[David Petersen]

in reply to: Mid Summer Feeling #17865

You said: “I hate to admit it but I think this feeling (very much like Christmas) is tied to the commercail stores who have just begun setting out the fall hunting supplies.”

Certainly, that’s part of the annual “pre-rut” wind-up. But for me it’s cooling temps — right now, mid-July with weeks of heat yet to come, the past three mornings here on the mountain have been 45 degrees and suddenly I’m “in the mood.” A more subtle influence is the gradual decrease in daylight — the same biological inner clock that puts the game into rut also influences my mood and cravings. Archery seasons here in CO open in less than six weeks! Who but serious hunters would notice these subtle natural changes and the internal longings and energies they create? It’s a privilege and a blessing to be a trad guy, making life so much richer. Dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Anyone use a "possibles bag"? #17860

I’m with Smithhammer. A roomy pack is a necessity for elk hunting here in CO, not a preference. Two considerations on the original historic use of possibles bags: First, these guys were carrying black powder firearms and needed to keep their reloading “fixins” handy even in the dark — powder, wadding, shot, these were the original possibles. What would I carry in one today? A pack of cigarettes? A flask of water? A camera? Second, trappers were on horseback most of the time so didn’t have to carry their bulky stuff on their backs. So while possibles bags were utilitarian to the mountain men, they’re impractical for a backcountry hunter today, a token to the past that just gets in the way. I mean, I could hang one from my belt, alongside my sheath knife and with the waist-belt of my pack over that. But why, when most packs today are bristling with external pouches that do the same thing better? I share with both of you gents the desire to go lighter, especially as I age. But given the extreme variations in mountain weather from daylight to dark, necessitating layered clothing, and the advisability to almost always carry rain gear (a few weeks ago, a storm blew in suddenly and along with rain, wind and hail, the temp dropped from 82 to 58 in less than half an hour), plus game bags etc., it seems every year the pack gets heavier, averaging 25 pounds for a standard day hunt and more if I have to carry water as opposed to filtering natural water. Consequently I’m always searching for the perfect hunting pack but am yet to find one. IMHO, Dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Grunts, Snort Wheeze and Rattling #17115

Bruce — are you trying to upstage Patrick? If I were website comic I’d be sweating the competition right now!

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Wes Wallace Profile #17114

Would be even nicer if they hadn’t cut off the top of his head! 😆

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Little Bears of the North Woods #17102

Wrestling cubs. Don’t know what happened to the third one, and hope it’s OK.

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Little Bears of the North Woods #17099

This bull has another month of antler growth, at around an inch a day. 😀 I’ve re-aimed the cam.

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Little Bears of the North Woods #17095

Today’s cam pics, taken near the batch above from a week ago. Same bears, methinks, and a nice velvet bull though the top of his antlers are cut off, leaving a mystery about whether he’s a 5×5 or 6×6. Like him, no doubt, I can already feel the rut stirring deep in my guts.

[David Petersen]

in reply to: BowBlitz.com #17084

I agree with you both, plus my personal twists. Except for the horrid impression these twisted “hunting hero” programs give the nonhunting public and antis about hunting and hunters, especially bowhunting, I am not bothered by the disgusting commercial filth of the “Outhouse Channels” as I don’t watch TV. When I’m in a motel and channel surfing from boredom and hit one, I can’t get out of there fast enough. But I’m really not sure I’d want even a good trad bowhunting program on one of these bottom-feeding Outhouse channels, as TV can’t be done without sponsors, and in some ways being on TV all the time would cheapen our sport. Hunting to me is a personal participation sport and I don’t particularly care for it as spectator entertainment, esp. when it’s presented as just another competition. Thank God for the “off” switch. IMHO, Dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Has anyone used Zwicky Broadheads #14713

Indeed, I’d rank Zwickey right up there with Bear as “classic” broadheads. Yet, while I’ve used them to good effect in the past, the steel’s a bit soft for my tastes, being mostly an elk hunter. That’s why they sharpen so easily. Thing is, the easier a head is to sharpen, the easer it is to dull or tip-break on impact with heavy bone. It will always be a trade-off. If I hunted only deer and other relatively light big game, I’d have no problem using Zwickey and other well-designed heads with Rockwell hardeness down in the 40s. So in my mind, an essential part of broadhead choice should be dictated by what we intend to shoot ’em at. Right tool for the right job. IMHO

[David Petersen]

in reply to: The Aesthetics of Archery #14706

One of your best posts yet, Steve. Well said! Coincidentally, noted wildlife biologist and hunting philosopher Valerius Geist is currently working on an evolutionary history of mankind as hunter-gatherers, which he is cleverly titling “Doomed to Art” because we are the only species with a stong, at times overpowering, love and craving for art and artfulness in all forms. You’ve expressed the art (OK, aesthetics) of archery and bowhunting quite … well, artfully. Dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Bow restoration #14572

Welcome here Dan. As you’ve likely already noted, us trad folks aren’t at all competitive and are as helpful to others as we can be. In this case I offer a strong second for Joe’s work. And he’s real good people too. But, for a second thought, depending on what the refurbishing costs you might be better off to keep the old Bear as a wall-hanger and buy a newer used recurve or longbow. Lots are around and often at good bargains, and gains in recent years in materials and limb design have made remarkable improvements over older bows. But of course, there’s something to be said for nostalgia. I have an old Bear myself, though so far I much prefer to hunt with my Shrews, which, at the same draw weight, are significantly faster. Dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: I fish #14566

Ray — It appears the osprey’s trout is bigger than yours! 😛 But then, you have more of them. 😆 Nice pontoon boat — my new electric trolling motor should arrive an day now, just in time for the annual giant pike frenzy — nice lake, nice day, gorgeous big birds of prey, lotsa nice fish (although, having eaten a few zillion trout, I can no longer consider it a prime eating fish, like say catfish or crappie or wapiti), cool pics. Thanks for sharing. I mean, a guy has to find constructive ways to use his time and get his dinner when no hunting season is on. dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Craziest thing I've Ever Heard #13317

Well I reckon I’m a lucky man, as my wonderful wife, a bit of a hermit, just loves it when I go hunting because it gets me out of the house–understandably, she tires of my incessant singing of songs I make up myself–and assures I’ll come home smiling. 😀 I always do anyhow. But we’ve had 32 years together, and I mean together (I’ve usually worked at home, and home is tiny) to work it out. If your spouse resents you going hunting, that suggests that he/she enjoys your company too much and/or your house is too big. Your own fault! 😆

[David Petersen]

in reply to: My hunting outfit – opinions please #10107

One more vote for adding dark pattern and contrast. Too many of today’s camo patterns look intricate and realistic up close, but at a distance, like your cloak, appear solid, and in this case, IMHO, way too light. It is easy and cheap, basically instant, to buy a can of black spray paint and do some lines and blobs, big ones, to provide a better break-up patttern at a distance and overall darker coloration. You don’t really need it — dark plaid top and dark pants do it every time for me, all species — but if you gain confidence from extra camo clothing, that (confidence) is always worth the investment. But you do need to break it up some, methinks. Dave

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Little Bears of the North Woods #10100

And one more shot of the same family. Check out the size of the sow’s paw!

[Author]

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