I came across this picture of a Nevada Cowboy who actually roped a coyote.  I found this photo on the Jesse’s Hunting and Outdoors site.  Seems that one of the guys over there was on his Nevada Archery Antelope hunt and managed to catch this fella in action. 

 Now that’s what I call Western.  I wonder if that horse is for sale? 

Those of you who know me know that my family and I live on a small ranch in Northern California. As a result of that we see wildlife throughout the ranch as a daily occurrence. Raccoons, possums, skunks, deer and foxes are normal sightings, but usually away from the building and roads.

Occasionally we will have a stray varmint get treed by the dogs, or caught in the shed (See Possum Huntin’ story for a refresher). In fact while walking on the hill behind the buildings last week my father’s dogs bayed up a badger, which he dispatched with a .22 mag.

Now I was visiting my grandfather Monday night, when he said to me “How about that badger?” So I replied that dad had got a badger last week.

“No, No, I mean the one Natalie got today.”…

At this point I began wondering if my grandfather was getting senile. After all he IS 89 years old. But then my uncle confirmed the fact that there was a badger that my wife killed on that day earlier, while I was at work.

When I got home that evening, the family was all eating dinner. I had to PRY the story out of my wife, and beg, connive and finally harass her to go out and show me the invader. So after this long introduction, here is the story….

At about 4:30 in the afternoon, my wife received a call from my mother that there was a critter out on her front lawn. When my wife went out to look, she informed my mother that it was actually a badger. My mother was shocked that a badger was out on HER lawn especially in the daylight. She asked my wife if she should call my uncle to come dispatch it. Now my wife, (my purty little wife, just as sweet as she could be) laughed and said, “Nope, I’ll take care of it.”, and headed down to our house.

Meanwhile, the pointers are barking, and baying, and hurling themselves on the other side of a chain link fence. The badger then moved into my grandfather’s yard where my wife’s “good cat”, Jasmine (of possum hunting fame) caught sight of the intruder.

When my wife got back with a Remington 20 gauge pump, she said the cat had the badger cornered against my grandfathers front steps. Despite all her best efforts, she could not get the cat to back off from the badger. After a few minutes of trying to get a clear shooting lane, my mother finally threw a rock, to get the cat out of the way. Then my wife dispatched the confused varmint with one shot.

Now normally we would leave a badger alone. They eat gophers, and don’t bother anything. But a badger wandering around in the daylight raises concerns about Rabies. Especially when it is that close to houses, dogs, cats, and children. Also given their aggressive temperament, we don’t want them to become habituated to being around people.

I was able to snap a picture of my wife with the badger after she showed me where the Showdown occurred. I was, however, unable to get a picture of the cat. When I saw it later that night, it was still stalking around with its head on a swivel looking for that badger.

I was very fortunate this last weekend to be invited to take part in a Pope and Young Club  measurers class.  The Pope and Young club has a great history of conservation  and hunting heritage as well as being the premier records keeping organization of bowhunting.  

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I received my invitation from Glenn Hisey, the Records Chairman of the Club.  When I arrived on Friday morning at Sierra Mountain Archery in Orangevale (outside of Sacramento), I had a chance to meet some of my fellow bowhunters.  We had folks there from California, Oregon, and even Hawaii.  Among the group were a few folks that I had gotten acquainted with at Jesse’s Hunting and Outdoors. 

In a total of 22 class hours we covered the entire range of North American Game animals.  That included 30 different species.  Our instructors, Glenn Hisey and Larry Streiff were patient and understanding as they guided us through the scoring forms and measuring procedures.  Between species we heard about the other roles of the Pope and Young club as a conservation organization which gave $107,200 in grants in 2006 and 2007.   We had discussions about the Fair Chase Ethic that is the heart of the organization.  Plus we learned about the St. Charles Museum of Bowhunting that serves as a reminder of the evolution of the sport we have come to love. 

At the end of the day on Sunday, we spent some time with Ed Fanchin, the  Records chairman for the California Bowmen Hunters Big Game Club.  Ed gave us the measuring procedures for Wild hogs and turkeys (*not covered by Pope and Young).  When we finally parted on Sunday afternoon, we all walked away richer for the experience. 

After sending in some paperwork to the office in Chatfield, MN, I should be an official measurer for both CBH and Pope and Young.  If you have any questions about either club, membership, or how you can become involved, I would be happy to help.

Attention Idaho Archers!

 There have been some changes to the Idaho Archery rules, the most noteable being the minimum arrow weight.  Previously the arrow had to weigh over 400 grains.  This year the minimum weight has been lowered to 300 grains total.  I’m shooting a 395 grain arrow, and I would have been out of compliance with the old regulations.

The main items of interest to my hunting buddies:

The maximum let off has been changed to 85% 

Expanding Broadheads are still NOT allowed 

 Here is the Section of interest to Idaho Bow hunters:

Archery — Archery Equipment
In any hunt, including general any-weapon seasons and
short-range hunts, it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game
animals:
• With arrows or bolts having broadheads measuring less
than 7/8 inch in width and having a primary cutting edge
less than 0.015 inch thick.
• With any bow having a peak draw weight of less than 40
pounds up to or at a draw of 28 inches.
• With an arrow wherein the broadhead does not precede
shaft and nock.
• With any chemicals or explosives attached to the arrow or
bolt.
• With arrows or bolts having expanding broadheads.
• With arrows or bolts having barbed broadheads. A barbed
broadhead is a broadhead that has any portion of the
broadhead forming an angle less than 90 degrees with the
shaft or ferrule.
• With any electronic or tritium-powered device attached to
an arrow or bow.
• With any bow capable of shooting more than one arrow at
a time.
• With any compound bow set at more than 85% let-off.
• With an arrow or bolt, and broadhead with a combined
total weight of less than 300 grains.
• With an arrow less than 24 inches from broadhead to nock
inclusive.
• With a bolt (crossbow) less than 12 inches from
broadhead to nock inclusive.
Archery-Only Season
Any person hunting in an archery-only season, including
controlled hunts, must have in possession their license with
archery permit validation. During an archery-only season, it is
illegal for hunters to use any firearm, crossbow, or implement
other than a longbow, compound bow, or recurve bow, or:
• Use any bow equipped with magnifying sights.
• Use any device that holds a bow at partial or full draw.
EXCEPT handicapped hunters possessing a permit
may use a device that holds a bow at partial or full draw.
(Applications for the use of devices holding a bow at
partial or full draw by handicapped hunters are available at
IDFG offices).
• EXCEPT handicapped hunters possessing a permit may
use a crossbow. (Applications for the use of crossbows by
handicapped hunters are available at IDFG offices).

The Entire Idaho hunting Seasons and  rules may be accessed on the web at:

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/hunt/rules/bg/

As many archers are fine tuning their equipment before archery season, I thought now would be an appropriate time to address tuning your broadheads. 

The first assumption made is that your field points are shooting well.  They are grouping where you aim, and flying straight out of the bow.  This may be acertained by Paper tuning.  This is accomplished by shooting a fletched arrow through light paper such as Newspaper, or butcher paper at a short distance (5-10 feet from the bow).  If the arrow is leaving the bow and occilating the paper will tear in a direction indicating the direction of travel of the tail of the arrow. 

According to the Michigan Sportsman Website, here is how to adjust for an imperfect tear…

To correct vertical flutter (C), move your nocking point down or your arrow rest up.

To correct vertical flutter (D), move your nocking point up or your arrow rest down.

To correct fletch left (E), move your arrow rest away from bow.

To correct fletch right (F), move your arrow rest toward the sight window.

 Here is an excellent page by Pete Ward with his inexpensive tuning stand made of PVC pipe:

 Once the field tipped arrows are flying straight out of the bow, the goal of many archers is to have their broadhead tipped arrows impact at the same point as their field points.  If they do not, then adjusting the nocking point, rest height and, move the rest left or right to bring the groups closer together.

Here is an EXCELENT diagram of adjustments to make to bring your  groups closer together from Martin Archery’s online tuning guide.

The reason this works is that broadheads will accentuate any imperfections in arrow flight.  By moving the rest or nocking point, the broadhead group will move more than the field point group.   Once the two groups coincide, move back to a greater distance from the target to be sure the groups are still together.  At a greater distance, any imperfections will be more noticable.  The groups may get larger, but they should be close enough that you feel comfortable in your aiming point.  At this point you may make your final adjustments to your sight and or pins if there is a new point of impact.

Sometimes, certain broadheads will not group with the field points, no matter what you do.  Be sure the broadheads are aligned straight with the arrow shaft by spinning them point down on a flat surface or on a spin tester like the one pictured below:

 If you detect a wobble, then that arrow will not shoot straight no matter what you do.   

Other options include expandable blade broadheads, where legal, or adjusting the sight to the point of impact for the broadhead group.  

In order to be an ethical bowhunter it is imperative that you know that your broadhead will go where you aim it.  Tuning your arrows and bow for near perfect arrow flight will result in better accuracy at longer distances.  

While driving home the other day, I spotted this fella below.  It made me wonder if he was going to be a spike for life, or develop into a nice buck.  I’ve seen really old deer regress to cow horned spikes, as well as tremendous yearlings with 11 inch spike horns.  Either way, since this Blacktail doesn’t have a fork on either antler, he is safe from law abiding hunters in CA.  His biggest threat is probably cars, folllowed by mountainlions and coyotes.  I hope I can keep track of him through to next year to let you know how he develops.

When I followed the link to the Wolverine , Relentless by nature contest, I was impressed by the entrants who are all hardworking, hard playing outdoorsmen.  Then I thought of the hardest working people that exemplified the spirit that Wolverine is about and thought of only one person….My wife. 

So with some well placed compliments and prodding, she agreed to enter, and her entry is posted here:

My wife Natalie is the reason I can pursue my outdoor and archery habits.  While I work in the animal nutrition field she is the one doing the hard work at home.  Still she finds time to be a wife, and mother and she even cleans up nice to go to town on occasion. 

Not many women could handle the physical aspects of ranching, but she manages. Even my father shook his head when she was halter breaking bulls when she was 7 months pregnant. but her hands on approach is what keeps things going.

So if you would like to recognize the hard work my wife does, you can vote for her in the contest.  Then you might be able to see her in the Wolverine ads instead of some big sweaty guy!  you may vote every day until September 26th

Here is an update on the Men’ Outdoors Channel situation on Dish Network. Appparently they are not at liberty to discuss the matter, but it is not money at the root of the problem. I’ve included a statement that was on a thread on Archerytalk. I will be tracking this matter as it develops.

Folks,

First, on behalf of MOR, many thanks for the kind words and support. In light of many of the comments on this thread, as well as numerous instances of incorrect information from the Dish call center, we have issued the following statement. Should you have any questions, please feel free to include them in this thread, or visit us at www.watchmor.com. Again, thanks for your support!

———————————————————————

Due to continuing negotiations relating to the distribution of our networks on Echostar’s Dish Network, the broadcast of TMG’s suite of networks, including Men’s Outdoors & Recreation (MOR), has been suspended on Dish. This unfortunate circumstance has occurred despite our efforts to maintain your ability to view our networks during these discussions. We are working directly with Echostar at the highest levels to resolve this issue and get our programming back on the air as soon as possible. Until that time, we find it necessary to clarify several points of information that our viewers have been told by Dish customer service representatives:

1) The Media Group did not suspend the delivery of our networks on Dish; Dish made the decision late Friday, July 13th, to suspend the broadcast of our networks.

2) MOR and Beauty & Fashion continue to broadcast on DirecTV, Channels 604 & 223, respectively. You can also find TMG’s networks on multiple Time Warner and other select cable systems. Please check with your cable or satellite provider for further details or to request one of our networks.

3) Although we are not at liberty to discuss the details of our negotiations with Dish, we can say that despite our understanding of Dish CSR comments to the contrary, the suspension of our networks has nothing to do with a TMG request for “more money”, as we have made no such request.

Our thanks for your continued support as we work to get the programs you love back on Dish.

The Executive Team at The Media Group

The conversation came up around the campfire the other day about favorite foods.  One person said “Man, I love steak.  If I had to choose my last meal, I’d have a big ‘ol steak and a baked potato, with chocolate cake after.” 

Then the next guy went on.  ‘I’d have barbecued ribs, …”  and so on and so on, until all eyes turned to me.  I let ‘em stew for a while and finally replied:

“I don’t ever want to know what my last meal is gonna be..Each one might be my last meal.  I’m gonna live each day like it was my last, but do my darnedest to make sure it isn’t.”  That was a little to contemplative for them so they changed the topic and started B.S.ing again.

But this is truly something I believe in.  You can’t live your life worrying about what has happened in the past or what might happen in the future.  You can plan, and  work towards a goal in the future but what you truly have control of is what you are DOING today, this moment.  This doesn’t mean abandoning your long term goals and dreams.  but rather having a series of short term and intermediate goals that will add up to achieving the long term goals. 

While I was training for my marathon I had a real good illustration of this principle.  I had the goal to complete a marathon a long ways off.  18 weeks.  That was the long term goal.  In order to do that, I had to achieve weekly goals of workouts I had planned out.  To achieve the weekly mileage total I had to achieve a daily run distance.  Each day all I could control was that day’s run that I was doing at that point.  When the time to run came, I was the only one that made the decision to step out the door.  I did each days run one step at a time.  By achieving each day’s running goal, I was closer to the bigger goal of running a marathon. 

Cameron Hanes has made a point of  pointing out that if you have a destination in mind, you should enjoy the journey.  Hence, if you want to be a trophy hunter you should enjoy all the work that goes into that, improving your accuracy whether bow or rifle, mastering your woods skills, studying your quarry, selecting your gear, getting physically in shape, so that when that opportunity of a lifetime comes you are prepared for it.

So what I was trying to convey to my campfire buddies was that I was going to make every meal the best it could be.  I was going to savor the accomplishments of the day, since it made me that much closer to a greater goal.   So I challenge each of you to achieve something every day that you know is taking you towards something worthwhile.

After reading this post on Alpha Trilogy, about hillbilly surfing I thought about the unofficial sports of those of us who live out “in the tules” away from town life.  Being a good “Left Coast” boy, I did have the priviledge of learning to boogy board as a young kid.  So I have my California credentials there!

I had to make my own fun growing up, since the nearest kid was 4 miles away, arranging play dates wasn’t an easy task.  So I made my own fun.  My playmates were my horse and dogs.  That is probably what molded me into the Western Wanderer I am today.

I always had a dog to play with.  Our English Pointers  were nothing like the field trial champions most people think of.  They were part of the family and even came deer hunting in the summer with us.

 
As a child I climbed trees, grain tanks, in the rafters of the barn. Just another challenge to pass the time. My favorite was climbing the sheer faces of the hay stack. Even today as an adult I have to find a way to get on top of the hay stack when someone forgets to “stair step” the bales. This involves using a pair of hay hooks to grab handholds, while scrambling for foot holds on the edges of the outer surface of the hay stack. Similar to ice climbing but no cold or crampons.
 

 It just goes to show you that “a country boy can survive”  and entertain themselves when there aren’t any hunting seasons open or school to attend.  I think that is one of the benefits to life in the West.  The outdoors is your playground.  I spent my time getting dirty and pretending to do the hunts I go on today.   Every time I buld a campfire in the back country, I think of the dozen of times I played on the ranch, imitating that very thing. 

And when that feeling of self doubt comes over me, wondering if I can do it, I just think to myself, “I’ve been practicing my whole life for this moment.”