Well I just got home from the Post Office and Mr. Clean appears to have made a succesfull journey from Georgia to the land of the Anasazi and Dine'(Navajo). His Mojo is evident even while still under wraps in his protective case. You can actually feel something...kinda freaked me out. No really did not just story tellin!!
My son Jason who will be hunting Mr. Clean is still at school and the actual unveiling will need to wait. I am interested to see if he feels that.....something too.
Jim Coffey
I bet he does..... that bow has mucho MOJO!!! :eek: :D
Gonna use it to hunt Skinwalkers?
Hey Guys, Its Jason Canyon's son. MoosejawBob I dont think Ill be able to get me a skinwalker, They might be a little to fast for the bow.
Oh yeah Mr. Clean is a beautiful bow, one of the best looking bows Ive ever seen! Maybe Mr. Clean can help me put my pink fletch threw a mule deer, coues deer, and a pig! Im not counting on it but it would be way cool! What Im really hopeing to do is get me a coues deer that would make my day!
well good luck with him!! happy hunting
I'll be rooting for you Canyon and Jason. Go get 'em. As The Ferret told Guru and Guru told me . . . Get 'em close and hammer 'em!!!! (and keep up posted on how its going.
Ted
Jason got to put a few arrows over the shelf of Mr Clean tonite before dinner. All flew straight but at 15-18 yards hit 8" far right. It may have been a change in his anchor point caused by the ear to ear grin on his face. The boy still was wearing it when I went to work. We'll be working at getting settled in for real tomorrow.
Jim Coffey
Things are looking good for Friday's opener. Trying to arrange for a meeting with the area Medicine Man (he shoots an old Wilson Bros Widow)so he can provide a Native Blessing. Also just heard from a reliable source of three large 4x4's trolling a sage flat near my favorite Canyon country. Getting those arrows dialed in a bit better and of course my advice to Jason is "Get 'em close and hammer 'em!!!! Should start getting some pictures up in the next few days.
Jim Coffey
Looking forward to it...good luck guys :thumbsup:
Waiting with nervous anticipation. Like an expecting dad. Good luck guys.
Stan
Hey Guys
I took Mr. Clean out for some shooting today; I'm not shooting near as bad as when I first started shooting, today I didn't even hit my arm. I put a small mason jar lid in front of the target and I hit it about the third time. The others were dead on line just a little high. Hey dad about those 4x4s you know I only shoot 2x3's well maybe Mr. Clean can break my habit of that! Oh yeah, I'm going to start a Topic, as my dad already knows I write poetry (no its not my pink fletching) I haven't written any about archery or in the woods except one so I'm going to put it up and when I write more I will put them up also! Well see ya guys
Kaibab Kid
Glad the bow arrived safely and is in good hands. :)
Jason, the first time I shot Mr. Clean I hit about 8" right also. The second day and round I was dead on. Not sure what changed other than I canted the bow a bit more than I did the first round and I just did not worry about where the arrow was gonna go. Whatever, I got real excited after that second round. :bigsmyl:
Good luck to you and I look forward to some exciting stories and pic's.
Al
Well just to let everybody know we haven't given up on this project yet. Yesterday was the late season opener but instead of watching a sunrise over a vermillion colored canyon and scanning sage pockets for Mossbacked Mulies Jason and I were in Flagstaff trying to get my camp trailer and older son's temporary College housing in order. A furnace failure and resulting frozen pipes caused a nice mess.
Really didn't interfer with Mr Clean's hunt much as we are still trying to get an arrow combo that Mr Clean likes. Jason is grouping well and near center but the arrows are kicking hard tail left as they leave the bow. Tomorrow the whole day will be dedicated to getting it all dialed in.
Here is a pic from today.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Canyonhunter/mrclean1.jpg)
Canyon, same problem for me. Link with pic and details. Good luck with the maintenance and especially with the hunting. Go get 'em Jason.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=026792
Al - thanks for putting that link in there. Somehow I missed all of your additions to that thread. I am glad that little Mr. Clean chapter was filled in for me. Thanks for the compliment about my model - I can't resist putting her in just about every picture I take.
As for hitting right, I was hitting right a little bit at the beginning too. I just figured it was due to not being close to center cut as are the other bows I have been shooting lately. I just kept shooting him, canted a bit more and he came in. I was getting decent enough flight with my arrows (my spine was slightly light), so I figured it wasn't an arrow problem, rather, just an archer problem (I'm used to dealing witht those).
I think you'll get him figured out. Besides, when Mr. Clean sees game out in front of him, his mojo will kick in. As long as you've got the spot picked, I bet Mr. Clean will take care of the rest. I can't wait to read some Mr. Clean poetry.
Ted
Yes, Mr. Clean likes cant! Good to hear about the bow again. Keep it coming.
I found that 28", 52lbs spine arrow worked for me and Mr. Clean, at a certain cant. Change in cant was very noticable in flight of arrow. I used the middle finger, rear molar anchor point. Finger actually in the mouth, really get the string close into the face and in front of the eye.They flew like darts for me!!
Good luck!
Looks like we got it now. 50-55 spine 5/16 Ramin dowels originally intended for nutters. Bareshaft with 125 grain heads fly like darts and Jason's hits were dead center from 15-18 yards. Jason is fletching them now and Mr. Clean is going out near the house this evening for a confidence building hunt for varmints and other targets of opportunity. Stay tuned I'll have him give an update.
Hello, anybody out there?
Stan
Yep!! Stan we're out here!! I've had a few unexpected hours at work!! Lots of Christmas shopping which consumes a day cause town is 80+ miles away. I'll try and get Jason to give an update on the hunt from the other nite.
Mr Clean and I didnt do so well! But i do beleave if we saw more rabbits i belive we could have at least shot one! No Coyotes didnt even see one. I did miss a jack rabbit running directly at me, The arrow was perfect just the rabbit stoped before the arrow and him met. Guess he didnt want to meet my pink fletching! Well g2g guys ttyl
Kaibab Kid
QuoteOriginally posted by Kaibabkid:
The arrow was perfect just the rabbit stoped before the arrow and him met.
Now that must come from his mothers side as I would never make such an excuse. ;) ;)
Mr. Clean seems not to like rabbits. I think I missed three or four cottontails with him - one of which was simply an easy shot. I guess that's o.k. - he seems to like larger targets just fine. Keep after 'em guys - I love hearing what he's up to.
Ted
Probably won't be much in the next few days. We have a lot going on. In addition to the normal festivities we need to celebrate my parents 50th anniversary. The Christmas Morning Deer Hunt is still in the plans and you will get a look at that in detail. I am wonderin how Mr. Clean will take to the big country we are about to introduce him to.
Jim Coffey
Well 4 am sure came early after all the festivities of Christmas Eve and getting to bed just before midnight. I don't think I have ever beat Jason to the door when there was hunting to be done but that's what happened Christmas Morning. He was a bit tired. Mr.Clean appeared ready and all of us had dreams of a special day.
As we stepped from the truck after the two hour joint jarring drive over ranch roads I noted the air outside was cool but not the bone chilling cold I am accustomed to when hunting this particular area. We had arrived just before sunrise, Jason and I decided we would hunt a series of canyon's where I have seen numerous big Mule deer bucks chasing does in years past and he had unsuccesfully tried the daunting task of stalking a big 5x5 two years earlier after we had bumped him out of a small basin. This is our favorite spot. The spot I had missed what was no doubt the biggest buck I had ever seen on the hoof.
As we began our climb towards a small saddle that gives us a view of several ridges and canyon bottoms I watched in the predawn darkness as Jason warmed Mr. Clean up with several short draws and finally to full draw. In Jason's face and in Mr. Cleans lines as his limbs bent smoothly back I saw it. Both were ready given the opportunity.
We reached the saddle just as the tinge of light appeared in the east. Red Butte south of the Grand Canyon and Arizona's Highest point Mt. Humphreys giving us our bearings. I love this place as it holds a certain magic for me. Not only for the great hunting opportunities but for the views. It is not hard to understand why the Havasupai (People of the Blue- Green Water)have continued to call it home.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Canyonhunter/Picture001.jpg)
Sunrise at the saddle.
Just as there was enough light to make having binoculars worth while I picked up the slow movement of animals on the hillside out in front of us. What were they?? cattle..bucks chasing does??? I just couldn't be sure! Jason his ears being better than mine directed me to listen for a noise, a noise coming from what ever was moving out front....what is that noise?
Then I recognized it "Hooves on Rocks". Still just too dark to make out what was wearing those hooves but our heartbeats quickened none the less as these critters wahtever they were had no idea we were there.
and then....
....and then the Sun never to be left out of the equation gave me just enough so I would know what was out there. The buff colored rumps to those fortunate to live out west are like billboards they simply scream ELK. I watched as the light increased and the scattered herd numbering 10-15 animals all cows and calves milled about feeding.
Now normally the sighting of Elk is a good thing and excites my soul but today was different because of a few things. First and foremost we didn't have Elk tags. Second and more important for todays purpose of finding deer a bigger problem came to mind. You see anytime I have hunted these small pocket's of habitat and run into Elk especially cows and calves in any numbers the deer were almost non-existent. Seems they like to take turns using the areas.
I thought about pulling up stakes and moving but only being on a morning hunt the size of this big country alone would mean a move would wipe out what time we had left. Besides with an optimism so many of us Classic Archer's know I told myself "we have yet to look into the big buck hidey hole."
Jason and I continued to glass the country side from our saddle to insure we hadn't missed anything and to give the day time to get a hold of the area and provide a predictable wind. As we did so I picked up two more distant Elk moving on the horizon. I think to myself "this is not good-too many Elk."
Then Jason excitably whispers "Antelope" and as he directs my view to the yellow prairie grass below I see the white rumps as distinct to that species as that of the Elk. The herd is in a hurry and moves away across the flats not running but definately heading for somewhere else. The fact we do not have Antelope tags doesn't even enter my mind for they are like winning lottery tickets and this herd is leaving anyway.
It's time Jason and I need to start our move...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Canyonhunter/Picture005.jpg)
We begin our sidehilling the to the north keeping off the horizon but working slowly towards the sage filled basin with rimrock ledges on the edge of the big canyon. This is the hidey hole big buck's seem to frequent. It is connected by a small hidden drainage that leads to distant man made water put in place by the Game & Fish Department. As we get close to being able to peek into the basin the anticipation grows, we are almost there. We cross a trail that is so beaten down that the dirt is the consistency of talcum powder. The smell is there too. The distinct odor of Elk. I find no deer tracks in the path and I begin to beleive my thought about the deer is dead on.
We continue on a few steps with me slightly in the front when Jason hisses at me. I see where he is looking, the dark grey winter hide located slightly ahead and off to my left is very familiar to me as I peer at it as if it is I who will be making the shot through the dusty sage. It start's to move but then hesitates this could be a fatal mistake.
Jason reaches for an arrow and simultaneously gives the "should I try look?" It is a bit further than he has practiced but he looks confident in the quartering away shot so I knod in the affirmative. The arrow finds the string and Mr Clean is back. At the loose I follow the arrows clean flight and gasp with excitement as there seems to be no doubt that the shaft will meet flesh. My excitement is dashed however when the shaft dead on line makes that all to familiar last minute surrender to gravity and lands at the quarry's feet. With a giant leap to clear a 3 foot sage and enter the basin this dance is over. Ted was right Mr. Clean just doesn't seem to like rabbits. Big Old Grey Jack rabbits or dainty little cottontails. I think we are going to work hard at changing that in the coming days left with Mr Clean. Maybe he just needs a little more exposure to get the hang of it.
We walked to the shaft laying in the sandy soil energized by the encounter and both having smiles on our face. We have shared this hunt not only as Father and Son but as friends.
Jason and I ended the Christmas morning seeing more Elk and more Antelope but not a single Mule deer. This has never happened to me in this area and I am honestly dumbfounded. We will figure it out during the January season but unfortunately it won't be with Mr Clean. I'll close this portion of the Christmas Hunt with a photo.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Canyonhunter/1JasonCanyonhunter.jpg)
Great story, and pictures. One of my dreams is to camp and rove in your part of the country. Your are twice blessed in that your hunting bud and your son are one and the same.
Great pics and story. You'll get'um. I need some of those pics for my scrap book. I'll get back with you on where the bow goes next.
Stan
Stan we're headed out Thursday to set up the Javelina hunt. Hopefully you can let me know who is next before then. While huntin little piggies we can still chase deer. Jason really wants a Coues Whitetail regardless of the size of its headgear. Lofty goal but we'll be working on it.
Wow, that is some awesome landscape you guys are hunting. Man, Mr. Clean is having one heck of a season.
Those wascilly wabbits - must be the ears that throw us off.
Ted
That is the little ditch. They don't allow us to hunt near the big one.
Wow...good stuff!!!
I've been out of touch a few days. Great to come back and read about Mr. Clean. Good story tellin' Canyon. I wouldn't have a clue on how to go about huntin' that terrain. :) Love the pic's.
Keep after 'em.
Al
Well I finally get time to sit down and tell a bit about Jason and my final days with Mr. Clean and our trip to the land of Geronimo and Cochise.
Before I get started though I need to give a great big heartfelt Thank You to fellow TradGangers & PBS'ers Paul Marsden and Alan Payne. Without them this trip would not have been such a great experience. Back during our 1st meeting they indicated they were willing to share one of their special places as well as their years of knowledge to try and get Jason and I on some javelina. They were true to their word.
Anyway with Jason's school deciding to do things different than most and scheduling finals after the Christmas break it became necessary to change plans up a bit. Since he couldn't afford to miss the days we had planned off we would need to cut the trip short hunting deer before the years end and then having only a couple of days to chase javelina after the New Years opener. This bad news was made worse by the fact that Paul had come down with something nasty and needed a doctor's intervention badly. It didn't look good for him to make it on the mountain.
Arriving in Tucson I was suprised to learn from Alan that Paul was in fact coming. Although weak it seems nothing was going to keep him from his annual New Years javelina pilgrimage. Things are looking up.
We arrived in the hunting area and quickly got camp in order. We had planned to use Paul's Tipi but with the trip being shortened and his being ill the set-up time didn't make sense. Regardless my well used wall Tent made for a comfy camp. The views were awesome too.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Canyonhunter/06JavieCamp.jpg)
It didn't take long and the first time out with Alan leading the way I glassed up a distant herd of javelina.We knew they were here now it was just time to wait for opening day. Once the little piggies were found we played tourist as Alan took us to some small caves on the mountain.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Canyonhunter/Petro2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Canyonhunter/Petro1.jpg)
Looks like some other hunters had been here!!! I wonder how different their equipment was!!
That evening Jason was set up on a water hole for deer and while there glassed up a nice 3 point buck on a nearby hillside. He named the deer "Tripod" since the Mulie was walking on only 3 legs. Nothing showed up at the water and Jason wanted a chance to stalk "Tripod" the following day.
Alright,back in action!!
Yes!! I was suffering from withdraw.
Stan
Sorry for the delay guys. We'll get the rest of the hunt and a few more pictures up later tomorrow. Mr Clean is headed back to the South and should be arriving in Arkansas soon.
More, Canyon, More!!! :bigsmyl:
One of Jason's Photo's to hold us over until I can get back to tell the rest.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Canyonhunter/PiggiePocket.jpg)
Jason, I bet if you get your old man to dress up in a piggy decoy suit, MR.Clean will come through!Good luck boys. Our piggy hunt got a little messed up. Toooooo many big fat quail got in the way. Victor
Been waitin' for what seems like forever for this report. :bigsmyl:
Looking forward to the rest Canyon. Great pic's BTW. :thumbsup:
Jan 31st had Jason and I climbing over a steep hill to look in on "Tripod" country. Didn't find him but located 6 does acting a bit nervous down in the bottom. We started to move to another vantage point to see what had the does nervous and walked right into another large 3x3 buck wanting to use the same trail. Jason had an arrow on the string before I realized a deer was there but used great restraint and didn't try to take the to long broadside shot the deer offered. This deer wandered off not spooked and we never could get on him again. It was then I noticed a 3x4 had joined the does and was running one of the girls ragged. Jason tried to move in and followed these deer until they bedded way up on what some would refer to as a cliff face. The boy done good as I never saw him making his stalk and neither did the deer... At least until the last minute. He got within 15 yards but the bedded buck went out of his bed straight away and never offered a shot. Now the problem came as Jason in the final stalk had removed his boots and now couldn't find them. Fortunately Alan had come from over the other side of the mountain and was able to help. Trust me southern AZ is not a place to be without boots.
Happy New Year and opening Javelina season found Paul feeling somewhat better and he accompanied Alan, Jason and I back to the vantage point where I had spotted the javies earlier. There they showed up like they had a dinner date.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Canyonhunter/Paulglass.jpg)
Paul stayed on the vantage point to guide us while we went rock climbing in an attempt to make our stalk. Everything went perfect up until the point Jason and I went about 15 yards to far East and ran into pigs near the top of the ridge. We had a big dark colored one at less than 20 yards but no holes in the brush which to shoot. He "woofed" off behind us and we hoped the rest of the herd would stay in place. Jason started up over the ridge and ran into a couple at about 10 yards. They only showed their faces before moving away. We continued over the ridge onto the hillside and I could hear Javelina in front of me. I had Jason take the lead and he moved in as I squatted behind some brush. I watched as he drew and shot. Now this is where our stories differ and will be great campfire tellin in years to come. I will only say that Jason made a nice shot hitting where intended with Mr. Clean and got great penetration from the woodsman head and Ramin shaft. But no javelina's were ever harmed.
We spent the next day and a half before needing to leave trying to get back on the pigs. We got close but to no avail. We covered a lot of beautiful Country on Paul Marsden's Mini Death March. He was definately feeling better and we were all glad to see it.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Canyonhunter/JaviePaul.jpg)Paul Marsden
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Canyonhunter/MrPayne.jpg)Alan Payne
The trip ended and so did our journey with Mr Clean. Jason has really become attached to the bow and really had a hard time letting go. He hopes that maybe if he is fortunate enough to draw an AZ Elk tag Stan you'll be so gracious to let Mr Clean visit us again.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Canyonhunter/JasonGlass.jpg)
Jason still looking
Thanks for letting us be part of the memory making and having the extra time with your wonderful creation.
Jim & Jason Coffey
That's awesome guys,what a memorable time with Mr. Clean.I know,as other do too,how it feels to part with it.That last pic of Jason is a classic!!!
Who gets it next?? I PM'd Stan this morning to see if I could get it for our Bunny Hunt in late Feb.at Shawn's.He has the LDB coming.No big deal if I can't,just thought I'd ask.
Mr Clean is on his way to Brent Gremillion in Little Rock,AR
How's the string holding up?? I think that was only the 5th string I ever made,hope it's OK...
Not getting the good penetration, hit where intended but no javalina harmed line. What you talkin bout? :)
If I had to guess...I'd say the shot was good,but the ctitter was gone when it got there...just a guess though????????????????
No the intended target was there... but then as I said I am not going there. I have to live with this 16 year old.
Curt the string is in awesome shape. You will need to get Mr Clean back to resign it that Silver Sharpie you used is fading or rubbing off. Still readable but faint.
Well,now i'll HAVE to get it back...I'll use black this time.That was the first I found as it was going out.
Thanks on the string.......shhhh(whispering now) some day you'll have to let us know about "the intended target"...(done whispering now).
Great hunt guys. Curt, I would be honored and I think we can make it work for Feb. Canyon, if he draws let me know. Several have mentioned auctioning off the bow for St. Judes. Well, I can't think of a better use for it. But I really want people to keep hunting with it, including myself. I was thinking of passing it around till he breaks. Then getting someone to carve some things out of the peices and then auctioning them off. I don't know, I'm torn. What do ya'll think?
Stan
Keep it hunting!!!! That's what it was made for right?? Too much Mojo left to stop now...MHO
Thanks Stan,I'll try to do ya proud bud,,,let me know about Feb......
Keep it hunting with a St Judes donation requirement!! Two Birds-One Bow!!
Curt,I think I'll make a rule that the "intended target" conversation can only take place at shared campfires.
I hopr I get to see it when it comes to Little Rock. Anybody know how to get in touch with brent he is not in the directory.
Great hunt and pics Canyon. I bet Mr. Clean had a great time in that country.
Stan, I agree with Curt, I don't think Mr. Clean would be happy if he were put on the shelf. Keep him hunting. After he is broken, then auction him off - I know I'd bid on a piece of him. Heck, I was thinking about auctioning off the old string that Guru and OsageTree used to kill their deer along with the note that Guru sent me with the new string?
Ted
Ted :notworthy:
Okay,,, I can be pretty creative with broken bow parts. My first broken bow tip is a key ring tab with my first self carved string knock,,, keeps me from loosing the key!(over 10yrs now!)
I say whatever, just send it back and give me another go round with Mr. Clean!
KEEP IT HUNTING! :D
I liked the bow. It shot well for me! I would probably pay good money at auction to get him back.
AUCTION THE BOW! :saywhat:
If I were the builder of Mr. Clean I would hope he makes it home, and if so,,, I would not part ways before my death! :wavey:
I'm glad we all agree, we'll keep hunt'n. I like Canyons idea about the pledge. Maybe next years list will be compiled of people that make atleast a $25 pledge. Maybe $25 per week. We'll come up with something.
Thanks alot guys, now where's that razorback at? Hey Brent, got bow?
Stan