Successful Hunting

I just got my grizzly bear skull scored after cleaning it and letting it dry the required 60 days. The skull was officially scored at 24 13/16". Almost an inch larger than the required minimum score to enter the Boone and Crockett all time book. Check out the story here:

http://www.huntingtipsandtricks.com/a/Grizzly_Bear_Hunt

At the local club in town today there was a 3D shoot, first part of a triple crown competition that I wont be winning I was using my ChekMate Falcon recurve 50# @ 28" draw with Easton XX75 arrows. I had fun, but it was a challenging course and I lost a few arrows, and broke a few arrows. It was a steep up and down course on a local mountain with plenty of big rocks to break arrows. Seeing how it was my second 3D target shoot, I thought I would improve upon my 192/400 score that I got on my first shoot. I ended up with a 162/400, taking a step back. A lot of practice is still needed for me to be a successful traditional archer, It is much more challenging than using a compound bow with pins let me tell you.

Anyways enjoy some of the pics, and if you want to learn more about traditional archery check out this page:

Traditional Archery

well, I took my recurve bow to the Chad Davis Memorial 3D shoot at the Abby Fish and Game Club this weekend. It was my first 3D archery shoot with traditional gear so it was a challenge, I did good on the first 20 targets, but when I started up the mountain doing the steep up and down shots I ran into trouble. I ended up bending 4 of my Easton aluminum arrows but I still finished the shoot with a lucky slightly bent arrow. Out of a possible 400 points I scored 193. 10 points are given for the center of the vital shot, 8 for the vitals, and 5 just to hit the target, with 0 points for missing the 3D animal target completely.

Even though it was challenging it was part of the process of learning to hunt with traditional archery gear. In doing the shoot, I learnt that I am still not ready to hunt with the recurve bow. Hopefully with a bit of practice, I will get there soon.

I filmed my latest session of traditional archery practice. I was shooting my 55# @28" draw ChekMate Falcon 60" recurve bow with some aluminum arrows fletched with turkey feathers. I am getting better than when I started and my 20 yard groups are starting to get respectable.

I went to the post office today and picked up my recurve. It is a Falcon ChekMate Recurve 60" long and 55# @ 28" draw. I was sent a dozen arrows with it so I began shooting indoor at the archery range today. I was not consistant with it, but sometimes I showed a little promise. This bow shoots fast and is forgiving but it will take me a while to master it. At 20 yards most of the time I was hitting the bale and at 10 yards I occasionally shot a 10-12" group. I hope I get better soon, I would like to do the 3D indoor shoot on Saturday but if I am still shooting horribly I will have no choice but to continue practicing before I hit the 3D circuit. I will post pics soon.

Today my father in-law presented me with some traditional wood hunting arrows with glue on fixed broadheads fletched with real feathers . He bought them off a friend who found them for a bargain price at a garage sale. You never know what you will find there.

The arrows are painted with a little cresting in the middle, I look forward to trying them out when I get my ChekMate Falcon in the mail soon. I am not sure what species of wood the arrows are made of but they seem light. I am also unfamiliar of what type of broadheads these are. I will have to give them a good sharpen before they are used for hunting. The arrows are perfect length, cut at 29" long. I just hope they have a stiff enough spine.

Since my compound bow and all my bow hunting stuff was stolen, I have to start all over again. I have long thought about shooting traditional archery and figured this is a great time to invest traditional archery tackle and begin a new relationship with a more primitave method of hunting.

I found this used 28" draw @ 55# ChekMate Falcon recurve here:

Hunting BC

In the for sale section.

The bow looks in excellent condition and I eagerly wait its arrival so I can begin pulling back the string.

I had to go and get some accessories like a bowstringer and shooting glove but should be good to go as soon as it arrives as it comes with 6 aluminum arrows.

Today I went out to the ridgedale club and a helpful member agreed to let me try his traditional long bow that he built himself along with his yellow cedar arrows.

limbs were made of elm wood and had a 55# draw at 28".

I really liked the feel of it although it was more laborous than a compound bow set at 70#. But the natural feeling was refreshing.

I had good success meaning I hit the target most of the time. I am quite positive of learning to shoot traditional archery, especailly seeing it was my first time shooting with traditional archery tackle.

I am hoping that my wife gets me a long bow for my birthday so I can practise for future hunts with it.

I will go out next thursday and shoot the bow a little more.