Minor tweaks make a difference!

My goal for the weekend was to work on pulling the bow back, become comfortable with a new anchor point and begin to gain confidence with the release. To accomplish this I wanted my target right in front of me and at shoulder height.  Working with the release I worked over the strap and the buckle.  I made the strap tight enough to know I wouldn't have to worry about the release sliding off of my hand as I pulled the bow back.  Like any weapon stay away from the trigger until you are on target. I grabbed an old 455 grain arrow and stuck it in the bow to ensure the ultimate sin of dry firing the bow wasn't committed.  NEVER pull your bow back with a release without an arrow in the bow.

I started by pulling the release with my elbow up high and the rigid bar between my index and middle fingers.  It was very difficult to get more than three shots in a row. I would shoot as much as I could and then take a break.  This went on for the first day. At the end of the first day I began to feel some muscle strain in my shoulder and lower back.  I asked my wife to come out and watch my struggle. She informed me she could see why my lower back was strained because I was twisting my back in order to get to full draw. It was soon after she left that I had my first and only misfire.  For some reason I hadn't tucked my fingers under the trigger and had extended my index finger over the top of the trigger as I was pulling it back.  Because I lost my focus I lowered my index finger and the release went off before I was even 1/4 of the way into my draw.  No harm was done as I always try to pull straight back and in line with my target. Immediately I  knew it was time to de done for the day. Retiring to the house a pain reliever and some sports cream on my lower back and shoulder was in order. I felt great to start the second day but half way through it wasn't getting easier so I chose to change the way I was pulling the bow back. Here's what I did.... I changed my grip on the release by having all of my fingers on the trigger side of the release and my thumb on the other. I now keep my elbow in tight to my side as I pull the bow back and then bring the bow up and lock in my anchor. It is much more comfortable for me to pull the bow back and I'm shooting many times in a row. The elbow still stays high once the arrow is released. If what you're doing isn't working for you tweak your form. Ask a friend or spouse to watch your form. You could even video yourself but always stay focused on your goals.

New Equipment = Sore Muscles!

My goal is to show folks around the country that FEATHERS should be used on all arrows shot out of modern compound bows. I needed a short, hybrid cam bow with all the bells and whistles.
I headed to Tucson, Arizona to visit Precision Shooting Equipment (PSE). A top of the line manufacturing facility, I was sure PSE had a bow fitting the specs I wanted. 
Remember, I was a finger shooter and the bow we grabbed first had a 50 Lb draw. I asked a few questions about the release and held the bow on target as I struggled to find a comfortable anchor. I had settled on a wrist strap style release and the anchor point I found worked best for me is having my index finger knuckle wedged behind my ear lobe. I will publish more on the bow and the release in a few days.
I want to draw attention to a problem I had while setting up the bow in the pro shop.  I originally shot a bow with a 50 Lb draw but the bow I chose to take home has a 70 Lb draw weight. The technicians setting up my bow could get the D-loop, rest and sights lined up easily enough but with the peep sight I needed to pull the bow back, anchor it, see the sight ring and then tell him to move the peep up or down. Well, guess what? After a few pulls this boy was done.  I couldn't pull the bow back! And I'm no slouch. My old bow has a 70 Lb draw and I've never had a problem pulling it back. Obviously, when using a release, shooters use different muscle groups. I needed to take time to rest my arm between pulls and how embarrassing is that?! It's to this point I write.  Folks.... please, if you are going to change anything about how you shoot or your equipment. DO IT EARLY. Don't wait. If you want to achieve success you need to plan ahead and then execute your plan. I will be putting a heavy arrow in the bow and simply working on my form all weekend long. I'll let you know how it goes.

Nine years to draw!

Nine years ago I drew my last tag in Arizona for archery elk hunting.  I've filled my falls with hunting excursions to other states and helping friends and family fill tags here in Arizona.  During the last nine elk seasons one lesson I've learned is "There is no place like home" for elk hunting. 
I have been successful in the past on self guided archery hunts in 3 different states. This Arizona tag is special to me because it's for a Unit I've never hunted before and it's taken me Nine Years to draw.  It's a great Unit but was always my 2nd choice.
I'm starting this blog to help other hunters who might like to learn from an archery industry executive who is changing a lot about how he shoots his bow in order to help ensure success.
Have you heard of a paradigm? It was explained to me a long time ago by a fellow manager who stated "by doing a job, or any work for that matter, the same way and never changing because you've always done it that way is wrong". As an archer I have always used my fingers as a release. In my hunter education classes I would wiggle my fingers and tell my students I can't ever forget these and I've never misfired an arrow with my fingers as my release. Which is all true.  And I've had great success in my hunting over the years. But I know I can do better!
Walk with me on my adventure of changing my shooting style from fingers to a release. From a slow finger shooting bow to a state of the art 300+ fps engineered beauty. Wait until you see her. PLUS... I want to prove to a lot of plastic loving vane users out there that FEATHER FLETCHINGS are the BEST choice for screaming fast arrows shot out of modern compound bows.