[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Don Thomas Deer carry method? #15099

Okay; I’ve made a note to self. First doe I shoot next year, I’ll take the photos. Not sure it would work with a cougar. The tail would get in the way!Killdeer, I won’t even ask why the state of Virginia makes you bring out the whole deer (and I too am a fan of getting every bit of the good stuff, by the way). I’m trying to imagine what hunting would be like in Alaska if you had to bring out every moose whole! Cheers, Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Don Thomas Deer carry method? #12860

Well, I hate to compromise my new Superman image, but… I’d gutted the deer and cut it in half, giving what I hoped was the heaviest half to my friend Dick LeBlond. I’m actually a big fan of boning in the field, but we were carrying fly rods instead of meat bags that day, so we kept it simple. For small deer, there is a neat way of carrying one out whole (gutted)–Make a slit in the hide along each foreleg, run the hind feet through the hole, and you can turn the whole deer into a backpack, carrying the deer upside down and running an arm through each circle formed by the legs. (Guess I better post a picture of this someday.) But the older I get the less interested I become in packing out weight I don’t plan to meat. I can bone out a deer in about 20 minutes. Best, Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Ground Hunting #44595

The two forms of hunting are not mutually exclusive. As TBM readers know, I enjoy hunting whitetails from tree stands. But that’s about all that I hunt from above, and I hunt a lot of things besides whitetails. Spot and stalk is certainly my preferred hunting method, and I frankly find pop up blinds confining. The real point is that these are all just matters of personal preference. My only real concern about tree stands is that we are in danger of raising a generation of bowhunters how have no idea how to hunt any other way. Spot and stalk hunting requires a special set of skills, and mastering them is very satisfying. I’m glad to see so many of you in agreement. This was the theory behind the “Ground Game” column we created a year or so ago for the magazine. I hope you all are enjoying it. Cheers, Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Too old to hunt? #44589

Bruce–It’s hard to make a diagnosis over the Internet (although people ask me to all the time and I don’t really mind). But that’s what you need to solve your problem. Arthritis in the hands is usually generalized. If your symptoms are confined to your middle three fingers on your string hand, this could be carpal tunnel syndrome, which I see quite commonly in archers. Treatment consists of a wrist splint (the problem is in the median nerve at the wrist), meds like ibuprofen, and perhaps reviewing your shooting style or dropping in poundage, Surgery may be indicated in severe cases. Cheers, Dr. (in this case) Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: ID Traditional Day — come if you can! #44582

I’m looking forward to being there. I too miss the old Western Expo. I don’t mean to start any more rifts in the archery community (we’ve got enough of those already!) but life is different in the West. I’m not ashamed to admit that I like to talk about something other than climbing up into a tree and waiting for a whitetail to walk by. Bowhunting ought to make your legs hurt at the end of the day. See you all there! Cheers, Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: recovering animals #44576

The compass, in contrast to the GPS, is one of the simplest tools ever devised. Consequently, not much can go wrong with it. And while a nice pocket compass is handy for orienteering and shooting bearings off a topo map, most of the time you just need to know where north is. Hence, just as many of you have indicated, the simple versions that pin on or fit in your armguard are very useful. I’m the kind of guy who just has to have my bearings all the time. On a clear day or in open country with good landmarks, that takes place at a subconscious level. But on an overcast day when I’m visiting parts of the midwest with few terrain features, I get positively twitchy unless I can glance at a compass from time to time. The GPS is great for flying airplanes, but that’s because we don’t belong in the air in the first place. On the ground, let’s hear it for the good, old fashioned, traditional (!) compass, arguably the simplest and most reliable piece of technology man has ever invented! Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: recovering animals #43477

I’m glad to hear that others are still carrying their compasses. The GPS will be the end of what was once called woodsmanship. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: most challenging animal to hunt? #27773

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: wise old mule deer bucks in open country, by spot and stalk. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Appropriate discussion? #26667

TTF–I agree, and I appreciate the distinction between campfire discussions (even in cyberspace) and public discussions. I also agree that these discussions absolutely have to take place. When I read Fred Bear’s Field Notes ages agos, I was struck by the fact that he never mentioned wounding and losing any animal, and with all due respect to Fred, we all know that it’s impossible to hunt that much and not have it happen. The overall effect was to make the reader wonder just how much he’d really left out. It’s a fine line… I guess my position is that in public there’s no need to make something sound grusome if the point can be made more tactfully. I hope that works for everyone. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Appropriate discussion? #25796

I’m away from home on a borrowed computer, and I haven’t read every response, but I would like to reply to the original question. Yes, I do think that candid discussions of wounding are appropriate, and we never would have had the Ashby data without them. However, as a writer and editor I would point out that there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it. Consider the following two hypothetical descriptions: 1) “I knew I’d hit him a bit far back, and that I might face a difficult recovery.” 2) “I watched in horror as the arrow tore through his guts and sprayed the snow with paunch material, possibly condemning the buck to a slow and agonizing death.” Both statements describe the same event, but common sense dictates that the first is a more prudent choice for publication. I’ve occassionally received criticism for editing some version of Statement Two in the direction of Statement One, but I’m going to continue to do so. This does not mean that I think intelligent discussions of wounding are inappropriate. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: New TBM, question for Don Thomas #25783

I appreciate the lively discussion, and it’s reassuring to see how many folks share the same point of view, even though we may be a minority in this sad era of celebrity. However, let’s not forget that hunting with a selfbow doesn’t make anyone immune to the problem, anymore than hunting with a compound (or a rifle) makes anyone part of it. Egotism and the desire for fortune and fame represent the top of a very slippery slope that any of us can start sliding down if we’re not careful.That’s why I encourage everyone to THINK about what we’re up to our there, every season. There are lines to be drawn and many of us will draw them in different places. That’s just fine, as long as those choices represent an honest attempt to remain true to our core values. Now it’s time for me to head out with my dog and bang some ducks. Best to all for 2011! Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: muck boots #24860

I use mine a lot. Bear in mind that there are several models. In fact, the Arctic is well insulated and has a good tread, and I use them a lot for hunting in snow. Those of you who complained about lack of insulation and tread weren’t using the right boot model. True, they aren’t very durable, but a pair will last a couple of seasons, and since they are cheap I don’t see that as a big problem. Schnees are definitely higher quality, but I get tired of bending over to lace them up! Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: New TBM, question for Don Thomas #24485

Folks–Apologies for the late reply. I’m away from home–nothing unusual–hunting waterfowl in Washington with Lori and Kenai. First, thanks for the kind words. As for the original question, there was probably nothing specific–there’s plenty of cause for concern out there. However, the immediate impetus may have been a cover letter from an intended new contributor–well known in non-TBM bowhunting circles, or at least trying to be–explaining that he wanted to write for the magazine in order to enhance his prestige and reputation. How do you spell DELETE? I’m on board with the “no TV” policy too. I threw ours out years ago when I saw our eldest glued to it as a toddler. The kids all grew up TV-free, and I’ve never seen any reason to change. Best and thanks, Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Dressing Warm #55569

Where I live and hunt, “down into the teens” is nothing, if it’s teens-above. Teens-below is more like it here Nov.-Jan. Most of the advice has been good, although I’d stay away from the jeans, which insulate poorly, retain moisture, and make noise when you move. (Substitute high quality wool pants.) The hardest part is your hands, since warm, bulky gloves aren’t an option.I too use a fingerless woolen glove on my right (string) had, and push my 3-fingered shooting glove through it. The bow hand is tougher, since most outer fabrics on warm weather gloves don’t grip well. I wear a simple deer skin glove on that hand, and make sure I wear a wool outer coat with plenty of room in the pockets for my hands. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: For those going to Africa #53410

With all due respect, the discussion has pretty much proven my point. The post was presented as fact, more or less because it appeared on the Internet. As it happens I know the folks at ABS and trust their judgement, but that just proves the point all over again. Nothing I see on the Internet is true unless I know who put it there or can backtrack it to a known source. That’s why I would begin a statement like the original post with “According to the ABS Website… ” I’ve just seen enough stupidity and outright falsehood masquerade as the truth in cyberspace. Smart people get fooled. Don

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