[David Petersen]

in reply to: Clean Water #42652

This is a perfect op-ed and I love the way you educate the nay-sayers. This idea that anything the feds try to do is a “power grab” and should be fought is nothing short of mob insanity and will ruin America if not brought under control. Another example is the current attempt to have all our federal public lands–Forest Service, BLM and Park Service–“transferred” to the states in which they reside, under the inane proposition that the states will manage them better. Right-O! One fire season, one year of management and maintenance, and all such states will be broke and “forced” to sell the best of what makes America the greatest country in the world, to the highest bidders, aka oil and gas, timber, grazing and mining industries. Then we the public, especially sportsmen, will be locked out for sure. Talk about a land grab! Nothing more disappoints and annoys me than sportsmen who buy into this oligarchical BS and vote for the industry lap-dogs who support it. Thanks for doing your part to educate We the People. When will sportsmen learn that protecting huntings’ future is not about “gun rights,” recruiting new hunters with the wrong values, or right-wing aka “conservative” politics, but about protecting the places where fish and wildlife thrive and all Americans, no matter where we live, can go any day of any year to enjoy. With rights come responsibilities. This letter motivates me to snap out of my doldrums and get back to fighting for what’s most important in my life: wild public lands and equitable access. Here’s my latest rant to the local trout wrapper.

Big thanks, Steve. Dave P.

http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20140730/OPINION03/140739967/-1/Opinion

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Bow building question. #42496

Years ago I built a couple of Osage board bows backed, back only, with fiberglass. I did not use a heat oven but simply clamped the lams to the limbs for gluing with epoxy. While I can’t recall the nature of their failures, I do recall that it didn’t work out at all. Sure would make bow-building easier if we could back wood with glass on one side and without a heat oven. My next bow will be an Osage selfbow, as the few of those I made were far superior to board bows no matter what I backed them with.

But hey, this isn’t rocket science and nobody’s life depends on the outcome, so why not experiment and have fun. So long as you have the time and materials to spare …

[David Petersen]

in reply to: New books #37767

Wojo, check out “My Life as an Indian,” by James Willard Schultz, set in MT late 1800s among the Pegan Blackfeet. Presented as nonfiction but clearly many fictional elements, yet accurate history and great story-telling.

There are also several excellent books on the Apache wars.

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Backcountry College – Water #37500

Does it come with the back-flush pump, or do you have to buy that extra?

[David Petersen]

in reply to: A new one to the fold #36751

Well congratulations to the lady! I often thought how great it would have been to have my wife eager to hunt with me. But what she most wanted from my hunting, aside from the annual supply of elk flesh, was the time off it gave her from me. She was the world’s happiest hunting widow. 😳 Closest I came was my great hunting buddy Erica. In most ways she was superior to any man I’ve ever hunted with, or maybe just more pleasant company and far easier to look at. Yet when she came down the mountain with blood to her elbows and said she needed packing help, I knew the elk would be perfectly quartered, boned and bagged, ready to pack. From what I’ve seen, too many men/husbands who take their wives hunting are not the best, most patient teachers, and that impatience more than anything puts ’em off. Something tells me you will be different. Enjoy!

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Early Elk Seasons #28647

Scott– Colorado’s seasons closely parallel those of ID. I grew up in Okie with a rifle deer season that opened Thanksgiving weekend and archery in early Oct. So I too have a distinct association between hunting and fall hardwood colors and temps. So far as “practicality,” for those to whom “success” is all that matters, you can’t get a better month for elk in the Rockies than Sept. because they’re rutting and vocalizing (until the idiots with fake bugles glued to their faces show up and shut ’em down, often the first day of the season). And Sept. in elk country often goes from 80s early month to heavy frosts every night the last few days … and with a month’s season you can choose your weather. But it’s just too early imo. Hot days, bugs, serious problems with meat preservation if you’re a serious backcountry hunter, etc. Mule deer don’t rut until several weeks later and are still in velvet for archery season, yet deer and elk archery run together, so archery deer season in the Rockies really sucks, again imo. I don’t hunt bear but if I did I’d prefer early Oct. when other seasons are closed and bears are fat and fixing to den thus the best meat and pelts. So, my advice if you’re considering a western mountain hunt for deer is to hit timberline where the big bucks are in Sept., and for elk come late. But these days timing is generally trumped by location. If you’re hunting with “good” road and ATV trail access, you’re far better off spending the money to take the wife to Hawaii. Or go alone. 😛

[David Petersen]

in reply to: What are your favorite trad pictures? #25321

Hammer, just when I’m starting to worry that you’re a “gear guy,” it belatedly comes to me that you in fact are an art appreciator. I get it! 😀

Ralph–great picture! That string, in that moment of its life, looks as old and wrinkled as me! 😳 But like me, it still gets the job done.

“He’s old, but he ain’t dead.” –Abbey

Great end quote, too. Ain’t it the truth!

[David Petersen]

in reply to: tai chi #22941

Wahoo– I too have considered trying Tai Chi, so will also appreciate any good videos recommended here. I’ve never done it but have watched it being done and talked with practitioners. It’s presented as “slow motion martial arts” and focuses on balance, isometric exercise, and conservation and grace of movement. I’m currently back in physical therapy for mid-spine arthritis, which helps but is temporary. I’d love to find an exercise routine that is easy to stick with forever and provides permanent relief. Otherwise my days of backpacking and long hunts with heavy packs are over. Can’t have that, now can we?

[David Petersen]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #22040

It was N.C., in 1984, when I got the 50-some yellow jacket bites that now curse me with a potentially lethal allergy. I’ve gotten many more since and now have to carry a “bee sting” kit everywhere in the ‘jacket season. There are many different species, but here, with our two main varieties which I cleverly called big and little, Black Flag wasp killer spray works like a nuclear blast. They don’t even twitch but just fall like gravel. If you can find their nest, usually in the ground, wait until almost dark when they’re all in, spray in a good dose of BF and cover the exit hole. Good luck and bee careful.

[David Petersen]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #22014

Ralph — This is the third year I’ve seen this here: elk calves by Sept. are long weaned and spotless and bigger than most deer … now we have spotted calves in Oct.! I think you hit all three primary problems: excessive hunting pressure during the rut, climate change and drought, with the latter two being likely the same at root. You’d be surprised how skinny some of these “fat” bears become when they get wet, or skinned-out. But yeah, since we outlawed baiting and hounds here, now long ago, we have lots of beautiful big bears. It’s a joy to behold. A cup of my wife’s ashes are in the little spring the bear is headed for … I like that a lot, and so would she. The bear isn’t commenting, just trying to cool off on a warm summer midday.

[David Petersen]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #21838

Finally hiked up to check my two long-neglected game cams yesterday. One had dead batteries and no photos. The other had 1587 shots, all but about a dozen of which were wind in the aspens. Total take was just two fat bears (or the same one twice) and a very pregnant elk cow on June 26, two weeks beyond normal end of calving season and a bad indication that the recent trend of late-born calves continues.

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Someone has been PEEKING!!! #18745

Grumpy — Yes, I too have had some experience that are just too special to share … like genuine gas station BBQ in a brown paper bag with Wonder Bread. 😛

[David Petersen]

in reply to: Riser shelf design question #18511

A radiused shelf also reduces friction and smoothes feather passage.

[David Petersen]

in reply to: What are your favorite trad pictures? #17588

My favorite “trad” pictures? That’s easy: Would have been my wife table-dancing in camo scanties … alas, she didn’t like camo and they don’t make girlie scanties in plaid. Even if they did, the wool would likely be too itchy for that application. Life is full of disappointments.

Barring that ideal, I like bear-naked girls in mud …

[David Petersen]

in reply to: New bow to show off! #17354

Lucky man! I love stippled handle grips. I once bought a bow for that reason alone (at a trad archery event, where we can go a bit crazy you know).

[Author]

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