[Col Mike]

in reply to: Grizzly hunt! #10487

Mark

You know we discussed that–and we just decided (all 3 of us) that watching was fun and stalking close was a thrill, and the bears represented all that was right with that place and we didn’t need to prove anything. Those concepts were long dead in that band of brothers.

Don’t believe trad gear would have changed our minds-it hasn’t to this day. We had our right of passage and the game didn’t eat you it shot back:shock:.

Hanging in our garage/dog tack room is a 5 foot long panoramic photo that Lin took on one of our backpacking trips on the Seward peninsula, I’m standing in front of our tent with a huge 😀 on my face. Linda asked why I was grinning so much–then I pointed out the grizz digging for marmots about a 1/4 mile around the point on Lost Lake. Aw but a dram of the Irish and a good meal and all was well in the camp that night.

Just my personal feeling that predators (natural ones) have it tough enough–I’ll join their ranks and hunt their prey–not them. I have no problem with those that do we just agree to disagree.

Now hunting boar with a spear is a thought I’ve toyed with. Been practicing my throwing stick skills for some time (the first trad weapon after the rock) have yet to take a grouse or rabbit–did get a dove last year with a rock. Let me know how the spear works out and which one you bought.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Speaking of bears… #9432

Dave

So right on. Bear proof garbage containers are the law here. For fun I drive up the ski sloops on Mon. were all the trophy homes are and count the number of ransacked cans because the flat landers are to lazy to put them in the cribs. Of course the people won’t be back for a few weeks and the locals have to deal with clean up and, an habituated bear.

And around the lake it’s even more troubling.

I have told the commissioners and DNR–the addresses are on the damn containers hammer the offenders–I get 😯 look.

Oh well–we inherit what we allow.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Grizzly hunt! #9405

Jonking–our handler this past mushing season was a ranger at Katmai for 3 years (Denali west side this year) we were entertained by her pictures of the bears and she identified all by number and their slang names.

Magnificent creatures.

Went hunting the great bears in 84–(gun hunt) Talketna area. About 2 weeks after breakup. First day 3 of us glassed a total of 5 grizzly. That night at the trappers cabin after some rum we all decided that watching was more important then killing.

We spent two weeks watching, stalking and talking.

Likely one of my most memorable hunts. Then we went back to Adak and got our caribou:D

Semper Fi

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: My Elkheart has arrived!! #8316

Alex–an elk heart friend told me about silent but deadly, SBD bowstrings–owner builds them with silencers installed got one on “elkheart too” and I don’t hear a whisper. But then you have to remember that my ears have been shot out and Lin always is asking–were you listening to me?:D Any ho check out silent but deadly bow strings takes about two weeks for delivery.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Getting in shape #62643

I really hesitated to respond to this because it has been my life. Staying in shape is survival. Lots of good advice here but thought I would share with you all a cardiovascular work out that is not only beneficial but fun8)

Attending the Army command and general staff school in 82 I was asked to participate in a review of the army’s physical fitness test–(for you Marines out there they were thinking of increasing their 2 mile run to 3). After much testimony from some learned PhD’s the bottom line was –you need to get your heart rate up to 80% of its max for 20-30 minutes a day 3 or 4 times a week. OK, Alex –you can thank me that you guys are still running 2 miles because when asked by the Commanding General what I thought–I said-” Sir you have heard the evidence–2 miles achieves the cardio levels and besides if you go to 3 miles the USMC will go to 5 and we will all hate you”.

And Gen Saint (later SACEUR) said–best reason I’ve heard we will keep it at 2 miles.

OK that is the background–now to the workout.

Preparation–coffee pot minimum 4 cups ready to perk in the morning (presuming only one athlete).

one pack of non filtered cigarettes (camels are best) next to pot.

Workout–leap out of bed in the morning (pot on timer of course)run to the kitchen–slug down one cup of java while rapidly inhaling the first camel. Breath deep–repeat 3 times—I’m telling you your heart rate will soar to 85–90% max and stay there for 30 min. minimum.:D

If your still with me–strength training tomorrow.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Close encounters and backup #62587

I love tracking and stalking black bears–have this year 1 sow with 2 cubs and 2 two year old males across the street in our little patch of wild. Last year I started packing bear spray in my day pack.

We have had cubs run in front of our dog teams with mommy right behind–that will get your attention.

Have backpacked numerous times in Ak. and loved when we viewed grizz. Always follow the rules in grizz country (sans the bells):D

When mushing, hunting, or hiking in moose country–be careful–most carry a gun–a big long one.

My scariest encounter—on a caribou hunt (gun) in AK (84) while on point with 1 sailor and 2 Marines behind me, through a dense alder thicket (do they grow any other way?) I point out a fresh grizz track in the center of the trail–the sound of 3 rifles locking and loading behind me–raised the sparse hair on my neck. I turned and said “gentleman unload those weapons and put them on safe”!

But if you feel you need a side arm pardner–R2 is right on forget the hype of all that new stuff the .45ACP gives maximum penetration (30″ of flesh) at pistol range–forget the movies–that’s 25 yards max. Mine is a full sized M-1911 frame custom built (by our precision weapons facility at Quantico) receiver is 6 inches with all the whiz bang and whistles that go with that. Easy to carry on the hip or concealed. I only carry in people country.

Hope this helps

Semper Fi

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: You make your own bad luck #62545

Know how you feel Charlie. After my post of opening day and the missed shot I only missed a day or so of hunting the spring season. Never got another shot and didn’t really care–even when returning– Linda had pictures of the birds in our back yard.:shock:

What a way to greet spring. Ya gotta love it. I’ll be back out in the fall–trust you will be to.:D

Semper Fi

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Trout Unlimited #62536

Signed some time ago. Musher friends of ours live on the watershed and have been fighting this for some time.

I was a resident of AK from 84-04 didn’t live there the whole time–being on active duty–but I can tell you that the rape of that land rivals WV.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Does altitude affect arrows? #48085

Jim

I would think–more important to you- is the Coriolis effect–don’t you have to aim off to the left or is it right–I never could remember . Watching that water run down the head as we crossed and recrossed the equator–just never got it right or left.:shock:

Semper Fi

Mike

ps. forget the 9mm–use a .45 cal.:D

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Dutch explorers account of a 'cat' #48073

Jim

curious are you of Dutch decent?:D

Semper Fi

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: "The Untamed" – film #48063

Clay

Great cinema, great dialogue, I was turned off by the music, and my wife says IHHO it’s to fast paced for the subject. Well she is the artist–I just don’t like that loud noisy stuff associated with that environment–but then I’m an old guy.

Great project will visit the funding site tomorrow.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Webmom's Day #42149

I echo those comments– Have a great day.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: What to know about Stalking #39808

Wolfshead

It would be hard to add to Dr.Ashby’s experienced response. I assume from your previous posts that you are one of our younger members–if so I offer the following recommendation–READ READ anything you can find about the animals and plants in your area. Knowing something about their life adds so much to the hunt.

The art of tracking has been termed the birth of science because it involves observation. Build or get a tracking box–sand box. Walk in it let your pets walk in it –watch the tracks age. Track yourself. Listen–identify every sound you hear. Observation is a learned skill–I call it inspection eyes–start with your home–If my wife moves one object in the house I notice as soon as I walk in the room. AusJim gave some good hints–hide and track your friends.

Get out there and watch, listen, observe, ask why–are all the tree limbs on one side, why is that side of the trail muddy and the other side dry–There is so much to see and learn that it will take a lifetime. Learning never ceases even when you get as old as the rest of the folks on this forum.

READ Read READ.

Semper Fi

ColMike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Stalking #37297

Dr.Ed, Dave, all

Stalking is the hunt–unless your skilled enough in tracking to persistence hunt. And in good enough shape to run it down.

Ambush is the logical choice from good scouting.

Successful stalking requires those traditional skills that we see are lacking in so many hunters particularly the youth.

IMHO we have to redefine success in the hunt. I have the unique ability to “stalk 18 Husky’s in my dog yard when returning from the hunt” talk about a learning experience.

And on Fri. I have a young man (ROTC Marine option) who has asked me to show him how to use map and compass.:D Yep I’ll be having fun.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Helms Deep arrived today… #37260

Alex–welcome to the Coffey club.:lol:

Semper Fi

Mike

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