[lyagooshka]

in reply to: Fletching Tool? #51738

Bucky,

Thanks for the reminder…

A single-fletch jig is also nice for repairs. It’s also abit easier if your feathers don’t go back the “standard” distance from the nock. Plus, a bit easier if you want to go left-wing to right-wing, to straight, to whatever. Just a thought. But “repairs” are definitely a bit easier witht the added room of a single-fletcher. Be well.

Alex

😀

[lyagooshka]

in reply to: 1st time Colorado Elk hunting! #51734

tradhunter1 wrote: Unfortunately my wife said Alaska (for some reason she thinks its to cold, and we live in South Dakota now) is the one place she won’t follow me to, and since I still actually like to have her around, right now,:wink:I have to postpone that part of the list.

😆 😆 😆

Troy,

I feel for you my friend. Same here! No matter how many times I point out that the weather in Sitka or Ketchikan varies all year what it varies one day here in Allentown and that it is hardly ever below freezing, she just isn’t buying it 😥 . She points out the 364 days of “liquid sunshine” and the fact that I would have to re-mortgage the house to buy a gallon of milk 😕 . Oh well, there’s always Wyoming 😈 . In case you haven’t noticed a trend in my “choices”, the 2 least populated states in the union are AK and WY. Go figure. Anyway, AK and the pilot thing are definitely on the bucket list here too. Here’s to us seeing it through to fruition. Cheers! Be well.

Alex

😀

[lyagooshka]

in reply to: long shots #51726

BuckyT wrote: My point is, that damning a style of hunting as a whole, because of a few folks that give it a bad name, or simply have a bad day in the field, isn’t right…………..

Bucky,

I hear you and agree, but (IMHO) the issue is what I bolded and underlined above in your quote. I am new to trad archery, but I have been around hunting for a long time. Other than teaching hunter ed, I also have several WCOs and DWCOs (Wildlife Conservation Officer / Deputy WCO) as friends and in my Reserve unit with whom I chat about hunting and the like on a regular basis. I wish the slobs were not multiplying at an exponential rate (I am sure I am exaggerating, but the movie “Idiocracy” does come to mind).

Point is, I do not like to paint anyone with a broad stoke of a brush. Not X-Bow hunters, rifle hunters, Game Preserves or even ATV users (sorry Dave, but you even say something similar in one of your books). But I do see a trend. As you might have read in some of my other posts, the reasons I started to hunt at a late age are many. But one of the biggest reasons I went to traditional equipment is to distance myself from the “trends” I was seeing. Those include greed-ridden, over-hyped companies putting out inferior products with no regard for anything but the bottom line. It includes the increasingly popular view that “success” must equal a kill. It also includes a total avoidance of woodsmanship in lieu of newer fancier gadgets.

Again, please don’t get me wrong. First, I don’t feel I am above anyone. If I ever do, I will hang up the bow and move on to golf or something. I have something to learn from the seasoned veteran as well as the novice. I also don’t balk at technology. If I am planning a road trip, I take out the GPS with turn-by-turn directions. I don’t reach for a map and compass. Thing is (at least for directions), I am very good at map reading. If the satellites fall from the sky, I will find my way to any place that’s on a map (thank you U.S. Army). I don’t think the same can be said for many people picking up that rifle and taking those 700 yard shots. They don’t have the basics, and go straight to the fancy gadgets. Then, when the proverbial you-know-what hits the proverbial fan, they have nothing to fall back on. Hand any true hunter any weapon, and they will still be able to hunt.

Again, this is all In My Humble Opinion. I know there are always the exceptions, but they are becoming fewer and fewer, at least from what I have been seeing. Be well.

Alex

😀

[lyagooshka]

in reply to: Fletching Tool? #51711

Bucky,

I, too, use a simple plastic jig. Like Dave said, it can easily change from 3 to 4. Also, the bulk of the time is usually spent (for me at least) prepping the feather. I use fletching tape, and it is amazing. It makes a 5+ minute per feather (waiting for the glue to dry) process into a 3 minute per arrow process. Still need a dab of glue on the front and back of each feather, but that is done when the arro is removed. Anyway, so long as it is consistent, and jig will do ya. Hope this helps. Be well.

Alex

😀

[lyagooshka]

in reply to: 1st time Colorado Elk hunting! #50482

tradhunter1 wrote: So the search continues for untainted land.

Sorry Troy, but short of moving to Alaska and learning to fly a float plane, well, you can see where I’m going with this. Be well.

Alex

🙁

[lyagooshka]

in reply to: long shots #50474

Thank you Doctor!

😆

[lyagooshka]

in reply to: Aluminum Arrows #50382

Penntradarcher wrote: Was wondering who is shooting aluminum arrows? I recently “rediscovered” them after going the carbon route for several years. In all honesty the cost of the carbons was getting uncomfortable for my wallet. Anyways, the advantages as I see them are: Easy to cut as a simple $6 tube cutter does the job, easy to fletch, very easy to refletch and durable enough for the hunting, 3-D and stump-shooting I do. One more advantage is the relatively heavy GPI found on aluminums. Finding comparably heavy carbons can be difficult, but with my 2217’s it’s easy to achieve 10-11 lbs/draw.

Penn, You pretty much nailed it for me too. I like the Al arrows, can make one with supplies that fit into a cargo pocket, and be hunting in a matter of hours. No waiting for the paint to dry, or needing a high-speed cutter. Plus (as you said) the cost. I also don’t have to worry about spine, etc as it’s standard (to 1% or so) for any batch.

True, there is a certain “romance” to wood arrows, and carbon has advantages as well, but until I go completely caveman (with my selfbow, obsidian heads, goose/turkey feathers, deer-skin tunic, etc) I will probably keep using the aluminum. Hey, if it ain’t broke… Be well.

Alex

🙂

[lyagooshka]

in reply to: long shots #50370

If it’s anything like CRS (Can’t Remember %*%^&), I would assume it’s “Can’t Hit %*^$&”. Or I could be wrong. Be well.

Alex

😆

[lyagooshka]

in reply to: Cliff Zwickey Head #48205

OK, I was biting my lip, but it started to hurt, so I decided to reply. Here goes…

“Ethics are like suits and hats. They change with the times.” Or “But then I remembered it’s not fair to judge hunting exploits from 80 years ago by today’s ethics.”

Yes, BUT… Is it fair to give a pass to the commercial hunters of 100+ years ago, who almost ruined hunting and wildlife altogether, simply because it was their “ethics” in that time?

Truth be told, there are many things that are ethical, and always have been. I am not preaching a religion with this, just using it as an example, but “Thou shall not kill, steal, etc” has been around for a while. Seems pretty ethical. Can’t really see a time when it wasn’t. Doesn’t mean it was always followed, or corrupt people didn’t try to twist it to suit their means, but still, a pretty good track record for longevity.

I guess what I am trying to say is that if it feels wrong today; it was probably wrong back then. Ergo, it’s not that it was ethical then but isn’t now. To kill for “fun”, to waste (taking antlers / furs and leaving the rest to rot and the like) [IMHO] cannot be justified simply by a date and time. This includes questionable shots and leaving animals to suffer.

I must add that I do understand the point you gentlemen are making, but I just don’t want to slip into the “I’m just a product of my time…” It’s a short step from that to, “I was only following orders”. Be well.

Alex

😕

[lyagooshka]

in reply to: long shots #48043

Wolf,

I don’t think anyone will berate you, nor do I think you are the only one. Thing is, like any bell curve, there are outliers. Also, like a bell curve, those outliers are the exception and not the standard. You did it the right way. But how many others do? I am sure there are many, but I would wager there are many more that are of the “so you just go 3 clicks right if they’re 400 yards, right?” Let’s face it, a weapon is a weapon. I’d rather see you with a rifle than a “slob” with a recurve/longbow. You made a good shot. What went into that shot is experience and practice. Or military has snipers and sharpshooters taking (and making) shots at 400-800 yards on a regular basis, sometimes at moving targets. I don’t think anyone thinks it’s impossible. Plus, you had a rifle made for that. It’s wasn’t an off the shelf eye-catcher. If I had the money and a place to use it, I would love to have one (I believe a MT company makes some quality rifles, but I am sure there are many others). But I wouldn’t use it to hunt, just to plink at 1,000 yards. Why? Because I can. Anyway, I’m hitting the “mute” button on me now. Good shot. Practice paid off. Seems there’s a lesson there, and not just for archery/rifle/etc. Be well.

Alex

8)

[lyagooshka]

in reply to: long shots #47392

Lyagooshka is transliterated from Russian. It means frog. I was always fascinated how snakes and scorpions and spiders get all the fear-mongering, while a small yellow frog, no bigger than an American quarter has enough poison to kill thousands of people. Ok, so maybe not the best explanation (and might explain a thing or two), but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

I was born in the former Soviet Union, but my family moved here when I was still young, so I don’t remember much from over there, especially about hunting or the outdoors. I do still speak the language though, so sometimes I have user names that keep some folks guessing.

But anyone can feel free to call me anything they want. Truth be told, all of my family and (Russian) friends call me Sasha, which over there is the diminutive for Alexander (my given name). Over there, it is unisex and much more common than Aleksi or the like (I don’t believe there is even an “Alex” outside of English-speaking places). Anyway, hope that helps. Be well.

Alex

😀

[lyagooshka]

in reply to: Cliff Zwickey Head #47387

Wave on your way. If you get stuck or the weather’s too bad, stop by and wait it out. Be well.

Alex

😀

[lyagooshka]

in reply to: long shots #47314

Here’s my $0.02 yet again about this… I do not have the “premium” package on my cable that includes the out-of-doors channels. Once a month I stay in a hotel on my Army weekend, and I watch the hunting shows to pass the time. There is actually a show pretty much DEDICATED to shots STARTING at 400 yards. One of their videos online is “Taking a 700-Yard Shot” (I left out the show name, PM me if interested, but I won’t just give them free press). So… this is what a bunch of stick-n-string folks are up against, but it’s worse (IMHO).

Let’s look at Hollywood. Plenty of “sniper” and “seal-team” movies and shows. Know of any recently that are called “ethical bowhunter” (Dave, I assume your movie is not out yet)? Who does the average person want to emulate? Who has the “fun”? Who gets the chicks (sorry to the women reading this)? Can you see where I am headed?

Here I am an impressionable person with limited experience. I can buy a longbow from someone for $500-$1,000, wait 6-12 months to get it, need to match my arrows, practice out the wazoo, learn to hunt/stalk/etc, and then MAYBE get a 10-15 yard shot.

OR

I can spend the same amount on a .308 or .446, sight it in and sit in a nice warm tent sipping hot-cocoa while waiting for something to move anywhere between me and the next time zone.

Not everyone makes the second choice, but many do. Again, I said it in another thread, but I truly feel that we as hunters (not just trad or even archers) need to define “hunting” and “success”. Not just to ourselves, but to the public at large. We need to identify ourselves, or others (who don’t know a thing about it) will do it for us. Then, and only then [IMHO] can we begin to change things.

Instead of high-fives after a 700 yard shot, I would love to see some host of a TV show say “How bad of a hunter do you have to be that you couldn’t get closer than that? I just killed one at 12 yards a week ago in archery season. What the H…?” It would be refreshing, but it wouldn’t sell much advertising time, now would it? Now we reach the core…

Granted, some species cannot be taken certain ways. Fine, but seriously, as long as this kind of stuff is rewarded, and as long as the only way to have a “successful” hunt is to kill something, there is little we will be able to accomplish. Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try, just means we have our work cut out for us. Again, IMHO as always. Be well.

Alex

😕

[lyagooshka]

in reply to: Cliff Zwickey Head #47284

Strait-Aero wrote: Both of you have good points…

Ha Ha!!! 😆 😆 😆

(BTW: I read you Lima Charlie. Ethics and respect for the quarry come first.)

Be well,

Alex (from Allentown)

😀

[lyagooshka]

in reply to: Cliff Zwickey Head #47193

Alex,

Well understood. I was just poking the skunk and comparing broadhead to broadhead. Sharpness is but one of many factors. I just hate to let a potential for conflict go to waste. 😈

Seriously though, I agree 100% One main reason I didn’t go directly into primitive is that I need to learn to “hunt”. I know how to shoot. That’s not the issue. But if I go to a home-made self bow with 40#-45# draw and woodies with obsidian tips, I will NOT even try to take an animal over 10 yards, and even then only under perfect conditions. It’s just that simple for me. I would much rather go home thinking I “could have” than going home thinking I “shouldn’t have”.

Like I said, just poking the skunk a bit. Getting bored in the off season. Be well. 😆

Alex

😀

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