Doc
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Posts posted by Doc
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I can sit and watch almost any hunting show, but when it comes to those Texas box-blind shows, I turn them off immediately. They can do whatever they want to do, but I don't have to watch it. It kind of reminds me of some kind of slaughterhouse technique. I'm not sure I can even classify it as "hunting". It is definitely shooting and not a whole lot more. I guess I don't have much of a problem with the style of blind, but that semi domesticated herd of deer that they have baited in and milling around the like cattle, really doesn't remind me much of any kind of hunting that I want to be associated with.
Doc
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Is anybody else noticing a huge increase in road-killed deer this year. I realize that the road-kill goes up around fawning season, but even considering that, it seems that the over all numbers of dead deer along the highway are way up from any year I have seen previously. We just might be looking at a bumper crop of deer this year.
Doc
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Let 'er rip ......... no bottle for me. Frankly I have not had a time where I even suspected that a deer was spooked by it. I have seen this argued back and forth on forums and, there are as many opinions one way as the other.
I have read articles that claim that chemically there is no difference between human urine and deer urine. Also, I have heard of people "freshening up a scrape" with their own urine and having bucks come in and start tearing the scrape up.
The other side of the coin is that if you consider just how sensitive a deer's nose is, how could they not know the difference? These are animals that can tell the breeding readiness of a doe simply by smelling the urine. They even identify each other with the urine smell. That is why the argument goes on forever and ever in forums. Good points to each side of the discussion.
I am just too lazy to carry an empty bottle in and the full bottle out, and run the risk of it all coming apart in my pack .....lol. Plus I would never remember it anyway.
Doc
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Be careful on how well you fix this problem. Bow manufacturers have worked diligently over the years to make the bow grips as skinny as possible. The reason? ........ to help eliminate hand torque on the bow. While there are no absolutes when it comes to bow shooting, most of what I have read on proper hand grip discourages actually "gripping" the handle. The bow grip should actually be just a "cradleing" rather than an actual grip. That's what they recommend anyway. Of course we all know that all the proper text-book recommendations don't always work for everybody.
There are many materials that could be used to increase the grip size. Several layers of some sort of camoflage tape is the first thing that comes to mind. I have also seen people playing with auto body filler to customize their bow grip area.
Doc
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On versus, david morris took a kid or a young woman on a "hunt". After the shot he says something to the effect of " you put that bullet right where I said to". Like it was a job well done, but only because it was exactly what he said to do. It annoyed me. 1) is he taking people out who don't know where to place the shot? 2) if not, why the need to tell them where to put it and take partial credit? It was on their "ranch". On another episode they took a helicopter out the day before with one of their daughters to pick out a buck they would take the next day. IMHO, that is not hunting.
I agree. That isn't really hunting at all. But I guess it apparently doesn't matter to some "hunters".
Doc
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I checked the outdoor channel's website for the show lineup, I couldn't find it. After googling around I found this - > http://www.themanagementadvantage.com/
Yeah, I think that was the name of the show. As I recall from past shows they cover all kinds of game and land management, not just deer. Next time I see it, I will jot down the particulars.
Doc
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Ok guys. Send your letters, bad-mouth the NYB, and do whatever it is that you are trying to do to the sport of bowhunting. It really doesn't matter. Neither one of you has the convictions to put your money where your mouth is. You are both outside the only organizations that could make a difference with no real dedication to your cause, so your credibility and dedication are suffering badly and your impact one way or the other is severely compromised. That's actually a good thing. It's been a fun discussion, but from my perspective, it is obviously a total waste of time.
Doc
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And you worry about the NYB bending the truth a bit ..... lol. Oh that's right it must be true ... it's in the paper ....right? Tell me, what is the membership of the NYS Crossbow Assn.? Lots of luck finding that number. Good luck even finding their web-site. Yes, honest, there really is one ........ Haven't you joined yet?
So when people say this whole thing is a x-bow manufacturer's campaign here in NY, I think they are probably right. It's certainly not a grass-roots activity from hunters.
Doc
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Kind of surprised this section has not seen more activity. Figured there would be more hunters with ATV's out there. Whether they use them exclusively for hunting for for both hunting and recreation.
So I ask, what kind of ATV to you have? Do you trail ride?
Yamaha Kodiak ........ no longer trail ride since a CO told me I couldn't ride across state land a bunch of years ago (Nice of him to simply issue a warning). So now I just use it to plow snow off my 1000' driveway, and to get me up and down our "killer hill" behind the house. I generally drive up and park just under the rim of the hill and then I still have enough poop left to start walking.
I'm not really an ATV enthusiast. I have one strictly as an implement to do work and as a conveyance up and down the hill. As often as I actually use it, the thing will last forever.
Doc
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Yeah screw registering if you ride on your own prop, no point.
And nice ride! the 750 is a beast eh?! I think there is legal riding state land for ATV's if I am not mistaken.
Most state land is off-limits to motorized vehicles. Don't make any assumptions relative to this and always check before you ride. I'm not sure what the penalty is for riding an ATV on legally restricted state land, but I'll bet it can get pretty nasty, especially if a CO can find one little piece of evidence of ground damage. I wouldn't risk it. With my luck, they would be just looking for someone to make an example of ...... Ha-ha.
I'm not sure about the registration laws if the vehicle stays on your own property. I have not read the law relative to that.
Doc
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I love venison liver! However, isn't there some warnings about eating animal organs (liver, kidneys, heart etc.) ...... cholesterol concerns I believe.
It doesn't stop me. I kind of doubt that eating one or 2 deer livers per year is going to clog up my arteries too much ..... lol.
Doc
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Actually there's not a whole lot of difference between that and some of the bowhunters here who side with the antihunters in trying to discourage bowhunter organizations.
But anyway, just keep in mind that your post kind of reminds the crossbow opposition to start writing too. I just thought I would remind you of that fact. Just to make you feel a bit better about it all, I really didn't need your reminder. My letters have been out there for a while.
But anyway, I'm sure that your fellow members in the NYS Crossbow Assn are all writing their letters too aren't they? What's that ....... you aren't a member? ...... lol. What do you mean you can't find any members of that organization.
Doc
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There was a management show on this morning (on outdoor channel). I think it's a regular. But don't ask me the name of it ..... I've got a real good memory but it's a little short.
How about they spend a bit more time on scouting. You know there are a lot of newcomers who maybe could use some fundamentals. Also there's a lot of us old-timers that could use a few reminders of the fundamentals too even though we don't want to admit it.
Some day it would be nice if somebody spent their half hour on TV going over some of the finer points of tracking (both wounded and unwounded) critters. I'm just thinking that not everything has to be the same old tired stuff of hunter sits in stand ...... deer shows up ....... hunter shoots deer ........ hand-shakes and back slapping all around. That was nice the first 600 times I saw it, but after a while it become pretty predictiable and boring. What's wrong with a bit of real basic instruction. I havent seen any of that since the Wentzels put out their video "Bowhunting October Whitetails" or whatever the name of it was. That was back in the 70's or real early 80's I believe, and I don't think there has been another one like it since.
Also, not everything has to be about whitetails. I would like to see more wilderness hunts that show a bit about camp life and show more of some of that northwest scenery that I and a bunch of others are unlikely to ever be able to experience. I really love some of those western moose, sheep, g-bear and goat hunts. I realize these aren't cheap hunts to video for profit, but a few more of these here and there would break up some of the monotony.
Yes, there is a whole lot more these guys could do with their hunting shows that would vary things up a bit and remove some of that boredom that creeps in every so often with the constant repetition of existing hunting storylines and content. A little creativity in programing wouldn't exactly hurt any, would it?
Doc
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I wouldn't have any problems with limiting hunters to one antlered deer per year. That would do a few things.
Most hunters would try to make sure that that their one buck was as good a one as they figured they could get. That would become a defacto voluntary AR where hunters would be motivated to pass on some bucks in hopes of getting a larger one.
It's a limit that could be put on any area regardless of deer density, without causing anyone any real hardship. Also it might eliminate some of massive buck slaughters that occur with some of the larger and more effective drives.
It would also help in sharing a resource that is smaller than the number of hunters and would actually amount to more hunters having a possibility of succeeding at harvesting a buck without actually increasing the buck take. That sounds like a winner for just about everyone.
Such a limit would also improve the doe take. Without the option of shooting more than one buck hunters would be more likely to fill antlerless permits. That may not make all hunters in all areas happy, but would help the DEC with their management goals.
Frankly I think the idea has more positives than negatives.
Doc
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I think with my prior experience of having shot my Brother-in-law's .243, and the comments of the majority of people on this forum and a couple of others, I have decided that the .243 is what I will be buying. Of course the other thing that will require a decision is what scope to top it off with. That's another tough one because quality costs. It's going to be another trade-off kind of decision.
Now all I need is some reassurance that the state legislature and the Governor are actually going to pass the rifle bill for Southern Ontario County. This will be the third time that it has been attempted, so it's not a done-deal until the Governor finally signs it. It's been quite some time with no word on any progress. At some point I may have to take a gamble and buy the gun anyway, but I have to admit that unless we can legally use it locally, the gun would probably not be used all that much, so I'm not exactly rushing just yet.
Doc
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So it looks like most are into bowhunting because of the challenges of mastering the weapon, the challenges of hunting skills due to the required close range, and the feeling of achievement and satisfaction with bowhunting success because it is recognized as not really being all that easy to do. Oh and possibly the quality of the hunt without the carnival atmosphere and a limited amount of people flooding the woods.
I think I agree with all that and hope that the future of bowhunting always contains those elements that make the activity unique and distinct from all other forms of hunting so that future generations can enjoy the same things about bowhunting that we do.
Doc
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Over the years, I have used a lot of different broadheads. Back in the 60's and 70's, the broadhead of choice was the Bear Razorheads. And I have used those same old heads as recently as 2003. I also used Barries Rocky Mountain Razors (Both three and four blade) during the 80's. More recently, I have used Spitfire 125's, and the last couple of years I have been using the Magnus Stingers. Over a period greater than 40 years, I have not really been too much on changing broadheads as you can see. I have never lost a deer because of a broadhead, regardless of which of any of those I was using. I have often had flight challenges from some of them that took a bit of work to straighten out, but most of the upgrades only occurred after many years and a thought that maybe I was getting behind the curve in terms of broadhead advances. As it turned out, that was never significantly proven to be the case. So, I will probably finish out my years shooting these Stingers.
Doc
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We have a thread here about our favorite shows, but it is always fun to see just what it is about some of these shows that tend to make you shake your head in disbelief or disgust or just plain confusion. I was reminded of this a couple of hours ago when I saw yet another bowhunting program where about 2/3 or more of the arrow failed to penetrate the deer. What is with these programs where I am seeing some absolutely horrible penetration. More times than I can actually remember, I have seen video of the deer running away with almost all of the arrow flopping around from the entrance side of the deer. But you would never guess that it was horrible penetration from the reaction of the hunter who is just laughing all over themselves with excitement of the shot. Oh yes, and everytime the deer is found almost immediately deader than a stone.
Let me tell you how this would go if it were me. If I hit a deer like that, I would have a heavy blood trail for the first 100 yards and then it would dribble out to a drop here and there with me down on my hands and knees searching out the next drop 50 yards away. I would spend the rest of the day following this almost impossible blood-trail until finally I would be reduced to walking ever increasing concentric circles and finally losing daylight.
If I saw 2/3 of the arrow flopping around as the deer ran away, I would not be laughing and celebrating. I would be swearing up a blue streak and understanding just what a crappy tracking job I had in store for me. At least I would be understanding that I had better be awful lucky that day and the time for celebration was probably a bit premature.
I think that on hits such as this they used to cut that part of the video out. But now I see it all the time. It really makes me wonder what kind of broadheads they are using, or what kinds of bad shot selections they are making to have so many of these shallow penetration cases lately. I don't expect that every hit will be a pass-through. That would be nice but not always realistic. But some of these are doing well if they actually make it to the vitals. Whats up with that?
So anyway that's my one gripe for today about TV hunting videos. Yes I have a bunch more, but this one is a start. However, I am curious as to how some of the various things that happen on TV shows hit the rest of you. So what kinds of things have you seen on hunting videos that make you wonder a bit, or maybe just plain irritate you?
Doc
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Well, of course my letters may not say exactly what you would want them to. But thanks for the reminder anyway ...... lol.
Doc
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In general, I pretty much agree with what you are saying (at least in principal), but I will say that it is not a big issue either way with me as long as the implementation of AR is tied to some determination that the deer population is sufficient that the imposition of AR does not pose a level of frustration that will drive out more hunters. If you have an area that is issuing few or no antlerless permits, then that to me is a sign that the herd is in such a shape that you should not be further restricting buck takes. I don't think we want to be in the position of making harvest potential equal to zero with out excitement to strap restrictions onto everyone's hunting.
AR will not change the way I hunt or the standards that I long ago established for my own hunting. I hunt in an area where deer populations are high enough so I can be a bit chosey if I want. That does not mean that I want to get into the business of all hunters or that I want to impose those standards on hunters where conditions may not be so good.
Doc
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I don't think I ever heard any resolution, but I believe the generally accepted verdict is that it all depends on the mood of the CO that writes the ticket, or the mood of the judge that you appear in front of.
Doc
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No, I didn't have any luck either. I seldom do. Any sheds that I have found over the years were strictly by accident. I was wandering around the hills in the late winter and early spring, but ...... no luck.
Doc
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The Big Moose Hunt Monster
I told this story on the old Empire Forum, but we have a lot of new members, so I thought I would post it again.
Back in the mid-80's, three other guys from work and myself decided to go on a do-it-yourself moose hunt in Ontario Canada. We took an entire year to plan the thing, and we we were determined not to forget a thing. We grabbed onto everything moose hunting related in magazines and studied topo maps and freeze dried food, and glommed onto just about any scrap of information we could find over that entire year of preparation.
The trip took us to an outfitter (required by law) who supplied us with tags and little a cabin which we never used. From the outfitters camp, we took dirt roads for another bunch of hours to a fairly remote lake. We loaded up our two canoes and a 10' aluminum boat and small motor and took off with the boat pulling the two canoes. We went to the end of that lake and did a short 150 yard portage into another lake and then motored to the end of that one. We were in pretty deep with absolutely no sight or sound of another human being. We set up a camp on the lake shore pretty much in the vicinity of the rivers and swamp areas that we intended to hunt.
There was one little wrinkle that only I knew about. At home, we had a family dog that just like any dog, loved to play tug-of-war with any old towel or rag. While doing that she always made some of the most viscious sounding growling and snarling noises. I took a small portable tape player/recorder, and made a tape that was blank for the first 15 minutes and then filled with these deep gutteral growling noises. She sounded about 6 times bigger than she actually was and put on a hell of a show for the tape recorder. I rewound the tape and stuffed the player and tape into my sleeping bag.
So on the first night we got the camp all set up, had supper and were sitting around the campfire talking away and enjoying the atmosphere of total isolation and complete remoteness of this place that had no disturbances other than a pair of otters swimming back and forth in the lake and the occasional splashing around in the swamp on the other side of the lake, which I assume was a moose. Finally when it was pitch dark, and I pretended to head off into the darkness to answer the call of nature. In reality, I went out and planted the tape player, turned the volume up, and walked back to the campfire. The 15 minute leader of silence did it's work, giving everyone a chance to forget that I even had gone out there. All of a sudden there was this gosh-awful, terrifying, vicious growling and snarling that began from out in the darkness. I slipped into my best "actor" mode and suppressed the laughter at all the panicked reactions. There was a whole lot of scrambling going on as everybody dove for their bows and knives and anything else they could arm themselves with. Finally, we all stood there in kind of a skirmish line waiting for the attack. Of course, nothing happened other than the continuation of the ferocious growling and snarling. So finally, in my best John Wayne impersonation, I volunteered to go out there and chase off whatever it was. Everybody tried to talk me out of it, but I was determined. So finally all four of us started creeping through the darkness getting closer and closer to the camp intruder. When we were practically on top of it, I dove on the tape player with a fake struggle and came up clutching the machine and declaring victory. There was a bit of silence until everyone realized what had happened and then came the swearing, name-calling and laughing. I think I might have come close to getting thrown in the lake.
That was a lot of years ago and still everytime I run into one of these guys, we laugh about the camp-monster in Canada.
By the way, a couple of days later, we did get a bull moose. The whole trip was a great success. The great pike and walleye fishing ...... all the different critters that we saw ..... and a moose ....... and even the successful capture of the great Canadian camp-monster.
Doc
Grip wraps and Silencers
in Bow Hunting
Posted
I suppose it should be mentioned that if you are gripping the bow and it is working for you ...... don't mess with success. I sure wouldn't want to be responsible for messing up anyone's shooting. Yes, I can parrot what all the books and magazine articles over the past 45 years have said, but I also realize that there are a lot of people who shoot extremely well in some rather unorthodox ways. That old saying about "If it ain't broke don't fix it" probably applies here.
Doc