[SteveMcD]

in reply to: Public, Private or both? #62985

I hunt both. But the public areas I hunt are usually “Bow Only” areas or wilderness areas.

[SteveMcD]

in reply to: Going to switch to 4 fletch #62979

Butts… I posted a similiar story a few months back. You will find there are many of us who love the 4 fletched arrow over 3 Fletch. Four fletch does stabilize quicker coming out of paradox. I believe (although I have nothing chrono’ed to back it up), but I believe the lower profile of 4 inch 4 fletch also reduces drag, as well. Regardless, I do see noticeable positive feedback from arrow flight with the 4 inch 4 fletched arrow. And I plan to stick with it. Good Luck to you.

[SteveMcD]

in reply to: your opinion on proper form #62620

So, Bob.. are you hitting where you are looking? What makes you think it’s all wrong. Take a look at a lot of the European Field Archers and you’ll find many anchor under the chin as well. Bottom line.. what ever is “proper” still has to work for you!

[SteveMcD]

in reply to: For those of you that hunt with wood arrows #60336

You should do well. Wondering what poundage you’re pulling?
Surewood Doug Fir Shafts are an excellent choice!

[SteveMcD]

in reply to: The "older" Bowhunter #60323

Well… almost 54 so not a spring chicken either. I hike all year round. Bring my dog with me. Dog shows no mercy with the gate of a german shepard.. it’s almost like trail running. I make sure I stay on top of any med’s I should be taking and also take vitamins every day – a good multi-vitamin, 500MG Vitamin C and 300MG Fish Oil. When climbing hills and mountains, I over use the switchback method, longer distance but better than straight up approach. I think the older we get the more susceptible we are to the elements. I always have my daypack with extra sweater, socks, rain gear, first aid kit, etc.

[SteveMcD]

in reply to: Gun Season with a Bow? #57417

Snuffornot.. I do what you do. Head for the Archery Only areas. It does not take the deer long to figure out where the guns are not. And it’s a continuation of a quality hunt. I have nothing against guns. I just prefer to bow hunt more.

[SteveMcD]

in reply to: Target Panic #56350

Greentreearcher… if you don’t know what TP is… consider yourself BLESSED. IT is a general term, with the inability to make a good shot, usually caused by some defiency or breakdown in form, further complicated and in many cases caused and made worse by the shooter’s Anxiety. My advise… if you down have it.. this is one case where ignorance really is Bliss.

[SteveMcD]

in reply to: fred bear montana bow` #56227

Beauty is always going to be in the eye of the beholder. My simple advice is. Before you buy a traditional bow, go to a traditional shoot or range where there are traditional shooters a try shooting a fews bows first.

What you think looks right. And what actually feels and shoots right for you are two different things. A testament to that are all the “Classifieds” for “Custom” bows on the internet Classifieds.

And don’t worry about a “Production” bow. Those “Grizzly’s” are production bows too. There is nothing wrong or diminishing about a production bow.

It’s not about the bow. A good shoooter can shoot most bows very well. A bad shooter can’t shoot any well.

[SteveMcD]

in reply to: Spooked from Scrape Buck #56181

Well… This past Friday & Saturday it had gotten really cold. And the bucks were running, and busy freshening scrapes. “My” buck came back, he was so intent on freshening his scrape, I don’t think he would have cared if I was standing right over it! It wasn’t the same scrape as before, this one was 40 yards away. He came in to about 30 yards, and I was ready for a shot, but he never gave me an angle or opportunity for a shot. I was happy to watch him and see him back. There is still time.

[SteveMcD]

in reply to: Target Panic #56175

I struggled with IT. For a couple of years in the past. I hate to say, “go back to the bale” but to a great extent it is true. It’s all about form and confidence. I always use a mantra – “ANCHOR – SETTLE IN – “AIM” – And FOLLOW THRU”.

To me, aiming is acknowledging the sight pictue, “picking the spot”. Anchor means teaching yourself to always acknowledge a solid anchor, Settle In – is really nothing more than settling down – and not rushing the shot, Aim -Pick The Spot, I am also aware of the sight picture, I also know if I am point on, gapping or true instinctive, Follow Thru -nothing moves until the Fletch is in the target – if I don’t do this I will have a tendency to peek over the arrow.

Also – there are two parts to practice – one is FORM and the other is ACCURACY. AND they must be practiced separately. Usually once the form is there – the bow will do the rest.

[SteveMcD]

in reply to: God's Dog… #51316

Dave… thanks for sharing your experiences and thoughts on this as well. This really goes back to the article you wrote in the Campfire Philosopher a while back regarding ethics. As hunters and sportsman and women we are all guided by are values. To me, those values are strongly influenced by our personal spiritual beliefs and psychological emotions built upon years of upbringing and experiences.

I too do not berate or feel differently about predator control, it has it’s place in the overall scheme of things. Just not with me. To paraphrase, Gene Wensel in Primal Dreams, man no longer has a need to hunt, but hunt we must…. the bottom line though is “Man has a conscience”. And a responsibility.

To everyone who commented. Great feedback. It is interesting as Traditionalists. We mostly share those some values to one extent or another.

[SteveMcD]

in reply to: Fletchers #49132

BearPaw Fletcher… very easy to use. 8)

[SteveMcD]

in reply to: Spooked from Scrape Buck #48538

Thanks, Steve.. I’m chaulking it up as something to be learned. Yes, same here. Unusually warm and wet weather. I think the “running time” is just beginning though!

Good luck, Bro!

[SteveMcD]

in reply to: What do you like best about Bowhunting? #39071

This is what I’m talkin about!

When Nature gives you a gift. You sometimes need to be wise enough to know it. Went bow hunting with my longbow and quiver of self made arrows. The only deer I saw were the two that ran in front of my SUV. What I did experience was both breath taking …and exhilirating. A beautiful Sunrise. And at 10:45 a momma black bear and her two cubs came running up a near by fieldstone fence close to where I was sitting. She and her cubs were literally less than 10 yards away. Having as clean as possible scent free clothes, scent killer sprayed, and face mask. They never knew I was there. Momma was beautiful her coat was so full and jet black it was almost Blue! Cubs are cubs funny and cute. This could have been an extremely dangerous situation. I thought, should I stand up, shout at her, wave my hands. At this close range, her reaction could have been fatal (for me). I took a chance and thought, bears are naturally timid, any second she is going to suspect my presence, and take her cubs off in another direction. And that is what she did. These are the moments memories are made of. The ability to get that close to a wild animal, is a memory to keep forever.

Another funnier experience today, walking down the county road. Here comes the Game Warden in his SUV he stops in the middle of the road and jumps out… and states in amazement he’s never encountered anyone hunting with a longbow before! He says heck, there ain’t nothing more sporting than this, I don’t even need to check your license! 😆

We talked a bit. I told him about the bears. It was a rewarding day.

[SteveMcD]

in reply to: Anyone ever break their bow hand? #37529

I have arthritis in both hands. It’s so bad you can see the bone spars. I just take a couple of Aleve and ignore it.

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