[William Warren]

in reply to: "Harvest" #18773

I understand why many use the word harvest when referencing deer they have killed. Assigns an agricultural tone to the act. Makes it necessary to obtain the meat. Only problem with it is, that hunting is not agriculture. Many believe that game management is like agriculture now that the common belief is that wildlife has been reduced to something that needs to be managed. I disagree. Wildlife successfully adapts no matter what we do or don’t do as long as we don’t over hunt for subsistence and in these times with a grocer on every corner there is no need for that. In my area deer seem to be thriving in a semi urban setting despite hunting pressure, the influx of coyotes and even a stray bear or two. With all of this and an increase in vehicle traffic I can’t tell any difference in the numbers I’m seeing through out the year. But they don’t seem to be increasing either so apparently a combination of things is working to keep the numbers where they are. Again, this is not agriculture or management, it is more or less natural order even if some of these seem not so natural, they exist in the ecosystem.

But anyway I’m not totally down on the word, it just may or may not be an entirely accurate description of the act.

The ones that get me are phrases like “meat doe” or “meat buck” or “freezer filler” like they have to explain themselves to others for taking a legal deer or for not taking a “mature animal”

[William Warren]

in reply to: More news from The wild edge #18478

Great conversation in the video. Being very close to their age I can relate to much of what they said and agree with and share their viewpoints. I’m so glad this is on Youtube just hope some are patient enough to hear it all the way through.

[William Warren]

in reply to: Hunting 2016 #27873

I had to get hearing aids last year. I can now hear birds and critters walking in the leaves and coyotes singing at dusk. Only down side outdoors is the wind interference and I worry about losing one or both of them. I got a mid grade set in terms of cost that can be controlled with an app on my phone. There is an outdoor setting and they are fully adjustable for direction for 360 degrees.

Without them, I really miss a lot of sounds.

PS – Grumpy, I know how the deer know what you posted here. They are psychic mind readers here in my woods.

[William Warren]

in reply to: Getting Up in the Morning #27749

Paleo,

I get the same thing. By Friday I’m wasted from keeping up the pace at work and need more rest. It does not help that Friday is also date night and I tend to over eat and stay up late. I know what needs to change, I just don’t change it sometimes and opt to stay in. Like Don I used to stay up late and arrive early to my duck spot in order to be there before anyone else could claim it.

As far as getting in a deer stand early, I’ve never killed a deer at first light much less even see one that was not bumped by another hunter. So I got in the habit of waiting until I could see before going to my stand. I don’t think it matters if you don’t get there before light. If you have a long hike then you may need to start before light but I don’t have access to that kind of land so after first light is fine for me and I’ve killed plenty of deer with all legal methods.

Duncan

[William Warren]

in reply to: Hunting 2016 #37489

Steve Graf wrote: I had a similar experience last night. Finally had a few deer trickle by about 6:30. A doe, a yearling, and a 4 pointer. They came from the “wrong” direction as usual. But the buck was going to let me have a go until the doe got on my trail.

She dogged my trail all the way till she got within 10 yards and finally saw me. She got all indignant and huffy and then ran off. The buck was still mostly confused (aren’t we all when the girls get huffy… ) The doe ran off and then came back 3 times. By the third time the buck ran off too.

I don’t think he knew why he was running off. It just seemed the thing to do.

Saw one skinny squirrel who gave me the same treatment.

The wind was perfect for a change. Or at least I thought it was. The deer ended up walking up wind when they finally came.

That doe had some nerve coming back 3 times for emphasis as if the first signs of indignation were not enough! Is it just me or are the squirrels becoming ever more insolent? They consumed all of my tomatoes this summer without so much as a howdy do. Well the season started on Monday so I guess you know, it is ON! I was off on Monday and there was not squirrel in sight.

[William Warren]

in reply to: Hunting 2016 #37405

(Quote)

I know the feeling on the quivers. Mine are adaptations and parts and pieces of various brands of quivers I’ve tried over the years. Some I just flat wasn’t happy with, some failed and some were just not a good idea to start with (my opinion).

I can see no reason to design a quiver where the arrows stick out in front of a bow??????????????

That is a nice rig you have. Maybe need purple feather to match though:?

Hmmm. May have to do that to commemorate the occasion. Add a little purple and green to the crest too. This whole thing could become like an obsession to take a critter while wearing purple and green! Instead of camo.

[William Warren]

in reply to: Hunting 2016 #26731

R2 wrote: Yer arrow’s on the wrong side of the bow. That’s what gettin their attention… Got nothin’ to do with your fashion statement. 😆

I do like that bow quiver…………

Lefty for sure. The quiver is an EFA with a little modification done by me. I did nt like my arrows sticking out in front of the bow so I made some extensions which moves the quiver back a few inches. The EFA is so lightweight it doe not interfere with the Shrews balance. Love this setup.

[William Warren]

in reply to: Hunting 2016 #26463

The squirrels and the deer pure T hated my purple bandana. This is what happens when we go through the dresser drawer in the dark before having any coffee.

The squirrels hurled insults at me and were extremely rude to their guest. The deer stamped their feet and ran away. I’ve never been so insulted in my life!

In all reality it was most likely me moving and fidgeting and the morning thermal carrying my scent to the deer. Fun to shift blame though. 🙂

Purple and Green it goes together right? The white oak acorns out front should distract them.

Super Shrew with some lodgepole shafts all camoed up some Zwickey Eskimos up front

[William Warren]

in reply to: Discouragement, not anymore! #49853

On Traditional Bowhunting:

“I was laughing in my heart” – Firehawk47

For me this says it all. Me too, Firehawk, your story resonates with me as well. I’m going to have laughter in my heart too when I get in the woods tomorrow.

[William Warren]

in reply to: HUNTING BUDDY #49726

Good stuff there Grumpy! I just spent a week hanging out with my son down in Biloxi Miss and also in NOLA for a couple of days. Missing him already.

[William Warren]

in reply to: The Hidden Life of Trees #24694

Steve Graf wrote: Saw this interesting review on the book this morning:

http://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2016/09/23/494989594/a-web-of-trees-and-their-hidden-lives

The review mentions Michael Pollen, another of my favorite writers…

I read NPR but I somehow missed this one. Thanks for posting this.

Duncan

[William Warren]

in reply to: Full moon #31887

Some say there is nothing to it. That lunar influence is not worth noting. I disagree. While I do view it as a guide only and not an absolute, what harm can it do? I often do not consult with Solunar tables for feeding times but sometimes I do. For instance it is often only necessary to simply take note of activity around you. If I see birds and animals suddenly become active I take note of the position of the sun or moon and the time if I have a timepiece to look at. Then as I hunt or go about my daily activities I look to see what is happening when the sun or moon has reached that position again or, if you will imagine for a moment, the opposite position on the earth. “Overhead or Underfoot”. There will often be a 30 minute or so delay per day going forward and on some days no noticeable activity. Now this, in my opinion, may not be the sun or moon’s impact on feeding or activity but may only be a primitive way of keeping time on active periods. Or is it due to Solunar influence? I guess I will never know but in my experience it works well enough that I will use it rather than ignore it.

[William Warren]

in reply to: The Hidden Life of Trees #58557

Yes, the Germans are changing their forestry practices to lower impact methods. Horses instead of heavy machinery. Less cutting of competitive growth. Read an article about this last year that lead me to this book.

Enjoying the book so far. (I’m a slow reader, reading in short stints throughout the day) The concept that trees can feel pain when deprived of water or that they can voice this pain is a tough one for me but then who knows what is beyond our hearing range. You have to read it with an open mind. Other concepts such as fungi being intertwined with the root systems of trees is something I can accept because I have seen it when digging around large trees and roots. The premise is that this fungi provides a means of communication between trees in exchange for food in the form of sugar made by the tree through photosynthesis. Gee, this sounds alot like Verizon taking my money for a phone and cable service. 😯

Anyway hope you enjoy it too.

Duncan

[William Warren]

in reply to: Shaft Friction #48292

Wipe on some liquid or paste car wax. Let dry. Wipe off. Your shafts will be slick as a baby’s butt. Should come right out of your target with ease or go right through your deer with less friction. As Steve said – blood is slippery but blood on waxed shafts is Xtra slippery. 🙂

[William Warren]

in reply to: On The Wild Edge #51005

Excellent article. I’m pretty certain Dave does not seek it but I am glad to see that Dave is getting local recognition and it seems that it is coming from those who already know and love him.

[Author]

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