[Ralph]

#28879

It ain’t always so sloppy after the shot though:D

Notice the green In late August. :D:D

[grumpy]

#30064

dwcphoto wrote: Grumpy,

Last night after getting my kids and their friends set up to camp out in the back yard, I was walking down the overgrown path and saw the weeds move. I didn’t think I kicked a stone or anything so I shined the light on it just in time to see a skunk lift his fluffy white tail. I almost ran my wife down getting out of there and for some reason it didn’t spray. Who knows why, as I was only five or six feet from it. Dang glad to be lucky. dwc

Just had the same thing happen as we walked back from our back yard campfire. Audrey ran to the dumpster, and left me defenseless. Luckily the skunk knows us, and backed under the porch to let us in the house. Most excitement we have had in a long time.

Momma Skunk (who we have been seeing for years) had a litter of four, three have gone their own way, and one kid skunk stops by every night at 7:30 to see what he can find under the bird feeders… and to say hello. Don’t know what he was doing on the sidewalk to the porch.

[ChumpMcgee]

#30800

Well I went out to my public land area to retrieve my trail camera….I either hid it really really good or someone yanked it. Oh well….not very traditional for me to use them anyways. I am more upset that I lost my memory card then the cheap camera…I was basically leaving it out there for someone to take anyways, but have hope that people would leave it alone. Shortly after I sat along a CREP field and watch 7 does feed out 40 yards infront of me for a good 30 minutes. The wind was blowing in my favor for awhile and then swirled. I watch the old doe lift her nose up and try to find where I was located. They never flagged their tails up but they quickly moved out of the area once the wind changed 🙂

[Ralph]

#35315

Reminiscent of the past:

I didn’t know the Herring ranch had this at least a hundred head of buffalo.

I go through this area 3-4 times a year and got lucky this time.

There were more up in the valley but I was beginning to worry if an oilfield tanker or two were going to make my acquaintance while I was parked on the shoulder of the highway so I quit the camera.

[grumpy]

#39594

She’s feeding the skunk!!!

[Ralph]

#39628

Golly, I hope not beans. 🙂

[grumpy]

#42154

Corn and kielbasa.

[David Coulter]

#42708

Grumpy, some of your kielbasa drifted down our way the past couple of night, whoa!

[Mark Turton]

#42956

Cleaned up and rubbed down my Dwyer longbow ready to refinish.

[David Coulter]

#43859

Had a very nice hour and a half in the woods this morning. Had a twenty minute standoff with 4 or 5 deer. Found a few acorns, a couple of nicely used trails and some of the smallest droppings I ever saw. Are these things actually from a fawn or is there some other critter that would put a pile down like this? best, dwc

[Mark Turton]

#9770

Refinishing has not gone well going to have to start all over.

Good news, tapering 3/8″shafts went well, fletched and knocked ready to cut to length and add some weight up front.

Mark.

[Cameron Unruh]

#12923

I got out for a 10 mile hike/deer hunt today – necessary due to rifle season most of the local rifle hunters don’t walk far from the truck. I found some sign but did not locate the big buck. Found some fresh beds and droppings that were very fresh.

[Cameron Unruh]

#12933

I was using my Camo one piece. This was the first bow I made going on eight years ago and still my favorite. 😀

[Stephen Graf]

#13133

Making your first bow and having it be your favorite is impressive.

My first few were lazy dogs. I should have beat them with a whip till they tucked tail and ran under the porch.

[Cameron Unruh]

#13341

Steve Graf wrote: Making your first bow and having it be your favorite is impressive.

Steve…had I never built a second or third bow I may have thought of myself as a master bowyer. But those thoughts quickly gave way to the reality of bow making challenges that came with the learning experience. I am still working on getting the absolute perfect finish on my bows.

[Ralph]

#30949

Noise in the county so much sweeter than the noise of the city.

The Sandhill Cranes are migrating in.

They winter in the area and south a hundred miles or so.

[paleoman]

#33187

R2 wrote: Noise in the county so much sweeter than the noise of the city.

The Sandhill Cranes are migrating in.

They winter in the area and south a hundred miles or so.

https://youtu.be/0Fr_my8Z3UU

They are such joyful sound of spring and summer here and over the last couple weeks have just kind of slipped away. Enjoy them! Can’t wait to get back to hunting after this weekend. I’ve been On-Call for the week and been hammered. I just can’t hunt with a cell phone in my pocket that may F up an enjoyable day in an instant.

[Ralph]

#33193

I’m gonna try to get a couple of days in before the weather systems coming from the west coast get in the panhandle area and dump more rain on us.

I know about the on call deal after 40 yrs of doing line and substation work for the power company.

No plans have thee!!!!!!!!!!

Glad you’re gonna get to get out.

[Stephen Graf]

#33523

Just got done planting 100 chestnut trees and installing the irrigation for them. Slap wore out.

I hope them deer appreciate this effort. At least enough so that one day, when these trees start to bare nuts, a deer will let me shoot it 🙄

If interested, I’ll post a picture, later. Whew!

[grumpy]

#33558

If interested, I’ll post a picture, later. Whew!

You mean post a pic of the deer in like 20 or 30 years???

[Stephen Graf]

#34284

Old Chinese proverb say: “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time to plant a tree is today”

The trees will start to bare in less than 5 years, so say the experts 8)

I was thinking the dendrologists among us might be interested in the trees, but maybe therein lays the problem, no dendrologists among us… as goes the dendrologists, so goes the earth 😯

[Ralph]

#34295

Well Steve, the “treeologist” in me is curious, in regards to another recent thread, you did plant the variety that only drops it’s nuts in the morning didn’t you. 🙄

[David Coulter]

#34444

You guys know your trees. We have a few chestnuts here. They grow for a couple of decades then the blight sets in. What sort of chestnut did you put in?

Dwc

[Stephen Graf]

#34752

R2 wrote: Well Steve, the “treeologist” in me is curious, in regards to another recent thread, you did plant the variety that only drops it’s nuts in the morning didn’t you. 🙄

Yes’ser! They limit their droppings to the morning (something we have in common 😯 ) You can set your watch by it 🙄

[Stephen Graf]

#34756

dwcphoto wrote: You guys know your trees. We have a few chestnuts here. They grow for a couple of decades then the blight sets in. What sort of chestnut did you put in?

Dwc

They are called Dunstan Chestnuts. It is an American / Chinese hybrid developed by a Scientist named Dunstan. Been around since the ’50’s I think.

[David Coulter]

#34772

I heard of something like this and of course know we get chestnuts in season in the market. I think there has also been a seach for survivors to see if there any resistant survivors. Great project you did. Stewardship of your land. I wish a speedy crop for you. D

[Ralph]

#48200

Sometimes the way it starts makes up for whatever else may happen in the day.

[David Coulter]

#48261

Thanks for share that gift. Everyday it’s beauty. Thanks, dwc

[David Coulter]

#16626

Didn’t do a lick with venison last night, but I did make cookies. Tonight I put another 7 quarts of venison stock in the freezer for a total of 24 quart. Tomorrow I bag the geound meat, back straps, et cetera. All tasty, all good. Best, dwc

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#20417

dwcphoto wrote: Didn’t do a lick with venison last night, but I did make cookies. Tonight I put another 7 quarts of venison stock in the freezer for a total of 24 quart. Tomorrow I bag the geound meat, back straps, et cetera. All tasty, all good. Best, dwc

Congrats again, David!

[Stephen Graf]

#20471

Are you making Bone Stock David? If not, what did you boil down to make the stock?

I’d like a cookie please… 😀

[David Coulter]

#20476

Thanks, Alex. This was the first year I also rendered the fat. Good looking stuff. Hope to find many uses for it. best, david

[David Coulter]

#23405

Steve, bone stock, but with some meat left on the bones. Last time I left the legs more or less whole and this time i chopped them into sections.

The fat came two ways. When I made stock and cooled broth I took the fat hardened off the top. I also cooked some fat and fatty pieces to render the fat. That way made more of a mess. I’m wondering if I could cook the fatty bits in water and let it cool much like the stock. Ever tried that? I reheated it and strained it to make as clear as possible. Dwc

Ps. I’d hate to see the cookies get stale in the mail.

[Stephen Graf]

#24793

We use the bones for stew too. I don’t worry much about the fat. I cut the bones into sections with a hacksaw and freeze them in batches. Basically two leg bones cut into 1 or 2 inch sections. I found that lets the marrow out better. A bit-o-meat left on the bones keeps the locals happy too 😀

When it comes time to make stew, I cook the bones in a crockpot for 24 hours to get everything out of them. When done, bones fall apart. When cooled stew gels like jello from all the gelatin.

Fish bones out, add veggies and whatever. Best stew there is.

You are on the right road David.

[Ralph]

#58729

Hey folks, haven’t been here for awhile.

Holidays upon us, winter fixin to bite, hunting seasons winding down, things goin on, people we haven’t heard from in a long time.

Hope all is good and all are well.

Diamond says it’s a good life:

[David Coulter]

#59545

Looks like Diamond is standing guard on the nice rig hanging back there.

Rifle season closes in PA today. Not any opportunity on anything legal, but nice to be in the woods.

Next chance begins day after Christmas. Life is on the wire (read that deer season), the rest is waiting. The Great Wallenda.

[Ralph]

#38516

Dang wind’s messin’ with my shooting today:

[Charles Ek]

#41173

Dang El Niño is messing with our winter. The tenant back in my archery range is none too happy with his snowless situation.

<img src="[img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5702/23412281549_38aa8d2cd0_z.jpg” alt=”” />SNOWLESS HARE by googletops, on Flickr[/img]

[arthurw]

#45446

I’ve been driving myself plumb crazy trying to shoot better. 15 yards seems to be my nemesis. The funny thing is, I’m hitting very well at 20 yards. Six day firearm just ended here in Jersey, so I’ll have the woods to myself again except for the bear hunters. I don’t hunt bear, I get too cold.

As for shooting, I’ve been working on form and fine tuning arrows. My Kodiak Hunter says 46 under the plate. 30 inch carbon .500 spine arrows. I don’t know my true draw length. I’m figuring about 27. I’m pretty sure my anchor was a problem. I was yanking all the way back to my earlobe, and used 125 grain points because they were flying straight, 175 were showing weak. I changed to index finger to corner of mouth, and 175 grn points because now 125 is showing stiff. Shooting is much better.

[Mark Turton]

#13717

I like Staffies always good company.

That’s some wind R2 looks like some weird time distortion.

Off to see StarWars tonight!!

The finish on my Dwyer long bow has finally hardened so I can set about scrapping it off over the holidays.

The lower insert on my Bear bow came loose last weekend so I filled the hole with epoxy and can now drill a new one for the insert.

Christmas shopping……………might have to work this weekend after all.

Mark.

[David Coulter]

#16582

R2, I think that’s the real archer’s paradox. Get your spine straight and you’ll be just fine. D

[Ralph]

#28796

:)Like Lee Marvin says in CATBALOU, “You should see’em from my side”.

This better, just not where shootin is legal. Imagine that..

[Stephen Graf]

#45684

I have a spot where I’ve been sitting in the woods near where the creeks come together…

Every morning that I sit there around 10am a gobbler with a 6 inch beard comes down the hill the same way. See’s me, and gets all upset and surprised like. Same thing every time. It’s getting boring.

But wait till spring. Won’t be a turkey within miles.

[Ralph]

#50822

They’re pretty dang smart for pea brains uh Steve!!!!!!!!

When I was concentrating on deer, I’d see herds/flocks/rafters 🙂 of turkeys in 3 different locations, every time I went out.

Now that I’m through hunting deer, and I’m on my quest for a longbow bird, I have not seen a single bird.

Go figure! 🙄

P.S.

Got word from one of the oil field pumpers that works on my lease today that he nearly got rattlesnake bit.

1st day of winter is it not?

I know warm days sometimes snakes possible. Best still play heads up I guess. Supposed to come a big winter storm this weekend so that oughta do the trick. Put those buggers in their deep, deep holes.

[David Coulter]

#52620

Sounds like the turkeys are busy training you guys where to go during hunting season so they can relax where they’d rather be. dwc

[Stephen Graf]

#56797

No doubt David! They use the same strategy that the deer use… and the squirrel use… and the rabbits use… hmmm…

[Ralph]

#60816

Winds blowin like all git out so I’m sittin here havin a cup with some memories:

Pre brainwashing memories…………David 😉

[David Coulter]

#62902

I suppose it’s a rare bird that isn’t indulging in at least some brainwashing. It’s just the smart ones who know it. 😉 dwc

[Ralph]

#18680

Ya, some are real smarta**es about it too. When they stop and look back at ya….#$@%*$#*&:wink: 20 yards outta longbow range….. where’s the .223? 👿

[Ralph]

#40764

It’s not always about the bow

Just had to share this.

A good friend of mine has some land here in the Panhandle with some mighty fine deer on it (I don’t get to hunt it darn it).

He brought this young man to his place, very terminally ill, and let him take this buck yesterday. Last hour buck!!!

There is still goodness and kindness in this troubled world……

[grumpy]

#41698

Audrey just said “There are nice people everywhere, we just don’t know about it.”

[David Coulter]

#41826

grumpy wrote: Audrey just said “There are nice people everywhere, we just don’t know about it.”

Well said. Great photo R2. Thanks for sharing! best, dwc

[John Dilts]

#52074

arthurw wrote: I’ve been driving myself plumb crazy trying to shoot better. 15 yards seems to be my nemesis. The funny thing is, I’m hitting very well at 20 yards. Six day firearm just ended here in Jersey, so I’ll have the woods to myself again except for the bear hunters. I don’t hunt bear, I get too cold.

As for shooting, I’ve been working on form and fine tuning arrows. My Kodiak Hunter says 46 under the plate. 30 inch carbon .500 spine arrows. I don’t know my true draw length. I’m figuring about 27. I’m pretty sure my anchor was a problem. I was yanking all the way back to my earlobe, and used 125 grain points because they were flying straight, 175 were showing weak. I changed to index finger to corner of mouth, and 175 grn points because now 125 is showing stiff. Shooting is much better.

How long are your fights

[John Dilts]

#52184

Been off the site for a bit. Got the wife a crester for Christmas. all she really wanted we have a lot of fun with it got about a dozen each done just waiting for more shafts to come in. If the Canadian dollar gets any worse I’ll be shooting pens taped together buy fall.

[John Dilts]

#15499

Calling for it to be only -9 tomorrow didn’t expect that Mite just get in a bit of practice tomorrow normally this time of year is all about arrow repair and making new ones. Getting almost 20min of day light a day now. Can’t wait for May when the Birds come back.

[David Coulter]

#15858

John, my son just did a presentation on your province for school. I tried to get driving directions on google for fun but no luck. Dwc

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#19761

I took out my Shrew for a walk in the woods today for the second time since the end of the season. What a joy it is to shoot!! It didn’t take long to achieve accuracy with it again. It’s funny, I love hunting with my Black Widow PCH, but I see it primarily as a pure hunting weapon and meat maker. On the other hand, I can get lost for hours in the woods with my Shrew and a couple of judo point arrows!

[David Coulter]

#19995

Beautiful scene. Is that one of G. Fred’s quivers? Judos and quivers are a tough mix in my experience. Can’t wait to get a couple of hours to do some stumping. thanks, Alex, dwc

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#20175

dwcphoto wrote: Beautiful scene. Is that one of G. Fred’s quivers? Judos and quivers are a tough mix in my experience. Can’t wait to get a couple of hours to do some stumping. thanks, Alex, dwc

It is Fred’s. I had 2 judos, Hex points and field points in there. It’s a little hard to put the judo back in the quiver, especially since it’s wool. But lots of fun regardless!! you’re welcome, Dave!

[Ralph]

#36814

Ha, Alex! I’d probably be so busy looking at all those trees in one place that I’d not see the deer for forest.. 🙄

Bet walking around in that sounds about like walking in a bowl of cornflakes uh?

Speaking of noise, I was watching a Nature program last night and they were showing how burrowing owls make sounds like rattlesnakes as a defense method. That I knew and had heard them do so but last night on the TV I could not hear the rattlesnake buzzing and my wife said she could.

Think maybe I need to pursue that………

That could be troublesome in my world.

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#38258

R2 wrote:

Bet walking around in that sounds about like walking in a bowl of cornflakes uh?

You should see the forest floor in the dead hemlocks forest! Talk about a bowl of cornflakes mixed with matches!!

[grumpy]

#41309

Even better when the leaves get wet, then freeze….

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#43041

My brother photographed this big Ibex yesterday while guiding clients on a mountaineering/skiing trip in the Western Swiss Alps above the village of Villars. We call the ibex “bouquetin” in Switzerland. They are a protected species over there. Nice, heh?

[Ralph]

#53219

Nice picture.. That’s one fine looking animal.

[David Coulter]

#53701

That’s an amazing animal. Nice setting, too! Thanks, dwc

[grumpy]

#29037

Who got our snow this time??:(

[David Coulter]

#29643

We’re just north of I80, so we’re in the upper stretch of the storm. Got about 9 inches and another band coming through later. Nice to see Winter for a change. Nice to see some global cooling, at least locally! dwc

[tuxdad]

#30175

Where I live it’s STILL coming down.. A friend of mine measured at around noon and she had 2 ft on her car.. I’ve got about a good 3 ft where I usually park my truck.. You’re than welcome to take this stuff back..lol

[Ralph]

#31368

We finally had a break in freezing stuff for a few days and I got to go stumpin”

Wish y’all the best of luck with the mess y’all got goin back east.

I’m sure will have another go at it before long.

If you’ve noticed an increase in dairy product prices it’s cause the blizzard a couple of weeks ago killed like 40,000 dairy cows. No telling how many more in feed lots. I heard maybe 70,000 total.

[Mark Turton]

#36008

Been watching the weather reports on TV hope those affected stay safe and warm

70000 cows killed in blizzards is an astonishing number dairy farming is tough enough without having to start over again

If anyone has a few minutes to stroll down memory lane go back to the beginning of this thread it’s a good read and some nice pictures

Mark

[John Dilts]

#17316

Local Wildlife officer just came into my office smiling from Ear to Ear shot his first Musk-ox with a Bow last night using arrows that i put together for him. He was using a 60lbs recurve said it was a low lung shot broad head came about 2 inch out the other side. Took his camera but it was to frozen to work.

[Stephen Graf]

#19215

That is very cool!

I’ve a friend that just pulled a permit. He lives in AK and says the hard part is getting to the area where the Musk-Ox live, once you get there, it’s near 100% success.

I guess they ain’t too wily 😳

[John Dilts]

#31084

No there not skiddish as we say or don’t scare easy. But they can be very scary I had i close call 3 years back with an aggressive Muskox.

[paleoman]

#49200

How does Musk Ox eat? Bet something like a Woolly Mammoth:)

[Ralph]

#61764

Got an oxymoron goin on here: a bit of summer in the middle of winter…

79* here yesterday broke a 105 year old record..

Needless to say the remnants of the blizzard are history and were already having range fires…

So what happened El Nino??????

[David Coulter]

#61844

Last weekend found us in a sweet spot of a blizzard that messed with parts south and west of us. We got about 10 inches and then stayed cold. Shoveling done, pain in the neck gone and we still have a nice blanket of snow on the ground.

Making pancakes and baking cookies and doing laundry. Don’t get better than this. Dwc

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#18322

Dwc, we got a little less than 1″ here! Most of it stayed south of us.

On the other front, after 6 years shooting my Shrew, I’m now on the short 8 weeks list for a new Black Widow PL V. I decided to go back to the PL, having owned 2 in the past. This one will be 62″, 57#@28 ( give or take 1#)

Here’s a pic of my old one, a 63 pounder that I sold for the Shrew back in 2010. It was taken in CO, while hunting with our National treasure David Petersen!

I’ll chime in with pics of the new one in late March!

[David Coulter]

#18490

Alex, that’s a great photo. Beautifully posed, full of gentle respect. That’s a freezer full of deer, too! I had to look up the Black Widow to see what the PL was. Actually not a bad price and comparably little extra for take down. I look forward to seeing photos of the new bow. Thanks for posting this photo. Yes, Mr. Petersen is a treasure. best, dwc

[John Dilts]

#18752

paleoman wrote: How does Musk Ox eat? Bet something like a Woolly Mammoth:)

Not bad but it has a high water content so it shrinks a lot when you cook it.

[Stephen Graf]

#36823

That deer looks mighty elky Alex! I agree with David that it makes a nice picture, really nice. Could only be better if you had a smile on your face.

I really like the hat, in fact, I have one on order that should be here any day, maybe even today. I ordered a plaid with some red in it. It’ll be my squirrel/rabbit/deer hat.

I have a 48 pound Black Widow PL that I got in 2012. Never made friends with it. I’d let it go for $600 to a good home, David…

[David Coulter]

#43262

Steve, I look forward to a photo of your new dirty old hat. Grump it up!

Thanks for the offer on the bow. Mostly due to budget restraints, I’m a one longbow guy. Much appreciated! david

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#45462

Steve Graf wrote: That deer looks mighty elky Alex! I agree with David that it makes a nice picture, really nice. Could only be better if you had a smile on your face.

I really like the hat, in fact, I have one on order that should be here any day, maybe even today. I ordered a plaid with some red in it. It’ll be my squirrel/rabbit/deer hat.

I have a 48 pound Black Widow PL that I got in 2012. Never made friends with it. I’d let it go for $600 to a good home, David…

Thanks Steve! First of all I do have some kind of timid smile on this pic! 😀

secondly, that hat has been in the closet for years! But it’s first quality hat, Harris tweed from UK or Ireland. It has been very lightly used and needs a good home! Hint, hint , hint!!

[Ralph]

#49134

Do I smell a trade going on here???

Who’s paying the shipping???:D

[David Coulter]

#49580

I’m tempted to chip in for shipping if I could actually see someone trade a hat for a bow. 💡 dwc

[Ralph]

#49951

Steve right handed??? Alex a south paw??? Ummm… Are there left handed/right handed hats???

One thing about a dirty old hat….neva,eva look at the inside. 😀

[Stephen Graf]

#59736

Ralph, that is some sound advice! Reminds me of the old Fred Bear Africa movie where he trades with one of the locals for a hat made from some elephant hair or something, next scene he’s in the river trying to wash off the lice 😳

Alex, I’m a pinhead, at least that’s what my wife says. Not sure what she means really, but there is some small chance it has something to do with hat size. Not sure why you’d give up such a classy cap, but what kind of trade you have in mind? size?

David, I figured it wasn’t the bow for you. Thought I’d throw it out there anyway… Stick to one bow, that is the best path.

[John Dilts]

#63699

Steve Graf wrote: Ralph, that is some sound advice! Reminds me of the old Fred Bear Africa movie where he trades with one of the locals for a hat made from some elephant hair or something, next scene he’s in the river trying to wash off the lice 😳

Alex, I’m a pinhead, at least that’s what my wife says. Not sure what she means really, but there is some small chance it has something to do with hat size. Not sure why you’d give up such a classy cap, but what kind of trade you have in mind? size?

David, I figured it wasn’t the bow for you. Thought I’d throw it out there anyway… Stick to one bow, that is the best path.

Lidz sells thats style online i have a couple made by Kangol there good hats

[David Coulter]

#19494

I have not had much chance to go stumpin’ of late, so with the nice sun shining, today I made time. I only got out for an hour or so, but it sure felt good. All the best to you all, dwc

[Ralph]

#20934

Glad you got to get out Dave..

Nice here today also

I was gonna get out to my lease but had to take care of some electrical stuff around the house. That’s the one thing I do know about, others not so much…:D

Shot some of my older bows out back though. Love those bows but they’re about to outgrow me some methinks.

I be better off right now with 45, 46 47, 48 pounds rather than 52, 54, 55 pounds.

Easy to get sloppy after a dozen or so shots.

My wife says I’m sloppy enough without adding to it. 🙄

Very nice picture.

[grumpy]

#31205

WE GOT SNOW!!!

Six to twelve inches depending on drifting. Went out yesterday, and they did it to me again. Walked about 5 miles, up, down, fields, thickets, brier patches that would stop a skinny rabbit. No tracks, no droppings, not hide nor hair of a deer. Then about 200 yards from the car, as I was leaving, tired, hungry, and grumpy there it was. Three deer had come out of a pine thicket (you know the kind where the trees are all 6 to 12 feet high, and about a foot apart) to put their tracks on top of the tracks I made just a few hours ago!!!!

EVIL!!!!!

Went to a different (never been there) state forest today. Saw the strangest bunch of people. One ski guy asked me what I was hunting. When I said stumps, he asked “Did you get any?”

“Lots, and you know, you don’t have to drag them out of the woods, and butcher them.”

No, I didn’t get run over by a skier, snow mobile, a horse, or a HumVee nor did I shoot any. 🙂

They are promising more snow this Mon/Tues may need snowshoes Wednesday.

[grumpy]

#37999

Audrey just suggested that those other people might have thought ME strange. Just whose side are you on girl?

[David Becker]

#52101

I’m somewhat reluctant to post this, given that some of you are still shoveling snow, but we recently turned the corner where there’s some daylight before I start work, and some daylight after I end work, and I’m looking at the first American robins of spring out my window.

I’m grateful for that, as we got robbed of our summer last year due to my wife being rear ended in a car crash.

I’ve got a 68″ longbow I picked up right after deer season last year. I’m shooting it pretty well, but this weather is making me want to get out there and practice until I can shoot it really, really well.

[David Coulter]

#52165

Wose,

I hope your wife is recovering well. Sorry to hear that news. Happy to hear about the robins, though. We’ll probably be seeing them here soon, too. Good luck with the new bow. best, dwc

[Ralph]

#54220

Gettin dry around here again.

If it does snow and I get a wayfaring arrow in it I will dig around for it for awhile.

If I stupidly get one in these prickly pear patches, a no shoot zone, it belongs to Diana……..:D

[David Coulter]

#10574

R2, if you and Diana come to Eastern Pa, I’ll show you a spot where prickly pear cactus grows naturally with a view of New Jersey. Dwc

[Ralph]

#15596

You want some more? We have miles and miles of it. No city view though.

🙂

[David Coulter]

#15690

Ha! Actually, the view from our cactus you don’t see any city. Northwest New Jersey is really beautiful. dwc

[Ralph]

#17165

Whoops, Dave. I guess when this ol’fellar that grew up in the west and has lived in the Texas Panhandle since ’63’, sees “Jersey” he thinks of the NYC skyline and a bunch of old TV and movie references.

I know there’s pretty country in the NE, just never been up that way…

Be well………….

[David Coulter]

#21932

That’s a common image that I generally share. I’m always a little surprised when I’m in NW NJ how nice it is. As a kid, New Jersey for me was a trip down the Black Horse pike to my Grandma’s house smelling refineries along the way. Sadly, NJ is a lot of what folks think it is, and a bunch of beauty too. I won’t even start on what this Easterner’s idea of Texas is!! Ha! Sleep well John Wayne.

[Ralph]

#26397

dwcphoto wrote: I won’t even start on what this Easterner’s idea of Texas is!! Ha! Sleep well John Wayne.

That’s probably a good deal. You know how bad too much sweets are for ya…..:D

Remember the Alamo!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ralph]

#54516

What a start to a day………..

[David Coulter]

#57156

That’s a beauty! Thanks, dwc

[paleoman]

#8590

You’re on the hook for a Texas sunset now that was so good:)

[Ralph]

#9713

Here’s one I got at Wheeler, Tx. Camping out at a 2 day trad shoot.

Nice winding down from a golden day…

😀 I got lots of sunrise and sunset pics.. A hobby and my favorite times of day.

[Ralph]

#10465

Here’s one as I was locking the gate after a days hunt. Not a productive game day but a very productive day for peace of mind.

How could one ever have doubts??

[David Coulter]

#10475

Beautiful! You got some big skies there, pal. Very nice. Dwc

[paleoman]

#11388

That’s exceptionally stunning. Thanks for posting!

[Cameron Unruh]

#17451

Celebrated my 28th wedding anniversary at the beach with this beautiful sunset.

Then finished up the day working on a bow for my brother in-law in Oregon.

[Ralph]

#17766

That’s the way to do things!!!!!!Very good…….

[David Coulter]

#21824

Cameron, great way to spend a day. Beautiful beach! Great photo. thanks, dwc

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#12421

Greetings, friends old and new –

What I’ve “got goin” of late is recovering from two trashed shoulders, a dislocated collarbone and a broken wrist, among other things. Just as I was heading into the fall hunting season last year, I took a test flight over the handlebars of my mtn. bike and, as a friend of mine is fond of saying, “my enthusiasm exceeded my talent.” 😆

A forced break from hunting and being overly obsessed with bows was probably healthy for a little while. I tried a few times over the winter to draw my lightest bow, and searing pain would kick in long before I could reach my anchor point. But I believe that being selectively stubborn can occasionally be a good thing in this life, and I refused to accept that I would never shoot a bow again. I also knew that I had to put them away and focus on other things for a while. In the last few days, I’ve been reaching full draw on my longbow, if only a couple times before I need to put it down again, but still. To feel that familiar grip in my hand again, and see and feel the flex of a bow, is a wonderful thing. Heck, maybe I’ll even be able to hunt this year, but if not, I’ll keep stirring the pot and heckling you all on occasion….:wink:

cheers,

– Bruce

[Cameron Unruh]

#14297

Hey Bruce really good to hear from you! Sorry to hear of the unfortunate biking adventure. I am sure it is a blessing to be on the recovery side of things and able to pull back on the longbow.

[David Coulter]

#16072

Hey Bruce,

Great to see your name pop up. I’m glad you’re on the mend and really sorry to hear about the accident. Your friend has a good way of putting it. I’ll remember that one. All the best to you and your determined spirit. best, dwc

ps. have you been able to work on your writing while convalescing? dwc

[Ralph]

#16522

Hey Bruce, golly, glad you’re still around. I was wondering where you trekked off too. Missed ya.

Keep working at it, just take your time.

P.S. How’s the bike? 😀

[bruc]

#16977

Definitely sounds like you are making good progress.

Take care ….

[Col Mike]

#45478

Bruce

Welcome back! We missed you. Take the time and recover completely, saves trips to the physical therapist.

Try walking from now on—the distance to fall is shorter, ft per sec squared adds up:lol:

Mike

[paleoman]

#51484

Yes, welcome back Bruce. I do love seeing the “old regulars” come back. Anyone else have a harder time reading what they’re typing here? Contrast is low as I type in the reply box.

[Raymond Coffman]

#63186

Smithhammer

thought you had “Gone Under”

good to see you are going to be alright – always enjoy your prose,

in the Mag or on the website

wishing you a full and quick recovery

cyberscout

[grumpy]

#10758

Over the handle bars. Used to do that all the time landed on a porch once, slid across the hood of several cars, and left flesh on the pavement more times than I remember… But that was 50 years ago.

I don’t have a bike becouse at 66 I would be just as dangerous, and a lot more fragile.

You WILL recover.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#34671

Thanks, gang. Good to see this place is still kickin’!

Pulled out a few different bows tonight, and was able to reach full draw on all of them, if only for a couple seconds, but that’s progress!

[Ralph]

#34854

What’s wrong with a couple of seconds? 😀 How many seconds did Howard Hill hold? Does Brian Ferguson? Did Fred Bear? You don’t see them holding back and thinking things over.. I think you’re fixin to be spot on before much longer.

That’s doing great Bruce…

Y’all have any decent snow up there in ID this year?

One blizzard here way back when and not a drop that counts since then. Dry as a popcorn… you know. 😀

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#35173

Ha, yeah I failed to mention that a “couple seconds” is twice as long as I normally hold at anchor anyway. 😉

We were getting lots of snow till Feb. and then the jet stream shifted and we’ve had had little precip and unusually warm temps ever since. Still, I heard that we are close to 100% of average for snowpack in the Tetons right now, so that’s a good thing. Odd winter all around, for sure.

So what bow ya shootin’ these days?

[Ralph]

#40643

Bruce, shooting a couple of my Yellowjacket bows, 46#_47# mostly. Getting arthritis, bow hand, in the base of my thumb where that deer antler and I got crosswise a couple of years ago, makes the 50+ #’ers tough on my hand in pretty short order. You’ve seen the pics of that wound so you know where I’m coming from.

We all have tendency to think shoulder and rotorary cuff problems but stop and think how much pressure is being applied heel of your bow hand.

I don’t feel it when drawing the bow but the sudden release of pressure at the loose of the string, sometimes whoa. Dropped the bow a couple of times.

So I be of muscular physique with an Achilles heel??

[David Coulter]

#50855

Bruce, glad to hear you’re flingin’ them again. Must be a great relief to you. I look forward to your Spring stumpin’ videos. All the best, dwc

[Col Mike]

#11322

Leaving Thurs for Marathon Key Fl. Haul out, survey, sea trails scheduled a week from Tues. If all goes as expected we will complete contract on 36′ Marine Trader trawler shortly there after. Then cruise her 50miles to our berth at Boca Chica naval air station in Key West. Likely spend a couple of months getting her outfitted to the “Admirals” satisfaction before returning to the mountains and missing spring turkey season.

Probably be absent from the forum for awhile. I will check in when we return. You all have fun.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Ralph]

#11486

Y’all have good sailing and the weather be kind to ya………..

Ralph

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#17545

Hi Bruce

sorry to hear that. Happy to hear from you!

[David Coulter]

#18296

Mike,

Have fun and safe sailing. The turkeys will be missing you, too, I’m sure, with nobody around to tease. best, dwc

[Ralph]

#22236

With friends like this:

https://youtu.be/fJOlGdjs8QM

[Stephen Graf]

#28348

I think that little sprout was done-for before big mama thumped him…

[David Coulter]

#28626

That’s a part of a very good documentary. It’s a BBC production, Frozen Planet, Episode 1 To the Ends of the Earth. Time well spent if you’re not in the woods.

best, dwc

[Ralph]

#29805

Yup David. Enjoyed it when first on and enjoying reruns again. Cain’t get enough….

[David Coulter]

#63479

Went out for my morning stumpin’ stroll this morning. Took the family to a local play last night, so I slept in a little. Still had a big beautiful moon hanging in a blue sky to greet me. Found a nice little shed and a really neat little birds nest in the top of a mossy stump. Beautiful morning! Have a great weekend everyone and happy Easter to all those celebrating. peace, dwc

[paleoman]

#63857

Neato! I found a shed like yours a month ago and two $1 bills on the ground on the same day.

[David Coulter]

#64025

A couple of bucks! dwc

[Stephen Graf]

#17933

There is nothing better than a “morning stumping stroll” Nice pictures!

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#18133

I’ve enjoyed being in the woods yesterday stump shooting with my new bow. The bow and arrow setup is fine tuned! 57# bow shooting 575gr arrows. For the last two days, I’ve enjoyed extreme accuracy (for me!)! I never thought I would be more accurate than with my heavy handle recurve, but after hitting 1″ wood chips at 20 yards and stumps at long distances, I’m surrendering to the fact that I could shoot this bow all day long every day!!! 😀

[David Coulter]

#23702

Beautiful. Alex, what is your arrow set up? Just curious. Nice country! Dwc

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#23772

dwcphoto wrote: Beautiful. Alex, what is your arrow set up? Just curious. Nice country! Dwc

Dave,

My arrows are Beman MFX classics 400, cut at 29 and 1/2, with 50gr brass inserts and 175gr field points. They are also footed with a 1″ piece of Easton 2018. They are the arrows I shot out of my Shrew, but I had to stiffen them for the Black widow by going down from 225 to 175gr up front. After trying 200, 175 and 145, they flew perfect with 175gr

Photo of footing:

[David Coulter]

#28957

Neat, thanks. I was just curios. I’m shooting the same spine and length arrow with another 125 up front as I’m drawing about 45#. I bet those zip right along. best, dwc

[Mark Turton]

#40589

Hi Alex, friend of mine switched to a Black Widow take-down last year, looks very similar to yours, it is so sweet to shoot.

I’ve been looking at the adds and now your comments are making me seriously consider one.

Mark.

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#41511

pothunter wrote: Hi Alex, friend of mine switched to a Black Widow take-down last year, looks very similar to yours, it is so sweet to shoot.

I’ve been looking at the adds and now your comments are making me seriously consider one.

Mark.

there’s one that was just listed for sale this morning on the Black Widow fan club FB page, just so you know.

[Mark Turton]

#42735

Thanks Alex, I’m thinking I might go for the grey, not to everyone’s taste but a color that just disappears in the landscape and on a dull day skyscape.

Mark.

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#44181

pothunter wrote: Thanks Alex, I’m thinking I might go for the grey, not to everyone’s taste but a color that just disappears in the landscape and on a dull day skyscape.

Mark.

I almost got a greybark bow myself, for the same reason! Great choice!!

[wojo14]

#51563

Alex, nice bow and pics.

[Cameron Unruh]

#49453

I am in the final stages of my first two piece take-down build. It is shooting awesome – need to do some final sanding and trapping of the limbs then apply the spray finish.

62″ mild d/r. 63# @ 28″. Red elm core wood – Shedua veneers – Cocobolo overlays.

[Stephen Graf]

#52057

Nice! So did you follow Big Jim’s method? Did you use his glass/carbon wrap?

I’ve been thinking about trying it with the fiberglass wrap available at Lowes or Home Depot for like ten bucks.

Nice job!

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#52884

Wow! Cameron! That’s amazing work, bro!

[Cameron Unruh]

#53764

Steve Graf wrote: Nice! So did you follow Big Jim’s method? Did you use his glass/carbon wrap?

I’ve been thinking about trying it with the fiberglass wrap available at Lowes or Home Depot for like ten bucks.

Nice job!

Steve – yes I followed Big Jim’s method and used a quarter inch pice of glass in the riser as well as the fiberglass / carbon fiber wrap. On this first one I used hand files to relieve the wood from around the grip. For the next one I will be purchasing a inch belt sander.

Alex – it is still not a BW but I am actually very pleased with how well my first try came out. I know now how to improve upon the process to get even closer.

[Mark Turton]

#54839

Very nice job.

Mark.

[Ralph]

#55139

My new ‘very’ slow cooker…………still in the development stage…….:D

[Stephen Graf]

#63914

Why that looks like something Dr. Seuss would come up with. You could call it the “Cindy Loo Hoo Crazy Cooker for Two”

[Ralph]

#64043

It’s a grinch in the pot plot??

[Stephen Graf]

#8387

I don’t know, I cannot say.

Is there a grinch in the pot?

Is he boiling away?

Will he taste like burnt socks?

Will he smell like a fox?

I don’t know I cannot say.

Is there a grinch in the pot?

Will you cook him all day?

One thing I can tell

You must cook him real well.

In the end we all know

There’s just one way to go.

You must wear your best duds

To eat your grinch and spuds.

[Ralph]

#9105

So hence the large pot

To slow cook ol’grinch a lot

So tender, a worry not.

Whilst arcery is hot

In the back lot

And watching the grinch pot

Just not a whole lot.

That’s a lots of lots.

And a bunch of whatnot. :D:roll:

[Ralph]

#22710

Signs of spring… Now for some rain to green the grass…..

[grumpy]

#8620

Grass is getting green here, mixed blessing, nice to have green grass, but here we have to mow the stuff. RAIN is NOT the problem. But at least the snow melted, rain washed it away. 🙂

On a rove 2 weeks ago I came home with 2 ticks, seems they come out the same time as the spring peepers, and the motorcycles. Gotta get the tick check every time I go out now. 🙂

Then it snowed!!! We got 6 inches, so I went out to follow tracks. A bunch of deer bedded down between 20 and 40 feet of a stand I had last fall. Just to spite me. They were snickering in their sleep.

I think I have the same stove R2 has. Nice lobsta pot. Mine is stainless tho, and prolly gets a lot more use. Best to cook them outside so you don’t smell up the house.

[Ralph]

#12657

Can ya tell all the hoopin and hollerin about El Nino has been helpin us out?

Our archery range is good kindling right now for sure…

Good thing we have some evergreens to give us a little cheer.

[John Dilts]

#21017

Down to about 6 hours of dark 24hour sun will be he soon temp is all the way up ti -17. where about 4 weeks away from Geese so time to nock the dust off.

[Col Mike]

#43935

Been an incredible 3 weeks. Long story short we bought the boat and cruised her from Marathon to NAS Boca Chica last Fri. Not sure how long we will be here making Sotolas our home. It appears I will miss spring turkey. Visit Facebook Linda Herdering for some awesome pictures of the story. https://www.facebook.com/linda.herdering . Private stateroom and head forward for guests.

As soon as I figure out this navy WiFi will spend some time getting caught up on the site.

Semper Fi

Mike

[David Coulter]

#45253

Congratulations! I’ll check out the fb page. Enjoy, dwc

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#45756

Hi Mike! congrats for the boat! I’ll go check the pics now.

[paleoman]

#47994

Good to hear from you Mike! Going to check the pics too.

[paleoman]

#48062

Wow! Congrats to you both. Did you get out of the dogsledding with all the freedom you have now to go places?

[Mark Turton]

#13293

If I recall correctly it’s taken a while for you to find the right boat and you sound very happy with ‘her’

I wish you a fare wind and safe journey wherever you may roam.

Look forward to seeing some pictures and reading about you adventures.

I’m off to visit a local farmer who has kindly invited me to practice on his land as we arnt allowed to hunt with a bow in the land of Robin Hood, it upsets the gentry.

Mark.

[Col Mike]

#24643

Thanks gents

Yep search took almost two years. Getting her ready to leave for the summer has been some effort coupled with next two days of rain. Must admit it’s nice to be out in the rain and 75 deg. temps. Cool work.

Connection to the sky is iffy here so may be awhile between posts. I did here from ausjim yesterday he made Lt and first assignment down under is leading an inf. platoon and then into intel. A big congrats to our Jim.

Semper Fi

Mike

[grumpy]

#42797

The snickering continues….

Last week a bear went thru the back yard, and took down the bird feeders, snickering all the way.

A turkey casually crossed the road as I drove to work. I swear he stuck his tongue out at me.

Saw a doe and yearling while on a rove. She casually got up, yawned, and stuck HER tongue out at me before trotting away.

Somebody my age should get more respect.

I did note that the bow deer season starts on my birthday. 😀

[Stephen Graf]

#53572

Grumpy,

I hate to be the one to tell you, but… Deer, turkey, bear, and kids are among those things that will likely never give you the respect you think you deserve. That’s how its been in my case anyway 😳

[grumpy]

#14470

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[Drew Dittmer]

#22044

I’m Back, I was posting as drew4fur, but due to an error on my part I had to change my name when I re-registered; as such, I am now DE.

I had to take a break from the forum for awhile, here are my reasons.

#1. My daughter was born (first child), on Dec. 22nd, this has kept my wife and I plenty busy.

#2. My PhD thesis had to be submitted by the end of March, having a newborn and a large document to write also kept me plenty busy.

#3. I set a goal that the day after I submitted my PhD thesis I would tie flies every day until I had box of trout flies that was completely filled. This took about three weeks, but I did it!

I look forward to chew’n the fat around here again.

DE

[Ralph]

#25953

Hey Drew….Congrats on your new family!!! May she be always healthy and a great part of your life.

Just got back from the Memphis, TX TBOT shoot. I Left Wednesday morning to help with set up. Help became setting it up but I had great helpers. We got great compliments from a great turnout.. Thanks folks.

I had a great time. I keep saying that I’ll retire from setting up courses but it don’t happen. I like designing them and setting them up, as long as I have help.

I design with challenges, but always shooter friendly (except for myself it seems) and realistic shots, mostly :twisted:.

Anyway if anyone on here attended, thanks and glad you came.

Again we do next year.

Maybe I won’t get crosswise with a hole in the creek and try to wear my 4 wheeler. :D:D.. My wrist, forearm and hip kinda tender but, ha, I kept the sucker from turning over. I wasn’t going down in that creek crossing where 20 head of cows had been holed up all day and the night before. Nasty!!!!

[grumpy]

#26074

Thought you lived in a desert.

I have found myself…..

Or rather Garman has found me. I finally got a GPS, so I will always know were I am,and be able to get back there. Actually I was thinking I ought to have a spare compass. But yesterday I flushed a deer (and found a shed antler), and was thinking I ought to go back there next fall, but there was no obvious landmark to guide me back. My compass was NOT going to help me. We had a rain day, so Arwen and I went to Cabella’s. Of course there was a Garman on sale, so I HAD to buy it. Any guesses how long it will take to figure out how to use it?

[Ralph]

#26369

TX has more varieties of geography than most of the states combined!!!!

Line that GPS out and come see :D:D

[David Coulter]

#26505

DE, welcome back! Raising your daughter on fresh trout seems like a fine idea. Good luck on the phd, too.

R2, if you do fall in a cattle wallow, send photos! Dwc

[Drew Dittmer]

#27512

Thanks for the welcome back R2 and DWC, try to stay clean R2. There are subtle but important differences between shooting dirty and dirty shooting.

[grumpy]

#36240

Cattle wallow????

I heard all of TX was under water.

Is R2 tall enough to keep his head above water?

[Ralph]

#36543

Texas is big enough to be dry on one end, wet on the other.:D

“Keeping one’s head above water” is often a bigger problem than deep water.:roll:

There’s other places in the world that are ‘wallows’ and there ain’t a cow around.

David, hopefully if it happens it won’t be submerged photography.

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#37685

Well, this afternoon after the rain stopped, I took off to stump shoot. I saw a turkey in the distance walking and feeding along an old logging road with his back to me. I ran as fast as I could for about 5 minutes around the hill to hopefully cut him off. I was able to stalk him to within 30 yards with no camo and drew my longbow on him undetected! Now, if I could only do that again, this time before the legal time of noon, aaand with broadheads on my arrows aaand my license in my pocket, I’d be a happy bowhunter, kill or miss!! 😀

[Stephen Graf]

#43288

DE wrote: … There are subtle but important differences between shooting dirty and dirty shooting.

Funny!

[Stephen Graf]

#43345

R2 wrote: Texas is big enough to be dry on one end, wet on the other…

You Texas boys remind me of them fellows with big trucks… What are they making up for 🙄

Alex – Good story! But alas, I think you missed the point. You see, Mr. Turkey was teaching you a lesson. He was telling you that not only did he know you were there behind him, but he knows full well (as every gentleman does) what time of day it was. He was also subtly chiding you for not coming properly attired for the event with sharp and ready broadheads. Snobby old bird 😀

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#45470

Steve, Your story is even better! 😀

[Ralph]

#45570

Steve Graf wrote: [quote=R2]Texas is big enough to be dry on one end, wet on the other…

You Texas boys remind me of them fellows with big trucks… What are they making up for 🙄

Alex – Good story! But alas, I think you missed the point. You see, Mr. Turkey was teaching you a lesson. He was telling you that not only did he know you were there behind him, but he knows full well (as every gentleman does) what time of day it was. He was also subtly chiding you for not coming properly attired for the event with sharp and ready broadheads. Snobby old bird 😀

Texas just 5x bigger than NC. Lots of room for our big trucks too. Admititally lots of room for hot air also. 🙄

[Drew Dittmer]

#45845

R2 wrote: Admititally lots of room for hot air also. 🙄

Having lived in this state off and on since 2010, and traveled to every part of except El Paso; I find the “Hot Air” comment is broadly descriptive of the climate and populace.

[Ralph]

#46312

We have lots of fun though heh? :D:D

[Drew Dittmer]

#46641

R2 wrote: We have lots of fun though heh? :D:D

I can’t argue with that!

[Ralph]

#48386

I was going to title this pic “Blue Bag in a Tree” but the dang doe kept getting in the way….:roll:

[Stephen Graf]

#54099

I’m sure she would have moved, had you insisted. I’m glad you didn’t.

[Ralph]

#54695

I think she was trying to figure out what that old wrinkled thing was that was poking around in her house. 🙂

Was fun, I came across a group of 5 or 6 muley does. They never spooked but I gave them no reason to.

It amazes me that some animals seem to sense the intent of other animals.

We humans do that to an extent also methinks just not so much as prey animals.

Perhaps we have an increase in the use of those senses if we get into a situation where we might be harmed or eaten.:?

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#56910

My Michelangelo moment. Two cans of camo paint and one of WD40! I don’t care much for fancy wood veneers on bows, as you can see! neither do turkeys! 😀

[Stephen Graf]

#59471

You forgot the riser 🙄

What’s the WD-40 for?

[Ralph]

#59893

Yeah? Ain’t got no wheels to grease>>>>:) Cover scent? 🙄 Oh, turkeys…………:oops:

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#61158

Steve Graf wrote: You forgot the riser 🙄

What’s the WD-40 for?

😀 I had done the riser too, but changed my mind! The WD40 is a camo paint remover

[paleoman]

#15489

What I got going.. off to my first and probably only Kentucky Derby. In with the riff raff on the Infield…oh boy how’d I get roped into this??

[Ralph]

#25249

Umm. Another lesson about deleting a photo from Photobucket, it goes away here.

Oh well, was nothing but blarney anyway.

This handiwork of the ancients more interesting anyway.

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#20568

I just had to dust off the old catquiver for this longbow, since I prefer to shoot it without a bow quiver! 😉

Zwickeys Eskimos! Always around!

[Ralph]

#26211

That’s a cool catquiver style Alex. Can’t beat simplicity.

[Col Mike]

#26537

Hey all

Just back at 1500 today from Key West boat is all nestled in and hopefully secured for Hurricane season. Strung the bow and first shot was on target so put it back on rack–why tempt perfection:D

Have a couple of weeks to get this place in shape then fly to Durango on 1 June for road trip to Glacier for some grizzly viewing.

will get caught up on the site in next few days.

The hunter home from the hills and the sailor home from the sea.:D

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#26692

Welcome back from flatlands, Mike! Have fun on the grizz watch!

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#34072

I had the most exciting hunt this morning! My buddy Marshall and I hit the woods at 4:50am heading for the spot where he heard gobblers roosting the night before. They were gobbling in the trees when we got close. He set up 2 decoys on the old logging road, walked back 30 yards, and I set up about 20 in the hill above the decoys. Marshall is so good at calling that the gobblers preferred to come to his calls rather than to the real hen calling in the other direction! Two gobblers came in like on a string! I was totally hidden in my shaggie jacket and hat, I wasn’t even blinking an eye, and the turkeys walked right past me!! When they reached the decoys, I lifted my longbow horizontally from the ground about a foot, drew slowly, aimed and released! Arrow zipped right under its belly, but pretty close, like 1 inch! They moved away about 5 yards, I sent another arrow right in the ground again! Too excited, didn’t pick a spot, etc…! The usual reasons! They ran away, and stopped less than a hundred yards away and started gobbling again. I ran in a circle out of sight trying for a stalk. I got 20 yards from them. As I was reaching for an arrow, they saw that and flew away!!

What a morning!! I thank Marshall, he’s like Pavarotti or Sam Cooke on these turkey calls!

[John Dilts]

#35335

Things are finaly starting to thaw and i mean starting still freezes hard at night and gets really slushy during the day. I leave Satarday for my annual spring trip to the cabin saved some vacation days last year for this year so i will be out at the cabin for 5 straight weeks. This will be my longest trip on the tundra. Should be out there for prime bow fishing this spring. The geese are just starting to show up. I’ve seen 2 so far but about 10,000 will soon follow. Will do my best to take some pictures to share this time.

[Stephen Graf]

#36919

John that sounds really great! What will you be bowfishing for?

Your stories remind me of Igor Ruhds (sp?) adventurous life. Salute!

[John Dilts]

#37888

Steve Graf wrote: John that sounds really great! What will you be bowfishing for?

Your stories remind me of Igor Ruhds (sp?) adventurous life. Salute!

Trout at first then in a couple weeks arctic char, once the rivers start moving.

[David Coulter]

#44318

Alex, what a great hunt! Getting that close to turkeys is definitely a successful hunt.

John, five weeks at the cabin sounds like good medicine. Enjoy the hat time. I look forward to seeing the photos.

Best , dwc

[grumpy]

#10538

Seems the furkeye in NY have been talking to the deer, bear, and turkeys around here. Do they have emails, cell phones too??? Social media could be our downfall!!!

[Ralph]

#15483

Yankee gobblers went to town,

Yankee gobblers pass the word around?:roll:

Grumpy, “the word” gets all the way to the Texas Panhandle too..:(

[grumpy]

#50406

Lots of snickering……

[Ralph]

#14023

Decisions, decisions, decisions.. Life is so full of decisions.

Then there’s compromise, compromise, compromise..

Mow a little, shoot a little, mow a little, shoot a little.

For an old retired lad like myself, there’s no hurry for either on a pretty day.

Oh yeah, Shirley’s off and about so no pressure from the better half either. 😉

[David Coulter]

#15899

Nothing but good choices… Dwc

[grumpy]

#16726

{s it nap time yet??

[Stephen Graf]

#20820

Shoot the lawnmower and kill two birds with one stone.

[Cameron Unruh]

#24812

My son is getting married today and I will be officiating. Beautiful outdoor wedding. Life is Good!

[Stephen Graf]

#25887

Congrats!

[David Coulter]

#49198

Congratulations! That’s terrific. Have a wonderful day. Peace, dwc

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#55468

Congratulations, Cameron!

[Ralph]

#55711

Congratulations. A fine l9king couple.

We wish them the best and a wonderful life ahead.

[paleoman]

#61805

Yes, congrats to the new couple! I wish them a resilient marriage and happy life.

[Ralph]

#61337

Whoopee!!! We’re finally getting some real rain!!!!!!!!!!!!:) Bad thing though, some areas got baseball sized hail. That sucks.:(

[grumpy]

#11462

Is the lawn mower ready??

[Ralph]

#13127

Nope, nappin”

[Ralph]

#23241

Just wonderin’….Why on the sites that have “Cold Shot” threads you never see a pic like this:

Not sayin’ nothin’ just wonderin’:)

[David Coulter]

#23800

R2, funny you posted this today. When I walk out the door in the early a.m. I take a shot at a bale that I have at the bottom of the hill. Usually a 15-20 yard shot. It’s a good drill and I’ve become pretty good at it. Today, it was definitely a gut shot bale! That’s a wake-up. Thanks, dwc

[Stephen Graf]

#32673

‘Cause who would want to shoot that target? That is one scary critter. I bet if that thing got ahold of you, you’d be done for. Every time you post a picture of that thing, I gotta take a shot o dickle just to calm back down. Dang 😯 😳 😀

[David Coulter]

#33093

Looking at that thing is why I QUIT drinkin’!!

[Ralph]

#33107

I’m sorry Steve.

I don’t mean to spread target panic.

[grumpy]

#38003

Looks old and ugly. Is the rest of Texas that old and ugly :), we have pretty deer up here in the civilized world. On the other hand our deer are pretty rude, snickering in the bushes and all.

[Ralph]

#38167

Some be downright handsome I be thinkin’

I didn’t get him but it wasn’t for lack of trying.

Just the way the cards fall sometimes.

I had my camera set in a good spot. Just not me.

[David Coulter]

#38888

R2, Do all your deer only have three legs? dwc

[Ralph]

#39296

Dunno, I have other things to check out besides count legs

[David Becker]

#27642

Man.

About the middle of last month, I was starting to get real pleased with my long bow shooting. Then I got a ding dang leg infection and didn’t shoot for the better part of a month, and now it’s all I can do to come to full draw and not have my left arm shake.

I guess the good news is, Neighbor Jim reports all sort of elk sign, and an in person sighting of 4 cows in the Super Secret Elk Area. The better news is, wily critters that they are, they are leaving almost no sign on the roads around the Super Secret Elk Area. Since most people don’t seem to like to leave their trucks around here, we might have it more or less to ourselves.

[Ralph]

#13699

Hope you get over your ailment soon. Sounds like you got a good plan going your way.

[David Coulter]

#14300

Wose, you might want to park your truck somewhere else to. A pick up truck parked in hunting season can be construed as “elk sign.” dwc

[David Becker]

#14776

R2 wrote: Hope you get over your ailment soon. Sounds like you got a good plan going your way.

Thanks man. At times, over the last couple of years, our life has resembled a Country and Western Song, but I try to keep and mind we still have it better than most.

My hunting partner and I have been working on team tactics where one of us will call 50 yards or so behind the shooter. We’ve been working on some discreet hand signals and such so I think the theme for this year will be team work.

I’m just excited to hunt elk with a longbow.

[David Becker]

#14855

dwcphoto wrote: Wose, you might want to park your truck somewhere else to. A pick up truck parked in hunting season can be construed as “elk sign.” dwc

That’s a good idea. I’ve been contemplating taking a bicycle for that very reason. We can park the truck a ways away, then pedal our way into the Secret Elk Area.

Another thing we have going for us is that the conventional wisdom is, “there aren’t any elk up there.”

[David Coulter]

#17161

Better send me the gps coordinates just in case …

[grumpy]

#17664

Wanna see a pic of you peddling out with a critter on the bike. 😀

[Mark Turton]

#28372

Cameron, congratulations to the happy couple your family and friends.

I’m sat in the back yard by the fire pit whilst the lady’s plan my eldest son’s marriage next year, I’m keeping a low profile and keeping a close eye on my wallet.

Wose, I’ve now got a mental picture of you and an elk on a tandem, good hunting.

I finally repaired the mess I made of my Dwyer longbow, lots of elbow grease and patience just the handle and arrow shelf to finish off.

Mark.

[Ralph]

#28524

Went snooping yesterday.. Lease is green but getting dry. I did some weed whacking with a yo yo (idiot stick)in a place where I like to sit and watch the world go around. Can’t make myself sit in a batch of silver leaf nightshade. It’s a toxic weed. Only if eaten I’m sure but still…………….

I saw a muley doe with triplets. A bit unusual methinks but not unheard of.

They were little bitty guys.

Hope it doesn’t go into drought times again. The quail are back in good numbers. Turkeys are plentiful and it’s good to be seeing rabbits again. 😀

https://youtu.be/Dd0o2_sXTcs

Notice the use of my back muscles, the follow through.

[David Coulter]

#36001

R2, you’re pretty good with that thing. Getting it done the old way. Dc

[Mark Turton]

#48766

Looks like a good way of working up a thirst, nice follow thru.

[David Becker]

#38845

dwcphoto wrote: Better send me the gps coordinates just in case …

How do you feel about hauling 100lbs of meat on your back through steep, brushy terrain? Don’t want to put the cart before the horse, but in the event we get lucky, we’ll need all the help we can get!

[David Becker]

#38889

There are pix on the internet of folks hauling out elk quarters or whole deer on a bicycle. In many countries that we used to refer to as the “third world,” folks move some pretty heavy loads via bike.

We do have one of those tow behind bike trailers that our two year old rides in. It’s supposedly big enough for two kids, but it hold her, a couple of stuffed animal buddies and some books. My wife is an expert at horse trading our out-grown baby gear, but I’ve let it be know I want to keep the trailer. When our daughter is too big for it, I’m going at it with a can of OD krylon and renaming it the “Elk Cart.”

I distinctly remember my dad using one of those brush cutters when I was a kid, before he bought his first string trimmer. I bet it is still in the garage somewhere.

[Ralph]

#41124

Got my patriotic arrows out for the holiday!!! I shoot’em for awhile each year during Independence Day time. Been doing it for a number of years. I have 8 left. :D:D

Wose I think there’s a reason those are commonly referred to as “Idiot Sticks”:roll:

[James Harvey]

#24391

Hey guys, long time no see. I’ve graduated from our humble little officer college and been posted back to my home town of Brisbane. There’s a good looking archery club 15 minutes away from my new apartment which should see me out shooting again soon!

Here’s a photo they put in the local paper from the graduation with me and my dad:

I’m looking forward to scouring the pages and catching up with everyone 😉

[David Coulter]

#24889

Congratulations! This is terrific. I’ll be looking for your posts. You must be relieved to make it to this milestone and on to the next. All the best to you, dwc

[Ralph]

#25198

Welcome back “Sir”…:)

[Raymond Coffman]

#26637

Well done Sir!

“Splice the mainbrace”!

cyberscout

[paleoman]

#29714

Looking sharp! Welcome back.

[grumpy]

#38184

Welcome back SIR.

Does this mean I have to do another epic build…

[Ralph]

#59732

Sometimes we just need a little reminder of who’s running the show eh?

Taken at a friends ranch in Wellington, Tx.. Way to start the day!!!

Gettin things set up for the Tri-State Trad championship at Sagebrush Archery…. 2 day heck of a good shoot.

[David Coulter]

#59761

And what a show it is! Have a great time. Thanks for a geeat photo. Dwc

[James Harvey]

#13108

Beautiful photo Ralph. Have a great time at the shoot. Throw up any photos if you get any from the event 😉

[arthurw]

#9996

Hi everybody. Been awhile since I’ve posted. I’m off for the Summer because I now work for a university.On May 20 I left NJ and drove to Crescent City CA, camping all the way.I rolled into Crescent City on day 6. I then camped all the way down the coast for another 5 weeks until I hit San Diego, then took interstate 40/ route 66 home.

I bought Arrow Dynamics green letter Nitro Stingers tapered spine arrows. So far all good shooting them full length with 125 points from the 50 lb KM. I’m proud to say my very first shot after getting home from my trip was within a 4 inch circle at 15 yards. Not bad for not touching a bow in close to 2 months. Please don’t ask how I shot yesterday, though!:oops:

[Stephen Graf]

#14085

I’ve thought of taking a trip like that, but my bow planned into the gear….

The history of the San Diego Archery Club, and their shooting grounds, would have me finding that place / group.

Better tighten up! Hunting season will be here soon enough 😀

[arthurw]

#25535

Good to hear from you, Steve! I should have brought my bows, but as you all figured out by now, I’m kinda stupid. I hadn’t thought about you guys being scattered all over the country, and I could’ve gotten valuable tips from all different hunters and shooters in all different terrain that exists in this great country. I’m betting I was really close to some of you. My shooting is still terrible with my Kodiak Hunter, so I won’t hunt with it. My Kodiak Magnum is shooting lasers into tight little groups at 15 yards, when I pay strict attention to my form, which is more consistent now. Hunting with the KM this year. Going shooting now. Trying to figure out why I’m shooting accurate, smooth, and more consistent using the swing draw, rather than holding the bow out and reaching to it to draw. It doesn’t make sense.

[Stephen Graf]

#26546

arthurw wrote: … Trying to figure out why I’m shooting accurate, smooth, and more consistent using the swing draw, rather than holding the bow out and reaching to it to draw. It doesn’t make sense.

Actually, it does make sense. If your interest in archery runs more to hunting than to competition, the swing draw will likely work best for you. Don’t fight it, embrace it!

If you haven’t seen John Schulz’s video on you tube, take a look. Here’s a blog by one of our own that talks about the merits of the swing draw : http://traditionalknowhow.blogspot.com/

Which ever way you decide to shoot, stick with it. Switching around is bad medicine for accuracy and fun.

[Mark Turton]

#27850

Hi Jim, welcome back your old man looks pretty proud congratulations did they succeed in making a gentleman out of you:lol:

R2, big sky, easy to forget who’s running the show until you get a small reminder.

Mark.

[Ralph]

#50576

During the pursuit of this alien mini black bear, success………..

The eyes are reflective tacks as this was also to be used for a night shoot later.

It’s a good way to help folks locate the targets in the dark…

In the process of setting the shoot up for them however, I was a gourmet meal for a batch of chiggers……….

I used permethrin on my britches and boots, sprayed my upper unit with repellent but wasn’t good enough. I guess when you’re wollering around in the weeds setting targets you’re asking for it.

My back is a mess…………….

I hate chiggers………………

[Stephen Graf]

#61185

Good Shot R2! At least it’s just chiggers eating on you and not worms or buzzards 😯

[Charles Ek]

#61402

Wose wrote: Another thing we have going for us is that the conventional wisdom is, “there aren’t any elk up here.”

My partner in our upcoming NH moose hunt and I adopted a similar assertion as our motto for the hunt: “There are no moose in this area.”

We did this after hearing it from a local on our first scouting trip. And after seeing fresh cow and calf tracks about a half hour later. And after seeing said cow and calf, plus an unattached bull, the next morning at dawn. 🙂

[David Becker]

#35019

eidsvolling wrote: [quote=Wose]Another thing we have going for us is that the conventional wisdom is, “there aren’t any elk up here.”

My partner in our upcoming NH moose hunt and I adopted a similar assertion as our motto for the hunt: “There are no moose in this area.”

We did this after hearing it from a local on our first scouting trip. And after seeing fresh cow and calf tracks about a half hour later. And after seeing said cow and calf, plus an unattached bull, the next morning at dawn. 🙂

Yeah bud. Hunting Buddy and I just came down the mountain with over 1000 pictures of elk. We need to change the camera delay so it doesn’t kill the batteries.

We’ve been here four years and I’m starting to learn the local dialect. “There aren’t any elk up there” translates to “there aren’t any clear cuts up there where I can see elk from my truck.”

It’s amazing what you see if you are willing to walk half a mile. The place we are hunting feels like a cathedral.

[David Becker]

#35039

eidsvolling wrote: [quote=Wose]Another thing we have going for us is that the conventional wisdom is, “there aren’t any elk up here.”

My partner in our upcoming NH moose hunt and I adopted a similar assertion as our motto for the hunt: “There are no moose in this area.”

We did this after hearing it from a local on our first scouting trip. And after seeing fresh cow and calf tracks about a half hour later. And after seeing said cow and calf, plus an unattached bull, the next morning at dawn. 🙂

Yeah bud. Hunting Buddy and I just came down the mountain with over 1000 pictures of elk. We need to change the camera delay so it doesn’t kill the batteries.

We’ve been here four years and I’m starting to learn the local dialect. “There aren’t any elk up there” translates to “there aren’t any clear cuts up there where I can see elk from my truck.”

It’s amazing what you see if you are willing to walk half a mile. The place we are hunting feels like a cathedral.

[grumpy]

#41667

Turkeys. I flushed (careless)what I thought was a few turkeys from a hay field. Then when I heard them calling to each other, I hunkered down in between. Sure enough about 14 came along bobbing their heads an clucking. Think there were three hens, and chicks. Didn’t see any beards.

Also saw bear droppings that would have clogged any sewer pipe I ever saw.

Been having fun with trail cams. I keep reading that I should “pattern” the deer. Find the trails they take to and from food sources. Well, I have news for you. Our deer don’t pattern. At one spot where I had the cam, 2 does showed up at 9:05 AM (bankers hours? are you one of those guys that gets up at oh dark thirty so you can fall out of the tree blind at daybreak?), then didn’t show again for 7 days, then at 9:14. I’m impressed the deer showed up at the exact same “sun time” as the sun rises about one minute later every day. At another place I’ve seen beds, droppings, and they have dug in the leaves looking for acorns. The cam watched for two weeks and saw nothing. I’m thinking that is a monthly cycle.

Really neat the way the cam will sit there just waiting. It’s like I sat there for a week, and didn’t sweat, burp, fart, or scratch my nose.

[Ralph]

#56579

We had fun at Leedey, Ok today. Those folks put on a fun shoot. Kind of long trip for my friend and I, 360 mi round trip but it was fun.

Those guys make some fun shots. The ear pierced deer…well, I was supposed to shoot through a fork in a tree and hit the vital but concentration and a smooth release allowed me to shoot through several forks, ricochet of several branches and pierce this deer’s ear. Quite impressive uh?

Even with a boo boo like that this old feller managed to pull down a 2nd place with his longbow and my buddy took 1st with his recurve.

Happy and tired we be…

One of those dents in the barrel ain’t mine:D

That be a rattlesnake den behind that shot. Summertime though so hopefully those creepy crawlers out somewhere else, or shoot good….

[Stephen Graf]

#61192

Looks like fun Ralph, and congrats on taking the prizes. Too bad you couldn’t meet one o them rattlers. I hear fresh rattler makes mighty fine vittles.

[David Coulter]

#8536

Congratulations on a good time and a silver. That match your hair? It’s just another short leg of a drive up the ETAR… Maybe next year. D

[David Coulter]

#8556

Ralph, another 55 views and your thread will cross the 13,000 mark! That has to be worth a gold medal! Dwc

[Ralph]

#9998

dwcphoto wrote: Congratulations on a good time and a silver. That match your hair? It’s just another short leg of a drive up the ETAR… Maybe next year. D

Hey David, it’s been a learning experience in gaining the color of both.. 😀

[David Coulter]

#10777

R2, amen to that! I wonder if Doc Ashby has any data on ear penetration. Dwc

[Charles Ek]

#18248

Wose wrote:

Yeah bud. Hunting Buddy and I just came down the mountain with over 1000 pictures of elk. We need to change the camera delay so it doesn’t kill the batteries.

We’ve been here four years and I’m starting to learn the local dialect. “There aren’t any elk up there” translates to “there aren’t any clear cuts up there where I can see elk from my truck.”

It’s amazing what you see if you are willing to walk half a mile. The place we are hunting feels like a cathedral.

Yer killin’ me here. I agreed a few weeks back to strike Puget Sound from the list of places under consideration for our upcoming relocation. (We lived north of Seattle for six years.) Looks like it will be whitetails in my home state of MN. But at least the paddling is pretty good! 😀

[Ralph]

#55017

Dove season nearly upon us…Y’all ready?

Yeah, doves a million, Ralph, zero….

What the heck………Never know without a try………..

It’s humid!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

[David Coulter]

#10888

Just completed the all new 2016 model broadhead target for some preseason target practice. Lot of mail order catalogs put to better use. The only cost was about half a roll of duct tape. This was about 12 yards, 630 grain arrow with a 225 grain Tuffhead. There’s about an inch of penetration. dwc

ps. you can see the first shot off to the right…

[grumpy]

#11619

OK, so I thought that maybe the deer DID go by the trail cam every morning, just not in the same place. After all the trail cam doesn’t have peripheral vision.

So I got up at 6:00 AM, why so early? To get myself ready. I had 3 cups of coffee waiting for my morning constitutional. Then took a shower, and put on my camo that had just been washed and dried with pine needles. Gathered up my possibilities bag, bow, and camera. Drove just 10 minutes (sprayed myself with stink killer) than hiked 2 miles, had to get there from the back. Didn’t want to use the same trail the deer did. I hunkered down on my seat. I was on a knoll overlooking the beaver swamp. The beaver swamp is about 3 acres of swamp grass, willows, and mud. Anybody reading this? Actually the water in the swamp is less than a foot deep, the mud under the water is bottomless. Believe me I’ve been there.. The knoll is about 30 feet over the swamp, I’m about 2/3 up, looking at a point of land that looks out over the swamp. I got there about 8:30 and expected company about 9:30. Plenty of time for things to calm down.

I’m sitting there… I’m sitting there… Well the seat I was on wanted to tip forward, so my leg muscles were getting tired from holding me up. I was a bit chilly around the solders at first, that was OK, as there were no bugs. Then it warmed up, and the skeeters found me. So I’m sitting there, and as you know, doesn’t seem very hard to just sit there not moving until you do it. Remember the three cups of coffee, I really had to pee. Well, I really felt that there were deer around, after all I had photographic evidence. I just imagined there were deer just inside the underbrush watching me trying to figure out if I was a stump or a biped. Oh, and the acorns were falling. A little rustle in the leaves…sounds like a deer…thump. Oh, another acorn. One of those acorns landed just 2 feet to to my left. Ever get hit on the head, dead center with an acorn. I was thinking about it. About 9:20 there was a bug crawling across the right lens of my glasses, and a skeeter drilling just below my left shoulder blade. Didn’t dare move, there just HAD to be a deer watching.

Then a rustle in back of me…another acorn…waiting for the thump….

There was a snort that I swear got deer snot on my back.

I twisted to the right to try to see…

The joints were all stiff, and the chair tipped over…

I just caught a glimpse of a white tail before my face hit the dirt.

[Charles Ek]

#11755

Reading, laughing and loving it! Thanks.

[David Coulter]

#11887

Grumps that’s an awesome story! dwc

[Ralph]

#12020

I bet that deer and all it’s buddies are laughing their whitetails off. Good tale grumpy….:D

[Mark Turton]

#41721

Sounds like my sunday morning right up to the point you saw deer, that coffees a killer Saturday I bought a small flask to stop me drinking so much, didn’t help.

Lord knows what the acorns sounded like I had an oak leaf land on my pack next to me sounded like a drumbeat.

Have you bought that freezer yet, Mark.

[Stephen Graf]

#28137

Good one Grumpy! Don’t forget to wash the dirt off your face….

Hammock seats are better….

[Ralph]

#28293

Been a time or two when a toilet seat woulda fit the situation best. 🙄

Like the time a 50′, seemed like it anyway, rattlesnake was strolling through the world right at my feet as I sit on a rock minding my own business…about half asleep….wasn’t sleepy anymore after that……….

That was the longest 2 1/2′ feet of my life I think.

[bruc]

#28506

When I got to “Anybody reading this ” , I knew it was gonna be good .

[Ralph]

#23685

I was out stumping and scouting today and I had big plans of a grand photo, a selfie of me and my gear in the foreground and the nice green country in the background.

I propped my phone in a mesquite tree, selfie mode with 10 second timer and…..

How in the world did this turn out as a black and white pic???

Cool though.

It is nice now after some much needed rain. And in color… Maybe my age is showing if do a selfie???

[David Coulter]

#23795

How can such a colorful guy turn out monochromatic? Phones play tricks everyday… Nice country, R2. best, dwc

[grumpy]

#34409

Looking like a full dress rehearsal….

Audrey liked the pic too.

[grumpy]

#44999

Trail cam pic. Also have a pic of a bear, from the same location.

[Ralph]

#45319

Cool Grumpy. Now it’s a matter of timing between the two of you.

Are bears legal there also?

Good luck, shoot good…..fill that new freezer!!!!!!!!!!

[David Coulter]

#45663

Great photo! Hope you can hunt him down this fall. All the best, dwc

[Stephen Graf]

#45840

He’s a cutie-pie!

If he’s not careful, you might turn him into pot-pie 🙄

[grumpy]

#56492

YES!!!! Bears are legal, lots of them around, but hard to predict where and when. This is in an area where I have seen lots of bear sign, but not seen a bear. Can sit in one stand with a good chance of seeing either. 😀 The tension will be terrible. Every time an acorn falls I’ll be thinking “Bear or deer?”

[Ralph]

#56640

Well, keep that camera pointing at ya so we all can see what happened, deer :D……….or bear… 🙁

[Stephen Graf]

#57511

Deer me, I can’t bear the suspense 8) 🙄 😀

[Ralph]

#57601

Steve Graf wrote: Deer me, I can’t bear the suspense 8) 🙄 😀

I’ll put that on the “all the time list”…

Good’un Steve…

[Ralph]

#11262

I found this on the Live Science website.

I thought it was interesting and they say it’s the first time they’ve observed two different species of vipers fighting with each other.

I’m wondering why they just muscle each other around and not try to bite each other.

They never seem to want to wrestle with me, only ‘thinkin on bitin”…:lol:

[grumpy]

#17895

Was it you I heard howling at the moon last night?

[Ralph]

#17967

Did it sound like an old fart?:D

[Stephen Graf]

#22183

Regarding the snakes – to me that looks like breeding behavior. When snakes mate, they coil around each other and stand up like that. Eventually their vents come together, and well, you know….

I would say those were a couple of amorous snakes, not fighting snakes. That’s the way it looked to me anyway. Maybe a couple young bucks that got kicked out of the love nest 🙄 😳

As for the inter-species question… I’ve seen rams humping billy goats and visa versa. Not a big stretch of the imagination.

[arthurw]

#24709

Happy deer season everyone. Here we go again. I’m shooting my kodiak magnum this season. I bought my first longbow, and shoot it very well, but my center serving decided to unravel the other day. I’m in an earn a buck zone. Gotta shoot a doe first. Of course tonight a nice 6 point buck came within 50 feet,This guy is the forkhorn I let go last year, I’m pretty sure.

[grumpy]

#31937

Checked trail cams yesterday. One had 41 poses of one eight point buck at 1:30 AM. I’m not showing them here Ms. Robin would object. Some of the pics were beyond suggestive. I’m thinking he wants me to post them on the Deer Dating site. The rut has begun.

[Cameron Unruh]

#47660

Prepped and applied a red-tail boa skin for my Cocobolo three piece that I made. The Boa happened to be a snake I raised and died after giving birth.

The right limb is the upper limb and also the head end of the Boa – the left is the tail section. She was about 7 feet long and about 4 inches in diameter.

[David Coulter]

#47739

Sorry you lost the snake, but man that bow is beautiful! best, dwc

[Stephen Graf]

#52316

That must have been one long snake!

Good looking bow Cameron.

[grumpy]

#13036

26 days.

[Ralph]

#13144

😀 26,094 days 😀

:roll:Number of days since I was born.

26 for what Grumpy?? Hunting season opener?

[David Coulter]

#13453

Or how long it took for that snake to crawl by … dwc

[Ralph]

#13825

Pert’neer 😯

47 rattles on it too!:lol:

Sometimes Lady Luck smiles my way.

I bought 5 raffle tickets for $20 at a shoot in Wellington, Tx and walked away with this beautiful Deadwood Longbow. 😀 Info about those bows is on FB which I don’t do. Only know of them by totally favorable word of mouth.

She’s a 64″ bow. 42# @ 28″ and is amazingly fast.

[Cameron Unruh]

#15317

Congrats on a successful raffle adventure! That is a beautiful bow.

[David Coulter]

#17849

R2, Congratulations on the bow! It’s a beauty. Enjoy it, best, dwc

[grumpy]

#23213

25 days… Deer season, oh, and my birthday.

[Col Mike]

#24132

grumpy wrote: 25 days… Deer season, oh, and my birthday.

Well a big happy ? birthday Grumpy -trust the gals have baked the perfect cake.

Semper Fi

Mike

[grumpy]

#35756

Thanks Mike, but I’m counting on a strawberry rhubarb pie.

[Ralph]

#47271

It was a bit of a busy time at the range here in Amarillo today but worth it. The Boy Scout group grew to 71 this year.. Wow:D:D:D

Three years ago there was around a dozen boys.

Now if we could get more of our club members interesting in giving my friend and I a hand, that would be a good deal too.

We set the shoot up, monitor it for safety mostly and let the scout leaders and parents handle the rest of the day.

Good to see some young people not having their noses buried in a tablet or a phone.

Off to Guymon, OK in the morning for a 3D tourney. Be a first so we’ll see what happens. Might be some interesting shooting with 25-35 mph north winds.

If you don’t want to shoot in the wind in this part of the world, you be not shooting or moving to another part of the country.

The wind is something that is a ‘just is’ around here

[David Coulter]

#47550

R2, thank you for doing your good deed for the scouts. Best of luck on the 3d shoot. Win another bow and send it to me for storage. All the best to ya , dwc

[Stephen Graf]

#52570

I hate the wind. It puts me in a bad mood. Gentle breeze ok, steady wind grrrrr.

Good luck with the shoot R2. 70 boy scouts in one troupe sounds like too many.

[Ralph]

#58936

Steve, it wasn’t one troop, it was the local scout district.

You’d be a hard to get along with guy instead of a kind gentle soul like me if you lived around here :D..

Now when it comes to mud………..:evil:. Mud do me like wind do you :wink:.

It was fun shoot, started getting used to my new bow. I’ve a bit more confidence to build but it’ll come.

It was a small local shoot with invitation to us Amarillo area folk. With our 7 trad shooters + their couple we matched the number of wheel bow shooters. So with 30 targets spread out over a looooong way we had no jam ups or run ins.

It’s time to start hunting next weekend so my two hunting bows are now priority #1 and #2.

Shooting 60 spread out targets (2 rounds) and driving a 260 mile round trip I can tell I’m a touch over 40 this evening.:roll:

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#13506

I got my new whitetail heads today! 200gr Abowyer boneheads. I needed to lighten up the load upfront a bit. Same width as my Abowyer brown bears but 3/4 of an inch shorter. I placed an Eskimo next to them for reference

And I also went scouting and saw a fresh rub tonight:

[David Coulter]

#14259

Alex, that’s a nice looking head there. No doubt it’ll get the job done. Also, glad to hear Juliette is doing well and learning the songs of the deer.

Season opens here in Pa on Saturday. Yahoo! All the best to all you hunters out there. I wish you success, safety, and peace in the forest. All the best, dwc

[grumpy]

#24425

TURKEYS

I mentioned in a previous post that I saw a flock of 14 turkeys. Well, it was a miss count. The flock is 16 turkeys, and I have seen them every time I go to Farmer Jim’s. Farmer Dave (next door to Farmer Jim) has asked me to shoot them (he was thinking all of them) as they invade his yard every morning, then asked how many I CAN shoot. I had to tell him I have a tag for ONE. But that isn’t the problem. The problem is that they are always in a flock. All bunched up beak to tail, wing to wing, like a school of fish. Yes, they bump into each other and occasionally fight about it. As we all know a 35# bow can send an arrow completely through a deer. Now since I shoot a 50# bow, I’m wondering how many turkeys my arrow will pass through if I try to shoot ONE in the flock.

The next obvious question is what will happen if I end up killing 2, 3, or even 4 turkeys?

Do they put you in jail?

Take away your bow (or just the arrows)?

Fine you (my granddaughter would starve)?

I asked my boss (no, he isn’t a lawyer – an optometrist) and he suggested I bring along a shovel.

On the other hand, I have been buying fishing/hunting licenses (sometimes in 4 states in one year) for half a century, and NO ONE has ever asked to see either a fishing or hunting license…

All answers will be confidential, of course.

[Stephen Graf]

#29257

I think Farmer Dave has a screw loose. He want’s to kill turkeys because they walk through his yard? Intolerant much? Be careful Grumpy, you might be next on his list….

Drive down the road just a little too slow…

Wear the wrong color shirt on a Tuesday…

What did you mean by saying “Good Morning” like that?…

Wack-a-doodles abound these days. Forget the turkey, run for your life!

[grumpy]

#33954

ROFL No Dave isn’t that bad. The problem is what happens when the lawn mower hits the turkey poop. They are also getting into his veggie garden.

Problem is solved. While helping Farmer Jim load pumpkins onto his truck this morning, I told him about the turkey problem. He said “Yeah, they are getting into my gardens too. Ripping apart the nets over my berries (It IS Hunt Road Berry Farm), and messing up the vegetables.”

“I can contact the state and get a permit so you can take them out.”

Since Audrey isn’t big on cooking wild turkey, I asked Jim if he wanted the turkeys. He was thrilled. Nice to give back to those who are willing to share with you.

Right now Arwen is helping Jim at the farmers market down on the town common.

😀 😀 😀

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#43244

I bought my license yesterday. Not sure how much hunting I’ll be able to do this year, but look at all these tags!! That’s a whole lot of huntin’!! 😀

[Ralph]

#43636

Kinda like a Texas hunting license, lots to do!!!!!!!!!!!

😀

Hunt well, shoot well!!!!!!!

[David Coulter]

#57250

Chief Kilroy was here. Alex, that’s a bunch of tags. I have a buck tag and three for doe. I’m sure that’s more than I’ll need… again. Season opens tomorrow predawn with rain in the forecast. I’m glad for the rain and will find another day to hunt in exchange for seeing the creeks go up a little bit. best, dwc

[grumpy]

#47415

All I have is tags for 2 bucks.

I did some of the most important prep work for the deer season.

Mowed the lawn and changed the oil in the car. Lot easier to sit in the deer woods without guilt.

[David Coulter]

#47695

Amen to that Grumpy. It stinks knowing there’s too much to do at home or work. Gotta make that time. Good luck! dwc

[Ralph]

#59712

David, I can chalk up a miss for me also. I spotted a bedded whitetail buck way down this draw, it looks closer than was,about 300 yards it was

where the kind yellow/green line of brush (plum thicket) is about mid pic and there’s a green spot on the right side behind it, a mesquite tree. He was bedded under the tree.

So here I go and after an hour or so I was on the my side of the plum thicket and he was on his side of the mesquite tree, about 22 yds. I could see antlers, one eye and one ear. Besides his tree bed he was laying with a sage bush in the way also. 🙁

So here we are, him comfy, me about super uncomfy in a half squat hoping he get his a** outta bed.

After an eternity and my legs giving me pure hell, I decided to lob a stone his way to get some action going on. One little marble sized pebble got an ear twitch

, one a bit bigger got him on his feet. Yeah!!! Crap!! Now the tops of my plum thicket are twixt he and me. What do do?? Can’t stand or he’ll be gone before I can do doodly squat. So from my miserable position I pick a hole, drew, released. Dang, that hole wasn’t a whole hole. An itty bitty twig sent my arrow over his back about an inch. Dang, dang.

But OK, stalking that close to a bedded buck in this country is a feat all by itself. A connecting shot woulda been better but that’s the way it happened.

He did stop about 60 yards out to flip me off though and let me take his pic with my phone. You can’t see his antlers much but he had 4 on one side, three on the other and they were kinda funky,

[Ralph]

#59757

I meant to put that in the 2016 hunting but somehow my aged mind wandered.:D

Aged, not quite antique yet. 🙄

[David Coulter]

#60019

Keep this thread going! R2, no matter where you put it, I’ll read it. I always follow your posts. Great stalk. I wish I was butchering right now, but I still have a great smile on my face. How did Firehawk put it? Laughing in my heart. Ain’t it the best, thanks, dwc

[Stephen Graf]

#8020

I’m glad you fellows are getting some action!

I had a little bit myself. Went for a walk the other evening and somehow slipped up on the two doe and a yearling that I’ve seen around. Had a shot at one of the doe, but wont take it.

With our deer population as it is, I will shoot just one deer this year, and it will be a buck.

Ain’t that the way it works? The deer just milled around me like I didn’t matter. Somehow they always get the memo.

Had two squirrels within shooting range too. They are starting to ripen now. Most of the summer bot fly holes are healed up, and they are working the ground more. Squirrel stew soon!

[David Coulter]

#13095

Squirrels just need to be bigger and easier to hit and have a season that ain’t deer season too.

Steve I’m glad you are optimistic about that buck. I like the power of positivity! Dc

[Ralph]

#13542

My day started positive!!!!

Then the cowboys showed up:(

After all, my lease is a working cattle ranch and they don’t have any need to let me know when they’re going to move the cows out of a pasture.

Needless to say, my hunt plan was changed about thirty minutes after sunrise, then we broke a 53 year old high temperature record, 93* here in Amarillo, 94 where I was attempting to hunt. Then 30+ mph wind. That’s nothing unusual, the wind, just hunt into whilst sweating all you want.

Wish I’d of known about the cattle drive ahead of time, I could have stayed home. But then, I would’ve missed the sunrise. 😀 Can’t be negative when watching the world come alive..

[David Coulter]

#14272

Amen to that!

[Stephen Graf]

#19155

What happened to all your arrows R2? Are you one of those one-arrow-will-do fellows?

On the cowboys, we don’t have cowboys here. But we have tractors and field hands. I find the deer know the difference between field hands and hunters. And you can use the field hands as a distraction.

Why just he other day I was mowing the chestnut grove and a big fat groundhog came out to graze. Didn’t care one bit about me and the mower. See it a lot with hay fields in the fall. For some reason, getting up that last crop of hay brings out the critters.

Nice sunrise! Thanks for sharing 😀

[Ralph]

#19917

Steve there are pastures and there are pastures.

Some have the ‘lower forty’ and some have somewhat bigger ‘lower forties”. This particular pasture is about two miles square, one major canyon running through it, several “smaller” ones all heading into the Canadian River bottom which is choked with salt cedar (tamarix)..

http://forestry.about.com/od/forestinvasives/p/tamarisk.htm

There were about 75 head of longhorns in the pasture and they were moving them into the river bottom. Longhorns can be very wily critters so 7 cowboys and one “cowlady:roll:” were spread out combing the brush and canyons. Bunch of racket too, whooping and hollering.

I did see two small herds of muley does spooked and hooking it, the whitetails tend to sneak off before trouble gets there.

It is a sight to watch the cowboys working cattle on a ranch.

As far as carrying arrows, I carry a G Fred type quiver made by Vista that I’ve had far longer than I’ve known about G Fred quivers.

Perhaps I carry the one arrow for me in case I’m fixing to get captured by the Comanche!!!

[grumpy]

#9146

That WAS the hunters moon you were howling at last night.

[grumpy]

#9571

Deer season starts tomorrow here. I’ll be at work, but be out on Wednesday (when we will have record high temps). There are no scrapes or rubs…yet.

I have a question. In past years I have seen lots of scrapes and rubs, but all of the scrapes are at farmer Jim’s, and all of the rubs are at Wortleberry Hill. They are about 10 miles from each other. Can anybody tell me why.

Actually in some areas at Wortleberry Hill every hemlock you find is rubbed (why only hemlocks?). Even the hemlocks too big to rub have scars from previous years. And at Farmer Jim’s the scraps surround the hay fields… I just look for a overhanging branch and there will be a scrape (unfortunately these are the small rubs that are made and visited only at night).

[Ptaylor]

#16084

Alexbugnon wrote: I bought my license yesterday. Not sure how much hunting I’ll be able to do this year, but look at all these tags!! That’s a whole lot of huntin’!! 😀

Alex what does that book say about how to let the deer population get older?

[Ralph]

#26138

Perhaps it says “Ralph, grab your longbow and good luck”. 8)

Lots of deer get older around me.:wink:

[David Coulter]

#44452

I heard my son say, “Whoa!” this morning and I knew he wasn’t doing a Paul Revere impression. Nice wake-up to what is expected to be a warm rainy day. best,dwc

[Ralph]

#44538

The sun does come up back east eh? Nice pic…..

Still waiting for daylight here.

I get up at 0530, I have since time began I think. I probably got in trouble as an infant wanting my 0530 …bottle or whatever…:D:D

So this time of year I sit here waiting for first light. Next week after the time change I’ll be bitching cause I have to get up an hour earlier to be where I wanna be by daylight. An extra hour sleep????? Not if your a hunter….. or a farmer going to plow at first light…Or a rancher going to feed……..

Who does the thinking……………

Have a good day y’all……..or it is it “youse’all”………….

just wonderin,

R2

[David Coulter]

#44658

In Western PA, where my dad was from, it “youns.”

[Author]

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