Absolutely. The first thing I do. Keeps bugs from damaging. I like to take it to the ring I am going to use then let dry. I have heard of people that are in a hurry get the bow to 3/4's done shaped, limbs and handle mostly profiled with limb thickness quite a bit thicker than finished seal the back and ends and strap it to a board for a few months. Being thinned out it will dry a lot quicker. Could probably strap it to a firm with backset too then let dry. Heard it will dry in weeks or a month.  Ive never tried it though.

Jason, did you remove the bark and sapwood from the Osage stave?

Ditto, Ray. Nice looking calls. Nice website as well.

I haven't been there in many years.
Always a fun shoot.
Thinking I might go this year.

Thanks, the exact info I was hoping to get.

Quote from: Kirkll on February 27, 2026, 01:54:03 PM

Quote from: frassettor on February 26, 2026, 05:22:44 PM

Quote from: Kirkll on February 18, 2026, 02:00:30 PMI suppose if you were hunting a small area in relatively flat terrain that had good phone service you could hunt pretty light safely. But what i find weird is not one person mentioned having a good first aid kit.

I was always the guy that never went off the road without a 20 pound day pac. my hunting buddy's ribbed me for years about it. But the country we hunted was seriously steep and very remote. No phone service where i hunted, and i most always hunted solo. After spending a few nights in the woods in the pouring rain. i always went prepared after that.  We had a system where everyone knew where the other guys were hunting each day, and where to go looking if they didn't show up. we also carried radios for emergency's too.

My list of essential items for a day hunt exceeds a lot of guys going for planned overnight trips with the exception of a sleeping bag and tent. but i always had a tarp and emergency blankets in the bottom of my day pack. i basically don't believe in minimalistic hunting gear. Chit happens...

Would you like to share what you carry in your pack. I agree, you never know as I was lost in the national forest ounce. I do carry some basic essentials.

OK, but be prepared as its a long list.

The bottom my pack always has an 8'x8' tarp folded up that never comes out unless needed. I'll just list the other items.

*Tuppe ware container for food.
*Freeze dried meals-2 or MRE packages

*jerky, trail mix with dried fruit and nuts. one cup Coffee bags, and sometimes brandy (weather depending)

*Water Filter , small butane pack stove, and canteen with metal cup for cooking or making coffee. a small zip lock bag with fire starter material, and extra lighter and matches too. I also have a small butane lantern that puts out a lot of heat in an emergency situation.

* my hunting knife bag containing a filet knife, skinning knife, and a larger sheath knife with a sharpener, as well as a folding pruning saw. i also keep a flint rod for fire starting in that bag. My rose clippers are in a holster on my hip as well as a sheath knife.

*elk 1/4 bags i keep at the bottom with the tarp.

*first aid kit, a good one fully stocked, and 2 emergency reflective blankets. (very thin and doesn't take up much space.

*flash light with extra batteries, and a head lamp. a cell phone with maps downloaded for the area i'm hunting that can give me GPS location. Note* in areas with no cell reception the GPS will still show your location if you have the maps downloaded ahead of time. But i carry a good compass too.

*pocket hand warmers are a must.

* another pouch i keep in my pack has a small pulley system with 1/4" rope, as well as a roll of parachute cord, and zip ties. These are quite valuable when having to hang meat from a tree over night to keep the bears out of your kill. The pulleys are real handy trying to muscle an elk by yourself for field dressing and quartering. Save me a couple times.

* A radio is added when when we hunt certain areas that typically require an overnight hunt, and used for emergency only.


I know this seems like a lot of crap to carry, but after spending a few miserable nights in the woods in the pouring rain,  freezing my butt off waiting for the sun to rise, i never leave those fire roads without my pack any more in that steep country.

Wow...actually maybe I am a minimalist after all.

So, did you chisel the dust off the chrono then???? Inquiring minds want to know!!!

Kennys 60" fhlb is a real shooter

I do it kirks way.

I have some Osage I've been aging for a few years. I spray shellac on eds and back and take it a step further by zip tying the end's about an inch down not sure if it's necessary but peace of mind.