And BIG on 2nd Amendment!
The Whitetail Rut Cycle Begins Anew: A Hunters Thoughts…
A hunters thoughts…August, like right now, I believe, in New Hampshire is roughly when the white-tail deer pineal gland (part of photoperiodism- The hours of sunlight each day) in bucks and does begin circadian clock-like signaling hormone changes. In the case of bucks, these hormones cause the blood to stop flowing to antlers (and they harden) and the drive to mate becomes increasingly important. Antlers are fighting tools, deadly knives and swords if you will, to attempt to kill each other for the chance to mate.
The velvet on antlers which house the multitude of veins that carry calcium that grow the bone-like antler structure begin to dry up after mid August. Males will begin to buddy-up in a bachelor group and play spar with each other and work the dried velvet from antlers on trees and bushes.
Sex and mating desire become ever increasing while the does pineal gland hormones times the beginning of estrous. Estrous is when does are fertile and receptive to mating. This occurs some time between mid October and mid December.
We tend to call that estrous time, THE RUT.
In my experience, the RUT peaks around November 20 give or take a few days and after October 31st is when deer movement and activity is more visible. This is when bucks often let their guard down to chase and mate a doe, often in disregard to danger.
Perhaps too, some hunters, like myself, can feel the change in the air, around this time and thoughts of hunter preparation are under way. I wait all year for this time, to really come alive! I liken it to renewal, we hunters too, become part of the Rut.
September is a time for bucks to hang out together away from the does and spar, friendly at first. Does and fawns eat aggressively to build fat stores. Deer are crepuscular creatures, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk.
In October, I discover, the night air carries the scent of emerging tarsal gland scent. Tarsal glands give off this strong scent to give notice to bucks and does. Once you have smelled tarsal enough, as a hunter, you can recognize it. I smell it’s pungent aroma beginning in late October even at my home at dusk. If hunting, you can sometimes wind that a buck is nearby ahead or you.
I find that sand pits are a great place to see deer tracks in the fall and to identify buck, doe and fawn/yearling tracks. Age often rounds a hoof front and its width and length tells about age and size. I believe bucks like fields and sand pits as much as does do as they see each other and when they can’t see, they can ID the deer by the interdigital gland secretions between the split in the hoof.
It is perhaps an Axiom for serious hunters, that during the Rut, the mantra is “find the does and bucks will not be far away.”
Beware of Buck Lockdown however, near to the peak of the rut, bucks will not leave a receptive doe and will stay with her, thus he is no longer searching and moving. Some hunters might say; “Where did the deer go?”
I like hunting the early part of the rut curve as bucks are searching as are the does. I have observed does heading toward buck bedding areas at dusk. She is going out on a hot date!
I hope you had some fun reading this article. If you did, you can read more at the article i Tick, Tock below from Len Lee Rue III.
Good Hunting!
Karoline For Congress (R) Building Steam with 24 Endorsements
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2021
CONTACT: info@karolineforcongress.com Karoline Leavitt, Candidate for Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st District, Announces 20+ Endorsements
HAMPTON, NH- Today, Karoline Leavitt, candidate for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, announced 24 endorsements from elected officials, grassroots activists, and business leaders. Karoline is expected to announce many more endorsements and coalition groups in the following weeks.
“I am truly humbled by the outpouring of support our campaign has received from grassroots activists, business leaders, and elected officials in just three weeks. Earning endorsements from such a diverse group of people from across the state this early in the campaign demonstrates that our message of putting New Hampshire FIRST is truly resonating. I will continue to work hard to earn the trust, support, and endorsements of many more Granite Staters as we forge ahead to victory!”
Ralph Boehm State Representative & Assistant Majority Leader Litchfield
“This state, no this country, needs a strong conservative. I’ve been around a long time, involved with local groups and am a 7 term state rep. And I’ve met and endorsed a lot of candidates. I’ve talked and listened to Karoline and she has earned my respect and endorsement, we need her to represent us in Washington.”
Al Baldasaro State Representative, Londonderry Co-Chair of Trump National Veterans Coalition Co-Chair of President Trump’s Re-election Campaign
Linda Gould State Representative Bedford
John Janigian State Representative Salem
Debra DeSimone State Representative Atkinson
Tom Kaczynski State Representative Rochester
Ken Sheffert Former State Representative Hampton
Harold & Christine Lewis Morse Entrepreneurs, Owners of Atkinson Resort & Country Club Atkinson
Gary Brockney Businessman Wolfeboro
Lucy Brockney Businesswoman Wolfeboro
Michael Phillips NH Developmental Disability Council, GOP Activist Salem
Julie Steiner GOP Activist Conway
Rick Smith Businessman Hampton
George Tombarello Businessman Atkinson
Jude Augusta Founder and President, NH United Hampton Falls
Rui Moura Head of Operations, NH United Seabrook
Rico Petrocelli Former Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer Nashua
Phil Bean Former State Representative, Businessman Hampton
MaryEllen Colvin GOP Activist Milford
Andy and Allison Bidgood Businessman Atkinson
Gary and Lisa Lewis Entrepreneurs Brentwood
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Fun 3D Archery with Granite State Bowhunters in Newton NH August 15, 2021
Here are just a few 3D shots with John LeBlanc and Ed Hale with traditional recurve and Long Bow at Country Pond F&G. What great fun!! I attached my Tactacam to the Recurve but I can’t see my arrows fly. Bummer! Fun anyway! Enjoy. Let’s cook up some foam!
Traditional Archery; The pendulum swings? Bowhunt too!
Shooting a cost-effective traditional recurve or long bow barebow (no sights) in your back yard or at a 3D shoot.
It’s just great fun and trains your mind! It’s quiet too, so it won’t bother the neighbors. I like it because it is great for arm, chest and back muscles and coordination. And it sharpens your conscious mind in terms of self-awareness of breathing and muscles just like shooting a rifle.
I have two inexpensive, but accurate, takedown bows (Samick Sage) of 45 pounds and a 50 pound OEELINE Bow below. Only $115 to $130 dollars each for bow and string. Can’t beat the cost-effective nature of traditional archery!
Getting Started?
Purchase a half dozen starter arrows can be purchased for $30 to $60 dollars or so. Very inexpensive setup as compared to a compound bow. You will need an arm guard and a shooting glove or finger tab.
Shooting Glove
Finger Tab
Arm Guard
If you are just starting out, I would join a sporting club and find an experienced traditional archer willing to help.
I have been shooting recurves and long bows for more years than I care to count. I’m picking up my recurve to see if I can meet my hunt expectations and have some 3D Archery fun.
Arrow spine and length charts on-line can help you find a good shooting arrow of aluminum or carbon or even Port Orford cedar. Buy a bow square and knock points and a crimp tool.
Brace height is the distance from the string to the inside bow grip some call the throat. Many Europeans call it Fistmele – the breadth of a fist with thumb stuck out to give the correct height of a string from a braced bow, approximately 7 inches. Brace height can be adjusted by twisting the bow string several turns to tighten the string and increase the brace height, if needed.
See the chart below for a guide. Best to use your manufacturer recommendation.
Shooting at unknown distances is key to calibrating your eye and mind. One of the best, and fun, techniques I use is to purchase a Judo point head below, screw it onto your arrow and shoot it in grass at balloons. The spring barbs catch the grass and your arrow will flip and not get lost. It is fun to hear the balloons pop! Gotcha!
The wind increases the challenge as the balloon bumps along the grass like a rabbit. I trained three youngsters to shoot compounds this way along with traditional bullseye targets and 3D Animals.
Hunting Stances
A good archery shooting stance is where your feet are a shoulder width apart and if you are right handed you will face nearly parallel to the target and your face is looking toward the right. In hunting, you must train and adjust your stance with the existing terrain however. Traditional target archers stand upright and recurve and long bow hunters stand a bit more like the letter C, hunching a bit over the arrow. Recurve target bows rarely get over 30 to 40 pounds. In contrast a hunting bow begins at 40 pounds pull at around 28 inches of draw and often 50 to 60 pounds pull or more at full draw.
Stances can be adjusted based on the bush and terrain you are in, so experiment. My bow is canted so my eye is next to the arrow nock for better aiming technique. I use an under arrow draw method.
Draw and Anchor
Push the bow with your left bow arm and pull with your right arm. If I can’t feel my back muscles tensioning, then I am not at full draw.
Full draw means the use of back muscles and is critical for good arrow flight, accuracy and form. Accordingly, I don’t try to shoot a bow that is too heavy in draw weight to start.
Your anchor point is often on your right cheek for a right hand shooter but that can change with different techniques. It is all about form, and repeating that form, just like golf and bowling.
Release
Release is letting go of the string. Keep your arm up like at full draw and release the string in a rearward motion. Plucking the string sideways will send your arrow left or right.
Follow-thru
After the string is released, maintain the stance for a few seconds allow your drawing arm and hand to finish its rearward motion. This allows you to create a body form which completes the release. And it looks and feels cool to do.
Both conscious and sub-conscious self-awareness is a large part of archery. Use of your mind, stance, form, eyes, arm and back muscles and release at the bow means a better flying arrow at the target.
Good Shooting!
© Copyright 2021
New Hampshire’s Own Karoline Leavitt (R) for Congress Endorsed by Red Sox Famer Rico Petrocelli
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New OEELINE Aerobow Recurve (Out of the Box) Review
I purchased this 62 inch OEELINE Aero-bow takedown recurve bow (50 pound) brand new for $115 dollars, WOW! Is this cheap junk or a great deal? Current reviews are very positive, so lets see…
I own a Samick Sage 45 pound take down bow which is very similar in design. I have been practicing with the Samick for almost 3 weeks and getting into shape. I really want to shoot a 50 pound recurve bow for deer and hog hunting, hence the new purchase. The new Aero-bow comes with an armguard, finger tab, Stringer and of course a string and 4 brass knocking points. (I own a knocking point tool) The bow did not come with any arrow rest. So I bought an arrow shelf rug and fur string silencers separately.
Note: I am not fond of the stringer device that came with the Aero-bow. I prefer a stringer that attaches tip to tip. I did purchase a rubber slip on limb tip protector to protect the lower limb tip from damage.
DAY 1 – Like all new bow strings, they stretch. So once your bow is strung measure the brace height. Mine was 7.5 inches which is good. I shot the bow and remeasured the brace height at 6 inches. I expected the stretch. This bow needs a 7 to 7.5 inch brace height. Unstring the bow and twist the string a dozen times to shorten the string. I turn the top loop end clockwise. Restring and check the brace height again. I had to turn the string many times to get the brace height back to at least 7 inches. Shoot it again or leave it strung for a few hours to stretch the string. Remeasure and adjust. You may have to do this more than once, till the string settles in. And be sure to recheck your knock point! So far the bow strings and shoots well. Very comfortable in my hand. Very little vibration, nice!
Since I have been shooting the Samick Sage at 45 pounds, the extra 5 pounds of the Aero-bow puts a bit more weight on my back muscles at full draw. I practice to achieve a true full draw, but stop shooting when tired. It will take a week or so of close target practice shooting to build strength in my back muscles and achieve good form.
Arrows, should be spined for the bow draw weight and arrow length. I like a helical feather design especially for broadheads. For hunting, I focus on traditional cut-on-contact broadheads.
A New Hampshire Granite State 3D Shoot is coming up this Sunday. We shall see if I am ready.
Good Shooting!
© Copyright 2021
Doin’ the Twist on your .270 Winchester?
“Come on Baby”, sang Chubby Checker! If you own a .270 Winchester with the standard 1:10 twist and you are happy with shooting lighter 100-150 grain bullets, then stay with them. However, if you want to push the envelope on heavier bullets, experts suggest a new barrel on your pet rifle in 1:8 twist can allow 170 grain bullets to rock n roll. Hand Loading is key!
But before you jump to order a new barrel consider the cost, and installation. A Lilja custom Barrel at 27-28 inches is going to run about $400 to $500 for the barrel alone. See Below.
Installation by a competent gun smith will be an additional fee. Shipping your rifle to the gunsmith? Another add-on. You could be spending around $1000 for your new set up. Now you have a .270 with a different twist or as modern metrics go, you have a 6.8mm rifle. Or you can purchase a whole new rifle in 6.8mm.
If you just love spending time at the target range with your new toy, then by all means do it.
But as for a hunter, maybe stick with what works, the .270 can shoot 150 grain bullets just fine and will kill Moose for gosh sakes. For just 20 more grains of bullet in a 1:8 twist, your spending roughly $1000 for 20 more grains of lead to throw down range or at a game animal. Maybe a .280 or a 7mm is a hunter’s approach. The 7mm Rem Mag shoots a 175 grain very well. If you then bought a 7mm, you would then have an additional rifle at roughly the same cost. Think Ahead!
Good Hunting!
©Copyright 2021
Buying a New Compound Bow for Deer Season?
I have had several compound bows over the years. My first compound bow is now perhaps in a museum. It was a Herter’s Power Magnum Compound. It was state-of-the-art in the late 1970’s. I hunted South Africa with a High Country Sniper Compound bow in 2003 where the Gemsbok below fell to a Muzzy tipped arrow at 25 yards and a Red Hartebeest at 20 yards (not pictured). See my African Safari eBook on the home page.
Gemsbok – South Africa 2003
What rings true for me is to purchase hunting compounds from major manufacturers like Bear, Hoyt, Mathews, PSE et al, and major retailers that have a honest-to-goodness expert bow person on hand to talk to. Your bow will need string service by a tech upon purchase unless you become expert yourself. Things like string serving, knock points, peep sights, rests etc. all need to be added. I like a short stabilizer. Get a best-in-class ball release, sight and hunting rest. As for arrows and broadheads, I am an Easton and cut-on-contact broadhead fan. Suit yourself. See the article below.
Broadheads: Fixed vs Mechanical;Vanes vs Feathers; Straight vs Helical
Second, is value or bang for the buck! No pun intended. I think there are great bows out there for under $700 for hunting. You don’t need to break the bank for a decent hunting bow. It is the add-ons that hit your pocketbook. I stay away from kit bows that are all inclusive if you are a serious hunter.
If you are a super serious bowhunter and want the very best, you can spend upwards of $1700 for the bow and $500 to get it set up and get a top line, top shelf bow.
Most shooters today attend 3D Archery Shoots. That is a great way to make bowhunting friends and have fun all year. Here in NH is Granite State Bowhunters, a great organization. I was a director for Granite State long ago and ran 3D shoots in Newton NH. http://www.granitestatebowhunters.com/
Good Hunting!
©Copyright 2021
August is my Archery Month- Update
Ok summer is nearing a close, time to think about Bowhunter prep if you haven’t already been shooting this summer. As I am older with a stigmatic eye, I can’t use my peep sight as my eye wants to drift. I still shoot a recurve instinctive below.
And now I have my Excalibur Crossbow to reach out and touch a nice whitetail. Or find a place to arrow a wild boar. I was up in Maine at “Skinner Bog” last year and took this wild hog at 20 yards. I have always been a Muzzy Broadhead fan. It did the job and kept on going. The blood trail was short and easy to follow.
My wife loves the meat from these wild hogs and demanded that I go and get another for the freezer. “Awe, do I have to”, I said Jokingly. I got on the phone right away. Below using a PSE Thrive 400. Wow cost effective and does it shoot tight groups.
Shooting my recurve and broadhead takes lots of practice, but I make it look easy below.
Here in New Hampshire this August there are several 3D shoots by Granite State Bowhunters to prepare you for deer season. See the schedule below.
http://www.granitestatebowhunters.com/3d-schedule/
Perfect practice makes perfect. Don’t overdo slinging arrows, you want to create good habits of form and release. Once your pulling arm feels a bit tired… stop. Repeating good form and release are important. Try shooting on your knees, and create that shooting form besides standing. Be sure to shoot your broadheads or practice broadheads in a broadhead target so you know how they will fly.
A bowhunter has a little different stance than a target shooter, in that the ground is not often level and undergrowth may cause you to move your feet. Tree stand shooting often requires that you bend at the waist to make the shot, especially when the game is close to you. If you do not bend with the bow, your string and peep angle to your face will cause the arrow to fly to a different point-of-impact. I created a mental checklist for the shot sequence. Tree branches out of way, arm and armguard clear of bowstring bend at waist, wait for best time to draw bow so your movements are not seen. After release, follow the arrow. I like luminock’s so I can see where the arrow entered.
Good Shooting!
© Copyright 2021