[David Coulter]

in reply to: New bowhunter born today! #59883

Congratulations! There’s no better feeling in the world. I wish you good health and peace. dwc

[David Coulter]

in reply to: Favorite two-piece take-down longbow? #54307

I can’t speak for a two-piece, as mine is a one piece longbow, but Leon Stewart makes some beautiful bows. His craftsmanship is superb and his bows are shooters. He makes a terrific three piece, long bow and recurves. When you see what he puts into them and compare them to an off the shelf bow, his prices are a good value. http://www.stewartsarchery.com is his website. A great craftsman and a great guy, he’s very also very active in traditional archery in his area.

[David Coulter]

in reply to: 55 Yards behind the shooter. Plus another. #54300

Hi George,
These short videos are terrific. They make the point very well. I shoot just a little bit from distances from 30 to 40 yards or so, into a big pile of chips. This makes me want to take a few more steps back. Nice shooting. Thank you very much. dwc

[David Coulter]

in reply to: Backyard Wildlife #50656

We have the usual array of birds, phoebes, chipping sparrows, immature bald eagles. Have yet to see an osprey this spring, but they must be around.
My best sighting so far has been a young great horned owl. Apparently they can leave the nest without their mature feathers and are called branchers at this stage. They must still be tended to by an adult as they are not yet hunting. This one is about the size of an adult, but a real puff ball of grey fluffy feathers. I’ve been lucky enough to have seen him twice and the first time was with the kids and my wife.

[David Coulter]

in reply to: Hunting & Spirituality #47005

I can’t recall a time in my life that a trip into the hills didn’t help ease my mind or help me smile. Hunting has become an especially cleansing activity. While hunting and all that goes along with it, from stumping, target shooting, scouting and fixing arrows, requires a focus that helps put the troubles of the world and the noise of technology into the background, if only for a while.

Feeling the sun or rain, watching the wind rustle the leaves and watching all the other wildlife go about their daily business is fascinating and humbling. Being in the woods does make me feel small, but it does not make me feel insignificant. It makes me feel part of the world that has been operating the same way I’m watching it for thousands of years. I might be a drop in the bucket, but every drop counts.

A friend wrote a poem about watching the horizon while at sea and knowing there was a whale swimming out there ahead of his tug. It was about how he could feel it, even though he could not see it. That’s the way it is for me in the woods, even on less than perfect days. I know that there is life out there, even when I cannot see it. I know that there is life out there that nourishes me and my family, sometimes on the table, but always for the spirit.

[David Coulter]

in reply to: How do you find your arrows? #38732

Persistence is the key. I’m training my lab to help find arrows and he’s catching on. I also use a long hook designed for hanging plants from tree limbs. I drag it through the grass and it works pretty well. Judos are essential for stumping though. I tried a hex head and they transmitted so much shock to the arrow that my alum. shafts were split in one or two shots.

[David Coulter]

in reply to: Traditional Movies #36517

Hi Folks,
This beautiful movie is also on Netflix, Dersu Uzala. thanks, d

[David Coulter]

in reply to: Homemade arrow spinner #33183

I looked at casters, but didn’t see any small ones that were not out of center. I bought a set of the round nylon disks that are to be installed under furniture legs. They’re called magic sliders and are also cheaper than casters. I don’t intend to mount them to spin, but close together so the shaft spins on them.

[David Coulter]

in reply to: How do you find your arrows? #28670

I found one two days ago that had been lost for two weeks, pretty much lying right out in the open. Then I lost another one today, shooting downhill into some of last years dried up ferns. A new hunt is on. I also have one at large in a big pile of wood chips I shoot into. Judos penetrate about a foot, but I made the mistake of shooting a field point and I’m still digging…

[David Coulter]

in reply to: Browning Wasp #26571

Hi Folks,
I have a Browning Wasp, 45#, from about 1973ish. I played around and found the brace of about 7 5/8 to work well. I was shooting 2016 alum with heads about 155 gr., 125s with short adapters. Great bow, very pretty, but now retired in favor of a new LS Slammer, 45#, 62″ by Leon Stewart. This one’s a beauty.

[David Coulter]

in reply to: Reshaping Broadheads into Single Bevel #26559

I ended up with one that looks similar to your bottom photo. There’s still a bit of an bevel left on the opposite side, but not much at all. I was thinking that even if it is not a total single bevel it would be an improvement. I lost a few grains in weight also, but not much. One of my heads actually weighs 128 now. It was probably a tad high and now has some glue in it.
I appreciate your comments and photos. It would be easy to buy a new set of heads, but this is interesting and I’m always game to save a few bucks if it works. thanks, d

[David Coulter]

in reply to: Reshaping Broadheads into Single Bevel #25288

The heads I filed down lost a little width, but not a lot. I only went to the bottom edge of the other side. Not a true single bevel. The do fly straight and they did spin in a foam block. That’s the extent of my experience so far.

[David Coulter]

in reply to: Arrow swinging off shelf #19760

Fred’s new book is excellent. It really covers everything very thoroughly. I also have read that not giving the arrow some space between the fingers can cause the arrow to fall off the shelf.

[David Coulter]

in reply to: tuning nocks #18044

Hi,
I can’t speak for carbon arrows, as I’m using aluminum, but maybe this would help. I used a micrometer to measure the string at the nock point. I rummaged around the shop until I found a cheap stamped wrench, that probably came with a bike or toy, which is the same thickness as the string. I boil some water and dip 2/3 of the nock in for about a five count and push the wrench into the nock. It stretches the opening just enough. Good luck.

[David Coulter]

in reply to: Broadhead Edge #9872

Thanks for your comments. This is interesting stuff.
I used to be pretty good at getting a very sharp edge on a knife, but got away from being so picky for a while. Now, with broadheads, I’m getting the knack again, with file, stone and strop. It takes a little patience, but it’s worth it. This is with a straight edge Eskimo. I think I’d need a bit more practice with a radius edge, but they sure do look nice.

[Author]

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