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This is probably obvious, but footwear can make a huge difference. Go with something that has a soft and flexible sole, not the usual heavy, stiff boots that most people have convinced themselves they need for hunting.
And then work on technique. If you can find a copy of Tom Brown’s “Field Guide to Nature Observation and Tracking” he has a good chapter in there about foot technique and moving silently. I learned a lot from practicing the tips in that book. Learn to not walk like a modern day human, but like a cat, or a fox. Learn how to “feel” what is ahead of you with your feet, before you transfer your weight. Cultivate a continual awareness of what is in front of you and in your path as you move, without having to always look down – it can be done.
Practice moving silently whenever you go for a hike, all year-round. Pick out different ground types, and strategize how you will move across that particular piece of ground as quietly as possible. As I have learned to become more aware of my movement and foot technique, I am continually amazed at how much noise most people make when they are hiking in the woods. And how much game is spooked by noisy hikers and hunters.
Next time you are in the woods, spend a whole 10 minutes moving 100 feet. Then, double the amount of time and do it again.
And accept that stalking may not always be the best approach, given terrain and conditions. Sometimes, particularly early season when things can be very dry and noisy, you may be better off setting up and staying still and hoping the game will come to you.
in reply to: Please introduce yourselves, I'll start #62728[quote=David Petersen]Alex is the most joyful hunter I’ve ever partnered up with — like a child in the purity of his appreciation of every moment of the experience. /quote]
And really, isn’t this what it should be, and what what we should be striving for? I get a little tired of all the grim-faced seriousness that so frequently gets betrayed, particularly in the hunting media.
And Dave, that is one of the more interesting quotes I’ve seen in a while. Had no idea that Burroughs was a trad enthusiast.
in reply to: ''The Hammer '' small game blunt #62723The Hammer is a good small game/stumping head. Pretty similar to the VPA Thumper. And both come in heavier weights for those of us who run higher FOC setups and want to keep our point weights consistent. I’m not a huge fan of Judos, personally.
in reply to: Idaho Pictures #61885Etter –
I think you need to move to Idaho.
in reply to: Mental Clutter and Stump Shooting #61387David Petersen wrote: For me stumping is a rite of spring, not due to arrive here for several more weeks.
Man, I wish it was only several weeks away for us up here! I’m itching to get out of the basement and “stretch out” with some longer shooting distances.
The “mental clutter” issue is an interesting one. There are certainly times when I know I’m not focused, and it shows in my accuracy. And no matter how long I continue to shoot, it doesn’t get better. That’s when I just have to laugh it off and go pour a pint of something hoppy.
But, then there are other times when my brain is full of distractions and shooting my bow strips it all away and puts my brain in a good place. I call it “bow therapy.” 8)
Upland hunting (and chasing a hell-bent German Shorthair across the landscape)
Fly fishing as much as I can (till hunting season starts…)
Target shooting (clays, pistols, etc)
A little xc-skiing and mtn. biking here and there, but really, more and more I just prefer to disappear into the woods and slow down, take my time and bum about. It drives my wife, who is quite physically active, absolutely crazy!
I also realize I’ve become a bit of a knife collector without ever really intending to be. 😉
in reply to: Please post Kzoo pics here! #56318Good to have you back, Patrick!
in reply to: Washington/Idaho trad shoots #54646*BUMP*
Just wanted to let folks know that the full schedule for the BHA Rendezvous, 3/22-/24 in Boise, is now availlable:
This year’s event will again feature a variety of how-to seminars on backcountry hunting and fishing; lively discussion with fellow outdoor enthusiasts; auctions and raffles; and great food and drink.
Hope to see you there!!
in reply to: Off Season #54632T Downing wrote: I train year round. I am a firm believer that what you do in Febuary & March, will make the difference come September….
Same here. I shoot at least 2-3 times a week, year-round. Same poundage, same arrows.
in reply to: Heavy Arrows #54118Penntradarcher wrote: You guys that are shooting the arrows of 600 grains and more, are you using wood, carbon or aluminum? Alex, I see that you referenced carbon arrows. How do get them that heavy, i.e. 600 grains and over?
I’m shooting GT Trad 5575, w/ a 100gr. insert, 225gr. head and 10 gr. washer, for a total arrow weight of 630gr. and 23.6% FOC.
Carbon is definitely the easiest way to achieve higher weights and EFOC, but it can be achieved with wood as well, just not as easily.
in reply to: 1st time Colorado Elk hunting! #52481skifrk wrote: One thing I did not see mentioned was the importance of hydration. While you got a lot of great tips so far i would throw in make sure to take water with you and a way to filer water while there so you drink enough.
Good tip, and an often overlooked one. Start hydrating a couple days before your hunt. Hydration also helps significantly with adjustment to altitude.
in reply to: Fletching Tool? #51983I really enjoy the process of fletching arrows. Very meditative, and not something I’ve ever needed (or wanted) to do in a hurry.
I use a Martin J-8 (which I think is basically the same as the Bohning under a different name). It works great, easily adjusts offset and 3 to 4 fletch. Never found a need to replace it or to spend more.
in reply to: long shots #51384In my opinion, it is far too easy to excuse all sorts of questionable behavior with the argument that “we hunters need to stick together.” This can, and sometimes does, border on dangerous group-think. Without a doubt, we are stronger as a larger user-group than as smaller, fractured voices. No question about it. But all too often I see conversations like this get squelched by the notion that we should never be questioning or criticizing within our own ranks. I whole-heartedly disagree.
We, as ethical hunters, should most definitely should be questioning the ethics and tactics that all hunters use, provided it doesn’t come across as mere divisive ranting, but instead as constructive questioning of whether or not we are holding ourselves – all of us, regardless of what we hunt with – to exemplary standards.
It is also important to realize that “ethics” are not entirely individual, or purely subjective. Individual ethics are merely one level. There are also group/societal levels of ethics that most of us agree on as well. There are all sorts of examples of this – the accepted notion within our society that hunting with poisoned broadheads is not ethical, is but one. I’m merely bringing this up because I frequently hear that “ethics are a personal thing,” and this is clearly not entirely true.
In addition, I believe that, in the public’s eyes, we are seen to positively model a higher level of responsibility and self-monitoring when we make it clear that we truly are concerned about ethics, about fair chase, and about preserving the traditional values of hunting.
It is undeniably true that we are much stronger together. But ‘strength in numbers’ should never be used as a tactic for excusing behavior that does not respect the animal, that seeks to remove traditional challenges with excessive technology, and/or that places the shooting above the hunting. After all, the shooting range is the place for those more focused on the former than the latter.
And it is vital that we, as traditional bowhunters, turn that same questioning spotlight on ourselves equally. I believe that as a sub-user group, we actually do a pretty good job of this comparatively. And that we can look at the practices of the past, and generally agree that we do not want to go back to 100 yard, “Hail Mary” shots on wounded game that subsequently disappears over the hillside. This is positive progress, imo – and it came from questioning ourselves, our motives and fair-chase inspired, self-imposed limitations.
in reply to: long shots #50709“One of the good things about Long Range Hunting is we can move into these areas without the animals even knowing we are here. We can pinpoint them from a long ways away, get setup and take the shot. The 1,029-yard shot was a relaxed shot for me and a relaxed shot for the animal. He wasn’t all wound up.”
Bull. If one is hunting effectively – staying downwind, concealed, etc. then the animal is no more “distressed” @ 150 yards than it is at 1000 (or 20 yards, for that matter).
That silly argument is just what an absurdly long-range “hunter” tells himself to try and rationalize it.
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