LAST UPDATED: May 1st, 2015
The summer months can be a great time to make yourself a better bowhunter. I have realized over the years that to be successful in the fall I needed to prepare in the summer. The passion of a bowhunter never rests regardless of the time of year or what the thermometer reads. With those thoughts in mind, here are a few ways to enhance your next hunting season.
Set Goals
Every successful hunt begins with preparation and a plan of action. Becoming a better archer is all the same. Setting goals as a bowhunter in the summer creates a platform in which you can build on and obtain new heights of confidence and mental stability during the fall. I tend to write out my goals on a piece of paper and keep the list in my bow case as a reminder of what I intend to accomplish during the dog days of summer.
Summer can be the best time to upgrade your gear.
The first step I take is to revisit my previous season and determine where I need to improve by evaluating myself as a bowhunter. Is my equipment right for me? Are my practice habits paying off? Do I learn from each hunt? These type of questions will lay a foundation for me (and you) to build on and make the necessary adjustments if needed.
Fine Tune Your Bow
After you have evaluated yourself as a bowhunter it is time make sure your gear is fine-tuned. Summer is a great time to make sure your bow is shooting to its maximum potential. Here is a list I have created to ensure top performance from my rig.
- Check string and Cables
- Ensure center shot is aligned
- Check peep alignment
- Evaluate arrow spine
- Check arrow weight
- Paper tune
- Spin test arrows
- Examine sight, check for stress cracks, and fiber optic damage
- Tighten all attachments
Summer can be a great time to purchase new additions or upgrade your current bow setup. This will provide you plenty of time to gain confidence and trust in your new gear. One mistake many archery hunters make is hunting with gear they do not trust. Also, in today’s market bowhunters tend to use additions on their bows such as camera mounts, vibration dampening systems, bow stands and other small parts that affect the way your bow shoots. Make sure you practice with the gear you will hunt with.
Summer Shooting Habits
Summer shooting can be a great way to become a better bowhunter. What better way to get a perfect tan than slinging some arrows in the summer sun? My summer practice sessions include some different variations. I try to create scenarios from situations I have had happen to me in the woods. For example, this past season I was caught drawing my bow on a beautiful West Virginia whitetail and had to hold my draw for over a minute. Once the buck turned and provided a shot I also had to lean forward in order to get a clear look at the vitals. This was extremely uncomfortable and my shot connected further back on the deer than I had intended. This summer I will learn from that experience and practice more on difficult shot angles and extended holding times.
Long distance observation is a great way to scout in the summer.
For me the summer months are great for archery shoots and expanding my horizon on distance, shooting in tight quarters, and practicing my arrow exit by shooting 3-D as often as possible. My mentality during summer shooting is to shot beyond my ability. For me this creates more confidence when the moment of truth arises. I do this by shooting at long distances, holding my draw for long periods, shooting at thumb-tack size stickers on a 3-D target, and shooting arrows quickly to practice finding my anchor point.
Lastly, shoot often and practice during different times of the day when the opportunity arises. Many early season hunts offer shot opportunities at last light so be ready by practicing in those type situations.
Train to Hunt
How many of you want to be in great shape? I never realized how training to hunt could enhance my adventure until this year during an elk hunt in the Rocky Mountains. I spent six solid months preparing my body for the treacherous terrain I knew I would face. One major factor that I noticed was my ability to recover from a long walk or early morning uphill climb. Also, another huge factor was the strength built up in my legs and ankles where the majority of bowhunters problems can arise.
My mentality as a bowhunter is that I need to control as much of my hunt as possible. My gear may fail me but it is my choice if my body fails me. I can control my ability to have a strong body as a hunter. I live by this analogy, “If you feel good, you hunt good, if you hunt good, you eat good.” Here are a few ways I prepare for hunting by preparing my body.
- Cardio, Running, fast pace walk with 25lb backpack on incline
- Band workout to increase archery muscles
- Leg workouts, press, squat, calf raises, lunges
- Shoulders
- Back, include lower back
- Core muscle group, burpees
- Sprints, then shoot bow
- Push-ups, then shoot bow
- Pull ups, then shoot bow
- Stretch
Make Summer A Family Archery Tradition
What better time to get your family involved in your passion than the summer months? Archery is such a pure sport and it provides enjoyment for all ages. There are many different archery activities to get your family involved in. The key is to make it fun for the whole family. Set up multiple targets such as balloons, 3-D targets, or even an old fashion hay bale. Have prizes for the kids and teach them the value of archery as well as the proper shooting form. Also, if they are interested in hunting teach them the proper shot angles and arrow placement.
Practice outside of your comfort zone during the summer to become a better bowhunter.
Archery has become a family oriented sport due to the values and bonds that can be built through a centuries old tradition. The majority of archery companies now provide bows and equipment geared for youth shooters. As a hunter, father, and outdoorsman we owe it to our family to share the reasons why we have a driving passion for archery. Check your state game and wildlife agencies for archery programs for kids as well as the entire family.
Scout Your Way through the Dog Days
Summer can be a great time to locate possible honey holes that may house giant bucks in the early season. Although patterns and movement will vary by the time archery season begins you can evaluate many things from the previous season and even the summer movement of deer.
The first major step in summer scouting is to utilize an arial map if possible. Once you evaluate the movement from the previous season you will start to piece together a likely pattern of deer movement for the season ahead. Look at your current stand locations on the map and determine what changes need to be made (if any) to connect on a new addition to the trophy room.
Archery is a family activity that builds relationships and strengthens confidence.
The summer months can also be a great time to hang stands and place mineral stations on your property. Look for areas on the map that provide a sanctuary for the deer. This is a great place to have a mineral station near. Bucks will feel comfortable in these areas and utilize the supplement more.
Also, you can determine which trails were heavily used and at what time of year they were most traveled. By discovering this type of information you can look at what may have caused that influx in travel, such as a fruit tree blooming, acorns dropping in a certain area, or even pressure from other properties. This information can be crucial when placing a new stand site as well as when you want to be hunting a certain area. Bowhunting is about maximizing the time you have to hunt by hunting the right areas at the right time.
Training to hunt can be a great excuse to get in shape.
Scoping It Out
A tried and true technique for summer scouting includes the use of a spotting scope to watch movement from a distance. If this technique is not an option for you then scouting cameras placed in various locations are your best bet. Often times your only option is scouting on foot near your best areas. This is my least used technique due to the fact that I never like to alert deer of my presence but if this is your method then the summer is the best time to do so.
In closing, make it a point to set your archery goals high this summer and be determined to become a better bowhunter by following your gameplan. Always remember the game you pursue has no offseason, in fact, they are getting stronger everyday. If you’re like I am, bowhunting is a passion that consumes you. Why not become the best bowhunter you can be?
