Backcountry Bowhunting & Cameron Hanes--thoughts?

[Devil Diver Down]

Since buying my first bow a few months ago, at the advanced age of "old fart", I've been trying to soak up as much as I can about bow hunting, while shooting plenty to get my chops up with the string. I picked up Backcountry Bowhunting by Cameron Hanes & read it with great interest--it covers a style of hunting that has appealed to me for a long while (20+ years), but that I never embarked on because all of my hunting relatives & buddies don't want to go hardcore. I decided I'll find new hunting partners.

I gotta admit I am fired up about taking my camp on the hoof and have been working out harder in anticipation but does anyone else think Hanes may have fallen & hit his head too many times? The guy is like Tony Robbins on 26 Red Bulls, decked out in OptiFade.

Also, if anyone has any advice for a rookie bivy hunter while the summer is still young, I'm all ears...

 

[Layin_It_Down]

Shooting will come with practice. Learn the terrain, wind and thermals and you'll get close to anything. Good luck, prep work is half the fun.

 

[BOHNTR]

Cam is a good guy that takes his physical fitness to the extreme............he's highly motivated and wants himself and others to succeed. I got an e-mail from him before my last marathon I ran.........simple words of encouragement and positive outlook stuff that worked. Anyone out there that's completed a full marathon, you know what I'm talking about.

If you completely read Cam's book, there's some good stuff in there.........BUT, you don't have to cut the handle off of your toothbrush to save weight. The key is to be in the best physical shape you can, and utilize quality lightweight gear to maximize your hunting range. You'll feel better and less likely to give up due to poor physical conditioning.

 

[noharleyyet]

...good story.

http://www.cameronhanes.com/

 

[BillyGoat]

The key is to be in the best physical shape you can, and utilize quality lightweight gear to maximize your hunting range. You'll feel better and less likely to give up due to poor physical conditioning.

Haven't read his book and I'm not a bowhunter (yet), but I'll wager BOHNTR summed it up pretty accurately right there.

Also, if anyone has any advice for a rookie bivy hunter while the summer is still young, I'm all ears...

My advice is don't buy a bivy sack. I've had an OR bivy for 10+ years and just don't find much use for it anymore. Tents have improved so much over the years that nowadays a quality bivy will run you about the same price as a decent 1-man tent that will be almost as light, but give you far more space and comfort. For example, compare these...

OR Alpine Bivy: 2lbs 0oz (with poles) $229
REI Quarterdome T1: 2lbs 12oz $199
REI Quarterdome T2: 3lbs 12oz $269

(btw these REI tents go on sale fairly often)

... and now ask yourself if in this situation, you'd prefer to be me in a bivy...

... or my buddy in a 1-man tent?

Now if you'll only be hunting the central/southern AZ deserts, maybe a bivy would work out well for you. But if you're going anywhere you may encounter real weather, I'd reconsider.

Good luck. Have fun. Oh one more thing... don't even bother packing a toothbrush.

 

[Dinkshooter]

Jeez Billy that looks miserable.

 

[BillyGoat]

It was. Btw, a down bag will get wet in that situation accelerating the misery.

Some folks will suggest hanging a tarp over your bivy. Well as you can see that's not always possible and I can't imagine that would work very well with any wind. Besides, if you're going to carry the extra weight of a tarp, you might as well upgrade to a tent and live in 5-star comfort.