[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: atv riding #58809

It’s good to hear from some responsible riders out there, and as I said above, I have no problem with folks who are riding legally and responsibly in places where it is ok to do so, with an awareness for impact on others. I own a dual-sport bike and have certainly been know to explore a dirt road now and then.

Two additional thoughts:

– Responsible riders need to start doing more to reign in the “out of control” segment of their user group, or all motorized users are going to suffer the consequences. These limitations and closures often see blame shifted to “environmentalists” or “the damn federal government” or “fill in the blank,” but this is usually not truly the case. Loss of access and limitations of use lie first and foremost with irresponsible users and the impacts they create. If you are a responsible user, please get involved in educating others about responsible motorized conduct in the backcountry, whether formally or informally or both.

– I sympathize with those who are, for whatever reason, physically unable to get into the backcountry without motorized assistance. I really do. But responsible use or not, there need to continue to be places – LARGE places – where ATV’s simply are not allowed to go. Even responsible users still create impact in terms of noise and presence. I have a hard time with an ORV lobby that seeks to justify being able to go anywhere they desire, and that views any impingement to that access as an affront to their “freedoms.” Tearing up public lands, and creating more roads where they are not needed by anyone besides one user group, is not a demonstration of “freedom” in my opinion, it’s a demonstration of not caring about your impacts on anyone else.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: atv riding #55380

I’d have to second the opinions of the other Western contributors on here.

It’s astounding, and sad, to me how quickly the ATV has come to be seen as “essential” for hunting. There are literally tons of people who can’t imagine going hunting without one anymore, where only a few decades ago, they would have had to walk or go on horseback.

Whether I personally agree with ATV use in the backcountry or not, I recognize that there are lots of responsible ATV users. But far too many aren’t – they are tearing the hell out of the backcountry and feel it is their God-given right to do so, and that any attempt to limit that is a sign of “oppressive government.” This is ludicrous – the attitude that one should be able to go wherever they want in the backcountry on a motorized vehicle, and tear the hell out of our public lands, is the height of juvenile, selfish, me-first mentality.

And don’t even get me started on when I hear these folks complaining that they’re not seeing any game….

True story: A few years back there were a couple FS roads near my house that were getting torn to hell by ATV’s, and had been for years. The FS announced that they were closing those roads to non-motorized traffic. There were still tons of other access roads in this mountain range for ATVs to use, but closing off these two resulted, literally, in multiple death threats against our local FS office.

Death threats?!? Simply because the FS was slightly limiting access, as a result of years of irresponsible ATV behavior? Because these folks have become that reliant on a mode of transportation they didn’t even have just a couple decades ago?!? Pathetic.

If you feel the same way, support BHA.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: "Auf wiedersehen, baby." #50452

WIcanner wrote:
It’s amazing how so many today who do not want to or cannot do for themselves. Canning and preserving food, growing a garden, hunting, collecting the bounty of the woods, all lost arts on so many. Food to them comes in a bag, a box or is wrapped in saran.

I take heart in the fact that when the zombie apocalypse happens, these people will be be the easy fodder.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Non-chinese Wool Shirts? #48930

kennymac wrote: Hey Red-why don’t you try your local “Salvation Army” store? You will be surprised what you can find and the deals you can get!! I’ve got some of my wool sweaters/shirts for 4,5, or $6 a piece!
Check it out and good luck!
Kenny 😀

Yup. I’ve found a few nice Pendletons at thrift stores. I think the most I ever paid for one was $4.99. The nice thing is that at that price, I don’t worry about doing anything with them.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: "Auf wiedersehen, baby." #47944

SteveMcD wrote:
The compound is not a Bow. By any definition – it is a machine. And that’s a fact. It’s an arrow launcher aided by cables, cams and pulleys.

Interesting thought…

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: "Auf wiedersehen, baby." #47803

Yeah, I’m loathe to say that one is “better” than the other (though I obviously have my own bias), but they really have become two increasingly separate paths. What’s particularly interesting to me is how all of that gadgetry is leading to a very different approach to hunting. A loss of being able to shoot instinctively, a loss of stalking and ground hunting skills, an assumption that you have to be in a tree stand, and as you point out, an increasing amount of stuff that many people now just assume is “required” in order to hunt, are all being traded in favor of an easier proficiency that doesn’t require as much practice. Trad bow hunting vs. compound is really becoming two very different approaches, far more than just the differences in the choice of bow itself. I’d rather go light and simple, and not have all that stuff to carry and maintain.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Bighorn Sheep Hunt #46680

Very cool. Kill or not, I’d say it was successful.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: A view of hunting #46622

A quick survey of the names of compound bow models available at a famous outdoor chain:

Assault
Carnage
Mauler
Attack
Home Wrecker
Vendetta
Dominator
Chaos
Conquest
Extreme Tactical

You’d think these folks were preparing to go to war. This is the kind of marketing (and the same ad machine that attempts to create the “hunting celebrities” that Petersen speaks of) that helps perpetuate the adversarial, über-aggro mentality. I hesitate to call this “hunting,” at least not in the holistic sense.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: recovering animals #46517

swamprat wrote:
As to how many carry a compass in the age of the GPS. I hope everyone does, because batteries go dead and satellite reception is not always good, especially in wooded areas.

x 2. I’m amazed at how many people put their complete faith in a GPS with no other backup if something goes wrong. Plus I like going as light and simple as possible. A simple plastic hand compass and a map weighs almost nothing. Even a small GPS unit and extra batteries adds up.

Even more so, I worry about people’s ability to know how to actually use a map and compass anymore.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Bear Montana brace height? #40216

7-1/2″ to 8-1/2″

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: New bow #38628

Bunnybuster wrote:
I am figureing out shooting form has more impact on the flight than I expected. It is hard to get out of the upright compound style that I have shot for the last 20 years. Thanks for the comments.

Yup.

Try bumping up your point weight to 125 and see what happens. And if you can get your hand on some 2016 shafts, it might make for an interesting comparison. Good luck.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: New bow #38402

BB –

I’m going to venture a guess that the reason why you’re not quickly getting a ton of responses is because it’s hard to give you definite answers, without knowing the particulars of your bow and your shooting. From an online forum, at best you can expect some general guidance in the right direction, but traditional archery requires experimentation and adaptation to/of your personal style. What one person swears by, might not work for another at all, even with an identical bow, string and arrow set up.

As far as arrow particulars go, some of it is undeniably going to be just pure, objective performance, but some of it will also come down to personal preference, and what your goals are for shooting. Are you only target shooting at fixed distances, or are you training to hunt at variable distances? These sorts of things might affect your choices and what you are looking for in terms of performance. For example, there is a particular arrow that I like to shoot with (and I like it at 29-1/2″), and many people recommend a 125gr. point for it. Personally, I prefer the way it shoots with a 145gr target point, but then that changes a bit with different broadheads. You’re going to have to play around until you find the right combo that works for you.

Also, you say you shoot a 31″ arrow, but how have you arrived at that length? What’s your draw?

I know it can seem like a daunting number of variables to figure out at first. I’d say pick up some inexpensive target points in a variety of weights and try them on some different arrows and note the differences, just as a place to get started. And, as Bruc recommended, see if you can get your hands on some videos for basic shooting form (“Masters of the Barebow” is a good one for this, imo). Asbell’s book, “Instinctive Shooting” is another good resource for getting started. I hope that helps and most importantly, experiment and have fun with it!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Limb covers #37180

Check these:

http://www.3riversarchery.com/Bow+Accessories+Camo_c46_s205_p0_thumb.html

and here:

http://www.kustomkingarchery.com/Bow-Camo/products/88/

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Predators and A Hunter's Conscience #37049

I’m not going to kill something unless I’m going to eat it. Hunting just for sport isn’t something I can get with.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Ground Hunting #34994

Cottonwood wrote: That is the only way for me any longer, spot and stalk or use ground blind for cover. I travel lighter this way, and enjoy the hunt a lot more.

x 2.

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