The little things

[RadSav]

Old Bows and New Strings  (Part 1 of 2):

I had originally planned on this little segment to be about sleeves and collars.  It is a little thing that needs some attention as even slight pressure against a collar or bow arm sleeve can effect the shot drastically.  But, I have been seeing a lot of bowhunters selling one bow to buy another.  I've also been noticing quite a few hunters with no backup string for the one bow they do have.  IMO these are both mistakes that waste valuable time in the field.  So I thought maybe "Old Bows and New Strings" should take priority as we close in on a new season.

When I am getting ready for a hunt one of the very first things I pack is a back-up bow.  In most cases this bow shares a common arrow, exact same draw length, peep location, draw weight and usually shares the same quiver (to save on space) as my primary bow.  In many cases they are the exact same bow as I do like to buy everything I shoot well in twos (usually one in black and another in camo).


1984 - My friend Roger and I drive all night from Lincoln City, OR to Sumpter, OR for a long awaited elk hunt.  Our plan is to go light saving lots of room for meat on the return home.  We plan to both sleep in the back of the Datsun pickup just out of town.  As usual I tried to get every piece of gear I needed into a large cooler.  That way I could pull into camp, unload one item that I could leave outside, and then place my bow in the cab for the night.  Roger's gear was in a duffle bag, a few grocery bags and no bow case for his bow.  So when packing gear I made the decision to leave the backup bow six hours away at home.

All went as planned and other than having a hard time finding comfort with two men trying to keep their distance from one another in the back of a small truck all was good.  Next morning I fixed breakfast as Roger put all the gear in the truck and off we went.  I heard something slide across the top of the pickup as we turned onto the main road but I thought little about it.  As we came close to the turnoff I said, "You probably want to get your bow up front as shooting light is only a few minutes away."  Oh my!  The amount of foul language coming from his mouth I instantly knew something was wrong..."My (^*&* bow!!", he says, "I left it on top of the @#%^( truck!!"

I did my best Duke Boys impression as I raced back to where I had heard it fall off the roof.  We only passed one truck, a logging truck, so our hopes were high it would be laying on the side of the road when we got there.  When we did get there is was on the side of the road...and in the middle of the road...and in the ditch...and on the other side of the road!  I don't think that loaded logger missed a single tire running over that thing.  It was destroyed beyond the definition of destroyed!! 

As we were picking up the pieces my other hunting partner Bone drives by.  He kindly stops and helps us pick everything up.  I tell Roger, "I've killed enough elk I'm not worried about being the caller as long as we trade my bow back and forth throughout the trip."  That put Roger in a better mood. 

I was still tired from all the driving when we got to our spot so I told Bone and Roger where to go, how to hunt this draw and that I was going to take a nap and would have some hot grub for them when they came back for lunch.  Roger takes a few shots with my bow, tells me he likes it better than his anyway and off they go!

I wake up about four hours later, break out the camp stove and get a head start on some corn beef hash.  I hear a bugle from behind me and don't pay it much never mind.  Just the guys working their way back.  As the bugles get closer I start to thinking Roger has gotten a whole heck of a lot better at bugling!  At 50 yards away I know for certain I'm on the path of a bull elk looking for some trouble.  The bull walks right down the middle of the spur road stopping every 30 yards or so to bugle.  Not wanting to spook him I try to stay hidden in the trees as he stops at the truck to sniff the cooking hash, look in the windows and continue on his way.  If only I had made a spear I could probably have killed that bull

If you hunt long enough accidents are going to happen.  The best way I know to recover from an equipment accident and get back in the field is to have a back up bow.  And for me the best backup is one you know well and shoot well.  That's usually your old bow!  Resale value is not very high on a bow, trade-in value is even worse.  So don't be so quick to sell or give away your bow when you upgrade.  Even an old bow is better than a broken one!!  IMO that's cheap hunt insurance!

[RadSav]

Old Bows and New Strings  (Part 2 of 2):

So what do you do if you have only one bow and a second bow is not in the budget?

If a back up bow is not in the budget you should look at the parts of the bow that most often fail in the woods.  You should also look at the things that take the most time to get tuned when replacements are needed.  Middle of a hunt is not the time to be trying to tune arrows, rests and strings.  So in those odd occations where I am traveling and do not take a second bow I always have an extra tuned rest, an already sighted in second sight and a set of used bowstring and cables.  These are the three things that tend to get cut or broken during the season.

This means that at least 30 days before the season you need to buy a new string for your bow!  Make sure to tell the shop doing the work that you want to save the old string.  Also let them know it is important for them to keep the old string in the exact same condition it was when they took it off the bow - same amount of twists, same peep and silencer position...everything!  The 30 days should give you enough time to shoot the new string in and get everything perfect. 

The MOST important part of this is to absolutely be certain that the old string was tuned perfect and you do not move the arrow rest when tuning your arrow flight with the new string.  You should also be sure to slide the peep when setting the first pin on the bow instead of moving the pin if at all possible. This way if you do happen to damage the string in the field you can go to the nearest shop, have the old string put on and be back in the woods before the evening hunt or next mornings hunt.  New strings may change the further pins or pin settings, but as long as you have the first pin set you are at least back to hunting even if your range has been limited to some extent.  You can fine tune the others as time allows!

Now here is why I like to buy things in twos and like Hairy Holes and Hostage rests when traveling!  In my pack I have a duplicate arrow rest set to the exact same setting as the one on the bow.  I can take off one, align marks on the riser, and shoot the other one dead on first shot.  I also have a second sight that has been sighted in and ready to go.  If I break a housing or even fibers on a pin I can just remove one and replace it with another.  I'm never out of action for more than a few minutes if I have a rest or sight failure on a hunt.  And don't forget the back up release!!!  An old crappy release that works is much better than one that is lost or broken.


1986 (I think) - First bowhunt with Duke Savora.  Knowing I had done some guiding work Duke wanted me to take him and a friend to the Oregon coast for some elk hunting.  He wasn't asking for a guided hunt, but wanted me to put them in some good country while I hunted myself.  I had just left shooting for Golden Eagle to start shooting for Jennings a month or two before the season started.  So I only had the one prototype UniStar.  If I broke the bow that was going to be it.  So I prepared for the worst and hoped for the best!

Opening morning I spot a nice bull working his way out of a clearing.  I had spotted the bull across a steep draw by glassing through some tall old growth timber.  My only chance for success was to run and cut him off.  So run I did!  I was hurdling deadfall and salal like an Olympic athlete.  The down hill path had me reaching the ragged edge of staying on course and complete destruction. 
As I cleared some salmon berries suddenly there was no ground beneath me...I had just jumped off a cliff  

I remember throwing the bow clear before I hit the rocks below.  At some point my Browning Magnum boots caught in a crack and ripped the sole off my left foot.  Lucky for me as that probably saved me from a badly broken leg.  When I was finally able to get air back in my lungs and wipe the blood from my eyes I realized my hunt was over for the morning.  The bow quiver was broken, all five arrows were broken, sight broken, the arrow rest was lost for ever and the bow string was being held by only a few strands.  I found the sole to my boot, strapped it to my foot with duct tape and limped my way back to camp.  I was sore, bruised and bloody, but nothing was broken on me or the main part of the bow.  And best of all I had no broadheads sticking out of my torso

The old teardrop cable bows were easy to replace the strings in the field so I didn't need a pro shop or a press.  I pulled the 3M tape off the back of a replacement rest and positioned it with the help of a bow square. Then replaced the sight, quiver, 2117 arrows and Savora Swept-Wing 4 blade broadheads.  Took three shots at 50 yards and all hit dead center...less than an hour and I was 100% back in business!  So I took some Tylox and passed out until everyone returned back to camp and woke me up thinking I had killed an elk due to all the blood!

That evening, wearing white sneakers, I killed a spike bull with two arrows at 70 yards.  Second arrow wasn't needed as the first had done it's job. But heck, if one is good two is even gooder   What could have been an accident that ended my hunt with the mentor of a lifetime instead ended in success!  All because I had taken the time to do the little things in preparation for the worst.  It wasn't my biggest bull, but it is certainly one of my most memorable!

[lokidog]

"I've also been noticing quite a few hunters with no backup string for the one bow they do have."

 
You talking to me?   

Where were y hunting in 86?  That was my first year elk hunting, I was in Coos Bay.

[RadSav]

Where were y hunting in 86?  That was my first year elk hunting, I was in Coos Bay.

We were between Sealion Caves and Yachats.

You talking to me?   

Had been thinking about this before our earlier conversation.  That just brought it back to the top of my priority list.  Timing was about right since now is the time bowhunters should start thinking of these things.

[lamrith]

Thanks for the reminder Radsav!  I have a spare set of strings just sitting here that I need to get installed and set-up.  Need to get out and put some splinters downrange and make sure the bow is dialed as it sits and then do that.

[elkslayer99]

tag

[YoungGun9]

I love reading all your tips! Thanks for all the help

[RadSav]

Proper release fit:

"My name is RadSav and I have target panic."

It's been over 30 years since I contracted the awful affliction.  Too high of poundage, too long of draw length, too much undisciplined practice, too many pins/clutter on the sight, too much emphasis on holding solid on the spot, too much anticipation of the shot...hard to point at one thing as the straw that broke the camels back.  But, after years of fighting, working and study I do know for certain that their are specific triggers that allow it to get out of control and consume me once again.  None bigger than sight clutter and anticipation of the shot. 

Fortunately both are easy to address.  To be clear there are no cures for target panic.  But, by eliminating triggers and poor habits it can be managed.  And by avoiding poor behavior those who have yet to be bitten can hopefully avoid it.  Both afflicted and non-afflicted archers can experience great success and improve performance by addressing these little things.

The sight clutter is a simple fix by shooting a single or triple pin slider.  Nothing special to it.  Just simply replace the seven pin sight with a less cluttered slider and give the possessed abomination away...preferably to someone you hate!!  Problem solved.

Anticipation of the shot takes a bit more effort.  And the most important thing to address here is to get your release sized and fit properly to your hand and fingers.  Doesn't matter whether you are shooting a wrist strap or a T-Handle release - proper trigger position is going to make or break anticipation.

I do not know how many times I've read a Randy Ulmer article where he's mentioned "Surprise Release".  It's been a good number of them, for sure.  And after more than 30 years of fighting my demons I have to admit Ulmer's term is the best.  This has nothing to do with Lock Time, Trigger Travel, Trigger Pull or so many other common terms about whose release is best and why.  It is about holding the release in such a way that you find yourself Surprised when it goes off.  And that only happens when you have a back tension, true tension or any release placed in the less sensitive area of the hand or fingers.

In my early years of shooting releases for hunting I started to notice that even though I carried a wrist strap most often more of my kills were when I had a hand held release.  I also started to notice that when I did take an animal with the wrist strap release the shot placement was almost never as good as it was with my hand held releases.  That all changed after meeting Randy Ulmer for the first time.  He was kind enough to spend about five minutes with me one day at some random event.  And like a palm reader showed me where my release should be located in the hand and how I should trigger the shot.  Probably the same as he had done for hundreds of archers before.  All of whom I can believe were transformed into better archers on their given day!

On any given hunt I might be shooting a T-Handle release or a Wrist Strap release.  I enjoy both, have been successful with both and find both to be just what I need when I have them in hand.  Set up the way they are I never really pull the trigger on either.  I find I shoot the T-Handle as a Back Tension release and I shoot the Wrist Strap as a True Tension release.  It's all made possible by proper fit.

Wrist strap releases are the more difficult as you need to have the strap set tight enough that the release head can return to a repeatable position.  The head has to be far enough forward as to allow the finger to be placed behind the trigger during draw as a safety feature.  Then the release must not be out too far as to be placed at the tip where you are the most sensitive and the tendency to anticipate the shot and punch the trigger.  When the top of the trigger is placed in the crease of the knuckle closest to the palm you now have it in the least sensitive part of the finger, you have almost completely eliminated the ability to punch the trigger and if you pay very close attention you have also given yourself the ability to fire the release by simply wrapping your finger around the trigger then increasing the tension on the strap itself (True Tension style).

It is important to have two releases in you bag.  I keep three identical releases in mine.  One set for shooting with no glove on, one for shooting with a lightweight glove, and yet another for shooting with a winter glove on.  Each marked clearly.  Each sized and fitted for use with whatever hand wear the weather conditions require.  You can get away with just one, but you want to be sure to anticipate in field changes as the need arises.  In doing so marking the adjustments in such a way that they do not get rubbed off and adjustments can be made quickly.  I personally like the Tarantula wrist strap option on the Carter Quickie!  Makes adjustments easy, repeatable and they never budge once set.


Most of the T-Handle releases I use are target style and not hunting style.  So most of the time the adjustments are easier.  Some hunting releases can be modified though.  My favorites in the Hunting category would be the Tru-Ball Fang, Champ, and my favorite the Max Pro.  Max Pro is basically the Boss X target release without the cocking lever.  I've killed a few freezers full of animals with the Boss X but the Max Pro is quieter and faster on follow up shots.

On T-Handle releases the very first thing I do is remove the thumb post and toss it in the trash.  I see guys all the time putting the very tip of their thumb on that darn thing.  For some reason thinking that if they can contact the knurled knob with the absolute peak of sensitivity on their thumb it will somehow improve the shot.  And it does look cool so    However, it is my belief if you want to be the cool kid in the hunting lodge horns rule the roost!  And shooting with the tip of your finger or the tip of your thumb isn't going to improve your scores or your hunting odds.

Once the knurled knob is removed you should be able to place the trigger/plunger all the way down into the base of the thumb.  The tip of the thumb then resting on the end of the release.  To fire the trigger you either rotate with back tension or rotate with your pinky.  As the release rotates the plunger is pressed into the base of the thumb and the release goes off.  If done right this almost guarantees you that Surprise Release.



I'll try to dig out some pictures of releases I use an how they are set.  Might take me a few days. 

[RadSav]

A couple poor pics with the cell phone showing position I prefer with the wrist strap release. 

Top relaxed as it rides in my hand / Middle as it usually is when attached to the D-Loop / Bottom where the release ends up with tension

[RadSav]

Here is another crummy cell phone pic.  Under tension the release is much further out on the fingers and the plunger is slightly further out on the thumb.  But at least you can get the idea of how you can rotate the plunger into the less sensitive area of the thumb using either the pinky or back tension.  Also note how the knurled knob has been removed!

This is a Carter Attraction release that I use as a practice release only.  It can be shot as a true tension release or as a thumb release with just a simple Allen wrench adjustment.  For those, like me, who are always challenged by the affliction of target panic I can not recommend this release highly enough.  Every time I feel that I'm loosing my battles with TP I pick up this release and hit the range.  After a few weeks worth of work with this release I've usually got things back under control.  It's always a battle, but this really does help me get the upper hand.

Once I have an opportunity to get someone to take some pictures at full draw I'll edit this section with more detailed/real situational type photos. I haven't yet pulled my Tru-Ball hunting releases out of the pack from last season so I'll include those then.  For now I hope these one handed phone pictures can give you enough ideas that your imagination can fill in the blanks.  I apologies for not having the better pics available before posting.

[RadSav]

Warm Up Blind:

Most new bowhunters struggle with accuracy in the field even though the claims of pie plate sized groups at 100 yards in common amongst internet sites.  While much of those claims are "Once In Awhile" groups and not every day groups the fact remains that new bowhunters struggle shooting animals with that one and only chance.  Give them an opportunity to warm up and most are more than adequate shooters.  In my opinion this is because most new archers have not yet developed consistent repeatable mechanics.  Without proper development of shot mechanics shooters must warm into a rhythm as their shooting sessions progress.  A luxury we don't get in the field.

Your shot execution and form needs to become ingrained into the subconscious.  From the point you draw the bow to the point at which the arrow leaves the bow needs to become second nature.  Once a bowhunter is able to reach this point then that first shot no longer needs to be forced.  Rather the execution can be allowed to just happen and all your conscious mind needs to worry about is using the right pin, picking a spot and allowing that pin to float in the zone until the arrow is on it's way.

The problem with trying to develop this during regular visits to the range is that we enjoy shooting.  Since we enjoy it so much we tend to over indulge and shoot long after our muscles and mind can be consistent.  So the mind starts off confused, then picks up on the successes of the middle session and then that positive feedback is largely lost with the mistakes we make during the fatigue filled final moments of our shooting session.  How can the mind understand what is good mechanics input and what is bad mechanics input?  It can't!  And so we continue to develop a confused subconscious that must constantly adjust over time.

Luckily, if we eliminate visual distractions, we can tell our brain when to choose the most relevant input.  Warming Up Blind can seem like such a little thing, but it really does make a big difference in how the brain receives shot mechanics input.  It's sort of like putting a large fluorescent file at the front of the subconscious drawer.  Makes all the good stuff easiest to find and reference!

For me Warming Up Blind means shooting my first dozen arrows of the day with my eyes closed.  I stand only a few yards away from the target and execute each shot from finding my anchor through proper form, proper back tension, proper release and proper follow through.  All executed with my eyes closed.  No worrying about aiming.  No worrying about groups.  Everything revolves around performing the perfect progression of shot mechanics. 

One of the most important things is to take your time!!  You won't get extra credit for speed.  So your only concern should be to break all the elements of a shot down one by one.  And when you know you have executed the perfect shot...keep your eyes closed and just relish in the after glow for a few long moments.  In those moments of ecstasy the mind knows you done good.  It knows that is an experience it wants to repeat.  Allow it to fully sink in so your subconscious mind becomes addicted to the euphoria of the well executed shot.  After a while it will want to make sure that is the way shot #1 and shot #100 should feel.  No more confusion, no more need to find a rhythm and no more need to validate the little mistakes we make later on during open practice.

Once those proper fundamentals become second nature you can get good shots off faster too!  You no longer need to think about how to make the shot.  Simply find the right pin, find a small spot to aim at, float the pin in that zone and let the rest just happen.  For me there is no better feeling in the world than experiencing life in slow motion during a perfectly executed shot.  It's as if the world stops spinning for just a moment and everything around you just falls into place.  After what seems like minutes the arrow hits and time races forward to catch up to reality.  Once you experience it you will never forget the feeling.  It's truly wonderful!

[headshot5]

Sound advice!  Thanks once again Rad. 

[Jonathan_S]

RadSav, you are the man.  Anybody who hunts archery and who isn't on this thread is wrong 

[RadSav]

Side track...

How many of you have experienced slow motion during a perfectly executed shot?

I remember my first time!  2X2 blacktail buck.  35 yards up hill.  About 7 a.m. on a prefect cool late August morning.  He was on the edge of a field looking down into the trees where I was shadowing him.  I was shooting a Jennings Unistar, Savora Cam-Shaft 2117 arrows, 4 blade Swept-Wing broadheads, three five inch natural Barred feathers, HuntMaster 2000 rest, Fine-Line sight, Fine-Line peep, Golden Eagle stabilizer, two piece Pegasus four arrow quiver and a Wynn Freeflite release.

I remember the 30 yard pin floating dead center on his chest.  I remember feeling my thumb rolling around my neck before I realized the string jumping forward.  I could practically count the rotation of the fletching as the arrow climbed up the hill.  I remember the bucks eyes were focused on the arrow as it rose up to him.  His muscles went tight just before the arrow disappeared into his chest.  I remember the bow jumping straight forward, the wrist sling coming tight and the bow rotating limb forward as if my hand had been the axle of a windmill.  And most of all I remember the silence.  As if in some sort of time warp vacuum there was absolutely no noise at all.

The slow motion continued as the buck turned and completed his first jump.  Then both time and audio rushed forward as if spreading from my chest outward.  Starting slow and hitting full throttle as it reached the fleeting deer.  It must have created some sort of cosmic blast wave as the young buck went down in a cloud of dust as this wave of rushing time passed him.  I rolled back on my heals, expelled a full breath and asked myself, "Did that just happen?" 

I had never experienced post shot shakes before that day.  I remember finding it difficult to make my way up the hill as the knee knocking and heart pounding robbed my strength and coordination.  What a wonderful feeling that was!

[Jonathan_S]

 My first archery kill was a whitetail a couple years back.  It was a blur until that moment the pin floated right behind the shoulder.  I knew he'd drop at the shot so I held low.  I remember the 40 pin floating over the shadow behind his shoulder.  I remember the bow snapping and watching the lime green vanes slowly stabilize.  Then like clockwork, like I'd predicted, he dropped about 8 inches and the arrow buried itself behind his shoulder.  He tried to run uphill but slipped and stumbled, turned to run the other way and just fell in a pile.  Quickest kill I've seen.

Last spring I killed a tom with my bow.  Called in to 32 yards.  I felt my heart pounding in my ears and I thought my bow was broken because I pulled 71# but it felt like 20#  The tom spun in a circle, full strut and I drew while his fan obstructed his view of me.  I fixated on a big red nodule above his beard.  He was facing me directly.  I placed the 30 yard pin only high enough to where I could still see that red dot on his neck.  When I shot I remember his feathers retreating and him crouching down to dash away.  The arrow still found it's mark, he took it through the throat, I saw the arrow ping-pinging away behind him.  He jumped straight up 10' into the air in slow motion and then flapped a huge dust cloud in the morning light.

Last year I spotted a bull elk at 112 yards.  He was a small 2x3 but in the NE he might as well have been a 7x7 to me.  It was about an hour until dark.  Pouring rain but the horizon was clear and golden.  One of those strange phenomenon with lighting that makes everything darker but more vivid.  His black mane and buff body were glowing on the hillside above me.  He'd seen my movement but acted more curious than alerted.  I slowly shifted behind a tree and pulled an arrow.  It fell of the string $%^$@*@*!  It clanged on some rocks and I prayed in the wind and rain he hadn't heard the strange sound.  I picked it up and waited a few moments to let out a cow call.  I peeked behind this burnt pine and saw him picking his way along the trees...looking for the sound source.  OMG!  He's actually falling for it.  I hit the call again, a few times...pleading.  From this point forward I remember it all in slow motion.  He weaved through the trees and let out a little squeal and grunt at 67 yards but wouldn't move.  It was hours that I watched him stand there.  Probably only a few seconds.  Then he committed.  He ran at me!  I will never know how I prepared for the shot as he ran straight at me.  I drew and shot as he ran just out of arms-length from me.  It was surreal.  He ran up the hill and stared back down for a few minutes.  He was streaming from a deadly (albeit far back) hit.  He then walked away in the timber.  Walked, never ran.  I walked behind him a few hundred yards.  It was the most touching and bizarre experience of my hunting career.