As if I don’t get enough camping in during the fall, I decided to head to the hills this weekend to do a little scouting and avoid the almost 100 degree heat that hammered our area on Friday. Rinda and I decided to load up and do a little old fashioned camping in an old burn up above Mike’s cabin in the Beartooth Mountains. The weather was much cooler and the wildlife was abundant. Our slumber was interrupted at 3:15 by coyotes yelping and to my surprise the elk began bugling at about 4:30. No visits from Mike’s bears though. A pretty cushy camp by fall standards, but it was good to get out of the summer heat and get into the hills. We are extremely fortunate to live so close to such magnificent country…particularly, with $5.00 per gallon gasoline. No doubt, fall is right around the corner with our first hunt, the antelope archery opener starting on the 15^th of August.

Close in only when the wind is steady. In the plains country of Wyoming I hunted the past September there were no thermals to switch around like in the mountains. I found success by using the wind to my advantage, which is of course a must for the successful bowhunter. Out there the wind was always blowing, sometimes too hard actually, but at least it was consistent.

Use the contour of the land. At first blush, you’d think that there is no contour to the plains country those big buck antelope call home. While it was not the mountain country I was used to, there was just enough of contour or other barriers to take advantage of. It doesn’t have to be much.

Pick out landmarks. When you move from where first spotting the buck, sometimes miles away, everything changes so far as perspective goes. I’ve learned the hard way to always take the time to select distinct landmarks before heading out.

Choose your battles wisely. Some bucks out there on the plains are simply un-approachable. Waiting for just the right set up is always better than trying to force the issue on a less than perfect set up.

For many bowhunters, their arrow is like their signature. Unique in its own way. Down at the bow shop I see a 100 guys walk in the door and walk out with seemingly 100 different variations of arrows. Different brands of shafts, dip, no dip, fletchings all the same color, two one color, one another, nock type, arrow wraps or no? And the beat goes on. It seems no two guys shoot exactly the same combo, which is how it should be. If I see someone shooting “my arrow”, I’m like, what is up with that guy? In the mind of many, we are all shooting the “Perfect Arrow.”

Of course being biased, here is why my broadhead, shaft and vane combination come together to make the perfect hunting arrow. Total finished arrow weight of exactly 413 grains as determined by my new Easton digital grain scale means it packs a killer punch in regard to kinetic energy at 70 foot lbs. Granted, my shaft might be considered heavy by today’s standards but dang, it penetrates like you wouldn’t believe. And, in my mind, flat arrow trajectory (speed) is secondary to a hard-hitting arrow, especially in this day and age where almost everyone packs a rangefinder. Perfectly balanced in terms of FOC (front of center), my 27 inch Easton Full Metal Jacket 400, with its small diameter, transfers energy so efficiently that I hit my last two big bull elk in CO with quartering away shots and they both broke through bull’s opposite shoulder, amazingly putting both 6×6’s down within 50 yards, on film.

All of this is lead by a razor sharp, cutting tip Montec broadhead and bringing up the rear are my bright green 2″ Blazer vanes by Bohning, installed with a helical, and Easton X nocks, on a dipped shaft, which work together as a highly visual combination. Being able to track your arrow can really help in determining arrow impact on the animal. Knowing exactly where you hit your animal can conceivably make a big difference in recovering efforts. For more on this refer to this issue’s Gearin’ Up column Keep in mind, precision tuning can only be achieved by using a properly spined arrow shaft.

Initially, it is best to start with a shaft recommended by one of Easton’s Arrow Shaft Selection Charts. Check it out at www.eastonarchery.com. How does your Perfect Arrow compare?

I am getting dropped off in some rugged country this year, 14 miles back on horses. In the past, I have hiked in hunted hard all week, packed out the animals in multiple trips. As I am getting a bit older and smarter, I will be getting dropped off to hunt and packed out. How do you carry your bows on way in and out? Do you case your bow and strap it on animal? If so what case would you recommend?

Thanks for ideas in advance,
John Hak from Boise, I like your handle BTW.

What I have done personally on all my pack trips, is hold my bow on the way in and out when riding horse back. Hard bow cases are simply too big and bulky for most packers to want to deal with and if you strap your bow on with the load, all sorts of bad things can happen in my opinion. Horse wreaks on the way in, horses getting off the trail on into low hanging tree limbs or branches, which might get in to the load or simply the pack animals bumping or kicking each other could cause equipment problems. By holding the bow, or using a bow sling which I do as well (Primos), I can control and “baby” my bow. Remember, if your bow doesn’t make it back in “deep” in one piece, your hunt is over before it even begins. My worst fear is unloading the horses at base camp and having extra bow parts hit the ground. Thanks for the email, and keep hunting hard.

Good luck, sincerely,

Cameron

Public land hunting for the wily blacktail…unless we worked hard to get into those tough to reach spots I love, we would surely have company. It was brisk as the rising sun lit up our deer rich country here in western Oregon this morning. Easing to the edge of a five year old logging unit, we began glassing. After about 30 minutes I glassed up a big buck – a dark-antlered, heavy bodied, 4×4 blacktail. A classic trophy buck for this country. One for the wall indeed. He was on to us though, as was the good 3-point with him. I ranged the bucks at 252 yards…directing Tanner to them. The bucks held, hoping we hadn’t seen them. I helped Tanner get set up with a rest and the rifle pointed in the right direction, but he was having trouble finding the bucks through his scope.

The country was pretty broken and with quite a bit of foliage, stumps, logs, etc., when the deer aren’t on the move they can be difficult to see. The bucks broke for the timber after the minute long stand off at which time Tanner finally saw them but it was too late. He was sick. I was sick (which I kept to myself…mostly). But, like I told him, it happens. It has happened to everyone. Gotta shake it off. We kept glassing, finding a doe and a spike buck before making our way to another area. Easing over a ridge in some fresh country I quickly glassed up deer feeding in a hidden pocket of a unit that has always produced for me. There were a handful of does and yearlings and a buck.

A decent forked horn buck. We were in business. Tanner took a rest on a big stump, lined up his sweet shooting 7mm-.08 and let her rip. Looking at me after the shot he waited for my assessment. “Did I get him?” Tanner asked excitedly. ‘Yup, you hammered him brother. He is going down,” I answered while watching the buck through my binos. Tanner made a great shot from 233 yards. I was pretty damn proud. Today was one of the best days I’ve had in a long time! Reminds me of how much I truly love hunting.

One thing that struck me, Tanner could care less about the missed opportunity on the big 4-point – hasn’t hardly said a word about it. He was bringing home a buck, period. For most young hunters, that is good enough, as it should be. And, beings that this was his third big game kill (buck & bear previously), I figured it was time for him to do most the gutting. Always a monumental occasion. After just one knife nick on the back of his left hand and one decent gag from a little whiff of guts…he got her done.

We are now watching the Oregon vs. Cal game, have already hung, skinned, cut up the buck, cut off the antlers and Tracey is cooking up some steak to throw in fresh batch of chili. Good times. That is the update from out this way. Take care, sincerely, Cam

What is the biggest difference between Coyoting Out in your day and bivy hunting now?

Mike Eastman: The major thing is guys now have better and lighter gear, higher quality food and much improved clothing. Back then five days worth of gear and food would weigh about 55-60 lbs. With today’s gear it weighs around 35-40 lbs.

Can it still be effective?

Mike Eastman: In my opinion, bivy hunting the backcountry is the most effective way to kill any animal. Sheep, mule deer, elk, whatever, Coyoting Out is the #1 way to take a trophy.

Why don’t more guys do it then?

Mike Eastman: Most guys don’t realize how effective it is but more so, there are quite a few hunters who are just too lazy. Backcountry bivy hunting takes discipline and patience and bottom line a lot of hunters just don’t want to put out the effort. They want the results but don’t want to work for it.

The major media shows guys being successful other ways. The big name magazines are more interested in publicizing hunting the easy way because they know this is what is going to appeal to the masses. In my opinion another problem with today’s hunter is that too many focus solely on the size of the trophy and not the way the animal was harvested.

To me there is no comparison between a guy who goes on his own in the high country and kills a 175 mule deer as opposed to someone who kills a 195 buck on farm land that can be accessed by vehicle. Some guys might not agree or may not understand why I say there is a difference between the two. To them all I will say is, ‘If I have to explain it to you, you wouldn’t understand anyway.’

Guys who hunt the high country on their own can appreciate and recognize that there is something very special about successfully hunting in the mountains. But, to answer your original question, ‘Why don’t more guys do it?’ Plain and simple, this type of hunting is physically and mentally very hard. It is more of a hunt than they want and more than their ready for. As you are well aware Cam, because of the things I’ve talked about, the commitment and so on, this type of hunting is very rewarding and effective for hunters that are ready, willing and able to take on the backcountry.

When did you start hunting the backcountry?

Mike Eastman: My first experience in the backcountry was when my dad, Gordon, came back from guiding in sheep hunters in AK in 1957. I started serious backcountry hunting when I was 15 years old and a freshman in high school. The year was 1962 and I think was inspired me most was an article I read in Outdoor Life about hunting mule deer above timberline. My dad was given some gear for the time from Eddie Bauer who was outfitting Mt. Everest mountain climbers. It was some of the best available then, down sleeping bags, backpacking stoves and so on. I grabbed some of this gear and headed out to an area near Jackson Hole, Wyoming called Cliff Creek. I remember it taking me all day to get up on top. Of course after the climb I was very tired so I threw out my one-man tent and took nap. When I woke up there were mule deer bucks feeding all around me. That is where it all started for me in the backcountry.

The term ‘Coyoting Out,’ where did it originate? A lot of guys now call it bivouac hunting, I have always referred to my ‘bivy camp,’ but really it is all one in the same isn’t it?

Mike Eastman: Yes, everyone is pretty much on the same page. Essentially, what all the references allude to is a hunter packing necessary survival gear, shelter and food on their back to avoid having to travel back and forth to a base camp. When I started Coyoting Out, with all of my gear of course, I would set up and glass from high vantage points with a spotting scope much like my dad had been doing for years while sheep hunting in AK.

I didn’t really refine the Coyoting Out strategy until after I was done outfitting, which was in the late 70’s. That was when I got serious about hunting the backcountry and really hit it hard for about 10 years. The only guy who I could find to go with me a fellow named Carl Oksanen. Carl loved Coyoting Out as much as I did, maybe even more as he did it all summer just because he liked backpacking.

I gutted him, propped his cavity open and left my coat to hopefully ward off any trophy sabotaging bears. I had started back towards the trailhead, thankfully, when I killed him but was still close to 5 miles into the wilderness. Hiked back first thing the following morning with my oldest son, Tanner, took photos, broke him down and packed back out. That was two FULL days of maximum effort.

Love those blacktail!

Cameron,
I just received my copy of your book. I wanted to take a minute to be as honest, sincere and open hearted with you as I possibly can.

As I opened the book and read the Foreword and Preface, I felt a huge lump swell in my throat, as I began to thumb through the pages, I felt tears running down my cheeks. I am truly moved, in such a way as I don’t believe I have ever been before. For, I never thought anyone could love backcountry bowhunting as much as I, however, I realize you truly do.

All of those lonely nights, thoughts of my family back home racing through my mind, thoughts of the dangers in wild places. The memories of lost love ones and poor decisions in life that tend to haunt a man in the wilderness. You share these same wonderful and sometimes sad thoughts. We are truly brothers of the mountain.

There are so many parts of the book I love, but my favorite is in “Conditioning,” where you say, “Is there any other bowhunter doing what I’m doing right now? Is there any bowhunter willing to put their body through
what I will, the pain, the fatigue? I tell myself no way and what that means to me is that I am gaining on some or widening the gap on others. Who you ask? My competition. You see, to the public land hunter, everyone is competition.”

Your friend and humble fan,
Marc

Cameron,
You have a fantastic no-nonsense writing style in your new book that has lit the fire in my soul to make it happen at the next level of hunting.

Thank you for the book and sharing your learning. I can’t put the thing down! It’s going to be a great and hard ride to be sure.
Ken
Grant, MI

Cameron,
First of the book is awesome, I love your writing style. I enjoyed that you didn’t hold back and addressed everything that a guy goes through in the backcountry including fear and feelings of isolation.

Thanks and keep up the good work, you are an inspiration to hunt harder and prepare harder for my backcountry hunts.
Brian

Forums
Miscellaneous comments posted on www.bowsite.com

“I have been a reader of Bowhunter Magazine for over 20 years and still have each copy. But, I have to say for the last couple of years, Eastmans’ Bowhunting Journal has moved into first place as far as I’m concerned and I’m sure Cameron Hanes is the key to the success of EBJ.”
David
Alabama

“I was just wondering if anybody else has had the chance to read Cameron Hanes’ new book and what your opinion of it is. I think it was the best hunting book I have ever read and would recommend it to anyone.”
Joe
Iowa

Miscellaneous comments posted on www.jesseshunting.com

“Talk about fast shipping! Received the book Friday…I’m about 3/4 the way through and I love the book. I’m an “information” kind of guy and his book supplies a bunch of information for any hunter of big game to ponder. His writing style is easy to follow and will crack a smile on your face for sure.

Bottom line: If you are a hunter with dreams of breaking away from a “camp,” this is the path to that goal.”
Eric

“I got mine and have read through the first 50 pages or so. I love this book! Also, popped in the accompanying DVD and watched the first 20 minutes or so. This is what hardcore bowhunting is all about. Excellent read so far!”
MULIES4EVER

Leo Bott
Hunter from PA

Leo,

I haven’t taken many special precautions when hunting in grizzly country other than try to keep a fairly clean camp as you mentioned, which in and of itself can be tough to do in the backcountry. Other than that, truthfully, I have done nothing, even when hunting Kodiak Island with my partner Roy Roth every year.

That being said, I am leaning toward packing a can of bear spray. In fact, I have one in a package sitting here by my desk. I’ll just have to accept the fact that I will have to add the extra weight of the can, which I’ve been hesitant to do because it won’t help me in the least to become a better more deadly bowhunter.

That has been the biggest dilemma for me. Until now, if it doesn’t help me in the woods it doesn’t make it into my pack. The product I have here is called Frontiersman Bear Attack Deterrent and looks to be pretty good stuff, but I am green on the subject.

Sincerely, Cameron

Response from Leo

Hi Cameron,
Just to let you know I do carry bear spray with me but the stuff doesn’t work under 32 degrees and, as you know, it can go from the seventies in the morning to below freezing by night in the course of a days hunt. So the stuff probably wouldn’t work anyway. I guess I carry it to ease my mind a little. It’s not like I think about them, but they are always in the back of my mind when I get an elk down late in the evening.

I also wanted to enclose a picture of the elk I shot last year in Montana. I know it’s not the biggest thing but to me, especially coming from Pennsylvania and doing it on my own, it’s a trophy.

Thanks again Cameron and keep up the good work and good luck hunting this Fall.

Sincerely,
Leo Bott

Leo,
Yes, you’re right on the money. I checked the back of the bear spray I referenced and it said do not store in temps below 32F. I did a little homework, as obviously I needed to do on the subject and found out that this
is standard for all the brands I checked. Also, here are a few more recommendations from the experts: 1.34-2% capsaicin and related capsacinoids, 7.9 oz of net weight, sprays in a shotgun or cloud pattern
for 6 seconds minimum, minimum range of at least 25 feet and EPA registered.

Incidentally, the Frontiersman brand I have here says the can empties in about 5 seconds but it exceeds all the other suggested recommendations. Guess I will keep looking.