Prepping for hunting season

As I begin to write my first Blog post for this website it's the end of August, but it sure feels like October. 75 degrees, damp and cloudy don't typically go together in late August in Western Kansas. This has everyone excited to pull their bow from the closet that it's sat in for the past 10 months, dust it off, and fling a few arrows. It's an exciting time, but there are some things to be aware of that could determine your success this season.

1. BOW TUNEUP

   Just as you wouldn't head across country on a trip without checking the oil and tires on your vehicle, neither should you simply pull your bow out of storage and start shooting. Look it over first. Start with the strings. Is your peep sight twisted? Are you tired of fighting it? Factory strings will get your through a season, but a new set of custom strings are built to higher standards. Custom strings will typically eliminate peep twist, and it only takes a few shots to get things settled in. Are your strings worn or damaged? A little fuzz is nothing to worry about and some quality string wax can clean this up rather quickly but look closer. Are there any cut strands? What about your serving? Serving separation is a good clue that you are in need of new strings. The general rule of thumb is to replace your bow's strings every two years. Most people don't do this. The bow shoots fine so there's nothing to worry about. Well as we all know, if something is going to break, it's going to happen just when you need it the most! If you don't replace your strings before season, at minimum you should have a new set on hand just in case it's November 12 and your season is over not because you shot that big buck that you'd been seeing on your trail cameras all summer, but because you neglected to bring your bow in to have things looked over before the season even started!

2. TWO IS ONE AND ONE IS NONE

I often tell people, especially people who are going out of state to hunt that they need more than one bow. You spend a month's worth of income on tags, gear, fuel, food, lodging, etc. but you are crossing your fingers and hoping that nothing happens to your only bow when you are miles in the backcountry, and hours from the nearest pro-shop??? This doesn't make sense to me. I understand that bows are expensive, but if you don't have a backup bow you are playing with fire! There are several options depending on your budget. First

is when you purchase a new bow, hang on to your old bow and keep shooting it. Your new bow becomes your primary, and your old bow becomes your backup. This way you still have a bow that you are very familiar with to keep you in the hunt. Another option is to purchase a good used bow, or a lower priced new bow. Most manufacturers, including Prime, Elite, Bowtech, and Bear that we carry in the store offer great options for $600-$800. This may not be pocket change for most of us, but it's cheap insurance, and it's a guarantee that you can keep hunting if something happens to your primary bow. The third option is the least expensive, but still rarely do people do it. At minimum you should have another set of strings for your bow ready to go! When I buy a new bow, I will get it set up with a D-loop and peep sight and shoot the stock strings 200-300 times. Then I will replace the stock strings with a set of custom strings and keep the originals as a backup. This way if I need them, I can be back in the game in less than 30 minutes.

3. INSPECT YOUR ARROWS

If you've ever seen a picture of someone who had an arrow come apart at the shot it typically is not a pretty sight. It will definitely make you check your arrows each time you shoot. It's very simple, just give each one a good flexing and listen for any cracking noises. Also look them over closely for any cracks, chips, or gouges. Do this before each session, but if you shoot groups and hit other arrows you should inspect them before each shot. Be careful if you re-fletch your own arrows because it's easy to remove part of the carbon when you think you are only removing vanes and glue. Any arrow that has damage should be thrown away. Do not shoot an arrow that has any type of damage to the carbon, the insert, or the nock. Nocks are cheap and should be replaced if they any signs of damage, or if they aren't fitting properly. If you shoot year-round it's a good idea to replace your nocks once each year. The $10 for a new dozen nocks is very cheap insurance. Also, if you've been shooting the same arrows since the Bush Administration, it might be time for some new shafts. Arrows will deteriorate over time, they can weaken, and be more susceptible to damage, and more susceptible to causing an injury. A new dozen arrows is much cheaper than a trip to the ER!

4. KNOW YOUR EQUIPMENT

It's always exciting to get something new. Archery has changed a lot over the past couple of decades. Bows are faster, easier to shoot accurately, and easier to tune. They are quieter, and more maneuverable. Of course there are other pieces as well such as releases, sights, rests, quivers, the list goes on. Spend time weeks if not months in advance practicing with your new equipment. Get to know it well and get comfortable with it. Don't simply shoot in a t-shirt at a target that is 20 yards away. Practice in the clothing that you will hunt in. Shoot from a treestand or a sitting position. Shoot from a kneeling position. Do some exercise to increase your heartrate before taking a shot. All of these things will make you a better shot when it counts, and they will also show you where you can improve. Maybe your new jacket interferes with your anchor, or your string slaps your sleeve at the shot. Can I shoot while wearing glasses? Can I shoot without my glasses? Can I draw my bow when it's cold and I have 4 layers of clothes on? It's best to know these things when the problem can be addressed rather than to find them out when your target buck is standing in your shooting lane. Also practice with a purpose. It's better to shoot 5 well executed shots each day than to just rip 50 arrows with your buddies for the sake of shooting your bow.

I could keep going, but these are what I feel are the four most important things that you can do with your equipment in preparation for hunting season. I always see hunters waiting until the last minute to get things setup but want things in a rush. I can get strings in less than a week in June, in September and October it could take up to a month. By starting to prepare early you not only beat the rush, but it gives you more time to shoot, more time to learn your equipment, and more time to get something fixed if you do have an issue. Hopefully this will help you find success this season! Best of luck!

Matt Carroll

Coyote Creek Archery - owner