[Charles Ek]

in reply to: CAMO OR NOT who is the fool ? #45934

paleoman wrote: Ralph – you are absolutely correct. I was thinking more of the earlier seasons, like early fall in Alabama or something…seems that’d be warm. But then, I read somewhere that the wool Civil War uniforms were oddly not as bad as you’d think in the heat. Could that be true?

My late father-in-law wore woolen longjohns to work as a railroad carman year-round in MN, which approaches the South for heat and humidity in the middle of summer. Wool in its various versions is the most comfortable clothing to wear most of the time, in my experience.

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Killing the future of hunting. #40345

Warning: Brag ahead

[brag]

Bagged a big one in the past week. A guy I know who has shot a compound for the last several years, with an enormous circle of hunting acquaintances and very considerable influence on policy matters, came over a few days ago to shoot my bows and mull the idea of going trad. I handed him a rubber ball first and told him to hit my hanging stall mat. From there he progressed through my selfbow, Kodiak De Luxe, Kodiak Magnum, Morrison Dakota and Paxton Talon Swift, all without the “benefit” of anything smaller than the mat to shoot at. We discussed the importance of not overbowing himself. I was nudging him toward the mid and upper 40s.

Early this morning he sent photos from shooting his new-to-him ’70s Kodiak Magnum, 48#. We found it yesterday at a very reasonable price and excellent condition. When he held the grip for the first time and flung some arrows in the retailer’s testing booth, his smile told me the bow was sold.

[/brag]

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: 2015 mast and fruit crop outlook #37492

Add hazelnuts to the list – best year for production I’ve seen here in 14 years.

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: But Whose Counting? #37484

I’m counting: 64 days. Thick leaf cover and sunglasses are enough to simulate twilight conditions here in the latter part of the day. And I mostly don’t even have to worry about the vampires … aka deer flies.

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Boots #33151

Unless you’re frequently in very wet ground, I’d take a look at Limmer Boot Company‘s Light-Weight boots. Yes, you can buy boots by mail and have them fit.

I have a pair of their Standards that I wore for years as a SAR dog handler. My only regret is that I’ll never get a chance to wear them out. My wife has the Light-Weights and the Ultra-Lights. The Light-Weight is actually a robust boot – in other manufacturer’s lines, it would be a backpacking boot of some consequence. Here are some other reviews:

Trailspace reviews

Mail order experience and review and their care and feeding. The author writes, “I will argue that a well treated full leather boot is more waterproof and breathable than any synthetic membrane boot.”

And he will get no argument from me – that has been our experience with Limmer boots as well.

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Killing the future of hunting. #31401

I am frequently quite discouraged at the direction things are headed with regard to humans’ understanding of our place IN the natural world, not above it or simply alongside it. I found some encouragement yesterday, however, when a compound-shooting friend came over to shoot my trad bows. He had a lot of fun and a convert was made. Now, his own dissatsfaction with the direction of bowhunting (and hunting in general) had a lot to do with his coming over; I just added some kindling to the tinder that was already lit.

I believe the cure for what ails bowhunting lies in two approaches, both of which I’m going to do something about:

1. Introducing adult acquaintances to the unique pleasures of shooting trad bows. If a hunter commits to using this tackle, a change in mindset and relationship to the natural world is almost inevitable, IMO.

2. Find a way to do the same with kids. Bend that twig at an early age.

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: What is it's proper name? #30692

Some others:

Shaving Mule

Shaving Horse Plans

The Shaving Horse

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Greetings and Hello #27210

Welcome! We used to live on the wet side of the Evergreen State (sic), and we’re hoping to move back in a couple of years.

You may be aware that WA has a long bowhunting tradition. One of the people who played a minor role 😉 is profiled in this chapter from The Traditional Bowhunter’s Handbook (a book I strongly recommend you consider buying):

Glenn St. Charles

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Things That Might Bite #22742

pothunter wrote: I guess Jim will be along shortly with tales of antipodean wildlife, the stuff that Qantas doesn’t advertise.

It has been done already, to hilarious effect: In a Sunburned Country, by Bill Bryson. Do not read this book in a public place if you fear embarrassing yourself when you wet your pants from laughing.

As for the topic at hand, I’ve once sat down on a wasp nest. Once. If I had been carrying a recurve instead of a longbow, I might not have been able to retrieve my pack.

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Longbow 276 compound 249 #22738

Good for you. Walter had a saying for this:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9j1qkorFszY

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: outdoors/backwoodsman Class #13177

colmike wrote: Eids beat me to it. Couldn’t agree more that map reading, compass skills, and making it fun with orienteering is a great start. Heck that could be an entire semester.

I would add that the single best skill you can teach with it, is what I call “observation” don’t look- see- take time to study what you see. Do not have them naming plants and animals and birds, you learn nothing from that, but if you observe over the seasons you learn a bit. The naming of stuff comes later for those who are smitten by the experience of just watching.

Beat you to it again. 😉

“In addition to the structured activities, Ek noted that it is equally important for students to just simply appreciate being in the great outdoors.

“‘We let them just enjoy themselves outside,’ he said. ‘Just to be out and feel it, hear it and touch it means a great deal to these kids who might not have that opportunity.'”

Outdoor classrooms help orient students

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: outdoors/backwoodsman Class #10682

I ran an outdoor ed program for three years that served kids from K through 12. One of the cornerstones was orienteering instruction. If you want some curriculum and lesson suggestions, shoot me a PM with your e-mail address.

Having looked for lost hunters as a SAR volunteer and having communicated with many hunters on the subject, I can say without fear of contradiction that backcountry navigation is woefully inadequate among the VAST majority of hunters. Fix that for your charges and you will have served them well.

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Losing my concentration #10447

Steve Graf wrote: Still waiting for my copy of the magazine. I think we must be on the end of the line. It’s usually two weeks after y’all start talking about it that I get my copy.

I’m a VIP and our Webmom makes sure I get my magazine weeks ahead of the rest of you. Or maybe she just sends out a general announcement that the digital version is available online in advance of the printed ones being mailed. I have trouble remembering which it is. 😉

Premium Membership – still available at the low, low price of just ten bucks annually! Snap it up before she changes her mind.

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Keeping it Cool #9875

NH moose permit draw is in one week. Sharpen those tools and stand by the phone.

“You’re going to (build) a bigger cooler.” 😉

(Amazing piece of work!)

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Canoe paddling – Backcountry College #63441

Colonel,

Just some notes from one who used to paddle a 17 ft Klepper Aerius II folding kayak (the one that launched the category 🙂 ) with his wife. She never liked the boat and I sold it eventually. :cry::cry::cry::cry:

She likes the 17 ft Old Town Penobscot that replaced it better, and I will NEVER get rid of that one. But one day I looked at her sitting in the bow and realized that she would really like to float her own boat. I should have remembered the forceful reaction many years ago when the idea of a tandem bicycle was broached …

And Mom, I’m actively scouting these days for places to paddle to and shoot an unsuspecting deer. Or at least enjoy the attempt.

[Author]

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