[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: What ya got goin'? 2 #127744

Nice bow backing there Ralph!

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: New Backpack Quiver #127715

Thanks for the search advice, I will remember it for next time.  As for emoji’s, the one’s on my computer pretty much suck.  And I am reluctant to download others as I have read a number of articles like this one:

https://www.symmetricgroup.com/blog/can-an-emoji-smiley-face-bring-down-your-network.html

I guess you can hide malware code in the emoji.  There was a story about it on the news recently too.  It’s a way “in” to your ‘puter that the virus software folks haven’t been able to protect well.  No worries, I’ll just be more colorful in my verbiage.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Good Compass #127696

Why That looks like just the thing! Thanks Duncan.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Dream Hunts #127512

David,

Those nutty munchers, as my boy used to call them when he was a wee-one,  are super fast.  They make their living by dodging hawks and the like.  I have found that even the best aimed arrow will miss if it doesn’t get there in a hurry.

I’ve also found that, squirrels being as tough as they are, impact hits from blunts produce marginal results.  When I used carbon arrows I ended up just using a field point with a washer behind it.  Since switching to wood, I’ve just started shooting at them with my broadhead arrows.  a broadhead will put a whoopin’ on ’em 🙂  The only down side I’ve found to using  broadheads is that squirrels can bloody an arrow same as deer.  Got to clean ’em up when you get back home…

But a squirrel that you’ve hit with a broadhead ain’t going nowhere.

That’s my 2 cents.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Good Compass #127443

Thanks for the suggestions so far…  I watched the video.  I’m more of a wander aimlessly and then use the compass to get back to the trail and know which way to turn to get back to camp sort of compass user…  I’ve looked at the Silva’s but can’t get past their bigness.  A lot of reviews on it say the fluid clouds and bubbles.   I want something that fits easily in the pocket and can come out without too much hassle…

Been looking at this one :  http://www.thecompassstore.com/compro.html

They have cheaper models that do the same thing, but are not waterproof.  What good is a compass that isn’t waterproof?  The search goes on…

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Congrats to Steve Graf on publishing "The American Longbow" #127169

Your welcome!  And thanks for taking the time to read it.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: kids bow #126952

If your sister is ten, how old does that make you Eric?

Here’s another vote for PVC bows.  They can be made in a great variety of shapes and sizes for little cost.  I have found that they shoot just as well as “real” bows that cost a lot more.  Additionally, there is great satisfaction in shooting a bow that is hand made.  You can find loads of information on the internet about PVC bows.  Youtube has many many tutorials on building them yourself.

Here’s a  pictures of  a PVC bows I have made to wet your interest:

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Congrats to Steve Graf on publishing "The American Longbow" #126922

Thanks again for all the kind words!  Speaking of…

I know that reviews go a long way in helping people decide if they want to buy a product.  I know I weight them heavily.  I’d like to respectfully  ask those that read the book to leave a review (good or bad) with the online retailer from whom they bought the book.

Thanks.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Congrats to Steve Graf on publishing "The American Longbow" #126901

As mentioned, Amazon has it, as does Barnes and Noble and others online.

If you still have local book shops in your area, they can order it from their distributor as well.  Speaking of, I listened to a story on NPR yesterday about how ebook sales are declining and  local book shops have started coming back.  Nice!

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: What ya got goin'? 2 #126882

Not really.  Taking the class was more about completing all the angles, and meeting a person who is a part of archery history in this country.  Taking the class mostly confirmed what I knew were weaknesses (me with bow and arrow to start with), and was a lot of fun.

I think you mentioned that you were buying a copy of the book I wrote.  There is a chapter in the book which outlines the thought process and exercises I used to learn (still learning) the swing draw.  The big hurdle to learning the swing draw is the commitment to invest the time and the willingness to believe that it can work.  It’s greatest strength is that it is indeed a system with a simple set of rules and exercises.

IMO, the biggest setback to learning the system came from those that have been its greatest masters (including Schulz).  They universally understate how long it will take to learn and how much effort it requires.  But if you take the long view and have patience, what is a few years?

If you haven’t seen this JS video, you might find it interesting.  This is the swing draw in a nutshell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rel4Q_VT_Fo&t=32s

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: What ya got goin'? 2 #126879

One of the interesting things we talked about was what got Howard Hill started on his path to crazy good shooting.  He was always a good shot, but something happened….

John said he thought maybe it had to do with meeting the Wilhelm Brothers.  According to John, It was shortly after meeting and hunting with them that he entered his heyday.

If you haven’t watched this video, it’s pretty impressive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np8u69YfSA8

On an historical note, there is a scene where a fellow throws his hat down on the ground and the brothers shoot at it blind from behind a big bolder.  The fellow (the producer of the movie) never figured the brothers would hit the hat.  That’s why he threw his $100 hat in the dirt.  As you can see, the hat came out the worse for wear.

Note the brothers shooting style…

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Congrats to Steve Graf on publishing "The American Longbow" #126878

Thanks for the kind words!

Regarding a book review…  Mr. Don Thomas asked me to send a copy to  Dave T. already.  So we shall see.

And regarding a signed copy… I’d be happy to sign it if ever we should meet.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: What ya got goin'? 2 #126876

The only picture taken was a the end.  We’re standing in his daughter’s yard, where the course took place.

John is 85 and spry as a spring chicken.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: What ya got goin'? 2 #126847

The seminar was back in early July.  It was very interesting to spend the day with John Schulz.  John learned the swing draw from Howard Hill and has been teaching it ever since.  This year is his final year teaching, or so he says.  Last year was supposed to be the last, but enough people pestered him (like me) that he decided to go “one more year”.

What the swing draw is, is hotly debated.  In a nutshell, it’s a method of shooting that depends as much on your muscles as it does on your bones.  It requires a different mindset from that which accompanies the more static target style of shooting.  It also requires more work.  But the benefits of perusing the swing draw are many and in my case they include relief from target panic, renewed joy in the flight of the arrow, and no doubt what will happen to a deer that decides to wander near.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Traditional Hunts for Carribou #126783

The only caribou hunting I have done is in Newfoundland.   The season was closed there for many years, but I think it has since re-opened.  That was the best guided hunting trip I ever had.  Those Newfi’s are great.

On an historical note…  Before the whiteman shot them out, Caribou used to migrate all the way down here to North Carolina.  The last confirmed migration was around1705 or so.  I still go out in the dead of winter and hope to see some running through the woods.  You never know…

The arctic herd has declined more than 40% in the last 20 years.  Maybe that’s why Quebec has closed the season.  The largest herd, The George River herd, has declined from close to a million animals to less than 15,000.

[Author]

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