Stikbow Hunter eMag Nov Dec 2008

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November / December 2008 Page 1

Welcome to the second issue of Stikbow Hunter eMagazine!

I have to start this editorial by thanking all of the people that have sent in their praise and comments regarding the Premier Issue. The response was overwhelming to say the least. I will be the first to admit that getting this project off the ground took a lot more work than I had originally planned and I can now fully appreciate the time and effort that goes into the various printed and published versions of Bowhunting magazines across this great country and overseas! Now that the format has been embedded and support is starting to be submitted in the form of articles, photos and more, I can see this project becoming long term providing the freelance submissions keep coming. In this issue you will see a slightly different flavour, hopefully cleaner, and of course you have probably noticed that the Stikbow Hunter logo - Boar, now has some attitude. The eBook style look however, will be retained. Thank you to those that provided feedback and recommendations. Now, where from here? In the coming issues, I hope to be able to include Bowyer interviews, Feature articles and with the growing support from various Traditional Bowhunting suppliers, more competitions! This is YOUR eMagazine - feel free to use it. Congratulations to Mick Baker on winning the Spyderco Dragonfly pocket knife (as donated by Rustic Forge knives) for his photo. There were some brilliant entries and judging was difficult. In the end it came down to four photos and a decision from the board as I could not decide! Enjoy your prize Mick. I have included an article within this issue - Stikbowin with the Kids. Simply put, there is no better way to spend a sunny afternoon, leisurely walking around the bush or paddock with your son or daughter, stump shooting tussocks and logs. As a bonus, it intro-duces our Kids to Traditional Archery at an early age, which can aid to the future growth of the sport being Archery and Bowhunting. If you do not do it, or have never tried it (and I would find that hard to believe if you are reading this eMagazine!) - then get out with your Kids or mates and give stump shooting a go, youll have some seri-ous fun and your Kids will not forget it anytime soon! Last but not least, I just want to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for the coming holiday period. As we all know, the roads can be a dangerous place at this time of year, so take that little bit of extra care. The next issue will be released around the 10th January 2009, so until then, stay safe. Guy Curtis Guy

Freelance Contributions - Email submissions to the Editor, [email protected]. Submissions must be in word format and be accompanied by high quality Jpeg photos (usually 3000 pixels wide/high or larger are sufficient). Alternatively, send files on a CD to; PO Box 899, Sale, Victoria, Australia 3850. Include your postal address if you would like it returned.

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Description.

Bowhunting Adventure: Billy Goat Gruff - Ben Kleinig

Bow Review: Lewis Hollow Archery - Phill Stubbington

Bowhunters Showcase Tuckerbox: Game Meat Recipe

Bowhunting Adventure: Traditional Billy - Part 1 - Paul Thomson

Bowhunting Adventure: Traditional Billy - Part 2 - Paul Thomson

Competition: Small Game Bowhunting Article + Photo Comp Winner

Bowhunting Adventure: Stikbowin with the Kids - Guy Curtis

Bowhunters Showcase

Club Shoot Calendar: Hunter Valley Traditional Archers 2009

Bowhunting Adventure: Time on the Mitchell - Keith Hill

Knife Review: Wally Bidgood Custom Hunters - Guy Curtis

Cover Photo: Mick Baker and a nice Recurve Billy Location: QLD, Australia Photographer: Mick Baker

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Author: Ben Kleinig Location: Western Australia Equipment: Black Widow Longbow / Easton shafts November / December

2008 Page 3

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It took me years of trying before I con-nected with my first Goat. Finally, one terri-bly-hot January day in remote Western Aus-tralia, the magic happened. The bow I used was a Black Widow longbow. It was my first longbow, and my first custom bow I had owned. Id tried so hard back at Katherine to christen this bow, chasing feral Donkeys, Brumbies, Buffalo and Pigs, but the stalk had always failed - or the arrows had always missed. But one January day in that oven of a place, my longbow fortunes changed. I had an ideal little spot really. It was at a concrete tank that fed three troughs. One trough was out of action, as Id just pulled a rotten Goat carcass out of it, and no Goat would go near that water to drink. The sec-ond trough was safe for the Goats, but it was too far out in the open for a bow shot. The last trough was also pretty safe for the Goats to visit, as it was partly encircled with weld-mesh for obvious future trapping purposes, which made it too risky to shoot through. However, it was near-enough to a beautiful green, leafy tree that offered the darkness of deep shade amid the brilliant sunlight, without which the conditions would have been intoler-able.

From here I had a good view of some of the trails that lead to the water troughs, and could possibly target any Goats coming into drink. To make my situation even better, I was sit-ting comfortably in my fold-out camp chair, with my feet propped-up on a dead, withered sapling. It wasnt just for comfort that Id done this, but again for survival I had to avoid getting eaten alive by the armies of meat ants that were all over the ground; they couldnt climb the slippery metal of the chair legs, and

they had no interest in climbing that little dead sapling I was using as a foot stool. When a shot opportunity looked like presenting itself, Id leave the safety of my perch, and kneel on the ground, or stand, enduring a few bites before ridding my self of the blighters once safely back in my chair. The plan was set.

I was able to enjoy a good deal of photogra-phy while I waited, but then it all happened. And so it was, that the first two young Billies to come into drink (within spitting distance), each took an Easton Aluminium arrow in the vitals. They werent impressive, but they sure did boost my confidence with the longbow and I then looked at my Black Widow with the pride and satisfaction that came from having finally taken game with it. Now armed with that confidence, I waited for something more significant in terms of trophy horns to show up. Not long after, it did - I missed - and the Billy ran off, unscathed. However, a Goat paradise it was and soon enough, another came along.

...this novice Bowhunter had been blessed with a great memory and

experience that will never be forgotten.

Ben Kleinig recalls a memorable Bowhunt on the Outback Goats

of remote Western Australia

November / December 2008 Page 4 Billy Goat Gruff

The Author with his Trophy Billy taken with a Black Widow Longbow


This time, there was no immediate shot opportunity, as the Billy Goat hung back with the rest of the mob, full of other decent-looking bachelors. A few Nannies and Kids also milled about with them. They had finally arrived at the water tank, but werent rushing-in, obviously sensing something ominous in the shadows of the only respectable tree within the area. They loitered and snoozed in the sun-speckled shade of some lesser trees, right on the edge of my effective shooting range. After careful consideration, I decided to push the issue; I left my seat, crawled a little closer, and closed the gap to about twenty five metres. Very few of the Goats, if any, noticed me.

I slowly rose-up, and launched an arrow at one of the better Billy Goats within the mob, which shaved hair off his belly. The arrow skidded-out into the desert beyond leaving a trail of dust in its wake. The Billy and the oth-ers ignored me, showing no real concern for the disturbance. My second arrow found its

mark, but was a little far back than I would have liked. The Billy jumped a little, and in doing so, the other Goats woke-up from his commotion.

I waited for him to fall, but he held on, look-ing about. A Kid Goat went over to the Billy and sniffed the arrow protruding from his off-side, and quickly skittered away. I had de-cided to hurry his demise, as I sensed that he really didnt know what was going on and pos-sibly wouldnt sprint off. I was right, and as I began to sneak closer, the Goats started to slowly scatter. The Billy started to walk away, slowly. I snuck-up behind him, and quickly finished the business.

Finally, the desert had given-up one of its wild and big-horned Billy Goats, and this nov-ice Bowhunter had been blessed with a great memory and experience that will never be forgotten.

A couple of large Billies photographed by Ben Kleinig while waiting for them to get closer

Billy Goat Gruff


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I was sitting there in anticipation and excitement as I watched the delivery driver park his van out the front of where I work. He proceeded to open the vans side door and after filling out some paper-work, grabbed a rather large and bulky looking package. This was a good day indeed! As the secretive package was signed for and released into the hands of its in-tended addressee, I was like a kid on Christmas morning. This was my new 3 piece takedown bow from Chris Sparks at Lewis Hollow Archery in the USA. Now most of those who know me will agree I have had my fare share of bows over the past few years - dozens in fact, as I have been searching for that Holy Grail, a bow to truly call mine. I am hav-ing that much fun investigating the talents of bowyers across this country and over-seas, I guess I sort of hope I never find it, as surely that would mean the journey would need to end

As I carefully opened the box, I was pre-sented with a very well packaged bow - with plenty of padding ensuring that its journey was a safe one. The riser was the first grab from the box of this 3 piece puzzle. As I took it out and un-wrapped it, my mouth dropped! This was, without a doubt, one of the nicest and one of the best finished off bows I have ever han-dled to date. After being mesmerized by it for a while, I gently placed the riser on my desk and proceeded to unravel the limbs. They were of the same quality and of an even and matched beauty, again, to the highest of quality. As it was nearing time to head home, I decided to call it a day and drop by my local club to test this beauty out. I arrived at the club a few minutes later and set up a 3D deer as my target. I quickly set up the bow, which went together like a Swiss clock (smooth and faultless) as the duel locator pins and limb bolts found their mark with the accuracy of a guided mis-sile! Seriously, the fit was nothing short of perfect.

Author: Phill Stubbington Equipment: Lewis Hollow Hayestani D/R Longbow Rating:

Hayestani 3 Pc Longbow


I had asked Chris for a 62 inch bow, with two sets of limbs. One set at 43#@28 inch and the other, a heavier set of 51#@28 inch configuration and this is exactly what I received. The limb edges lined up with the edges of the riser with exacting precision and there it was - a Deflex Reflex thing of beauty. At this point, I should point out to the reader that Chriss manufacturing tech-niques for limb to riser connection are that precise that there is no need to send your riser back to him if you require an additional set of limbs. A major plus for international customers saving what could work out to be additional and hefty postage costs! I carefully strung the bow and set the initial nocking point. Being a modern Stickbow using a fast flight string, I chose to shoot Easton 2016 alloy shafts weighted with 125 grain field tips, making for a total of 475 grains. Standing twenty meters from the 3D deer, I was amazed at how Chris had custom shaped the grip to my instructions. It was spot on, espe-cially as the requirements including size and grip style were discussed over email. I knocked an arrow and raised the bow, drawing at the same time. I hit anchor and released only to find that the arrow went 2 inches above the deers back this bow was quick! After fiddling with the nocking point and a couple more practice shots, my eye had adjusted it self and after a short time I was starting to place arrows within a 6 inch group. After a few more shots, that 3D deer was in real trouble and my groups were as tight as I would have hoped for.

Lewis Hollow Hayestani

I spent a good couple of hours shooting my new bow and I was thoroughly im-pressed. I shot from behind trees, crouched positions, angled the bow proved comfortable and forgiving in any position. Not only was the fit and finish superb, but the bow was smooth, quick and quiet. Every box had a tick in it. I had chosen a full options list for this bow, as many hours of study on-line sug-gested that Chris was a perfectionist when it came to his craft. It showed in his final product. The riser was a mix of con-trasting exotic woods, both front and back


of the riser utilizing beautiful accent stripes to top it off. Limbs were of Red Elm and Bamboo cores with a satin fin-ish. The high quality of this custom bow followed through to the addition of cork spacers, very neatly glued and trimmed to the riser where they were to meet the limbs. The limb tips were of contrasting mate-rial displaying nicely cut and deep string grooves while the limb bolt pads were constructed from varying exotic woods, signifying one set of limbs from the other a nice touch. To top it off, the maker details and specifications of the bow (including custom labeling) were very neatly written on the lower part of the riser and lower limbs. Having now had this bow for a few weeks, it is undoubtedly one of the finest I own and one of the finest I have shot. Not only was the bow everything that was expected and more, the customer service from Lewis Hollow Archery was second to none. I have a planned hunting trip up north next year and I hope to harvest a few large and gnarly Boars with this bow - they wont know what hit em.

In closing, I would like to just quickly send a message to a couple of mates of mineHands off! For more information on Chris Sparks, Lewis Hollow Archery and their custom made bows, visit Chriss website at www.lewishollowarchery.com. You will not be disappointed.

Lewis Hollow Hayestani


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Hovi & Strowy with the results of a backpack hunt

Jeff Challacombe with a Selfbow Pig

Andrew Morrow with an interesting looking Goat


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Daniel Bajt with a nice

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Mozza and a large Rabbit taken with

his Widow

Paul Thomson and a cracker of a Boar


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Braised Venison Shank with Cassis Sauce:

Ingredients:

Venison shanks Brown de glace Salt & pepper

Veal stock Red wine Artichoke Carrots Onions Celery Potato

Directions: Step 1 Season venison shanks and seal a in hot pan. In the same pan, add carrots, onions and celery. Now add the brown de glace with red wine. Step 2 Place the shanks in a deep roasting tray, add the vege-tables and red wine. Cover half way with veal stock. Cover the tray with aluminum foil and place in an oven preheated on 220 deg C. Braise until meat comes of the bone easily. Step 3 Strain the sauce and reduce it by approximately half. Make Cassis reduction and add the reduced sauce then strain. Toss winter vegetables in butter and then season. Serve the shanks on a potato and artichoke mash with vegetables and the Cassis sauce.


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Author: Paul Thomson Location: Victoria Equipment: 59# Black Widow Recurve / Goldtip shafts

I received a call late Friday afternoon from a friend who was willing to cover the work I had to do on Saturday. He knew I was keen to get away for the weekend after some Goats I had previously been chasing but without success. After a heavy night around the camp fire, catching up with a few good mates and probably a few drinks to many, I re-tired at 2 am and awoke at dawn. Feel-ing a tad tired I went back to sleep and finally got out of bed at about 8.30 am, had my usual bowl of cereal and a ba-nana for breakfast, geared up and hit the bush after the Goats. Heading straight to their usual haunts, I was pleasantly surprised to see the Goats about one hundred and fifty meters from me sunning themselves at the base of the hill in a dried up swamp basin. I had previously selected the specific Goats I was after on prior trips. One had a rack I had estimated to be in the high

forty inch mark and another Billy with a non typical rack - where each horn was different to the other. After watching them with the binoculars to locate all the Goats, and to assess the locations of each Goat I was after, I worked out a plan and began the stalk. After a forty minute stalk, I was placed about forty meters from the bedded goats and well hidden in amongst some fallen trees. With a good wind blowing into my face (but a bit too far away from the Goats for my Recurve bow), I sat still pa-tiently waiting for them to get up and feed my way. It was only a matter of time be-fore the wind carried my scent around the bowl and to the Goats which promptly left. Still feeling a bit lethargic from the previ-ous nights events, I headed back to camp for a feed and a kip.

The Authors Billy - second from the right, had a spread of 41.25 inches, taken on this trip.

...picked my spot and loosed an arrow all in the blink of an eye.

November / December 2008 Page 13 Traditional BillyPart One

I returned to that same area in the after-noon and sure enough there they were again feeding on the lush grass in the dried up swamp. This time they were slowly moving as they fed. I felt this was my best chance in a long time at securing one of these Goats, so I high tailed it to close the gap, but then I heard one of the boys tearing along the back track on the motorbike. With that, the Goats took off high and into the rocky hills above the swamp bowl and out of sight. By this stage I was thinking I was never going to nail one and as it was getting late in the afternoon I headed back to camp. I awoke just before dawn on Sunday, geared up and took off. This time I climbed a tree on the game trail leading to the feeding ground and after about one hour up the tree with no harness and feel-ing a bit weary, trying to stop myself from falling asleep, I climbed down to the safety of the ground. Having a bit of a

think as to where the Goats might be it dawned on me that with the heavy frost on the ground the Goats will be in the thicker scrub which would provide protec-tion from the overnight cold and frost, so I headed into the timber country following the faint game trail in the grass. I had traveled about fifty meters from my previous position in the tree, when I found some reasonably fresh Goat scats, which I suspected were deposited before bed-ding the previous evening. With the aid of my binoculars I started to glass into the thicker cover and by using the binoculars I was able to locate the Goats bedded no more than sixty meters from my position. They were still bedded and not in a group but spread out over an area of about thirty meters, waiting for the suns warming rays to penetrate the tree canopy before rising and beginning their search for food.

Pauls Huge Mountain Goat

November / December 2008 Page 14 Traditional BillyPart One

I managed to stalk to within about forty meters of the bigger Goats and as I was passing a smaller Billy at about twenty meters to my left, he picked up on my movement and looked up at me, rose to his feet facing his intruder. Instantly the rest of the group rose from their beds and briefly looked at me before vacating. The smaller Billy who I was trying to get passed turned to run and as he turned I quickly drew my Recurve, picked my spot and loosed an arrow all in the blink of an eye. My shot felt good. From the moment I released I knew it was good and the ar-row struck its mark hitting him behind the front leg and as he was quartering away in his attempt to make his way for the rocky higher ground. Traveling about twenty five meters, he made it to the base of the rocks before expiring. I sat for some time recounting the hunt in my mind. After taking some photos I began the capeing, before head-ing back to camp to complete the capeing and salting. Although he was not one of the Billies I was after, he was the only one that pre-sented a shot. Although being one of the smaller Billies, he still measured a spread of 41.25 inches and I can only imagine what the big fella will measure out too, but I guess thats another story. Gear the Author used was a 59# Black-widow Recurve and Goldtip Traditional shafts with Woodys famous Outback Supreme - single bevel Broadheads.


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Author: Paul Thomson Location: Victoria Equipment: 59# Black Widow Recurve / Goldtip shafts

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Rising from the swag as the dawn of a new day slowly lights up the dark morn-ing, I had my usual bowl of cereal and banana and headed off into the bush in search of the Goats and hopefully the big Billy I have been trying to bag for the last few trips. After checking out their usual haunts and not sighting them (or any fresh sign), I changed my tactics and decided to travel along the edge of the large dry swamp. With a familiar and good strong breeze in my face I was constantly scan-ning the surrounding hills and swamp flats for the Goats when I suddenly got a whiff of a stinky Billy. I could clearly see a long way out in front of me and no Goats were sighted, so I reached for the

wind puffer and after a few puffs a slight cross wind was detected coming from my right. I slowly walked up over the small rise and peered into the next swamp which was full of waist high grasses and reeds. Sitting there looking in I noticed the rack of the big Billy I was after, moving amongst the grass tops and as quick as I noticed him he sensed something was up. Although he didnt look in my direc-tion his body language told me he was uncomfortable and due to the prevailing wind the possibility of him picking up my scent was pretty high, but I was hoping the cross wind would prevent him from smelling me.

Paul Thomson (Piggy) Harvests another Large and Unique Mountain Billy on his second outing in the hills

November / December 2008 Page 17 Traditional BillyPart Two

Climbing over a rocky hill top I got a heavy whiff of the Billies and having a good look around I found the Goats again. I had managed to sneak to within about fifty meters. With the Goats now below me I took off my shoes and started to stalk in through the dry and dead bracken ferns and heavy leaf litter. There was a strong intermittent wind in my favor and before moving, I waited for the wind to pick up and rattle the trees and scrub every time before moving forward to cover my noise through the dry under-growth. I had eventually got into a posi-tion above the goats at about twenty two meters. The Goats were now below me down the side of the rocky hill, bedded down and after being unable to locate the big fella, I picked the other Billy I had marked on my list because of his unusual horns. After about twenty minutes he stood up quartering away and as I rose to take the shot I picked my point of aim and re-leased. The release felt good and it looked good hitting him on the mark.

He put his head down to feed again and I lost sight of him for about a minute. I then noticed him walking out on the far side of the swamp up the rim and into the timber country. I got up and quickly made my way down to the edge of the swamp when the rest of the mob took off! Unbeknown to me they were all in the tall grass. Developing a bad headache (not from dehydration) I retired for the day and had a late night around camp with the boys. Having a sleep in and a lazy day around camp I thought I would go out for another hunt before heading home. After spend-ing several hours looking for the Goats without any success, my nose once again picked up the smell of stinky Billies. Put-ting my trust in my nose I followed it while checking the wind direction to give me an approximate direction. Several times I lost the smell so I would backtrack several meters and wait for the wind, then following the smell again.


The Billy walked no more than 5 meters and dropped. The other Goats stood looking at the Billy on the ground and then went back to their midday nap. Thirty minutes or so later after taking some photos of the other Billies (who had now gone back to their nap), I started making noises by rattling the bracken, snapping sticks and even clapping my hands to get them to move on. Eventu-ally after throwing some rocks at them they got up and slowly moved away. After getting the other Goats to move away without upsetting them too much I went and recovered my game. He was an exceptionally large bodied Billy Goat with an odd set of horns and a huge Goatee beard. My arrow had entered about six inches behind the front leg while the Goat was quartering away from me and Woodys Outback Supreme Broadhead had just broken the skin on exiting halfway up the neck. Setting up the camera I took a few self timed photos and began capeing out the Billy for a mount.

Above Photo: A couple of Billies moving off

into the timber country


The results of a well placed arrow.

The Authors unique Billy.


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November / December Snuffer SS Broadhead Competition

A big thanks to John McDonald at AMSO 128 Archery Suppliers for this issues competition prizes. John has donated two packs of Magnus Snuffer SS 3-blade Broadheads (125 grains). We will also throw in a Stikbow Hunter Tee! For this contest, we are looking for the best Small Game Bowhunting article with photos. To enter, simply forward your article with high quality photos (usually 3000 pixels wide/high

or larger are sufficient) showcasing Small Game Bowhunting to;

[email protected]

The Winner for the AMSO article competition

will be announced in the next issue of Stikbow Hunter eMagazine. Good luck!

September / October Rustic Forge Photo Competition Winner!

Congratulations to Mick Baker for his photo of a Queensland outback

Billy taken with a Recurve (see cover photo). Mick has won the Spyderco Dragonfly pocket knife in S/Steel with VG-10 Blade kindly

donated by Rustic Forge Knives.

Great shot mate! He turned towards me with a huge smile across his face. He was around seven meters from his cho-sen target, an unsuspecting tussock that was playing its part in this hunt as a makeshift rabbit. It was my sons third arrow that had found its mark, dead cen-ter. We were walking through the scrub stump shooting and he was having a great time, we both were. We continued along easy to navigate trails throughout the maze of trees, keep-ing an eye out for a real rabbit (that would not have been in any real danger), but would have made both of our hearts race with excitement none the less. I quickly whispered Stop! He froze. I could see his eyes scanning ahead of him, looking, wondering what I had seen. I then pointed to a small log, about eight meters to his left. He slowly lifted his custom bow and came to anchor at the corner of his mouth Thwack! He spun around with his fist in the air, I got it! It was a great shot and one he did not often make due to his young age and inexperience; all that more special when he did. The small arrow had struck near on dead centre, however the lack of energy from his bow allowed it to hang down, fletching lying in the dirt. Hell need a new bow soon as he has just about out-grown this one something that his younger sister will no doubt inherit if the continued interest is there. Stump shooting would have to be one of the most enjoyable aspects of Traditional Archery, possibly as much as Bowhunting

Author: Guy Curtis Location: VIC, Australia Equipment: 30#@27 Mad Dog Pup custom (Sons)

Stump Shooting has to be one of the most enjoyable aspects of Traditional Archery , especially when you combine the company of Kids.

At the same time, it hones your Bowhunting skills enormously.


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Kids absolutely love adventure, this goes without saying and I can distinctly remember following my uncle Ted around his trapping runs when I was the same age as my son is now. I remember his smiling face as we collected rabbits from these steel contraptions and also his dis-appointment as we approached an empty and un-sprung trap. I enjoyed every min-ute of those outings and the rabbit is largely to blame for my interest in hunt-ing. I have no doubt that some how, it will be the same for my young bloke.

Stikbowin with the Kids

is okay, maybe not but it sure is great fun and ranks very highly with me. I am sure that a good time spent stump shoot-ing is where the required skills are learnt to be proficient with Traditional gear when hunting. My take on it is that it trains the brain not to think too much as there is no pressure involved, where instinct can take over and do its thing. Thats how it is suppose to work anyway! In my opinion, it is a much better method of practicing for Bowhunting than shooting on a range or at square targets, usually where people are standing behind you adding unwanted pressure inten-tional or not. Besides that, you are in a natural environment whilst stump shoot-ing, with rolling hills, obstacles and the true sounds of the bush, natural sur-roundings as encountered when Bow-hunting and not on a purpose built range, which seem to lack the reality in most cases. He picked up his arrow and we contin-ued along the trail, not more than a few meters ahead, a rabbit bolted across the track! I think that any young Kid gets ex-cited to see a rabbit in the wild and to this day, my heart still races when stalking in close to try and harvest one for the table, as few and far between as they are in south eastern Victoria these days. He looked at me with wide eyes and open mouth, not muttering a word.

He slowly lifted his custom bow and came to anchor at the

corner of his mouth Thwack!


It was getting late and we decided to call it a day. On the way back to the car, we picked out a few more rabbits that looked remarkably like tussocks, taking turns to shoot. As we zigged and zagged, collect-ing the arrows as we went some on tar-get and some not, I thought that it wasnt going to be long before my young stump shooting mate would want to come on actual Bowhunting outings with me. He was now approaching an age where I thought he could identify danger if need be (poisonous snakes, spiders and the like) as we sure do have our fair share around the local swamps we hunt. I have a long lasting hatred for the Tiger Snake and he appears to have the same feel-ings for me. Angry little buggers they are, with too much attitude. If any of you have Kids and have not taken them stump shooting, I highly recommend it! It will certainly open your eyes as to how a young brain works, how it does not cloud itself with mathematical calculations of elevation, distance and speed. They just point, draw and shoot,

all in one smooth motion - simple. If out stump shooting and I make a shot and miss terribly, although its all still fun (with the exception of one of your mates seeing it and the endless banter and teasing that shortly follows!), I know that I was think-ing about the shot and not letting the brain do what it knows it has to do. I did not allow my instinct to take over. You can also have just as much fun with your hunting buddies. Once on a recent hunt a mate and I had walked for half a day or more and on return to camp, came across a small plastic bottle (how rubbish gets in the middle of what seems to be far from anywhere, I have no idea). The challenge was set and at a good nineteen to twenty meters, I raised my bow, drew, released and hit my target clean in the middle! I did not think about distance or anything else for that matter, just about hitting that bottle, which by the way, ac-companied us all the way back to camp looking very sorry for itself by the time we returned.



No game or stalk presented itself that day, but a simple and fun stump shoot on the way back to camp made the heat, sore feet and thirst all worth it! It was simply great fun. I remember an actual dedicated stump shooting outing a few years ago now. There were three of us and we had all just recently received new longbows, from one Bowyer or another. Due to our geographical locations, we rarely had the chance to get together but we all scram-bled to make time this long weekend. It was really just a show and tell affair showing off the new toys. We had walked across the Dog Pad-dock (an old hunting haunt) and had de-cided to cross the creek, which was quite low at this particular time of year and into the forest beyond. As we were walking along, challenging each other with targets of varying shapes and sizes: tussocks, stumps, logs and at one point, even

small, particular stems within the fern un-dergrowth, one of us ahead froze. The two of us behind him instantly followed pose, freezing in our tracks. We did not see any animal but we picked up on his body language pretty quickly. A couple of minutes went by and out from a thick tree line not 15 meters ahead, walked a small Sambar Hind. The Hind was looking directly at us. We must have looked like the three stooges, standing there in half stride, looking quite unnatural. The Hind sniffed the air, stomped her hoof a few times and after a short time, as quietly as she had ap-peared, she slunk back into the trees. We all turned and faced each other smiling. It was a great experience. None of us had broad heads that afternoon as we had not planned on doing any hunt-ing, but it just goes to show, you never do know what bonus may lie ahead when out stump shooting - quite a reward.



One thing that I have noticed since tak-ing my Kids stump shooting is the father-son / father-daughter relationships that have strengthened themselves through such a simple thing as walking the pad-docks shooting arrows. Away from the television and computers and just having one on one time, its so important, par-ticularly in a time when life seems to move so fast. I am away from home at the moment (again) as I work in remote locations but my young bloke has already made plans to go stikbowin those tussocks again upon my return. His interest in Traditional Archery is growing with every outing and questions are just starting to surface of when can I go hunting with Dad? As Spring is here and the weather is warming up, I think I had better plan a weekend out chasing small game, as if I dont, he surely will on my behalf! Stikbowin with the Kids. Theres not a great deal of things in this world that beats it.



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A Goat coming to water - Photo by Ben Kleinig

A small meat Goat taken with a home made Recurve - Siewho Yeak photo

(see this story in the next issue of SBH.

Hans with a small Goat

Another happy Trophy Bowhunts

Australia customer

Ben and a solid Boar

November / December 2008 Page 27 HVTA 2009 Shoot Calendar

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SUN 1 1 2 AGM 1 MON 2 2 1 3 2 TUE 3 3 2 4 1 3 WED 4 4 1 3 1 5 2 4 THU 5 5 2 4 2 6 3 1 5 FRI 6 6 3 1 5 3 7 4 2 6 SAT 7 7 4 2 6 GATH 4 8 5 3 L/WEND 7 SUN 8 CS 8 CS 5 CS 3 CS 7 GATH 5 CS 9 6 4 L/WEND 8 CS MON 9 9 6 4 8 GATH 6 10 7 5 L/WEND 9 TUE 10 10 7 5 9 7 11 8 6 10 WED 11 11 8 6 10 8 12 9 7 11 THU 12 12 9 7 11 9 13 10 8 12 FRI 13 13 10 8 12 10 14 11 9 13 SAT 14 14 11 9 13 11 15 12 10 14 SUN 15 15 12 EA 10 MD 14 12 16 CS 13 CS 11 CS 15 MON 16 16 13 11 15 13 17 14 12 16 TUE 17 17 14 12 16 14 18 15 13 17 WED 18 18 15 13 17 15 19 16 14 18 THU 19 19 16 14 18 16 20 17 15 19 FRI 20 20 17 15 19 17 21 18 16 20 SAT 21 21 18 16 20 18 22 19 17 21 SUN 22 CS 22 CS 19 CS 17 CS 21 CS 19 CS 23 20 18 22 CS MON 23 23 20 18 22 20 24 21 19 23 TUE 24 24 21 19 23 21 25 22 20 24 WED 25 25 22 20 24 22 26 23 21 25 THU 26 26 23 21 25 23 27 24 22 26 FRI 27 27 24 22 26 24 28 25 23 27 SAT 28 28 25 23 27 25 29 26 24 28 SUN 29 26 24 28 26 30 CS 27 CS 25 CS 29 MON 30 27 25 29 27 31 28 26 30 TUE 31 28 26 30 28 29 27 WED 29 27 29 30 28 THU 30 28 30 29 FRI 29 31 30 SAT 30 31 SUN 31 CS

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MD = MOTHERS DAY

EA = EASTER

AGM = ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING


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Author: Keith Hill Location: Queensland Equipment: 65# Dave Keable Custom Raven Recurve

After talking to a mate one day about our mutual interest in bow hunting, he happened to mention that I would like to meet his boss who had a property up north on the Mitchell River. I couldnt wait to meet him as I had always wanted to get up that way. The meeting went well and it didnt take long for us to organize a trip.

After months of preparation, mid Sep-tember had arrived and with the camper trailer behind and the canoe on top, we set off on our trip north. My mate Miles and his family were travelling with us in their 4WD. A few days later and we had camp setup on the bank of the Mitchell River.

After talking with the manager we found out that there were some rifle shooters hunting on the property as well. While this was a little disappointing we quickly put it behind us as we were eager to get our gear on and go hunting.

Bright and early the next morning saw us setting off to check out the channels and river beds. For this trip I was using my new custom made Raven recurve made by Dave Keable and I was keen to take my first game with it.

It wasnt long and we came across a nice young boar bedded up in the river bed. Stalking over the dry leaves was very difficult, as I had previously found out how noisy they could be. However I got to between five and six metres of the boar and I had a perfect window to place the right shot. One well placed arrow saw the Boar explode from his bed only to col-lapse a few metres away! I was ecstatic as it was my first ever boar and taken with my new recurve to boot.

Over the next week we checked out a few other water holes and swamps and saw a few small pigs, but unfortunately the rifle shooters had been there before us. Miles did manage to take a nice tro-phy boar with his compound though.

Some great Barra fishing is topped only by the Author taking his first Boar with an Aussie custom made Recurve!


We also put the canoe in the river and did some fishing and managed to catch a few barra.

We packed up a lunch on one of the days and headed to the falls where my eldest son Beau caught his first Barra he was excited! I also caught a few barra, with one getting its revenge. It gave a good wriggle and stuck a hook from the lure firmly in my finger. After getting it out, which wasnt pleasant, it was back to fishing. Miles caught a nice Barra as well.

Unfortunately time ran out all too quickly and we found ourselves on our way home. We had a great time and hope to get up there again next year.

One well placed arrow saw the Boar explode from his bed only to

collapse a few metres away!

The Author with his first Boar taken with a Raven Recurve by Dave Keable

Some nice Barra were

caught on this hunt

Time on the Mitchell


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Author: Guy Curtis Equipment: Wally Bidgood Custom Knives Rating:

John Dennis of Rustic Forge Knives was inundated with workload these last few weeks and was unable to finalise his No-vember/December submission, so I am going to include a short review on whom I regard, is Australias best kept secret! It must have been three years ago or so, and a mate and I were visiting Melbourne to attend the Annual Knife Show as pre-sented by the Knife makers Guild of Aus-tralia and their many talented members. There was a fantastic turnout and about one hour after arrival on day one, I came across a makers table where I was imme-diately impressed. It was a simple presentation, business cards displayed to one side and a small display of this craftsmans wares were scattered across the display table. The knives on show were all hunting knives in one form or another, and I could tell that this maker had been there and done that as his designs were excellent. Handles were superbly contoured, blade grinds were clean and even and the accompa-nying hand crafted leather sheaths (crafted by the same maker) were of the highest quality I had seen. Wally Bidgood was the makers name. It wasnt long and I was asking Wally questions on what options were available. Most of the knives on the table had han-dles constructed of micarta, a man made and extremely tough material with a woven or wood grain look. I was after something more personal and we were soon discussing the option of utilizing a piece of stabilised and exotic Australian wood burl that I had subsequently found

on another table. The type of wood was unknown, but it looked gorgeous. Soon enough, Wally was in possession of the wood burl I had found, and I had an order placed for two hunting knives. The price point was brilliant and I could not have been happier!

If your looking for a great Australian made custom Hunting knife, then you may want to read on!

November / December 2008 Page 32 Knife Review - Wally Bidgood

The blade steel was D2, an excellent all rounder for a hunting or camp knife, hav-ing an excellent balance of carbon. The blade length was around 4.5 inches, as was the handle. They both felt extremely comfortable in hand. I had also optioned up my knives to include brass guards and pins with a lanyard hole. As the extra weight was added using brass, Wally had completed a distilled taper on the tang(s), to produce a very well balanced package. The handles were topped off with col-oured spacers between the tang and the wood simply stunning. If you are looking for a hunting or camp knife, to the utmost quality in regards to fit and finish, not too mention some excel-lent designs, then you will not be able to go past Wally Bidgood Custom Knives. You can contact Wally by phone on (03) 5470 6656. But I warn you, one will not be enough!

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January / February

Documents

Stikbow Hunter eMag Nov Dec 2008