[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: You dont see this every day #28634

It’s really disturbing to read an article in the paper on a topic that I know anything about. Over and over it happens, and every time I am taken aback by the lack knowledge and context shown by the writers.

Which always leads me to wonder about the majority of topics, of which I am mostly ignorant, and what stupidity is being implanted in my head.

But should we be surprised? I know when I went to college, the students majoring in “mass communications” were not exactly the cream of the crop.

And yet, there have been some great reporters. And freedom depends on a free and prosperous press.

We should all be worried that the thousands of independent papers that used to grace our land have been bought up by just a few conglomerates. True for Canada too?

Oh well, as is true with most things, reader beware!

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Lion Poacher? #28615

Thanks R2.

I expect the rest of the charges against the other folks involved will be dropped pretty soon too, except for maybe the baiting charges.

Now if only people could get so upset about the greater plight we humans put such animals in, reduced habitat, poaching, disease, crappy zoo’s.

Extinct a species, no problem. Shoot a single animal, oh the outrage.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Seats vs The Ground #27603

I second the hammock seat. I was in it last night in fact and had a tasty little four pointer nearly walk over me.

It’s easy, fast, and comfortable.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Don't Do This! #26524

Someone should invent a car roof that you can’t put things on 😀

I’ve done it with drinks and one cell phone.

Or better yet, get one of the new Tesla SUV’s. The doors open as you walk up to the car. No need to set the bow down at all…

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Archery Anatomy #24756

Since no one else has responded to this, I will quote some from Archery Anatomy. I am not sure exactly where your pain is, but here are two of the conditions / solutions explained and illustrated in the book:

1. Taking string on the pad of the finger instead of inside the last joint: “…the (finger) tips are further compressed and, unable to escape past the constriction of the string, balloon up, forming an even higher ridge for the string to climb. The string finally clears the trench by leaping to the side, and the loose is at last complete, but at a cost. There may be a tingling in the finger tips as the circulations returns to the strangled cushions, if not in the first loose, then certainly after (many shots)”

2. Uneven string pressure applied to the fingers: “Therefore, because the middle hook is so deep and the finger almost closing around the string, the loose is slowed as the finger quits the string in the order, three, one, two instead of all together. The problem may be recognized by a callus developing on the inside edge of the third finger. The cure is to develop an equal hook with the first and third fingers before the middle”

I can vouch for the fact that taking the string in the grove of the last joint is the best method. But getting even pressure on all three fingers is a challenge, at least for me.

I have found that if I take the string in the first and third finger as Axford suggests, with just a little pressure, and then rest the second finger on the string at the joint, then when I draw the bow, I am much more apt to get even pressure on all three fingers.

I have found that the potential accuracy of the shot is determined even before the bow is drawn. Your setup for the shot, and your confidence in the shot account for 90% of a good shot. The other 90% is luck (at least for me 😳 )

I am guilty of being a member of the “grip it and rip it” gang. I am attempting to discontinue my membership.

Axford also makes the general observation that a callus is the result of sliding, and if you have a callus on your finger it is because the finger is not getting out of the way at the loose, and the string is sliding along it robbing accuracy and speed.

Looking at his illustrations which show the lines of force and string / hand motion confirm his observations.

Hope this helps 😀

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Just funny. #18823

Ishi, Now there you go! I knew you fellers could come up with a better persona for such a sentiment!

Ishi is perfect.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Another Article #18818

I think I have to agree with David’s point of view, and Ralph’s quote from Larson.

To me the author seems bitter. Bitter about a lot of things, including loosing his leg. He seems most bitter about America’s relationship to Africa, which I can’t blame him for.

He also seems a bit stuck in the past. Take this quote for example: “my mother waited for my father and older brothers, armed with machetes, axes and spears, to escort her into the bush to collect firewood.” He makes this statement, not from an historical perspective, but matter of factly like this is the way it is. I thought it very interesting that the Father and Brothers, much better equipped to carry firewood, never thought past carrying their machete.

Three strapping guys with machete’s standing around while one woman gathers the firewood? Antiquated and unfortunate way of living.

While I agree that the reaction to the lion shooting may have been overblown (as we don’t really know yet if the shooter is guilty of poaching) Overall, I was not impressed with the authors point of view, or his attitude.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Just funny. #18808

I like the sentiment. Very funny and very true.

But I can’t get past the picture of John Wayne. I think it would be a better poster with someone else. While John Wayne was a horse man, he was also a Gun Man, not a bow man.

I think we can do better. Criteria?

– Generally well known, not just to traditional bowhunters.

– Known for having common sense.

– More likely to use a bow than a gun.

I’m thinking Geronimo

I am not a fountain of knowledge when it comes to celebrity. I am sure someone here can make a better suggestion…

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Elk Heart on the radio #16807

I was a little disappointed that the only arguments brought up to justify conservation were economic based.

Unless we can learn to see that all living things, game or non game, plant and animal, have a fundamental right to exist that goes beyond their economic value to us, we are lost.

I would have liked to see a different discussion about the argument that since we can raise our own food, we have no need to hunt. There was some discussion about how factory meat is produced through the suffering of factory animals, which was good to hear. But there was still an implied assumption that factory farming animals was acceptable.

On the whole, I thought it was a good discussion, given the time allowed, but I don’t think it would change anyones mind one way or the other.

Death is life, I hunt to live. I’m not sure how long I will live when I cannot hunt. Like the kaibab squirrel, if I can’t gather my own nut, I’ll die.

I wish they would have lost the other two fellows, and given Dave more time.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Archery Anatomy #16534

I started out using leaves on my target too. I like it. But the leaves don’t make themselves available in the winter.

I started using a piece of folded up paper towel. Just rip a rectangular corner off, fold it in half to make a square.

I use a wood shish kebab stick to hold it to the bale.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Lets go Moose Hunting #15380

Maybe now we know why hunting is so popular in Sweden 😯

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Practice #15376

Not only are your groups tighter, but you get your daily walk in too 8)

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: DR ED ASHBY NEW BOOK #14205

Thanks for the heads up! Sounds like an interesting book, and congrats to Ed Ashby for writing it.

Looking forward to reading it.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Lets go Moose Hunting #13137

question is, I wonder what it costs to hunt there, and can archery equipment be used.

From what I’ve read, it’s an expensive proposition and I haven’t found any pictures with guys and their bows, only guns.

Anybody been?

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #13133

Making your first bow and having it be your favorite is impressive.

My first few were lazy dogs. I should have beat them with a whip till they tucked tail and ran under the porch.

[Author]

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