[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Buttonhead #44904

Most excellent and congratulations!

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Photos from Cook Inlet Archers Turkey Shoot #38926

BRUC wrote: Lots of three fingers under.

Yes, that’s how I shoot and it’s fun to see it in practice. You’ll also see some instinctive shooting (which I do) if you examine the photos. Yeah, I know it’s not literally “instinctive” — don’t make me get all Zen on you. 😀 One of my dad’s favorite jokes fits very well with what we trad bowhunters try to do in our hunting and shooting:

What did the Zen master say to the hot dog vendor?
“Make me one with everything.”

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: 1ST TRAD KILL!!! #18487

CONGRATULATIONS! 😀 Let’s hear more details if you like.

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Archery in Western MA? #57484

I strongly recommend getting in touch with the White Mountain Traditional Bowhunters. I’m sure there are some members in Western Mass. that would be eager to help. (I’m a member, but I live some distance away in NH.) Club contacts are Charlie Wilson at bets4chas@comcast.net and Harry Hubbard at hubbard.ncm@comcast.net or 603-647-6713.

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Arrows and Broad Heads #51796

You might want to consider buying a test kit of shafts (or complete arrows) in different spines. This typically includes three ranges of spines, for example, 40-45#, 45-50#, and 50-55#. In the long run, it might save you time and money in trying to match shafts to your bow. Several of the leading traditional equipment dealers and arrow makers offer them.

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Pre-Rut Hunt, Pointers #41297

Had a nicely-racked one in bow range today, slightly quartering away and all, but I passed on the shot. He weighed about 700-800 pounds, and I figured I’d go to jail if I took the shot. 😉

I swear, I see more moose and moose sign than deer almost every time I’m out. One of these days I’m actually going to have a moose permit, in season, when I run into one of these guys. Until then, I just stand and smile as they go about their business. And then I get back to the apparently much more difficult task of getting within range of a deer.

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Gotta get this "stuff" under control! #30487

I don”t think it’s likely one can jump out of bed, go in the field without breakfast and feel good physically and mentally. Nor is it a good idea to jump out of bed and eat breakfast on the way out the door (or in your vehicle). Going without breakfast leaves you groping for energy. Eating breakfast on the way leaves you groping for leaves. 😆

The only way I’ve been able to resolve this is to eat a substantial bowl of oatmeal right when I get up, then get ready to go. The oatmeal may or may not have some laxative effect. But it sure is a good source of medium term energy for the morning.

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: I saw him before he saw me… #27609

Thanks for sharing!

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: CO last day elk hunt: a story of success #27235

It’s going to sound trite but it never applied more than here:

“Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!“

Congratulations on a great season, and thanks very much to both of you for sharing this with us.

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Pre-Rut Hunt, Pointers #26358

Good luck on Friday! This rain this week should help keep the ground quiet for you. I’m going to try to sneak off for grouse for a couple hours on Friday morning. In-laws arrive on Saturday, and I know it wouldn’t work to be butchering a deer here on Friday afternoon or evening, assuming I were to get so lucky . . .

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Pre-Rut Hunt, Pointers #23865

We have a bumper acorn crop everywhere there are oaks, an antlered deer-only season until Oct. 1, and a forecast high today of 86. I’ll be home today working instead of hunting. 🙁

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Pre-Rut Hunt, Pointers #23078

Brooks are drying up around us. It was 76 degrees at sundown here this evening. (I won’t hunt when it’s that warm.) This is one time I’d be inclined to hang closer to low elevation water sources, or at least figure out how deer will get to them. The boys gotta drink — they can’t stay “up there” around the clock, or maybe even through the day . . .

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: The trees are on fire… #21146

Well, I’ve only heard, not seen, deer so far this season. We have “only” coyote–wolf hybrids hereabouts. We do have moose wander through our yard occasionally. But I’m pretty sure, having lived in each place for several years, that a New England autumn beats all comers for color. So, you’re ahead on points. Oh, wait, the BWCA is just down the road from you. OK, you win. 🙂

That next-to-last photo is one of the grousey-est scenes imaginable. Took me back instantly.

Thanks for sharing!

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: hunting in europa ? #18011

There’s a list of European countries that permit bowhunting at the European Bowhunting Federation web site, which also includes some detailed information on this question.

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Pre-Rut Hunt, Pointers #14946

I’m in Milton (next town north of Rochester), tight up against the Mainiacs. I hunt publicly-accessible land almost exclusively. I’ve toyed with the idea of carrying a tree saddle, might still do that if I decide to do it.
I’m from Minnesota originally, have also lived in AK (twice) and WA. When I got here and saw my first New England deer, I thought it was sick, it was in such poor condition. I think if I moved back to MN now, I’d be afraid to go into the woods with those monsters again. 😀

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