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in reply to: Planning Alaska Trip #64022

Westy — I am new here too, so welcome to both of us! 😆 I have been to AK on three hunts, 2 for caribou and 1 for moose. You are wise to do a float as opposed to a static drop, both for reasons of hunting success and just enjoyment of the trip. So far as outfitters/bush pilots, my experience is that the bigger outfits will promise you the world and then just dump you where it’s convenient. That’s my single most vital advice: do everything possible to verify the quality of your flying service and if you have any doubts, get a written agreement for what they are expected to do. Lots of these guys here, I’m sure, are experienced AK hands, so when you get it narrowed down they may be able to say “yes” or “no” to the outfitter you’re considering. Check as many references as you can find! Good luck. You’re smart to start early.

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in reply to: 3Rivers Archery Catalog: FOC Recommendation #64019

3Rivers is way behind the learning curve on this one! I have proven to myself absolutely that my arrows fly and penetrate notably better with high FOC. Of course, the number of blades on a head has nothing to do with achieving EFOC, but only head weight. Yet I’m with Bert and will stick with “Ashby type” two blades because here too, I have experimented and seen the difference for myself. Sure would be nice if someone could gently educate the 3Rivers folks.

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in reply to: 200 grain El Grandes????? #64017

Interesting! Sounds like the standard old El Grandes to me. I doubt Grizzly would add 10 to the weight and make no other changes. For a year and more we’ve been hearing that Grizzly and STOS both were “about to come out” with redesigned heads in heavier glue-on weights. What ever happened to that? If the Doc wasn’t under the weather he would know. Maybe Sharpster has an update?

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in reply to: Footed shafts #64014

Check out whisperingwindarrows.com, in Hamilton, MT.

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in reply to: This one really takes the cake! #64011

Here is what I can say from direct observation: When I walk in the woods as a hiker — no weapon and no attempt at stealth — deer seem far more relaxed and off-guard than when I am hunting. My conclusion, right or wrong, is that deer etc. can read our body language to know whether we’re in a pradatory, aka “sneaky” mode or not. It’s nothing magical, but simply an evolved sensory sensitivity to the way predators move as opposed to non-predators. I have also convinced myself that deer recognize us as predators from our front-set eyes. This makes it essential at close range to wear a face mask.

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in reply to: Heavy Bows – Are they now a part of our past #63262

Heavy bows are sure a part of MY past, along with pumping iron, running marathons, hiking 12 miles a day in high mountains with a really heavy pack, a headful of hair … but happily, thanks to a loving and half-blind wife, I still enjoy “the girls”! 8):P Ol’ Bloodless

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in reply to: Avatar (The Movie) and Longbows #63254

Ah, Patrick. “You’re a wise man. You keep your own council.” Paraphrased from Bryan Dennehey, bush pilot, to “Tyler” aka Farley Mowatt, in Carroll Ballard’s timeless “Never Cry Wolf.” One of the best scenes in one of the best movies ever made, longbow giants notwithstanding. (Where is the balloon face for “sticking tongue out in friendly way”?) Bloodless

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in reply to: Avatar (The Movie) and Longbows #63118

Yes, but do they win the war? 😛 Bloodless

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in reply to: Using a bow fishing head for FOC #60641

I don’t know about tungston in carbon, but serious expermintors like O.L. Adcock are using it successfully to increase FOC and also strengthen the front of wood shafts. Some places now sell drilling jigs to make it easy. I want to try this but where do we find tungsten rod of the right diameter (just under 1/8″)? I’m pretty sure that months ago somebody posted here that they had access to lots of it, cheap. If that person is still around, can we please here from you again? Otherwise, does anyone know a source? Thanks, bb

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in reply to: Five stages of a deer hunter #60635

Well guys I am just a bumpkin and not great with words either reading nor writing so these kinds of “serius” books is probly over my head. But I still have a heart and (I hope) a soul, and one reason I’m proud to be a trad bowhunter is because I believe that our little corner of hunting and hunters has the highest percentage of folks who think about the things your talking about here — self-respect and personal growth and as Elkheart might say, a mature life philosophy built around hunting right. Thanks for your thotful thoughts. BB

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in reply to: Kalamazoo Traditional Bowhunters Expo #59690

Durn, I can barely afford to go to the supermarket, so have some fun and buy some stuff in ol Bully’s “honor” while there. 😥 BB

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in reply to: Good old string trackers #38213

Somehow, I allow my ethics to be lower with turkeys than with deeer etc. I keep trying to use bigger broadheads etc. and lessen the loss of solid-hit turkeys, but it don’t always work real good. I should try a string tracker for turkeys to be ethical — I mean, you ain’t tried it, you cain’t decry it. But not for nuthing bigger I don’t think. Thanks. bb

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in reply to: recurve/mechanical release #38204

Konrad — generally speaking, the trigger release represents just about everything we want to get away from with the simplicity of trad archery: just one more gadget to buy, to lose or have go wrong. (I once guided a compound bowhunter, older gentleman, who broke into tears after humping a really steep mountain before daylight, when he realized he’d left his release behind!)

But brother, when we’re talking physical problems, anything goes and you should be applauded for switching to trad at all with such a painful situation. I will never use a compound or cross-gun, because I am an archer. But if I had your problem, I wouldn’t think twice about using a release if it allowed me to practice more, shoot better, and keep from injuring myself more. Seems like a simple thing to try out for yourself. bb

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in reply to: weight forward dipping? #20688

Konrad — it seems nobody here has tried that one. Dipping wood shafts full length is a common way to get weight up so that a dozen shafts all weigh the same. But how it would work on aluminum is in question — it might rub off on the shelf and in the target, in an uneven way. Easy way to find out about FOC is to go to the chart and measure foc on a shaft, then dip it and try again. But just screwing on a heavier head sure seems easier! bb

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in reply to: Ashby on New Guinea bowhunting, just posted #20684

Hang in Doc. This too will pass (pun intended!) 😆 bullyboy

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