I recently saw a web forum thread where the bowhunter professed frustration over his recent Wisconsin state land whitetail hunting experience due to equipment regulations.  Treestands on Wisconsin state lands must be removed each day and the use of screw-in steps is prohibited.  So, both a stand and some method for scaling the tree must be packed in and out.  I’ve also been on out-of-state hunts where I wanted a highly portable set-up for quickly adapting to deer movement or new scouting information.  I’m used to this way of hunting and now prefer it having used screw in steps only once in my 16 years of hunting from an elevated stand.  However, packing in a stand, steps and possibly a pack and extra clothing, for anything but a short distance, can leave a bowhunter tired, sweaty, and like our friend, frustrated.  Here are a few tips I have come up with over the years for both hang-on and climbing stands.  

Shoulder Straps – A decade-and-a-half ago you were lucky if your stand came with pack straps at all.  If it did they were usually only a couple of lengths of one-inch wide nylon strapping.  I don’t remember any aftermarket straps being available.  Times change.  Now some stands come with shoulder straps and there are aftermarket ones available.  I took a quick look at some outdoor retailers and found simple padded straps priced from $14-20.  

However, my favorite is the shoulder strap set from a military surplus MOLLE pack.  e-bay is a great place to find them for around $20 including shipping.  The price is comparable to commercially available straps, but I believe the MOLLE straps are infinitely superior.  Each side is individually adjustable for different body sizes and clothing layers, there are left/right load adjusters, 5 straps attach to the stand and a sternum strap is included.  Additionally, the straps contain left/right quick disconnects should your stand and pack be on fire or a bobcat attacks you.

The MOLLE system on a Lone Wolf Sit & Climb Stand and a Lone Wolf Alpha Assault.

Before discovering the MOLLE straps my favorite was the old military surplus ALICE LCII pack straps.  They come as a pair, one fitted left and one fitted right, each with an adjustment cam for use with different clothing layers, a quick-disconnect for easy load shedding (fire/bobcats…) and are fitted for right and left.  I think these are also better than the commercially available straps.  Typically they run in the $14-20 range, but I found a set the other day with the ALICE pack for $8.

ALICE straps on a Gorilla Scout stand.  Note the added sternum strap.

Waist Belt – Just like on a regular pack, a waist belt that carries the burden of the load on your waist/hips vice your shoulders is the coup-de-grace (or the cat’s meow, whatever…).  Anyway, I could never figure out how to adapt the ALICE waist belt to a stand and although I could attach the pack-frame with the waist belt I just didn’t like that set up.    However, the MOLLE waist belt easily attaches to most stands without problem.  I don’t even notice the weight of the stand on my back any more.  

Sternum Strap – Regardless of which shoulder straps you choose, a sternum strap across your chest prevents them from sliding off your shoulders.  The MOLLE straps come with one, after market ones are available for the ALICE straps or you can fashion one from two pieces of eight inch long by one-half inch wide nylon strapping and a nylon quick disconnect clip.  Thread one-half of the quick disconnect clip onto each piece of the strap and sew the strap ends together with heavy duty thread.  Then slide one-half of the completed chest strap onto each strap.  The best bet is to sew them in place, but that isn’t totally necessary.  If you use the ALICE shoulder straps there is a handy location for the chest straps right behind the adjustment cams. 

A MOLLE system installed and in use as viewed from the front when worn.  Note the sternum strap.

 

Stand Weight – When shopping for a stand you want to consider its total weight and capacity.  Choose a stand that you can carry for long distances, but also make sure it can carry you.  As a comparison, when I first started treestand hunting I used an all steel twenty-two pound stand.  Then I switched to an eleven pound all aluminum stand.  Quite a difference. 

I primarily use two stands, a Lone Wolf Alpha Assault coupled with four Lone Wolf Climbing Sticks, 21 pounds combined weight, and a Lone Wolf Sit and Climb, 20 pounds.  I loaded both of them up just as I would hunt with them, including extra cold weather clothing and small pack as pictured below, and found that they both weighed 30 pounds. 

The stands are loaded up and ready to hit the woods with small pack and extra clothes.  Note the climbing sticks on the Alpha Assault, right, and the bungy cords.

 

Silence! – None of us wants to pack a stand that sounds like a spare parts store hit by a tornado.  Isolate and fix any unwanted sounds coming from your stand.  The seat on my previous stand liked to bang against the platform with each step.  It was so loud it even scared me on those long, dark morning and evening walks.  I learned to flip the seat cushion over when packing it in and tie the platform to the support columns so there was no free movement when I was walking.   The cord stayed tied to the platform so I didn’t lose it and it doesn’t seem to get in the way when the stand is in use.  Both my Lone Wolf stands can make a little walking noise, but quiet down when a couple of bungy cords tighten everything up.

The seat is flipped over and tied to the platform to minimize carry noise.

 The cord tied to the platform doesn’t interfere with stand use.

 

Quiver – If you are a hunter who likes to use a detachable quiver you may want to consider purchasing an extra bracket and mounting it on your stand’s platform so your arrows are always ready.

Retrieval Rope – Have you ever tried to untangle your coiled bow retrieval rope in the dark?  Good luck.  Instead, wrap it around a small wire or thin wood frame.  Then simply reel it off.  Make sure you re-stow it after each use.  For that matter, do the same with tree steps, flashlights, etc.  The last thing you want to do when you get back to camp is go back through your gear.

Wrapping the retrieval rope around a frame keeps it untangled and ready to use.

Extra Clothing – If you hike in more than a couple hundred yards you are likely to be pretty sweaty by the time you arrive at your tree.  Consider wearing the bare essentials while hiking and strap the rest to your stand with some bungy cords. 

Footwear – In cold weather, consider a set of soft, insulated boot covers that can be carried in and put on while in your stand vice wearing heavy pac boots that leave you exhausted and your feet sweaty. 

Zippers – The little tabs on packs can be hard to find in the dark and even harder in the dark when your fingers are frozen or covered with gloves or mittens.  Using some cord, such as parachute cord, or some leather scraps, craft some two to three inch long lanyards and attach them to the zipper tabs on your pack.  These work well on trouser flies, jackets, bibs and overalls as well.

Tabs make it easier to find zippers in the dark and when it is cold.

Headlamp – A headlamp is a handy way to free up one hand from carrying a flashlight.  See my review of the Energizer 3 LED Headlight here. 

Fitness – One final note.  Before attempting to pack in all this stuff on opening day, engage in some sort of fitness plan over the summer.  Here is a link to one of mine, Get In Shape – Keep It Simple Bowhunter.

happy hunting, dv

If you liked this blog you may like the following:  

Hamming With Game Cams

Photographing Your Hunting Trophies

No Bird Left Behind - A Turkey Tale

Outfitter Report – Javelina And Hogs In Texas

Boar Attack – Anatomy Of A Hog Shot Gone Wrong

Pronghorn – Rained Out

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Introductory note:  The following is the first of a three part blog about my 2009 pronghorn hunting trip to Montana.  In writing it I learned that an unsuccessful hunt can lead to a much longer story than a successful one.  Somewhat counter-intuitive I think.  Part of the way through I also realized that it chronicled events that don’t tend to end up in popular magazines where the result is often a quickly related success story without the description of any pitfalls encountered.   However, even with my relatively small amount of hunting experience I can positively say that things don’t always go as planned or expected.  The weather doesn’t cooperate.  I, the guide and/or the outfitter may not agree on a variety of things.  I may not have exercised due diligence in researching the hunt.  This blog entry keeps dustyvarmint’s Mostly Archery’s purpose of, “Helping you avoid making the same mistakes I have made,” at the forefront.  I hope it helps. 

 

Beautiful Pronghorn

“One-thousand, three hundred ninety-one, One-thousand, three hundred ninety-two…”  I was counting my first pronghorn on a long car trip from Kansas to Washington State at age nine.  Since then I have been infatuated with these multi-colored speedsters.  When the Navy transferred me to Washington from Wisconsin in 1995 Mrs. dustyvarmint was dismayed (and annoyed) that I’d pull off the road simply to watch them run about the prairies.  I’d be thirty-seven years old before I had the means and opportunity to head west in pursuit of what I consider the most beautiful of North America’s game animals with bow in hand.  I missed three awesome bucks before a last night check showed my bow had somehow come off zero.  The next day I compensated for the problem and took my first pronghorn buck although much smaller than those I had missed. 

 

When Super Slam archer and friend Gary Martin began putting together a 2009 pronghorn hunting trip to Montana it didn’t take much for me to sign on.  In addition to hunting pronghorn I wanted to see what habits a hunter of Gary’s caliber exhibited.  How did he interact with the outfitter and guides?  What things did he do to prepare?  What set him apart from the average (or below average) hunter like me? 

 

We’d be hunting with Ken Greslin’s Powder River Outfitters through booking agency Close Encounters for which Gary is a booking agent.  Our group of eight would be the first group to hunt with Powder River for the 2009 season, arriving the day before it opened and hunting three to five days.  Since Gary was going along and I didn’t figure he would be going if he didn’t consider this a good operation I coasted along and didn’t subject the outfitter to my normal Spanish Inquisition of questions.  You’ll see this was a poor decision.    

 

General inquiries on archery hunting forums about population and weather conditions indicated numbers in the area were overall down due to winterkill and the summer had been mild and rainy.  Just like here at home in Wisconsin.  The hunt was intended to be conducted from blinds over waterholes in an area that is historically very dry and very hot.  However, considering the recent weather, I prepared gear for both blind sitting and spot-and-stalk hunting. 

 

Eight of us made the trip in three vehicles.  That gave me plenty of room to throw in the three kitchen sinks I always bring.  The fifteen-plus hour drive from Wisconsin took us through the great state of South Dakota where we primed our bowhunting souls with many sightings of pronghorn on the prairies.  If the pronghorn numbers were down from winter kill we sure couldn’t tell it.  Rain tracked our final leg from South Dakota into Montana and Broadus.  Ken was there to greet us and we quickly moved into the comfortable mobile home that would be our living quarters for the next few days.  He checked our licenses, collected the remainder of our hunt fees and split us among the guides.  Somewhere along the line there was a mix-up in the fees between Powder River and Close Encounters.  We each paid $50.00 too much for which there was no refund.  I’m still confused on the matter.

 

One of the bunk trailers.

 

An older style bunk house. 

 

Having learned to check bow zero upon arrival at camp from my 2006 South Dakota pronghorn hunt it wasn’t long before I was sending a few 100 grain Wasp JakHammers downrange.  My first arrow nailed the cottonwood leaf I’d planted on the target and my next arrow was just beside it.  A few more arrows and I was satisfied.  Camp cook Jane made us a hot and hearty ranch dinner, wake up and breakfast times were determined and I hit the hay.  It rained during the night.

 

Day One – Where’s The Ark?

Three of us were assigned to guide Tim.  I wasn’t aware of it, but the booking agent had cut a deal with the outfitter for a reduced rate for us if the guide assignment was increased to 3 x 1 vice the standard 2 x 1.  This reduced the overall number of blinds a particular guide had for rotation purposes and there was seemingly no effort on the part of the outfitter or guide to make sure there were sufficient prepared blinds. 

 

The intent was for us to be in the blinds by 7:30 am.  Well after day light.  This was odd to me, but I’d only hunted pronghorn once so I let it pass.  Instead of heading to the blinds, though, we headed to nearby Broadus and the guide’s house to get a missing cooler.  It seems there were three of us and Tim only had two lunch coolers.  Perhaps it would have been bad luck to use one of the probably five us hunters had brought along?  Then we headed to the local taxidermy shop to get yet another license none of us knew was required despite the booking agent’s guidance, my having called Montana once, Ken’s license check and our having spent half the previous day in camp loafing about with the guide present.  As you can imagine you could have cut the intensity in the air with a dull butter knife by this time. 

 

dv’s Time Out Corner:  Montana’s on-line licensing system forced us to buy the required Bow and Arrow License and Conservation License before applying for the pronghorn draw.  However, a Hunting Access Enhancement fee is ALSO required.  Next time I’ll call the state management agency twice, instead of just once, to verify I have the right licenses.  Montana was courteous enough to send a reminder to buy the Hunting Access Enhancement fee AFTER my return.

 

Finally we headed to the field.  We saw mule deer and pronghorn on our way into the first blind.  Tim told us to keep the doors and windows on the blind closed and not to stick anything, like binoculars, out.  I was selected based on Gary’s customary virtual coin toss so I scrambled into the blind, Tim passed my lunch cooler in and they were off.  The blind was basically a 2 x 4 and plywood constructed box approximately seven feet wide by eight feet long by eight feet high on wheels.  A creaky old chair glared at me from the corner.  There was a door on one side and small window, maybe eight by eighteen inches, on each side.  Right off I noticed there were no peepholes to look out of.  I donned my black shirt, black balaclava and black gloves and opened one window which overlooked the seep Tim expected the pronghorn to water from.  Otherwise I was forced to peer from the small saw kerf surrounding the windows on the other sides.  The blind was of sufficient size to cause me to run around, stealthily, checking windows like a hamster in a ball.

 

Inside of the box blind.

    

 

An initial look confirmed a nice buck on a northwest slope about three hundred yards away, two bucks among a herd to the east and another buck to the northeast.  Within twenty minutes a doe came trotting to the blind from the south.  She came within forty yards and bedded at seventy-two for quite some time.  After that the various bucks and does moved about feeding and the rain came down in giant cauldrons.  I wished I was out chasing the pronghorns on their own ground and planned many stalks in my mind.  I felt the chances of a pronghorn coming to water in that weather were nil.  However, to leave the blind and “blow it out” didn’t seem like a valid option either.  Tim checked up on me occasionally via cell phone and I sampled some of the lunch.  Having learned over time that a book really helps pass the time in a blind I’d also brought my I-pod with e-books, music and games solitaire and Tetris.

 

A doe (near the center of the picture) beds about 70 yards from the blind. 

 

At about 4:00 pm Tim called to say he was picking me up.  He said if he didn’t work toward picking up the other two hunters he didn’t think he’d be able to retrieve them due to the now very greasy two-tracks.  And, their cell phones didn’t work.  He gave me a gentle tongue lashing for having the east window open while packing the truck.  Having quite a few blind hunting days behind me for a number of species and being quite confident in hunting from a blind I was irritated, but let it slide.  On my previous trip I’d shot or shot at pronghorn from three to thirty-six yards with one side of the blind’s windows open all day long without problem and without the pronghorn ever spotting me inside.  The key was to wear black, stay back in the shadows of the blind and never open windows on the opposite side of the blind.  When I pointed out that the wind was blowing directly from the blind to the stock tank and the seep hole he indicated that, “pronghorn don’t smell.”  Again, that was in direct conflict with my previous experiences. 

 

Anyway, Tim was in a hurry to pick up Ralph and Gary so I enjoyed some fast pasture driving like that I’d grown up with in Kansas including lots of sliding, tight turns and counter-steering.  When we saw a nice buck in a short crop field not 20 yards from the road he asked me if I could jump from the truck and shoot it once it had crossed the road onto my side as he estimated it would do since this was, “big country and I should get my pronghorn however I could considering the weather”.  I let him know I wouldn’t do that and I’d rather go home empty-handed than do that.  He could let me out of the truck and I’d spot and stalk all day, even in the rain, but I wouldn’t jump out of the truck and shoot a pronghorn.  The truck grew quiet for awhile. 

 

We picked up Gary and Ralph with a lot more fast pasture driving.  Neither had seen any pronghorn from their blinds although there were numerous animals in the surrounding hills.  Tim raced back to camp so we could be on time for another of Jane’s hearty dinners.  After dinner I bent Gary’s ear A LOT, took a shower and hit the hay once again.  Gary had agreed with my blind hunting technique and window tactic.  I learned that one member of our party who had been sent to sit on a windmill despite the forecast endured the driving rains for about an hour, but then abandoned his stand and simply sat upon a rock in the rain until he was picked up. 

 

Ok, that’s it for Part 1.  Please check back soon for Part 2.

 

happy hunting, dv

 

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With the Wisconsin whitetail deer season just five days away I’m busy getting my gear ready.  So, I thought I’d share my Whitetail Hunting Gear List.  Due to Wordpress, the Skinny Moose blog engine, limitations I can’t post a good sample of my Excel check off lists here.  If you want those that I have for whitetail, turkey and pronghorn drop me a comment with your e-mail address or drop me an e-mail from my About page.  I’ll get them off to you. 

 

Hunting

Arrows, 12

Binoculars

Blind, T2

Bow

Broadheads

Bug Spray

Climbing stand

Climbing sticks

Coleman Lantern

Compass

Decoy

Deer Cart

Deer Grunter

Extra stand seat pad

Fillet Knife

Flashlight, hunting

GPS

Machete

Malt

Range Finder

Release, Caliper

Release, Scott

Sharpeners

Skinning Knives

Tree stand

Turkey Calls

Walking Stick

 

Clothing, Hunting                 

Belt

Bibs

Boots x ___

Jacket x ___

Miscellaneous T-shirts, etc.

Pants, regular camo x ___

Shirt, regular camo x ___

Socks x ___

Underwear x ___

Winter Boots

 

Other

Allergy & Headache Meds

Book/s or magazines

Camera & Batteries

Cell Phone

Deoderant

Diaper cloths

Hygiene Bag

Ipod & Headphones

Razor, Electric

Shower shoes

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Towel

Video Camera

Wallet & Money

 

Camp

Blanket

Bowls

Coffee Press

Coolers x ___

Cups x 2

Hot plate

Ice

Nalgene bottle

Paper towels

Pillow

Plates

Sheet

Sleeping bag

Trash bags

Utensils

 

Food

Animal Crackers

Coffee

Fruit

Jerky

Kashi bars

GORP

Oatmeal

Snack Sticks

Soda

Water

 

Clothes, Regular

Belt

Bibs & Heavy Coat

Fleece Hat

Gloves

Hat

Sneakers

Jacket

Pajamas

Rain Top

Shirts x ___

Socks x ___

Trousers x ___

Underwear x ___

 

happy hunting, dv

 

If you liked this blog you may like the following:

 

Pronghorn Hunt Gear Checklist

Food Plots At Camp Pug

Photographing Your Hunting Trophies

 

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As you read this blog I’ll be in southeast Montana hunting pronghorn and trying to redeem myself for my miserable shooting performance in 2006.  Hopefully I’ll be ready.  For me, getting ready for a trip starts with a good gear checklist.  And I believe that it can help prevent disaster.  I suppose you could walk into the woods naked with bow and arrow and still bring home game.  However, a good checklist for that frightful adventure would still include five items; bow, arrows, broadheads, release and armguard. 

 

My lucky to have 2006 South Dakota pronghorn.

 

 

I create my check lists in Microsoft Excel and may have several versions for each species.  For instance I might have one for tent camp deer hunting and one for Camp Pug deer hunting.  A key aspect for me is my “three block” check-off method.  One block is checked off when the item is pulled out of some obscure box, readied and packed.  The next block is checked off when the item is actually placed in the vehicle or in luggage ready for airline travel.  Finally, as a sub-group is completed it is lined through.  Nothing is taken for granted and NOTHING is checked off until it is actually in the vehicle or luggage.  The last thing I do before giving Mrs. dustyvarmint an affectionate parting is check my check list for completion.    

 

Due to Wordpress limitations, our blog’s engine, I can’t post a good sample of my Excel check off lists here.  If you want those that I have for whitetail, turkey and pronghorn drop me a comment with your e-mail address or drop me an e-mail from my About (link) page.  I’ll get them off to you.  Below is my check list for pronghorn hunting with the possibility of some varmint shooting afterward.

 

Hunting

Blind (Darkhorse)

Bow w/Quiver

Arrows, 12

String wax

Broadheads

Headlamp & spare batteries

Flashlight, tracking

Bug Spray

Forschner knife & Selector

Wind checker

GPS & spare batteries

Range Finder & spare battery

Release, Scott

Release, Caliper

Sharpener, ceramic

Binoculars

Compass

Walking Stick

Scent killer spray

Blind chair

Predator Call

Pronghorn decoy

Blind hog

Blind stakes

Thermocell, pads, ctdgs

Spare sight pins

Bow stake

Bow sling

 

Clothing, Hunting                 

Pants, camo x _2_

Shirt, camo x _2_

Black out tops x __2__

Gym shorts??

Neck cooler

Belt

Boots x _1_

Socks x _4_

Jacket x _1_

Miscellaneous T-shirts, etc.

Bandanas x _1_

Underwear x _4_

Ball cap x _1_

Balaclava black

Balaclava camo

Gloves, black

Gloves, camo

Backpack

Field dressing towel

 

Other

Hygiene Bag

Toothpaste

Toothbrush

Deoderant, hunters

Chapstick, hunters

Lotion, hunters

Electric razor

Sun screen

Camera, spare batteries & card

Video camera

Video camera tri-pod

Cell Phone

Cell phone charger

Towel

I-pod & charger

Notepad w/pen

Shower shoes

Book/s & magazines

Wallet & Money

Allergy & Headache Meds

Pronghorn Tag

Bow & Arrow License

Conservation Licsense

Contract

Money for outfitter & tips

 

Camp

Ice

Coolers x _2_

Nalgene bottles x __2__

Duct tape

Sleeping Bag

Pillow

Sheet

Trash Bags

 

Food

Snickers

Propel mix

Kashi bars

Soda

Water

Jerky

Animal Crackers

Gorp

 

Clothes, Regular

Tennis shoes

Socks x _2_

Underwear x _2_

Trousers x _2_

Shirts x _2_

Jacket

Hat

Belt

Rain Top

 

Varmint

17 HMR

.204 Ruger

17 HMR Ammo

.204 Ruger Ammo

Shooting Sticks

Sling

 

happy hunting, dv

 

If you liked this blog you may like the following:

 

No Bird Left Behind - A Turkey Tale

Outfitter Report – Javelina And Hogs In Texas

Boar Attack – Anatomy Of A Hog Shot Gone Wrong

 

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Are you ready, physically, to give this bowhunting season your best shot?

 

I suppose I must start out with the obligatory statement that I am not a doctor or a licensed trainer – I’m a worker-outer.  So, if you aren’t in shape, but want to get in shape, maybe you should start by hoofing it on over your doctor. 

 

How do you know if you are in shape?  If it has been more than 3 weeks since you biked, swam, ran or used the elliptical trainer you probably aren’t in shape.  If you have “done-lap” disease (your belly done lapped over your pants’ waist, either gender) then you probably aren’t in shape (and you probably shouldn’t wear low-rise jeans, either gender).  If you haven’t done a push up or a bench press in more than 3 weeks then you probably aren’t in shape.

 

Like I said in Half Marathon Down, I believe working out and bowhunting go together like peas and carrots.  Back when I first moved to Wisconsin I hunted with a very physically large man.  He used a climbing tree stand and while I never watched him ascend a tree with it I was sure that one day I’d come back and find him hanging dead from a heart attack.  After moving away I found that something did happen to him in the woods and he gave up hunting.   Either for your family or to fully enjoy the sport of bowhunting you owe it to yourself to get into some sort of shape. 

 

Likely influenced by the physical fitness culture of the U.S. Navy (it’s there if you wish to partake) I’ve been working out for 22 plus years.  I’ve been a Command Fitness Leader or CFL assistant I don’t know how many times and I’ve helped many men and women pass their physical fitness test after they strayed from the standards.  I am absolutely no Cameron Hanes or Awnald Schwwwaaazenager and when I was 31 I had a heavy-built 42 year old USMC Gunnery Sergeant kicking my butt in wind sprints, but I’m building and maintaining flexibility, strength and stamina.    

 

First, like any good thing worth working for, start with a simple plan.  Figure out what you want to do and when you have time to do it.  If so inclined you can find all kinds of workouts including the latest Kamakazi Special Forces Bowling Ball Cruncher Guy workout in magazines and books.  I suggest three simple things; some cardio, some body-weight exercises and some stretching.  Time.  Basically, if you want to do it, you’ll find time for it.  Period.    

 

I also suggest not buying any equipment.  Other than tennis shoes and some clothing you don’t need much more.  I suppose clothing is optional if you workout in the solo privacy of your home.  If you do go out to get some new clothing or equipment park as far away from the store doors as possible and walk in.  If there is an elevator or escalator, use the stairs.  There, we just started our simple exercise plan and you won’t have some inconsiderate idiot banging your car door with theirs since you parked so far away.  There is one further thing you need and it is the most important – mental fortitude.  You’ve got to stick with it.

 

Exercises

Conventional Wisdom says you should warm up by running in place or something and stretching.  That’s a good idea.  I don’t do it.  You decide.  I like to roll right into some exercise. 

 

This is my “old standard” exercise routine.  Easily done, including the running, with limited equipment and space such as the flight deck of a Navy frigate which is roughly one-quarter the size of a basketball court. 

 

I repeat the listed rounds 3 times. 

 

-1 round of abdominal exercises with a goal of 40 repetitions. 

-On the first set I do regular crunches.

-On the second set I do cross-leg crunches, i.e., right elbow to left knee, then left elbow to right knee. 

-On the third set I do leg raises ensuring I roll/raise my hips off the floor when my legs and feet are at the apex.

 

-1 round of pull ups with a goal of 12.

 

-1 round of push ups with a goal of 27.

 

If you think are you are in ok shape, start out by cutting the quantities in half.  If you are in no shape at all, set the quantities to one-quarter of those listed.

 

Want to go advanced?  Get one of those manly looking pastel gym-balls (when are they going to make a camouflage one?).  My abdominal work outs have never been so good since I started using one of those.  You build your core while working other muscle groups at the same time.  Do the regular and cross-leg crunches on the ball.  Put the ball between your feet for the leg raises.  Do all the push ups with your hands on the ball and your feet on the ground or mix it up with feet on the ball and hands on the ground.

 

Ball crunches.

 

Cross-leg ball crunches.

 

Ball leg raises. 

 

Push up position one. 

 

Push up position 2.

 

Cardio

Again, simple.  Do 20-45 minutes of cardio.  Whether you want to swim, bike, run or use an elliptical trainer, do it.  Running is my favorite.  Nothing else burns calories like running.  Depending on my current running goal I usually try to run a minimum of 35 minutes, about 3.5 miles.  I don’t focus on miles, though, just time.  However, if something is aching or the weather is poor or whatever then I’ll swim, bike or use the elliptical trainer.

 

Want to go advanced?  Add some interval training one day per week.  Sprint from a telephone pole to the next, then walk to the next pole.  Repeat.  Or, sprint 100 yards, walk back to where you started and repeat. 

 

Post Exercise Stretching

I have a set routine of stretches including gastroc (focusing on maintaining flexibility in the left ankle where I have two screws), calf and other upper and lower body muscle groups that I hold for a thirty second count. 

 

Right leg gastroc stretch.

 

Left leg calf stretch.

 

 

More upper and lower body stretches.

 

 

 

 

 

Stretching hands and arms away from body and flexing back up off the ground.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s it.  I can be done with the entire routine in less than 60 minutes and I like to do it a minimum of three times per week. 

 

happy hunting, dv

 

If you liked this blog you may like the following:

• Half Marathon Down
• All In – Registered For The Wisconsin Half Marathon
• 7 Miles In – Training For A Half Marathon

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Printed on a broadhead package, “Field Point Flight.”  I have no doubt. 

 

Spoken by a bowhunter, “My broadheads don’t fly like my field points.”  Really?  How do they fly?  They just fall out of the bow?  They defy gravity?  What? 

 

From my point-of-view all broadheads fly just like field points – right through the air.  Now, whether or not they have the same Point Of Impact (POI) down range may be an entirely different story.  That’s really good marketing subterfuge.  Stating that a broadhead has the same POI would really be definitive.  Stating that it has field point flight is rather ambiguous. 

 

A number of dissimilar events have brought this to the forefront of my mind lately.  One, I purchased some new 100 grain, 1 1/4″ cut, Slick Trick brand GrizzTricks to try out.  Two, I stumbled on this broadhead flight testing video by Pro Release (follow this link and see the MUCC video on the lower left).  Three, I need to prepare for a mid-August pronghorn hunt.  4) While devastating and fatal on every critter I’ve ever shot one into, I haven’t gotten the penetration I’d like on whitetail bucks with my 100 grain, 1 3/4″ cut Wasp Jakhammers (although I’d choose no other head for turkey). 

 

The Pro Release broadhead flight test video linked to above is fascinating.  I can’t get it out of my mind.  To the best of my recollection every broadhead I’ve ever shot that didn’t hit to the same field point POI did, indeed, hit left and/or low. 

 

So, what can we do if our broadheads don’t hit the same POI?  Below are many of the options I’ve read, seen discussed or used along with my discussion on them. 

 

1)  Cry and/or kick a tree (maybe in reverse order).  I use and suggest this in combination with other options.   

 

2)  Re-tune field points and try again.  To me, this is a waste of time.  I don’t agree with the statement, “If your bow is properly tuned you should get same field point POI with your broadheads.”  That is actually a bonus.

 

3)  Tune your broadheads.  You can see a video description of this procedure from Magnus Broadheads here.

    

4)  Using a spin tester check to make sure your broadheads are aligned properly to the axis of the arrow.  Apply slight pressure to the tips of offending broadheads to align them and try again.  I do believe very much in making sure my broadhead is properly aligned, but using pressure to “fix” the alignment is a fragile solution at best.  One shot into the target and you’ll likely have to try it again.

 

5)  If you are still shooting aluminum arrows with hot-melt-glue-installed-inserts try rotating the broadhead and insert incrementally and re-shooting.  I’m not suggesting aligning the broadhead blades to the fletching, just finding a sweet spot.  When still using aluminum arrows I adopted this option from Dave Holt’s Balanced Bowhunting to good effect.   

 

6)  Utilize two sights.  One sighted in for broadheads, one for field points.  Obviously, switching out sights can be problematic and less than convenient.

 

7)  Sight in with broadheads.  If I’m short on time or don’t want to use option 7 then this is what I do after spin testing.  I will make “witness” marks on my sight so I can adjust between broadhead and field point POI.

 

8)  Adjust to broadhead POI.  Follow the below procedure to make broadheads and field points hit the same POI.  Again, this was adopted from Dave Holt’s Balanced Bowhunting.  If you are like me the voice in the back of your head is saying, “But what happened to the bullet holes I was shooting with field points?”  I’m with you and I’ve never seen a good answer, but I have seen blood trails and whacked animals.  In the end, that is what is important to me.

 

-If the broadhead hits left, move the rest right.

 

-If the broadhead hits right, move the rest left.

 

-If the broadhead hits low, move the rest up or nocking point down. 

 

-If the broadhead hits high, move the rest down or nocking point up.

 

-Re-sight with field points and broadheads.

 

My initial shooting shows the POI of my new GrizTricks is to the left of my field points.  I’ll be moving my sight to compensate for this.  By the way, if you haven’t broken out and test shot your broadheads for this upcoming season then you are definitely behind the ball. 

 

happy bowhunting, dv

 

If you liked this blog you may like the following:

 

JD Welding Arrow Spin Testing – A dv Gear Review

Overhauling A Hunting Bow

Archery Release Mystery Solved

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The Southeast Wisconsin Bowhunters’ Chapter of Safari Club International held their annual banquet Thursday, June 25th, 2009. 

 

Among others in attendance were Dave Langston from Hunter Safety Systems and Laura Francese of Martin Archery.  Also there was United States’ Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Tim LeSage.  A scout/sniper he has earned two Purple Hearts.  It was an honor to shake the hand of this decorated Devil Dog and thank him for his service to our country.

 

The banquet, held at Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha, Wisconsin was a good opportunity to meet other bowhunters from Wisconsin.

 

Pictured left right are dustyvarmint, Super Slam archer Gary Martin, Martin Archery representative Laura Francese and Dale Oleson (think O&H Kringle, mmmm….  A favorite deer camp starter.)

 

 

I felt pretty silly standing in line with all the children to get Laura’s autograph, but after pushing a few aside and trampling a few more the wait was shorter (juuuuust kidding…). 

 

 

happy hunting, dv

  

If you liked this blog you may like the following:

• Burlington Boss Tom’s 9th Annual Banquet
• Support Our Outdoor Service Members 

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In this blog I ask for reader participation.  Think of it similarly to some popular television programs and magazine articles where the shot is presented and critiqued.  

 

It was January 24, 2009.  I was in Texas to hunt the next critter on my personal list; the javelina.  In a target rich environment I was lucky enough to harvest my limit of two javis the previous two days. 

 

My first javelina.

 

 

Fellow hunter John and I pose with my second javelina.

 

Since baggage space on the return flight was limited and I’d taken a number of hogs on previous trips I asked the outfitter if it was possible to take a large (for me) hog from a ground blind.  That would be a new adventure for me that I didn’t figure likely to happen.  Therefore baggage was safe.  He thought we could accomplish it…

 

It was sunny and in the 60’s.  Rob put me in a Primos Groundmax Eclipse blind with the wind in my face.  The set up was perfect.  There was a feeder 25.5 yards directly in front of the blind with a tri-pod stand on the other side of it.  Hopefully the hogs’ attention would be on that.  Immediately to the left of the blind was a larger prickly pear cactus.  About twelve yards slightly to the right and in front of the blind was a very large brush pile.  The blind fit right in. 

 

I’ve hunted from just about every model Double-Bull blind and an Ameristep Brickhouse.  This was my second time hunting from the Primos Groundmax Eclipse blind.  In my opinion it let in too much light from the “peek” top windows, the nylon material was too thin which let in more light and the light streamed in the zipper.  I stuffed the “peek” top windows with whatever I could find to darken them.  I also put on my “black out” shirt, balaclava and “Michael Jackson” left-hand-only glove to help blend into what is supposed to be a dark blind interior.  

 

Having been “busted” in the past by various animals I prefer to leave blind nettings in and shoot through them.  I practice with my set up this way.  The Eclipse’s netting was much coarser than any I’d ever seen before.  It was so coarse that it was difficult to focus on an animal without moving your head around.  This is kind of like looking out your screen door at home.  You reflexively move your head around to focus on the distant object.  However, I had shot a small raccoon, about the size of a loaf of bread, at 12-15 yards through the netting the evening before at a different stand. 

 

The feeder was set to go off at 5:00 pm.  Just before that time I started to hear the grunts and oinks of feral hogs approaching behind the brush pile to my right.  A few visibly crossed from right to left, but quickly entered the cactus and brush near the tri-pod stand.

 

When the feeder went off five or more hogs rushed out to it from multiple directions.  All were black.  There were three in the 100 pound range and two larger in, what I would later learn, the 160 pound range.  I watched them closely with my rangefinder and determined that of the larger hogs one was a male and the other was female. 

 

I watched and waited for the male hog to give me a broadside or quartering away shot.  Eventually he was quartering away at the 9:30 or 10:00 o’clock position.  I picked a “whitish” looking area directly behind his leg and a little less than 1/3rd the way up the body.  I picked my bow up and tried to aim.  I couldn’t tell where I was aiming.  Since my head was stationary while aiming the coarse netting was preventing me from focusing on the target. 

 

I quietly let down and carefully studied the hog and his surroundings.  I pulled back up again, picked the same spot, took extra time to find my anchor point and released.  The hog lunged forward on impact and took off into the 11:00 o’clock direction.  I could see the fletching and the arrow looked a little low.  The other hogs came back in to feed.

 

I called Rob on the radio.  He started to head in my direction and asked me to check blood.  The radio traffic scared the remaining hogs off.  I found decent blood right away.  Rob believes in following hit hogs right away, especially on afternoon hunts, to avoid dangerous pursuits in the dark.  The following will reinforce his reasons for this. 

 

The blood trail was good and continuous.  Easy to follow.  However, I was concerned that it looked dark and red more like blood from a vein hit than lighter and frothy from a lung hit.  I found a small piece of unidentifiable fleshy material.  We found a pool of blood approximately sixteen inches long, five inches wide and just under one-eighth inch deep.  The hog just kept going. 

 

At what I judged to be about the 300 yard point the guide heard a noise in the brush.  Rob carried a 9mm Browning Hi-Power and the guide carried a Kimber .45 auto.  We circled the noise with Rob on the left; I and the guide on the right.  Rob could see the hog and thought he was expiring.  There was no opportunity for an arrow in the thick cover.  The guide and I could not see the hog. 

 

Next we heard a rapid succession of four shots and, “He’s got me!”  We could see nothing although we were within 8-12 feet.  However, Rob could still talk which we took as a good sign.  We crowded into the brush and found the hog still alive, but floundering.  There was no shot opportunity for the guide or myself as Rob was on the opposite side of the hog in a tree.  Shortly the hog expired. 

 

The hog had charged the outfitter.  Rob had kicked and shot at the charging animal with the remaining four rounds in his gun – he’d forgotten to reload after using it last.  Note the blood on his knee in the picture.  That is the hog’s, thankfully, not Rob’s.  The hog ‘missed the hook” with his tusk, but delivered a good blow to Rob’s left knee.  We found 2 of the four bullets had entered the fleshy, left side of the hog’s head from nearly directly above it.  Neither looked fatal.  The skull is currently in Texas so I haven’t had a chance to examine it yet.  To add another element of danger a porcupine appeared in a small bush a few feet to my right.

 

Rob and I pose with boar that attacked him.

  

 

We found that my arrow had entered much further forward than I was aiming, exactly underneath the chin of the hog.  The broadhead had lodged up into the point where each half of the jaw meets.  The arrow was broken in half, but the broadhead was completely intact and ready for use after resharpening. 

 

The hog weighed 162 pounds with smaller than expected tusks for its size.  In the end I was extremely relieved that no one was hurt and sorely disappointed in my shooting. 

 

Equipment notes:  I was using a 67.5 pound Reflex Highlander at 26.5 inch draw length and shooting 384 grain Gold Tip arrows at 262 fps.  The broadheads were 100 grain Slick Trick magnums with four blades and 1 1/8″ cut diameter. 

 

Experience/practice notes:  I shoot archery all year long; 3D and paper targets.  I’ve killed three hogs prior to this along with other exotic, pronghorn, bear, javelina, turkey, whitetails and small game.

 

Shot notes:  In retrospect I don’t believe the “whitish” looking area I was aiming for was right for a quartering away shot.  I believe I should have been aiming at an imaginary point on the inside of the far shoulder which would have put the facing side aiming point farther back.  This would be in an attempt to get both lungs.  I also wonder if I picked the wrong “whitish” spot considering the problem with the net.  There was likely another “whitish” spot on the rear, rounded portion of the jaw.  Did I focus on that?  I don’t know.

 

For an extremely high quality Texas hunting adventure contact Rob of Fair Chase from dv’s Links Page.  Additionally, you can find my trip report here.

 

Let’s hear your feedback.

 

happy hunting, dv

 

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Coming up on Mostly Archery

• Preparing a European Skull Mount

Fried Tag, mmm…tasty

Well, another Wisconsin turkey season has come and gone.  I’m left with a perfect record – no Wisconsin turkey….and tons of GREAT memories from afield. 

 

Wisconsin’s spring turkey season is really a series of six, five-day seasons which run Wednesday through Sunday in one of seven zones.  Permits are awarded from a draw, even for residents.  I drew first season which was a first for me and then I bought a left over sixth season tag.  Additionally I participated as a guide in my first Adaptive Sportsmen, Inc. turkey hunt. 

 

First Season

After the mind-melting experience of not even seeing a turkey near where I deer hunt at Camp Pug during the 2008 spring season, despite having a nice tom on the game camera only three days before my arrival, I applied for a zone closer to some friends’ hunting cottage further south this year.  Myself and friends Butch and Gary, all of us local West Allis Bowmen members, would be hunting together.  Gary and I had tags while Butch was our guide and primary caller.  I was excited to be hunting with Gary who recently completed the sixteenth archery Super Slam.  I wanted to see how a hunter of this caliber acted in the field.  What were his mannerisms, how did he use his equipment, what could I learn from him? 

 

With limited vacation I could only hunt Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  So, Friday morning we were out early.  Gary and I were in my friend Seth’s Double Bull Dark Horse while Butch sat up behind us to call.  He can do a mean excited cackle on his diaphragm call and we had lots of gobbling in multiple directions.  Eventually, though, another hunter walked into and scared off our most promising courter.  We set up again in another location for awhile without luck. 

 

That afternoon and evening were fairly uneventful.  We tried calling some birds to us on public land that liked lounging about at a bird feeder in someone’s yard.  They’d answer up as they traveled away, but we couldn’t bring them in.  Misjudging another gobbler’s location on a ridge we bumped him setting up. 

 

Saturday morning was our most exciting.  We set up where we thought the gobbler that the other hunter bumped on us the previous morning was strutting.  Two hens came in separately.  One of them is pictured below.  I got sick of listening to the gobbler in the distance so I started cutting him off with a weak excited cackle.  Eventually he got tired of being interrupted and came to investigate.  However, he stayed out about 45 yards in some brush and then disappeared into a cat tail marsh.  Butch and I think the B-mobile decoy may have been a little aggressive.

 

A hen came to see us.

   

 

 

After a while I saw movement in the cat tails and bumped Gary alert whispering, “Turkey in the marsh.”  Gary looked and said, “Turkeys don’t have bushy tails.”  It was a coyote.  From previous conversations I knew that both of us really wanted an archery killed coyote.  We tried lip-squeaking (which I am terrible at).  That had no effect.  I tried my best dying rabbit imitation with a turkey diaphragm.  Probably too low and raspy.  The coyote took a few tentative steps in the right direction, but then spun and left.  Mid-day included a nine mile run for me in preparation for an upcoming half-marathon (read Half Marathon Down, here), some excellent grilled brats and some time in the hot tub.  Saturday night was uneventful.

 

Our Sunday morning location was busted by some inconsiderate hunters driving past us on county property where vehicles are not allowed.  We moved elsewhere, but flushed a tom and four hens from the roost. 

 

Although I didn’t successfully kill a bird I had a great time and made GREAT memories with good companions.  Compared to 2008 I am a mentally enriched and happy dustyvarmint. 

 

Adaptive Sportsman, Inc Hunt

ASI provides outdoor opportunities to physically challenged outdoors men and women.  Among other events they have a fall deer hunt and spring turkey hunt at Badger Army Ammunition Plant.  As guides we help scout, set up blinds, escort hunters afield and call if necessary.  My Camp Pug hunting partners, Hunt Master and Gravel, are old hands at this who come prepared with grub hoes, plywood platforms and shims to make the wheelchairs stable on the often uneven ground. 

 

We’d had rain all night long and the day was chilly and blustery.  However, after a little blind calling turkeys started filing into the field.  Some would answer, but none would commit.  Eventually, though, one set his head and neck forward, wings out and back and started to charge in.  Closer, closer he came.  I followed his movements with my little tripod mounted video camera and finally set it up to catch all the action near the decoys while I continued some coaxing calls.  However, just as the tom entered the corner of the camera’s picture my hunter, Jeff, opened fire. 

 

Bam once!  The turkey flies up and tries to come back in.  Bam twice!  The turkey flies up and tries to come back in a second time.  Bam thrice!  The turkey flies up and is gone.  I later ranged the turkey’s location at thirty-seven yards at the time of the shot.  Jeff told me the night before he liked to shoot them at 100 yards.  I thought he was kidding!  Seriously, though, he said he got “turkey fever”.  It happens…

 

We had more gobbling including one bird that startled us with an answer only twelve yards behind the blind.  However, no more shot opportunities came that day.  We broke for lunch and headed back out later in the afternoon, but cut the evening hunt short to attend to some medical concerns.  The next morning we encountered a few hens and had a coyote visit us, but we saw no toms.  Another good adventure with GREAT memories.     

 

Adaptive Sportsmen Hunters and Guides gather for a picture.

 

 

Last Season

Late, or last, season can be somewhat unpopular.  Success rates, provided by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, plummet during this time when the mosquitoes and ticks make a vengeful emergence, the vegetation starts to become heavy and the temperatures rise.  I could only dedicate Saturday to hunting as Sunday night was a much anticipated bowfishing outing with friend Seth.  However, Mrs. dustyvarmint noted that if I got going soon enough I could probably hunt Friday night.  Who wouldn’t cherish a wife like that?  I was also excited to try out my new Horn Hunter Blind Hog for carrying the blind, chair, decoys and equipment.

 

The Horn Hunter Blind Hog loaded for business, turkey business.

 

Friday night I set up within 75 yards of a known roost on a logging road used by the turkeys.  It was uneventful without so much as a gobble, but sooooo relaxing.  I know some hunters can’t stand being stationary and would rather “run and gun”, but I enjoy sitting solitary in the comfort of the blind, listening to and staring out at nature.  I can nearly feel the burdens of life slipping off my shoulders.

 

Butch and I once again teamed up on Saturday to hunt near where we encountered the hens, jake and coyote during first season.  We heard some gobbling, but it was too far away to be of any use to us.  In hind-sight we should have at least moved closer, but if we had we wouldn’t have encountered the doe that come to see us.

 

This doe came to see us. 

 

Another shot of our visiting doe. 

 

She would come in nervously, settle down to feed, run out to a comfortable entry point, settle down to feed again and come in, run out nervously and then do it all over again.  I began calling like a turkey and scratching in the grass to give the decoys some natural back up and to calm her.  It was a great encounter.  Had this been deer season, though, we’d be eating jerky by now…

 

After that we didn’t have much luck.  I went to check game cameras and do some mid-day work at Camp Pug which is only a half hour away.  The mosquitoes and ticks were out with a vengeance in the evening.  It was gratifying to watch the mosquitoes fall to the ground in the blind once we had the Thermocell warmed up.  We heard no gobbling.  A tree fell in the woods and it made a crash.  We were there to hear it…

 

Again, no turkey, but great memories.  It is off to Kansas or Texas for next spring’s turkey season, but for now season is over and thoughts change to bowfishing and chasing pronghorn in Montana this fall.

 

happy hunting, dv

 

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Coming up on Mostly Archery

• Boar Attack – Anatomy of a Hog Shot Gone Wrong
• Preparing a European Skull Mount

A Visit to the Forge Bow Company Factory Store 

I’ve had an affinity for blacksmithing and forging since a very young age.  So when I learned about Forge Bow Company, Inc in the early nineties at the Madison, WI Deer and Turkey Classic I was immediately drawn to the line.  However, Forge has always posted some relatively mild speed ratings in my opinion.  As owner Steve Pagel pointed out, I like to compensate for my 26.5″ draw length with a little more draw weight and a fast bow.  They no longer forge their risers, but Bowhunt America recently reported in the June 2009 Spring Buyer’s Guide that Forge was producing the Ventilator for 2009.  A 34″ axle-to-axle (ATA), 8″ brace height (BH) bow rated at 330 feet per second (fps) catches my attention.

 

 

 

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