[shaneharley]

in reply to: The Non-Trad Knife Thread #48887

I just ordered a Havalon knife. They look pretty slick. They are supposed to be crazy sharp and when they get dull you just replace the blade. I hope it comes in time for my spring bear hunt. I’m hoping I’ll get the opportunity to put it to the test.

[shaneharley]

in reply to: Longbow Turkey #44927

Right on that is awesome

[shaneharley]

in reply to: What are your favorite trad pictures? #38334

I love stumbling on little places like this while exploring

[shaneharley]

in reply to: what quivers do you prefer? #35792

Thank you all for the input.

[shaneharley]

in reply to: wool or camo? #35790

Thanks everyone for your input

[shaneharley]

in reply to: Wonderful News! #27835

Congrats:D

[shaneharley]

in reply to: Interests #27563

The falconry rules have changed a bit recently and differ state to state. But typically you trap your first couple of birds from the wild. It is either a redtail or a kesteral. You need to be sponsored as you will be an apprentice for 2 years. Fish and game will come to your house to check out the facilities you have for the bird. After 2 years if your sponsor signs off on you then you will be a general falconer and can have a couple birds. Then you can trap more exotic birds and also buy from breeders. It is about the most fun a guy can have in the world of hunting in my opinion. But to be good. You know the person everyone else looks up to, you need to hunt everyday of the season. So say for 6 months out of the year you will be trying to kill rabbits with a goshawk. Or if you fly ducks with a peregrine then you need to be out everyday. Now sometimes you can miss time. It happens. But if you are a weekender you’ll kill some game. Your hawk will do ok. Your dogs will be kinda ok. But if you hunt everyday you will rock and so will your hawk and dogs. Some, maybe even many, falconers won’t like that statement but it is very very true. It’s like the guy who shoots everyday and one who puts in 20 minutes on Saturday… Hunting property is premium. If you kill 100 rabbits in a year with a hawk you need to spread those out. Well where I live I do. We don’t have tons of bunnies so you kill a few here and move to the next spot so you have breeders left for next year. A good flushing dog or a beagle is needed. Some people get by without a dog or a ok dog, they don’t kill much. It is frustrating to the core and fun to the max. But it eats time like a fat man in a buffet line. Most falconers are happy to have people tag along. Google your state and they will have a club and go from there. If you pursue this take a season and hunt with folks. Pick the best one to be your sponsor. All sponsors are not the same. Any specific questions?

[shaneharley]

in reply to: Interests #26578

Until about a year and a half ago I flew hawks. I did falconry for a number of years. But the time commitment to do it right is a lot. It’s an everyday ‘hobby’. So in the interest of God and family I put down the falconry glove and decided to do something else.

I love to fly fish. I recently decided to make it a little more difficult on myself and just use dry flies. Which is what I’m in it for, that top water action from a nice looking trout. I don’t get to hung up on fish size. Don’t get me wrong I love to catch big fish but in my opinion 100 little fish in one day far exceeds one salmon every few days for me. Plus I like the little wilderness streams. Beautiful fish but not much size.

I love God most. He’s my main interest. I love praying for sick people and watching Him touch them. He’s just a lot of fun. Next to Him is my family. I have two daughters that I try to get them out hunting and fishing as much as I can. My wife is and has been pretty supportive of all my pursuits.

I recently got my first trail cam and move that around once a week. I think I could become a ‘trail cammer’ later down the road as finances allow. It gets me outside and playing around in the woods. I like it.

I just ordered my first custom longbow from a local bowyer. I so very excited to get it. I had been shooting my buddies bow but his bow he was using broke so I had to give his other one back. I managed to shoot big gapping holes in one of those self healing targets. Guess they quit self healing after 1000 arrows or so. I was shooting 30 to 60 minutes or more a day. I love it. But now I am ‘patiently’ waiting for my new bow. And am still waiting…

I grew up out in the woods. In grade school I would check traps before catching the school bus. I’ve loved bow hunting from a young age but never tried traditional as much as I wanted to. But after not having hunted big game for 7 or 8 years, because I chased critters with a hawk, I’m ready to get back into it full swing.

So I guess if I listed my interests in order it would be God,family, archery, fishing. Outside of those I really don’t have much playing around time left.

You all seem like a good group of people and the trad guys I’ve met at a club meet were cool so I’m excited not only to hunt with a stick and string but to also experience the culture of who you all are.

Blessings,

Shane

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