[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Spectacles! #61833

I have to say my experiences are similar to Scouts. I can’t count the number of eye injuries saved by the glasses keeping limbs and such from slapping me. And wood chips in the shop, etc…

I can shoot without them, but they sure make the whole woods/hunting experience better.

My most recent pair of glasses are the hip new square type. I used to go more for the round shape, but our little ol optometrist doesn’t stock anything but the square stuff any more. But I discovered that the narrow square style is actually better.

They sit closer to my face, give me a better view, and stay out of the way of the string.

I guess what I am saying is that maybe you just need to experiment with the style of glasses you have. Also – maybe a pair without the bifocal would be good. You can call ’em your shootin’ spectacles.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Geist vrs Lee Rue III on Bergmann's rule… #60657

I think the nutritional argument is maybe a stretch. I don’t think it is reasonable to assume that the farther south you go, the less nutritious the browse is. If feed was the key, then the deer farms in Texas would be raising some humdinger big deer since they feed the hell out of them.

I put more stock in the idea that it is temperature related. You can see it in marine fish and mammals that are warm blooded. They are big.

Western moose are larger than eastern moose. I wonder how that pays into this? Is it colder in the western habitats than the eastern ones?

Maybe the key is mosquitos. I know those blood suckers work harder the farther north you go… Maybe those northern deer have to work double time to keep enough blood in ’em 😯 😀

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Rattler / Copperhead Skins #59528

I second the pine hollow suggestion. I’ve bought skins from him several times, and they have all been good.

I don’t care for tru-oil over skins. I know it’s popular, but in my opinion the result is too soft and easily damaged.

I like the rub on polly the best these days for ease and toughness. you can get it from home depot or Lowes or where ever. And a little goes a long way.

I like to put 3 coats on the skins alone. Then add another three coats to the skins and the rest of the bow.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: help gold tips #59526

I second the fletchtite suggestion. Duco won’t work with wraps.

And the spine of your arrow is maybe a bit low for your poundage. If your friends arrows flew well, the starting point would be to find out what his arrow spine is, and match it.

By adding the weight tubes, you have moved the center of mass of the arrow back toward the middle, and reduced the acceleration out of the bow. Thus the weaker spined arrows fly ok.

But you gave up speed and the advantage of FOC on arrow flight and penetration.

But that’s ok, just more fun stuff for later!

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Wisconsin deer politics #36437

It will be interesting to see how it all turns out…

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Wisconsin deer politics #35828

I did. I doubt Mr. Kroll had anything to do with that purchase, as it was probably on the books for a while. It was probably agreed to before Walker was elected. And it isn’t scheduled to be complete for 2 years. Plenty of time to back out…

I don’t really see the two things as related to each other in terms of Mr. Petersen’s initial article which seemed to imply that policy going forward would be to reduce public land. I couldn’t find anything in Mr. Kroll’s post that would contradict what was written in the original article.

But alas, I am not from Wisconsin and know little about it. Although I’ve hunted there a few times…

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Wisconsin deer politics #35218

I read it twice. All that being said, he didn’t say he supported public land or that he would object if Walker sold all the public land. Which seems to be the crutch of the issue.

And while he objected to being called a game farmer, he did say he raised deer and sold them (but only to support his research into big antlers). this runs contrary to what I understand as good stewardship, Aldo Leopold style.

I guess if I sell cocaine on the street (but only to support my research into making better drugs), that would be ok?

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: broadheads #30951

Smithhammer wrote:

Hope we’re going to see a few pics of those when they’re done.

As requested… These broadheads went through 5 deer last season 😀 Maybe they are good luck.

Picture was taken before edges were shined up.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: More on Fletching #30687

Not sure what sort of wear you are seeing, but some folks put their cock feather in and hen feathers out. In most cases, this will allow total feather clearance. During the shot the arrow will flex off the shelf, which allows the cock feather to clear.

You can also put some baby powder on your feathers to see where they are contacting the shelf. When you shoot, it should leave tell tale streaks on your riser somewhere…

I shoot 4 fletch at 90 deg. An advantage to this setup is that there is no orientation. I can have any of the 4 feathers be the inside feather. I align 2 feathers with the string. this gives me the “cock feather in” configuration. And it randomly changes each time I nock the arrow… thus making making wear even between all the feathers.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Wisconsin deer politics #29470

J.Wesbrock wrote: …(this author is a very public leader of the nearly-defunct “Recall Walker” movement)…

Last I heard, the recall was successful and Walker will be back on the Ballot this year. If he loses he will be only the second Governor in US history to be recalled. I wouldn’t call that defunct. I’d call that successful.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: ABOUT PBS #29464

Ah-oh I think I heard a request for name suggestions…

PBS – Peoples Bowhunting Society (too communist?)

LBS – Liberal Bowhunting Society (too touchy?)

IBS – International Bowhunting Society (too inclusive?)

And my favorite:

ISB – International Society of Bowhunters, which can of course be represented by another acronym, SOB. Which may be more fun.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Shooting left-age old question #27772

It never hurts to shoot a bare shaft either… Let’s you know what’s going on.

If you are hitting your arm guard, it may show that you are torquing the bow too…

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: broadheads #27766

Dave,

Yea, I think you may have misread me. As you have done, I have tested the single bevel efoc arrows and been impressed. I have used that setup exclusively for the last 3 or 4 years.

When I brought up the smaller animals like deer and squirrels, I intended to point out that the effect wouldn’t be as observable on those critters. 10 inches of penetration gets you through a carolina deer. 2 inches gets you through a squirrel. I didn’t mean to say that the single bevel efoc arrows would be less effective on smaller game.

And on the replication thing – somebody else has to replicate it. Self replication makes your hands hairy 😯 😳 🙄

I was simply trying to be factual without taking a stand…

I’m done now. I’m off to put an edge on my hunting arrows – 620 grn, 21% fOC, Abowyer Brown Bear heads, 1.5″ aluminum collar behind the head for strength. Fancy laquer cresting, and home made Carolina Turkey Feathers.

Dave, I know you don’t approve, but I’m going bear hunting next week in New Brunswick. Hopefully this won’t come between us 8)

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: broadheads #27352

I stand corrected 🙂

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: ABOUT PBS #27329

Dave – Spot on. And to whomever is listening, it’s never too late to change 🙂

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