Keep shooting through the season....

[Roger Norris]

I just reminded myself of a lesson (one that I THOUGHT I knew)...

I started a new job this week, no longer working out of my house for a company 1000 miles away. I didn't shoot my bow all week, and wasn't able to get in the woods hunting until Saturday. Ron LaClair had sent me some new Sitka Supreme woodies, but I didn't get them until Thursday, so they were out for Saturday morning. I stuck with the aluminums I have been shooting all season.

I did fiddle with the woodies Thursday night a bit...and I wasn't at all happy with how they flew. I knew I needed to spend more time on them. I shot a few aluminums...I didn't shoot great, but they grouped ok. I shrugged it off and hunted Saturday.
I shot several Judos through the day yesterday, and something just didn't feel right. It was HOT, too hot to gut and drag, so I committed to a big buck or nothing. The dozen or so does I saw were safe.

This morning I tied into figuring out the Sitka Supremes. I cut a 1/4 inch at a time, and took my time shooting. Something just wasn't right...arrows doing weird things...I checked my brace height...IT HAD SOMEHOW SLIPPED A WHOLE INCH!!! AAAHHHHH!!!!DUUUHHH!!!I have no idea how.

I twisted up the string a bit and all was fine.

It reminded me something I knew...shoot my bow at least a few arrows everyday...ESPECIALLY during the hunting season.

[Terry Green]

GOOD POST ROGER!!!!!!!!

About 3 years ago, I got so caugh up in getting ready for my next hunt, hunting, and cleaning up after a hunt, that I didn't have time to shoot.  When I finaly got a chance to shoot, man I was glad I did....so, beware of south bound arrows during hunting season!!!!!

Best way to do that for me is to keep a judo in the quiver, and shoot on the way out of the woods if I know I'm not going to have time later.  It doesn't take much to keep the rust off.

[30coupe]

I agree with Terry. I almost always take a shot with a judo before leaving my stand. Then I'll take shots on the way out as well. If something wacky has happened with the bow, it will show up pretty quickly.

BTW: I also crest my arrows at my brace height. All I have to do is glance down at the arrow and I know my brace is right.

[Roger Norris]

"I also crest my arrows at my brace height. All I have to do is glance down at the arrow and I know my brace is right."

Thats a helluva good idea, I've heard that before. I need to do that....

[NDTerminator]

Very timely.  I shoot a couple of my bows every day, even if it's just my old Red Wing Hunter "basement bow", in my work room downstairs.

I also check brace & nock height every time I string up one of my bows.  Have my anal, attention to detail personality to thank for this.

Which begs the question; modern string materials are not supposed to stretch.  If so, why is it that we have to twist up the string so often?

Too, when I set up a new string, I leave the bow strung and check the brace height every day, twisting up until it stops stretching.  This process usually take 7-10 days and often entails in excess of an inch of stretch even with FF strings.

I don't get it...

[SteveMcD]

Good post! Yes, I check my brace height also. Every time I string up. Always bring a couple of judos along too. And I either take a couple of shots with the judos, either in my stand or on my way there. Great point about the new arrows too. Always test flight... with broadheads of you're hunting with them.

[joe skipp]

I shoot 6 arrows in my shop before I leave for any bowhunt. If I have to travel a distance (like 80 minutes to Jersey), I pull the bow back 8-10 times before hitting the woods BUT make sure I shoot some arrows when I return after the morning hunt. Very important to shoot every day during the season, especially the days you don't hunt. Only takes about 20 arrows per session to keep you sharp and those muscles loose.

[deermaster1]

i pick a leaf or other object after a morning on stand and shoot 2 or 3 times at it to keep me sharp and also practice in a realistic hunting position.  also just drawing the bow and holding it for a bit will keep the muscles warm, loose and strong.