[David Petersen]

in reply to: Kingwouldbe & Tuffhead #52633

Uh, would someone kindly explain to this slow old guy what A&A fletching is? Who sells it, etc. Guess I’ve been napping. 😳 I’ve never had a problem with elk jumping the string; they’re remarkably calm unless alerted and I try to keep my shots under 15 yards. But I’m too embarrassed to admit how many shots, 20-25 yards on average, I’ve put over the backs of Coues whitetails as they ducked and spun when I released. Specializing in elk can make a guy lazy, which is why I’m so enjoying chasing whitetails again. Thanks, dummy Dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: More wildlife pics #51224

It’s all fun. After I posted the pics above, I haven’t gotten another one, of anything (that is, some six weeks). It’s not unusual not to have elk here in late summer, as they mostly are higher, but I’d expect the bears to keep swimming and am yet to get a pic of a deer. That lion I got in the fist batch of cam pics may have something to do with the dearth of deer. Oh well, the cams come down in another week, or will get moved closer to home where I don’t hunt. Sure has helped me get through a boring summer and motivates me to take long walks at midday on hot buggy days when I wouldn’t otherwise. Much like hunting in that way. If I knew I had a hot spot that was being regularly visited, I’d set the cam for video. I’ve watched bears splash around in spring pools several times but a video would be cool. dp

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Idaho Trad Bowhunters – huh? #47281

“This just reinforces my belief that I would never want to belong to club that would have a guy like me as a member…”

Yeah, me too; join the club …

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Best arrow material. Carbon, wood, or aluminum. #46934

First, I don’t think I’ve seen two first-time posters back to back on the same thread before. Welcome Ben and Gerald! To add my own 2 scents worth to the good comments above, it comes down to your personal definition of “best.” In my experience, from a practicality pov, carbon wins it hands-down. From an overall satisfaction and aesthetics pov, woods will always have it. So I remain torn between the two. If I were hunting only deer and smaller pigs, I’d forget about practicality and go with wood. But I hunt elk and over the years have become obsessed with the need to never ever again wound and lose one of the magnificent animals. Thus, informed by Dr. Ashby’s detailed study findings and those reinforced by my own experimentation, I hunt elk now almost exclusively with carbons. And durability isn’t even among my considerations. First is their ability to achieve EFOC via light shafts that can handle massive up-front weight. I also appreciate the absolute uniformity between shafts and being able to switch from field points to broadheads on the same shaft. Their slenderness is a further gain. Add all this up, and there you go. As an elk hunter,carbon is clearly “best” for me. If I hunted only deer, I’d be shooting woods.

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Kingwouldbe & Tuffhead #46791

Brett — Hmmmm. I have mounted half a dozen, on both woods and with screw-in inserts. All are flawless and spin/fly perfectly. Yeah, Joe’s the real deal and worthy of our support. dp

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Kingwouldbe & Tuffhead #46037

David — You must have X-ray vision to have center-punched that heart so perfectly. Maybe you should change your name to Supermanwouldbe. 😆 Or the Indian version: Seesthroughpig. Sure do enjoy your hunt stories, broadhead performance reports, and esp. those gorgeous bloody photos. But where’s the cigar? Dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Ground Blinds for Idiots… #45896

Wildschwein — I prefer Hunter’s Specialties camo facepaint, which I get at a local sporting goods store but most trad archery supply houses also carry. It comes in a tube, is cold-cream based, so it goes on easy and stays on well even in rain, but washes right off with soap and warm water or a “handy wipe.” I prefer black and that’s the only color I’d buy but it comes in boxes of three tubes, usually black, green, and brown. For some reason the different colors don’tact the same; specifically, green rubs off while brown and esp. black stay put. A tube lasts me a few month-long seasons — just takes a dab. I wear a pull-up net camo face mask when on stand or closing a stalk, but pull it down for better vision and hearing when walking around. So the face paint is mostly backup in case I get caught with my mask down.

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Backpack and Quiver #45822

Welcome here, Todd. The photo is by Gary Logsdon, if anyone here knows him. Maybe our benevolent Web Mother will track it down for you. TJ handles the photos, so Don Thomas likely won’t know. That pack is attractive, but hardly big enough to hold my lunch for a day’s hunt. Of course,I try to eat well when hunting. 😛

[David Petersen]

in reply to: F O C #45508

Hi Bowgnome. In my experience, and in Dr. Ashby’s research, so long as you’re getting good arrow flight and can live with the trajectory at your max range, there is no such thing as too much weight up front. Not only does increased FOC enhance penetration (all else being equal), it also enhances arrow flight stability, thus accuracy. Sounds like you have a solid set-up for most game. Dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Ground Blinds for Idiots… #44311

Schwein — The unending abundance of site-specific situations makes any general coverage of this question incomplete. Nonetheless it’s a good question and in upcoming issues of TBM watch for articles on basic ambush tactics and building natural brush blinds.

So far as looking animals in the eyes, I agree it’s best not to. Even so, I have long had the habit of squinting my eyes almost closed when game is near and looking my way, until I’m ready to shoot. Better yet, light conditions allowing, are sunglasses. I also use vertical dark lines of camo across my eyes, forehead and cheeks to break up the shape and horizontal plane. And a facemask. Aside from inviting deer’s “sixth sense” to lock onto your stare, focusing on an animal’s eyes, like looking at antlers, is a great way to shoot high and miss.

[David Petersen]

in reply to: this new format??? #43193

Moose — what new format is that? I presume you refer to having compressed several forums into just two? Somewhere in a “sticky” there should be an explanation. And from our end it seems to be working well — more activity was the goal. It was my idea so if it doesn’t work for you, my apologies and you know who to blame. 😛 Dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: 2 blade broadhead orientation #42057

NZL — when dealing with Shrew, you are dealing with just two people:Ron the owner, and Gregg the bowyer. So the term “warranty” is a bit out of place. Like most of today’s best “ma and pa” bowmakers, taking care of their customers is a matter of personal honor, not contracted obligation. Ask them to package it extra solid for shipment, as that’s a real concern. But if anything ever goes wrong, you can trust it will be fixed and pronto. But that chance is minimal. Our applause for your courage and individuality in marching with the traditional banner over there, all but alone. It must feel something like when I was a kid in Oklahoma and bowhunters were as rare as fur on a fish. Frankly, I kinda liked it that way. No crowded woods. I just had a visit from a NZ couple, delightful folks. Dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: 2 blade broadhead orientation #41446

Welcome aboard NZLongbowman. I agree, even though my favored orientation is horizontal. It’s a visual thing, and with the head vertical my eye seem to go to it more, distracting my concentration. At my anchor at least, horzontal flat heads don’t stand out so much. I do this with woods, easy, but don’t bother with screw-in and let them go where they may. Just like my shots. 😛 Dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Tuffhead update #41153

Steve Sr., thanks for the comparison photo, very helpful for those who’ve not yet seen this long-thin new beastie.

Scout, that’s precisely the term that came to mind when I received my Tuffhead field points — artillery shells. I glued in 125-grain screw-in adapters, just as with the broadheads, and they shoot precisely to the same point as the broadheads, which I can now touch up, strop on cardboard, coat lightly with mineral oil, and they’re ready to hunt. T Downing has Tuffheads, broadheads and artillery shells, on 11/32 wood shafts and they shoot likewise perfectly for him, with a nice tight match-up where shaft meats head. Only drawback when used on skinny carbons or 21/64 woodies is that there’s a definite step-down from ferrule to shaft, which can complicate pulling them out of some target materials. I plan to stump shoot with mine as well, being doubly careful not to lose or damage any of my precious well-tuned 6 elk arrows. I have never felt better equipped for elk — 691 grains total with 27.5% EFOC — and rarely take shots over 15 yards. I can taste those sizzling rare backstraps already! Alas, three more weeks to wait.

Doc Ashby has taken off for a few days to bring home some stuff in storage. I’m sure he’ll answer all questions when he gets back. Dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Scentless waterproof spray? #40854

Scout — Indeed, cognac would work well for that purpose, a veritable moveable feast of lovely womens. But that’s a long flight, a longer swim,and I don’t eat snails. So I’m happy to do my girl watching (these “mature” days) across the campfire or living room at my lovely wife. 😀 It’s been raining daily here, so staying dry in the coming hunting seasons is much on my mind. I’ve also been renewing the seam sealer on my tents and the MT Pitch Blend on the leather uppers of my LL Beaner hunting shoes, as well as the leather hood of my bow quiver. When the inner fire is burning, energy runs high and it’s all good fun. Even without the cognac. This is, after all, still the margarita and beer time of year. For those who drink. 🙄

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