If you are an avid bowhunter, you have probably had buck fever at some point during your hunting career. The scenario typically starts out this way: you are practicing in your backyard. At twenty yards, you are driving tacks. You hit your mark or close to it with every shot. You practice at thirty yards and still you are hitting your mark. You step back to forty yards, feeling good about yourself and just like every other shot, you are hitting the bulls-eye every time you let an arrow fly. Satisfied with your shooting, you head for the woods.
Three hours after you could have given Robin Hood a run for his money, a big buck walks in front of you at 23 paces. You come to full draw, shoot and watch in amazement as the buck of a lifetimes runs off with every hair on his body intact. You replay the shot in your head one hundred times and you can’t believe you missed. After all, just a few short hours before you were shooting well. The problem: buck fever.
There isn’t a cure for buck fever but there are ways you can deal with it and concentrate long enough to make the shot when you need to. If you are like me, when you get buck fever, your mind races, your heart beats so loudly that you are afraid the deer will hear your heart beating in your chest. Your arms are so weak you can barely come to full draw. If you have any chance of being able to deal with these problems, you need to try to recreate them while practicing.
To simulate buck fever, do 25 push-ups (or as many as you can physically do) just before you practice. When you go to pull your bow back, your arms will feel like rubber and your heart will be racing. At this point, force yourself to focus on making one good shot. Do this routine every time you go and shoot. Over time, you will learn to keep your wits about you, even when your mind and body want to short circuit.
Another option is to regularly shoot in a league. Shooting with twenty or one hundred people staring at you while you try to concentrate on making a good shot will force you to bring your mental game to the next level. Over time, you will be able to drown out everything around you and focus on making a good shot.
You may want to consider dropping the number of pounds you are pulling back. Most guys are macho. We want to prove that we are strong so if our bow will shoot 70 pounds, we shoot 70 pounds. Today’s bows are extremely fast and pack a lot of kinetic energy. An older friend of mine has his bow set at 50 pounds and consistently kills deer, elk and even moose. The less weight you pull, the easier your bow will be to hold at full draw and the steadier you will be able to hold your bow when you are at full draw. Don’t worry about being macho, worry about being a good shot.
After you have your treestand hung in your favorite tree, shoot a few arrows out of it. Once your shooting lanes are picked out, imagine a buck walking down a runway and go through the shot sequence several times. Envision making a great shot. Practicing your shot sequence before a buck arrives will help you develop a routine and become more comfortable and relaxed when he shows up. If you read the last few sentences closely, you saw that I said, “Envision yourself making a great shot.” Pro archers always think positively about their shooting. Thinking positive thoughts and envisioning themselves hitting the mark often results in them hitting the mark. If you have a positive mental attitude, you will probably have a better chance of making the shot of a lifetime when you need to.
Good luck in the woods!
October 20, 2010
August 19, 2010
DO YOU USE A PEEP SIGHT?
How many of you reading this article use a peep sight? There is probably a high percentage of you who do and some who don’t use them. There are many reasons bowhunters don’t use peep sights. Some don’t have good enough vision. Others can’t see what they are aiming at in low light conditions. Bowhunters know that often the best shot opportunities on big bucks come just before dark or first thing in the morning. These are the toughest times to see through a peep sight. Out of frustration, many bowhunters give up on peep sights after they miss a buck at dark, never to use one again.
Not long ago, I fell into that category. A friend of mine who is a professional target archer told me the best archers in the world rely on peep sights to help them obtain accuracy. He advised me to use one as well. There is no question that peep sights improve our accuracy so I began to soften to the idea of using a peep sight. Now I use a peep sight because at long distances, it helps me drive nails. Accuracy is extremely important, especially when bowhunting. Opportunities at large bucks and bulls don’t come around very often and when they do I don’t want to screw up the shot by missing my mark. Some might say a peep sight doesn’t make much of a difference but it can. Sometimes what separates a quick kill from a gut shot is a fraction of an inch.
I prefer using a 1/4 peep because it’s large enough that even in low light conditions I can see what I am aiming at. The new Red Eye Peep from EP Hunting lets in more light in low light conditions thanks to its design. The Red Eye uses a convex entrance pupil that is larger than traditional peeps, based on the proven design of how binoculars or scope bell gathers more light. This additional light is transferred through the exit pupil and directly into the shooters’ eye, resulting in better aiming in low shooting light situations.
National-known archer Randy Ulmer has another option for shooting in low light conditions. He suggests in a video posted online that in low light conditions bowhunters can aim through the gap in their string directly above the peep sight instead of looking directly through it. This large gap lets in lots of light and makes aiming simple. Aiming in the gap in your string above the peep changes your anchor point so Ulmer suggests bowhunters use this method in practice a lot before trying it in the field. You must get a feel for which pin you will have to use if you drastically change your anchor point like you will if you aim through the gap above your peep instead of through your peep.
Peep sights were designed for a good reason: to help hunters gain accuracy. Rifle hunters use them, many bowhunters use them and all professional archers use them. Most bowhunters are looking for a way to improve their accuracy. Using a peep sight is one of the best ways to shrink your groups.
Not long ago, I fell into that category. A friend of mine who is a professional target archer told me the best archers in the world rely on peep sights to help them obtain accuracy. He advised me to use one as well. There is no question that peep sights improve our accuracy so I began to soften to the idea of using a peep sight. Now I use a peep sight because at long distances, it helps me drive nails. Accuracy is extremely important, especially when bowhunting. Opportunities at large bucks and bulls don’t come around very often and when they do I don’t want to screw up the shot by missing my mark. Some might say a peep sight doesn’t make much of a difference but it can. Sometimes what separates a quick kill from a gut shot is a fraction of an inch.
I prefer using a 1/4 peep because it’s large enough that even in low light conditions I can see what I am aiming at. The new Red Eye Peep from EP Hunting lets in more light in low light conditions thanks to its design. The Red Eye uses a convex entrance pupil that is larger than traditional peeps, based on the proven design of how binoculars or scope bell gathers more light. This additional light is transferred through the exit pupil and directly into the shooters’ eye, resulting in better aiming in low shooting light situations.
National-known archer Randy Ulmer has another option for shooting in low light conditions. He suggests in a video posted online that in low light conditions bowhunters can aim through the gap in their string directly above the peep sight instead of looking directly through it. This large gap lets in lots of light and makes aiming simple. Aiming in the gap in your string above the peep changes your anchor point so Ulmer suggests bowhunters use this method in practice a lot before trying it in the field. You must get a feel for which pin you will have to use if you drastically change your anchor point like you will if you aim through the gap above your peep instead of through your peep.
Peep sights were designed for a good reason: to help hunters gain accuracy. Rifle hunters use them, many bowhunters use them and all professional archers use them. Most bowhunters are looking for a way to improve their accuracy. Using a peep sight is one of the best ways to shrink your groups.
July 21, 2010
BOWHUNTING ON A BUDGET
Many bowhunters have a misconception that going on hunting adventures is expensive. Leaving your state to pursue big whitetails, elk or antelope out West or moose in the Yukon doesn’t have to cost a lot of money if you hunt without a guide. By doing lots of research on the state you want to hunt, asking questions in online hunting forums and ordering maps of the areas you plan to hunt in, you can have a hunt of a lifetime without breaking the bank.
I have hunted across the country on a shoestring budget. I have harvested moose, elk, whitetails and hogs without spending lots of cash. I have regularly hunted elk without spending over a thousand dollars. The problem with elk hunting is the chance of success is low.
If you are looking for a fun hunt with a high success rate that doesn’t cost much money, consider antelope hunting. Mike Mix, one of the founders of EP Hunting is going West this fall to chase speed goats with a bow and he will probably score. “I am looking forward to shooting an antelope with a Reign Broadhead,” Mix said. “The best part about the hunt is that it takes place on public land so the entire hunt will likely cost less than $1,000.”
If the wide large racks of a mule deer makes you drool, consider chasing them. In many Western states like Colorado and Wyoming, getting a mule deer tag is relatively inexpensive and simple. The benefit to hunting in Western states is there is lots of public ground to hunt on. Pack a tent, a good pair of boots and your gear and you will probably come across some mule deer. Doug Vandewater from EP Hunting is heading West this fall to chase mule deer. Hopefully we’ll see the EP Hunting boys gripping and grinning with some big bucks soon.
When hunting on your own, realize that you might not come home with a monster buck or bull. Many of the animals I have taken when hunting on my own weren’t giants but the wilderness experiences and memories will last a lifetime. I would rather take a mediocre critter on my own than tag a monster with an outfitter any day.
I have hunted across the country on a shoestring budget. I have harvested moose, elk, whitetails and hogs without spending lots of cash. I have regularly hunted elk without spending over a thousand dollars. The problem with elk hunting is the chance of success is low.
If you are looking for a fun hunt with a high success rate that doesn’t cost much money, consider antelope hunting. Mike Mix, one of the founders of EP Hunting is going West this fall to chase speed goats with a bow and he will probably score. “I am looking forward to shooting an antelope with a Reign Broadhead,” Mix said. “The best part about the hunt is that it takes place on public land so the entire hunt will likely cost less than $1,000.”
If the wide large racks of a mule deer makes you drool, consider chasing them. In many Western states like Colorado and Wyoming, getting a mule deer tag is relatively inexpensive and simple. The benefit to hunting in Western states is there is lots of public ground to hunt on. Pack a tent, a good pair of boots and your gear and you will probably come across some mule deer. Doug Vandewater from EP Hunting is heading West this fall to chase mule deer. Hopefully we’ll see the EP Hunting boys gripping and grinning with some big bucks soon.
When hunting on your own, realize that you might not come home with a monster buck or bull. Many of the animals I have taken when hunting on my own weren’t giants but the wilderness experiences and memories will last a lifetime. I would rather take a mediocre critter on my own than tag a monster with an outfitter any day.
June 7, 2010
EP Hunting goes after upland game
During the late spring and early summer, bowhunters often go through hunting withdraw. Turkey season is over and fall seems far away. What to do?? Doug Vandewater and Mike Mix of EP Hunting decided to go upland game hunting with a group of friends with traditional bow gear. They headed to Remington Forest Hunt Club in Fennville, Michigan and hunted Chukar and quail. “We were using traditional bows and for broadheads, I fashioned a small game head out of coat hanger pieces. They worked great,” Vandewater said.
If you haven’t tried hunting game birds like Chukar with a bow, it can be challenging. “I missed the first few birds I shot at,” Mike Mix said with a laugh. “But eventually traditional shooting came back to me and I was able to knock down a few birds.” Mix got his start bowhunting years ago with traditional archery tackle. “I haven’t shot traditional bow gear in a long time. It was fun going back to my roots and shooting without a sight or anything on the bow.”
Out of twenty birds, Vandewater, Mix and the gang killed twelve. Not bad for a bunch of compound bow hunters. “The guy from the club told us shooting any more than 50% is pretty good, especially when you consider that we were using traditional equipment,” Vandewater said.
Shooting game birds and small game with a bow whether you are using traditional bow gear or a compound can be great practice. Over the years, I have shot a few small animals with my bow including rabbits, hares and spruce grouse. Hunting small game with archery gear can help you hone your stalking skills and your ability to judge distance. Not to mention shooting at live animals is good practice. Even if it isn’t a whitetail, shooting at a chukar or a rabbit is more fun than flinging arrows at a target. If you get bored this summer, shoot a woodchuck or two or buy a few birds at a preserve. It’s a lot of fun.
If you haven’t tried hunting game birds like Chukar with a bow, it can be challenging. “I missed the first few birds I shot at,” Mike Mix said with a laugh. “But eventually traditional shooting came back to me and I was able to knock down a few birds.” Mix got his start bowhunting years ago with traditional archery tackle. “I haven’t shot traditional bow gear in a long time. It was fun going back to my roots and shooting without a sight or anything on the bow.”
Out of twenty birds, Vandewater, Mix and the gang killed twelve. Not bad for a bunch of compound bow hunters. “The guy from the club told us shooting any more than 50% is pretty good, especially when you consider that we were using traditional equipment,” Vandewater said.
Shooting game birds and small game with a bow whether you are using traditional bow gear or a compound can be great practice. Over the years, I have shot a few small animals with my bow including rabbits, hares and spruce grouse. Hunting small game with archery gear can help you hone your stalking skills and your ability to judge distance. Not to mention shooting at live animals is good practice. Even if it isn’t a whitetail, shooting at a chukar or a rabbit is more fun than flinging arrows at a target. If you get bored this summer, shoot a woodchuck or two or buy a few birds at a preserve. It’s a lot of fun.
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