Hunting From Ground Blinds or Treestands

       Hunting from ground blinds and treestands has become very popular among traditional archers. They are both very affective methods for hunting almost any type of game. However, using these methods can be frustrating for the beginning hunter. Here are a few tips that may improve your success when hunting from ground blinds and treestands.
      When hunting from a ground blind it is usually a good idea to wear dark clothing. This is because it is usually black inside a ground blind to something viewing from the exterior. However is using a natural ground blind you should always where camouflage that blends into the material of the blind. It is usually a good idea to use a shorter hunting bow when hunting from a blind, this makes the chance of catching your bow on something less likely.
     When hunting from a tree-stand make sure that you approach your stand either early in the morning preferrably dark, or in the afternoon before game is moving during an evening hunt. It is also a good idea to make sure that you carry all your treestand equipment in a seperate pack, this way your gear will always be organized. Some things I like to carry in my treestand pack are flashlight, bow hanger, water, a saw, and a extra safety tree strap. Always remember to wear a safety harness when hunting from any type of tree-stand. I cannot stress this enough!
    Hunting from ground blinds and tree stands can be very effective. But always remember to be safe when doing any form of hunting. Please respect nature and the wildlife we persue as well. Proper care and woodsmanship will allow for great hunting for many generations.

Choosing Arrows

      Choosing arrows is often one of the most confusing ordeals for the beginning archer. After all, there are so many to choose from. There are a few things that you need to keep in mind when choosing your arrow for your traditional bow. I hope the following tips can help take some of the frustration out of choosing your arrow.
     There are four categories of arrows that you need to choose from. Alluminum, Carbon, Wood, and fiberglass. You also need to choose an arrow that is spined correctly and has sufficient enough weight for the recurve or longbow you are shooting. You will also need to decide whether or  not you will be using your arrow for hunting or for target archery. Hunting arrows need to be much heavier than target arrows for sufficient penetration on game animals. All four of the categories of arrows stated above will work however there are some advantages and disadvantages between them that I will discuss.
      Alluminum arrows have been around for many years. They are fairly durable however they can bend, causing flight problems. Alluminums are fairly cheap, and are very easy to tune. They come in many spines and weights and have been known to be great hunting arrows. If you are just getting started in archery alluminum may be the arrows for you.
     Carbon arrows are also great hunting arrows, however they are often much lighter in weight than alluminum. They have only been available for a few years now but are quickly becoming many archers go to arrow. They are extremely straight and will not bend, they are very durable arrows. They are however the most expenive arrow material available.
      Wood arrows are also very popular among traditional archers. They have a classic look that cannot be matched. However they are the least durable arrow. They break very often, and it does not take much to break a wood arrow. Like alluminum they are much heavier than carbon, making it easier to achieve desired weight.
     Fiberglass arrows are not used much these days. They were popular in the 70's but now are usually only used for bow-fishing due to the fact that they are extremely heavy and travel through the water quite easily. I hope this informaiton helps you choose your next arrow! Shoot straight!

Recurve vs. Longbow

When most archers begin their journey into traditional archery one of the most frequently asked questions is whether or not they should purchase a recurve or longbow. I have experience with both categories of traditional bows and would like to shed some light on the advantages and disadvantages of each.
       In most hunting situations a recurve will be superior to a longbow. Most of the time a recurve is much shorter than a longbow and therefore is much more maneuverable when in the field. A recurve is also much easier to shoot from a tree stand especially when dealing with those steep angle shots. Most traditional archers feel that a recurve is much easier to shoot because a recurve is cut to center. This means that the arrow will sit directly in the center of the bow shelf, making aiming an easier task. Recurves are also much easier to tune, this is also because of the fact that they are center cut. There is also a much wider variety of grips to choose from when shooting a recurve for example recurves are offered in high, medium, and low wrist grips. Longbows are usually a low wrist grip.
      The facts stated above do not mean that recurves are superior overall to longbows. Longbows also have their advantages. If you are a hunter that likes to pack light, then the longbow is for you. Generally longbows are much lighter in weight than most recurves. Longbows are also usually much quieter when shooting than recurves are, this is due to the fact that longbows have no areas where the string can touch their limbs. Longbows are usually more forgiving to shoot due to their longer working limbs.
       I hope this information can help you decide which traditional bow to shoot. Both are excellent choices and I have an array of bows that I switch back and forth between, including custom recurves, and homemade longbows. Whichever you decide always remember to shoot straight!