[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Traditional Snowshoes for Hunting #25387

vintage archer wrote: Snow shoes styles all have their advantages and dissavantages…

Ain’t that the truth, Joe. We may as well be talking about quivers! It all comes down to what compromises one is willing to live with. I’ve owned a number of different ‘modern’ snowshoes over the years, and sold the last of them off in order to buy this pair. As eidsvolling pointed out with his MSRs, one of the big reasons I switched to a pair of ‘trad’ shoes was noise. Every pair of aluminum shoes I’ve owned made a lot more noise than these do. In addition to the metal frame creaking, even just the sound of cold, dry snow moving against metal/plastic can be noisy – not so at all with these. They are the quietest pair I’ve ever owned, by far.

This pair are definitely larger than I need for little day hike – I intentionally bought a larger pair for carrying a heavier pack, for the possibility of some multi-day trips, etc. One of these days, I’d like to pick up a second, smaller pair for shorter hikes with less stuff. Though from previous experience, I’ve found that even without a heavy pack, going much below 30″ in length doesn’t provide enough floatation in our conditions, no matter what the shoes are made out of.

And of course, as with my bow choices, I can’t deny that I just simply prefer traditional, handmade things.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Traditional Snowshoes for Hunting #24866

Winter storms the last couple days prodded me to get the snowshoes out again – might be the last time before the season ends. A quick little video, for those of you who aren’t totally sick of winter yet…8)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxYU0OCm-Ds

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: The Trad Knife Thread #24521

Stumpkiller wrote:

[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/Stumpkiller/Accoutrements/DSCN1069_zps17c8d816.jpg[/image]

I was just going back through this thread, and realized I’d somehow I missed this post, Stumpkiller. That’s a fine pair of blades you have there. I tried to read the maker’s name etched on the blade, but couldn’t quite make it out – can you give any more details? They remind me of some examples I’ve seen from Finnish maker, Puukkojunkkari.

I currently have a puukko in reindeer antler/curly birch (4.7″ blade) made by Harri Merimaa en route from Finland. I’ll post some pics when it arrives.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Since there's nothing to shoot with my bow right now… #23202

Ptaylor wrote: I ran into a guy the other day who dives for sea urchin and sells them to the sushi restaurants. Once in a while I get an order of it, and it is really odd on the tongue.

I once spent three days on a beach in Tierra del Fuego, stuck in a storm, with almost nothing to eat besides sea urchin gonads. Not sure I could ever eat another one. But that’s a story for another time….8)

That mussel recipe sounds like perfection!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Schulz longbow values #23199

Steve Graf wrote: Smithhammer, I know what you are up to! You can’t hide behind your PM’s. We all know your game…

Not at all, Steve. There’s no backroom wheeling and dealing going on here. I already have a bow on order and I’m not looking for any more at this time. 😉

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Emergency Gear #22369

Collected some pine resin today while on a hike, to supplement to my fire-making kit. Toss some of this on some dry shavings and it will burn hot and long.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Schulz longbow values #22352

Codger – PM sent.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #21233

colmike wrote:

I can’t imagine living in those concrete jungles that we drove through. It’s great to be back.

No kidding. I swear, the more I travel, the more I love being home. I think my inner Hobbit is taking over.

Started the day with homemade strawberry waffles and coffee, then got out for a little stump hike with a buddy, and now I’m researching Finnish knives and simultaneously tryng to convince thee Better Half that I need a rematch in our ongoing cribbage tournament – it’s been a good Saturday…

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Emergency Gear #20006

dwcphoto wrote: Smith, the philosophy is in the thought of who thi ks what is needed and in that the difference between needs and wants. It could either leave you feeling over burdened or cold and wet.

Personally, I like to read about the items for preparation. I’ve always been guilty of carrying too much stuff and still on occasion being wet! dwc

I agree David, and I do think that the “philosophy” behind what we carry, and why, is certainly interesting. In fact, it’s part of the reason I started this thread to begin with – to get us all to think about this topic. Where I guess this conversation lost me was in there being the suggestion of ‘philosophy” without including useful specifics that the rest of us could learn from. For example, if someone feels that my philosophy on emergency gear is different than theirs (something that shouldn’t be surprising), and that what we choose to carry reflects that philosophy, then I would love to hear the specifics of why they choose a different approach, and what they choose to carry instead.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Winter Rove #19986

dwcphoto wrote:

….How’d you get the wolves to crap finger tabs?

I’ve got ’em eating out of the palm of my hand?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Winter Rove #19047

Fair to say this will likely be my last contribution to the Winter Rove thread, as the snow is melting quickly these days, replaced by mud. But I managed to get out today for a little hike today:

Taking a break and glassing. Saw a fair number of mule deer – it’s great how much they’ve rebounded in our area in the last few years.

Wolves also continue to be active in the area:

And of course, there was a fair bit of this on the hike out:

GBP:

I was followed for quite a ways down the trail and serenaded by a gang of mountain chickadees, with their characteristic “cheeeeeese-burger” call, reminded me it was time for lunch. Or at least that what I heard them saying…

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Arrow Weight for Hunting #19015

R2 wrote:

I don’t hunt elk anymore cause they ain’t no good to eat. 🙄 :D:D I don’t have a big spoon either.:wink:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Clay Video #17824

I dare anyone to try and watch that rabbit video without getting a grin on their face.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: The Trad Knife Thread #17667

A couple of Lon Humphrey’s knives played pivotal roles in a fine meal of elk backstraps with some friends the other night…

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #16891

Welcome home, Mike!

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