I call this snark Vera. Get your snarks here!

[james terrio]

Don't forget to save all the main bones (hey now!) and simmer them down for soup stock.

Seriously, I'm not kidding, homemade turkey stock is a truly wonderful thing in the dead of winter when fresh meat is scarce and you really want a hearty meal, or anytime you feel poorly. :thumbup:

 

[daizee]

Don't forget to save all the main bones (hey now!) and simmer them down for soup stock.

Seriously, I'm not kidding, homemade turkey stock is a truly wonderful thing in the dead of winter when fresh meat is scarce and you really want a hearty meal, or anytime you feel poorly. :thumbup:

Hey, JT, I got to fondle one of your blades at Ray's place a couple months ago. Forgot to mention. Lovely piece, and clever work with the texture on the flats of the scales. :thumbup:

 

[granitestateofmind]

WW, your archery muscles will build quickly. They're underutilized in most people. Mine is a 72#, and it's hell to string. It gets quite tiring to draw quite fast. Bear in mind (pun intended) that recurves and longbows etc, will feel considerably different to draw at the same poundage than a compound.

And draw length. I have a 31" draw length with a traditional bow, and even the 25# recurve I have has a MUCH higher weight at that draw length. Usually it'll say on the bow that the quoted draw weight is at a specified draw length, and the weight is not a linear function.

I ended up getting two hen turkeys today with one shot. No I didn't plan it that way, but I am happy that it did.

3 1/2 turkey shells are awesome!

Pics maybe later. I have some work that needs to get done since I played all day.

Jeremy

That's a real nice birthday present to yourself, Jeremy. We can't shoot the hens here (unless they're bearded, making the ID difficult), AFAIK. Looking forward to hearing all about it in a few days.

 

[james terrio]

Hey, JT, I got to fondle one of your blades at Ray's place a couple months ago. Forgot to mention. Lovely piece, and clever work with the texture on the flats of the scales. :thumbup:

I'm not 100% sure which one you mean, but thanks much for the kind words "Lovely" and "clever" are not exactly the most common terms that come up in a search for my work...

I keep meaning to do some research into learning basic archery skills, too. Where should a 6'3" 225# goof who's RH dominant/LE dominant, with a budget of about $300 start?

 

[zzyzzogeton]

I'm not 100% sure which one you mean, but thanks much for the kind words "Lovely" and "clever" are not exactly the most common terms that come up in a search for my work...

I keep meaning to do some research into learning basic archery skills, too. Where should a 6'3" 225# goof who's RH dominant/LE dominant, with a budget of about $300 start?

HHmmm, at your local archery shop would be a good start.

 

[spikebot587]

I don't know alot, but I'd reccomend samick for traditionals, and either mission, bow tec or mathews for compound. And you can't go wrong with anything bear makes

 

[zzyzzogeton]

Did a google search and found 3 with Knoxville addresses
- Smokey Mountain Pro Archery Shop (which had good reviews on the archerytalk forum from back in 2009)
- Sportsmans' Choice
- Gander Mountain

There was also a reference to an Edgemoor Outdoors in some place called Claxton.

Being LE dominant, you're gonna have to go w/ a lefty bow. No big deal, but frequently they are special order in many configurations. A shop might have a few but not anywhere near as many RH options.

A small Archery oriented shop will almost always have people who are more knowledgeable about archery that any big box store like Gander Mountain. Their prices are likely to be higher as well, but then, you get what you pay for. Some places have "try out" bows that you can shoot a bit to see what you like best. Don't be surprised after you shoot for a while that you get an itch to get a different bow. I shot my 1st bow for about a year, then the 2nd for about a year and then the 3rd one felt "just right". Won a lot of shoots with that one.

Don't go into a shop looking for a specific brand. Use the any brand info to research what styles they make. Decide what TYPE of bow you want - Compound, Recurve or Stick. Decide what youwant to do with the bow - a hunting bow will be set up different than a target bow. Even target bows that are used for 3D target shoots, which is kinda like Hunting are set up different. I have a recurve, 2 target compounds and a hunting compound.

Every style has it's own quirks. Someone who makes a good compound may not make a good recurve and vice versa. You walk in and say "I want a Hoyt bow" and they will sell you what you ask for. It might not be capable of being set up for you in the best manner.

 

[james terrio]

HHmmm, at your local archery shop would be a good start.

Smarty pants!

Those cats hate me, in three different towns so far (major stores that rhyme with Gas Go Flops and Flabbellas and so on). Most of 'em either have no clue at all other than what they just read in the latest sales flyer, or are so rigid in what they've been taught, that they look at "not average" me and their eyes just glaze right over. Not super helpful when the kid or fat old man trying to sell me the uber-bow he wants but can't afford, has a freaking inseam shorter than my draw length.

I think I shall just climb up a tree and throw knives at whatever wanders past.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

That's why you want an archery shop, not a sporting goods store. Sportsmans' Choice had several good plugs on archerytalk. You may also have to check "out in the sticks". Many good shops are out in the 'burbs. When I was in San Antonio, the best archery shop was 40 miles away on the far north side and I was on the far south side of Kelly AFB. I drove there for league shoots 2x per week and shot their monthly tournament every month (as well as the other 1x/ month shoots sponsored by other shops). Indoor league shooting is great fun during winter and a way to get extra exercise.

 

[granitestateofmind]

I'm not 100% sure which one you mean, but thanks much for the kind words "Lovely" and "clever" are not exactly the most common terms that come up in a search for my work...

I keep meaning to do some research into learning basic archery skills, too. Where should a 6'3" 225# goof who's RH dominant/LE dominant, with a budget of about $300 start?

Did a google search and found 3 with Knoxville addresses
- Smokey Mountain Pro Archery Shop (which had good reviews on the archerytalk forum from back in 2009)
- Sportsmans' Choice
- Gander Mountain

There was also a reference to an Edgemoor Outdoors in some place called Claxton.

Being LE dominant, you're gonna have to go w/ a lefty bow. No big deal, but frequently they are special order in many configurations. A shop might have a few but not anywhere near as many RH options.

A small Archery oriented shop will almost always have people who are more knowledgeable about archery that any big box store like Gander Mountain. Their prices are likely to be higher as well, but then, you get what you pay for. Some places have "try out" bows that you can shoot a bit to see what you like best. Don't be surprised after you shoot for a while that you get an itch to get a different bow. I shot my 1st bow for about a year, then the 2nd for about a year and then the 3rd one felt "just right". Won a lot of shoots with that one.

Alternatively, you can just go with a righty setup and try a technical workaround: shoot with your left eye closed. Been shooting that way for about 40 years, and I am seriously amblyopic (SO left eye dominant my brain basically ignores my right eye....unless I close the left one) and I can shoot decently enough. Never gonna be competition grade, but also I'm NEVER going to learn to shoot left handed. A trip to a good outfitter certainly won't hurt, but don't let them tell you you'll have to shoot lefty. IMO, deer are pretty big targets and the paper kind don't care if you're accurate to the millimeter. Also check CL for some great prices on older models. Stuff (especially compound bows) go out of fashion really fast. I'm still shooting a bow from 20 years ago that is just fine for my backyard - and I would have no problem hunting with it either (I'd need some more practice, tho...). YMMV. Oh....make sure you're shooting with a good backstop (like a hill (or barn)) behind your target or your gonna lose arrows like nobody's business. Have fun!

 

[james terrio]

Being LE dominant, you're gonna have to go w/ a lefty bow. No big deal, but frequently they are special order in many configurations. A shop might have a few but not anywhere near as many RH options.

Yup, combine that LE thing with long-ass monkey arms and the choices narrow down right quick. Which means stuff stays real expensive... not a lot of used/cheap/learner bows around in that config. Might as well just buy another tag in the wife's name for gun season, that would be way more efficient...

 

[daizee]

I'm not 100% sure which one you mean, but thanks much for the kind words "Lovely" and "clever" are not exactly the most common terms that come up in a search for my work...

I'm just expanding your possible customer base by associating unlikely keywords with your work.

I think I shall just climb up a tree and throw knives at whatever wanders past.

There's no spear season in Rhode Island, but if you happen up this way, there's a good bow fitter in my town.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

I'm left eye dominant and have always shot left handed. My grandfather was trying to teach me when I was about 6 y.o. and I couldn't hardly hit a 5 gallon barrel at 20 yards with a 22. Boy was he getting frustrated with me. I asked if I should try left handed and he said "Sure, you can't do any worse than you are now." To our surprise I started shooting 3 inch groups. We knew nothing about eye dominance back then. We just went with what worked. I also learned to hit my deer with the first shot because with a bolt action rifle, you never get a second shot shooting lefty on a right hand bolt action.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

Yup, combine that LE thing with long-ass monkey arms and the choices narrow down right quick. Which means stuff stays real expensive... not a lot of used/cheap/learner bows around in that config. Might as well just buy another tag in the wife's name for gun season, that would be way more efficient...

I have the opposite problem - T-Rex arms. Kinda on the short side. My 2 target bows are custom jobs that cost $450+ @ back in 1984. No idea what they would cost now. The risers are CNC milled Aircraft aluminum and the limbs were specially made to fit me. If the limbs ever delaminate the bows will be useless. My hunting bow is an off-the rack PSE that I got in 85. Not close to perfect, but it works.

 

[james terrio]

Alternatively, you can just go with a righty setup and try a technical workaround: shoot with your left eye closed.

That's an option... sort of. Out to roughly 75 yards, I can see about minute-of-blurry-paper-plate with my right eye, and that's sort of workable. Obviously I would not be comfortable blasting anything at a game animal at that range without optics, I'm just saying I know my limits in that regard. Regardless, I'm WAY more comfortable with the fact that I can see minute-of-pretty-sure-that's-a-beer-can at 75 yards with my left eye.... *shrug*

 

[granitestateofmind]

That's an option... sort of. Out to roughly 75 yards, I can see about minute-of-blurry-paper-plate with my right eye, and that's sort of workable. Obviously I would not be comfortable blasting anything at a game animal at that range without optics, I'm just saying I know my limits in that regard. Regardless, I'm WAY more comfortable with the fact that I can see minute-of-pretty-sure-that's-a-beer-can at 75 yards with my left eye.... *shrug*

Well, pretty much no one (responsible) shoots that distance with a bow - except at the Olympics. Most target shooting takes place at 20 yards, out to about 50 for 3D shoots. Anyway, you shouldn't have any trouble finding a bow in your price range, righty or lefty, as long as you don't need (want, no one needs) the latest and greatest.

 

[james terrio]

Well, pretty much no one (responsible) shoots that distance with a bow...

Yeah, I get that...

I still think I'm better off hiding and throwing knives. Unless anyone here is a game warden, in which case, heavens NO, I would never advocate such a thing!

 

[bigghoss]

I thought this was pretty neat. He has a few other shelters too.

[youtube]KzMfeQyY5xM[/youtube]

 

[worldwood]

Well, pretty much no one (responsible) shoots that distance with a bow - except at the Olympics. Most target shooting takes place at 20 yards, out to about 50 for 3D shoots.

I guess we are not too responsible round these parts Wait.... I already knew that But not for the reason above

I mostly target shoot with bows at 20 yards.... My father and brother in law go from 50-80 yards on bag targets, 3D targets, hanging bottles etc. They have quite a few "robin hooded" arrows on the wall from shooting at 20 yards. They both have also hit a small eye dropper bottle hanging at 20 yards... a few times.

Now they really only shoot at 20 yards when they are showing off or trying to ruin each other's arrows... And they do this. Dont set your arrows too close to them or they will shoot one of your arrows down into the target and then see who can knock the feathers off it LOL

IIRC one hunting stand is 55 yards and the blind is just under 50 yards from the feeder, and they have killed turkey with recurve bows at this distance.

They also compete every year and get REAL REAL into it. Like all serious like. They both have multiple setups, recurves, longbows, compounds, fishing bows... and lots of HOYT bows around.... I dont get serious with it. But its still fun to get out there and make a fool of myself compared to their skill LOL


EDIT: Well i just talked to them, guess i was a bit wrong. They try and NOT shoot at turkey unless they are 30 yards or less. I was right about the distance to the feeder but was just told they shoot as they are walking to/from the feeder and a bit closer to the blind/stand. But target shooting they go back to 80 yards all the time.

But i think target shooting at 80 is fine if you have a proper place to do it. We have an 80 yard range on my father's property with concrete slabs marking 10, 20, 30, 50, 60, and 80 yards. Clear line of sight to the targets, and woods behind it. Seems responsible to me ?????

Why would TARGET shooting at 80 yards be irresponsible??

 

[Ray Settanta]

Hey, JT, I got to fondle one of your blades at Ray's place a couple months ago. Forgot to mention. Lovely piece, and clever work with the texture on the flats of the scales. :thumbup:

He's talking about the one that is third from the left. He is right. And the handle fits my hand perfectly. Not a common occurrence. This is one of my favorite knives.