[Don Thomas]

in reply to: wolverine #60775

Thanks for the update, Michael. Since I didn’t plan on killing one, I haven’t checked for a while. The two per year for the state regulation was in effect for some time. The Lower-48 wolverine population is all but certain to be listed as totally protected anyway. Too bad–shows how much wilderness we’ve lost. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Interests #60771

Fly-fishing (especially salt water), hunting waterfowl and upland birds, dog training, photography, writing, wilderness, travel (although I don’t do as much as I once did), family. Bush flying used to be high on the list, but I’ve been away from it for too long.

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Please post Kzoo pics here! #57434

Bear in mind that I ALWAYS take a camera EVERYWHERE. But we were overloaded, and Lori, who is usually even more compulsive than I am about this, suggested leaving cameras behind. Major mistake for many reasons. Anyway, no photos from us, and I apologize. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: wolverine #57428

Wolverine populations in the lower-48 are minimal, and because of geographic isolation of the few remaining populations active management, including listing, is likely justified. They are still legal in MT, but the annual quota is two–total for the entire state. I have seen one wolverine track here in all my winters of looking at tracks in the snow. There are still plenty of them in Alaska, where they are still legal game. It’s a matter of opportunity. I have seen a grand total of one on the hoof there, and only know of one taken with traditional archery tackle. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: New Low in archery Hi Tech ! #49681

Ah, the “pod”.. it has an interesting history of which we all should be aware, since it proves that unethical shortcuts and manufacturer stupidity are not unique to our own age. A couple of facts. 1. Eating an animal killed with succinylcholine really won’t hurt you. Strange, but true. 2. Mississippi really was the outlier in terms of legality. 3. Believe it or not, one of its early advocates was Fred Bear. This has been well documented elsewhere, but please see an upcoming TBM interview with Bob Lee. The moral? We must never let our guard down. There is an endless supply of bad ideas fueled by money for someone. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Have You Gotten Lost? #41767

Once. I was hunting moose in the lowlands near my Kenai Peninsula home. We’d gone in by horseback and camped in the middle of nowhere in very difficult terrain–no defined drainages, to0 many trees to see anything, dull overcast skies. A compass didn’t really help, because when night fell I was looking for a point in the middle of nowhere. Just as I decided to get ready for a long wet night under a tree, I had a brainstorm and dropped the reins on the neck of my trusty quarterhorse, Pancho. An hour later we were back in camp, in the pitch dark. Who needs a GPS if you’ve got a smart, hungry horse? Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: E. Donnall Thomas #41765

Huntryx–I’d already noted your “upstate New York” address–didn’t realize it was that close to home. I have fond memories of my early childhood in Otsego Co. and following my Dad around the halls of the Basset. The one thing all the wire service obits left out is that he was the best grouse shot around, and still the best wing-shot I have ever seen. Stay in touch~! Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: OK it finally happened and I need to vent #41763

Dave’s right. BHA is the one organization that has tackled this growing problem head on. Personally, I’m in favor of issuing one free either-sex ORV tag to everyone who buys a hunting license. 🙂 Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Dog Question #40933

First suggestion: forget the e-collar. That will probably just make things worse. Second: listen to the first reply. Some dogs just won’t hunt and this is especially true of hounds. If you and your family are too attached to the dog to get rid of her, just accept the fact that she may not be a hunter. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: E. Donnall Thomas #37982

On behalf of the whole family, thank you all for your condolences. It has been a hard time, but I consider myself lucky to have enjoyed my father’s wisdom and guidance as long as I did. No one could have asked for a better role model, in the woods or in the clinic. Best wishes and thanks to you all, Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Burgers – Don Thomas Style #17587

Thank you all for your concern. Lori and I just returned from our ninth trip to Seattle this year. Dad remains hospitalized. The cardiac procedure that was scheduled this week was postponed until next week. Things are not likely to go well. Again, the family appreciates your support. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Burgers – Don Thomas Style #11219

Apologies for the late reply… I’ve been delightfully off the grid up north in AK and will soon be again as my 92 year old father is in the ICU in Seattle and we’re making an emergency trip that way tomorrow. Anyway, I’m glad the burgers worked for you, and yes: one of these days we’ll get to that game cookbook. And Dave, those were sea cucumbers, not sea snails. Maybe the wine made you forget. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Backpacks for hauling meat… #40657

Actually, you don’t even need the shelf if you’ve got 15 feet or so of good rope. One of these days I’ll take some pictures of how I tie off a hindquarter (or a game bag full of trim, if I’m a long way in and don’t feel like carrying bone.) Just don’t ask me to pack out a moose quarter, with anything! I’m too old… Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Who has killed a mtn lion with trad gear? #39264

Hmm… I don’t know which opinion about Walker’s you’re taking exception to. The worst hound I ever had was a Walker. So was the best one. I think I’ve expressed both sides of that argument before. Yes, get in shape! The physical demands of the hunt vary with the circumstances. If you do it the way we do–no snow machines, no tracking collars–it can be as tough as anything you’ll ever do in the outdoors. Most guides aren’t that mean to their clients, for better or worse. I have yet to figure out a reasonable way to practice shooting up. I tried prior to a leopard hunt years ago. Chances are the lion will tree on a steep slope, in which case a cautious approach from the uphill side will help the angle considerably. What you can practice is shooting through branches, which is really the hard part. Drag a big pine branch in front of your practice target and get used to picking tiny shooting lanes through the obstructions. Final thought–it’s my experience that animals hunted with bow and “backup” rifle usually don’t wind up getting killed with an arrow Only you can decide what to do about that. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: quad tracks behind every locked gate #38705

Resurrect the “Pod”, load it with sugar, and aim for the gas tank. Hold for the lower third though–sometimes they jump the string. Don

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