Keys to making the shot count!
Author: Go Hunt
Published: September 28, 2022
It’s finally bow season and we found a great article to sharpen your skills. These archery tips will definitely help you while hunting your next big kill.
“Broadheads
Mechanical or fixed blade? It doesn’t matter as long as you hit the spot you are aiming at; however, all too often, it seems we do not practice due diligence in sighting in and shooting with broadheads. Broadheads are pricey and it’s somewhat understandable that hunters screw on a broadhead to their best hunting arrow and then shoot it to confirm their pin(s).
Arrow and broadhead combos can vary and I’d suggest you shoot every arrow you plan to hunt with, with the broadheads you are using. Even if you use the same practice broadhead on each arrow, it’s better than only shooting one arrow with one broadhead. Ideally, you should shoot every arrow with its broadhead to confirm it’s hitting the middle. You may have to resharpen or replace the blades to hunt, but the confidence of knowing that every arrow is accurate is worth it. Broadheads change the flight of the arrow — no matter what the packaging states — make sure to allow yourself plenty of time at the range with broadhead tipped arrows to make sure they are sighting in.
Range
Knowing the range is paramount to making the shot and in a lot of cases, the primary reason bowhunters miss — myself included. I missed a great 6×7 bull on a late Arizona elk hunt a few years ago that still haunts me today. I snuck into range of the bedded bull midday and waited several hours for him to stand and offer a shot. When he eventually did, he took a route back to my left and as he moved through the brush toward a shooting lane I was ranging rocks and brush to ensure I would be ready when he stepped out. He finally stepped out, a little lower on the steep hill than I anticipated and I took a final range before I drew and anchored. The only issue, I had taken the range, but had not waited for the calculated angle compensation range and shot him for the first reading. I watched the arrow arc in, perfectly left to right, but missed him just over his back. I couldn’t believe I had missed. After running the scenario through my head several times, I realized my mistake. The shot was angled downhill, but it was not so steep that I should have missed due to a bad reading. I had failed to maintain my nerves and follow through with the process of getting the range I need. Long story short: range is so critical. If you do not have a rangefinder, buy one. If you have one, use it always. Practice with it all summer and get familiar with it to the point that the entire process is second nature. In addition, practice estimating range all summer long. Guess the range to a rock, tree, target — anything you can — and then confirm that range with your rangefinder. Often, you do not have time to range an animal in the exact moment so having a good baseline skill of estimating range will help you make the most shots.”
Read the full article from Go Hunt here.
Photo curtesy of Luke Dusenbury.
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