Mixed Bag

By Robin Conrads

I have gathered a few tips that are very brief, but I still think they are useful, so this week we will have a variety of short tips. I hope one or two of these are helpful.

Teflon Tape by David Petersen, Steve Graf and Peter Kehayes:

Screw-in field points and broadheads (on aluminum or carbon arrows) can loosen on impact. Wrap the threads with plumber's white teflon tape. It's cheap, easy, reversible, and reliable to keep the old points in tight. Works great!

Grab Rope by Mike Miller:

Elk hunting can be a steep affair. A couple years ago I was hiding along a well used elk trail and my backpack rolled halfway to California. Frustrated by the hike down and back up, I grabbed a short piece of paracord and tied it to the grab loop. It has been there ever since. I found it to be useful in a small ground blind to maximize floor space and prevent the renegade roll away pack. If I were a treestand hunter, I am sure I'd end up tying it to a branch using the paracord as well. Not a big write-up, but again, a tip using something most of us already have in our bag.

Zip Ties by Chuck Curtis:

I carry various sized zip ties in my day pack because they are lightweight and have an endless number of uses. On many occasions I have used zip ties to improve or save my hunt. I know you can do a lot of the same things with paracord, but for the cost and weight savings, carry both! I have used zip ties for ground blind construction or repair, quick treestand repairs, adding mesh or burlap quickly and quietly, equipment or clothing repairs, hang a scent rag or make a drag rag, secure a quiver and even repair my daypack. Zip ties are much faster and cheaper than paracord. The best part is, at the end of your hunt, you can remove them (and dispose of them) just as easily. Considering the weight and cost, you can't beat zip ties!

Tampons by Charlie Ek (aka eidsvolling):

Every bowhunter, male and female, should carry tampons. They can serve two important functions: very absorbent material to stop bleeding in the event of an accident, or as fire tinder.

The photo shows a tampon in its waterproof packaging, an intact unwrapped tampon, a half tampon that has been pulled apart into fire tinder and the remaining half. As fire tinder, it lights easily and burns very well. With the waterproof packaging and extremely light weight, there's always room for them in a pocket or a pack.