[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Who do you choose? #51216

I checked in with BHA. The organization only has a few Canadian members and no chapters currently, but we’d all like to see that change. It is, after all, the North American Model of Wildlife Management… Waterfowl groups have been way ahead of the curve on this, for obvious reasons, and DU is just as strong in Canada as it is south of the border. Anyway, I’d suggest visiting the BHA website http://www.backcountryhunters.org Although it’s not focused on any particular method of hunting or fishing, it’s a great organization that represents all of us who care about hunting and fishing in wild places. Others I’d suggest: TRCP, PBS Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Idaho Trad Bowhunters – huh? #51210

Of course the situation you describe is ridiculous, but the fact remains that it’s a volunteer organization that isn’t working right because it doesn’t have the right volunteers, and there’s only one way to fix that. BTW, I’ve spoken to this group at two of their banquets and always find its members to be great folks. I am sorry to hear the organization seems to be floundering. Hopefully, a member who is following this thread can jump in and address the situation. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Bear hide spoilage… #51208

The hide should be just fine under the conditions you describe, as long as you get it into a freezer within 48 (preferably 24) hours. Try to let it air out before you roll it up, and if there is any further delay getting it to the freezer, hang it up and let air circulate around it as much as possible. Salt is a two-edged sword. It will cure the hide for an extended period, but ONLY if you completely flesh the hide so salt can penetrate down to the hair roots. Getting a hide in shape to salt properly is a long, meticulous process, and if you can’t do it right you’re better off not doing it at all. Better to stick with the freezer. Of note, both Montana and Alaska, where I do my bear hunting, have recently passed meat salvage requirements for bears (with qualifications, in Alaska’s case.) That only makes sense. Wish they’d do it for cougars too. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Help ID Mushrooms… #50606

It’s hard to tell from the photo, but this looks like two bodies of a fruiting cap mushroom fused into one, an anomalous specimen. I can’t give you a positive ID, but I can answer the question in the last post and give you a tip. The only mushroom in North America that will flat out kill you–as opposed to making you puke or see three-headed elk–is amanita phaloidies, which is pure white and has a cap. (It also has a distinctive cup around the base and ring around the stem, under good conditions.) Avoid eating white mushrooms with caps and you’ll survive. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Idaho Trad Bowhunters – huh? #47293

Over the years I’ve been an officer in several state and local bowhunting organizations. The trouble with amateur organizations is that they are run by amateurs (like me). All have their problems, the as 10% of the members who do 90% of the work lose interest or move on. Sure the situation is frustrating, but I’d give you the same reply I gave people when I received complaints as a club officer: “Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We’d be happy to have you volunteer to take over that job.”

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Toxophile or Toxophilite? #57769

Back to the original question, my Greek is rusty, but I’ll give it a shot. There’s no doubt about the “toxo” (yew), or the “phil” (love of, same root as the first half of philosophy, or love of knowledge). The argument is over the “ite.” This suffix generally means “adherent of”, as in Raphaelite, which makes some sense. However, it is redundant, and there’s plenty of precedent for dropping it, as in “bibliophile” (lover of books.) So, I’m voting for toxophile, although as others have pointed out both forms are in common usage today. And since Lori is as left-handed as they come, I’m staying out of the rest of the discussion. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Interesting Waste of Time #57550

Unfortunately, you have identified a fundamental problem. In a money-driven culture such as ours, the default position will always be the one that makes the most $ for the most well-connected people. (After all, we have the best Congress money can buy.) Thanks to some well known basic flaws in human nature, there will always be more money in crossbows than in longbows, which is why archery seasons as we know them will likely soon be a thing of the past (helped along by input and clout from groups ranging from industry associations to the NRA, which supports the introduction of crossbows into archery seasons.) That’s also why we have illegal ORV’s over-running wilderness areas, and why development interests will eventually gobble up as much of that wilderness as they possibly can. Sad but true… Meanwhile, watch who you choose to buy from and associate with. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: good draw weight for small women #44688

Have her talk to Lori (lorithomas@lewistown.net) My wife certainly fits the description–she has to put on high-heels to hit 5-feet. But, she shoots 55# bows, more if necessary. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Bow-ready in 8 weeks article #19104

There was an editorial mix up with this piece for which I take responsibility. There was supposed to be a Part 2, but the photos didn’t work out. My apologies to all. Amazingly, this was the first mistake I’ve made in my entire life. (Yeah, right.) Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Whole deer vs. boning #28637

Thanks for the kind words, Homer (and I hope Robin doesn’t slap our wrists for straying off topic). I belatedly realized that the wordplay in the title will probably fly right over the heads of most readers under 60. Too bad–Paladin was a great character, and Richard Boone had him nailed. I’m surprised Hollywood has never taken that theme and run with it (although they’d certainly have to find a less politically incorrect name for Hey Boy nowadays). As for the book, I hope you’ll agree that it really isn’t all “globe trotting” hunting stories, since most of the material actually comes from North America. One of the things I wanted to emphasize is the variety of bowhunting experience available right here at home, or close to it. Cheers, Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Whole deer vs. boning #27678

It’s interesting… Some anthropologists argue that geography determines culture, and this is a good example. If I always hunted within a mile of a road, I probably wouldn’t know how to bone out an animal. In the backcountry West and especially Alaska, that just isn’t possible. East of the Mississippi, it usually is. Voila… simple as that. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: ghillie's #27664

I’ve had limited experience… with a reason. I found it cumbersome and awkward, and bowstring interference was a definite problem. I solved it, but by the time I cut away all the offending pieces of cloth I might as well have started out in a flannel shirt. As the turkeys have recently reminded me (not that I needed reminding), game sees you when you move to draw your bow, not when you’re sitting still (no matter what you’re wearing). The solution to that problem is a lot of experience watching animals at close range, and learning how to time your draw. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: New issues Editors Note, and a question without an easy answer… #45785

My editorial was primarily meant to address the complex politics of wolf management and not the individual decision to shoot wild canids (or not). I respect all the varied opinions expressed herein. Personally, I have killed foxes and jackals with my bow, tanned the hides, and felt just fine about it… but that’s quite different from deliberately attacking any large predator population by means other than fair chase simply to reduce their numbers. A couple of important points apply to wolves in the Northern Rockies. 1. There are currently too many wolves, approaching 10 times the original USFWS recovery goal. 2. “Letting nature take its course” is no longer as logical as it sounds, simply because the entire ecosystem has changed so dramatically as a result of human development in the last century that it no longer resembles its original state. Ergo, wolves, like all species, are going to require a certain amount of deliberate management. The trick is to do it right. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Dealing with Back Troubles. #45771

Low back pain is a common, frustrating problem that can arise from a number of mechanisms including uncomplicated “wear and tear” arthritis (osteoarthritis) at various sites, nerve root entrapment (sciatica), and central nerve compression (lumbar stenosis, to name the most common. Proper management depends first on a precise diagnosis of cause, since these problems may be treated somewhat differently. Without knowing all the details, I’ll have to address the matter in general terms. Back braces are generally NOT a good idea. A visit with a good physical therapist to review a home back exercise program would be worthwhile. Avoid surgery if possible and consider it only if there is a precise abnormality on MRI that correlates well with your symptoms. (Almost all of us over 50 have some degree of disc degeneration, for example.) In general, about 85% of people who have low back surgery improve, 10% stay the same, and 5% get worse or have significant complications, and you do NOT want to be one of that 5%! Ibuprofen and naproxen (alleve) are both good anti-inflmatory pain killers that are quite safe for otherwise healthy patients when taken in recommended amounts. All can cause stomach problems, including ulcers, in a dose dependent fashion. Opioids (percocet) should be avoided, and used sparingly only for pain that persists at rest and interferes with sleep. Walking and similar exercise is generally good for back pain–it’s the heavy lifting that hurts. Again, a good PT can help you with your back mechanics. This overview of the problem is based on 40 years of medical experience–hope it helps, and good luck with a tough problem for which there are no easy fixes. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Montana-UNLimited Sheep #41506

I assume you are actually talking about Montana’s UNlimited sheep areas, near Yellowstone Park. Great country, but… To the best of my knowledge, no one has ever killed a sheep in any of them with a bow. It’s a tough hunt with a rifle. The animals are few and very widely dispersed. You would be lucky to see a mature ram. I don’t mean to sound discouraging… just realistic. Go ahead and go, but my advice is to call it a wilderness hike with a bow and not a sheep hunt. Don

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