[jmsmithy]

in reply to: Heavy grain broadheads #45417

Hey Q

My first experience w/ raising head weight was few years back, before my Trad epiphany. I was still shooting wheelbows and was heading to my next Alaska excursion, first for Brownies. Told Outfitter my setup and he said all is fine EXCEPT go from 100 to 125 gr head. My groups (which were good to begin with at 50yds) immediatley tightened, doing nothing else.

Once I saw the light and went to recurve, I began reading everything I could, found this forum as well as Dave Peterson, Ed Ashby, and host of folks here on this site (some who have answered you already – Steve, Troy, S Hammer, Joe…)

I figured grains per inch arrow weight for my bow (62″ Black Widow PMA II 50lbs @ 28″) and played with all kinds of heads. For me, ABS Ashby’s flying beautifully. They are 315gr, which, initially having shot compounds for 30yrs, seemed ridiculous UNTIL I learned about FOC and EFOC arrow setups.

Read everything…shoot everything you can – a lot…listen to these guys…they really know their stuff. Good luck and have fun.

JM >>>–>>

[jmsmithy]

in reply to: File Sharpening Single Bevel Broadheads #13535

Ok thanks Dave

What about the fact that in a lot of places I’ve read one should change the angle of the bevel:?::roll:

What’s that about:?: does it really make that big of a difference? I would think the folks who manufacture the various one piece single bevel heads would produce them ready to roll, no ❓

[jmsmithy]

in reply to: Sunday Post-Hunt MODS #13530

Hey Mudd Foot

I’ve been having great luck with Bow Hush in the string grooves. Applies just below loops, wraps down string then tucks in neatly. Never comes loose and when paired with their Puffs ( I forgot what they call them) really quiets my Widow. Not sure site name but you search Bow Hush you’ll find them. Cheap too ❗

[jmsmithy]

in reply to: Bucks and Bears in the Adirondacks #13523

David Petersen wrote: I’d say “good luck,” John, but you’re already enjoying the best of luck just to have a trip like that. Dave

Amen my Friend. 😀

[jmsmithy]

in reply to: The Grizzly BH Arises from the Ashes #11956

A wonderful sentiment about “mom/pops”. Very telling about the caliber of folks not only on our site here but about Trad folks in general…:D
I own a small insurance agency, constantly besieged by the big banks / insurance “warehouse” type of agencies. We keep our clients, and they stay with us because we refer clients to other clients and, if I don’t know something, I’m not afraid to refer clients to a few other insurance agents I’m friends with, and they do the same. Do what you do best, do it well and maintain your integrity is something that holds true for all of us, in our professional and personal lives. My “business mantra” is that there are a boatload more small guys than ATT’s in the world. We (“mom/pops”) outnumber them and, frankly, employ more folks as a whole. Same holds true in our Trad world. Plenty of us to purchase products of the good, quality US manufacturers we’re talking about here. I think our friends in DC and elsewhere who run the show could take a lesson from all of us :!::roll:

[jmsmithy]

in reply to: File Sharpening Single Bevel Broadheads #11943

Don’t want to appear too dopey Dave but should I stroke in such a manner that I’d be “slicing a piece” off the file as one would with a conventional stone?:?:

[jmsmithy]

in reply to: Merino wool pants #11567

Hey Dave (& all my other comrades here!)

Forgot to mention in our previous eBay discussion that another GREAT place to score KOM as well as all the other high end (a.k.a. EXPENSIVE 😯 ) wool clothing is to just ask our fellow hunters 💡 😀

We hooked up on this site during my “Ashby Acquisition” crusade. I’ve had same truly wonderful experience by inquiring for specific goods on this and another well know TRAD site ( great GANG of folks there as well 😉 😆 ).
I’ve simply put what I’m looking for out there and let the guys contact me. I’ve gotten to know gents that hold same passions I hold dear a bit better via private interaction then just by their regular posts ( including you my friend ❗ ). Over and above that, I’ve purchased some terrific KOM stuff, in like new condition, at a fraction of the new price. Additionally, it’s a win/win as some of our fellow traditionalists get rid of stuff they no longer need/want and raise a few $$$ in the process. As far as the “trustworthiness” -or distinct lack there of – of humanity goes, I find those of our breed are beyond mere trustworthiness. :!::lol: in fact I’ve had nothing but easy, sincere terrific transactions/interactions with every person I’ve dealt with so far on both these sites ❗ can’t say that about eBay
😡 .

Be well my friends.

>>>–>. John

[jmsmithy]

in reply to: Merino wool pants #8558

Dave….

Couldn’t agree more about the absolute distrust of humanity:!::!::twisted: present readers/company excluded of course 😆

I must say that I got completely robbed by some scumbucket on Ebay about 10 years ago (put it this way…north of $2000 😈 )…I learned forgiveness (well…really, I’m broke too and got tip from another Trad forum that you could score KOM cheap on Ebay) I swallowed my reservations and went for it. I learned this much….Trad guys are trust-worthy, 😀 take good care of their equipment :D…and sell KOM (and a whole host of other stuff) on Ebay (please don’t take this as a commercial/endorsement for Ebay – I WAS NOT happy with how they handled my issue above – $$$ was/is gone) 👿

So far so good…

[jmsmithy]

in reply to: LocTite Bheads #63651

Thank you Troy ❗

That’s a great idea. :idea::!::idea: You’re always there to point me (check that, all of us) in not just the right direction, but one perhaps, through lack of experience etc, I/we never thought of :idea::)

Be well my friend
>>>–> John :D:D

[jmsmithy]

in reply to: oct/nov TBM brought tears #63650

All

Yes incredible pieces…Thank you to the authors…My Dad is/was my idol. Got me into hunting / fishing Archery etc…Unfortunate consequence of adulthood is the ability to see/understand our parents as folks like us, with failings as well. I’m 44 now and Dad still with us. Things have not been well =between us for last 7-8 years. Disappointments and disingenuousness has sadly, deeply clouded some wonderful memories. I’ve wrestled with the fact that he is still here for my boys, as well as my wife and I. That article helped me realize that, yes the failings are severe and tough to get over BUT, he is still here and someday won’t be. My boys adore him. My wife and I have been trying to put aside the hurt and realize that though you may not get over some things, you can get past them and move on….I have learned that I will always be honest with my boys, cherish them and do everything in my power to hold onto the love and respect I’ve fostered in them.

It’s been a hard realization but one, I think, needs to be made.

Be well my friends >>>–>

[jmsmithy]

in reply to: Congratulations Dave #63635

Hey Dave

Sorry I’m so late to the party…congrats my friend :!::!:

You have truly been an inspiration to not only me but all of us….Hopefully I have similar luck on bruins during my Adirondack excursion next week…I know we’ll hunt hard, honestly on foot and canoe to get us in back swamps…our pilot loaning us a small one to get into some of the swamp areas. I know the experience will be there for my buddy and I…swirling campfire tendrils of smoke, smell/sound of pine boughs popping in the fire, call of the Loons off our lakefront campsite, coyotes screaming us to sleep…a place I’m sure we all truly feel at home in…:D

Can’t wait to read the story my friend…thank you and Congratulations again :!::lol:

Be Well…>>>–> John

[jmsmithy]

in reply to: Merino wool pants #63624

Hey Dave

Super expensive I know but I’ve had GREAT results with King of the Mountain wools. Heavy, dry etc…had no issues washing and line drying. Gotten me through jet boats to/from areas on Brownie hunt few years ago as well as various Canada outings. Be taking Bowman Jacket/vest/pants on my Adirondack excursion next week as well. They also sell an EXCELLENT long underwear product (Swiss-made I think – Ulfrotte or something like that). Pricy I know but I’ve been using same outfit for 15+ years for hunting as well as snowshoeing/snowmobiling…really incredib;e stuff. As to price, Via Ebay I’ve purchased two pairs Bunwarmer pants, 1 pair Bibs, pair of Mukulux for the price (little less actually) of ONE pair of Bunwarmers. ALL in EXCELLENT/Like New condition….

Interested on yours and others thoughts on KOM stuff…..

Be well…stay warm/dry ❗ 😀

>>>–> John

[jmsmithy]

in reply to: Merino wool pants #63623

Hey Dave

Super expensive I know but I’ve had GREAT results with King of the Mountain wools. Heavy, dry etc…had no issues washing and line drying. Gotten me through jet boats to/from areas on Brownie hunt few years ago as well as various Canada outings. Be taking Bowman Jacket/vest/pants on my Adirondack excursion next week as well. They also sell an EXCELLENT long underwear product (Swiss-made I think – Ulfrotte or something like that). Pricy I know but I’ve been using same outfit for 15+ years for hunting as well as snowshoeing/snowmobiling…really incredib;e stuff. As to price, Via Ebay I’ve purchased two pairs Bunwarmer pants, 1 pair Bibs, pair of Mukulux for the price (little less actually) of ONE pair of Bunwarmers. ALL in EXCELLENT/Like New condition….

Interested on yours and others thoughts on KOM stuff…..

Be well…stay warm/dry ❗ 😀

>>>–> John

[jmsmithy]

in reply to: A trophy "dear". My first! #63593

Congrats and God Bless you and your growing family Steve ❗

My boys are 12, one hunts, one fly fishes, both great athletes. Wonderful, vibrant smart kids…fatherhood is only club that trumps our club here guys to me. Hug her, her daddy her uncle, her mom, grandmom etc etc every chance you get….:D

Be well my friend

John >>>–>

[jmsmithy]

in reply to: How to deal with mosquitoes? #63584

:!:Joe I’m sure you’ll be pleased….

Incidently, and I don’t mean this as a dig to that BIG outdoor box store, but more of a reason to be a Trad archer and not wheel bow speed freak (yes I am a recovering addict). Pardon me while I relate this recent mess…

Buddy of mine and I are bringing our son’s into archery world (both 12). His boy is new to hunting altogether, my guy been hunting with firearms since he’s 6 (lot of animals to his credit already including 130″ 10 point, hunted, not sniped, in Texas and host of African game) – new to archery. My son shooting both, compound (satifies his need for immediacy) and traditional (custom Alleghany Mt Longbow for his 12th Bday – Thnaks Jeff @ AM Archery here in NJ ❗ ). Learning TRUE archery. He is loving his longbow but, as one would expect, MUCH more proficient quickly w the sited Matthews….

Anyway, to the point, my buddy bought his son a Parker at the Big Box mentioned throughout this post. The “Archery Tech” (older gent who professed to being an expert with lots of experience) set this young man’s bow up and told him ready to shoot. You cannot imagine what a disaster…string incorrect, release loop wrong, peep not set, sight setup incorrectly, arrow rest mount all wrong, wrong spined/length arrows etc etc…list goes on and on…His son consequently failed his hunters ed shooting test the first time, calling his Uncle John in tears (yes me 🙂 ) for help. I saw the bow (I owned archery shop in early 90’s) and told my friend I hate to step on any toes but whoever set this bow has NO IDEA how they work etc etc. He went on to tell me how shocked he was, “AFTER ALL, THE TECH AT CA&(^**LA’S ARCHERY SECTION SAID THIS IS HOW IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE”… I got the bow shooting somewhat there in the parking lot of the NJ WMA where the test was held, taught my nephew the fine art of Kentucky windage, and he was able to lob a few arrows into target to pass his test. I told him that’s great, passed the test but in NO WAY is he qualified to pursue/shoot at any living creature. I’m very proud to say that he completely agreed and asked me to “fix him”. Luckily my buddy is a great guy without the BS ego we sometimes see in our sport and had no issue with learning things and me teaching his son a few things. The boy is now shooting his correctly tuned bow very well. Took him on his first hunt this weekend with no sightings (full moon and 84 degrees) of any critters at all :roll::!:

Two points I made to my crew :
1.This is one facet that makes Trad Archery so appealing – you don’t need engineering degree to work on your equipment.
2. Just because someone at the Hunting Superstores says it’s so, doesn’t mean they are correct. I have found that yes, these places are a great one stop shop for a lot of things we use as hunters/fishermen/outdoorsmen. However, they are just like any of the big W–Marts infesting our landscape. It’s about sales and volume turnover. Just because every area highschool kid and/or retiree from the surrounding area is employed there, doesn’t make them experts(or even remotely qualified) to dispense advice…

Sorry if I rant a bit…this situation, and many like it, aggravate the S&^%*$&t out of me :evil::roll: To me, something like this sends WRONG message to young folks who want to get into our sport/lifestyle and, in fact, does more harm than good….

Thanks for listening 😀

Be well….>>>–> John

[Author]

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