[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Recurve or Longbow… #9993

Alex –

I’d highly recommend seeking out an opportunity/s to try as many different bows as you can. Are there any trad gatherings happening near you this summer? Also, some bowyers allow you to ‘try before you buy.’ All the chat board advice in the world (while high quality and useful) is no substitute for shooting a bunch of different bows and seeing if there is one style or anther that you might naturally gravitate toward. More than just recurve vs. longbow, and poundage, there are many other variables to consider – grip style? length? weight? Sometimes you just pick up a particular bow and it feels right in the hand and puts an arrow right where you want, and that’s a highly personal thing.

But as others have mentioned, today’s short, fast hybrid longbows address many, if not all, of the concerns you seem to have about them. I have a 56″ 53# Kanati that is very light, maneuverable, quick, and will throw a heavy arrow just as well as my #57 recurve. And many hybrids are available with recurve-type grips as well, if that’s what you prefer.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Is camo necessary? #9985

“Necessary?” No.

Helpful? Yes, in my opinion, if it’s the right pattern. But if you’re going to buy some camo, don’t bother with the cheap and popular, picture-perfect “blend-in” type patterns. Invest in good high-contrast break-up patterns like ASAT, Predator, VIAS.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Steel Force Traditional Heads? #8248

Unfortunately, no – had to work all weekend, and it’s been blowing 40mph. here for the last two days. But hopefully one evening this week. Stay tuned….

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Steel Force Traditional Heads? #61975

Received some 225’s a few days ago. Haven’t had a chance to shoot them yet, but they seem to be exactly what I’ve been looking for. Like other Steel Force heads I’ve used, they are solidly made and wicked sharp out of the box. They really look like they’d be devastating on impact. Will hopefully get a chance to shoot them this weekend for flight and penetration testing and learn more.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Flowers and other blooming' things #58435

Scout – the BRKTs are “semi-custom” so they are only made in small quantities, and certain variations, depending on the model. A few dealers will do pre-orders if there is a certain configuration you’re looking for. All are handmade, and hand-ground, in MI. They are all convex ground, and the most impressive working knives I’ve ever used.

Two dealers that tend to have the best selection are here and here.

And yes, that’s sheep horn w/red liners on the Loveless. Here is a Canadian Special and Little Caper, both impala horn with red liners:

and my favorite little EDC, the Mini-Canadian:

And if you’re not familiar with sharpening convex blades (or even if you are), these videos are great:

http://www.knivesshipfree.com/pages.php?pID=4&CDpath=0

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Flowers and other blooming' things #57866

And a few more from the latest scouting trip:

They’re out there somewhere…

Some very fresh wolf sign:

And lots of fresh elk tracks around this pond:

A Blue grouse in full strut on the way back to the truck:

New BRKT Loveless Classic Drop Point, instantly my new favorite blade:

Best public backyard a bowhuntin’ nature freak could hope for!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Nugent, redux #56613

Well said, DWC & Jody.

I’d much rather see people like Steve Rinella, who spoke at the recent BHA Rendezvous, being advocates for our sport. But unfortunately, calm, rational people like Steve rarely grab the headlines the way attention-starved wing nuts like Nugent do.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Nugent, redux #54735

I believe Pat’s essay originally appeared in High Country News this spring. He hits the nail on the head, as far as I’m concerned.

Nugent is an egocentric, attention-starved, has-been rock star (three descriptors that all too often seem to go together). Unfortunately, he has turned this into something that some have mistaken for some sort of passionate “grassroots advocacy.” But when you peel away the abundant effluent, it becomes pretty evident you’re still just dealing with the above description. Or worse.

He has been busted poaching numerous times (11 charges in 2010 alone…). He advocates against sane and reasonable game management laws (and even seasons). He is not a hunter, in my opinion, he is an advocate for self-absorbed stupidity and nothing more.

And ultimately, Pat’s final sentence resonates:

“…will the NRA leadership continue to support a twice-convicted game-law violator who openly threatens the president of the United States?”

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: A little scouting. #54426

Wow! Nice work. That looks like pretty tough cover to “scout” in.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: My first kill with a bow #52306

Hey, grizzly hunters may get all the chicks and glory, but anyone who has seen the “Holy Grail” knows that rabbits are not to be taken lightly…

Congrats!!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Big Stumpin' #49760

DWC –

Even if you’re not noticing a difference on impact between lighter arrows and heavier ones, there definitely is a difference. It’s a large part of the advantage of EFOC setups – increased impact/penetration as a result of increased forward weight.

Which is also why you might run into occasional durability issues with heavier stumping setups as well. With a 300 gr. head and 24% FOC, I try to pick my stumps carefully when shooting at closer distances.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Big Stumpin' #49679

I agree that Judos offer some shock absorption, but I think that’s probably going to be an issue with any heavy head (200-300+ gr.) when it comes to an abrupt stop by striking a solid object. Carbon collars help.

I use a thin slice of surgical tubing (or a small rubber “O” ring) that slides onto the shaft of my point/head, and sits in between the head and the insert when the head is tightened down. This offers some shock absorption, and with broad heads, it also allows you to tune the orientation a bit without danger of the head being loose.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Big Stumpin' #49656

Check out the VPA Thumpers. You can get them all the way up to 250gr. They’re solid.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: NY porkers make the news #47859

Wexbow wrote: …Now if only they’d allow bowhunting for them as part of the solution 😕

Wex – Out of curiosity, and being completely ignorant of hunting regs in Ireland, can you explain why it isn’t allowed?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Flowers and other blooming' things #43258

Got back up there today. Several days of heavy rain and snow had wiped the slate clean, and I wanted to see what kind of new sign there might be.

Lots of arrowleaf starting to bloom since I was last here:

And other stuff…

One of my favorite native trees, Rocky Mountain juniper:

When I hit the meadow pictured in my previous post, very fresh elk sign was everywhere, and the whole meadow still reeked of elk:

Seems like Mother Nature is doing her best to block old ORV trails as well:

One of my favorite spots in this area. Of course, there was plenty of elk sign around here too:

This harrier has been coming out to greet me at a certain spot on the trail this spring. It’s never been the least bit aggressive at all, as though it were guarding a nest; just comes by and swoops over my head a few times and hovers and looks at me. One of my favorite birds:

I love knowing a place intimately, not just during hunting season, but year-round. It makes the all too short window of searching for wapiti with a bow that much richer.

[Author]

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