My game plan for hunting in 2016 is to do it with a bow.  I’ve been hunting with a muzz rifle for a really long time…like over 40 years and it’s time to try my hand at bagging a buck with a bow (it’s on my bucket list you know).  So, now is the time to be practicing for that moment of truth.  If I can get all my form ducks lined up and don’t have to think about them when the moment comes, I just might end up bagging one.

I watched Weasel last year when he got his and he was shaking so bad just before the shot I couldn’t help but think I might not be able to finish the job.  And he had been practicing for months!  I need to do the same.  So, my mind has been on arrow selection, fletching style and mount, broad heads and there are just so many variables I’m really having a time deciding.

Well, with that, I went to the internet and asked the simple question:  “What should my set up be for hunting with my bow”?  A simple question and I expected to see a ton of sites that would offer suggestions.  I even expected to find a “fill in the blank” questionnaire that would spit out all the options available for my particular circumstance.  BUT…nothing is out there.  SO….know it alls, there is an avenue for you to expand on!

Here are some questions I would expect and my answers to those questions:  What bow style are you shooting?  Compound bow, Traditional longbow, Traditional recurve, Crossbow?  What is your draw length?  What is the draw weight of your bow at your draw length?  What is the rated draw weight of the bow you are shooting and what is the draw length listed for that draw weight?  What type of release do you use when shooting your bow?  Do use sights on your bow?  Does your hunting bow have a quiver mounted to it?

Some of these questions may not be pertinent, but you get the idea.  The one about the rated bow weight and draw length is a check on the person answering the two previous questions to see if they are figuring in their less than rated or more than rated draw weight based on their draw length.

So, in answering these questions my answers would be:  Traditional recurve.  26 inches.  47 pounds.  55 pounds at 28 inches.  Three finger tab, three under.  No.  No.

With that someone should be able to say, “Butt, you need 500 spine arrows in the make of your choice, cut to 29 inches, feather fletchings cut in parabolic shape and mounted helical, tip the end with a 125 grain 3 blade broad head.  Whether you choose to glue the broad head on or not is your choice as well.  Good luck hunting and I expect a package of back straps”!

How much more simple could it be….for me?  But there is nothing like that out there and so I have to go digging and asking questions…you hunt with a bow don’t you?  What weight bow do you shoot?  Oh, that’s close to mine.  What arrow do you use?  What about the fletchings?  Broad head of choice and weight?  Have you ever gotten anything?

Well, what do you say?  What arrows?  What broad head?  It’s time for me to start practicing and getting ready for the big hunt that happens in 10 months!

Bears Butt

November 12, 2015