[RH]

in reply to: Chopping wild turkey feathers. Help! #10981

I use all my left wing primary feathers for fletching not only because I enjoy making them but also it lets me use more of my spring gobbler. They look pretty good on the arrows too. What I do is use an exacto knife to split them. I lay the feather down on a board and insert the tip of the exacto as close to the top of the feather as possible. Stick the tip of the exacto through the feather and into the board. Then just pull the feather through the blade. This keeps the blade stationary and eliminates cutting off my finger. I then grind the base with a stationary belt sander and use a standard 5 1/2″ chopper to finish. They don’t come out quite as good as factory feathers but work just fine for me.

[RH]

in reply to: New bowhunter born today! #56291

Congratulations to the Downing family. Roman Hawk picked a great date to be born on as it is the same date I was born 48 years ago.

[RH]

in reply to: New to the site #56766

Welcome Joe,
I’m not one to be real active on the internet either. But,
in my opinion this is the best forum for trad archers and I check it out when I can for good advice and no bashing. Also, glad to have another BHA member on board; a small organization getting big things done for the preservation of backcountry hunting and angling.
Rick

[RH]

in reply to: Some Family Hunting and Scouting Pics #21184

T,
Thanks for sharing those great pics. Cabin fever is starting to set in a bit and the high country is calling me. Can’t wait til it greens up a bit and we can get back up in there. Those pics stir some great memories. You have a great family and getting those boys out in wild country is priceless.

[RH]

in reply to: TBM's Ol Dave Petersen got his Coues #8988

Congratulations Dave,
I know how tough and amazing it is to hunt these incredible desert dwellers. To take one with a longbow on public land DIY is a great accomplishment. Thanks for sharing the pics too,
Rick

[RH]

in reply to: Bighorn Sheep Hunt #45275

Sorry it took so long to get back to update.
This ended up being one of the funnest hunts of my life and I didn’t fill my tag. I ended up spending 18 days over there during the month of December chasing the small group of sheep that lived in this canyon. I spent hours within 60 yards of them, hoping one of the rams would make a mistake, but never could get closer. Between one of the ewes spotting me and the super dry crunchy grass it was tough. I learned a lot and had a blast trying. Just to have the opportunity was priceless to me. Bighorn sheep are amazing animals and I can see how I could easily become a sheep hunting fanatic. Here’s one more pic I took at about 60 yards. They had already spotted me and the rams took their normal place in the middle and behind the ewes.
Rick

[RH]

in reply to: Bighorn Sheep Hunt #55053

Thanks guys,
So far I haven’t tagged a ram but have had a blast trying. The first week after lots of hours behind the binocs and burning a lot of boot leather I was only able to find four ewes in the area I can hunt. This week a couple of good rams showed up as well as a few more ewes. I’ve been able to get into 40-60 yards a couple times. Getting closer, into their comfort zone, has been tougher though. It’s super dry this year and the crunchy grass is like walking on potato chips. Also getting past the eyes and ears of the ewes is tough.
One morning I got to watch three rams smash heads three of four times, pretty cool.
I’ve attached a couple pics. The pic of the sheep bedded was taken at about 40 yards. It would have been perfect if not for two ewes bedded out in the open. The two rams were tucked up under the rocks and I think I could have got right on top of them had the ewes not been there. Or, when they got up to feed if they would have fed my way it could have worked out. They ended up feeding out into the meadow away from me. I think if I get into those situations more often they might make a mistake. Luckily, I have the only tag for the area so I came home to let them mellow out a bit and will head back over next week. Maybe I’ll get lucky and find them again,
Rick

[RH]

in reply to: Bighorn Sheep Hunt #30688

T,
The tag is for ram only. I won’t be too picky either cause I know it won’t be easy. I have a few other bows too but for some reason the Matlock is the one I always fall back on and is my favorite.
Rick

[RH]

in reply to: Tree saddle anyone? #16608

Like I said above, I use my tree saddle extensively for whitetails and a little for elk and mule deer. Here’s a couple of bucks I’ve taken in Eastern Colorado from a tree saddle over the last couple years. I’m leaving Wednesday for this years hunt and will give an update.

[RH]

in reply to: Tree saddle anyone? #58107

I’ve hunted from a tree saddle quite a bit over the years for deer and elk. I have the ambush model now which is super light weight and very comfortable. You can hunt from trees with lots of branches or none. I like branches to use as a platform instead of tree steps that you need on branchless trees. I can set up in trees that I never could with a tree stand. With the ambush model, which weighs about 2 pounds, I can get way in the backcountry, no problem. If the system is used properly you can’t fall out of it, with the safety straps. You definitely want some kneepads to keep you comfortable. I also hunt from the ground a lot, but the tree saddle just gives me one more option and comes in handy sometimes. Just my 2 cents,
Good hunting,
Rick

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