[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: ETAR #33050

Glad you had a great time, Mike! But really, how could you not?!?

Ron is a quality guy – he used to be more active on here. We need to encourage him to drop in a little more often. His sharpener is still the most consistent and quickest method I’ve used for for an perfect edge on broadheads and beveled knives.

I’d love to hear more about Joel’s techniques for shot control, if/when you have a chance to share some info.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Let's See Your Fletching #32994

Whipped up some 3″ x 4 parabolics and played around with them today. They fly great, and they sure are quiet!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Keeping it fun! #32990

colmike wrote: R2

Wonder what she uses for an anchor point…

I was wondering the same thing, but not sure if I should ask. 8)

My only critique of her form is that she has a bit of a high knee – not in line with the arrow…

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #32687

Yup. Apparently they’d been trying to coax him into a culvert trap (like this) for some time, and he just wouldn’t do it, so they had to set a foot snare. I don’t think the boar was terribly happy about it. He’s fine now, and out roaming the mountains again, with a snazz new collar.

It’s always a bit of a sobering thought, whenever I see pics like this, that I could run into one of those when I’m out bowhunting, and doing everything exectly the opposite of what is recommended in grizz country…

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #32671

My next door neighbor is an Idaho Fish & Game officer. They were trapping a grizz yesterday to put a radio collar on it. It’s a 500lb boar. This is what the grizz did to a tree before they got there:

😯

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Champion among us #32662

Congrats, Jason – well done! Sounds like it was a good time as well.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Early Elk Seasons #31663

Same here – I got out for a hike this morning, and at 7am I had to keep moving at a pretty brisk pace to keep warm for the first hour or so. Love it.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Bright Fletching/Wraps and Hunting #31033

I usually either go with yellow or orange. Both are visible in flight, yet don’t look too out of place in the fall woods.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: We may be experiencing some turbulence… #30794

Another breezy afternoon, though the wind was more gusty and less consistent. I figured it was a good time to up the ante and play a little tic-tac-toe. Same setup and same distance as before:

http://youtu.be/wZUz4Mvbj8Q

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Crossfit and hunting? #30603

I’m usually horrible when it comes to much of a disciplined workout schedule, but for the past couple years, I’ve been forcing myself to work out at least 3-4 times/week with a set of resistance bands and an ab wheel. The whole workout takes <20 minutes, and I've noticed a big difference in upper body strength.

There was also a recent article in TBM that talked about using bands for specific shoulder/rotator cuff strengthening, and I’ve incorporated those into my routine.

Other than that I just try to get out and hike a lot and, as others have said, cut out a lot of the carbs and sugars (but good beer in non-negotiable 8)).

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: We may be experiencing some turbulence… #30444

grumpy wrote: THANK YOU!!! I’ve been trying to figure out why I have occasional “butt wiggle” after reading this thread…

Quote-worthy.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Early Elk Seasons #29492

wahoo wrote:

One cool thing about archery which I don’t believe was mentioned is grouse season and I love hunting chickens with my bow

Good point. That’s generally the only meat I bring home anyway…8)

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #28639

That’s a great lookin’ bow! Myrtle limbs? What’s the length?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Early Elk Seasons #28600

Archery seasons in Idaho for deer, bear and elk start at the end of Aug. Deer/elk archery go through the end of Sept (and then general seasons open after that) and bear season goes until the end of Oct. (any weapon).

To be honest, I don’t spend much time in Sept. specifically chasing deer (though I’ll certainly take one if it walks by) – my focus is on elk, and increasingly, bear. And yeah, it can be warm here in Sept, even at high altitude, but as soon as the nights start to cool off, the elk will start rutting, and then it’s ‘game on.’

Another upsiade to bowhunting in Sept. is that animals are usually never going to be far from a water source.

Then again, we can get a week in Sept. that looks like this (as we did last year):

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #28391

Woke up way too early this morning, and with 5 weeks to go till the elk/deer/bear opener here in Idaho, I decided I better tick some places off the list that I’ve been wanting to scout (and start getting back in shape for daily hill climbing…).

Heading up the hill at first light:

Spent some time sitting and glassing at the top of the ridge in the pic below, but even though it was early in the morning, I didn’t see much. Still, not a bad view… 8)

Came across several patches of wild mint along the way:

Obligatory bow shot:

And then from the top of the ridge I ducked into the forest in a place I hadn’t explored before. Lots of good, ‘elk-ey’ looking timber, above a known water source:

And some nice little meadows mixed in with the thicker cover here and there:

Not much fresh sign, unfortunately. But I’ve hunted the next ridge over many times, and watched plenty of bulls and bears head up this ridge. I think it’s just a little too hot right now, and most of the animals are hanging at higher altitudes (I was at about 7200′ ft.).

Still, it was great to add more info to the mental map, and I’ll definitely be spending some time up on this ridge come fall. Of course, I brought some stumping arrows along, and had a great time on the hike back out lettin ’em fly.

All in all, not a bad mornin’…

[Author]

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