[David Petersen]

in reply to: Opinions on T/D Longbows #48674

I second Anointed on the Shrew CH, but the waiting list is a year and a half long, ugh. Rare to see used ones on the market and most often they’re left-handed. I personally prefer two-piece take-downs to get away from the massive handle section, though they don’t get as short for travel as a three-piece. But I shoot a 54″ so it fits fine in baggage or backpack. SO many good ones to choose from, what you’re likely to get here, and are getting so far, are our personal favorites. There are simply too many good bows, and too many personal preferences, for any one to be “best.” I will suggest however that you buy a “custom” from an individual bowyer or small outfit and avoid the big factory names. IMHO.

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Early Season a Bust #48640

Well at least you got out there. Elk season was weird here, but not heat. Everything happened two weeks early and now the elk have disappeared. Not just from my turf but everyone I’ve talked with far and wide. I just came in (got a long-season cow tag) and again it was eerily quiet–not even the birds or squirrels were visible or vocalizing. Seems like every living thing out there sometimes goes quiet in synch. Sure am curious as to why but none of my bio friends have a clue either (“they don’t fund that kind of research”). Best laid plans …

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Help with instinctive shooting #48637

Welcome, Daniel. Using a range finder with a stickbow is like taking a sandwich to a banquet. One of the joys of trad archery is there’s so little that can break or get lost. I agree with the guys above re stump shooting. But more precisely, try hard to let go of your gap training and ignore your bow and arrow too, and concentrate on the spot you want to hit, not thinking much at all about range estimation. Only lots of practice can achieve this. But then, trad practice is fun. Best luck, Dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Congratulations Dave #47621

To give Alex his due, here he is packing bull and sacrificing his own hunting time to do it. We had a big bugling bull pass by on the ridge just above us as we were walking in next morning to pack meat … and Alex with meat pack rather than bow. He always carries way more than his fair share … a perfect elk camp guest! 😀

[David Petersen]

in reply to: first elk hunt! #47610

That’s the way it usually goes, Ron. I have only sympathy for the man who returns meatless from a hunt and feels angry. Disappointment is expected, but displaced anger is ulcerous. So long as we have places where a man without much means can hunt, there will always be a next year. Hallelujah!

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Self bow?? #46479

Troy — those are gorgeous bows! Nothing better than hunting with a bow you built yourself. A close second is hunting with a selfbow a friend gave you, which I’m very much enjoying doing at the moment. Dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Water!! #46477

R2 — Good luck on Saturday! Dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Congratulations Dave #46474

Thanks, Bill. When I first walked up on my bull, the first antler I saw was the 4-tine side. Give the size of it I thought, Wow, I’ve just killed a world-record 4×4! I was actually disappointed to count 6 on the other side. Symmetry has its place but I love the unusual. I get really jealous of folks to kill cactus bucks, club horns and other really radically “freak” antlers. Guess I’m a bit of a freak myself so am attracted to it. Dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: i shot my first tradbow deer! #46469

Sam– go back in the morning at first light and look some more. With luck you’ll find her before the coyotes do. I had a similar experience once and it took four major trips: two alone, one with my wife and dog, and a fourth with an expert tracker friend. I found the buck a quarter-mile past the last speck of blood, down in a bottom where they tend to head when hurt badly but the coyotes had gotten there first. Still, it’s the only way to ease your conscience a bit. Good luck.

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Plaid Shirts #46000

Shrimp — I’ve been on the same quest. In previous years I’ve scored some great shirts, including wool, at local second-hand stores. But times are harder and either folks aren’t letting them go any more, or more active shoppers are grabbing them before I get there. The plaids you see at WalMart etc. are pure junk. The good ones, such as LL Bean, Woolrich, etc. continue to go up in price as my income goes down. Consequently, for the first time in years, I had to buy a cheap cotton camo shirt for the early season. My search goes on but first I need new wool pants. If you hunt in chilly and/or rainy weather I strongly suggest merino or the new treated wool that won’t shrink (at least not as much) and can be machine washed and dried. That’s what I’m after. My friend Alex Bugnon delights in getting steal deals from EBay, and that’s a promising source for those who want to mess with it. Alex advises to deal only with sellers who have “lots of stars” in the customer ratings, and to pay only with PayPal. If anyone finds a truly bragain source for good wool, please tell us so I can use it to.

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Congratulations Dave #45874

Bill K — if you have a good pic of that Mancos bull could you please post so I can compare it to mine (not size but point configuration, as this is quite rare or so I thought).

Good cow hunt last night, minus any cows. I was pinned down all evening but a screaming bull in my face; a lonely loser aced out of breeding by the Big Boy, and an easy target to cow call in. Where was he when Alex was here? Where were all the elk when Alex was here. I advised him to come late, as year after year that’s a red-hot week, last week of the season. But this year everything happened two weeks early and ended just as the Piano Man arrived. That’s hunting …

[David Petersen]

in reply to: I hope my dreams never come ture #45295

Troy, sounds like what you ate last night were those funny mushrooms. 😆

Bruce — born 8.5 months early — no wonder you won’t show us a picture of yourself! 😛

[David Petersen]

in reply to: looking for fletchings #45293

Welcome aboard Jon20. Most trad mail-order house are totally reliable. My favorite for service is Dave Doran’s “Archery Past.” You can google him. Only thing is he isn’t set up to take orders online so you check the online catalog and give hima toll-free call … he’s great about answering any questions you may have while you have his attention. And there’s always 3Rivers and Kustom King, big operations but first rate. And more. Most of us, given the scarcity of trad shops, must rely on mail order. Best luck, and be sure to use bright feathers so you can find those arrows in the grass. Dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Confirmed Werewolf Kill #45288

SDMFer — Congratulations! First kills are special and never forgotten. Mine also was a cow, and also a less than perfect shot, but ended in recovery. That was when I learned that packing out an 80-pound green elk hide isn’t worth it. 😯 Dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Wife says I went too far… #44694

Bullseye — I long ago quit hunting a half hour or so before the end of shooting light, in part because in low light my old eyes get “swimmy,” but mostly because I don’t want to have to track an animal in the dark. I don’t mind field dressing by headlamp, but I don’t want to follow a blood trail that way. Also, leaving a bit early allows me to sneak quietly out of the woods without making a racket or using a flashlight, so that I can return to the same area the following morning and know it’s undisturbed.

Back on topic, what I’ve always thought sounded like fun but I’m yet to try, is shooting at a candle in the dark.

[Author]

Posts