[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Feeders / foodplots / supplemental feed!?!?!? #23746

Feeders and food plots appear to have two clear uses:
1, Herd management, where new plots or feeders are established to encourage dispersal of a herd and reduce feeding pressure on areas that are in danger of becoming over grazed or damaging commercial crops. The wider a herd can be encouraged to roam the less pressure it puts on natural resources the more opportunity to widen the gene pool and more opportunity for other hunters.

2, Increased hunting opportunities, as previously stated in its simplest form plots and feeders are no more that ambush points, they may be sited in such a way as to insure that animals are funnelled into shooting lanes and the trophies can then be assessed and picked off as required. But how does that compare with pronghorn over waterholes in Wyoming or Zebra in Okavango, neither of which most of us would have a problem with.

It may be that plots and feeders both have a place in hunting and herd management but as ever it’s the hunter that may be the faulty component, if you are hunting over leased land or if you are lucky enough to own your own land then you are in it for the long haul, you may be prepared to let an opportunity go because there will be another day. However if you have one opportunity to hunt in the year and have saved your hard earnt, placated the wife sat up a tree all morning who’s to say you can’t shoot the trophy buck that has just walked into view.

I put out wild bird feeders for pheasant and they are often to be found vandalised by deer, I would not ever consider shooting over one but I know that we see and kill more deer because of the feeders.

This can only come down to personal ethics and as Ronnie says after all the effort required why cheapen or degrade traditional hunting.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Like Blind Man Chop Wood! Field Dressing Advise #20287

I’ve been using a Fallkniven DC4 sharpening stone for a few years and can recommend it, diamond one side and ceramic the other, also a big fan of Bark River knife and Tool. Never had the necessity to sharpen a knife whilst dressing one out, always sharpen before starting, and avoid bones.

Gently pressing on the lower abdomen will often empty the bladder, I’ve taken to cutting the throat and tying off the oesophagus just stops any stomach contents spilling back up as the gut is removed.

The guy that showed me how to butcher would also collect the small intestine to make sausage cases not something I’ve ever done.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Anyone make their own knives? #20121

A friend of mine uses leaf spring from truck’s and has some good results, also spent files, made a nice hawk out of a hoof file, keep suggesting he might like to make me one but so far that’s fallen on deaf ears.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Conflicting Emotions about gun hunting… #19992

Hi Jonny

“Without the beasts man would die from a great loneliness of spirit.For whatevever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man.All things are connected.”
-Chief Seattle

Very profound, I’ve never come across this gentleman I must investigate.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Lower Bow Weights, The Ashby Report and Whitetail Hunting. #19979

Old Phart: wisdom of the ancients. 😀

JW

A timely reminder that our equipment is as fallible as we are and requires constant attention.

ICA

A lengthy lecture, ah the vagaries of youth, so much to do so little time, disseminating information, knowledge and wisdom only to find that two of the three are worthless without the other but which two.
A lecturer once told me ‘man has two eyes, two ears and one mouth, they should be used in that ratio, shut up and you might learn something’ how right he was.
Just read my post the last comment is not directed at anyone it was made to me many years ago, I was never a good student, but I did have fun.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: New To Traditional-Bow Advice #19946

Hi Prewar

I also was turned from the dark side, I shot a 70# compound and found a 50# longbow a comfortable alternative, draw length stayed the same at 28 1/2″.
I found that I stand differently and my head is at a different angle from when I shot compound and that took a while to settle.
The biggest difference you will find is not taking a tool kit into the woods with you, Traditional is so much simpler.
I’ll put in a word for Dwyer Longbows, good people to deal with make some nice bows.
One last comment, I hung onto my compound on the off chance I might need it again one day, couple of years down the line I just gave it away, no second-hand value and no interest, even gave away a bunch of arrows and release aid, it had become worthless to me.
Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Lower Bow Weights, The Ashby Report and Whitetail Hunting. #19076

Hi Steve, there’s getting a few of us ‘old pharts ‘ about and I know what you mean about graphs, life’s to short.

J.Wesbrock’s comments about tuning are valid, I consider myself a competent archer but earlier this year a friend took me on one side and suggested I raise my nocking point, reluctantly I did so and immediately saw an improvement in arrow flight. He then increased the braise height possibly by about 1/4″ and the bow became significantly smother and quieter. I guess standing behind the bow does not allow me to be completely objective.

Just replaced the material on the arrow shelf so I’m back to fine tuning the knocking point this weekend.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Lower Bow Weights, The Ashby Report and Whitetail Hunting. #18113

Much food for thought there Steve

Taking a few of your points in no particular order, I think by adopting any of the good doctors suggestions you will increase the lethality of your arrow set up,as you have proved, more overall weight means more retained energy, more weight up front gives more stability, single bevel gives greater penetration and tissue damage, all good things.

There are those that will never consider change for personal or commercial reasons, some will eventually see the light others may be to blinkered.

Trajectory is going to be down to each individual bow and arrow set up, the variables:
Arrow weight
Arrow weight distribution
Fletching
Arrow speed
Anchor relative to line of sight
My guess is though at the distances you quote and most of us accept 5-25 yards the arc of the arrow will be relatively shallow……..but as I type this I know it’s not correct……..to determine the path the arrow takes can only be done by trial and error, by shooting at 5 yard intervals and recording the data it can then be plotted on a graph.

However none of that’s relevant when you look at your chosen target and think ‘yea that’s mine’ no science just instinct based on practice and confidence in your gear.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Conflicting Emotions about gun hunting… #13348

Hi ICA

I respect your decision and don’t have any issues with handgun hunting but from your original post you suggest that meat in the larder is the primary objective.
My proffered option would be a well scoped .308, get the job done pronto and then enjoy the rest of the season hunting traditionally.
I was out of work a while back for about a year and hunting put fuel in the van and meat on the table and so long as the means used to harvest it was ethical it was OK by me.
Family first.
Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Instinctive Adventures fall whitetail teaser(video) #8879

OK now I’m hooked when’s the next instalment…?

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Slower is Faster #64080

Hi Steve

Three years ago I started mapping the areas where I hunt, not fine detailed maps but more plans showing views from specific points, this did two things, one makes me sit quietly and observe more carefully, two work more methodically from point to point. I just add notes down one side.

Never could keep a journal but these maps bring back memories of past hunts, some successful but all memorable.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Conflicting Emotions about gun hunting… #64067

ICA
With pressure to put meat on the table take the most practical solution, once you have done that and the pressure is off you will surely enjoy your time bowhunting more.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Practicing with Broadheads #61082

Somehow it does not surprise me.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Homemade Cresting Tool #61081

Hi Steve

An idea that may be useful, take a piece of dowel and in one end make a hole about 1″ deep and a tight fit for the output shaft on the motor, on the other end another hole a snug fit for the knock end of the arrow. Drill through the dowel a hole suitable to take a pin that will engage the knock to turn it. If you have a pedestal drill it should be quite easy to keep everything aligned.
If the fit is tight enough you may only need something like a hose clip to pinch the collet onto the shaft.
Be interested to hear what you think.
When we finish knocking the house about I’m definitely going to try this.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Very Disturbed!! Suggestions? #58813

Hi Steve

I think Todd is about right, his values may change in time.

I guess this comes down to why we hunt is it ego, food or something more spiritual or a combination of the three.

From the effort he puts in he is obviously satisfying the first element and probably overdosing on venison but not feeling the connection with nature and his quarry.

All you can do is leave the door open and hope he sees the light.

Mark.

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