If you would like to learn some bow setup techniques, stay tuned as I will post some good videos that I have found. As it is a little better to see and follow it visually, rather than read text.

This video is on “In Season Bow Maintenance.” Check out the short video below. Matt Hogue from the Bowcast Pro-Staffillustrates some great tips on three steps to keeping your bow in “form” during the hunting season.

If you would like to learn some bow setup techniques, stay tuned as I will post some good videos that I have found. As it is a little better to see and follow it visually, rather than read text.

This video is on “Scent Prevention – The System.” Check out the short video below. Join Anthony and Aneal from BowCast as they talk about scent prevention and the system you should apply before and during hunting activities in the field.

Here is a great follow-up article to this posted by Josh Fletcher on Bowhunting.com

PHOENIX —The Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Archery Trade Association have teamed up to increase archery and bowhunting programs for youngsters throughout Arizona and enhance facilities in the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.

Through the agreement, the ATA will provide funding to the Game and Fish Department to double their current archery recruitment staff to include an archery coordinator and a bowhunting coordinator.

“This exciting new partnership with the Game and Fish Department will help grow archery and bowhunting in Arizona and specifically in the Phoenix and Tucson areas,” said Mitch King, Archery Trade Association’s director of government relations. “The ATA and its Arizona members, archery manufacturers, and archery shops from across the state are anxious to help the Department reach out to the youth of the state to provide them with a safe and fulfilling recreational outlet.”

The additional staffing combined with the concerted effort between all parties will provide a focused campaign for continuing and growing community-based archery programs like National Archery in the Schools, After School Archery, and Junior Olympic Archery Development.

In addition, the expanded effort will allow the implementation of programs highlighting 3-D archery, bow-fishing, crossbows, the National Bowhunter Education Foundation’s courses, and outdoor skills workshops.

“We now have more than 122 schools participating in the Archery in the Schools Program,” said Game and Fish Assistant Director Ty Gray. “This partnership with the Archery Trade Association will help expand these programs and new ones further into the communities of Arizona to recruit and retain new archery shooters and bowhunters.”

In a multifaceted grassroots system, the Archery Trade Association’s (ATA) Community Archery Program works with state wildlife agencies, local parks and recreation departments, communities, archery shops, clubs, and organizations to expand on the success of the National Archery in the Schools program, a physical education curriculum designed to teach international-style target archery in grades 4-12.

“These are exciting times to see the Game and Fish Department working hand-in-hand with private industry to achieve the same goal,” said Randy Philips, owner of Archery Headquarters in Chandler and an ATA board member.

There are many benefits from shooting a bow and arrow. Although shooting a bow is a physical activity, physical condition is not a limiting factor and allows equal participation. Additionally, shooting sports develop concentration and metal focus, improve self-confidence, teach respect and accountability, and provide a low-impact healthy activity.

To learn more about shooting sports and the Arizona Game and Fish Department, visit www.azgfd.gov/shootingsports.

Note to media: For high-resolution action photographs of archery shooting, or live interviews with the department’s archery education coordinator, contact Public Information Officer Doug Burt at (623) 236-7215 or dburt@azgfd.gov.

Registration for BowCast At The Bird – http://www.BowCastAtTheBird.com

We are 4 weeks away from the greatest Archery and Bowhunting event of 2009!  If you haven’t already viewed the promo video for BowCast at The Bird, check it out on YouTube:

Early Bird Registration is closed, but as a BowCast Newsletter subscriber, we wanted to share a couple of announcements with you before we release to the general public.

Celebrity Guests Announced!!!

A press release is going to be released in the near future, but we thought we would share with you the opportunity you have to listen to some guys who flat out know what they are talking about.  BowCast at the Bird is much more than just a 3D shoot – it’s an educational experience designed for hard core archery hunters.  Here is a list of seminars that will be available and some of the professionals you will have the opportunity to shoot with on the course.

Read more…

The Montana Bowhunters Association (MBA) was established in 1973 as a nonprofit organization by and for Montana’s bowhunters. Its sole purpose remains the same today as it was then:  “To unite the state’s bowhunting sportsmen to work towards a common goal of preserving and promoting the sport of bowhunting in Montana.”

In addition to preserving and promoting bowhunting, some of the MBA’s major goals are:

• promoting ethical bowhunting through education
• improving landowner – bowhunter relationships
• a voice in management of Montana’s big game and an opportunity to assist in the preservation of wildlife habitat

Some well know bowhunters, by the likes of Gene Wensel, Patrick Graham and M.R. James have commented and support the MBA.

This is appears to be a stand-up organization and I wish there was an organization in Virginia, that did half this much for hunting!

Here is a great post from Mark Seacat from Mystery Ranch, that is sure to get you itching for the Elk Season!  I am not sure which photo gets my blood pumping more!!!

Awesome photos Mark!

Read the full article here.

The backcountry bowhunter who wrote this article is extremely knowledgeable on the “bivy” style hunting. Here is a teaser from last year’s first post on his blog.

South Cox’s goal in his blog is to help us learn the ropes of backcountry hunting. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or have never spent the night out in the wilderness, I think there will be something for everyone. I invite your questions, comments and critiques. The first several entries I plan on covering gear choices in greater detail than I was able to cover on the podcast. After that I’ll go into some specifics about mule deer hunting in the alpine. As I get input and feedback, the blogs will likely take off on other tangents of the readers’ interests.

Read the full article here.

Montana’s annual hunting regulations are available. Finally. The long-awaited, 120-page, deer, elk and antelope regulations arrived Monday, March 30, at Fish, Wildlife and Parks offices. They should also be at license agents throughout the state. Arriving at the same time were the smaller, 40-page, moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat regulations.

The deadline to apply for moose, bighorn sheep, bison and mountain goat licenses is May 1; for deer and elk permits and antelope licenses the deadline is June 1.

Over the years I have read a lot of books, magazine articles and forums on elk hunting. I have also watched waayyy too many TV shows and DVDs, according to my wife. Elk hunting is becoming a passion of mine and I try to gain as much information that I can. This book will reside e right next to my other 2 favorite books Backcountry Bowhunting by Cameron Hanes and Bugling for Elk by Dwight Schuh. Now, if I could just get them both to sign my books for me!

Well after a horrific week at work, I finally was able to finish my first reading of ElkNut’s Playbook today. I say first, because this book will be a resource for me in the off-season of hunting and a book that I will take to every elk camp. Even after just one read my mind is racing and tracing! I would read a chapter and immediately apply it to my last elk hunt, its setups and situations that I was in.

The Playbook has a ton of useful information, possible more than all of the above mentioned, combined. In fact, you will be amazed at the amount of info in just first few pages! The book is designed to be an easy reference guide, not necessarily a “How-to!”Now I know why he has a DVD titled “Worse than Wolves!”

As you can see in the photo, the size of the book is great for putting in your pack or even a cargo pocket on your pant! 

There are even sections in the book for you to write notes in, without having to write it sideways or in small print. It is also spiral bound so that it easy to keep open. The cover is 110# weight paper & the pages are 80#. The inside pages are all done out of heavy duty gloss material to resist moisture much more so than conventional paper. The cover is also done with this gloss & an added UV coating is on the outside covers for extra durability & weather resistant. This provides some durability of the book, while still keeping “pack worthy!”

In case some of you die-hard Elk Species Hunters were asking yourself, does this Playbook focus just on Rocky Mountain Elk and that terrain?  Well, Paul states that there is absolutely no difference in Elk Vocalization between the different Elk Species!  Whether it’s Rosie’s, Rockies, Manitoba or Tule elk all speak the same exact language & respond likewise!  Where many hunters get the notion that Rosie’s are more difficult to call to is because of the areas they hunt. Hunt less hunted areas away from roads & you’ll find plenty of vocal Rosie’s. The same applies to the Rocky Mountain species. If you hunt heavily hunted areas you will be hunting very educated elk that are called to daily & aren’t readily responding to most human calls. The better you are the better your chances. This is why adapting to your hunting area is so important. Not, just making a few elk sounds & hoping for the best! Use of sounds & technique of use is highly needed for success in such areas. Anyone can call to elk that are rarely ever harassed as is the case on most TV programs!

After reading ElkNut’s Playbook, I believe that anyone who wants to start elk hunting or would like to increase their potential to be a more successful elk hunter should get purchase this book and his DVDs. I read a post a while back on Paul and one of the users wrote: “If I was an elk, I would go to the Humane Society to see if they could get all of ElkNut’s stuff banned!”

With ElkNut’s Playbook, you can stop educating the elk and start educating yourself!

Unfortunately, I will have to wait until 2010 to put this awesome tool to use!

The coolest part about this book is that I purchased one for my 1 yr old son and had Paul sign it. While my wife Amy and I were showing the book to Ciro he pointed to the elk and said his very first word “ELK!” Amy looked at me and said, “Did he just say what I think he said?” Amy showed the book to Ciro one more time, he pointed to the elk on the cover and said, “Elk” again! So, while he first words were not “Mommy” or “Daddy” we are still very thrilled on his choice! Maybe Paul could assist Ciro in calling in some bulls for his Daddy in a few years!!!

**For those of who do not have any of ElkNut’s DVDs, this is as good a time as any. He currently has them at a reduced rate until Monday March 23rd, sorry for the short notice! 

You can purchase the book and DVDs here! 

Idaho Fish and Game is seeking public comments on proposed changes in big game seasons for 2009.

The only statewide proposal covers archery pronghorn hunting. Historically, few hunters participated in archery-only pronghorn hunting, so hunting seasons had few restrictions, including the current opportunity for general season permits.

But the numbers participating in archery pronghorn hunting have more than doubled in the past 10 years, with a concurrent increase in harvest. Rifle hunter numbers and harvest have remained fairly constant during this time.

More hunters during the archery season have led to increased complaints about hunter congestion. And in some areas of Idaho, pronghorn populations are not meeting state management objectives. Fish and Game is considering four options to address both issues:

• Unlimited controlled hunts. Hunters who want to hunt pronghorn during the archery-only season would have to apply during the May controlled hunt application process. Hunters who apply would receive a permit to hunt. There would be no over-the-counter permits. 
• Limited controlled hunts. Hunters who want to hunt pronghorn during the archery-only season would have to apply during the May controlled hunt application period and be drawn for a limited number of permits. 
• Statewide quota on general tags. Hunters who want to hunt pronghorn during the archery-only season would have to purchase a general permit before the quota is reached. 
• Shift archery pronghorn season to August 30 – September 14. This option would allow unrestricted access to permits; it would probably result in a reduction in hunters because some would choose to pursue archery deer or elk during the same period.

The pronghorn proposal and a list of other, regional proposals for the 2009 season are available for review and comment on the Fish and Game website at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/public.

Comments and proposals will be presented to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission March 24.

When I have some free-time from studying or getting too far in the weeds at work, I enjoy reading outdoor blogs and following a few forums.  I used to follow and post on about a dozen different outdoor forums. I have narrowed that list down to about a half-dozen forums and one podcast.

I added the BowCast podcast because; I can listen to it while working out. In my opinion this is a great podcast as the guys who moderate this site Aneal Roney and Anthony Dixon of Full Moon Productions are true bowhunters. They discuss everything from bow & arrow tuning, practicing, fiteness, backcounty gear to my most recent favorite post (I asked for a while back) how to paint-up!

They call their forum the “New School Archer Community” and it is as just for joining the forum, you will receive a document on “How to Increase your effective range by 20 yards.” And it works, as I am regularly shooting out to 60yds (with good accuracy).

Through this forum, I came across a member’s blog called “Fred’s Hunting Blog!”  Fred lives in the game rich and beautiful state of Montana. He is fairly new to the bowhunting world, but I won’t hold that against him! As he has been bitten by the “bowhunting bug” as he states on his blog.  He posts awesome photos of his trips into the wild with his trusty pals Ted and Finn. He also has posted some great photos of him preparing the game meat that he has harvested. Give both sites a look as I am sure you will enjoy them both!

Cameron Hanes had the chance to take part in a rare opportunity. On Feb. 26, Oregon hunters had their chance to talk at the State Capital. Members of the Oregon House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Communities Committee scheduled a hearing to give hunters an opportunity to discuss issues that are important to them. The hearing was set up by Committee Chairman Rep. Brian Clem (D-Salem) as he is an avid hunter himself. Other members of the eight-member panel include Terry Beyer,(D-Springfield) and Arnie Roblan, (D-Coos Bay).

Read the entire article here.

Not sure if you guys/gals received your latest EBJ, but you’ll notice in the Dialed in section, that Cameron Hanes is no longer with Eastman’s Bowhunting Journal.

My impression of Cam is that he is a very down to earth genuine guy, couldn’t have been nicer or gone out of his way answer a multitude of questions that I have asked him.

I was told by a friend of mine that Cam addressed this situation before he began his seminar at the Phoenix ISE and basically said that things had ran their course. He’ll continue writing, and is currently working on a book about backcountry hunting the wilds of Alaska.

The cause was that he just had “too many irons in the fire.” He has a full time job, a wife and 3 children, 2 of which play sports, he writes, he shoots, he trains like a madman and oh, he hunts!

I will say that reading Backcountry Bowhunting was what turned me onto backcountry hunting.  This book has helped this flatlander with some great advice on the backcountry. That book was more than inspirational for me and I have read it several times!

I hate to see him leave as I’ve always enjoyed reading his columns, stories, and tips/advice…not sure how it’ll effect Eastmans’ Publishing, Inc.

Cam is still going to host RMEF Elk Chronicles and for Bugle magazine.

We can only speculate on what, if any other projects are brewing….maybe this!

Another very useful from South Cox on some additional research resources to assist you in gathering information on the area(s) that you will need to hunt, once you decide on the type of country that you want for your backcountry hunt.

Though I’ve been guilty of disregarding my own advice in the past, one thing you never want to do is go off of just one source when you are spending 10 days of valuable vacation time.  I always try to back up a hot tip by cross checking it through other sources.  Regardless of whether you’re able to collaborate the information or not, I always like to have a back-up plan.  A couple of years ago I hunted a new spot in Colorado with a few other friends in the hunting industry.  Everything we’d heard about the place was exactly what I’d wanted to hear, remote, tough access, alpine and the guy we’d learned about it from had reliable first-hand information.  The prior year a couple of buddies had both taken big bucks out of the same spot during rifle season and had seen a ton of bucks.  The hike in was a killer, as tough as any I’ve made in recent years, and we even had llamas packing in the bulk of our gear.  Opening day, we collectively saw one doe and I saw 2 mountain lions.  We pulled out without a backup plan and only ended up filling one tag out of 4 deer tags and 4 elk tags.

Read the full article here.

Rock star Ted Nugent, the Motor City Madman, is as adept with a bowstring as he is with the six strings of his guitar. Because of it, The Nuge was inducted into the National Bowhunters Hall of Fame last weekend during an archery festival in Las Vegas.
Nugent acknowledged that bows and guitars “have remained my favorite weapons to date.” Famous for his rock anthem, “Cat Scratch Fever,” Nugent has been a passionate and outspoken defender of hunting in general.

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