[Etter1]

in reply to: Turkey Hunting to Bear Scouting #39580

Oh, also got a good rush of adrenaline when a really dark colored raccoon came running by me right at daylight (thought it was a bear cub)

and saw an indigo bunting on the drive out..

[Etter1]

in reply to: Turkey Hunting to Bear Scouting #39570

Woke up at 2:15 and made the two hour drive to my favorite place in the Chattahoochee National Forest of N GA. An hour and fifteen minutes into the hike, I reached my listening spot and was greeted by silence. So I went trolling for birds, but soon came across some bear tracks. I was hunting in our bear area and they’ve just come out of dormancy (they don’t really hibernate down here) so before long, I was bear scouting.

I did end up working a couple of birds, but all I could think about was bears and the September opener. I ended up cutting eight different sets of tracks and finding a lot of new white oak groves and previously climbed trees.

It may be hard to see, but that big track in the second picture is actually over my boot track from walking in. Things are looking really good for the archery opener. I’ve never seen this much bear sign in there and they’re not even in the acorns yet.

Also shown is a picture of a food plot that the dnr decided to maintain this year. The deer and bears have been hitting those wheat heads hard.

I absolutely love the mountains! I’m going to do more and more hunting up there.

[Etter1]

in reply to: Getting in shape #38233

I have a very active job, but I try to run at least 20 miles a week year round, as well as mix in some weight lifting and swimming. Swimming is probably the best thing anybody can do for their body IMO.

[Etter1]

in reply to: On The Wild Edge #37212

It’s been my favorite of Dave’s books.

“The Tiger” was also an excellent read.

[Etter1]

in reply to: Stalking #37204

Stalking is largely an impossibility in the south, but we do continue to do it when the bears are in the trees and anywhere that feral pigs can be found.

As for stalking into recurve range of whitetails or turkeys in these woods, well, I’ll just say “good luck”.

[Etter1]

in reply to: Kidney Stones #37201

My step dad has had them six times. Around the fifth time, he started to drink a gallon of water every day. Measured it out and everything.

He didn’t have one for about ten years and his DR told him that half a gallon would be fine. Within six months, he had another one.

Went back to the gallon again and hasn’t had one in years. Drink up!

[Etter1]

in reply to: Cottontails! #37200

That’s great shooting and eating. I’ve been seeing them all over lately. They’re closed for us Ga boys though.

I had long since thought that feral hogs were considered a game animal in CA. At least that’s the impression I got from that horrible show about game wardens.

[Etter1]

in reply to: Target backstop #32278

The guy I bought my first recurve from uses two layers of carpeting, hung up. Worked great.

[Etter1]

in reply to: Feral Hogs Make the NY Times #32275

ausjim wrote: They’re ecological villains here too Etter.

As far as I know, there is nowhere on this planet, except their original home range (mostly siberia) where they can exist without massive chaos.

I killed one last year with my recurve, about four miles from the trailhead, and I was glad to have a shot at her, but I’d likely not mess with it again, that far back.

I wish they were never shown in hunting magazines as sporting game because it just makes idiots release more of them. I’m always amazed that someone would ever mount a boar head. If you’re bored one day, go to youtube and see how many videos there are of people actually sneaking up and kicking a wild pig in the butt.

About as challenging as stalking an armadillo, I think.

[Etter1]

in reply to: Feral Hogs Make the NY Times #31438

I wish the people that introduce these vermin would be responsible for every dime that they end up costing to farmers and the overall ecosystem.

It’s the same narcisistic attitude that has people introducing spotted bass into all the southern smallmouth fisheries.

[Etter1]

in reply to: Feral Hogs Make the NY Times #31431

They’re the worst creatures ever introduced to this great continent. I wish every single one were exterminated immediately. I definitely don’t consider them any kind of a game animal either because they’re totally blind and almost totally deaf as well. The only positive about having pigs is some good eating. YOU DO NOT WANT THEM.

My south ga lease has been pig free for over 25 years until I killed the first one in November. Since then, over 40 have been shot or trapped on 2000 acres and we haven’t even put a dent in them. They’re nothing but rats. I shot seven of them in a trap last week. 5 were sows and 4 of those were pregnant with fully grown piglets inside them.

It may be a coincidence too, but last year, I could count over 20 gobbling turkeys at the end of the season (true for years), but this year I can only count 7.

[Etter1]

in reply to: How far will you shoot? #18912

I’m sure every situation is different for me, but I can’t see myself shooting past 15-17 yards on deer sized game.

Honestly, traditional archery has changed the way that I hunt so much, that I don’t usually even get a chance at a long shot now. I’d like em all in spearing range if possible.

Thinking back:

In the last two years since I started traditional bowhunting, my shots have been at

15, 15, 12, 15. 6, 15, 14, and 5.

I’m not a particularly good shot and would need some professional coaching to increase my range in any way, but I can’t really see the need to.

[Etter1]

in reply to: Martin Archery #11281

I love martin/howatt bows. In my limited experience, they are my favorite mass production recurves out there. For the money, or possibly for much more, I doubt you’re going to find a quieter, more forgiving, or accurate bow out there than the Martin Hunter.

[Etter1]

in reply to: unstringing necessary? #11274

lyagooshka wrote: [quote=stchunter48]At home on the rack mine are strung. I only unstring for transport because its the law here in Illinois.

I am wondering how that affects compound bows, or even crossbows. Do you have any idea why they do this? Seems if they single out traditional gear, there is some reason. Interesting piece of information. Be well.

Alex

❓

They have to put a lock on the three strings to put on a motorized vehicle. Pure foolishness, I think.

[Etter1]

in reply to: Big cats in Northeastern Australia? #50972

I don’t know if people in this area are more ignorant than most. (I think they are).

Two years ago, the local outdoor rag offered a money reward for trail cam proof of florida panthers or black panthers living in GA.

There were hundreds of responses but they published the 20 or so most “lion looking” pictures in the magazine. Nearly all were bobcats. Several were house cats. Many were dogs.

I am terrified that people that could mistake a house cat for a lion are allowed to drive on the same roads as me and carry a loaded firearm in the same woods. Bottom line, apparently almost all humans are nearly retarded.

[Author]

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