[Mark Turton]

in reply to: String Tuning #44603

Hi Steve

Repeating myself here but earlier this year a friend took me on one side after identifying a few problems with my bow, eventually he stripped the string of everything including serving, cleaned the string, re-waxed it and served it with a shorter lighter serving. I shot a couple of arrows and we adjusted the knocking point until they were flying about right. He then put in a few extra turns in the string until she quietened down and I shot a few more arrows again adjusting the knocking point. Only then did we reinstall the silencers and now it’s spooky quite and sweet to shoot, I guess in all it took a couple of hours once we really set to.

In the past I have messed with brace height, knock position but that was the first time starting from scratch, well worth the time.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: The Pull of the Dark Side #42255

I guess the real dilemma is between hunting for meat and hunting for sport.

Or does hunting traditionally brings a different level of satisfaction knowing that every element of what you do just has to be that little bit more refined and the margin for error smaller. Is it the challenge that we all seek that makes us better hunters?

Just a few thoughts on the subject, Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Carbon Arrows: A Stiff Side #40016

Hi Dave

Reassuring to read your comments about wood, I thought it was only me that was unable to keep wooden arrows straight, the only consistent thing I found was the more I paid the more disappointed I was.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: What to do? #40009

In your position I would speak to the maker concerned tell him that you have been very patient and ask for a firm replacement date, tell him that if he is unable to deliver on time that you want a full refund.

Don’t let it go, we all work hard for our money if I’m going to give my money away I’ll decide who to (if that’s OK with my wife and the tax man)

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Almost done #40001

Looking good Ray, interested to see it with varnish on and to hear ho it shoots.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Elephant with a bow #38967

Elephants are deceiving they can be very aggressive and very quick, when wounded they may well stand and fight. The income generated from elephant hunting pays for anti poaching, fencing around crops, wages and park management. The meat will be processed very quickly, some going to local people and some canned for latter distribution. Elephant conservation has been so successful there numbers have increased dramatically.

Received this last week’7 days elephant hunts in Zimbabwe for £5495, 15 animals remain unsold’

It’s not for me but I do not condemn anyone for going, except that in Rhodesia we all know that the money will end up in Mugabe’s pocket whilst his people stave.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: A long look at fletching and EFOC #35925

Hi Doc

Thank you for clarifying those points, the arrows I shoot evolved more by trial and error rather than by design and although they shoot OK I think I could do better following your recommendations. Can’t do anything about it at present the house is a building site but certainly before Christmas I hope to find some time.

Best regards, Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: A long look at fletching and EFOC #34865

Fascinating stuff Doc

To get this clear in my own mind, the fletching produces drag, drag creates stability; the angle of the fletching provides rotation and aids accuracy. The turbulator disrupts airflow creating greater pressure on the surface of the fletching therefore giving greater resistance and stabilising the arrow earlier in flight.

The turbulator has square edges and is placed at an optimum distance in front of the fletching to produce maximum turbulence over the fletching.

Variables will be height of the turbulator determining the volume of air it displaces/disrupts, surface area and angle of fletchings, and the surface texture of the fletching.

Am I right in thinking then that this will not work with straight fletchings as they will be buffeted by the turbulence and not stabilise?

Do we also need to be looking at the broadhead and its transition into/onto the shaft as there may be turbulence here as well?

I hope I’ve got that right, look forward to your comments, Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Dedicated or Obsessed? Deciding when to hunt? #34824

Hi Steve

I have a good friend who’s marriage went wrong a few years ago, now without any responsibilities (takes care of his girls) he no longer works during hunting season September-end of February. For six months he just eats sleeps and hunts, for the rest of the year he works all hours and has never been happier.

It’s always good to see him and have the occasional trip but it’s all a bit intense for me.

So I guess it takes all sorts, as the saying goes ‘you can’t please everyone so be sure to please yourself’
Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Deer hunting REALLY small land tracts? #31599

Hi All

Steve, a couple of issues/ posts have come up recently that I have felt unable to comment on as the cultural divide does not allow me to be objective.

A couple of observations and comments I would like to make, firstly I can’t comprehend the greed and lack of respect that you have had to tolerate from people who no doubt consider themselves sportsmen.

Small plots on my side of the pond can be productive especially if you have neighbours that are noisy and actively pushing game off their land, sometimes it can be crop planting other times just noisy incompetent hunters. I’ve always favoured ground that has a water source natural spring, streams even water troughs for cattle, if nothing else they will attract pigeons in summer.

It can I think be more difficult to fully appreciate small plots than great expanses, on large tracts spook game and they just move on a little way and you may see them latter in the day, spook them on a small plot and you may never see them again so you fieldcraft and knowledge must be that little bit better refined.

Other things I look for undulating ground, small fields, old hedges, orchards and woodland edges. I’m lucky to have access to two small plots one about 35 acres and has a stream bordering three sides, almost like a horseshoe that has provided me with so many years of good hunting probably thousands of rabbits, hundreds of pigeons and even a few deer (fallow) and trout, if only I could buy it. The other bigger but the bit I’m interested in is small between 50 and 200 yds. wide but about a mile long with a steam down one side I get free access so long as I don’t touch the pheasants, not a problem, rabbits, duck (the owners don’t even know they are there) pigeons and deer (muntjac and occasional fallow)

Hope the new ground your hunting works out, Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: To Close One Eye Or Not #31574

Hi Patrick

Both eyes open but squint with the left, don’t know why just feels right. Oh right hander by the way, I am aware of the shaft but don’t use it as an aid to sight by.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Stick and String Squirrel hunt 09 video! #31174

Hi Chris

As ever I enjoyed every minute of you video, it’s only when you slow the film down I appreciated just how agile those little suckers are.

Keep up the good work, Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Oh so close – yet so far! #28122

Hi Clay

That is one beautiful looking bruin, congratulations.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Lower Bow Weights, The Ashby Report and Whitetail Hunting. #25769

Hi Steve

I understand the logic, heavy arrow downward trajectory. I can shoot varying weight arrows but the first one of a different weight is always a ‘sighter’ I could not shoot it with any confidence at an animal.

I know that if I shoot only one setup I become much more consistent and confident, perhaps it comes down to experience and practice.

Another consideration might be lighter arrow at shorter distance will have greater velocity and retained energy than the same arrow at a greater distance therefore if the lighter arrow will do the business at 20 yds it will certainly work at 5 yds.

Although at 5-17 yds. the trajectory of a 500 grain arrow and that of a 660 grain arrow may well still be within the vitals without any change of aiming point.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Lower Bow Weights, The Ashby Report and Whitetail Hunting. #24751

Steve

You may have hit upon something, different weight arrows for varying ranges, might get a bit hectic as a beast walks towards you though.:P

Mark.

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