Alaska Spring Bear Memoirs Part 1
May 02 2006
Other than hunting season, this is one of my favorite times of the year
because now is when all the hot new gear and products are released.
Sportsmen’s Edge Multi-Vitamin Supplement formulated exclusively for
Robinson Labs, Inc. is one of these items. I had the chance to get my hands
a few sample bottles of the tablets to try out this past season and I can
say firsthand, they do make a difference.
Isn’t that what it is all about in hunting? Finding something that will make a difference, regardless of how slight the difference is. It is commonly the little things that determine success or failure and for me, on tough hunts in the rugged mountains, I many times push my body to the breaking point. This is where Sportsmen’s Edge comes in. While I did start taking the tablets regularly, twice a day, months before season, I think that where they really paid for themselves was at the tail end of my long backcountry bivy hunts.
SHOT Show 2006 Hot Products
Apr 24 2006Here is a rundown of some of the hottest products I saw at this year’s SHOT
show in Las Vegas.
Backpack Checklist Q & A
Nov 28 2005Cameron,
First I would like to tell you I really enjoy your articles. I would also like to know if you have ever composed a checklist for a backpack trip of seven days. I am planning my first backpacking trip for elk next season and would like to start purchasing some of my equipment, but not sure of what I may need. I am looking for the amount of food, type of clothing, and hunting needs. I am from Oklahoma and my western hunting experience is very limited. Thank you, Brian Williams
Brian,
Way back in EBJ 13 we made our first stab at developing a gear list for the Do-It-Yourself hunter and honestly, that issue might be our best ever in that aspect. Some two year later, I still get bowhunters who have heard of EBJ 13 contacting me wanting to know if it is still available, which it is not. However my web site, www.crhpublishing.com has tons of DIY tips, articles and a thorough gear list. I welcome you to swing by if you have time. Sincerely, Cameron
Sight Pin Range Q&A
Nov 21 2005What yardage do you set your sight pins for? I am planning a wilderness mule deer hunt in New Mexico and wanted your opinion on hunting in the mountains or desert.
Justin,
Pretty open country down there so I would probably run my pins at 20-30-40-50 and 60 yards. This is what mine are at and it has always worked. If I were you I would make sure I was very confident out to 50 yards. It can be difficult to close in on those big boys in open country, but if you can keep your arrows in a pop can size spot every time out to 50, you should do well.
Eagle Cap wilderness hunt Q&A
Nov 17 2005Cameron,
My name is Sheddric and I am from Utah. I saw your Do-It-Yourself hunt in the Eagle Cap wilderness hunt in Oregon on TV and I would like to find out more information on the general area you were in. Oregon Fish and Game sent me a proclamation and I bought a topo map. I am a DIY hunter and would like you to elaborate on the hunt a little like location, tags for deer and elk, etc. I know you were quite a few miles in and my friend and I like that type of hunting in the high country. We are planning on hunting that area this year but would like to get some more information from you if possible.
Thank you for your time.
Sheddric Mickles
Badlands Pack and Running Q&A
Nov 07 2005Hey Cameron, I have a few questions for you if you don’t mind.
- I was curious to see what you thought of your Badlands pack this last season? Would you recommend it or should I stick with an external frame?
- One last thing, I am really starting to get into running. What would you recommend for a training pace to prepare for a marathon?
Cary Swain
Cary,
The Badlands 4500 is an awesome pack. I will surely be using it again this coming
season, as it is the perfect pack for wilderness hunting.
A marathon huh? Great preparation for long hunts where endurance is key. I would just plan on training at a pace that is comfortable. Do most of your running at a “conversation pace.” For some guys that’s a 6-minute mile for some it is a 10-minute mile. One thing I do know is 26.2 miles is a long way to run. Congrats on setting such lofty goals! Please, let me know how your training goes.
Dead On Accuracy - Tips from the Pros
Oct 31 2005Now is the time of year that most bowhunters are getting serious about preparation for the upcoming bow season. Given that I often get asked, “What one piece of advise can you give that will help me to be more successful this bowhunting season?” The thing is, there is not just “one” thing any of us could do differently or change, but that to consistently tag trophy animals a guy will need to do a couple dozen different things just right, or close to it. But, if I had to give just one tip it would come in two simple words, “Bow familiarity.”
Bivy Sack Q&A
Oct 24 2005Does your bivy sack breathe enough to get rid of condensation? Do you find that your bag starts to feel damp after two or three days of use? Over on 24hourcampfire.com there is a forum on backpack hunting and some guys are complaining of this. I am in the market for a bivy; could you recommend one? I am 6’4” 250lbs.
Thanks,
Kyle Cordano
Gearin’ Up for Alaska Bear
Oct 20 2005
A few of us die hard Alaskan bear hunters had our proverbial bear baiting futures hanging in the balance for a time late last year. Thankfully, Alaskans went to the ballot box and soundly defeated a measure that would have banned the use of bait to hunt bear. This round went to the hunters but in general ballot box wildlife management is a bad deal. In my opinion you are dancing with the devil anytime decision-making authority is taken away from the professionals (Fish & Game) and put in the hands of the largely unqualified (voters).
Me and my good buddy, AK resident Roy Roth, let out a big sigh of relief when learning of the AK voter’s results. We began baiting bears nearly twenty years ago and considered hauling bait, hanging tree stands and arrowing bears a rite of spring. Heck, we’ve already had bear baiting taken away from us once, back in 1994. That was the year Oregon essentially shut down bowhunting for black bear in the dog hair thick country we called home after voter’s passed a measure outlawed the use of bait to harvest bear. After a couple springs of no bear hunting, we took our game to Alaska and have never looked back.
The Elk Hunter’s Bow and Arrow Rig
Oct 10 2005
Successfully bowhunting the west for trophy elk requires a complete understanding of your bow & arrow rig and its capabilities and a personal commitment to becoming proficient with this equipment. I know full well that everyone shoots different combinations of equipment and all of us have our own preferences, but regardless of bow style or hunting style, I am convinced that for the western bowhunter the following topics play a huge part in whether you’ll be lashing your tag to the antlers of a trophy bull or whether the lunch special at your house will feature, “Tag Soup.”
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