[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Ausjim #46726

I get the feeling we only see the faintest sliver of everything our compadre down under is capable of, and so I’m not too surprised to hear this. Nonetheless, I’m damn proud of you, buddy! 😉

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Bison Gear "First Trip Explorer" Pack #45568

dfudala wrote: Great stuff SH! I’ve been dwelling on the Bison gear packs for a while now and I have my heart set on the Lost River for next year. Thanks for all the info and the solid endorsement!

If you haven’t already done so, give Angelo a ring. He’s a great guy to talk to, and is happy to talk about the various different designs. Also, the BG website is pretty basic, and doesn’t necessarily represent everything that is available, so it’s a good idea to check in with him before placing an order anyway. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the Lost River after you get it!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #45561

R2 wrote: Different kind of wildlife, not huntable but lucky for me, catchable. 😀 Or who got caught???:?

Ah, the complexities of the ‘predator/prey’ relationship…

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #45537

The dreaded “Polar Vortex” arrived like a freight train a couple days ago. Yesterday the high temp was 12F. 😯

Got out for a hike behind the house, in the first snow of the year. Lots of deer sign, but no critters sighted. Still, it was great to be out there, all alone, with fresh snow on the ground telling the story of the previous 24 hours. I love that first snow, and the tracking it allows one to do…

With my big game seasons behind me for now, and a javelina hunt still a couple months away, it’s time to go chase small game again. With pheasants and rabbits in mind, it was time to replenish the flu-flu supply:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Would you shoot a bedded animal? #45004

Getting within stickbow range of a bedded animal is still extremely difficult, imo, and I would have no problem with taking that shot if it presented itself.

Can’t say I have much interest in shooting a bedded animal from 350+ yards away, but that’s my personal decision, not a judgment of someone else’s.

I’ll stay out of the “is it fair chase or not?” speculation, since the working definition contains too much ambiguity to render judgement in cases like this, imho.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: New Elkheart #44980

Wow – congrats on the new bow, Mike! Am I reading that correctly – 52″ AMO? 😯

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: 2014 Hunting #44680

Congrats, Ben!!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Get a grip! #44475

Steve – do you have a pic with an example of the kind of thumbrest you’re talking about?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Get a grip! #44388

Thanks for reviving this thread, Patrick. I hope to see more of people’s favorite grip designs, and hear why they like them.

This is my other favorite grip – a low-wrist locator from Big Jim. In fact, I like it so much that when Jim built a new bow for me, I had him do it the same specs as the Thunderchild I already owned:

It fills the hand nicely (I’m not a fan of really narrow grips), allows for good palm contact while maintaining a loose grip, and a positiven hand location every time:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: New Family Member #44286

Patrick wrote:

Nice looking dog ya got there Smithhammer! What is he?

Thanks! He’s a German Shorthair.

Do you plan to hunt Trigger?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: New Family Member #43833

Congrats on the new addition to the family! I’ve got the hankerin’ for a new pup as well, but the Better Half has wisely advised me that two at a time is plenty. 😉

Here’s Hank the day we brought him home, at 12 weeks:

and more recently:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: CALIFORNIA DREAMING #43196

Wow – those are some seriously impressive bucks! Good story and well done, King.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Not sure what to call this thread #43192

Thanks for sharing this experience, PT, which I’m sure wasn’t easy to do. And kudos for your commitment to doing everything you could to gather more info.

Like others have said, though we do everything we can to mitigate a poor hit, things sometimes happen (though I don’t think we should ever use this as an excuse). I had a clean miss on a muley earlier this season, but it could have just as easily been a poor hit, and I can’t kid myself – it was only luck that made it turn out the way it did. I paced it off later and was surprised to find that it was a farther shot than I really should have taken, though it didn’t feel that far at the time. There was learning in that for me.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Cold Weather Gloves #43181

I recently got these gloves from John Turner at American Leathers. They come with full fingers on both hands, and you can trim them to accomodate your glove, as needed. The seams are intentionally sewn so that they won’t unravel when you cut the fingers off.

The fleece is somewhat stretchy for a nice, snug fit, and they are quite warm for their weight. They also have leather on the palms and thumb for a good grip. A darn good glove for $39!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Bison Gear "First Trip Explorer" Pack #43179

Patrick wrote: Great review!

Thanks! It’s a great pack!

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