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in reply to: A first harvest… #57379
Congratulations to both of you! I showed my daughter and she’s soooo jealous! Lol! It’s so refreshing to see youth in this sport! Way too go!
in reply to: The 2013 Season Bulletin Board #57370Great idea Smithy! Gonna be fun watchin’ this one fill up! Got 12 days until the opener here. Starting to see some color and the temps are starting to drop a little. Got my gear all packed and ready to go, broadheads are all sharp and the clothes are on the line!
Counting the days now! Good Luck to everybody!
in reply to: Memorable Wildlife #49814Got two specific moments that come to mind on this one. The first happened last fall. I was walking out of one of my favorite swamps to hunt during late season. It was cold and still and clear as a bell. Maybe a mile or so off, a pack of wolves began to sing the night in and I paused to listen to their serenade. Moments into their first pause a single wolf, not 50 yards from me answered the pack! A chill went up my spine! To be so close without his knowing was surreal! I never saw him but what an experience! The second happened to me a few years ago and really, I think started me toward a different way of looking at hunting and wildlife. I was scouting a area with a secluded lake nearby and I heard something splashing in the water. I snuck to within sight and watched as a doe whitetail and her fawn played together in the water like two Lab pups. It literally brought a tear of joy to my eye to see such freedom of care for just that moment. I have not drawn on a doe with a fawn or her fawn since that day!
in reply to: Wild Shots #42928Happens to me whenever I shoot for a long time and start to get tired. Of course, I have had my share of “What in the World happened there!?!?” Shots!
in reply to: Celebration #41381What a great topic Paleoman! It really got me thinking. For years being a wheelie bow pilot, I was never really concerned with the responsibilities associated with taking another life. I was consumed by the mentality that they were just animals for a very long time. My views have certainly changed since then and not a moment too soon! I have not harvested an animal of any type with traditional gear yet so I don’t know what my initial emotions and reaction will be? I think, ultimately, I’m going to try not to prepare for it too much. I would like my first reactions to by honest ones from my heart, rather than a staged presentation. From there, perhaps a tradition will develope? I’ll keep ya posted for sure!
I don’t know if there’s a spiritual connection to them for me but, one of my favorite critters to encounter during a hunt are the nuthatches. I have always enjoyed watching them do their thing and listening to their calling just makes me smile. It seems over the years I’ve been able to tell by their calls whether or not there are other animals in the area, perhaps a learned observation or perhaps a deeper connection? I’m not intelligent enough to challenge either theory. Nor would I want to. What I need to know, is I feel better when they’re around and they stay here year ’round so I can always look forward to seeing them. That’s all the connection I need. If it is truly deeper? Than I am a very lucky person!
in reply to: Wild Voices #41312Up here in Northern Wisconsin this is an exciting time of year for wild voices. Although many of the cheerful and tireless singing of the early summer songbirds has diminished there are a multitude of sounds that sing of Autumn. As you guys have already said, the excited calling of the crows begins to increase as do the morning and evening callings of the owls. The hummingbirds are busy preparing themselves for their journey south and they call to each other constantly to remind each other that time is running short. The loons are begining to group together a bit more now even though it will still be some time before they leave and they compete with each other to see who is the loudest. But my number one, favorite fall voice is that of the humble chipmunk! On late summer and early fall evenings, there can be no more soothing a sound than the subtle chirps of a chipmunk before he retires for the evening. Every time I hear it I am reminded that it is once again my favorite time of year!
I wanted to just throw in my quick opinion about the wolves. I am blessed to live in an area that is home to wolves. I feel they are an extremely necessary part of our wild ecosystem here in North America. I could not imagine a season where I did not hear them call during a moonlit night as I walk back to my truck after a day afield. What I believe does the wolf a terrible injustice is how its species has been mis-managed in these modern times. We’ve seen it first hand here in Wisconsin with the failed Elk herd experiment, and everybody jumps to blame the wolf. Bull! You can’t manage a prey species if you can’t manage its apex predator! We will see how legalized hunting will affect the balance now that we have it as a tool to use. I know it will be a long time before the results are measurable but I hope there can be found, a way to consider both wolves and their prey, desirable parts of the wild experience! I would sure miss them!
in reply to: Sacred Places #36859When I first moved here to northern Wisconsin, there was a block of land a couple miles down the road from my house that I spent my early years of bowhunting in. In this block of woods was a strip of red pines maybe a mile long by a quarter mile wide. Inside these pines was like its own little world. The undergrowth had grown up enough that once inside, you were enveloped by the trees and shrubs that resided there. In this oasis there was a corridor trail that ran the length of the pines. Whenever the wind was right, it was my favorite stalk. I never got a deer in there but always had close encounters and will always have fond memories of my days in the pine grove. Now there are houses there and the trail is long gone. I have never found an equal for the feeling I got when in those pines. Its hard getting attached to such small parts of an ever changing world and watching so many happy places fall to the almighty dollar. Perhaps one day we will learn we must live with the land and not on it? Until then, I’ll keep looking for my new sacred place! Good luck to all this season, stay safe and God Bless!!!
in reply to: Where to start for an elk hunt? #24343Thanks Troy,
I draw 29″ so I belive I’m ok there? I’m thinking though from the way it sounds that perhaps I should look to a heavier shaft and head when I prepare? I really don’t even want to be marginally close. I want to be sure that in the event I have an opportunity, I will have no second thoughts about making a clean and quick kill. I am a wood arrow junkie for sure so I’m thinking of maybe making some shafts of birch to increase the weight there and perhaps moving up to a 160 grain broadhead? I think, if memory serves, my current ones are 125gr.
in reply to: What is Traditional Archery? #23938In my opinion it all goes back to the key word, Tradition. Too many of todays hunters have no idea or appreciation for where the outdoor sports came from. They don’t know how those before us fought for the “priveledges” we enjoy today. I agree that the weapon used should not define one as a “traditionalist”. The actions and the ethics of the individual should do that!
in reply to: Where to start for an elk hunt? #23932Great stuff guys! I don’t know how you guys pulled hunts like this off before resources like this!?!? I have been slowly training myself back into shape for sure. Had catostrophic shoulder surgery 2 years ago and I’m almost back to the condition I was in before my injury. ( The injury was actually the catostrophic part, not the surgery!) Great ideas for the breathing execises and also how to properly ascend into altitude! I could surely see myself overdoing it on the way in from the excitment and burning myself out! Thanks for the bow info Dave, I’m not really “technical” when it comes to the numbers my gear produces. I shoot a 50# Bear Montana, primarily with cedar shafts (full length) and Zwickey Eskimos. Does that sound sufficient or should I wait and strive to shoot something a bit heavier?
Thanks guys!
Dave.
in reply to: Where to start for an elk hunt? #22790Got a couple quick follow up questions for you guys. First, what’s a good rule of thumb to follow for adjusting to altitude? I’ve been and worked in higher altitudes before but I’m wondering what I should expect as far as ascending with a loaded pack. Second is equipment related. Since I am still fairly new to traditional equipment, I have worked up to shooting a 50lb longbow. I also have a 60lb recurve but have not developed enough to be consistent and comfortable with that yet. I also seem to shoot the longbow more accurately and I have a hard time switching back to my recurves. My question is how much bow is enough for bigger game such as Elk? I don’t want to be “under bowed”.
Thanks guys! This is all great stuff!
Dave.
in reply to: Where to start for an elk hunt? #20865Sound and simple advice, just the way I like it! I am competent with map, compass and gps navigation so I’m not worried about that but I am definitely going to contact biologists as you suggested. That’s a great idea. I do plan to just try and manuever around herd movements rather than try to become an overnight elk caller so knowing where the animals traditionally move and congregate will be essential.
And Dave, got a good laugh about the ATV’s but I also realize they are becoming harder and harder to avoid. I will be taking this into account as I research. After all, it wouldn’t live up to my hopes if I could hear a wheeler from my tradbow bivy camp!
in reply to: Bucket list hunt #20370I would love to attempt to take a Glacier Bear in southeast Alaska! No prettier animal to my eyes!
in reply to: Some people's thinkin' #19437It’s very refreshing to find a group of individuals who share such high regards for the animals we pursue. This is one of the main reasons I gave up compounds and took up traditional gear. There was a growing competition among my own clique of hunting companions over who could shoot the most deer, how far away they were shot and how big they were. It became so toxic that I completely walked away from it all and severed my ties with people that I had shared the woods with for over 20 years. I will miss the comradery this season for sure but I could not stomach the mind set that these beautiful creatures we share the wild places with were only there to provide us with entertainment. Every animal that gives its life to a hunter deserves a hell of a lot more than that and we owe it to them to never forget that! I tip my hat to all of you for sharing these feelings and putting the honor of the animal above the ego of the hunter! I hope we can do enough for this sport that those that follow never forget where we came from!
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