July 10th, 2008
By Arthur

Since we haven’t had a good debate on this site in quite awhile, I thought I would touch on probably one of thee most controversial hunting topics I have ever come across–should it be legal to hunt with a crossbow during archery season? I have came across this topic on many websites, and I have seen this topic almost result in fist fights in person. I’m sure there isn’t a hunting forum moderator out there that hasn’t came across this heated issue as well.

In my home state of Michigan, crossbows are legal, but only during the firearm season. Disabled hunters, who have met certain criteria, are allowed to use crossbows during the regular archery season. These criteria are very strict, and at this point in time require a doctor’s approval before they are issued, although there are some plans as I write this to ease those disability restrictions somewhat.

So where does all this emotion and controversy come from when it comes to the topic of crossbows, and being able to use them during archery season? Well, that tends to be in eye of the bow holder, or beholder to be more exact. The debates are very opinionated, and rightfully so. I have went back and forth on this topic quite a few times, but I think I have finally come to a conclusion–If using a crossbow will bring more people into hunting, and give more people an opportunity to hunt, then I’m all for it. I know some of you, who have talked to me in the past, might be surprised by this. Let me break it down for you.

The main reason’s I think I was so opposed to crossbows being used during archery was sure selfishness. I took on the opinion that somehow me hunting with a compound bow was superior to someone hunting with a crossbow. While I do still believe that a crossbow is not “archery” equipment, I do think that hunting with a crossbow poses just as much of a challenge as a compound bow does. Also in Ohio, where crossbows are already legal during archery season, the success rate between crossbow hunters and compounds hunters is pretty much the same-right around 13%.

The biggest difference I see between compound bows and crossbows is the simple fact, that with a compound, you have to draw in the presence of the animal. Now I have read many different things about how, with a crossbow, you have to move to get the shot, but with a compound you have to draw and move to take your shot. I still believe that that is a huge difference that should be addressed.

In my perfect world we would have a separate crossbow season. A season where only crossbows could to be used that was separate from the archery season. I would even be fine with a crossbow season that overlapped our muzzleloader season. I think that would have been a viable option as well.

With Michigan’s House of Representatives already passing legislation that will allow for Michigan hunters to use crossbows next season, I suppose all of us have to get used to this crossbow idea. If the Senate vote goes the way I think it will, all of us are going to have to come to grips with the reality that crossbow hunters will be in the archery woods with us next year.

In the end, we all have to remember we’re on the same team. That is the most important thing.

Note: I will return to vacation posts soon, but this topic came up and it was just too much to let pass by. I hope everyone will weigh in and let us know what your opinions are.

Popularity: 19% [?]

June 18th, 2008
By Arthur

I want to think Matt for the idea for this post. His post about possibly driving a car to hunt was my motivation for writing this.

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I know that some of you were very taken aback by the title of this post. I mean, seriously, how can one hunt effectively from a car. I am hear to tell you that it can be done. It might take some swearing, some serious ribbing from your friends, and a whole lot of pride swallowing, but when your friends tell you about the $150 bucks they spent to gas up their truck it will all be worth it.

Since I was a kid I always wanted a truck. I finally got my first one when I was 19 and I couldn’t have been more happy. Sure, it was only two wheel drive, but at the time I really didn’t care, because it was a truck. My first goal was accomplished.

After that truck I upgraded to my first four wheel drive. You know you are a guy when you finally get your first four wheel drive truck. I felt a surge of testosterone that I have never felt before when I bought that truck. It was a sure thing of beauty. But once that truck started to make a sound from the engine I really didn’t like, I traded it on a four wheel drive ranger. That truck and I had some good times, but then I got a new job, and it was on to the motherload of trucks–my four-wheel drive black F-150 Supercab. That truck was absolutely gorgeous and was the dream truck I had always wanted to own. But then it all happened. Gas prices hit $3 a gallon and kept climbing. My tightwad ways just weren’t agreeing with this over zealous gas guzzler. I mean, how was I suppose to pay for hunting licenses if my money was all going towards gas. Then I did the unthinkable…I sold it….for a car!!!

I know that all of you serious macho hunters out there think I’m crazy, but before you go getting all bent out of shape listen up. Here are few advantages to hunting from a car:

You don’t have to help people move their stuff anymore.

You save a boatload of money on gas, and can afford to go longer distances to hunt if need be. Or on the other side, if your hunting property is close, you can afford to go more often.

The car payment is usually cheaper as well, so you can then afford to buy yourself a new bow (oh wait…that is what I did)

Now I know cars can’t get through the snow that well, and they sure don’t like mud that much, but for the few times that that is actually needed, it didn’t make sense for me to keep my truck for those 3 or 4 instances of mud or snow a year. I have to be honest and say that at times I do miss the truck like crazy. It had more room for gear and such, and I didn’t have to worry so much about it getting dirty, but overall the payoff is worth the little bit of agony.

I know it makes me much happier to have money in my savings account, and be able to afford new gear for hunting, then to own a four dollars a gallon gas guzzler. Plus my taurus is a hunting machine. And right now I wouldn’t trade that for the world:)

Popularity: 19% [?]

June 12th, 2008
By Arthur

As some of you know, Jeff and I have been looking for a camera that will allow us to capture some hunting footage. We had found one system, that I wrote about in a previous post, but that system was a little cumbersome. It required you to buy a bracket, that screwed into your stabilizer hole on the riser of your bow, and also required that you mount your camera on top of it. Then last week we were at the Gander Mountain Archery Event and we came across the Roscoby Riser Cam.

This particular camera has only been out since January, but I have to be honest and say that it is simply a beaut! This company is pretty ingenious with the design that they have come up with, and all of the guys from the company that we talked to were very cool.

The camera is a bow mounted unit, but unlike most systems out there, it looks and feels like a stabilizer. It isn’t much bigger than a stabilizer, and after holding a bow with the camera mounted on it, I can tell you that it doesn’t feel any different than shooting a bow with a regular stabilizer. It is honestly a slick little design and Jeff and I were very impressed with the product.

The camera is very easy to use, quiet, and pretty versatile. It operates on two AA lithium batteries that provide approximately 5 hours of use. It also uses an SD card for memory which is perfect. They advertise that for every gig of memory on the card you get approx. 50 minutes of video footage. Works for me! The camera is also very water resistant (the only reason they can’t advertise it as waterproof is because of the microphone port) so it is versatile in all conditions and the lithium batteries are designed to operate at -20 F so it can handle cold conditions as well.

The only flaw I could find with the camera is that on some of the footage the video was a little shaky. I think that just comes with the territory though. I think it also depends on the shooter. We watched a number of videos that they had available at the show, and only one of them was jumpy at all. I still think, though, that these are the best units we have seen for this purpose. Despite the footage being a little shaky, it was still huge improvement over the last camera system that we saw.

I’m pretty sure that before season starts Jeff and I will have at least one of these units. We might even have two of them. I guess only time will tell. This system is not made for DVD quality video, but for the average guy to go out bowhunting and be able to capture some of his hunts this easily, I think that this camera is more than suitable.

The price tag is a little steep at 349.99, but considering what all this camera can do, I don’t think that is too bad a price. The camera can also be used for other things as well and even has a tripod mount on it for filming other activities.

A pretty cool idea from a rowdy and fun bunch of guys. They almost had Jeff and I walking out with the camera that day. Go check out their site. I guarantee you’ll be impressed.

Author’s note: I did not receive any compensation for the this post from Roscoby. The only reason I wrote a post about it, just like other products I’ve wrote about, is because I thought it was cool!

Popularity: 23% [?]

June 05th, 2008
By Arthur

I truly believe that most people in Hollywood have gone crazy. I’m not sure what it is, but I think that most of the Hollywood celebrities out there are a little out of touch with reality. They tend to be very eccentric and completely on the opposite side of what I believe.

Then yesterday I was poking around the internet and I ran across this little gem. Apparently Angelina Jolie, despite being a touch weird at times, isn’t afraid to protect her kids and family. This is what she said in a recent interview with Vanity Fair:

“If anybody comes into my home and tries to hurt my kids, I’ve no problem shooting them.”

Apparently she has more guts, and values her and her kids life more, than say Elayne Boosler or Bill Maher. They both readily admitted one evening, on Maher’s Politically Incorrect television program, that they didn’t think they could shoot someone to protect themselves. It’s nice to see our lovely Ms. Jolie doesn’t have that problem. She even touched on the subject further:

“Brad and I are not against having a gun in the house, and we do have one. And yes, I’d be able to use it if I had to. I could handle myself. I think there are certain combat skills that would come out. I tend to want to throw an elbow.”

And then she even went further than that:

“There’s a side to me that people know is humanitarian, and there’s a side to me that’s a mommy. But there’s also the side that likes to get down and dirty and run and jump around and fire guns.”

So even if you weren’t an Angelina fan before you almost have to be one now after reading that. On a serious note it is good to see that someone isn’t afraid to stand up for themselves and have the guts to protect themselves and their kids. In today’s society I applaud Ms. Jolie for coming out and being truthful about what she feels and not falling into the politics of being a celebrity.

Very nice!

Popularity: 23% [?]