[WyoStillhunter]

in reply to: To cut or not to cut…arrow length?? #50876

No, I have not done any bare shaft testing. I am open to the need to develop a more consistent form before I can get the good out of testing which focuses on other variables.

I have a 40 year old Browning Explorer I recurve (45#@28″). I probably need to work more with it until my strength and form settle in. I just picked up my traditional gear after about 10 years of letting it sit in the closet.

On top of all that I had double bypass surgery at the end of February and am just now building up my overall strength and endurance.

Thanks for the reply.

[WyoStillhunter]

in reply to: Big Woods Bowhunting #50694

Not for whitetail but I hunt “big woods” for elk. It is rough country above 8000′ elev. in the Snowy Range west of Laramie, WY. This is all national forest land with lots of timber, clear cuts of various ages, and in the last few years, lots of standing timber killed by pine bark beetle infestation. Now the blow downs are beginning to really complicate travel in the woods.

My season for antelope, deer and elk started Sept. 1 and I have not even managed to get out of the city limits yet. Hunters that travel cross country to spend a week or two weeks in big woods far from home almost have an advantage. Once they arrive at the hunt site they are there. With only 40 miles to drive from home to be in good hunting territory I keep getting sucked in by the distractions of work and family.

The good news is that once I get up into the forest I can park the truck and walk off the road into wonderful wild country. Two miles off the road might as well be 20 in terms of the wilderness quality of the habitat. But even after dark it is only an hour’s walk to reach the truck and head for the cabin.

Good luck with your adventure.

[WyoStillhunter]

in reply to: Backpacks for hauling meat… #48683

I hunt alone in SE Wyoming. I am usually no more than 2 miles from the truck but it is rough country. Even 1/2 mile can seem like a long way to carry out meat. Add beetle kill blow downs, snow, darkness…you get the picture. The hard work starts after the shot.

I rarely have time to take out more than one load on the day of kill. I quarter, bag and hang the rest and leave at kill site over night. Never had a problem with critters except some bird damage when I left raw meat uncovered. The next day I go back in to complete skinning and boning.

Any decent backpack can serve. I’ve used a Bull Pac on which I upgraded the hip belt. Also used smaller hunting packs and large frameless trekking backpack.

Warning: the larger the pack capacity the more likely you will overload yourself and that can be dangerous. I try to keep load weight reasonable and make extra trips. A large cow or spike can come out in five trips for me. Some years that has taken at least parts of three days (day of kill one load out; 2 or 3 trips in and out the next day; final load on third day).

Recommendation: use a set of trekking poles any time you are humping a heavy load. I have Lekki poles. They allow much greater stability in rough going and just may save you from a blown ACL or a bad fall.

[WyoStillhunter]

in reply to: Low percentage shots #48666

I read somewhere that “a true sportsman is known by the shots he doesn’t take.” We all have a shot or two we wish we could take back but I have never regretted the decision to pass. You made a good call.

[WyoStillhunter]

in reply to: Today was a good day . . . success:) #48663

Impressive…nice shooting!

[WyoStillhunter]

in reply to: Bowsocks ?? #20950

I have a very shiny Browning Explorer from the early 1970s and used to have some camo bow sleeves on it back then. They did not effect bow performance at all. I had to tape each end of both sleeves to keep them in place. Otherwise they would slip and bunch up. I used electrician tape for that.

I think panty hose or stockings would work to cut glare but might catch on all sorts of twigs, weeds, etc. Sleeves off an old plaid shirt (flannel?) could be sewn up to fit snugly but would still need to be anchored at the riser to keep from bunching up.

Good luck with the project.

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