[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Questions/ a little help #128993

R2–I share your pain! My hands are showing their high mileage, after multiple dislocations, torn tendons etc. etc. Sudden pain like that could be due to a number of things. Of all the many joints in the hand and wrist, the one at the base of the thumb is the most susceptible to plain old osteoarthritis due to wear and tear. If that’s the case, an injection—which should be a simple office procedure, although nowadays who knows—often provides several months of relief. No cure and nothing you want done repeatedly, but an injection done a few weeks before hunting season might help a lot. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Congrats to Steve Graf on publishing "The American Longbow" #128814

I got an advance look at this book, and can assure you that it’s very well done. Two thumbs up, Steve! don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Questions/ a little help #128813

I’m not sure any one bow is inherently “more accurate” than any other. So many factors come into play, especially those involving arrows. Besides, in my experience the overwhelming majority of bad shots result from operator error. Your question about elk is a good one, and you are right to consider them the big, tough animals that they are. However, once again so many factors come into play, particularly arrow weight. I always hesitate to suggest a “right” answer based on draw weight alone. Since going way down in poundage due to shoulder problems, I’ve learned that bows I once considered too light for almost any big game will kill things really dead with a good arrow delivered to the right place. Above all, I would not sacrifice accuracy for any gain in draw weight. don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Finger pain #128812

David–This now does sound like a problem related to your shooting. May be that you are letting the string roll off your fingers rather than getting a crisp, clean release. Remember Zen in the Art of Archery: the release should be without effort, like the bough of a pine tree springing upward after a load of snow melts and slips from it. I know that sounds a bit over the top, but it’s as good a description of a clean release as I’ve ever heard put into words. You glove could be a contributing factor as well. Personally, I like stiff, heavy fingers in my shooting glove. Takes a little getting used to and breaking in, but it will help the quality of the release as well as saving wear and tear on your fingers. Hang in there. You’ll get it worked out. We’ve all been through some version of it. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Finger pain #128683

I’ll come out of retirement for a bit and put my doctor hat back on. It’s not possible for me to identify the problem on the basis of the info here, but I can tell you that the first thing you need, as in all these situations, is an accurate diagnosis. These problems could be due to any number of things and may not be due to archery at all. If it’s not that big a deal and you’re making progress doing the things you’re doing, great. If not, you should see a physician who can sort out among many possible problems: arthritis, ganglion cyst, tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and on and on. My medical advice is worth every cent you guys pay for it. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: "Harvest" #57704

I have always disliked “harvest” used in this context.It seems to appear most often in newspaper articles and Fish and Game literature meant for a non-hunting (not necessarily anti-)and it implies that we are doing something that need to be sanitized somehow. I do not use “harvest” in my own writing, and as some of you know I often edit it our of others’. There is one context in which I think it is legitimate though. If a biologist is talking about “the 2016 moose harvest in Unit 9,” I really can’t think of a better way to say what’s being said. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: a little sad today. #15233

My opinion, for what it’s worth: 1. It does not appear that you hit the deer in the paunch. 2. You trailed it for 300 yards. 3. Therefore, I doubt that you killed the deer and suspect it is alive, well, and smarter. There is a small but very real space between the top of the lungs and the spine. An animal hit a little high there can survive. My best guess though is that you hit the shoulder blade and all is well. Anyone who hasn’t had a similar experience hasn’t done much bowhunting. You stalked a whitetail buck on the ground and delivered what was almost a perfect arrow. Don’t get sad. Get hunting. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Treestands #15167

My preference for this purpose is the Eaglet, the down-size model of the Screaming Eagle Paul Brunner used to make. I don’t think they are being made or marketed anymore, but you might get lucky and find a used one (and I could be wrong about their availability). I’m glad I have a few. they are stable, safe, quiet, and light. I’ve packed them in to some hellacious places. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Getting Up in the Morning #13984

Some of it is just age. I can remember when I could party until 2 am and be in the woods or duck blind by 4, but that was a LONG time ago. Speaking as a physician, I should point out that many cases of chronic poor sleep have identifiable causes that are treatable–obstructive sleep apnea comes to mind, as it is much more common than we once thought. You might discuss this with your doctor. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Big storm, acorns on the ground, bears. #45964

Great job, Preston. That is a really old bear. And your story proves a point I noted long ago. Nothing goes down quicker than a perfectly hit bear. And nothing is tougher to track down than a bear hit in any other way. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Vacation sites to see in Montana for a tradbow hunter. #59244

There is certainly plenty to see in Montana in terms of wildlife and natural history. Fishing can be good in June, although there will likely still be snow in the high country. Although the state has a remarkable number of traditional bowyers, there is really no equivalent to the Black Widow factory. I would recommend e-mailing some of the Montana based bowyers who advertise in TBM. Most of them welcome visitors. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: any advice? #18637

What cyber said… That area is a bit north of prime Coues country, although they are there. More advice–at this time of year, be very careful about snakes. 13 species of rattlers in AZ, and they’re active now. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: any advice? #44539

We spend our winters in southern AZ now, prime Coues country. Haven’t been down in a month or so and don’t specifically know about Alpine, but you should be aware that southern AZ has had a very wet summer and there is likely to be a lot of water everywhere. Better be prepared to do some glass-and-stalk hunting. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Watches #32297

I agree completely with Ed. Sound is not a problem, but reflection from a crystal or metal band sure can be. No phones for me, and I would do without the watch too except that sometimes you need to meet a hunting partner at a given time, and in coastal Alaska you have to know what the tide is doing down to the minute. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Camo Face Paint #32231

A beard and any kind of hat that covers most of my forehead has always worked for me. Unfortunately, the beard is turning white. Don

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