Blog Entries tagged 'scout'

My BLACKHAWK! Blacktimber Pack Review

amaro_jason@hotmail.com — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:00:00 +0100

One of the reason Bowcast was started was to give honest and comprehensive products reviews.� If you pickup any magazine or watch any tv show you will see so called reviews.� The only problem is that many of the people reviewing the products are sponsored by the company.� When I see this I always question the review.�

I have been down the sponsorship or pro-staff road a few times and luckily I have been able to to stay independent.� This affords me the freedom to call it like I see it.� I don't have to help sell a product.

As many of you know I have been reviewing a BLACKHAWK! Blacktimber pack for a few months.� My goal was to really give it a workout.� I didn't want to do one of those reviews that you see in the magazine that just list the specs.� I wanted to be able to say that I really tested a pack and want to feel comfortable with the review that the pack EARNED.

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I guess I should probably give you guys some of my background as far as packs go.� For the most part I have been using two different Badlands Packs, the 2200 and the 4500 Badlands. Before the review the 2200 was my everyday pack.� �

How did I come to review the Blacktimber?� Well, I saw an advertisement that they had in a magazine and I was intrigued by there design.� So I kept my eyes out for a good deal.� After a few months I found a good deal on a Blacktimber pack, the only problem is that it was digital. No big deal. � For the record, the pack comes in Max-1, Mossy Oak and Digital.

What was my first impression of the pack? � Wow, it was light and the hydration bladder had some neat features.� The bladder hangs from the top of the pack so it doesn't bunch up on the bottom of the pack and the bite value had an optional water filter. �

As far as fit.� It fit really well.� They use this material that they call SpaceNet on the back panel, the shoulder straps and the waist belt, the material is hard to describe; it is kind of like a sponge that keeps air circulating around all the points of contact.� It is also supposed to wick away sweat.� I don't know all the details on the SpaceNet material but I like it. �

Here is a picture of the material.

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The hip belt and shoulder straps are adequate.� It should be pointed out that the chest strap connects on the right� shoulder, so if you are a right handed archer they will never be a chance of the chest strap buckles getting caught in your bowstring. � The load lifters are fine but this pack isn't designed to carry a lot of weight, I will get more into that a little later. ��

The pack has 4 main storage compartments, for me that is more than enough.� I was able to carry all of my gear on my recent elk and antelope hunts.� The pack has a Shov-it pocket which I think was designed for clothes but I was able to use it to carry my elk decoy.� It worked out really nicely because I could pull the decoy out without removing the pack and messing with zipper.��

The pack also has what they call the S.T.R.I.K.E system sewn into the pack which allows you to attach accessory pouches just about anywhere you want.� I got two; one I used for my rangefinder and the other I used for my GPS and SPOT.� Because I have short arms and a long waist :) I liked the flexibility of adding the pouches where I can get to them.

If you are reading this BLACKHAWK!, I really wish that you would create some sort of accessory that would allow me to attach a one piece quiver to the pack using the S.T.R.I.K.E. system.� I ended up modifying my pack a little by tying in a Cat Quiver on the back of the pack.� It worked out really nicely.

Below is what my pack looks while it is loaded.

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Okay, so that is all the techie stuff, how did it perform in the field?� Well, I have been using for scouting and hunting and it has been great.� This pack got me thinking that I have been "over-packed", by that I mean I been carry empty cubic inches on my back.� If you don't need a 4500 cubic inch beast why carry all the extra weight?� This pack is 2557 cubic inches and I am able to easily get all of my stuff in the pack and you guys know, I always carry a ton of stuff on my back.� I will say that this pack ISN'T a Meat Hauler, it was designed� to carry essential gear in a nice, compact light fashion.

So the big question, would I recommend this pack?� Before I say yes or no, I need to stress that packs are like shoes, you need to try the pack on with weight in it to see if it fits your body type. ��

And the answer to the question is, YES.� If you are looking for a smaller pack that you could use while scouting or even hunting the Blacktimber is a great pack. �

You can go to their website by clicking� HERE.

J-�

Below is the stats from the website

BlackTimber 100oz Hydration/Hunting Pack

Big capacity meets big hydration. the BlackTimber� was designed for extreme performance with the serious hunter in mind. Featuring over-sized, easy-to use compartments with 2,557 cubic inches of cargo space and 100 oz. of easily accessible liquid, it�s ready for days of action in the back country. Comes complete with BlackHawk�s S.T.R.I.K.E.� system sewn-in for modular attachments, a SpaceNet molded back panel that wicks away sweat and a reinforced waist belt with additional attachment points.Extremely deep Shov-It� pocket is designed to carry bulky items, including dressed meat and antlers, while the pull-out, 244-square-inch blaze orange panel offers additional safety in the field.

NOTE: The blaze orange panel is NOT available on the ARPAT color (73PA04AU)��

� Padded shoulder straps are made with non-slip HawkTex to
�� help keep your rifle sling in place
� Bungee retention system allows for the storing of extra
�� layers of clothes
� Poly-frame sheet with aluminum reinforcement
� Robust waist belt evenly distributes weight and is removable
� Emergency whistle attached to front harness strap
� External shooting sticks/tripod storage on both sides of pack
� Deep expandable center section with pull-out orange panel
�� for safety
� Drink system protected by Microban� antimicrobial
�� technology
� 360-degree bite valve and patent pending quick disconnect
�� system
� BlackHawk bite valve holster keeps bite valve clean and out
�� of the way
� Compatible with BlackHawk in-line water filtration system

Hydration Capacity: 100 oz./ 3 liters
Pack Dimensions:� 21.5H x 10�W x 8�D
Pack Total Cubes:� 2,557� w/stuff pocket

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Scouting Parts 2 and 3

joeedge@bowcast.com — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 02:00:00 +0100

Elk

For elk, the 3 major areas I concentrate on are;

1) Quality Forage, Shelter and Water - This is number one; simply put elk are big animals and if you don’t have the food, shelter and water to support them, so simply won’t find them in that area. There needs to be a big supply of quality forage, especially if you’re looking to find a good size herd, ample quantity of quality food for the animal.

Generally during the western elk seasons the weather will be warm, and you can count on the elk looking for somewhere cool, and shady for them to bed up in during the heat of the day. Look for north slopes and heavily-timbered pockets to find these cool conditions.

Water is another ingredient that elk need every day, especially bulls due to the fact they are tending their cows, and on the move all day. Even small seeps are a place to find elk sneaking into.

2) Critters of Habit – It seems as though every year the weather might be different, you might be shooting different arrows and wearing different camo but the elk don’t care. They will always be in the same spots, or close by. It’s also a good idea to look for areas like this by the sign; trees with different aged scars from rubs, and rubs that have been rubbed over the season prior. When you have good habitat, elk will return to it.

3) Rutting Remnants- This is very important; you must remember, you don’t care where the elk are now, rather, where they’ll be when you have a valid tag in your pocket. Look for big rubs, both new and old. Look for areas where a bull would feel comfortable wallowing. Elk rut in certain areas and that’s where you need to be come September.

Pronghorn

Here is what I look for, when scouting for goats;

1) Quantity vs. Quality – Here in Oregon, with the pronghorn tag I hunt, it’s very tough to find a quantity of goats. Before you do your scouting, it’s best to do research and find out whether it’s an accomplishment to simply stick a doe, or if you should hold out for a P&Y buck. You then need to factor in your personal standards of what type of animal you’re looking for, and match the two.

2) Water – The obvious answer is to find a good waterhole, however there is more to finding just any waterhole and plopping out your blind. I am quite picky about the waterholes I choose to hunt from because, first, I need to make sure there isn’t any cattle traffic. I have found that if there is a lot of cow traffic the goats are more likely just to by-pass the waterhole and head to the next pothole for water. The next thing is to find a waterhole the goats will come to, and feel comfortable doing so. What is the point if the goats come in spooky, and head on, drink for a few seconds then sprint away, you’ll get no shot. Look for tracks in the fresh mud around the hole, goats are very much, creatures of habit. Pick a “usual” drinking hole for the best blind success.

3) Long Range – It is very important to use your big glass, 12 power and up to a spotting scope to do your pronghorn scouting. Watch from afar. Pattern your buck, and his herd from a vantage point. They are super weary and in an area with few goats and a lot of pressure, ruining your hunt before it starts if a very real possibility.

Another quick thought, when you go out in the woods, take your bow, do as much shooting as you can in the terrain you’ll be hunting before it actually counts. Throw on some judo’s and go to work, pine cones, tufts of grass, or even the occasional sage rat. Practice now, makes perfect later.

Most of all, when scouting use common sense. If you have a feeling there is bucks there, and you have seen them there, then be smart and try and glass them up rather than going in and kicking a big buck in his bedroom. Know that when you see rub after rub reaching up high on a lodgepole that rutting activity will more than likely occur there, so why scent it up more than you have to.

My thought is that scouting is the time to be conservative, and do as much as you can without animal contact. When the time comes to stick an arrow into that animal you have watched for weeks, he’ll have his guard down just as much as he did when you spotted him the first time.

Joe

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My Scouting Tips.. Part 1 of 3

joeedge@bowcast.com — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:00:00 +0100

One of my favorite things to do during the summer is fulfill those buck and bull filled dreams by going out and pinning down those big guys for the fall season. Most guys tend to take scouting lightly, and use the excuse that the animals probably won’t be where you scout them come season anyway. However, if you scout properly, efficiently and in quality areas, your chances of success during your fall bowhunt increase tremendously.

When I do my scouting it depends a lot on what my target species is, so I have broken it down to specie-specific scouting, and how I go about it.

Mule Deer

For muleys, these are the things I look for;

1) Seclusion – Plain and simple, big bucks live in big country, as far away from disturbances as possible. I try as hard as possible to both hunt wilderness when possible, or find little pockets tucked away from the people where big bucks feel most comfortable. These areas will need to have shade, and protection with good vegetation.

2) Quality food during the growing season – Big bucks need quality food, and the time when I care most about finding the good food, and where it is during the velvet growing months. These areas will not only hold big deer, but concentrations of deer, because good food draws the deer.

3) Get a visual - To me, more than any species it’s very important to pattern a buck you want to harvest. It’s very important to find a buck that meets your standards, and learn his habits very well. By knowing a bucks behaviors and tendencies, you increase your likely hood of arrowing him substantially.

Joe

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Weekend Scout Trip (Disguised as a Family Camping Trip)

aroney@bowcast.com — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0100

My wife and two girls and I headed up into the high country of Colorado this past weekend for a family camping trip. For my efforts in loading up my truck with pink camo sleeping bags, Dora the Explorer trikes, 3 different sets of wiffle ball bats and matching balls, 14 extra blankets, special pillows and stuffed animals, and probably a whole lote more crap that I don't remember and we never used anyway - I was rewarded by meeting up with my good friend Matt Hogue on Saturday morning to spend several hours scouting the area we hold both elk and deer tags for this upcoming 2008 sesaon. We hunted this area 2 seasons ago, and Matt was able to take a bull. I had my 5X5 elk opportunity spoiled by a hail storm followed by a blizzard, but I'll post my additional excuses in another blog entry.

We first drove some new areas we had not hunted in the past planning some plan B, C, and D options. One of our main focuses for this trip was to get a trail cam over a September wallow that we found was pretty hot 2 years ago. So after a bit of "road scouting" we parked Matt's truck and started the hike up and in to the wallow.

My first reaction to this area I know very well was - WOW THAT'S A LOT OF SNOW. As many of you know, we had a pretty harsh winter in Colorado which dumped a ton of snow. Many areas were well over 140% of the normal snow pack. I couldn't believe how white the mountains still were even at 10,500 feet! Usually in late June you are finding small snow fields well above 11,500 feet.

Our normal area where we "jump" the stream was a little more challenging with the runoff. After giving up on any other option other than taking off our boots and wading the very chilly water, we were on the trail heading up.

Moisture, Moisture, Moisture. That runoff was everywhere. When we got up to about just under 11,000 feet, we were consistently crossing football size snowfields about 3 feet deep. Hopefully the summer will push that all away and reveal some good green up for the herds.

We got the camera hung and are hoping for some good pics we can share with you all. More on that in a couple of weeks. We saw 3 sets of tracks that were all good size bulls walking right through the wallow area (at this point it is more like a waterfall/swamp). We saw a few elk on the distant ridges. We were late out of the gate that morning, but there was plenty of sign considering the cows are probably still calved up at lower elevations.

For those of you who have already headed out to scout your targeted areas for big game hunting, we'd love to hear the conditions and animals you discovered. Just post a comment to this blog entry and tell us all about it.

Late,

Aneal

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My 2007 Goat Hunt - Some Like it HOT!!!

amaro_jason@hotmail.com — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:01:56 +0100

Hey Everybody... All this talk about Antelope hunting really has me ready to get chasing some speed goats. Below is the story of my 2007 NM Antelope hunt. I wish I would have taken better pictures but when I dropped him it was AFRICA hot and I wanted to get him cooled down ASAP.

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Let me first say that I was very grateful and lucky to have the opportunity to hunt. My dad had been in the hospital with an infection and so I needed to be around just in case things got little more serious but my dad said I wasn't a doctor so I should go and chase some goats. Tommy, my hunting buddy from Gila Wilderness Hunting had an elk hunting client in the same unit a fews years earlier and he had seen some good goats so we had a good idea where to star. I was going to be hunting alone and this was this first tag I had ever drawn, so this was going to be a learning experience.

The plan was to try and spot and stalk in the morning while I was working my way to a tank. Once I got to the tank I would setup my blind and wait one out. On ther way to my hunting area there were goats all over the place. After setting up camp I went straight to bed. As usual the morning came WAY too early, and I hate mornings.

When I got to my general area I started seeing goats right away. I glassed this group of goats from about a mile and I my stalk was ON. I got to within 90 yards before they busted me. I was using a decoy and a call to try to get them to come in but the timing was just wrong, they didn't give me the time of day.

On a previous trip, I had found a hidden tank that had some sign around it so I was hoping that something was feeding or watering around it. So I parked my rig and "stalked the tank". When I peeked over the dam this little guy was feeding about 30 yards way. He was well within my range but I decided to pass. It was too early in the hunt to let my Silver Flame eat.

With temperatures well above 95 degrees, It was starting to become obvious that the only way I was going to get one of these suckers on the ground was to either get one to come to me or wait one out. So I made a beeline for a tank that I wanted to sit. While working my way to my tank I came across a ton of elk. I was able to get these pictures but there was probably about 75 in the herd. It was pretty neat to see these guys in such open country.

My sit in the blind started started at noon, it had to be an honest 100 degrees plus in there. Let me say that I don't strip down for anybody, not even my wife but DAMN it was just crazy hot. I completely stripped down to my AC/DC Boxers and my Danner boots. Sitting in my blind I must have looked like the white filling in a Little Debbie Cup Cake. If I saw a buck coming in I would quickly put on my black T-shirt so the antelope wouldn't see me.

At 3:30, a buck came in downwind of my setup and busted me. The funny things is he just ran around my blind until he got out of my scent stream then came in to the tank. It looked that after only 3.5 hours in my pressure cooker that I was going to get a shot. I wish I had a great story about why I missed but I just blew it. When I setup my blind I range the area before I setup my blind. I didn't to take the time get a second reading from my rangefinder after I settled in. I miss judged the distance by 10 yards. I held for 40 yards and he was at 54 yards.

Sitting alone in a blind gives you a lot of time to think and the only thing I could think about was that I had a chance and I blew it. I was just hoping and praying that I would have another chance.

YEEEEE HAAAW!!!!!!!!! ANTELOPE DOWN!!!! Well it happened, with about 30 minutes left of shooting light I had a buck come to the tank. His body language was much different than the earlier buck and it was obvious that he was committed to water. It was just up to me to make the shot. He seemed to be watering forever, but once he stopped he turned broadside and my arrow was on the way. All I have to say is the combination of my Hoyt bow, FMJ's and Silver Flame broadheads is scary. At 53 yards my arrow blew right thru his shoulders and pinned him to the ground. He was down and out but I just wanted to make sure that I got another arrow into him, the second arrow cut his spine in half. GAME OVER. Below is a picture of my setup and if you look to the left of the blind about 4 feet above the water you can see my buck.

With the temperatures ranging around 95 degrees I needed to get this goat gutted and processed asap. Tommy always gives me a hard time about not taking good photos but pictures are the least of my worries when I harvest an animal. SOOO I was not able to get any field photos other than with my phone but I did take some photos at the taxidermist (to bleach the skull). He is a pretty good buck he is 14 inches.

Take Care

J-

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More practice and FMP Premiere Preview

aroney@bowcast.com — Mon, 26 May 2008 15:27:12 +0100

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day! I hope you all had a moment today to remember our fallen soldiers who have fought, and continue to fight for the greatest country on this planet!

Air Show

Today I had a treat as I planned a short hike with both my daughters in an area we frequent in the South West Denver foothills. As we got out of our vehicle and I was getting my 2 year old in the pack I use to carry her on my back, we looked up and saw 4 F-16's flying in formation right over head. The US Airforce Academy as well as Buckley Air Force base are not too far away, so I am assuming the birds were out for a little Memorial Day show. It gave my 4 yr old a chance to practice her counting as we both counted no less than 27 flyby's in various formations!

5 Focus Areas for Success in Fall 2008

Back to bow hunting. I hope you all have had a chance to listen to BowCast Episode #49 that was posted yesterday. Anthony and I covered 5 things that we should all be doing right now to ensure our best game in the upcoming seasons for '08. If you haven't listened to that episode, the 5 items are relatively straightforward:

1) Shoot as many 3D targets as possible (i.e. go to shoots during the summer)

2) Workout

3) Practice religiously (3-5 times a week...listen to the episode to get more description on what a "practice session" may entail)

4) Scout the area you plan to hunt (as well as some areas you don't plan to hunt)

5) Review, tune, and upgrade your equipment

It's really that simple. I can assure you that if you work week in and week out on a combination of those 5 points above, you will put yourself in the best situation to grab the brass ring come fall.

In other news, Shawn "Launch" Monsen was kind enough to post some highlights from the last FMP Movie Premiere. For those of you who are planning on attending the World Premiere of FMP Movie #3 in Salt Lake City on July 26, 2008, this video is a great indication of what you can expect at the premiere. I have also posted this video - check it out below.

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BowCast VIP Ticket to the FMP Premiere

And if you are still on the fence, check out how BowCast has put together a day of shooting, education, and fun by incorporating the BowCast VIP Ticket to the FMP Premiere. It will no doubt be the best $20 you spent related to archery in your lifetime. More info:

www.bowcastvip.com

Aneal's Last Week of Practice

Not much to share here other than I have my Quest dead on out to 50 yards (and pretty close out to 65 yards) with my Sure-Loc Sportsman's Special adjustable single pin. I had one issue where my 3rd Axis bolt was coming loose, which threw my arrows all over the place at longer distances. I locked that nut down tight, and it has been gravy since.

I can honestly say that in my mind I am going to have a hard time going back to multi pin sights. I know a lot of hunters are of the opinion that single pin adjustable sights are for longer range shots and entail more "to deal with" when a buck is in front of you. I don't necessarily disagree, but bottom line I LOVE the fact that it doesn't matter if my target is at 20 yards, 34 yards, 57 yards, or 63 yard....I make a quick adjustment, and KNOW my arrow is going to drop in. It's amazing what this does for confidence levels.

Anyway, I know many of you have posted questions and feedback from your own practice sessions. As part of this blog entry, I'd love to hear what you all think about the "5 Focus Areas" Anthony and I covered on the last episode, as well as how you plan to acheive them over the "Last 2 Quarters" of the year (or game, depending on how much you like the football analogy).

Aneal

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