Forum Replies Created
-
AuthorPosts
-
in reply to: My kind of bowhunting #57238
Hi Darryl:
Thanks for the kind comments. Indeed, it was good year, one that I doubt will be repeated in this lifetime. I was fortunate as I never really set out to do much more than enjoy my time afield, do some writing, and do some internal soul searching. And yes, the elk was, indeed, a real thrill … size meant nothing.
It has been hard to get back into writing the last year and half, and after dealing with deaths both with close friends and then my father, well … I decided I had to sit down and get to it. One thing I learned through all this is that we must live live fully and relish every day.
Glad you enjoyed the piece.
Teej
in reply to: Haute Couture in the Big Bend #43564Hey Scout:
Yes, I heard the same thing in re “artists” and the locals, many of them I met, laughed at the idea. Still, pretty cool and strange at the same time. It was, indeed, a strange twist to the complex history of the area. As for the javelina, I’d prefer to hunt hogs, although they were pretty non-existent this time around mainly, I believe, due the fact the riverine was not as wet as in past years in this area. Still, nice area to hunt and great people. Oh, and the excellent, albeit expensive, steak house in town … forgot the name, but damn good place!
T.J.
in reply to: Found a fresh mallard yesterday… Need advice! #54175Sorry I didn’t get to this earlier, but it has been a hectic week around here!
As with fish and big game, it is best to gut birds as soon as possible after killing as the guts not only retain heat, which hastens bacteria growth, they impart odious flavors and aromas that are not very pleasant. I always pluck my ducks, leaving all the skin on. First of all, the skin holds in moisture while cooking, and also adds tremendous flavor to the duck meat.
As for recipes, I always roast my ducks whole in the oven at 425°F for 25-30 minutes (medium rare, then let rest for about ten minutes. Like all game, overcooking ruins your meat. I used myriad rubs on my ducks, from Johnny’s Seasoning, to a spicy rub of my own, to one of celery salt, garlic, and fresh ground pepper. Rub the bird with olive oil first, then add the spices you wish and roast. Slice off breast down along the breast bone leaving the skin on, and the thighs and legs are delicious by themselves.
Makes me hungry just writing this!
in reply to: Dec/Jan issue #16441Jeremy, they went out only last week and depending on where you live it may take a few extra days. Postal service on bulk is always slow, and depending on the service center it goes through, it can take up to two weeks. Out of our control once they are shipped; however, if you have not received your copy by next Friday, call Allie via our toll free number and we’ll get you another copy pronto!
in reply to: Dec/Jan issue #16440Glad you enjoyed the issue. As Don mentioned, the RMEF has already tucked tail on this due to the heat from many sporting groups.
in reply to: backpack hunts #7949I have done a few extensive backpack hunts, one 12-days for mountain goat, and as Dave mentioned you need two types of packs. This makes the goal of getting as light as possible an intensive undertaking. Bivouac a day or two requires far less gear than an extensive hunt. This fall, I am going on a seven- to eight-day backpack hunt for elk … not the easiest hunt if success should fall my way. Basic gear includes an internal pack of around 6,000 ccs, one-man tent (mine is 3#), pad, down bag, water filter, freeze-dried food, MSR Whisperlite stove and quart fuel, wool shirt, long underwear, water bladder, cook kit, light rain gear, fleece jacket, and one set hunting clothes. In addition, I take my hunting pack, which includes camera, game bags (cheesecloth), rope, compass and maps, emergency overnight and first aid gear (drugs, sutures, gauze, scalpel, etc.), water bottle, food, 1-pound coffee can for cooking/boiling, firestarter, bow kit (string, taper tool, wax, etc), notepad and pen, knives … it all comes to under 50 pounds.
The fact is, each situation is different. On this hunt, I am sharing camp necessities with my hunting partner, so there will be no duplication. One of the most common mistakes we make is packing too much crap. I always make a thorough list, lay out all the items, rethink the area and time of year … weather concerns are important … then start cutting back on gear. Small things count, like toothpaste, lotion, fuel, clothing … every ounce here and there add up quite quickly. Finally, I pack, unpack, and repack my gear until I find the most efficient way to get it all balanced correctly.
Backpack hunting is a fine art in discipline. It takes time to get your gear right, and starting months ahead is not too early. But, like all things that take effort, the rewards … even if no game is taken … are immense.
in reply to: Glenn St Charles has left us 9/19/2010 #18362Alas! To return home from a successful hunt only to find that my longtime friend has passed on three months shy of his 99th Birthday makes for a bittersweet month.
Goodbye, my dear friend. We sure had some swell times and hunts, didn’t we?
T.J.
in reply to: IS EVERYONE READY FOR TURKEY HUNTING? #48426Heading out tomorrow to hunt Kansas with my buddy/lawyer Nathan. He has a farm out there and asked me to spend a few days hunting while he does some business on Saturday. Looking forward to my first foray since last fall.
I have been keeping a journal of all my out-of-doors experiences since about 1981. I have piles of notebooks — spiral bound, Smythe sewn hardbound (Moleskine and the likes), government notebooks, cheapie flip pads … you name it.
My journals cover the day and time, and I include sayings, thoughts on life and future articles, photo set ups and camera settings, scratchings and drawings, hunting list additions and subtractions … anything that pops into my head while hunting, fishing, wingshooting, et cetera. I spend many hours just sitting, whether in a duck blind I fashioned, on a trail, taking a break on a river, so making notes is easy and allows me to get these thoughts down on paper where I can go back and say, “Oh yeah! I forgot about that!”
Not sure what I will ever do with them all, but their are several dozen of them wrapped up in boxes and stacked on my bookshelf.
in reply to: Bug Spray Conundrum #25933My own experience is that Permanone is the best for ticks, 100% DEET is best for mossies, and a discontinued product called BF-100 that Cabela’s used to sell was the only thing that would keep black flies off.
I have tried to find BF-100, which was made by a company in Wisconsin, if I remember correctly. However, it seems it worked too good and the safety police shut down the manufacturing of it. The company still exists (chemical manufacturer and laboratory experimentation), but no more BF-100. It smelled like bananas and absolutely stopped those nasty bastards from chewing you up for many hours while hiking and sweating.
Just my opinion from many years of hunting in buggy, nasty places.
T.J.
in reply to: Hello to all–just signed up #25922Welcome Nick!
Just sent you a quick note. Glad to see you on this forum. Been gone, chasing moose (rather, trying to keep away from idiots driving ATVs illegally off designated roads and trails) and am getting caught up with work.
What’s wrong with my clothes? Twenty-five is a about right, though, as I don’t buy camo, at least not for the last twenty-five years…hmm…
Looking forward to the javie hunt.
Later,
Teej
in reply to: Oh so close – yet so far! #57234Great experience, Clay. I just got back from an elk hunt in Montana…came home with this deer. Now getting ready for that moose.
T.J.
in reply to: Missed a grouse today #40176Centaur, I’ve educated a lot of animals in my life as well! I think it goes with the job. Last fall, I was hosting some friends from Germany. I missed an easy shot at a doe because I was looking at her ears and not her vitals. Did the same with some grouse. Had a firefight in the woods with a half dozen Ruffed and they would have won if Hans hadn’t kicked two of their asses. I finally settled down and found some of my errant arrows and whacked two of them. The best shot I made all week was a 25 yard shot at a huge blue. Drilled him off a log. Surprised the hell out of me!
T.J.
in reply to: Broadhead Trade #38083Jason:
I shipped those three ACE heads out yesterday, Friday, First Class Mail so you should see them about Wednesday. Thanks for the trade.
T.J.
-
AuthorPosts
