[Homer]

in reply to: High Camp #8009

There was a long thread on backpacking hunting here not that long ago, which probably contains most of what all of us with experience have to say on the topic, which may be why you’re not getting a big response here (so far). If I could find it for you I would, but I can barely find my eyeglasses.:oops: There was a lot of good info in that thread, as I recall. My biggest concern about backpack hunting is that you have to carry the meat out, if you get lucky, along with all that backpack gear which is an extra trip. With elk or moose or bear, that can be near impossible. So as I age I’ve learnt to keep my backpack hunts reasonably short, just far enough to get away from the mobs and into undisturbed country. I do like the being-aloneness of it.

[Homer]

in reply to: An Old Coot's Contemplations…. #60018

I wonder if the longer ferule Bob mentions will allow these heads to take standard screw-in adapters, which I believe are 5-degree taper for 11/32. That would pop ’em up to 320 or better for some great FOC. Wonder also what the broadhead bevel angle is on the single-bevels (25-degrees, in line with Ashby’s findings, seems to be shaping up as standard) and steel hardness. Guess I’ll check their website rather than asking all these dumb questions. Homer

[Homer]

in reply to: Woodsmanship….. #60015

DCW — As Dave suggests, we need more qualified and enthusiastic mentors for our youngsters, and the Scouts, when properly led, is the next best thing a boy can find to having his own outdoor family. You’ll do great, I’m sure, and thanks for taking it on. The Scouts were significant in my life as well. Homer

[Homer]

in reply to: Woodsmanship….. #57786

Great question, Josh. My list includes basic hunting skills — stalking, ambush, scent and sound control, etc. — knowing how to field dress and later butcher the animals we kill, map and compass reading, knife sharpening, firemaking under challenging circumstances, backcountry sanitation, tracking and reading sign, survival skills — emergency water purification, wild foods, emergency firebuilding, emergency shelter construction — backpacking skills, and many more. Not to say that we all must know all these things to be woodsmen, but rather that we strive to learn when we can rather than dodging via technology. Like so many things in life I think being a woodsman is as much attitude as action. For starters.

[Homer]

in reply to: Interesting Waste of Time #56658

Right on, SDMFer. Thanks for doing this research and sharing with us. Coincidentally, I too just got a Cabelas catalog in the mail and brought it home. Normally they go straight into the recycle bin. I too thought it would be informative, if disgusting, to see what the latest garbage is they are hawking, and who the latest batch of “pro staff” wh…. are and what they look like. It’s important to spread the word. For years when I’ve mention to folks that I boycott Cabelas, they way “Why,” clearly clueless even though the reasons are right there on glossy paper. The deeper you look into the Cabelas operation, the more filth you find. There are strong reasons to boycott these geeks in addition to Steve’s comments on pricing. IMHO, Homer

[Homer]

in reply to: Woodsmanship….. #56651

But Jim Beam, good as it tastes, is poison insofar as hangovers. That’s because it hasn’t been filtered for conjuners, toxic byproducts of distillation. Pay a little more for, say, Jack Daniels or my favorite working-mans bourbon, George Dickel, and you’ll save a lot of headaches. Or go Irish, as per Tullamore Dew or Bushmills. A topic I know all too well. 😳

[Homer]

in reply to: It has been a while! #55779

Even a Backcountry Joe has to come out of the woods sometimes. 😆 BHA’s a great group, enit?

[Homer]

in reply to: Beginner's Mind #55776

Well put, Darryl. I feel sorry for folks who run so hard for the finish line, the miss the game along the way. For a bit more Zen-speak, “Be here now.” I’ve enjoyed making bows too but gave it up, temporarily, because I had so many bows to shoot all the time it really affected my accuracy, which was/is marginal anyhow. But man, what a great hobby, and good for the upper arms. 😛 Homer

[Homer]

in reply to: selfbow #53284

For those who haven’t checked out George’s website, as I just did, it’s not only packed with great articles on bow and arrow and quiver making, but also tuning and lots more. Very cool and useful. Thanks for providing this good info, Jawge.

[Homer]

in reply to: Columbia River Knives #53277

Tailfeather — I agree with dcphoto that Helle knives and blades are the best value for the money, so far as I know and of course I haven’t tried all the others. I have tried CRKT, the little two-blade set TBM was offering a few years ago as a subscription bonus (3 years, as I recall). While the small size and lack of handles made these little guys limited in use. I found them to be excellent backup blades. Still have one, lost the other. But nothing’s a Helle but a Helle.

[Homer]

in reply to: TBM Aug/Sept 2011 issue #51250

Just got my paper copy today! 😀 I won’t be watching my favorite TV program, Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations,” on the Roku tonight.

[Homer]

in reply to: A few pics… #48993

Hey, bunnies are harder to hit than bears,so be proud. 😆 Seems way early for bears, and I’m also surprised you have rabbit season there in spring. Hard to tell from the photos but do you have both aspen and birch up there in the Provinces?

[Homer]

in reply to: Idaho Trad Bowhunters – huh? #48991

Well, any way you look at it, it’s not a good way to grow your membership. I’ve found in the past that while most volunteer-run organizations function quiete well, still, they are dependant on volunteers with little or no quality control. The magazine folks are gone to Compton, but should have good knowledge of that home-state group.

And remind us — are you the chairman of ID BHA? Seems you mentioned being involved with that good group.

[Homer]

in reply to: Modified Glove #48987

I often wear my shooting glove over a thin mesh camo glove,so have a double layer there. But I’ve never noticed a problem,not to say my shooting is flawless! Since I anchor behind and below my jaw I can’t think how going tipless will help things. But then,Patrick has received no negative feedback from those who have tried it, but only enthusiasm. And I have some extra gloves so I too will give it a try. I haven’t shot a tab since I was a teen, but can’t see how it would let you get the string closer to your face, being thicker leather, than a glove that’s maybe 1/32″ thick? Ah, life is confusing sometimes. 😕

[Homer]

in reply to: The Good, the Bad … and Me #45522

Looks pretty short and wide, Steve. But I’m betting you know your business and I wouldn’t want to be in front of it.

Dr. Ed — Sorry I don’t really get your title to this thread, but sure wish you all the best luck after your long run of bad. Homer

[Author]

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