In two weeks or less? I have not shot a bow in almost a year and with a series of setbacks that life has handed me, almost wasn't going to hunt this year at all. Plus, I entertained the idea of muzzleloading but, traditional archery is just in my heart!
So, with that being said, I have two weeks to prepare for Oregon's early bow season. Could you do it? I have sold off all my bows for financial reasons but one. My '65 Bear Tigercat. It is 42# @ 28" and still smacks with authority. Here's hoping! :pray:
(http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q506/ORShooter1/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-08/70A1425F-FF1D-40DE-8645-2A97CC800438_zpsjpmywwtr.jpg) (http://s1161.photobucket.com/user/ORShooter1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-08/70A1425F-FF1D-40DE-8645-2A97CC800438_zpsjpmywwtr.jpg.html)
Ready in a about 6 shots
TW - you can do it! Sorry to hear about life's challenges depleting your bow inventory. Prayers up for you and the family.....best of luck this season. Rob
Thank you Rob! I pulled the bow a few times to see how my shoulder would handle it and all seems fine so far. Would prefer a longbow but, I can make this work as I've shot recurves pretty well too. Right now, I'm going through field tips to find the right point weight for my AD Trad Lites. I'll post shooting results after bit.
Absolutely, I am coming off a shoulder injury. I plan to be prudent as to my effective range and adjust as the season progress.
You may not even get a shot opportunity but your time spent hunting is sure to benefit your outlook.
Slow and steady, time to hunt, reflect, heal.
Hoping you get on track in all ways.
Yes I could. Within two weeks I can be 'first shot in the kill zone at 20 yards' consistently. You can do this! Form, form, and more form, with some shooting at 20-30 (you chase a lot of arrows the first few times, lol) and you will be back in a groove. :thumbsup:
Use mind over matter "if you don't mind it don't matter"
Well, I went out and shot in my back yard for a bit. Here is the 4th set of 3 shot at about 14yds. The bow is in need of some silencing but, shot real well with 125gr field tips. I will head out and do some more shooting at the 20yd distance in a day or so.
(http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q506/ORShooter1/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-08/45709BBC-F53C-455D-A4D3-6DD26880174A_zpsgwemo6hy.jpg) (http://s1161.photobucket.com/user/ORShooter1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-08/45709BBC-F53C-455D-A4D3-6DD26880174A_zpsgwemo6hy.jpg.html)
With that group i would say you can definitely be ready. Good luck on your hunt!
Good luck! Here's hoping you have a happy middle to this story as the end is a long way off. :)
Thanks guys! I went up to 145gr and the arrows still shot straight and quieted the bow even more. Think I will shoot 145gr and with some string silencers and a bow quiver, she should be deadly quiet! :bigsmyl:
Good luck my friend! Glad you're back in the saddle!
In 2010 I had surgery on my hand and it prevented me from shooting for 16 weeks. My had came out of a cast on a Friday, I was in a tree stand bow in hand hunting bears on Monday. You can do it....good luck
Hang in there buddy, we are all rooting for you to continue with your love of bowhunting.
I ran a stick into my eye dragging a deer a few years ago and my old boat blew up that night half way back to the ramp. I had an eye patch on and no easy transportation to my stand but I was hunting 2 days later anyway. I took a bunch of arrows and practiced shooting with one eye from the stand.
My wife still gives me the "Death stare" when I tell that story. :knothead:
You can do it.
Good Luck TW, its like riding a bike. ;) :thumbsup:
Thanks Charlie and everyone else! I really appreciate the encouragements and well wishes. I am going through what I have left gear wise and will be shooting everyday 'til the 30th. If I can pull this off, I will be out there opening day chasing them blasted blacktails again! :D
QuoteOriginally posted by killinstuff:
Ready in a about 6 shots
THIS
If your form is good and your physical condition is good, probably so. Practice at your best hunting distance and judge by the degree of consistency. If your groups are good, then go for it. If not, delay hunting a couple of weeks. It will not take so very long to get back in the groove.
Wannabe,
Always enjoy your posts. Sorry to hear about your situation but things "will" improve and "yes" you will be ready in 2 weeks. Just get out there and things will come together for you.
All my best...
Thanks Dave! Getting some silencers on the string today and more shooting time in after church. Need to check on fire hazards for the area I'm hunting in as we've had some pretty hot and dry weather. Anyway, gonna give it my best shot.
I would go even if I wasn't ready. Nothing says you actually have to shoot at a critter. You can stump shoot all day long out there and enjoy the hunt in other ways. Smell the roses too.
CHuckC
I don't think i'd hunt elk with that rig, but blacktail are fine. Oregon has a 50# minimum for those big boys & girls....
Go get em boss!
I've averaged shooting every day from the first of the year until July 3rd this year. Then a minor, unexpected surgery shut me down on July 15th. I will start shooting again on Sept. 2nd, 4 days before deer season opens.
I expect my shooting to be perfectly fine. As long as I haven't lost muscle strength in this short of time off there shouldn't be a problem because my shooting process is securely locked in. Results follow the process.
My challenge will be to proof the tune of some new arrows/broadhead combos in just a day (Sept. 2nd) and then practice.
Hope you have a speedy recovery and all is well! Let us know how it goes.
I've been ready since the season closed.
You can do it! Just be honest with yourself about your maximum effective hunting range, and don't shoot beyond that! Even with shooting almost every day of my life, one day my max hunting range might be 20, and he next day 14, depending on how things are going.
Oh yeah, and good luck on the black tails!
Bisch
I could now...but I couldn't from scratch. Still, I shoot better when I shoot a few groups a week, but I find the muscle memory comes back very quickly once you develop solid form and anchor.
QuoteOriginally posted by Bowwild:
I've averaged shooting every day from the first of the year until July 3rd this year. Then a minor, unexpected surgery shut me down on July 15th. I will start shooting again on Sept. 2nd, 4 days before deer season opens.
I expect my shooting to be perfectly fine. As long as I haven't lost muscle strength in this short of time off there shouldn't be a problem because my shooting process is securely locked in. Results follow the process.
My challenge will be to proof the tune of some new arrows/broadhead combos in just a day (Sept. 2nd) and then practice.
I broke my pelvis the last week of May, and could not shoot for about five weeks. I was afraid I'd be really rusty, but much to my suprise I had no trouble at all, shooting as well after the layoff as I had prior to it.
Go get them.
Go get 'em TW! Bowhunting is in your blood----don't sit it out.
2 weeks of steady practice and you'll be good to go.
I thought I was going to sit out this year also as a shoulder injury early in the year and a motorcycle wreck banged up my knee. ....but now, season is a little more than a month away--I'm chompin' at the bit already, though I haven't been in the woods yet due to a still shaky knee; But, 1st day off after opening day--I will be in the woods. Can't wait! :cool:
Keep your head up buddy. Praying that all is well for you and your family!! :campfire: :coffee:
Good luck to you ... Even if you are not 100% ready getting out there will get you the rest of the way pretty quickly. Kill a few stumps, breath in that fresh air, remember hunts of the past and enjoy the days afield. That blacktail will come and you'll be ready.
:archer2:
Of course ya'll are correct and I'm already starting to get that fever! Bow is setup and I'm going to hit the field camping with the family this Thursday. Will be taking it along and slaying some trophy stumps. I plan to practice my shots as much as possible to 20yds.
Ben: Sorry to hear about the knee. Just glad it wasn't worse! Hope you and your family are doing well also. Who knows, maybe someday when we are two old men, we'll share another elk hunt together! :thumbsup:
Looks like you are making great progress. I agree that you should get out there. Just being in the outdoors is therapeutic! Keeep us up-to-date with your progress and how the season goes for you!
Ok, I was set to use 145gr heads as they were shooting pretty straight but, as soon as I put on the string silencers, bow quiver and the weight of the three arrows, I was all over the target! Couldn't get one in the center. :mad:
On a whim, I went and got 3 125gr field tips and BOOM BABY! All three arrows, fletch touching and in the center! Shot some more to make sure it wasn't me and still stacking them pretty good at 18yds. I am now going to use the Muzzy Phantom 125gr 4 blade head for hunting.
Funny how just a little adjustment can change things. :rolleyes:
Yes, if someone wanted to go with me on the opener. I perform better under pressure. With a deadline, I would be all over it. Without? Maybe.
That is strange. I would have expected you to need more point weight rather than less after adding string silencers and a bow quiver. Go figure. Good luck with your hunt
That is strange. I would have expected you to need more point weight rather than less after adding string silencers and a bow quiver. Go figure. Good luck with your hunt.
Patrick, I got to thinking about this myself. I can only assume that when I started the 125gr tips were already fine. When I moved up to the 145gr. I was still shooting a relatively short distance and the arrows were not behaving as well as I thought. Once I went out to approx. 18yds, they showed their true flight and the 125gr is what I should have stayed with in the first place. Does this make sense? :rolleyes: