I taught hunter safety for 10 years as well. The state recruited me after my fall so I could tell the youngsters how it really was when one got careless about treestand safety.

I could tell I was preaching to the choir a lot of times during my classes as people do get set in their ways.

Ha Mark I know about living on the edge last year was the first year I ever used a harness in 30 years of bowhunting. I used a strap at times when in tree. This year I used harness all year and even when hanging stands! I didn't this mostly so I could get my son to wear one!

Very nice. If only TV could be this interesting and tasteful.

Nice work!

Nice video #2 Mark...

Eric and Doug....harnesses are always a good topic to talk about again, and again.   I just didn't want to turn this into "that".    Believe me, I have preached as well, and my "boys" as younsters were always required to wear them.  

Not so easy these days.   By the way, besides myself, both these boys have worked for Scott Koelzer who "infamously" took a tumble some years back.  They work 40 to 60 hours each week walking high walls, roofs, ladders, and scaffolding, in any manner of very dangerous work (construction)...they do extreme (I mean extreme!) snowboarding...and generally live every day "on the edge".   For them to come home to hunt with Dad, and strap in for an 8 foot climb in a well-hung, maintained treestand....well lets just say they are old enough to make up their own minds.   I am just happy they still want to hunt with me.  

All these boys are blessed with huge doses of confidence, coordination, and common sense.  And while you and I know that "stuff happens" to the best of us....to them it's a nuisance worry over nothing.   Our family has lived, breathed, and eaten bowhunting for their entire lives...they know this stuff like the back of their own hands...

Myself....I am finding each year that I am losing the basic skills of balance and confidence that I have carried myself with, and I certainly do "strap-in" in many stands (not all though).   I find I'm using ladder stands a lot more, and hunting from the ground more as well.  

So, as I've said, the concerns are not lost on us, and we thank you for them,  and are aware of what we are doing.

Sean....yes, that bow was made from the last remaining piece of wood in that half-log of osage I had.   The boys both made their bows first, and I made another from a belly-split, and the last one laid alongside a huge knot in the wood.   I placed the area that went around the knot where the riser would be, and built the bow around that....pretty cool.   I backed it with rawhide, as the grain was really squirrelly and it "tore out" on either side, so the backing is just for insurance.   I call this bow my "Natural Wolfer", as it resembles Dicks creation a bit.  By the way, this was some good wood....all these bows are super shooters.

Outstanding! I enjoyed that! Both parts were great!

Really enjoyed these!    
Would love to see more!

         Mark, thanks for taking us along. We're so glad you've "created a monster"!

Wow! Outstanding! Really captures the spirit of traditional bow hunting.Very well done!      

Really liked it, I need to get a better camera! And those wide shots of those mountain ranges are absolutely addictive.

Great videos!  Looking forward to more.......

       

Those videos are great!      

MAN,the other day i was going to post and see how your hunting season went..i guess this what you have been doing..that is some GREAT WORK mark..now i will put in a request like a 5 year old..I WANT MORE,I WANT MORE..i think any thing with a selfbow is great..thanks so much for sharing...john

Mark that was Outstanding! Thank You  

Part 3 just got uploaded.

https://vimeo.com/121849658

Might be a few days before I upload more...they say I'm running short of "space".   I ain't buying more either...

So far so good Mark, great scenery.  You're doing a great job!!

That's beautiful looking country. Very nice videos.

Awesome stuff Mark !!! Thanks for taking us along.


Bill