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Hi Kenny, I wish him the best of luck with the ticker, got lots of friends and relations that have been through that and came out great. I wish the same for him! If you guys stumble into camp we'll put on a pot of coffee for ya.
Here is a video of the bow with a new string, no silencers, and arrows 75 grains lighter than where I'm at now. Video. I hope to pick up some red and yellow B50 this weekend and do yet another new string in my signature colors for this bad boy Maybe I'll post another video here once I get the string and arrow finalized for this bow.
Speaking of strings, I hope you are running my string on that widow when you get your shot Gary! I'm thinking it's good and quiet as is with D97 and cat whiskers, but I'll make you a B50 for it if you want to try one out.
They are amazingly beautiful creatures indeed, the bucks and the does. To be completely honest, I'd be perfectly happy to be bow close to them even if I can't take a shot. We are preparing to embark on a great adventure! Thom
-------------------- Michigan Longbow Association Compton's Traditional Bowhunters >>>---TGMM Family of the Bow---> Posts: 874 | From: Grand Haven, Michigan | Registered: Aug 2010
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I wish I could be of more help to ya but I live in the complete opposite corner of the state, what I can tell ya is not to over look the center of the state from valentine southeast to Halsey and west of there along the HWY 2 corridor more and more goats showin up in those areas and there's a fair amount of public land that hold decent numbers. goodluck and keep us posted!
Steve
Posts: 310 | From: Southeast,Nebraska | Registered: May 2005
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Thanks for the info Steve, every bit of it is being tucked away!
I talked to the rancher today, he was out scouting around over the weekend and had some info.
Sounds like the overall numbers are very good, but the herds are broken into lots of little groups out ranging everywhere for forage. Makes sense with the drought.
Also even more of the water holes have dried up so these buggers are having a tough time. He's marked out some key crossing points as backup locations to the few water holes left out there. If a ton of rain comes in the next two weeks, we'll have some corridors to hunt.
How are you shooting Gary? Ready to do this? Thom
-------------------- Michigan Longbow Association Compton's Traditional Bowhunters >>>---TGMM Family of the Bow---> Posts: 874 | From: Grand Haven, Michigan | Registered: Aug 2010
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them goats are over numerous 'round here (30 miles w. of valentine) ranchers want em thinned out, game comission is so stingy with the permits they think they are endangered or something, truble right now is its so dry a guy doesnt dare drive to much in the pastures. Me and my son are gonna try to score a couple goats hopefully this year. Findin the time and ambition in this heat is also an issue. Scott
Posts: 90 | From: Nebraska Sandhills | Registered: Jun 2012
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Shootin' pretty good Thom. Need to fletch up some more shafts, sharpen some broadheads and get my camping stuff down from the rafters in the garage. Been many years since that stuff has been used. Conditions out there sound promising and I'm ready to go!
Posts: 482 | From: Grand Haven, Michigan | Registered: Nov 2009
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Thom, I have hunted pronghorns using every possible strategy in Colorado and Wyoming. I have been outfoxed and just plain beaten more times than I would like to admit. A waterhole setup works much better than any other strategy; your plan B, and plan C sould be other water holes. I hunt a place on public land in Wyoming with two available water holes. I camp and leave my vehicle parked on one and walk to the other (about 2 miles) to hunt. That strategy ups my odds.
Now, water hole blinds. Ideally, you want to have as little sticking above the ground as possible, and build it a few days before you hunt. The best setup is a pit, let's say 18"-24" deep-deep enough to fashion a dirt seat either on the rim or slightly below ground level. Erect a dome roof from weldwire over it and thatch it with local material. Leave big enough window(s) to shoot through. Make it big enough to move around and cant your bow. The most important part of this design is the roof over your head, which puts you are in the dark where you can't easliy be seen when you move, and it's cooler on those hot days! Wind is as important as with deer and elk-I have had Pronghorns come into a waterhole setup from directly down wind. But don't get seen, hence the purpose for reducing your profile, using a roof, and staying in the dark.
-------------------- "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."--A. Einstein Posts: 38 | From: Fort Collins, Colorado | Registered: Nov 2009
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Man that is some great stuff! The rancher offered to put out blinds but they would be too small for me to shoot out of. I'm thinking it would be good for the pronghorns to be accustomed to seeing a blind, then I could swap it for my blind in the dark before hunting that day. Seem like a good plan?
Gary, want to do a phone call tonight and go over the gear? I've been camping the last 3 weekends and I know where all my stuff is. I checked my tent and it's 10x10 with plenty of room for two cots.
Still sharpening broadheads over here too.... Thom
-------------------- Michigan Longbow Association Compton's Traditional Bowhunters >>>---TGMM Family of the Bow---> Posts: 874 | From: Grand Haven, Michigan | Registered: Aug 2010
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Thom, I'll give you a call tonight if we're not salmon fishing. A friend wants to fish tonight as long as the lake isn't too rough. If we fish I'll call you tomorrow night. My tent is in good shape and I ordered a cot and our fans yesterday. I e-mailed Dick to ask what we can bring for camp but haven't heard back yet. He may not check his mail regularly. Maybe I'll call him today. Talk soon Gary
Posts: 482 | From: Grand Haven, Michigan | Registered: Nov 2009
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Go with the switch a blind strategy. Having the blind in place for the goats to get use to is always a good thing. They'll never tell the difference.
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Thanks for chiming in Charlie, those few words give me a great deal of comfort that I'm on the right track!
Gary, God love ya for ordering those fans, I pray they are as quiet as they are supposed to be!!! I'm thinking that week will be more like a sauna endurance competition than my normal hunting trip, hopefully this will help!
Oh I found one Adidas "running" shirt. It's black fine mesh and the wind blows right through it, but it's long sleeved. I'm going to see if I can find a few more online as my new "blind camo" Thom
-------------------- Michigan Longbow Association Compton's Traditional Bowhunters >>>---TGMM Family of the Bow---> Posts: 874 | From: Grand Haven, Michigan | Registered: Aug 2010
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One week closer! I did rework my arrows for my selfbow as well as my sideplate and now I get a pretty good clank when the shaft hits the riser. I was too stiff but the suede and long feathers were hiding it.
No time left to mess with arrows and bows, I grabbed my NM Classic and set a new personal best on a round tonight. Broadheads all hit exactly 1.5" left of the center of the bullseye on 3 practice shots. Honestly the broadheads are flying a little better than my field tips.
Talked with Flingblade, and it sounds like the two of us are ready to do this! 4 days til we leave Michigan and 6 mornings from now I hope to be watching a sunrise over a water hole Thom
-------------------- Michigan Longbow Association Compton's Traditional Bowhunters >>>---TGMM Family of the Bow---> Posts: 874 | From: Grand Haven, Michigan | Registered: Aug 2010
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3 days and a wake up Thom! Getting everything packed today. Shot two arrows last night. 35 yards sitting on stool and 25 yards with broadhead. Both in kill zone. Stopped there; don't want to mess with my confidence at this point. I think I'm gonna hunt the alfalfa first day and see what happens but plans may change once we're there and have a look. I wonder if they are getting any of this rain out there in NW Nebraska?
Posts: 482 | From: Grand Haven, Michigan | Registered: Nov 2009
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Check out the Hope and Faith thread for several pics that will get you even more excited. Starting on page 6 I believe.
-------------------- Member of; Comptons Pope and Young PBS Colorado Traditional Archers Society and Life member of Bowhunters Of Wyoming Posts: 2398 | From: Wyoming | Registered: Jan 2008
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Don't forget... take lots of pics. We expect a full report when you return.
-------------------- "I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately. To front only the essential facts of life and see if I could not learn what it had to teach and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived"- Thoreau "TGMM Family of the Bow" Posts: 1890 | From: Flint & DeTour Village, Michigan | Registered: Oct 2005
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Maybe I'll post another video here once I get the string and arrow finalized for this bow.
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