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in reply to: Tuning wood shafts #16803

I worry more about spine than about the weight of each shaft. Maybe it’s my shooting ability but I can’t seem to tell that much difference in the weight and how they shoot. Spine on the other hand can make a lot of difference. Gary

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in reply to: arrow weight for elk #10666

I’m still shooting woods but they weigh a total of 740 grains with the tip in place. I always use two bladed heads. The last couple of years I have been shooting single beveled heads. I have noticed the improved penetration. I am now looking at the efoc thing. When hunting elk I always want penetration over large, wide heads. There are times when you need the penetration. Usually due to an animal moving at the shot or some other unplanned for problem. Gary

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in reply to: Ashby forum reborn — please read! #63051

All right!!! Great idea Dave. I’ve always shot woods but I am very intrigued by efoc. I have shot elk with single bevel heads and they work great. Gary

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in reply to: Must see #57447

In my area deer numbers are way down. They have been for a few years now. In the past I never saw a mountain lion. Whether hunting from a tree stand or stalking. In the past four years I have seen five different lions. Hmmm, I wonder if this is a coincident. NOT!!!! We at least can hunt them with a permit. In California they have no control. Oh, and they do taste good. Am I against lions? No. But I think they need to be well managed. Gary

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in reply to: Helle knife kit #56414

I got a Harding model (factory finished) about three years ago. It has the triple laminated blade. I could not believe how it holds an edge. Nothing I have ever used comes close. I have always carried two knives so I wouldn’t have to stop to sharpen. Now I still carry two but do not have to sharpen the one I start with if it is the Helle. I don’t just bone out the elk I shoot. I cut it into the individual muscles so I can leave everything I’m not going to eat. It makes a lot of difference on the amount of weight you have to carry. It does take longer though. But is faster when I get home. I can completely cut an elk into individual muscles with one knife and not sharpen it if it is the Helle. I am now in the process of getting another one so that I have two. I may never pick up the other knives again. Gary

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in reply to: Speed-quartering an elk #24968

That’s a good video to show how the quarters come off. I always skin one side first then take off the quarters like he does. The last few elk I have done I have boned out. I don’t even carry out anything I am not going to eat.I have found through cutting up my own elk that it is best to separate individual muscles. It takes me at least two to three hours to finish the job but when done I don’t have as much weight to carry. I always carry my two knives. Razor sharp. My favorite now is a Helle Knife. When I finish packaging an elk now I don’t have very many scraps left. I leave it all for the forest. A hide is way too heavy unless I am fairly close. Besides I have six or eight already. Bones are also unnecessary to carry. It takes me about eight hours to cut and wrap an elk. I don’t mind spending two or three of those hours in the mountains. Just remember to carry a couple of good headlamps and plenty of batteries. I have learned these things of necessity. Elk always seem to die in the worst possible places. Gary

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in reply to: Primitive Spot'n'stalk #24903

Loved it. Unlike most hunting videos that get turned off while still running. Gary

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in reply to: A whole new take on ethics #24892

I guess I just don’t get it. Why would anybody want to kill a deer in a fenced in area. I wouldn’t do it if it were free. There’s no accomplishment in that. What a hollow victory to shoot one of these deer. Reminds me of a farm down the road. Some guy paid them to shoot a large Jacob’s ram in their field with his compound. Why not just use a hammer? Gary

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in reply to: Strap-on tree steps #17573

Hi Dave, Another thing I do when in a tree stand is read books. I find a good paper back to carry with me. It makes the long spells with no action go faster. I always wondered if the strap on steps were safe as in how well do they hold. Gary

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in reply to: Ancient archey text #62542

Quite interesting. I really like archery history. Thanks for the post. Gary

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in reply to: String Silencers what is the best for you ? #32189

I tried a few of the fur and yarn types and they didn’t seem to quiet as well as catwhiskers. Then I couldn’t find the originals so I went looking and came up with these. For a few bucks you can buy a lifetime supply. And since most of us are frugal(cheap) they fit right in. Gary

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/skirt-making-material/366200.aspx

P.S. You just cut a hunk off whatever length you want and pull it in pieces like a cat whisker.

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in reply to: first elk hunt! #40610

Another suggestion: Elk are big. They take a lot of cutting to skin them and break them into packable size pieces. I even go farther and separate the individual muscles and pack them out. That way some of the work is done when I get home and I have less to pack. I always carry two very sharp knives. Most of the time, one is not enough. The only knife I have used so far that lasted through an entire elk is a Helle. And I have a bunch of knives. Gary

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in reply to: boots #39030

My feet seem to change over time. I had some vasque sundowners that worked for a while. I really liked them. Then after about 8 years I was on a long hike and they got real tight. I actually ended up with nerve damage. I went on a search for a new boot and after trying a bunch I settled on the Danner Expedition. First and foremost they have to fit your feet. So I look at all the qualities I want in a boot and if they don’t fit right I throw them down. I even bought a pair and wore them for two months to break them in. It didn’t work(they were Vasques). I took them back. The Danner Expedition has a deep lug. They have some of the best traction of any boot I have tried for a while. I don’t like to slip. Especially with a hundred pounds of meat in my pack. This year I went out and bought two more pair because I found a deal. Now if my feet will just stay the same I will be ok. Gary

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in reply to: Wind check feather #36697

Thanks for the ideas. I will try some of them out. Gary

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in reply to: first elk hunt! #34249

I would add that if you are in an area with human traffic and the elk are skittish, I would put the call away and just keep your eyes open. I have seen them run the other way from a call. Also, if you get one at dusk, make sure you have a good headlamp and plenty of batteries. I like getting them at dusk. That way there are no flies. But it can be bad carrying them out in the dark. Gary

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