[oldcentaur]

in reply to: My condolences Don #60763

A life well lived. Condolences for losing a world changer.

[oldcentaur]

in reply to: Custom Bow Makers #56913

No one has mentioned JD Berry, who makes as good a bow for the money as can be had. Then, there is Howard Hill Archery, who makes as classic a Hill style as there is, Big Jim who makes gorgeous bows, and as has been mentioned, Robertson, Great Northern, Northern Mist, etc, etc. Lots and lots of great bows out there; it all depends on your taste and the depth of your pockets, but an awful lot of tremendous bows are out there for well under $1000.

[oldcentaur]

in reply to: Does it really matter ? #55154

I kinda doubt that it does matter. I have killed animals when it was cold, and never noticed any difference. I did notice that gutting wasn’t that much fun when your hands are freezing to your knife and anything else that they might touch.

[oldcentaur]

in reply to: They are Really HERE!! #55129

I have seen goats in the Beartooths, but didn’t know that they were introduced around Alpine. You learn something every day, I guess.

And Iron Bull, you aren’t the only old fart in Wyoming with a Pioneer license. Got one right here in my pocket.

Smithhammer, a similar encounter for me this year in Glacier. No problem telling a billy from a nanny from this perspective.

[oldcentaur]

in reply to: 4 wheelers, Dave Peterson #11757

Dave,
During hunting season my atv doesn’t go anywhere that you couldn’t take your truck; I kind of like my truck, and would rather use the 4 wheeler than beat up my Chevy. I don’t road hunt; never have and if I get too feeble to walk in, I will quit hunting. The roadless area that I hunted elk in this year is proposed to be wilderness, and there are no roads, but there are cattle trails (way too many of them, if you ask me). I have hunted wilderness for over 30 years, and the only time I didn’t do it on foot was when I hired an outfitter to do a drop camp 20 miles deep. I can’t stand the idiot atv operators either, and I agree that in many roaded areas they screw up the hunting for everybody. I don’t hunt where atv use is rampant for the same reasons that you state in your argument. I am your age or older, so I know about the aches and pains of the ‘golden years’, but I do all my hunting on foot, too. Had I killed an elk this year, I would have hauled it out on my back. I’m not trying to get in a pissing contest; I just believe that the atv is not the problem so much as the lazy operators who won’t get off them, and the slobs who act like they are in NASCAR in the backcountry. I will bet that I don’t like them every bit as much as you don’t, and maybe even more. I certainly believe in strict regulation of atv operation on public land, and those who ride off trails and act irresponsibly should be punished within the letter of the law. And yes, the Forest Service is understaffed and abuse certainly goes unpunished often. I have seen and reported atv abuses to the FS, but I don’t know what ever became of my complaints. If I am to get painted under the broad brush of slob hunter because I own and operate an atv, then I guess that is just a cross I will have to bear. I’m a big boy, I can handle it. By the way, glad you got your elk. I will have to survive on whitetail and moo cow this year. And thanks for your service, both in the military and as an advocate for ethical hunting. I did the same job in the military that your bio says you did, but I wore Army clothes rather than USMC fatigues. I’m guessing that you are also a silver medalist in the SE Asia war games, and thanks for that.

[oldcentaur]

in reply to: Tag Soup #11466

I’m eating my elk tag this year, too. But there are still deer, antelope and turkeys to chase. Played with about 30 turkeys this morning, no shots, but lots of fun. I guess I should be glad I didn’t have to pack out an elk, but somehow I’m not.

[oldcentaur]

in reply to: 4 wheelers, Dave Peterson #11459

I hunted elk in a roadless area this year, but rode my 4 wheeler to the trailhead from camp (about a mile) each day. I put in 6 to 10 miles a day on foot, using my own “quads”. During the summer, I ride a 4 wheeler to a couple of fishing spots and ride established trails. I have never used it to hunt on or from, and don’t plan on it, but I do believe that there are legitimate uses of 4 wheelers. Hunting, in my opinion, is NOT one of those legitimate uses. I don’t hunt in places where 4 wheelers are rampant. As someone who owns and enjoys some 4 wheeling, I am disgusted by those who can’t get off their fat asses and wear out some boot leather. By the way, in 8 days of hunting elk in a roadless area, I did not see one elk.

[oldcentaur]

in reply to: Caught with my pants down! #52639

I feel your pain. Years back, had an elk screaming his head off; unfortunately, I had last night’s chili and beans that just had to get out about the same time! Although I had some relief, the elk headed for parts unknown.

[oldcentaur]

in reply to: bow quiver #40839

+3 on Selway. A great, quiet quiver.

[oldcentaur]

in reply to: Defining "Traditional" Bowhunting #40653

The HUNT is what is important, the kill is icing on the cake. I am ‘traditional’ because I like simplicity, and because I desire the additional challenge that hunting with stick and string brings. If folks have to bring home meat every time, they probably need to hunt with a rifle, or stop by the grocery store enroute home. Using traditional equipment gives me the opportunity to spend more days hunting, enjoying the outdoors, watching wildlife and nature in general. I could do all that without bow in hand, but I am a predator, and despite what PETA thinks, human predators are designed and programmed to be hunters. As traditionalists, we just up the difficulty ante a bit over those who hunt by other methods. I have hunted with modern rifle, handgun, ‘old style’ muzzleloaders, and even compounds for a couple of years. Nothing satisfies me like the feel of a longbow and wood shafts while stalking game like the predator I was designed to be.

[oldcentaur]

in reply to: Missed a grouse today #38086

TJ,
You should be really proud of me if you like warning shots. Yesterday, antelope hunting was going nowhere, so I got out the coyote call and called in a songdog to about 20 yards. My arrow went right under his belly as I ‘educated’ him.

[Author]

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