A few more days – am I ready?
Well, only a few more days until my first blacktail deer hunt of the 2008 season, and my first bowhunt with the new Matthews. This will be my first outing, ever, with a compound bow… something I’ve avoided for several years through my hard-headed insistence on doing it “the hard way” with traditional archery tackle.
So how do I feel about it?
Here are a couple of representatives of my current groups at 20 yards with the new bow. I realize it’s not much compared to folks who’ve been shooting a bit longer, but I’m pretty happy with it. That’s six arrows in there, four of which are in the yellow and two of them on the X. I actually shot several groups that were even better than this, like the one below.
The average groups at 40 yards aren’t quite as tight, but they’re still all going into the red and yellow when I don’t cant the bow (a bad habit from shooting the recurve) or jerk the shot. 
Point is, I’m feeling pretty good about the decision to adopt the compound bow. Training wheels or whatever, it was the right and ethical thing to do.
So this weekend, when I’m up there in Sonoma County hunting deer (or hogs), I feel very confident that I can put an arrow into the kill zone at reasonable ranges, and that the arrow will do what it’s intended with plenty of precision and energy.
We’ll see, of course. There’s no guarantee, and heck, if I can miss with a rifle I can sure miss with a bow. But I now feel that I’ve done what I can to make sure my kill is as clean and humane as possible… a confidence I no longer have with the recurve.
Confidence is where it’s all at. Have to have it before going into the woods – and with shots like that, I think you deserve to have some confidence. Good luck!
July 16th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Bowhunting Season is just around the corner – September 1st here in B.C. – time for me to get to the archery range. I haven’t shot my bow this year, that is very unusual, and I shall be happy should I get a group like yours.
-ov-
July 16th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Those groups look great to me-whether you’ve been hunting for years with a bow or just started yesterday.
Good luck when you head out.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Don’t want to get too tight, you’ll start shaving them fletchins off.
Good luck Robin err Phil.
July 16th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Looks like you’re set to go. That’s some nice shooting.
Good luck on the hunt.
July 17th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Thanks all!
I’m pretty stoked for the weekend!
July 17th, 2008 at 7:02 am
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