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in reply to: Are these broadheads legal??? #46256
brennanherr, thanks for the info. I looked it up in the digest and, like you, didn’t find anything about the barbs. If you happen across one of your WCO friends, see what they have to say. I would be interested. The WCO I know down here is a little miffed at me right now (I haven’t been teaching as many THE classes as I planned on). Pothunter brings up a good point as well about the ethics. I could sharpen these heads to be obsidian-sharp, but a bad hit could make quite a bit of suffering for the animal whereas a non-barbed broadhead would have just slid out and the animal would trot off and be back at 100% an hour later. I never even thought about it that way. Remember, I got these heads back when I had training wheels on my arrow-launching device. 😆 Anyway, thank you all for the input. I may try to modify them but I think it will be more trouble than it’s worth (anyone looking for a project, let me know). DWC, I know there are quite a few strange rules that PA has held onto. Only recently could I buy a bottle of wine on a Sunday (and I bet that was only because of the threat of privatization since you could do it in any of the 6 bordering states). And of course I have my weekend off, but heaven forbid I try to look for a new car on Sunday. Anyway, the 3” rule may be like that, but it might also have a reason. I am only thinking that at some point someone tried to hurl a 5# 12” broadhead at an animal and made a mess. Who knows? Anyway, be well all.
Alex
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in reply to: EHD in Mi. #46246Being pretty new to hunting in general, I remember last year at the archery club someone “orienting” me to the 3D course and layout. There is a pond on the grounds that are stocked with trout. Whole walking around the pond, the gentleman said something to the effect of “every now and then we have to fish a deer out of the pond. I think they get hit by a car and run into the pond and drown…”. After hearing about EHD in another post and reading the symptoms (especially animals seeking out water sources to cool themselves when they have a high fever), I began to wonder. Anyway, I hope things get better for you. I just wish people could understand how over-population causes disease outbreaks like this and how hundreds (if not thousands) of animals suffer because of it. Good luck and be safe.
Alex
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in reply to: I can't stand this heat…. #42024Smithhammer,
I am so jealous! 😳 😳 😳
Been a bit warm here too, but Sandy might just make things interesting. Stay cool Roger. You’ll be in the white stuff soon enough. Be well.
Alex
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in reply to: Have You Gotten Lost? #41811I can honestly say that I have never gotten lost. 😀 Then again, the farhters I have ever hunted from my car is about 100 yards. 🙁 I have a GPS that I would definitely take along if I ever went out west on something like a DIY Elk Hunt. But I would probably try to do it on my own before resorting to technology. I would mark where I park, then try to find my way back. I hope to get the chance one day. Be well.
Alex
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in reply to: OK it finally happened and I need to vent #41805Speaking of upstate NY, I will be seeing lots of deer there this weekend. I am going up to Ft. Drum for a 4-day FTX. Every time we cross into Drum, there they are. They don’t even move. Trying to spook them is useless. They just look at you like you are insane. Every trip to Drum, regardless of time of year, I see them. They laugh at me. If only I could get my bow. 😈 👿 😈
Anyway, I do not know much about the laws there, but when I go up to other areas, I do see quite a few snowmobile routes. I assume these are used by ATVs during the warmer months. I really do want to look up the organizations that are fighting to limit ATV use, but as Gamagoat said, there are no chapters here to get involved in. Anyway, Dave has much more experience in these situations than I do, so I have no reason to doubt him. Be well.
Alex
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in reply to: Looking to plan a Dream Elk Hunt #41585ST: No real advice to give about a hunt, but about what I am doing to plan.
Step 1 for me was finding a state with over-the-counter tags. Most states with OTC tags are priced roughly the same, so price for tags isn’t much of an issue (if I am incorrect here, please correct me, but as an example, WA and CO are both in the $500 area).
Next, I looked at places I can drive to. This will just make life much easier in the off chance that I actually get an animal. I would hate to have an elk 10 yards from me and wind up passing because I cannot fit several hundred pound of meat in my carry-on. A great place that matches this is my home state of PA; unfortunately, the chances of drawing an elk tag here are about the same as hitting the power-ball, twice, with different numbers.
Then I looked at what I would need for that area (in my case, I tentatively chose CO) and whether or not I could pack/carry it all. 5 days is not much, but remember that unless you are hunting from the car, you need 5 days worth of food (not that big an issue) and water (at about 8# per gallon, needing at least a gallon per day since you will be hiking for miles at a time). There are ways around this, and I am sure you can get camping advice from people much more knowledgeable than me, but it’s worth a thought.
Lastly (this is actually not in any order, I just wrote them as they came to mind) I look at my equipment, skill level, finances, time, family, etc. Most archery hunting for elk will be done late August to early/mid/late September. Around this time my kids are getting back to school. Next year my daughter is going into 9th grade, so it will be a big step. My wife can handle things, but due to medical restrictions, taking a week or more off (like going to my 2-week vacation with the reserves) is always challenging.
One thing that someone on this forum suggested (I posted almost the same thing about 5 months ago) was to bring a friend. Find someone in your area who shares in your interest and go together. It helps with the cost, and it helps spread the load, so to speak, and it gives you some distraction around the campfire.
Anyway, I hope this helps. I am sure there are many more issues to consider, but this is a start for me. I hope to take my “camping” trip early September of 2013 (unless the Mayans were right 😆 ). If you hear any good advice yourself, please pass it on. Be well.
Alex
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in reply to: OK it finally happened and I need to vent #41544I am not sure about NY laws, but here in PA one (maybe the only) advantage of public land (SGL) hunting is that no motorized vehicles are allowed. The place I hunt is about 10′ X 10′, so there are always vehicles of some sort passing by. I think the deer have grown accustom to the sound. But, for some reason, they have not grown accustom to a guy sitting under a tree in camo and refuse to come to within 10 yards of said guy. Story of my life. Anyway, sorry to hear about the ruined hunt. Really stinks to have taken some time off and not even being able to enjoy the peace and solitude of the outdoors. Be well.
Alex
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handirifle,
Unfortunately, I am not very familiar with foreign game laws. My point was to keep the standards high upon entry to keep out at least some of the “slob” hunters. The laws themselves I cannot speak for. As a “Hunter-Trapper Education” instructor and a “Successful Bowhunting” instructor here in PA, I think we are not doing what we can to ensure that people truly have a grasp on two important hunting fundementals, safety and ethics. The course is set up for two days, but it is still limited on time and resources. Most (99%) of instructors are volunteers, and the material and props are somewhat “used”. On the flop side, the HTE course is free for people to take, as it should be. I know we will never go to a European system. I believe a person has to pay to take the hunting classes in Germany, so it would take hunting away from quite a few people, and I disagree with that. Anyway, I do see your point. Thing is, I think that is already happening here already, like the CA game commissioner or someone who got fired for taking a mountain lion, which is illegal in CA, but he was hunting in ID (I am sure there is more to the story, but it’s the first example that popped into mind). Be well.
Alex
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in reply to: Homemade Broadhead Targets #39034I got an e-book a while back about some off-base archery projects (building a PVC bow, etc). One of them was building a target. The way this person had done it (I hope I remember this right) was to collect a bunch of scrap cardboard from work. He then laid these on top of one another (like in a ream of paper or a phone book) and cut them to equal length and width. When he had enough, he sandwiched them between two 2X10s and compress them with ratchet straps. I have actually not tried this, but it sounds like it could work. Might be pretty dirty with cardboard scraps, but wrapping a burlap sack around it might do the trick. Hope this helps. Be well.
Alex
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in reply to: Hello Everyone #37249Welcome. Congrats on a fine looking buck.
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Very true. It’s funny you mentioned the 600 yard shooting. I had another example in another post using that example. I don’t know many people who start off like that. I can respect a hunter that takes (and makes) a 600 yard shot after practicing years to get out to that range over a hunter who picks up a scoped X-Bow in the morning and is “attempting” 100 yard shots that afternoon. To be honest, I am all for something else as well. I have read about the “pains” that people go through in Germany to get a hunting license. It is not a 1-day powerpoint presentation and multiple choice quiz. They have to spend months proving they understand game laws, can identify game, and they have to prove proficiency. Imagine if we could do that here. I know it would never fly, but imagine how strong hunting would be. A side-effect would also be that the antis would never have a leg to stand on in their arguments. They wouldn’t have the gut-shot, wounded and ignored animals. Sure, there would be less-than perfect shots, but I wager the person who took 0.00000001 seconds to practice before hunting will also be the person who takes 0.00000001 seconds to look for wounded game instead of trying to find somehting else to shoot; whereas the person who took 6 months to a year to simply get permission to even hunt would probably take more time. Sorry if my generalization offends anyone. That is not what it is meant to do. But as it says on the bottle: “Das ist des Jägers Ehrenschild…”. Be well.
Alex
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in reply to: The funniest archery story ever? #36562That is too funny 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 !
handirifle, I agree with what you said. I have long wondered how someone who makes an X-Bow using primitive tools out of nothing but wook, hemp rope stone point and feathers is any less “trad” than someone who has a carbon-fiber recurve made by a machine, shooting carbon arrows, fake feathers fast-flight string and broadheads that can stick into steel. That being said, in my opinion “trad” is about the experience, not just the weapon or material. I do not fault your brother, or any ethical hunter for using their weapon of choice. My argument against the X-Bow is it’s potential to attract “slob” hunters. Take the recurve in the above example. Before you even shoot it you need to spend conciderable time with it. Brace height, nocking point, arrow spine, etc. Then, you need to spend weeks upon weeks shooting just to become “ok” at 10 yards. Compare that to the scoped X-Bow that the mega-store sells you. They sight it for you and you are ready to go. In fact, it it possible to stop at the mega-mart on you way to hunt and buy the very weapon you will be hunting with as soon as you leave your car. Again, to me “trad” is a process, not just a weapon. Imaging if X-Bow hunting was legal, but only during rifle season. Would saled be up like they are? I am thinking we need a “trad” season. Even X-Bows allowed, but only those that you actually have to practice with for a long time. Also, any self-made weapon (up to and including muzzle-loader, no rifles). Only restriction is no scopes or sights. Then, give the wheel-bows and “modern” crossbows and rifles their season. IMHO, of course. Be well.
Alex
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in reply to: Your Dream Hunt #34453Under my profile I list “anything out west” for this question. I mean that, but if I had to narrow it down, sheep would be it. I simply love the mountains (though I hate heights). It would be just an awesome hunt.
Now if the question were what animal whould I most like to take, the answer would be a bit different. I would have to say moose, followed by elk and then caribou.
Alex
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in reply to: It's a good day… #33230Shoot straight my friend. Good luck and have a safe hunt. I don’t think you are gloating (or bloating 😆 ). You earned it.
Alex
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