[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: String Leeches Vs. Beaver Balls #39031

I’ve been using otter fur strips lately, and am really happy with them. They do a great job of quieting my bows.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #38308

Been shooting just about every day in the backyard, still trying to decide which bow I want to use for the upcoming elk season. More and more, I’m reuniting with my Kanati:

56″ AMO

#53 @ 28″

This sweet little hybrid gives nothing up to my recurves and throws a 650gr. arrow with authority. And it’s so light and maneuverable, that I’m finding it increasingly hard to go with anything longer or heavier. Jason certainly builds a sweet bow.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Let's see our Elk Country pics! #37305

Seeing Tules on the beach is a great reminder of how adaptable elk really are. Even many of the places we typically associate with “elk habitat” are not all that representative of where they lived historically; only of where they have been pushed to by civilization.

A few more:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: kme sharpener #36571

I’ve only used the stones, but they work great. Being able to dial in a precisely consistent angle makes all the difference, imo. The KME system rocks!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Let's see our Elk Country pics! #36553

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: SE Idaho Shoot! #34845

Hey Wahoo –

We’d love to have you there, if you can make it! Scout Mtn. is near Pocatello, but you should contact Steve Walker at the info provided above in order to get specific directions to the site.

Also, it looks as though we will be combining this event with the annual rendezvous that has normally happened in Stanley in the past. So Idaho board members will be in attendance at the Scout Mtn. shoot, and it should make for lots of good discussion around the campfire about the work we’re doing now and in the future.

Hope to see you there.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Don Thomas Spot On! #34841

Haven’t read it yet, Steve, but I’m looking forward to it.

I too have read some opinions in the past by long-time hunters looking down their nose at newcomers to the sport, who are coming at it from the “foodie” angle, and who are often folks who have recently moved to more rural areas and (re)discovered the joys of working for their food. In my opinion we as hunters should be doing exactly the opposite!

The way I see it, the more people we recruit to our ranks, the more advocates for hunting rights, and for habitat protection, that we will have, and that we need. Speaking in broad generalities, most of these folks are not “slob hunters,” but conscientious people who care about the food they eat, and about the environment they spend time in. These are good and laudable things, which should be encouraged, imo.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Going Trad #32896

David Petersen wrote: Hey, can I get in on this too? Sounds like a GREAT deal!

Ok, I’m in. And if I win, please give my copy to Dave. I’m reading it right now, and I think he’d like it..

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Tracking #32618

“Tom Brown’s Field Guide to Nature Observation and Tracking” offers lots of good info.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: SE Idaho Shoot! #32527

Dave –

Sorry for not including that. The shoot/campout will happen on Scout Mountain outside of Pocatello, at the archery range. I haven’t actually been there before, but folks can contact Steve Walker at the address above for specific directions.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: What's your first hunt? #24682

Elk for me, starting Aug. 30th and going through Sept. 30th.

No, I’m not counting the days or anything…:roll:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Different arrows for each draw weight? #23939

Carbons tend to be quite tolerant across a spectrum of point weights and poundages, in my experience. The three bows I shoot most often are all between #50 – #54 lbs, all are cut 3/16″ past center, and they will all shoot a 5575 shaft with anywhere from 300 – 360 grains of point weight (600 – 650 overall) just fine within my average hunting distance of 20 yards or less.

Wood and aluminum seem to be a little more finicky than carbons when it comes to changes in bow poundage and/or arrow weight. Not that one is any better – but just that you may need to spine your arrows a little more specifically with the latter than the former.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: New Java Man on the block #21437

That’s a stunner, Gary. Looks quick, too. What are the limb/riser woods?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Maximizing my moose mojo #20527

Good luck! Looking forward to the post-hunt report!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: The Trad Knife Thread #19347

Dave – those old Sharpfingers (when they were still made in the US and w/carbon steel) are one of my all time favorites. I’m a sucker for trailing point knives in general, and those classic Sharpfingers hit all the right notes. Nice little collection, for not being a collector! 😉

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