[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Planning Alaska Trip #53956

A very good place to start with these questions is Alaska Outdoors Forums Hunt Planning Primer. The people on the forum know what they’re talking about. Do the basic research first and then ask them specific questions at the Alaska Hunting Forums. They get a little tired of the all-too-general “where do I start” queries from the Lower 48.

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Becoming a Woodsman #52868

I’ve taught backcountry navigation for many years, and I was a SAR dog handler for a long time as well. I’ve sent you a PM with a link to my free navigation instructions. Follow the advice above to get an orienteering type compass (NOT a lensatic compass). Buy a topographic map of an area you can use for practice frequently. Follow my instructions and the compass instructions religiously. If you do those things, you’ll know more about navigation than 85% of hunters. (Yes, I’ve had to look for some over the years . . . ) If there’s an orienteering club nearby, participate in their events. The maps will be strange, but the people are always friendly and you’ll be amazed how quickly your skills improve.
If anyone else wants my instructions, please send me a PM.

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: Broadhead of choice let's hear it #52828

Cottonwood wrote:
Have you a phone number or website for Zwickey?

Here’s the contact info for Zwickey. Note that they’re actually in North St. Paul, MN, not St. Paul as Google indicates. (No, I’m not a St. Paul native. But I am married to one who fetched some broadheads for me once.) As far as I know they do not have a web site.

[Charles Ek]

in reply to: National Archery in the Schools Program #51675

I got a local school started in NASP, and I completed the training to train other instructors. Most of the program highlights have been covered here so I won’t rehash them. For those who might question its role in attracting young archers to traditional equipment and traditional bowhunting, I’ll just say: Was it the appearance of a longbow or recurve that put a smile on your face the first time you shot it? No, it was the experience of shooting the bow.
Whatever gets kids thinking that archery is fun is all good. Those kids that are prospects for traditional bowhunting will get a leg up with the shooting success they experience in NASP.
They will of course need good instructors and mentors to make the transition to traditional equipment if they choose to do that. One way to stimulate interest is to take part in public events focused on outdoor activities and be available to parents and kids who show some interest. Lots of outdoor retailers and the “game fair” organizers would be interested in having traditional archery and traditional bowhunting represented.
You might notice that NASP does not involve itself in promoting hunting. The program is not anti-hunting, it just sticks to its mission of getting kids hooked on archery and building their self-esteem and self-discipline in the process.

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