Exciting New Products from the Cabela’s Archery Catalog 

I’m not in the industry and I don’t get to go to the Archery Trade Association (ATA) show so I often have to wait until the season’s catalogs come out to see the newest products.  Yesterday I received the new Cabela’s 2009 Archery Catalog.  There were a number of products that got me excited.

Gorilla Hang-On HX Treestands

I don’t need a new stand, but the Silverback Scout HX caught my eye.  It has an 18″ x 24″ platform, 20″ high seat and weighs 9 pounds.  Since I primarily hunt public land and carry my stand to nearly every set up nearly every time the light weight is what really interests me.  Having used Gorilla treestands in the past the list price of $114.99 doesn’t seem that bad.  The Gorilla website does not list the HX line yet. 

Gorilla Silverback Predator Sticks

Very similar to Lone Wolf Climbing Sticks Gorilla’s new Silverback Predator Sticks weigh a pound more each, 3 1/2 pounds versus 2 1/2 pounds, and retail for $39.99 each or $119.99 per set of three.  That is only a savings of $10 over a Lone Wolf set so on a weight basis alone I’d still opt for the Lone Wolf product, but they are interesting.

 GamePlan Gear’s Treestand Transport System

For 2009 GamePlan Gear has completely re-engineered the Treestand Transport System (TTS) first introduced in 2008 based on customer feedback.  I used the 2008 TTS and while it was an innovative improvement over simple straps it had a few problems.  By all accounts GamePlan Gear stood by its warranty.  I will say from personal customer service experience the company was not responsive to either phone or e-mail after-sale product inquiries.  I am still anxious to try out the 2009 TTS.

Horn Hunter’s Blind Hog Blind System

Man, it is tough on the shoulders carrying a 21 pound blind, chair, bow holder stake, and decoys with the often supplied single strap.  However, I haven’t been willing to let go of the $150-275 required to buy a good aftermarket blind pack.  Instead, I’m willing to cripple myself for life.  However, Horn Hunter now has its Blind Hog Blind System which carries the blind as well your gear for $79.99.  That’s a price I can live with.  It sports a, “molded foam back, padded shoulder and sternum straps and belt.”  Horn Hunter touts its warranty.

Primos’ Blind Bag

Yet another solution to my being crippled for life from carrying a blind may be the new Primos’ Blind Bag.  Priced at $24.99 it has, “Designated space for blind, stakes, stool, bow or gun.”  I like that price even more than $79.99.

Primos Hub Blind Bow Holder

This innovative product, priced at $39.99, mounts on your blind’s wall hubs and keeps, “your bow, backpack, binoculars or rangefinder close at hand.  For the price I’ll stick with my blind stake, but it is pretty innovative.

Wildlife Research Magnum Scrape-Dripper

These guys must have been reading my mind last year.  Their standard scrape dripper accepts 1.25 ounce of scent and is supposed to last for about 1 week.  I wanted something to last for 2 weeks so I made my own twice-as-big version.  That’ll be a future blog.  I’m convinced based on game camera photos that the scent dripper did work to pull in one 10-pointer during daylight hours.  The Magnum is listed at $17.99, accepts 4 ounces of scent and is supposed to last two to three weeks.

Primos Truth Serum Deer Dropin’s

Ok, I wouldn’t buy this product, but it’s stuck in my head like an ear worm.  For $9.99 you get 2.5 ounces (about 200 pellets) of biodegradable, scent balls with a deer dropping appearance.  It might actually be more fun using these for purposes other than hunting.  Imagine your hunting partner up at 4:00 a.m. reaching into his pack for some hand warmers and finding some Deer Dropin’s!

Well, of the whole catalog, those were the things that excite me the most.  Now, I’ve just got to get to my local Cabela’s and check out those blind packs/bags.

happy hunting, dv

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Coming up on Mostly Archery

• Bowfishing – Preparing the Boat
• A Visit to the Forge Bow Factory Store
• Anatomy of a Bowfishing Bow

A Hunting Bow Overhaul 

To buy a new bow or overhaul the old bow?  That is the question.  I think nearly all of us want the “latest and greatest”, but when is it really time to buy a new bow?  I asked around online forums including Bowcast and saw others asking the same question.  Other than the archer who wisely recommended that you only buy a bow if your mortgage, car payments and childrens’ college funds are up-to-date, I really didn’t find a satisfactory answer.  Lexus would only eat the books and bite the professors so I could probably use her college fund to buy a new bow, but I still didn’t know what to do. 

What it came down to for me was that the price of a new bow nearly equaled the cost of my pronghorn hunt this fall or my trip to Texas in January.  Basically, I’d rather “dump the string” on critters with an old bow than dump the money to buy a new one this year.  This “new equipment versus string-dumping” is a subject I’ll explore more in a future blog.  However, it was time to change out the string and do some modifications to my shooting style.  Here is my current bow set up bought in the latter part of 2006. 

Reflex Highlander set to 26.5″ draw length and 67.5 pounds

Factory strings and cables

Sims super string leeches

Copper John pre-2007 .019″ 5-pin sight

Tubed 3/16″ peep

Nock sets

Eliminator buttons

STS string dampener

Quiet Tune stabilizer

Trophy Taker Shakey Hunter rest

NAP arrow holder

Neet web sling

A 2006 Reflex Highlander

Here is the work list:

New strings and cables

Addition of a D-loop

Change to a tubeless 1/4″ peep

New string silencers

New braided sling

Add non-slip material to grip

New stabilizer

Some of the parts used for the overhaul.

String Choices

I’ve used Winner’s Choice and Vapor Trail strings in the past and been happy with both.  WC’s are great strings, but I don’t shoot well enough to notice a difference between them and the lower cost alternatives.  My bowfishing bow that also serves as a back up if needed has Vapor Trail strings on it.  They’ve held up well to the wet, hot, sunny, slimy and bloody conditions of bowfishing.  A solid-shooting acquaintance I respect at local West Allis Bowmen turned me on to Wolf Den Strings and Johns Customs has a good reputation over at Bowcast. 

I contacted VT, Wolf Den and Johns Customs to check on the number of strands, materials used, pre-stretching technique and get a feel for the experience of each.  I was interested in the number of strands due to nock fit, creep (permanent lengthening) and speed.  Pre-stretch goes to maintaining peep rotation especially considering I am switching to a tubeless peep and d-loop.  Customer service was great from all.  I decided to stick with VT just because I have had good experiences with them. 

Changing Strings

I’d rather have a nail driven through my toe than tune a bow.  But, I’d rather change the strings and tune the bow myself than take it somewhere.  Why?  I haven’t found a “pro” shop I trust to do this work. 

In the past I have had strings so long put on my bow that they actually allowed the cam to rotate all the way around and cut into it.  I’ve had a hole drilled completely through my riser.  I dealt with one manufacturer who couldn’t return the bow to its original draw length after three attempts.  I’ve had shop technicians argue with me about the length of my arrows and I’ve had them consistently cut off 1/16″ crooked.  And I’ve experienced such bad customer service that even forgiving Mrs. dv said, “You’re not actually going to buy a bow there are you?”  When trying to explain the technical aspect of what I was trying to accomplish with a bow I’ve had shop technicians give me that dull, deer-in-the-headlights’ look. 

Doing the work yourself isn’t without risk or frustration.  I broke a limb on one of my bows once by failing to reassemble it properly.  Each archer has to decide if working on his or her bow to this level is desirable.

To see if all this work would make any difference I ran a few arrows through the chronograph.  Three arrows later the average was 254 feet per second.  When I bought the bow two years ago the average was 262.

Since I don’t do this kind of thing all the time I proceed slowly.  I usually have old catalogs with pictures of the bow on hand to make sure everything goes back together the same way.  I also take close digital pictures for the same reason.  When new I recorded the factory specifications, axle-to-axle and brace height measurements in the original owner’s manual. 

I measured and recorded the distance from the string’s top loop to the peep and nock point so I can get them back into a starting position on the new string.  Then I slowly swapped out both cables and the string one at a time. 

Set Draw Length and Draw Weight

Proper draw length is critical for shooting well.  I worry about that first.  Make a “measuring arrow” from an old one that is too long for your draw length.  Look in the “lost bucket” of your local archery club for possible candidates.  I take my desired draw length, 26 1/2″, subtract 1 3/4″ and arrive at 24 3/4″.  I then measure my arrow from the valley of the nock to the 24 3/4″ point and mark that.  Why?  Because that is the Archery Trade Association standard.  The distance from the string at full draw to the center of the Berger button hole for a 30″ draw bow is actually 28 1/4″.  The Berger button is the hole in the riser where the bolt for your rest goes in which just happens be directly above the most forward part of your grip (inside the riser).

dv’s Time Out Corner:  Verify your measuring arrow’s measurements before starting.  I spent three days working up a sweat trying to set my draw length only to find I was using the wrong mark on my measuring arrow – “Measure twice, set draw length once.”     

I then fasten a paperclip to my riser as in the picture below and draw the bow.  By comparing the mark on the arrow to the paperclip I determine if the draw length is too long or too short.  You can also have a friend or your wife help you with this.  I avoid bothering Mrs. dv.  She’s usually watching American Idiot or America’s Next Top Moron and I wouldn’t appreciate it if she bothered me while I was tuning my bow (or staring at it lovingly…  or reminiscing about past hunts with it…).

Once I set draw length I move on to draw weight adjusting the limb bolts as necessary.  It is good to start out with your bolts bottomed out and unscrew them in equal amounts to maintain equal tiller (distance from limb pocket to string) on top and bottom.  I mark my bolts (as in picture below) to maintain equal settings.

It’s tough to see, but there is line etched into the limb bolt visible horizontally at the three o’clock point.

Basic Tuning

I believe you need to “shoot the strings in” before final tuning, but I don’t want the system so far out of tune that it is a beast to shoot.  Whether I’m shooting for score or just whacking some spots my practice time is valuable and I want the most out of it.  So, I do some basic tuning.

Whatever type bow you have check around and see if someone has developed a tuning guide for it.  Likely sources are Bowcast, Archery Talk or the manufacturer’s website.  I have three different guides for the Reflex Slam and 1/2 cams on my Highlander.  Take your time and go through the process slowly.  Like I said, it can be frustrating.  Adjustments to a cable can affect draw length and weight and I sometimes feel I’m running in circles.  Keep at it until it is where you want it.  Since each one is so specific I won’t go into details on this process.

Loop, Peep, String Silencers

Next I installed my d-loop.  Use your square to determine its location.  In order to maintain my anchor I wanted the loop as small (short) as possible.  It took me about 8 tries before getting it close.  I’m still not sure if it is where I want it, but it is a start.  Visit the Bowcast Blog on d-loop tying and T-Bone Turner’s videos on d-loop tying for more information. 

Next I installed the peep.  I went with a 1/4″ peep as I want to center my pre-2007 Copper John pin guard inside it when aiming as another reference point.  I chose the tube-less G5 Meta Peep for this.  Discontinuing the tube reduces weight, should add speed and reduce noise. 

String silencers were next.  I went with the original Sims string leeches for this.  The Primos String Bats were economically priced and I like Primos’ products in general, but there was so little material there I didn’t see how they could have any effect.   

dv’s Time Out Corner:  I wanted to check the peep’s alignment before putting the STS and stabilizer (which hold the sling) on since they have to be removed to press the bow.  On my first shot the bow jumped out of my hand and landed right on the concrete floor on the bottom cam.  All seems well, but it did ding up the bottom cam some.  Shoot with your sling on your bow!

Sling

I installed the sling one step too late.  I really like how it is more rigid than the old web-material version.  That should be handy for getting into it in the field.    

Grip Material

The local hardware store had some adhesive-backed, non-slip material near the glues and friction tape.  Basically, it was black sandpaper with adhesive on the back.  I applied it to the riser where the base of my thumb makes contact. 

Stabilizer

The shiny aluminum is showing through on my stabilizer, but I can no longer find the Quiet Tune line.  Cobra bought them from a local company and seems to have killed them.  I bought the Sims S-Coil 2.5″ Extension and mounted it with a Sims S-Coil Stabilizer I already had, but it wouldn’t fit with the excess portion of the STS bar sticking out the front.  Not wanting to cut off the STS bar as it may eventually end up on my target bow I went back and bought the Sims Xpress Stabilizer which fit just fine.

Post overhaul.

Chrono Time

Ok, everything is back on the bow. Time to do some shooting and see how it went.  Three shots registered 262 fps every time.  For my draw length I’m pretty happy with that. 

Conclusion

That is pretty much it.  I’ll have to do final paper tuning after I’ve shot it in awhile and then compare field point point-of-impact to the two types of broadheads I use.  Further tuning and sighting may be required after that, but that is for a future blog.

happy hunting, dv

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Coming up on Mostly Archery

• Bowfishing – Preparing the Boat
• A Visit to the Forge Bow Factory Store
• Anatomy of a Bowfishing Bow

This is the third and final part of a three part blog, OIF/OEF Veterans Dog Sled with Outward Bound.  You can find Part One here and Part Two here.

On the last day of sledding Byron took solo scouting duties, each team of three veterans took a sled and Kim gave us some free rein to safely exercise our new skills over the long final portage.  We were picked up and transported back to Home Place for the reverse duffel shuffle and equipment clean up.  There were warm showers, a warm cottage to sleep in and a homey lodge for the banquet supper and breakfast the next morning.  Suellen, based on the recommendations of team members, tried to recruit me as a veteran instructor, but as she said time was the problem.  And, time is exactly the problem.     

Memories…  Kim’s giant smile and outdoor competence.  What an extreme bowhunter she would be.  Byron toasting me with coffee and skiing like a demon.  Judy “busting some moves” while doing core-temperature-raising exercises.  The hair curls that formed around and under Stephanie’s sunglasses and her infectiously happy persona.  Victoria’s sense of humor and her oh-so-true statement that, “People choose their own paths.”  The huge billow of smoke from Steve’s solo fire.  The day Michael and I spent riding and guiding a sled together and sharing life’s conversations.  Finally, given the whole experience the hardest thing of all…………….was leaving the dogs.  Baldor curled up, sleeping.  Buck’s timidity and falling asleep standing up.  Brownie’s crazy appearance and bark.  Strider’s frustrating behavior.  Squirt’s licks.  These are all great memories.  Things I will remember forever.

Thank You goes out to Kim, Byron, our OIF/OEF veteran team, the dog teams, Outward Bound and the Sierra Club.  As a veteran, I salute you all.

Our team poses for an end-of-trip picture.  Left to right, back row; Victoria, Stephanie, Steve, Michael, Byron and Kim.  Left to right, front row; Judy, Jerry and Chevy the dog.

New words and phrases:

Foot wood – Wood put down on the snow to rest your feet on while drying your socks by the fire.

Poohrell – Slang term for a popular hand sanitizing product. 

Pot wood – Wood put down on the snow to rest a hot pot on.

Pulk – A sled pulled behind a cross country skier.

Slammer – Open pit toilet.  Usually no lid or fold down seat.

Snow mobile brake – A flat pad made from salvaged snow-mobile track drug behind the sled and stepped on by the musher to gently slow the dog team. 

Snub line – A rope drug behind the sled used to slow the dogs and sled during steep or dangerous ascents.

Souping the dogs – Giving the dogs a warm mixture of kibble and water to encourage them to hydrate.

Squirrel Bag – Individual bags filled with crackers, cheeses, pepperoni, summer sausage, Logan bread, flappers, candy and more to sustain your energy and warmth through out the day.

Squirrel Scat – A term coined by team-member Judy to describe the crushed up food bits at the bottom of a Squirrel Bag.

Tug line – Connects the sled’s gang-line to the dogs’ harnesses.

More resources:

• Watch team member Judy’s outstanding video presentation on our dog sledding adventure here.
• See dustyvarmint’s dogsledding photo album here.
• See an article from the Naval Station Great Lakes Bulletin about this adventure , below.

 Click on images, below, to see larger versions.

happy dogsledding, dv

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Coming up on Mostly Archery

• Bowfishing – Preparing the Boat
• Overhauling My Hunting Bow
• Anatomy of a Bowfishing Bow

This is part two of  a three part blog, OIF/OEF Veterans Dog Sled with Outward Bound.  You can find Part One here.

We ate very well.  Most meals were hot, convenient, one-potter, belly-fillers.  Memorable dinners included macaroni and cheese, potato chowder and pizza.  Breakfasts often included a hot or cold bar of granola, grape nuts, other cereals, mashed potatoes and powdered milk.  An egg, spinach, hash brown and sausage casserole was especially memorable.  Kim’s “donuts” made from frying English muffins in butter and covering them in powdered sugar were a very welcome warm treat.  A chocolate cake and cinnamon rolls rolled out on the back of a large aluminum scoop shovel were the crème-de-la-crème.  Both were made from scratch by Kim and cooked in a Dutch oven fueled by the fire.  As a cinnamon roll connoisseur I can tell you that those rolls rank second only to those prepared by my high school cafeteria many, many years ago.  We took no lunch breaks, rather we munched from our squirrel bags all day long to maintain energy and body temperature. 

A squirrel bag.

OB’s pre-expedition handouts said to lay off sweets, meat and caffeine.  I spent 3 weeks drinking caffeine free coffee in preparation.  That wasn’t too hard.  However, Byron had the coffee connection hooked up with a small French press – THANK YOU Byron.  As a chocoholic I took a bag of Nestle chunks that were brought out and shared at appropriate times.  Byron did the same with Starburst and Kim would bring out mini candy bars.  All good bandages for tired minds and tired bodies.  Our water came from the lakes or snow and was then boiled.  Individual Propel mixes made the hard water more palatable and encouraged me to stay hydrated.  A hot drink bar of instant Russian tea, instant Chai tea and hot cocoa were welcome respites before breakfast and dinner.

dv’s Time Out Corner – Absolutely do not confuse the powdered milk with the powdered potatoes when doctoring your coffee.  Team member Judy found this to be less than palatable.

The finer points of boiled lake water. 

Mornings developed into another routine.  The same avian carnivore would awaken us, we’d stuff packs, tear down shelters, consume breakfast, pack sleds and pulks for the day and depart.  Daily journeys varied from 2.5 miles to 6 plus miles over ice or slush covered lakes, 16-24 inches of soft snow that collapsed when you tried to ski or sled over it, bare ground patches, boulders and logs. 

A great disappointment came on the day we were transitioning from Horse Lake to Horse River.  The plan was to visit waterfalls near the Canadian border.  However, the ice on Horse River would no longer support us and the banks were not continuously navigable.  I enjoyed performing a little scouting in sometimes waste deep snow to see if a marsh emptied into the river further along our route.  It made me feel like I was back at home scouting for deer and turkeys.  A new route was planned.  Another challenge came about when the snow on a particularly steep ascent had totally melted and open water presented itself at the bottom.  Kim dug in her tool box of knowledge and safely belayed the sleds, most dogs attached, down and around the obstacles with great skill.

Belaying the sled over a bare spot with open water nearby. 

Since my return I have been asked how the female team members did considering the physical demands of the course.  My answer is that we were all equal and we performed equally.  That is the truth.  From sawing and splitting to sled-lifting and dog handling everyone helped everyone with everything.  Based on my military experience I very much prefer a gender integrated environment over a segregated one.  I prefer the balancing nature of our differing perspectives and abilities.  I told my wife before departing that I hoped my team would be a mix of men and women.  Thankfully it was.    

Although the military is generally gender integrated it isn’t always what I consider an adult environment.  In our OB wilderness environment adult, discrete behavior was the rule.  Slammers, if available, were often in very close proximity to camp.  Close enough for participation in normal conversation.  Trail business was conducted often within sight of one another.  Eyes were averted and discretion given.  Sleeping bags, regardless of gender, were next to one another.  We were a team.  It felt good to be part of this kind of team.  I am appreciative for people who want to be equal acting equal.

Part of the experience was to do a “Solo”.  We were given a saw, tarp, individual mess kit, foil package of vegetables and bratwurst sausage, package of Ramen noodles, matches and some twine.  We then picked a site off the lake map and trekked to it.  The idea is to boost confidence and provide some time for inner reflection.  Prior to this Kim made sure we received a lesson on fire-making if team members thought they needed it and a suggested configuration for the shelter including recommended knots. 

Since it was early afternoon I had enough time to cut about 1/8th cord of wood and kindling, build my shelter, practice a few laps of ice skiing, get an abdominal and push-up work out in, do a stretching routine and watch the sun go down from a small bench I made from some wood graciously donated by a beaver family.  Inadvertently I had grabbed the vegetarian foil pack so dinner turned out to be a vegetable medley with Ramen noodles and some American cheese from my squirrel bag.  Pretty tasty.  I did learn that my woods-fabricated pot hook needed to be about 18 inches long rather than the original 4 inches.  The twine connecting it to the tripod was very susceptible to licks from the flame.  Dessert was a mixture of raisins, peanuts and chocolate chunks I’d concocted from the squirrel bags and the stash of chocolate I brought – one of my favorite trail and hunting munchies.

Tripod, wood, kindling and bench.

Solo shelter. 

The next morning we returned to camp and discussed our experiences in a supportive, facilitative environment.  I want to say how much I appreciate the service of our military members who have done ground tours in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom and their families.  THANK YOU.  As for me, my shipboard experiences were rather mundane and I spend so much time in the woods that my self-reflections remained the same as always.  No new revelations came along.  It was fun, though.

That is it for Part 2.  Visit again next Monday, April 12, 2009 for Part 3.

happy dog sledding, dv

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Coming up on Mostly Archery

• Bowfishing – Preparing the Boat
• Overhauling My Hunting Bow
• Veteran’s Dogsled in Minnesota’s Boundary Water Canoe Area – Part 3

Note:  In Back From Icefishing Weekend at Deercamp I shared a picture of me scouting in the woods with a 45 pound ALICE pack and alluded to an upcoming adventure.  Well here it is.  The following is the first installment of a three part blog on Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans dog sledding with Outward Bound courtesy of Sierra Club.

Byron, our Outward Bound Instructor, said as he looked at the group of six veterans and lead instructor Kim over the camp fire, “That was the gnarliest dog sledding I’ve ever done.”  Since we hadn’t been off the gravel road more than fifty yards before the lead sled I was on careened over and nearly went in a creek I had to agree with him.  Contrary to visions of the fast-moving Iditarod, dog sledding in a mid-March warm snap over Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area portages and frozen lakes provided a real physical challenge.  Righting the sled after it tipped on tight turns and cross-country skiing over slick-as-slime ice-covered lakes while scouting a safe passage for the dogs and sleds required physical stamina. 

Sierra Club has graciously provided funding to Outward Bound so that Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans can take advantage of outdoor expeditions.  Backpacking, canoeing, white-water rafting, ropes courses and dog-sledding are just a few of the available activities.  Expedition and travel expenses are provided at no cost to the veteran.  The goal of the program includes, “…helping participating veterans build a supportive community with other war veterans; facilitating discussions on readjustment and transition challenges; and re-energizing and reinvigorating our veterans’ spirits with adventures and challenges in the beautiful outdoors.” 

Our group of OIF/OEF veterans included Victoria, Michael, Steve, Stephanie, Judy and myself.  We were from all walks of life and life experiences.  The common bond was our military backgrounds.  Immediately upon exiting the van at Outward Bound’s Minnesota Home Place near Ely we were warmly greeted by Kim and Byron.  I was immediately struck by Kim’s giant persona and would be again and again.  As we stepped back outside to receive Suellen’s, Home Place’s Director, welcome talk three deer wandered out onto the adjacent snow-covered lake.  We spent some time doing the “duffle shuffle”, transferring our gear from luggage to packs, and getting dressed appropriately.  OB sends each participant an equipment list that relies heavily on the layering principle with moisture-wicking clothing.  These items of long underwear, lighter jackets and other personal gear are provided by the participant.  Other common, less personal items such as packs, sleeping bags and down coats are provided by OB. 

We received some basic safety and climate briefs and a crash (literally for some of us) course in cross-country skiing.  After a warm dinner we filled our two 32-ounce Nalgene bottles with hot tap water and visited the dog yard where OB has its own pack of 50-60 dogs.  We then hiked to our home for the night, two tarps pitched in the snow in an inverted “V” with ground cloths underneath.  Then began a nightly ritual.  Place the down sleeping bag into the synthetic bag, toss in your water bottles to keep your feet warm and jump in your bag.  We were awakened to a hot drink and oatmeal breakfast around the campfire by Kim imitating a Northwood’s avian carnivore.

Stephanie, Steve, Judy, Michael and Kim enjoy our first breakfast around the fire.

After being transported to our trailhead we broke into two teams.  One team would be mushers for the day and the other would be skier/scouts.  We’d flip-flop this arrangement each day.  As the skiers got organized and took off, the mushers received lessons on packing the sleds and handling and hooking up the dogs.  These large, muscular dogs are placed in “two-wheel drive” when being taken from tie out lead to sled gang line.  This encompasses gripping them by the collar and pulling their two front feet off the ground.  It doesn’t hurt the dog, but it does allow the weaker human to guide them in the right direction.

Lead Instructor Kim Leads The Way

These animals love their jobs (see the dogs bring home the firewood on video).  They bark and howl as soon as they sense there is pulling work to be done.  I’m convinced that if they had thumbs they’d put their own harnesses on.  They reflexively lift their front legs up allowing you to do so.  Baldor, Buck, Savannah, Moose and Brownie pulled the lead sled.  Baldor (see Baldor on video), having been to the North Pole, was the lead team’s lead dog.  Semi-retired, now a pet, he occasionally helps out when extra dogs are needed.  Smart and statesman-like, he exhibits a calm maturity at all times.  “What’s next? Bring it on,” he seems to say and when the work is done he rests with great, unagitated diplomacy.  Strider, Hester, Hank, Chevy, Calvin and Squirt brought up the rear team.  We think she-dog Strider had a crush on mafia-brother (known for fighting) Squirt.  This caused no end of baby-sitting on our parts.  Her mind was definitely hanging out in the red-light district.

Baldor Taking A Break

Now return to the point at which the sled over turned and almost went into the creek.  After righting it we followed the skiers’ path.  This required numerous instances of having the skiers help us keep the dogs and sleds up out of the now soft ice and sometimes open waters as we navigated the banks.  The sun shone brightly, melting snow cascaded down huge boulders and the air temperature was pleasant provided we stayed busy, which we did.  Once past the treacherous points and to our first lake the skiers took off again while the dogs rested and we waited for a new safe path to be scouted out.

OB practices Leave No Trace or LNT.  Saw dust from wood cutting, splinters and bark from splitting, old campfire coals and dog waste were all collected and buried deep in the snow to allow decomposition through as many freeze-thaw cycles as possible.  In the absence of slammers in established campsites human waste is treated the same with toilet paper being burned.  Kim made sure we knew how to properly “pooh” in the woods in a LNT fashion and properly sanitize with “poohrell” at the appropriate intervals.  Food waste is burned in the fire to the maximum extent possible.

That is it for Part 1.  Visit again next Monday for Part 2.

happy dog sledding, dv

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Coming up on Mostly Archery

• Bowfishing – Preparing the Boat
• Overhauling My Hunting Bow
• Veteran’s Dogsled in Minnesota’s Boundary Water Canoe Area – Part 2

As promised, an upcoming blog will discuss the overhaul of my hunting bow as it is nearly finished.  Part of that overhaul includes addition of a d-loop on the string for the first time.  In order to maintain the same anchor point I want a release that has its trigger as close to the hook as possible.  Note that there is a common misconception, even previously held by me, that a d-loop can change your draw length.  My proper draw length is my draw length, period.  What a d-loop can do is change my anchor point to a spot farther back from my normal one.  Maybe just semantics, but it makes sense to me. 

I’ve been shooting a Scott Archery Sabretooth NCS (Nylon Connection System), pictured on the left.  This is the best release I’ve ever used and on par with some of my semi-customized firearm triggers.  I can adjust its length very short, but there is a point at which it becomes so short that your index and other fingers cannot reset it on the string.  I thought I’d try out the Scott Silverhorn NCS, pictured on the right.  This release is made specifically for use with a d-loop.  The trigger is about 1/4-3/8″ closer to the hook than on the Sabretooth. 

These two releases are so similar I thought I might be able to use them interchangeably with the Sabretooth just offering a slightly longer anchor point.  I didn’t get the Silverhorn until after I set up my bow, so I used the Sabretooth for that.  However, I found that I couldn’t comfortably see through my peep when using the Silverhorn.  Again, they were so similar this really stumped me for about 4 days. 

While down at the local archery club I explained my dilemma to one of the members who has been a member at the club since 1962 and is a machinist by trade.  1962, can you believe that?  Anyway, within seconds he noticed that the hook on the Silverhorn is left-of-center.  This puts the string closer to my face with the same anchor point and “crowds” (for lack of a better term) the distance between my under-jaw anchor and my eye.  It will require me to shift the peep up the string to see through it comfortably. 

Mystery solved.  Yet another reason to belong to your local archery club.

happy hunting, dv

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Coming up on Mostly Archery

• Bowfishing – Preparing the Boat
• Overhauling My Hunting Bow
• Veteran’s Dogsled in Minnesota’s Boundary Water Canoe Area

Save Your Arrows

Late Monday night I wanted to get a few quick practice arrows in before I brushed Lexus’ teeth and gave her a pedicure.  Hey, you know who is in charge of this house.  I only had a two-spotter target up, but 5 arrows in the quiver.  Although I know better, I decided to shoot two arrows at each spot.  I know better.  I know better.  I got away with one end of four, but wasn’t so lucky the second time around.  The results are pictured below.

That was an old veteran.  Kind of like an old friend.  The label was nearly worn off.  Who knows how many times he was refletched not to mention about $12 down the drain.  Save your arrows, shoot them at different spots. 

happy hunting, dv

Updated:  Link fixed 6APR09.

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I’d like to hear your tips, feedback, comments or questions.  Please leave them below.  

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Coming up on Mostly Archery

• Archery Release Mystery Solved
• Overhauling My Hunting Bow
• Veteran’s Dogsled in Minnesota’s Boundary Water Canoe Area