Bighorn Trail Run 2008
Jul 09 2008
As if I don’t get enough camping in during the fall, I decided to head to the hills this weekend to do a little scouting and avoid the almost 100 degree heat that hammered our area on Friday. Rinda and I decided to load up and do a little old fashioned camping in an old burn up above Mike’s cabin in the Beartooth Mountains. The weather was much cooler and the wildlife was abundant. Our slumber was interrupted at 3:15 by coyotes yelping and to my surprise the elk began bugling at about 4:30. No visits from Mike’s bears though. A pretty cushy camp by fall standards, but it was good to get out of the summer heat and get into the hills. We are extremely fortunate to live so close to such magnificent country…particularly, with $5.00 per gallon gasoline. No doubt, fall is right around the corner with our first hunt, the antelope archery opener starting on the 15th of August.
Getting in Tight
Nov 26 2007Be patient and never force a stalk. We were hunting antelope during the rut many times there will be more than one set of eyes, ears and more than one nose to beat to get within bow range. Patience has never been more important.
Close in only when the wind is steady. In the plains country of Wyoming I hunted the past September there were no thermals to switch around like in the mountains. I found success by using the wind to my advantage, which is of course a must for the successful bowhunter. Out there the wind was always blowing, sometimes too hard actually, but at least it was consistent.
Building the perfect hunting arrow
Nov 19 2007Building the Perfect Hunting Arrow
By Cameron R. Hanes
For many bowhunters, their arrow is like their signature. Unique in its own way. Down at the bow shop I see a 100 guys walk in the door and walk out with seemingly 100 different variations of arrows. Different brands of shafts, dip, no dip, fletchings all the same color, two one color, one another, nock type, arrow wraps or no? And the beat goes on. It seems no two guys shoot exactly the same combo, which is how it should be. If I see someone shooting “my arrow”, I’m like, what is up with that guy? In the mind of many, we are all shooting the “Perfect Arrow.”
Of course being biased, here is why my broadhead, shaft and vane combination come together to make the perfect hunting arrow. Total finished arrow weight of exactly 413 grains as determined by my new Easton digital grain scale means it packs a killer punch in regard to kinetic energy at 70 foot lbs. Granted, my shaft might be considered heavy by today’s standards but dang, it penetrates like you wouldn’t believe. And, in my mind, flat arrow trajectory (speed) is secondary to a hard-hitting arrow, especially in this day and age where almost everyone packs a rangefinder. Perfectly balanced in terms of FOC (front of center), my 27 inch Easton Full Metal Jacket 400, with its small diameter, transfers energy so efficiently that I hit my last two big bull elk in CO with quartering away shots and they both broke through bull’s opposite shoulder, amazingly putting both 6×6’s down within 50 yards, on film.
Advice on packing in your bow
Nov 12 2007Cam,
I am getting dropped off in some rugged country this year, 14 miles back on horses. In the past, I have hiked in hunted hard all week, packed out the animals in multiple trips. As I am getting a bit older and smarter, I will be getting dropped off to hunt and packed out. How do you carry your bows on way in and out? Do you case your bow and strap it on animal? If so what case would you recommend?
Thanks for ideas in advance,
John Hak from Boise, I like your handle BTW.
My Son’s Successful Hunt
Jul 30 2007
Sept. 29th 2007 Oregon Rifle Season - Opening Day Being stuck in a remote Alaska moose camp because of a weather grounded bush planes seem like it was a lifetime ago…when in reality it was just one week. Man, it is good to be home after one very long month on the road hunting hard. Today was opening day of rifle season here in Oregon, which meant, it was time to go hunting with my oldest, Tanner (he is 14). When I looked at him last night, as we threw our gear together for today’s hunt, I could see the excitement on his face and the twinkle in his eyes. He was going hunting with Dad - life was good! We hit it pretty early this morning…in position well before daylight in some country I used to hunt years ago.
Mike Eastman interview from NWT caribou camp (Part 2)
Jul 09 2007Well, here we are in the middle of some of the most wild country anywhere. Hundreds of miles from civilization; wolves, grizzlies, weather, the whole nine. Might be the perfect setting to talk a little about hunting the backcountry, which as you know, is my favored method of hunting the rugged mountains of the West and the primary focus of my book, Backcountry Bowhunting, A Guide to the Wild Side.
Mike Eastman interview from NWT caribou camp (Part 1)
Jul 07 2007Well, here we are in the middle of some of the most wild country anywhere. Hundreds of miles from civilization; wolves, grizzlies, weather, the whole nine. Might be the perfect setting to talk a little about hunting the backcountry, which as you know, is my favored method of hunting the rugged mountains of the West and the primary focus of my book, Backcountry Bowhunting, A Guide from the Wild Side.
Blacktail
Dec 19 2006I hunted all day in the mountains packing in miles from the road. It rained and snow pretty much all day and you could safely say, I was Very cold and miserable when I popped over a sharp ridge and spied this guy 35 yards away, straight down off the end of a cliff, at dusk. Thinking because of the steep angle, if I held for 30 I’d be right on. I bent the bow back, held my 30 on his heart, released and hit him in the spine, dropping him in his tracks. High arrow placement, but effective. He rolled down the hill almost 400 yards before finally coming to rest.
I gutted him, propped his cavity open and left my coat to hopefully ward off any trophy sabotaging bears. I had started back towards the trailhead, thankfully, when I killed him but was still close to 5 miles into the wilderness. Hiked back first thing the following morning with my oldest son, Tanner, took photos, broke him down and packed back out. That was two FULL days of maximum effort.
Love those blacktail!
Book Buzz?
Aug 28 2006Well, the reviews from all of you regarding my new book, Backcountry Bowhunting, A Guide to the Wild Side are piling in. Thought I would share a few. All I can say is thanks for all the positive feedback. Sincerely, Cameron
Hunting in the land of the Big Bears
Aug 21 2006Hi Cameron,
One question I have for you is what do you do about bivouacking in grizzly country? The area I hunt in Montana is starting to get more and more grizzlies, let alone the wolves. I have been fortunate so far but I know eventually I will run into one. I saw one last year at long distance and also have been seeing a lot more sign than I have in the past. I know all the rules when it comes to keeping a clean camp but I was just curious as to what you do when you look for a place to sleep for the night?