[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: The Amish and the Traditional #19694

J.Wesbrock wrote: I didn’t make the choice to use recurves and longbows out of dislike for something else. I use them because I enjoy doing so.

Well said, J.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Temporary bow camo #19509

If it’s the same stuff I’m thinking of, it’s also known as “vet wrap.” You can order it in camo, if your vet doesn’t have it.

And I found the camo version of it in the hunting dept. of a local sporting goods store.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Practice makes perfect, Hopefully. #17982

I’d say that suggesting he increase his weight above 7.8 gpp doesn’t necessarily equate to “going heavy” – it just means getting the weight up to what most bowyers consider an acceptable minimum weight for shooting with a trad bow (typically 10 gpp), and not potentially incurring damage to the bow over time. I wouldn’t consider it a truly “heavy” arrow until he almost doubles his current weight.

And I know there’s differences of opinion about this, but my thought is that if you’re going to hunt, then target practice is hunting practice. So why not target shoot with the same weight you hunt with? Then there’s no re-adjustment period to a heavier arrow, no need to re-tune, etc. come hunting season, and you know exactly how your hunting arrows will perform inside and out.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Practice makes perfect, Hopefully. #16934

Moebow wrote:

I will suggest that with your 390 grain arrow, you are shooting at 7.8 grains per pound which is REALLY light. This may be a very large part of your noise problem. Plus many bowyers recommend not going below 8 grains per pound. You are close to that but I think heavier will be quieter.

x2!! Git that weight up! And git it up front!

And I don’t recall what kind of bow you’re shooting, but I’d highly recommend using a stringer for any bow. Especially if you’re shooting a recurve. The likelihood of damage to the bow and/or yourself is worth spending $10 on a stringer.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: The Amish and the Traditional #16896

All my knowledge of the Amish is anecdotal, but I spent a day hunting on a Hutterite colony in northern Montana a few years ago. While most of the day was spent out on the prarie, far from the colony, we did have to go spend some time with them in the morning and fill out some paperwork, etc. It was pretty fascinating. Felt like I’d walked into a another country.

Unlike the Amish, Hutterites seem to live in long dormitory buildings, kind of like factory housing, up to 200 people in one colony. It was kind of bleak, actually – nothing like the quaint Amish farms. And also unlike the Amish, they seem to have no qualms about using the latest high-tech farming equipment (and lots of it), driving around in cars, etc. But they still dress like it’s the 1800’s, which makes for an odd contrast.

At the end of the day, we were sitting drinking a beer by the horse trailer, and one of the elders drove up and bummed a beer off us. It was an eye-opening day to say the least.

Not sure if they would ever pick up a bow – they’re extreme pacifists, which is what got them “invited to leave” the US back during WWII. They refused to fight, and migrated to Canada instead.

All in all, while I respect them, I can’t say I really have anything in common with them, or would want to live that way, though I was grateful for their hospitality. But when I think about it, I reckon I’m probably more similar to them, in terms of my idiosyncratic blend of modern and traditional in my life, than to the Amish.

And cracking a beer with a guy who looked like he just stepped out of a time machine from 1870 is a memory I won’t forget. 🙂

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: "The Grey" #16251

I know the film she’s referring to – I believe it’s called “Hanna.” It’s about a girl who’s been trained by her father to be a bad@$$ assassin who can survive anywhere. It started out ok, with some fairly decent trad bowhunting footage somewhere in Scandanavia, but that was only a few minutes at the beginning and then it got more and more far-fetched as it went.

However, on similar theme (trad bows in movies, that is), I think that this will probably hold my attention longer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S_IyNBIy_E

Based on a great trilogy of books.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: A Few Pics of My New Robertson #16047

Haha, guilty as charged, in this case.

It just came this morning, and so far I’ve only shot it in the basement range, but it’s quick, quiet, and sends it where I want it. Dick pre-tunes brace height and nock point before he sends out a bow, and it was spot on. Shot perfect, right out of the box. Looking forward to getting outside with it once winter begins to wane a little. But for now, here’s an indoors ‘strung’ pic:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: "The Grey" #16044

paleoman wrote: It’s so easy to find fault or virtue wherever someone decides it is. Unless you want to be a professional critic and not enjoy anything anymore, hell, it’s just entertainment and I think most people get that.

Yeah, I would tend to agree…to a point. I like brainless entertainment as much as anyone (‘Zombieland’ is absolutely one of my favorite movies of the last few years…). But I think it’s also true that a lot of entertainment still hints at deeper cultural significance. And it’s pretty clear from his interview on NPR, etc, that the director in this case wasn’t just going for entertainment, but is apparently also trying to delve into some fairly deep issues…

Ah, hell it’s the off-season. And a Saturday. I’m all for a pint of hops and spirited, but friendly, debate!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: "The Grey" #15769

Likewise. Sorry if I came off harsh. I realize that the preview and the actual movie can be quite different things in some cases, and it sounds like that might be the case here as well.

Like others have mentioned, I just get pretty tired of simplistic, “man vs nature” themes, and the tired old demonization of predators. As fewer and fewer people spend time in wild places, such treatments become the primary impression many people have of what wilderness is, and I don’t think that’s a good thing.

Has anyone actually seen the movie yet?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Video Section #15379

Seconded. Great idea!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: "The Grey" #15039

I only saw the preview, but it looked incredibly hokey. These are “wilderness” movies for clueless people who never actually spend time in wilderness. Bread and circuses for the zombie fodder.

IMHO, of course…8)

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Quietest Fletching #15015

I’ve been using a Martin J8. Easy to use (3 or 4 fletch), easy to adjust for offset, and you can find them for <$50.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Quietest Fletching #12447

I’d say that more so than parabolic vs. shield, it’s a matter of how tall the feather’s profile is. Taller shields are definitely noisier than lower profile ones, in my experience. I’m using 4″ shields and they are as quiet as any parabolics I’ve used. I think offset is also a factor to pay attention to.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: A long look at fletching and EFOC #12402

Squirrel Master –

As the previous posts in this thread hint at, there is a bunch of information on this site about the benefits of increasing both overall arrow weight, and FOC in particular. Basically, it comes down to significant improvements in increased penetration. Spend some time looking at the excellent studies done by Dr. Ashby, and other threads in this forum, for the benefits of increasing weight/FOC.

I would agree that your set up is quite light, and your FOC minimal, particularly for a 50lb. trad bow. Compound guys often shoot much lighter arrows than most trad hunters. Increased weight = increased momentum, and momentum is good, particularly in lower speed bows (and while most compound guys only pay attention to speed, momentum is more important, with any bow, imo).

I find this link explains it quite well:

http://www.alaskabowhunting.com/Three-Darts-W13.aspx

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Longbow #10662

Check out the Kanati, and the Roberston Quick Styk.

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