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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.
in reply to: Arrows and Broad Heads #51796You 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.
in reply to: Pre-Rut Hunt, Pointers #41297Had 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.
in reply to: Gotta get this "stuff" under control! #30487I 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.
in reply to: I saw him before he saw me… #27609Thanks for sharing!
in reply to: CO last day elk hunt: a story of success #27235It’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.
in reply to: Pre-Rut Hunt, Pointers #26358Good 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 . . .
in reply to: Pre-Rut Hunt, Pointers #23865We 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. 🙁
in reply to: Pre-Rut Hunt, Pointers #23078Brooks 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 . . .
in reply to: The trees are on fire… #21146Well, 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!
in reply to: hunting in europa ? #18011There’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.
in reply to: Pre-Rut Hunt, Pointers #14946I’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. 😀in reply to: Pre-Rut Hunt, Pointers #14872Hi! I’m in the same boat, in the very same state! I’m not one for sitting/standing around much, so I prefer to still hunt.
The one sure piece of advice I have if you do decide to still hunt: Slow down, so much so that the birds start looking at you as a place to land. (Actually had it happen to me twice on Wednesday’s opener.) You might be surprised what you can hear from deer that are moving around, rubbing trees, calling out to other deer, etc., when you’re not moving. And you’ll notice more sign that way as well. The best way I know to describe the correct rate of movement is something I’ve read elsewhere — if you’re walking up on grouse without them knowing it until you’re very close, you’re doing it right.
I carry a grunt tube, and had it work very well a couple of years back during the rut. But I think calls are overused these days and now deer are learning to avoid hunters who call.
EDIT: Ooops, forgot probably the most important advice, ‘cuz it’s second nature to me by now. You should try always to be moving into the wind. When I get home from a day of still hunting, my face is often slightly wind-chapped as a result.
Please note that I have corrected the title of this thread, to reflect my re-identification of the insects involved as yellow jackets and not hornets. The replies from others referred to my original references to hornets.
Duncan wrote: Reminds me to get some fresh benedryl for my first aid kit!
Yeah, I was feeling pretty foolish for not having it with me in my own kit. Particularly since I had my first run-in with this species a few weeks ago in my yard and had a noticeable reaction unlike any I’ve ever experienced.
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