Contributors Emily Anderson
Melissa Bachman
Ramon Bell
Tony Catalde
Lester Harper
Bill Howard
Mark Huelsing
Walter Deet James
Will Jenkins
Darren Johnson
Amanda MacDonald
PapaScott Perrodin
Albert Quackenbush
Ryan Shoemaker
Gretchen Steele
Nick Viau
Bow Adventures The e-Magazine for Archery
Enthusiasts A monthly online
publication.
Publisher/Editor BillHoward Cover Design AlbertQuackenbush Advertising/Marketing BillHoward Circulation BillHoward For free distribution to
your bowhunting group or organization, contact [email protected] for information and instructions.
Any reproduction of copy or images without prior permission from Bow Adventures or its contributors is strictly forbidden.
Bow Adventures2012
Cover: Melissa Bachman Turkey Hunt Inset: Kowa Binos kymberli q. photography This Page: Melissa Bachman Bear Hunt
Features 23 - Total Fall Prep Ryan Shoemaker 26 Time to Watch Them Grow Will Jenkins 58 Reflections from 30k Feet Mark Huelsing 64 Shotor Not? Tony Catalde 69 Talking Turkey with Evan Williams Emily Anderson Gear Reviews 48 Prois Eliminator Series Gretchen Steele 52 Wrist Sling from Carolina Cords Emily Anderson 54 Kowa BD 10x42 Binoculars Albert Quackenbush
On Target with Bow Adventures Subject: Carrying on Archery Tradition 07 - Hunting Matters Walter Deet James 14 - Archers Assemble: Effects of Societal Events on Archery Amanda MacDonald 18 Getting into Archery Albert Quackenbush 66 Bringing up a Youth Hunter Lester Harper Columns 22 - Cookin with Camp Dog Crawfish Etouffee Scott Perrodin
28 - 20 Questions Melissa Bachman 34 Better Archer
Broadhead Tuning Mark Huelsing 38 Habitat Management Darren Johnson 42 The Traditional Way Getting Together Nick Viau 60 Bowfishing Tips Big Gar Ramon Bell
BowAmerica is no more. But DO NOT worry!
That is only because we have become Bow Adventures! Bow Adventures promises to continue bringing you great stories on bowhunting, bowfishing, and archery in general. We have refocused our efforts to a quarterly magazine that will not
only tell you stories of great adventure, but allow you to participate through our writers experiences and then give you the information you need to have your own adventures.
So join us in our first revamped issue of Bow Adventures and be sure to share with your fellow bowhunters and archers.
In May 2008 I became the
Hunting Heritage Biologist for the
North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission where I dedicate my
time toward understanding issues and
barriers to the recruitment and
retention of hunters. Prior to taking
this position, and despite being an
active in hunter education and other
related activities, I never really
considered the notion that barriers to
hunter recruitment and retention
existed, or that hunter participation
was declining. Growing up in a
relatively rural area of Central
Pennsylvania, nearly everyone hunted.
Back then, most youth received a fishing rod,
single-shot shotgun, deer rifle, or bow and
arrow for their 12th birthday; not an Xbox 360,
cell phone, or iPod. People hunted opening
day of deer season because it was a holiday;
schools and most businesses were closed.
People drove around with deer strapped on
top of vehicles, not hidden inside, because
they knew that Bambi was a cartoon and deer
hunting and meat eating was reality. Guns
were not unlike other utilitarian tools in the
home and used only for hunting, recreational
shooting and self-defense.
Of course, that was then and this is now
because hunting participation, and society, has
changed. According to the 2006 National
Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-
Associated Recreation compiled by the U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service, peak hunting
participation occurred in 1975 with 17.1
million hunters representing about 8% of the
U.S. population. Responsive Management
(RM), an internationally recognized public
opinion and attitude survey research firm
specializing in natural resource and outdoor
recreation issues, indicated that by 2006, there
were 12.5 million hunters aged 16 and older
including another 1.6 million under age 16
representing roughly 5% of the U.S.
population. A notable change in hunting
participation occurred between 1996 and 2006
when hunter numbers declined 10%
nationally. Under the current trend, as the
U.S. population increases nationwide, hunters
continually represent a smaller proportion of
the population overall. RM also shed light
into the loss of hunters indicating three main
reasons including poor health and age (42%),
no time/family or work obligations (32%) and
Lack of access/nowhere to hunt (16%).
Viewed another way, a report by Families
Afield, a cooperative initiative between the
U.S. Sportsmens Alliance, National Shooting
Sports Foundation, and National Wild Turkey
Federation, indicated the national hunter
recruitment rate was 69%. This means for
every 100 hunters that drop out only 69 are
recruited. Doing the math, it doesnt take long
to figure out the trend is not in our favor and
weve reason to be concerned.
Present-day disconnect
Recruiting the next generation of hunters
has become a challenge in a world of nature
disconnection. The baby boomer generation,
those born between 1946 and 1964 were
weaned outdoors. Having been born near the
tail end of the boomer age myself, I
personally remember bike hikes in the
woods, building huts in the yard, and shooting
tin cans out back in the strip mines near my
home. TV was technology and we watched it
only after it was too dark outside to play.
However, outdoor interest and nature in our
young people today is all but phased out.
Most of todays youth are not experiencing
nature naturally. Instead, much of what they
learn about the outdoors comes from school,
television or other electronic sources.
Richard Louv, in his book Last Child in the
Woods, fluently exposes the disconnection
between young people and nature, coining the
phrase Nature-Deficit Disorder.
In summary, our hunter population is
getting too old, too busy, too far from places
to hunt and the next generation of hunters is
disconnected from nature. Is recreational
hunting at a crossroads? Do we throw our
hands in the air and surrender? As stated,
hunters now represent roughly 5% of the U.S.
population. How long before its 4%, then 3%,
2%, or even 1%? Although that may mean
less pressure in the turkey woods this spring,
its not something to celebrate.
Were lucky, in that 78% of the population
still approves of legal regulated hunting, but
could we eventually lose political support for
hunting? Try to imagine a day when hunting
would cease to exist, when the number of
hunters became so low that society decided
hunting really doesnt matter any longer.
Funding for wildlife management and
conservation would diminish, and hunters
would no longer have a vote because we
allowed our numbers to dwindle; the hunters
voice silenced by attrition.
Benefits to Society
The personal loss of hunting would be
devastating to say the least, but the loss
extends much further. For example, a 2007
report by the Association of Fish and Wildlife
Agencies, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
Southwick Associates entitled, Hunting in
America, An Economic Engine and
Conservation Powerhouse shed light into
hunter expenditures. During that year
nationwide hunters provided $66 billion in
economic output including: $24.7 billion in
retail sales, $20.9 billion in salaries and
wages, $9.2 billion in federal, state and local
taxes, $4.2 billion in state and local taxes and
all supporting nearly 600,000 jobs with no
bailout required!
Impressive, but thats not all. A 2005
document prepared by the International
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
entitled, Potential Costs of Losing Hunting
and Trapping as Wildlife Management
Methods, indicated that about 4 percent of the
nations 6.1 million auto accidents each year
involve collisions with wildlife. It was
estimated that if hunting were lost as a
management tool the percentage of deer-
related collisions alone could increase 218
percent including potential increases in human
injuries and fatalities. Since deer would need
to be controlled in some manner, the nations
taxpayer would likely fit the bill at up to $9.3
billion annually. Wildlife-related crop damage
could tack on an additional $3 billion,
controlling furbearers $265 million and
damage to homes $972 million. Estimates for
health care and disease control for rabies
alone was estimated at $1.45 billion. Having
hunting and trapping as wildlife management
tools does not eliminate wildlife-related
issues, but without them the problem could
become far worse.
Back to Basics
If our next generation of hunters is truly
disconnected from nature, perhaps we need to
reconnect them. In his book The Hunter:
Developmental Stages and Ethics, Dr. Bob
Norton provides some interesting insight into
this challenge. Before we put kids in the
duck marsh or the tree stand, we need to get
them into the woods, teach them about nature,
let them explore and use their own
imaginations, and further, We need to spend
more time with them in the outdoors, one on
one, answer their questions, and teach them to
respect wild animals and their habitats. In
this way, the interest, respect, and
appreciation for the outdoors will be
developed first.
Although the hunt itself may be the
ultimate goal, we may be lacking in teaching
the prerequisites necessary for developing
lifelong hunters and future stewards of
wildlife. I think we also tend to focus too
much on getting the new hunter a shot at a
game animal thinking thats the best way to
get them hooked. However, as experienced
hunters know, we spend far more time in the
woods not pulling a trigger or releasing a bow
string as compared to harvesting game.
Therefore, setting the stage for quick results
also fosters unrealistic expectations in the
woods. As Dr. Norton pointed out, there are
far more important things to learn and
appreciate before the shot is taken.
Reinforcing Dr. Nortons theory, a 2002
article written by Mark Damian Duda entitled,
The Hunting Mind: Youth and Hunting, was
based on a study conducted by the USFWS. It
was revealed that 52% of youth indicated that
they were not at all interested in hunting, 15%
were very interested, 16% were somewhat
interested and 18% were a little interested.
Obviously those coming from non-hunting
families were least interested in going
hunting. The most important reason why
they (youth) werent interested in hunting was
that they were against killing animals. Killing
animals is serious business and unless a child
is shown through early exposure to hunting
that a hunt is more than simply killing
animals it will remain and important reason
why many young people are not interested in
hunting. Far fewer people come from
hunting families today than 3-4 decades ago,
therefore, the next generation may be
interested in a more holistic approach to
hunting rather than a hasty jump-start to the
final chapter. This might be a good time to
encourage hard work and effort as a means to
success in the field. Preseason scouting is
analogous to studying in school because both
lead to achievement and its unlikely either
will be entirely substituted by technology in a
fast-paced world.
Further, an interesting Human Dimensions
article by Elizabeth L. Ryan and Bret Shaw
entitled, Improving Hunter Recruitment and
Retention, provided As population
demographics change, fewer people are likely
to be initiated into hunting by their families,
thereby reducing the number of individuals
introduced to hunting through traditional
channels. Hunters need to portray themselves
as members of a community that welcomes
newcomers and is willing to instruct mentees
in the skills, techniques, and values unique to
hunting. Recruitment and retention of hunters
hinges on understanding what motivates non-
hunters to participate in a mentored hunting
experience and what motivates existing
hunters to serve in a mentoring role.
So, what really motivates a hunter to
become a hunting mentor? In 2008, RM asked
active hunters, Why did you take someone
hunting? Responses in descending order
were as follows:
Showed interest in learning the sport/asked
me to take him or her (44%).
Wanted to share my experience and/or
enjoyment of the sport (16%).
For fun, enjoyment and/or recreation (11%).
To introduce the sport/to encourage interest in
the sport (11%).
Family tradition/want to continue hunting
heritage (9%).
It is important to learn gun safety, self-
defense, and/or how to shoot (5%).
Companionship (4%).
The survey discovered that the greatest
motivation for mentoring was the fact that
someone showed an interest and asked the
mentor to take them hunting. For someone
interested in hunting for the first time, this
research is welcoming and suggests that a
valuable resource is there for the asking. If
however, our youth are truly disconnected
from nature, waiting around to be asked may
not be very effective. Consequently, it may be
time for us to reach out proactively instead of
waiting to be asked.
Hunter Recruitment is Ageless
We tend to focus primarily on youth
hunter recruitment. Obviously, thats intuitive
thinking because youth are the next
generation, but we should also consider
adult hunter recruitment and retention as
well. In fact, there are many adults that have
not been exposed to hunting early in life, but
now may have interest in participating. In
fact, a 2009 report conducted by DJ Case and
Associates, an organization specializing in
communications in wildlife and natural
resource conservation, indicated that 67% of
first-time hunters were 20 years of age and
younger. However, it also means that about a
third of first-time hunters were 21 and over.
This adult group represents a value-added
hunting community with the ability to
participate in recruiting and retaining other
family members and friends.
Concerning retention, some hunters lose
interest in hunting after becoming
disconnected from family and friends. This
results when individuals move to other states
in search of employment or perhaps due to
separations and or death in families. Helping
to reconnect these folks back into the hunting
community contributes both to increased
hunter numbers and may rekindle the spark of
passing on the heritage to others.
Indirect Mentoring Opportunities
Introducing someone new to hunting is
the ultimate form of mentoring. However, it is
not the only way. Indirect mentoring can be
just as valuable and have nearly the same
impact as direct mentoring. For those that
hunt alone most, if not all, of the time,
indirect mentoring may be your way of giving
back while inspiring the outdoors in
someones life. Opportunities for indirect
mentoring can be achieved through becoming
a hunter education instructor, assisting with
youth conservation field days and or
Becoming an Outdoor Woman event as well
as other initiatives designed to get folks
outdoors. If organized events are not
preferred, the following are some excellent
indirect mentoring examples:
Share hunting stories and outdoor skills with
someone.
Inviting someone to a wild game dinner.
Taking someone along on a pre-hunting
season scouting or shooting trip.
Sharing a hunting magazine subscription with
someone.
Introducing someone to the outdoors through
a simple walk in the woods.
Hunter in the Mirror
An uncle introduced my brother and me
into hunting at an early age and our father, a
non-hunter at the time, also began hunting.
We hunted together whenever we could and
after school squirrel hunts are some of the
most cherished memories of my life.
However, things would change when my
uncle moved away to find work and my
brother and I became increasingly
independent. None of us stopped hunting, we
all had become fully engaged in the hunting
culture, but the paradigm shifted somewhat.
While my brother hunted with dad most of the
time, I became a solo hunter. For those who
can relate to hunting alone, theres something
unique about the one-on-one hunting
experience and I came to embrace it. When
hunting alone, youre on your own time, own
schedule and own deadline. Theres no
waiting for anyone and you can come and go
as you please. It wasnt until I was in my early
40s when I truly came to realize the sacrifice
my uncle had made to the benefit his young
nephews and their father. Hunting positively
influenced our lives in so many ways both
directly and indirectly. In fact, I may not be
writing this now if my uncle had kept hunting
all to himself as did I for many years. Ill
admit, I still continue to hunt alone most of
the time, but do make an annual effort to
mentor work colleagues and friends both
directly and indirectly. If one talks the talk,
one must also walk the walk.
The Future Hunting is Personal
No doubt, hunters have come to a
crossroads which we cannot afford to ignore.
Each year, hunters represent a smaller
proportion of the population overall. Our
disconnection with nature will not
automatically improve nor will society revert
back to the good ole days because times have
changed.
Federal and state wildlife agencies, non-
governmental organizations and others can be
facilitators and catalysts toward improving
hunter recruitment and retention. However,
organizations are made up of individuals and
its the individual hunter, not the organization
that is responsible for maintaining our hunting
heritage for future generations.
If we are to succeed in maintaining our
hunting heritage, it will be accomplished
through the same gift we were provided by
the one who mentored us. Our 26th U.S.
President Theodore Roosevelt communicated
it best by stating, Those of us privileged to
take to the field are entrusted by fate and
circumstance to hold and nurture the hunters
legacy. If hunting matters to you, dont let it
slip away on your watch. BA
Amanda MacDonald
Archery has become the hip new thing.
Those of us that have been doing this for
awhile are nodding sagely with a hint of I
told you so. Girls that shoot are now
definitely regarded as cooler by the boys,
especially in high-school, where coolness can
be tough to come by. Between the Hunger
Games, the Avengers movie and the upcoming
summer release of Brave, kids and adults
alike are getting more exposure than usual to
archery this year. And dont forget the
London summer Olympics, which is right
around the corner.
Wired magazines GeekDad author Jim
MacQuarrie coaches JOAD kids along with
his wife Terri, and has helped the sport gain
exposure through a non-sport avenue by
bringing his experience to bear in tongue-in-
cheek fashion on how its done (or not) in the
movies recently. Because of Wired, Jim has
probably introduced archery to more hipsters
in NYC and Chicago than anyone else, so
there are more skinny-jean and fedora types
out on the range with the camod club these
days. In the Pasadena area the interest shift
has been a little older than expected. Jim and
Terri have noticed that, After Hunger
Games, the single largest increase at our range
has been women age 25-35, which more than
doubled. They expect they will get more
boys after Avengers, and a wave of 6-12 year
old girls after Brave.
My new friend Sydney is 15 and is also a
dancer. This girl also loves to shoot targets
with her dad and siblings on their property for
fun. Sydney is looking at getting her small-
game license to have even more fun this
summer. Bit by the bug just before the movie
rush hit, shes shot some 3-D this winter as
well.
Local shops from Pasadena, California to
Fox Valley, Wisconsin are seeing a boost in
kids wearing mockingjay necklaces leading
their parents in to look at bows. Both shops
where Matt and I shoot have definitely seen
growth in league signups, classes and just
general interest. Camps that offer archery are
expected to get more kids in the door this
summer.
Clubs are getting more calls, too. Doug
and Sue Ludwig, coaches for the Points to the
Cross club, run one of the upstate NY JOAD
programs that introduces kids to Olympic-
style archery. Doug is also one of the coaches
for the Olympic Dream Team, which is
bringing up the talent for the limited spots that
will go to London. PTTC has received more
interest recently, but they arent sure if its
from the movie buzz or from the upcoming
Olympics.
Teresa Iaconi, PR consultant for USA
Archery and certified coach, has a similar
perspective. Clubs in general are reporting
big increases in beginners wanting to learn
how to shoot, and the biggest thing USA
Archery is in need of right now are
instructors, and people who are willing to start
Junior Olympic Archery Development (youth)
clubs in their community.
Just to give you an idea of how much
interest has grown this year,
www.usarchery.org quoted 30,585 unique
visitors in March 2012, versus 19,206 in
March 2011.
Its an Olympic year. I know this because
the P&G tear-jerker commercials with the
gymnast mom are already running and my
friend Dan is shooting full-time just in case
this is THE year. According to US Archery,
the United States currently has the number
one world-ranked athletes and teams in six of
eight categories, including superstar Brady
Ellison, increasing the country's hopes for a
gold medal performance in London and
making the sport more popular than ever.
World Archery recently nominated the USA
as the top archery country since 2008. Until
then, Korea had been the perceived power
house team to beat in the past along with India
and Italy. Lee Ford-Faherty, US Archery
Para-Olympic Team member, has definitely
noticed a jump in interest in her club from
high-schoolers all the way up to middle-aged
women where she trains. Watch for Lee this
summer as she
competes in
London with the
USA team.
Fads happen in
every sport.
Daniel Grundman,
owner of Flex-
Fletch Products
Inc., attests to the
fact as their clear
fletching is selling
like hotcakes due
to the Hunger
Games using it in the stars set up. All
teenage girls know that if you look like
Katniss, you will shoot like her as well.
Amen and pass the fletch glue. I suppose
training with Khatuna Lorig wouldnt hurt
either. Lorig has been a great ambassador to
the sport at the Olympic level and the Katniss
Everdeen character showed correct form
throughout the movie due to her excellent
coaching.
Its not just the clubs that are seeing more
popularity. Archery themed anything has
become easier to find and more mainstream.
Etsy and Pinterest are seeing a burst of
handmade quivers, archery themed home
dcor, and archery related jewelry now being
sold online. Those of us who already decorate
with our extra arrows and gear laying around
the house now look like we knew what we
were doing the entire time. Score.
Of course, I am truly excited that my sport
is getting so much attention right now. Any
sport that welcomes and is accessible to so
This Six Week Session of Four Classes is Full
many age groups gets a solid thumbs up. Its
a sport that kids who may not be quick with a
bat or big enough for football can excel in.
Its a sport where a 30-something woman (or
man) can figure out well enough to fill the
freezer or hit some foam in the middle. Its
satisfying, relaxing, social and for the life of
me, I cant figure out why more people dont
love it with or without the movies. BA
All Kinds of Interesting Archery Equipment are Now Available.
Lives: Upstate NY with hubby, two naughty cats and a lazy dog, Sign: Leo, Day Job: Marketing Manager, Favorite Snacks: Diet Coke. Dark chocolate. Ignoring the rotting fruit on my desk that I shoulda had, but went with the chocolate instead., Favorite music to practice to: Imogen Heap, Explosions in the Sky, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Dominant eye: Neither, Current Gear: Win&Win Inno riser. Yeah, I know its not Made in the USA, but it rocks and Hoyt has enough of my hard earned cash, thankyouverymuch. 30# limbs, homemade string, Dans clicker, X7 chubby indoor arrows (also not mine), prototype Mutant tab by EvoWorx (Never heard of it? You will) Favorite Archer to Study: Joe Fanchin. Best game face ever. When Im not shooting Im: Making stuff in my studio, taking the dog for a hike with Matt, baking something carb-tastic, or making excuses to ditch the gym and go shoot.
Albert Quackenbush
With the archery craze hitting the
mainstream media with movies like The
Hunger Games, The Avengers, and Brave
more and more people are looking at getting
into archery. The thing that usually holds
them back is they dont know how to get
started. Recently, Bass Pro Shops in Rancho
Cucamonga, CA invited me to give a seminar
on Getting Into Archery directing it toward
women and our youth. I can see why as just
the other night, after returning from the
archery range, I was outside my garage
chatting with a fellow archer when a car drove
past us down the alley and abruptly stopped.
The driver put the car in reverse and stopped
right behind me. I could hear two kids in the
car exclaiming, 'That's so cool! Awesome!' It
dawned on me that I had my side quiver full
of arrows attached to the outside of my
backpack. I quickly turned around and said
hello and they just seemed mesmerized. Goes
to show you the impact these movies are
having. Sure, there are plenty of other movies
and television shows where archery was
present. Most times people can rattle off two
or three right off the bat. There are many and
most are traditional archers. Think Robin
Hood and Lord of the Rings. Then you have
the recurve and compound shooters from
movies like Rambo, Blade: Trinity and TV
shows like Smallville (Green Arrow).
Fortune was on my side as I got my start in
archery when I was very young. How young?
Nine years old to be exact. I hail from a
bowhunting family and my dad introduced me
archery by handing me a fiberglass longbow,
some wooden arrows and walking me to a
stack of hay bales on the farm. Growing up on
a farm had its advantages. The straw bales
were plentiful, so I always had a target to
shoot at. My brother and I would fire arrow
after arrow after arrow, all the while
pretending we were hunting or saving a train
from would-be robbers. No matter what the
game of the day was we had fun, and were
fortunate enough to have someone right there
to teach us.
The most common question I never get
asked is, Where do I begin? Yes, I said
never because many people are simply afraid
to ask. The amount of information out there
can be overwhelming. There is a plethora of
information online, but the best information is
found at an archery range, pro shop by
speaking to other archers. The Bass Pro where
I gave my seminars has a KIDS: Intro to
Archery every Wednesday evening at their
30 yard range. It is such a great way to get a
bow into the hands of our youth and allow
them to have fun with it.
When I start talking to people about
getting into archery I am usually at the
archery range or giving a seminar. They look
at the gear I am using and suddenly look
sullen. My PSE Bow Madness seems all
tricked out to the novice archer. I am quick to
explain that I have been shooting a bow for
almost 30 years and this set up is customized
for me. I move on to explain the difference
between a traditional bow and a compound. In
my opinion, if you are looking to get started
in archery you should always shoot a longbow
or recurve first. That way you gain an
appreciation for using your fingers to shoot,
the draw
weight and
shooting
instinctively.
Once you have
used stick and
string for a
while, and
should you
decide to try a
compound -
then go for it!
I
recommend
that any aspiring archer take some lessons.
Form is VERY important. Ask around at your
local pro shop or archery range and you'll
often find certified instructors. If you can
learn to shoot well, using the proper form, you
will enjoy archery for life.
The next step is to find a bow. Talk to your
local archery pro shops and ask questions.
The available staff will help answer any
questions you have. You must understand that
each person shoots
differently and that
you should shoot
many bows before
making a decision
on the one to
purchase. I truly
mean that. Don't
rely on hunting
shows or someone
telling you that you
'need to shoot this
bow'. Go to the pro
shop and shoot a
few until you find one that fits you and the
way you shoot. While I appreciate all the time
I spent shooting with my dad, we never had
this advice growing up. We went out and
bought the bow that was through a friend, or
on sale at a pro shop. We didn't spend the
time going over the bow and what it would
take to shoot with it consistently. Thankfully,
times have changed and I now shoot a bow
that fits me perfectly.
If you decide on traditional archery, some of
the other items you'll be looking at acquiring
are a leather shooting glove, an arm guard and
arrows. Should you choose shoot a compound
bow you should look into a release aid and
some arrows that fit you and the bow you are
shooting (proper spine). That's a different
article in itself, choosing the proper arrows.
There are many other items like a quiver,
target, etc. that you will also need later on, but
this will get you started. Shooting a particular
bow or release or using a certain arrow is
ALL personal preference. Choose the one that
works the best for you.
The most important thing to remember is
to have fun and enjoy yourself!! BA
CRAWFISH TOUFFE
INGREDIENTS: 2 lbs. fresh crawfish tails peeled with fat 1 large onion, finely chopped 1/4 bell peppers, finely chopped 2 teaspoons dried parsley 1 8oz. can cream of mushroom soup 1 8oz. can good quality tomato sauce 1 cup fresh green onion chopped 3/4 stick butter 2 cloves of garlic (unless your seasoning
mix has garlic) (Camp Dog Cajun Seasoning works well,
has garlic in it.) cooked white rice. DIRECTIONS: 1) Empty crawfish into a large bowl (do not rinse, keep fat on) season well and add
parsley flakes. Mix it all up and let it stand while you prepare the sauce. 2) Melt butter or margarine at low heat in a medium size aluminum pot. 3) Add onions, bell pepper and green onions. Saut slowly at very low heat until onions
are transparent. 4) Add tomato sauce, stirring frequently to prevent sticking for about 15 minutes. 5) Add seasoned crawfish tails. Cover and cook on low to medium heat for another 10
minutes stirring frequently, (do not let hard boil) 6) Add cream of mushroom soup, stir and cook covered for another 15 minutes. 7) Serve over hot cooked white rice.
We certainly hope that you enjoy our recipe and try our products!
Thanks, Papa Scott
Ryan Shoemaker
For most its the offseason. Last fall is
long gone and unless youre chasing the great
gobbler, youre probably eyeing the calendar
like a kid at Christmas counting the days until
opening day arrives. If youre anything like
me, youre left dwelling on your thoughts and
memories from last fall and asking yourself
questions like did my season go well? Was I
successful? What could I have done
differently to change the end result?
Good preparation is all about planning and
if you were to ask yourself if what you are
doing right now is helping to shape your
future in a positive way, what would your
answer be? And be honest.
The great fighter Muhammad Ali once
said, The fight is won or lost far away from
witnesses behind the lines, in the gym, and
out there on the road, long before I dance
under those lights. Whether its boxing,
football, or bowhunting, the truth is, 99.9% of
your success lies in what you do or not do in
the weeks and months ahead preparing.
Where to Begin?
When I talk prep, Im talking 3 main areas:
Physical, Mental, and Equipment. All three
are important and all three work in
conjunction with each other. Its kind of like
the trifecta of bowhunting preparation. If
youre short in one area, youll feel it in
another. With the ultimate goal of being
strong in all three it takes that same
commitment to arrowing a good Whitetail as
it does to stay diligent on your prep. Lets
break down how to do it
Physical Listen, in my opinion there has
never been a time in history with more people
telling you to be in shape to hunt. Never.
More and more people are screaming to run
this, lift that, and to put yourself into super
extreme physical shape to be successful. Do
you need to? No. Does it give you a better
chance at being successful? Yes, I think so.
And, depending upon the type of animal/
terrain you are hunting, it could mean the
difference between success and failure in your
hunt.
I truly believe that Ive experienced and
found success because of the physical and
mental stress that Ive endured preparing for a
hunt. However, I do not believe that this is
the way for everyone. The physical part of
preparing is all about doing whats right for
you and your fitness and expectation level. If
that means running an ultramarathon, great. If
that means striving to run or walk your first
5k, tremendous! The point is, do what will fit
and push you to be at your very best. Make
the commitment to do something. Set a goal.
Work to achieve it, and put yourself in a
better position going into this fall!
Mental Bowhunting is hard. It takes
perseverance, commitment, and a never quit
attitude. The mental part of bowhunting not
only accounts for being mentally tough, but
also the mental exercise of thinking through
situations before they happen. New hunt
areas, new stand locations, dissecting travel
corridors or devising your yearly hunt plan all
takes strategy and effort to break down. Take
the time to sit down and really put forth some
mental energy into working through what
could or should happen come season. Make
the decision now to use your mind to
determine what needs to happen. Plan, plan
some more, plan again, and then execute.
Stay committed to your goals for the season.
Equipment Playing probably the most
vital role to your success is your equipment.
Truth is, no matter how physically or mentally
developed you are, if youre equipment isnt
ready, neither are you. Start now by going
through your equipment and honing in on
those items that need repaired or replaced.
Look over your bow top to bottom. Do the
strings and cables need changed? Do you
need to tweak your arrow set up for better
broadhead flight? With lots of time between
now and opening day, theres no better time to
be experimenting with different setups.
In the end, good preparation is all about
planning. Start today by sitting down and
making a list of what you would like to
improve upon to make a positive impact on
your season. BA
Will Jenkins
While most people
are winding down from
turkey season and hitting the 3D course or
fishing, I am out setting up and monitoring
trail cameras. I have got the tick bites and
poison ivy to prove it! While I dont
necessarily recommend the tick bites and
poison ivy it comes with the territory. I love
getting pictures of bucks and watching as they
develop their racks and watching
fawns grow from
scraggly legged
newborns to fat
little fawns that
can be pretty
entertaining. Trail
cameras have come
a long way from
Flash 35mm boxes on
a tree. They now have
advanced features, black flashes
and even video with sound. With all of these
options what is the best way to record the
growth of your deer herd?
To start you need a camera. Pick one that
fits your needs and budget. Honestly the best
deals on the market right now are the Moultrie
MiniCams. They are small, affordable and
loaded with features. If you do not get one of
those they should at least be the standard by
which you judge others. You can sometimes
find deals on used cameras on local hunting
forums or eBay but these can pose a risk. If
you do buy from eBay I suggest getting them
new and from a seller that advertises the fact
that they are an
authorized dealer.
Now that you
have a camera
where should
you put it?
What should
you put it on?
Should you
put
anything in front of
it? These are all great questions and
some depend on the answers to others. To
start with I would suggest finding a high
traffic area between either a bedding area and
food source or bedding area and water source.
Next there are plenty of apparatuses to hold
your camera from security boxes, to mounts
to camera sticks. While a security box may
be warranted, starting out, just strap it to a tree
about 36 inches high. If feeding deer is legal
in your area I suggest putting down some
mineral with some feed on top. Or if you
dont feel like putting down feed just mineral
will do; the feed just helps them find it a little
faster. The mineral, even if it is a small
application, can last weeks without a
new application and is
much less
expensive than
continually
putting feed
out. I use
mineral in
front of
cameras for
two reasons. First it gives
developing bucks and lactating does a
good source of minerals and second it makes
them pause and hang around for some good
pictures.
With all this new technology how should
you program your camera? I think the best
way to start out with any camera is to set the
sensor to high, make it capture 2 or 3 images
per trigger with a delay of 15-30 seconds.
This gives you the ability to understand how
sensitive the motion sensor is as well as
letting understand the trigger speed.
Capturing multiple images will better your
chances of seeing the animal in frame.
Depending on the results you can then adjust
these settings. These initial settings may lead
to a bunch of blank photos from wind blowing
branches and other things that might trigger it,
but you are sure to not miss any deer or
animals. Then you can adjust based on the
first few card readings. Some adjustment will
also depend on whether you are trying to
catch feeding deer or deer on
the move.
Now,
you are all
set up and if
you are like
me, trail
cameras only
throw fuel on the
fire. Being able to
see the deer grow and develop
through the seasons is amazing and really
brings you that much closer to the animals
you are hunting. The cameras can help you
pattern the deer, understand the makeup of
your deer herd and let you know which
specific deer are hanging around. BA
Bow Adventures asked Melissa Bachman
20 questions that everyone wanted to know.
Ok, maybe not everyone, but we felt these
questions would help you get to know Melissa
and her passion for bowhunting.
Melissa is a VERY busy lady. Between
hunting, filming, shooting her My Take with
Melissa Bachman or just preparing for her
next adventure, Melissa is making her mark
not only on the bowhunting world, but the
world in general. Thankfully she was able to
take a few minutes with us!
So join us in this series as we learn about
Melissa. I am sure you will agree, even
though Melissa is a heavy hitter in this
industry, she is still a very real person.
1- How long have you (been an archer or)
bowhunted?
MB-I got my first bow at 5 years old but
wasnt able to actually bowhunt until I was
12. I was a pretty small kid so I did pushups
for over a year to build up my strength to pull
back my 40 pound bow at the time.
2- What/who started you in bowhunting?
MB-Both my parents are bowhunters so
they got me started at a very early age and
even brought me along with
them on stand
while
out deer
hunting
before I
was old
enough to
hunt on my
own.
3- What was
the first game you
harvested with a bow?
MB-The first game I ever harvested with a
bow was a whitetail doe. I was so proud and
knew I would be a bowhunter for the rest of
my life.
4- What was your most difficult hunt?
MB-One of the most difficult hunts Ive
ever done was a trip I just came back from
yesterday (June 4, 2012). I spent 14 days in a
tent on Prince of Wales Island in Alaska bear
hunting. For the past 3 years Ive successfully
called in some giant black bears but this year I
couldnt get a single bear interested in my
predator call. Not only was the hunting
difficult it takes some mental toughness to
sleep in a tent and hunt for 14 days straight in
extremely wet soggy
conditions. Im not
sure it ever quit
raining and our
gear was wet
from day 1-
14.
5- What
was your
favorite
hunt?
MB-My favorite hunt was
a spot and stalk mule deer hunt I did last
year in Colorado where I went home with a
176-inch velvet mule deer. I spotted a
beautiful high racked mule deer and hunted
him for11 days straight trying to film it all
myself. Finally I connected on the last
morning and it was probably one of the most
rewarding hunts Ive ever done. This mule
deer had tested my patience and really made
me question myself as a hunter a couple
times, but the persistence paid off and I was
able to adapt and finally get within bow range
and as a bonus I filmed the entire hunt from
start to finish on my own.
6- How long do you prepare for a hunt?
MB-I try to get my gear ready a couple
days in advance and put it in a pile while I
think of more things I need to bring. Im a
big list person so Ill try to come up with the
main things I cant forget then add
about an extra 80
pounds of spare gear
just in case. I cant
think of any trip
where someone
would say Wow,
you pack light.
7- How do
you prepare
for a hunt?
MB-I
usually make a list of gear I
need, double check that all my equipment is
in working order, and try to get mentally
prepared before heading out.
8- What gear do you use? (bow, arrow,
fletching, broadhead, release, camo/clothing,
backpack for instance).
MB-Camo- Realtree
Bow- Mathews Jewel 64lbs
Arrows- Carbon Express Blue Streaks
250s
Broadhead- Rage Extreme
Release- True Ball Short & Sweet
Sight- HHA
Rest- Vital Gear Kazaway Rest
Stabilizer- Vital Gear Nomadic Stabilizer
Lumenoks- Where legal
Cuddeback Trail Cameras
SHE Safari Clothing
9- What is the one thing you have to have
on every hunt?
MB-As a
bowhunter I
dont like to have
bulky clothes with
too many layers,
although I hate being
cold! The one thing
you will always find in
my pack are Therma
Care wraps. If I get in a
situation where Im cold I
can always put one on my neck
and back and get that added warmth needed.
There is nothing worse than shivering when
youre getting ready to shoot, I know I shake
enough just from the adrenaline and I sure
dont want to be shaking from the cold as
well!
10- What game do you wish to hunt but
never have?
MB-My dream hunt is to bowhunt brown
bear using my predator call in Alaska.
11- What game do you want to hunt again?
MB-I cant really think of any game I
wouldnt want to hunt again, but I really enjoy
hunting gators, bears and whitetails!
12- What is the one thing regarding
bowhunting you could do without?
MB-I could do without all the hate mail I
receive from anti-hunters who believe
bowhunting is the most cruel thing in the
world. I cant tell you how many nasty
messages I get regarding their hatred for
bowhunting however their lack of
understanding is pretty evident.
13 - Choose 3 people to take on a hunt
with you, 1 living, 1 deceased, and 1 non-
hunter. Who would they be and why?
MB-Living- My family- Although I used
to hunt with my family a lot as a kid, I dont
get to hunt with them as much anymore, so if
I had to pick someone for a hunt it would be
my parents and my brother.
Deceased- My grandfather- My grandpa
and I used to play practical jokes on each
other all the time but he passed away before I
was old enough to hunt and I know we would
have had a blast together.
Non-Hunter- Chelsea Handler- I think she
would be a lot of fun to have along in the field
and would probably enjoy
huntingespecially if she brought Chuey
along as well!
14 - Do you have any superstitions or
rituals that must be followed for each hunt or
preparation?
MB-Im not really a superstitious person
but Im a firm believer in putting in a ton of
time and not giving up.
15 - Any other hobbies you'd like to share
with us?
MB-I spend most of my time hunting but I
also enjoy fishing and shopping for something
different.
16 - What is your favorite thing about
archery or bowhunting?
MB-Since I was a little kid Ive loved
doing things that were challenging. I like to
do things that take a lot of practice and
patience and succeed when others would
likely give up. To me bowhunting is one of
these things. Hunters cant just pick up a
bow and be a great bowhunter within a matter
of hours, it takes practice, persistence, and its
an incredible challenge.
17 - What do you dislike the most about
archery or bowhunting?
MB-There really isnt much I dislike about
bowhunting but the hardest part for me is
probably the early mornings. I would really
like to do a new show called 10-2 and prove
to the world you can sleep in and still take big
bucks!!
18 - Ever have a
hair-raising incident
or scary situation
occur while
hunting?
MB-While
hunting in
Alaska last
year I
called in
a black
bear into 18-yards
with my predator call while
doing a spot and stalk bowhunt from the
ground. The scariest part was knowing that
when I was calling my hand was on the call
instead of being on my release. When I hit
the predator call for the last time at 30-yards
and the bear came rushing toward me I
realized it was time to put down the call and
make my shot count. The bear wouldnt back
down so I ended up shooting him right in the
throat which put him down inside 50-yards.
This was actually the second bear I called in
and shot in the throat with my bow in Alaska.
I can assure you its one of the biggest
adrenaline rushes I have experienced
bowhunting
19 - What is one bit of advice you would
give to a new or young bowhunter?
MB-One piece of advice Id give to a
young bowhunter is to find
equipment that fits so
you wont
have
to
break
bad
habits later.
Ive seen too
many kids get
disappointed because theyre
not shooting as well as they hoped due to
equipment being the wrong size.
20 - What are your bowhunting goals for
the next year?
MB-In the next year I hope to get up to
Alaska to do my dream hunt for brown bear
using my predator call. BA
Mark Huelsing The whistle and wobble of the arrow in
flight was like nothing I had ever experienced.
I was, at the time, a complete novice to
bowhunting. (I still have a lot to learn.) That
erratic and noisy arrow was my first
experience with a mechanical broadhead, but
you know what they say about first
impressions. That disappointing experience
of a broadhead opening up in flight was years
ago and I havent touched a mechanical
broadhead since.
I havent sworn off mechanical broadheads
simply because of that one negative
experience. Actually, the reason that I
havent touched a mechanical broadhead since
that fateful day has little to do with what
happened then, and everything to do with
what I have discovered in the years since
that is, that fixed blade broadheads can be
accurate, consistent, and devastating on big
game.
Maybe you have had the opposite
experience. Maybe your trials with fixed-
blade broadheads has left you wondering why
anyone would forego the forgiveness and
large cutting diameter of todays mechanical
broadheads.
If you are like most bowhunters that have
had trouble with fixed-blade broadheads, your
problem was likely that the fixed-blade
broadheads didnt shoot where your field
points shot. This situation is very common,
and in all but the most extreme cases,
relatively easy to solve.
Before You Begin
The process of tuning for broadheads
begins before you ever take a shot. One of the
most critical aspects to broadhead tuning, and
ensuring you have a proper bow and arrow
setup, is selecting an arrow with a proper
spine. If you arent sure what spine arrow
you need for your setup, contact your local
pro shop, or turn to one of the many online
guides, such as Eastons Arrow Tuning &
Maintenance Guide.
Additionally, before you begin broadhead
tuning you should have already made sure that
your bow is properly tuned with field points.
I like to ensure that the center shot of my rest
is in spec, that my nock height is at (or just
above) level, that my cams are in sync (if
applicable), and that I have a proper paper
tune. If all of that sounds foreign to you, or
you havent had your bow tuned recently,
then take your bow to your local pro shop and
have it checked out.
The idea that fixed-blade broadheads are
inherently less accurate than mechanical
broadheads isnt quite true. However, fixed-
blade broadheads are inherently more
sensitive to weaknesses in our setup and
tuning. Because of this we need to make sure
that we get our bow and arrow setup right
before we begin to tune for broadheads.
Honestly, if you start with a decently tuned
bow and proper arrow setup, then the actual
process of bringing your broadheads and field
points together should be very easy.
The Tuning Process
Start by shooting a group of 3-5 field
points from a distance of 20-30 yards. Make
note of the location of the group on the target
and remove the arrows.
Now we are going to shoot the same
number of broadheads, using the same arrows,
at the same target, from the same distance,
with the same point of aim. Shoot one
broadhead-tipped arrow at a time, removing
the arrow and marking its location before
shooting the next one. Do not change your
point of aim for any of your shots, and dont
worry one bit about adjusting your sight.
Up & Down
It is best to make vertical adjustments,
bringing field points and broadheads on the
same horizontal line, and then moving on to
make left/right adjustments, bringing field
points and broadheads together to the same
spot.
If your broadheads are hitting higher than
your field points, raise your nocking point
slightly. If your broadheads are hitting lower
than your field points, lower your nocking
point slightly.
It is extremely important that you make
very minor adjustments and then re-shoot
your broadheads; sometimes adjustments of as
little as 1/32 are all that is needed. After
each small adjustment, reshoot a group of 3
field points, and then three broadheads.
One alternative to raising or lowering your
nocking point is to raise or lower your arrow
rest. It is okay to do this if you need to
correct very minor differences between your
field points and broadhead groups, but any
major corrections should be made by
modifying the nocking point. Keep in mind
that changing the height of a drop-down type
arrow rest can affect its timing.
If you decide to move your rest, as
opposed to moving your nocking point, keep
in mind that the direction of movement for the
rest is opposite
of the
movement
required for the
nocking point.
If your
broadheads are
hitting high,
lower your rest
slightly. If your broadheads are hitting low,
raise your rest slightly.
Once you have your field points and
broadheads hitting at the same elevation, it is
time to move on to turning for windage.
Left & Right
There are several ways to correct left-and-
right deviations between your field point and
broadhead groups, but there is really one main
reason that this difference occurs namely
that broadhead tipped arrows are more
sensitive to proper arrow spine.
If your broadheads are missing to the left
of your field points, then your setup is
showing signs of a stiff spine. Conversely, if
your broadheads are missing to the right then
you have a somewhat weak spine.
If you are sure that you have selected a
properly spined arrow and your broadheads
are missing to either side of your field points,
then your first step
should be to make
minor adjustments to
your rest and see if
you can begin to bring
the broadheads and
field points together.
If you find that it is
necessary to move
your rest large amounts, or if moving your
rest isnt bringing the field points and
broadheads together, then you will need to
resort to another method of resolving the
issues that you are experiencing.
There are several ways to correct an
overspined or underspined arrow for your
setup. First, and most obvious, you could try
an arrow with a different spine rating.
Secondly, you can decrease your bows draw
weight to correct a spine that is too weak, or
increase it to correct a stiff spine.
Another way to correct the effects of an
improper spine is to change the weight of
your broadhead. Increasing broadhead weight
can correct an arrow that has too stiff of a
spine, and decreasing broadhead weight can
correct an arrow that has too weak of a spine.
One additional way to affect arrow spine is by
changing the length of an arrow. If your setup
is showings signs of a weak spine, cutting
your arrows down can help, if you have the
extra length to do so.
Sighting In
So far we have covered how to bring your
field points and broadheads together to shoot
at the same spot, but it is probable that these
groups arent hitting where you are aiming.
The only time we should touch our bow sight
is after we have ensured that our field points
and broadheads are hitting at the same spot on
the target, regardless of where on the target
they are hitting in relation to where we are
aiming.
Bringing the field points and broadheads
together is the hard part; adjusting our sight to
make these groups hit where we are aiming is
easy. Remember, when we want to sight in
our bow we always follow the arrow with
our sight. If your groups are missing to the
right, then we move our sight to the right. If
our groups are missing low, then we bring our
sight down.
There are certainly plenty of good
mechanical broadheads on the market today,
and some of the new designs out for this year
have me really excited about the direction that
mechanical broadheads are headed. That said,
for me, nothing beats the strength, reliability,
and penetrations of a stout cut-on-contact
fixed-blade broadhead. I hope that you can
use this guide to help fine-tune your bow and
arrow setup for whatever broadhead you
choose. Happy hunting! BA
Darren Johnson
It doesnt seem possible, but summer is
here already. While farm crops are already in
the ground, there is still plenty of time for
those of us planning to plant food plots. It is
common for food plot farmers to try to time
our activities to the traditional farm planting
schedule, but there is no need. Agricultural
crops are planted on a schedule built around
harvest, where food plot schedules are more
productive when built around animal
nutritional needs, proper soil preparation and
plant selection. This is because there is no
need for the plants to mature at a specific
harvest time. If we are off by a few weeks,
the plants are still mature and available as a
food source for the animals during the
upcoming fall and winter months.
In fact, it is common for impatient people
like me to want to get the seed in the ground
too early. This can be problematic due to late
freezes that can kill tender plants or heavy
amounts of spring rain, which can cause soil
crusting or seed rot. This often results in a
weedy, poor quality food plot, or even worse,
none at all. Instead of jumping on the tractor
too soon, it is usually more productive to take
a moment and instead think about your plant
selection.
There are many types of plants that work
well in a food plot, but in this column, we will
discuss some of the more common ones in
which the seed can easily be purchased in
most places. One of the most common food
plot plants is sorghum, also known as grain
sorghum or milo. It is readily available, fairly
hardy and best of all; the deer dont show
much interest in it until late summer and fall
when the seed heads are mature. This allows
the plants to avoid overgrazing during the
summer months when they are rapidly
growing and producing seed heads. It is also
a good plant for bird species such as turkey,
quail, pheasant and dove. It is easy to plant,
competes fairly well with weeds and is
somewhat drought tolerant. This is a very
good all around plant but isnt the deers
favorite food so there may be times when the
deer choose more desirable food alternatives
such as acorns, corn or clover. During the
winter when food sources are at a minimum,
you can bet that the deer will be visiting a
sorghum food plot regularly.
Corn is another very popular food plot
choice. It is a favorite of many animals so a
corn food plot is sure to draw a crowd. It isnt
the cheapest seed or the easiest plant to grow,
but a mature corn food plot is beneficial for
several reasons. First, standing corn in the
winter can be very beneficial in helping the
animals eat enough calories to survive. Corn
isnt high in protein but does offer lots of
carbohydrates to help carry them through
tough times. Deer couldnt thrive with a year-
long corn diet, but for the winter season it
provides much needed calories. Another
advantage is that standing corn offers animals
protection from the elements. While this isnt
a good thing for hunters, it allows the animals
to bed down and eat without burning a lot of
calories traveling to and from the food plot.
Corn needs a lot of rain and significant
fertilization for many soil types, but overall
works well. The toughest part of having a
corn food plot is keeping the deer from
overgrazing the immature plants. Sometimes
overgrazing will be so heavy that the plants
will be unable to bear ears later in the
summer.
Another go-to food plot plant is soybeans.
Drought tolerant and easy to plant, they are
deer magnets. Unlike corn and sorghum, deer
like both the plant leaves and beans. It isnt
uncommon by late summer to see soybean
plants with every leaf eaten off. Even so,
many of these plants will still grow beans that
are a great protein source in late-fall and
winter. I believe there are two keys to
soybean plots. First, dont harvest the beans
in the fall. Let the plants remain and you will
find deer visiting the plot all winter long.
Second, choose a forage bean variety that
grows larger leaves and fewer beans. This
maximizes nutrition during the fawn-nursing
and antler-growing period of summer. You
will find turkeys and pheasants love soybean
food plots also. If I could choose only one
plot seed, it would be forage soybeans.
Alfalfa is another common food plot
choice. It offers the advantage of being able
to be planted in spring or summer and still be
of value later in the year. It generally attracts
only deer and can get weedy from time to
time so sometimes it needs to be killed with
an herbicide and replanted to get rid of the
weeds. If you are planting multiple food
plots, designating one as an alfalfa plot can be
very beneficial to the deer.
Sunflowers are another good food plot
choice. They are desirable to deer, turkey,
doves, squirrels and songbirds of many types.
I have also seen quail and pheasant frequent
these plots. When other quality food sources
are at a minimum, you will find deer trails
that look like highways coming into the
sunflower patch. Often the deer will choose
to bed in the plot rather than waste energy
travelling to and from. They are also an
attractive food plot to passersby and dont
look weedy or unkempt like other food plots
can look.
Another great choice for a deer food plot is
clover. It can be planted in spring or summer,
is a tough plant that is drought resistant and
fixes nitrogen back into the ground rather than
consuming it like other plants do. Due to deer
loving clover, it is great planted around the
perimeter of a plot or in strips throughout the
plot. Deer cant resist nibbling on it so it
provides great opportunities for archers to get
an unobstructed shot on the animal. Anyone
serious about developing food plots on their
property needs to utilize clover to some
degree.
While there are many other food plot seed
types available, any of the ones described can
result in a very productive, successful food
plot that not only improves animal
populations and overall health, but wildlife
viewing and hunting success as well.
If you are like me, each spring you are
itching to hook up the seeder to the tractor and
get going. Instead, take a moment and make
sure that your food plot seed choices are the
best ones available to help you meet your
wildlife management goals. An extra moment
of preparation can reap huge rewards for you
later in the fall and winter. Good luck and
happy planting. BA
Nick Viau
For many archers, a round of 3Ds may be a
great way to unwind on the weekends or keep
ones skills sharp out of season, but it means a
little bit more to the average stickbow shooter.
While scorecards are valued, it is the
gathering itself that is ultimately the most
prized, which is why 3D shoots are usually
three-day events. I am not insinuating that
modern archers arent into gathering, simply
that you dont hear about it as often as the
traditional crowd. Why? I think it is because
weve become the oddballs in the bowhunting
community, and oddballs like to hang out
with other oddballs, and do oddball things.
It is human to be around like-minded
people with similar interests. As these
interests get more specific, the groups of folk
identifying with them are naturally smaller
and more invested. The need for camaraderie
grows stronger amongst this smaller populace,
and reasons to gather throughout the year are
invented.
Ive witnessed the same phenomena
amongst traditional black powder shooters.
Wander into a local sporting goods store and
you are likely to find a pamphlet produced by
a flintlock or percussion cap specific club,
advertising a list of traditional black powder
events. You dont see that for modern
munitions owners because they are more
abundant.
When I began shooting a bow, finding
other traditional shooters or a shop catering to
them was difficult. The industry favours the
highly marketed, moneymaking compound
and that is what shops stock. I had to rely on
fate and hearsay to find fellow enthusiasts,
whereas compound-oriented commerce can be
found in any outfitter. The need to gather and
discuss is not as pressing as it is for those
favouring traditional tackle.
It isnt as difficult to recruit when the
activity is common either. We rely on word-
of-mouth and word-of-action as our primary
marketing tools, but it is the latter of the two
that is the most effective. You cannot truly Continued pg 44
Photo: Bernie Eng
experience the magic of traditional archery
until youve held a stickbow in your hand,
sent an arrow down range with it, or had a
hardy conversation with someone who knows
it intimately.
The following is a taste of what makes a
traditional event special.
Shooting
Obviously, shooting is essential when
creating the ideal traditional event. We come
together in celebration of a projectile-
throwing weapon, after all. Anything void of
shooting would seem fairly drab in
comparison. There are
plenty of opportunities for
arrow flinging of all kinds
at a traditional event.
Summer events usually
sport multiple 2D/3D
courses for the masses to
enjoy, including options
for the little ones, and you
can shoot all weekend for less than a round of
golf.
Friendly Competition
Opportunities for competition vary per
event. Some are structured around it, and
others are structured without it. Some are
garden-variety target shoots with rounds,
scorecards, and trophies. Others pit scores of
archers against each other in open field,
circle-target, hit the bulls-eye in three arrows
at increasing distances, battle royals for
nothing but a homemade arrow and the
respect of your peers.
Fairway games are a delightful alternative,
and are always worth a laugh. They vary from
aerial shooting, breaking clays at close range,
lobbing Flu Flus into pots of faux gold, to
shooting at targets filled with cash at ranges
of 50, 80, and 100+ yards.
Ultimately, the most common form is the
occasional bet between family and friends,
and the scorecards
stay in the car.
Family,
Friends, and Food
Traditional
gatherings are often
planned, annual
vacations. The
camping is usually
free, the people are friendly, there are kids
everywhere, and there is always something to
do. The food is incredible, and abundant, but
you wouldnt expect anything less from folks
who live to prepare and consume wild game.
Whether you visit for the day, or spend the
weekend, there is little reason not to bring the
entire family. You can give them a wonderful
Photo: Bernie Eng
vacation for little money. Several if you
attend more than one! It is sort of like a
family reunion with bows, and it doesnt get
any better than that.
Gear, Gear, Gear
Every traditional event has a vendor or two
present, whether it is small outfitters, major
brands, or independent bowyers from all over
the country. With such a small and specialized
audience, it is a wise investment to make an
appearance at as many as possible. It is also a
personal investment, as they look forward to
going as well. While there is an exceptional
opportunity to push product, there is an even
greater opportunity for networking and
relationship building. Likewise, traditional
tackle enthusiasts seldom get the opportunity
to try products out first hand unless they are
fortunate enough to have a dedicated outfitter
nearby. Few have this privilege, and drive
hours out of their way just to go shopping.
The traditional consumer is a special
breed. We are a loyal lot once we find
something that suits us. We are buying the
bowyer as well as the bow, which is why it is
commonplace to find bowyers and reps
mingling, shooting, and camping with clients
at annual events.
Gear can also be acquired through swaps
(or trade blankets), raffles, and auctions.
Im always stunned by the donations for the
latter. We are blessed with members who are
as generous as they are gifted in their craft.
The vintage pieces that pop up are equally
interesting, and usually still functional.
Valuable Interactions
It is impossible to attend a traditional event
and not bank at least one memorable
conversation. It doesnt matter how
accomplished you think you are as a hunter,
there is always someone out there with the
capacity to humble you, albeit unintentionally,
whether theyve done it longer, better, or in a
way that is totally unique. And sometimes
conversing isnt necessary. Ive met people
who have it, without even knowing what
it is. People who are so passionate it oozes
from every pore. Living, breathing examples
of an ideology- flaws and all. Folks with
mileage who were there when the roads in
which we trod were merely trails to be
cleared.
Ill never forget one in particular at the
2010 Compton Traditional Bowhunters
rendezvous in Berrian Springs (Michigan). It
was a particularly sticky day in June and the
3D courses were slamming with people.
Every target had three to five in tow, which
made for ample discussion time. My Dad and
I decided to shoot through, skipping a
particularly large group of folks, and hitting
the next open target. While doing so, we
butted up against a heavier set gentleman in
his seventies with a straw hat and a long white
beard. After exchanging subtleties and
complaining about the bugs, we decided to
join forces. It didnt take long to realize he
was the genuine article.
He wielded his longbow effortlessly,
sending arrow after
arrow
into the
vitals of
every
target with
ease. We
were
impressed to
say the least,
but whenever
we offered praise he simply
shrugged it off, and grinned as if he preferred
not to receive it.
I ought to be able to shoot this thing by
now, hed retort. Ive been doing this long
enough!
It was evident he had. An aura of
competence followed him from target to
target. Age had weakened the body, but had
not touched his spirit. He was Santa Clause
with a longbow, delivering arrows like
wrapped gifts. At that moment, his bow was
the most important thing in his life, and you
could tell that it had been several times
before.
While we did not indulge in deep
conversation, a sequence of short exchanges
proved all that was necessary. I remember few
of them save one,
regarding his arrows:
ornately crested
aluminums with a
wood grain finish.
Those are
arrows are
beautiful, I said.
Did you do
those
yourself?
I did not, he replied. I used to make
my own, but at this age Id rather do the
shooting and leave the making up to someone
better.
Well who made them? I asked.
A friend of mine, a few years ago, he
paused to examine one. But he passed
recently.
He grinned, returned the arrow and moved
to the next target, signalling the
conversations end, and I immediately
Photo: Bernie Eng
admired the depth of the man and what he
represented. The old bowhunter, passing the
torch to the next generation the only way he
knew by being there.
Tradition
The dictionarys definition of tradition is
the handing down of statements, beliefs,
legends, customs, information, etc. from
generation to generation, especially by word
of mouth or by practice. That is exactly what
people like the gentleman above do through
their example, and what stickbow
organizations do by collecting and sharing
them. People like me do not exist without
those opportunities for inspiration. They keep
me coming back year-after-year.
Should you have the chance to attend a
traditional archery gathering, I beg that you
take it. Even if it is just to tag along. You will
have a great time, and the experience may
change you in ways you cannot fathom. In
fact, give me a shout, well go together. BA
Gretchen Steele
It seems as though I have looked for the
perfect rain gear most of my life. Ive
searched, Ive searched low. Ive worn
everything from a hastily fashioned poncho
made from a trash bag to military surplus, and
just about everything in between. All had their
faults too noisy,
too hot, not truly
waterproof, didnt
come in any
camouflage pattern;
and so it went until I
found The Prois
Eliminator Jacket.
The Prois
Eliminator series is
typical of the
outdoor/shooting sport/and hunting wear
produced by Kirstie Pike at Prois. Its all
about fit, form and function. The Eliminator
series (which also has accompanying pants to
complete the ensemble) is waterproof and
breathable and perfect for all seasons. When
the temps turn colder, simply layer up under
the jacket and pants. When the temps are
warmer, the excellent breathability keeps one
for from feeling that they are suffering inside
a sauna - a common problem in most rain gear
and waterproof clothes.
The Prois Eliminator Jacket is staple in my
outdoor wardrobe and travels with me where
ever I might go. In the hot, humid, summer
months, Im dry during
the torrential
thunderstorm
downpours, without
feeling as if I am
trapped in sauna. I
bowfished almost an
entire rainy, night
tournament in my
Eliminator jacket in
August without feeling
sweaty, hot, or melty. In the cold winter
months, an extra layer or two under the
Eliminator series kept both warm and dry.
From the heavy wet snow, to stinging sleet, to
navigating the soggy wet fields, the
Eliminator series kept me dry. Absolutely dry.
When its not wet and soggy out, the Prois
Eliminator jacket makes a great, silent,
lightweight jacket perfect for spring turkey
hunting or early season deer hunts. This
jacket is my go to jacket for
any outdoor activity, from
bowfishing, to chasing
whitetails, to waiting on the
ducks to come in.
What exactly is it that
makes this jacket such a
must have for any woman
who spend her days in the
field in inclement weather?
The fabric: The Eliminator
line is engineered with 8000/5000wtaerproof
breathable laminate with a polyester tricot
shell. The jacket feature the Prois their
signature nylon lining provide maximum
softness, silence and moisture elimination.
Construction: The Eliminator jacket
features taped seams, waterproof zippers, snap
down zipper sliders for silence. The hood is
superbly designed with a visor for even more
water protection as well as the drawstring that
pulls the hood to the head for maximizing
peripheral vision.
A drawstring waist to keep those damp
chilly drafts out
The Snap up Duck Tail. This is my
favorite part of the coat. The duck tail
unsnaps, and comes down to cover ones
fanny. NO MORE WET BEHINDS! I am
able to sit in the damp or wet
areas while stalking wildlife
with my cameras and did I
mentionNO MORE WET
BEHINDS? No more drafts
up my back when I bend and
twist trying to get the right
angle for a photograph. No
more trying to fashion a dry
spot to sit in a ground blind or
tree stand. The duck tail keeps
the derrire dry! The duck then
conveniently folds up, is secured with snaps,
and seemingly disappears into the jacket when
not needed.
The Eliminator Rain Pants outstanding
features include:
Created with 100% polyester
8000/5000 laminate, these pants are
certain to maintain warmth and dryness.
Exterior shell soft, supple and utterly
silent with movement.
Pull-On styling to use alone or layered
in the elements. Engineered with elastic
waistband and added drawstring with
cord lock to provide the perfect fit.
Taped seams throughout.
Deep cargo pockets with pillow top
closures to keep contents dry.
9" boot zips aid ease of donning.
The Prois tricot lining system is utilized
in these pants for
comfort, dryness and
ease of movement. The
tricot lining also makes
pulling the Eliminator
pants on over a pair of
jeans, brush pants, or
sweat pants a breeze.
Everything slides
smoothly.
The Eliminator series is
available in Realtree AP HD
and Realtree Max 1 camouflage patterns. My
only complaint about the Prois Eliminator
series is that isnt offered in Realtree Max 4;
which is a pattern that I like the best for the
locations where I normally roam.
The sizing on the Prois Eliminator Series
runs true to the Prois sizing chart, as I learned
when ordering the accompanying Eliminator
pants. I initially ordered one size larger in
order to be able to layer up under the pants,
however this was not necessary. The one size
larger pants turned out to be just that, one size
too big. When recommending this rain gear, I
now make sure to caution women that
ordering one size up for layering is not
necessary.
Prois is Gaelic for pride or prowess. Both
terms are applicable to the entire Prois line of
womens outdoor and hunting
apparel. The pride that Kirstie Pike
and the staff at Prois take in the
design and construction is obvious
upon the first inspection of the
garment. The prowess is
recognized in the use of these great
products in the field.
The women of Prois have a
saying, Take pride in NOT being
one of the guys! When it comes
to well fitting, very functional, well
designed womens outdoor wear and hunting
clothes, Prois takes pride in making clothing
that fits a woman hunters needs as well as her
feminine form.
Even Sarah Palin chooses Prois for her
outdoor apparel! The now recognizable P for
Prois is being seen on more and more
professional women hunters and outdoor
enthusiasts.
Visit Prois website today and have look at
the many excellent designs for any type of
outdoor pursuit you may have. BA
Emily Anderson
When I first started shooting a bow, I
quickly learned there are many opportunities
to personalize your equipment. We all know
how girls like to accessorize, but it isnt just a
girl thing when it comes to bows! It really
doesnt matter whether you are male or
female, as Ive seen some pretty snazzy
looking bows owned by guys at the local
archery shop. Bow customizations include
everything from colored strings, matching
arrows & fletchings, dipped or anodized
cams, stabilizers, etc.
One quick and cheap way to jazz up your
bow is to coordinate a paracord wrist sling
with your bow string. There are many
companies which allow you to personalize the
color scheme and even pick out leather
options. Carolina Cords is one of these
companies. They have a good selection of
colors to pick from on their Facebook Store.
A sampling of their color options include
purple, Carolina blue, maroon, hot pink, neon