[David Coulter]

in reply to: Trad Bow Dec/Jan 2019 #142649

Thanks Mike. Just read that column. A good read and a great reinforcement of priorities, at least mine. What traditional bowhunting has done for me is getting more connected to nature. It’s been a gift. I don’t look down on guys chasing a trophy, as long as it’s some semblance of fair chase. I’ll just take my trophies as they come, in a wide array of appearances. All the best, dwc

[David Coulter]

in reply to: 2019-20 season updates #142321

Ralph, what a great time. It’s a pleasure to get out smarted by these critters. Cup a Joe with that view? Nice. Dwc

[David Coulter]

in reply to: 2019-20 season updates #142318

Thanks for your generous words my friend. I’ve seen that buck a few times in my day dreams.
I have to say, it’s a gift to be a hunter. Who else self-dictates hours of semi motionless spells just to watch and listen. Trying to become invisible and always astounded when it works. I love it when a flock of song birds lights in my tree suddenly and is suddenly gone. And when the squirrel climbs up the trunk next to me for a closer look and climbs away unafraid. These things we Easterners trade by default for the bugle of elk and views of snow caps across canyons of the West. Less dramatic, a subtle beauty we get to enjoy. I’ve been out west, fished in Clacier, hiked in the Rockies, and loved it. I’m fascinated by it and yet these NE PA woods are a comfortable home. A little tangent there.
Oh, and I do love getting a shot at a whitetail, especially a good one.

[David Coulter]

in reply to: 2019-20 season updates #142301

I was on a stand yesterday morning. Same stand I let two doe walk by in the beginning of the season last year.  Lots of good squirrel watching. About 7:45 I saw a six pointer come walking right down the woods lane, opposite direction of the two doe last year. I got myself ready, fingers on the string, and just watched as he walked on by. Probably six yards from the base of my stand, stopped a couple times broadside. Don’t know if it was because I had two appointments to keep later in the morning or if I was just not quite ready.
I’ve had a few years when I just didn’t pull the trigger on the first deer of the season. After I get done kicking myself I’m ready. Just to be clear, I don’t consider myself a trophy hunter. I’d been happy to butcher that six pointer. Some days I just have to watch.

by the way, last year it took me til the last Friday of the flintlock season to put an 8 pointer on the ground, so it’s not exactly a given to have another shot.

[David Coulter]

in reply to: What ya got goin'? 2 #142190

Yes, it’s crazy dry here, too. Had a couple of very wet years, then all the sudden there was a big slurping sound as the ponds and streams ran low.  But archery opens tomorrow, so that’s the good news!  Life is in the woods, the rest is waiting… to paraphrase the Great Wallenda.

[David Coulter]

in reply to: What ya got goin'? 2 #142154

Five days, but whose counting, til PA regular archery season opens. Good luck all you Keystone archers! dwc

 

[David Coulter]

in reply to: Longbow Selection #142153

We tend to put a lot of importance on our bows. I know I do. I love my Stewart Slammer. Pretty to look at, comfy to hold, shoots better than me. That said, I think it was Byron Ferguson said, put you effort into the arrow. That’s where the rubber meets the road. A properly tuned arrow will make any half decent bow look good. And, a half decent archer look okay, too.

[David Coulter]

in reply to: Hunting truck #142152

It’s been several years, yikes, maybe 15 years, since I had a truck. I miss it, but it’s not practical for me right now. Best car I ever owned for all an arounder, my CRV. All wheel drive, although parking along roadways sometimes I wish I had a bit more ground clearance, but it’s excellent in snow. Seats fold down and with a tarp I can easily haul a deer  and gear. I have a hitch attached rack that I’ve hauled a bunch of deer on, as well as crates and coolers. It’s the most practical vehicle I’ve owned. I had a Forrester that was also great, but too small for family and they have that good ol Subaru head gasket issue..   I still want a Tacoma but I keep loving the CRV. dwc

[David Coulter]

in reply to: Limb Glass problems with "new" bows #142131

RMA has a good rep, so it’s definitely worth a call to them. Best of luck and cheers to us older guys. Dwc

[David Coulter]

in reply to: Danger of Dragging #142004

Grab em where you can! Steve’s full of them. dwc

 

[David Coulter]

in reply to: What ya got goin'? 2 #142003

That looks like a nice batch of honey. Thanks for the perspective on the stingers.  It all depends on your tolerance. I’ve been stung a few times and no problems. My buddy got stung up pretty good and he’s fine. Another friend had 29 stings while weed whacking and that almost put him in a coma.

Keep a sharp eye peeled when stumping. Yellow Jackets are ground nesters and I’ve seen them in the base of stumps. I was saved by my laborador one time. Before I got to the stump to pull my arrow, the YJs stung him which gave me a heads up. I was grateful to that pup for sure. Best, dwc

 

[David Coulter]

in reply to: What ya got goin'? 2 #141890

Took a few hours yesterday afternoon to prep a couple stands with my huntin buddy. I had to leave and he went back into the woods to finish up and ended up stumbling into a yellow jacket nest. Got a mess of stings. Doing ok but it was a frenzy.

Seems like those things are always worse late summer. Any idea why? Dwc

[David Coulter]

in reply to: Danger of Dragging #141889

I should be so quiet in the woods.

[David Coulter]

in reply to: Danger of Dragging #141839

A friend of mine uses one of those ice fishing sleds. It makes the drag much easier and he can fit two does in the sled and slide it right into his Prius. How’s that for macho?

[David Coulter]

in reply to: Selway slide on bow quiver #141808

Nice story to go with a nice photo!

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