A Bowhunter's Legacy: The End of The Season

My goal for this 3D season was to break 300 in competition. The season is pretty much over with my home shoots being finished this weekend. I still have a couple of shoots to shoot in Omaha and Lincoln and one in Kansas City. However I haven’t broke 300 yet. My last Omaha shoot I shot a 294 and today at home I shot a 297. I’m really close to my goal I just haven’t reached it yet.

The wall shots have gotten to the point where I only hit the wall on the moving bear, usually because I’m leading it to far or not enough. I’m happy with that progress. I’ve also become confident in shooting, I don’t get distracted, I’m there to shoot and nothing is going to get in the way of that. But I am also getting burnt out.

For the last couple of weeks I haven’t had any fun shooting. I’m hoping that once we start playing archery golf that problem will go away. League season is pretty much closed, we are just playing follow the leader on the 3d course until its time to move outside for the summer. Spring turkey season is on right now, if I had a hunting buddy I’d be out shooting right now, but I don’t so I’m not. I’ll save the hunting for the fall. My goal with hunting is to shoot my grand slam this fall and next spring. It requires a Merriam turkey, Rio Grande, Eastern, and Osceola turkey. It’ll require some traveling!

This summer I’ll be shooting the Wild Cat Hills shoot in Scottsbluff and the R100 shoot in Grand Island. I also want to shoot the state games, but I’m pretty hesitant about shooting in that stiff of a competition. However if I don’t step outside of my comfort box I may be stuck as a mediocre shooter for a long time. Guess we will see what happens! Happy Shooting and be sure to stay tuned to the blog for more Bowhunter updates, just cause the season is done doesn’t mean I am too!!!

A Bowhunter's Legacy: Sonny's Shoot

This weekend was Sonny’s shoot. D and I had agreed that I needed to be there for it. So I came and I shot. I chose not to compete Friday night; I was struggling with the pain in my knee and a developing pain in my shoulder. But I did shoot Saturday morning.

I shot my personal best of 291 in competition. It’s still not the 300 I am looking for, but it’s closer! I had a lot of fun shooting with my old friends from JOAD. We shared our memories of Sonny and our experiences. I was happy to know I’m not the only one she visits. I was also happy to learn that a couple of the girls from my class are working on competing nationally.

Sonny would have been proud of me. She would have been happy with how I shot, although I am sure there are a few things she’d probably change. In a couple of weeks I’ll shoot AAC’s last shoot of the year. I’m hoping to catch my 300 there.

A Bowhunter's Legacy: AAC Results

This weekend my club hosted its March 3d shoot. I had originally planned to shoot with the Big D. I knew Ty was going to be shooting with his girls and wife; I knew Big Rick wasn’t going make it, so I had asked D to come shoot with me, just because. Well apparently D forgot, when I called Friday afternoon he admitted to forgetting, he’d signed up for over time at work and couldn’t make it. “Just fucking great!” was all I could say.

Friday I had the feeling something bad was going to happen. I imagined my bow was going to explode in my hands; maybe More’s crazy ex wife would get a hold of me, or something worse. It turned out to be something worse; Bowman had been in an accident.

It’s no secret I still care for him, it’s something that will never go away, I’ll always care. Even though I was slightly distracted I still pulled a 224 out of my ass. How I’m not sure, I wasn’t even focused on shooting. I hardly remember the second half of the shoot, I was to busy worrying.

Things worked out though, and on Saturday morning Bowman was my shooting buddy. It was a small overall group, very relaxed, leaving Bowman and I in a group by ourselves. We shot quickly and efficiently. He shot as well as ever. Me on the other hand, my shots were low or left or right. I can’t explain it; it’s in my arm somewhere.

In the end I shot a 260, the highest score I’ve ever shot in a 3d. I’m please with it, even though it’s a little ways off from 300. Next weekend is the Scottsbluff shoot. D promised me he’d be here for it no matter what. I’d bet you my best horse he forgets again…

A Bowhunter's Legacy: Welcome to March

This month I’ve got a crammed shooting schedule. On March 3^rd I travel with the Big D up to Hot Springs SD and shoot their 3d tournament. March 9^th and 10^th I am shooting my home shoot. March 17^th I’m dropping down to Scottsbluff to shoot their turkey shoot. Finally on the 24^th and 25^th I am traveling to Omaha to shoot in a memorial shoot. In the midst of it all I will have to find time to shoot my spring turkey.

It’s going to be one hectic month, I’m still teaching on Tuesday nights and shooting league on Thursdays. My new string isn’t completely broke in, but I’ve shot it everyday since it was changed. Last night I shot with Bowman, actually stood on the line next to him and shot, the urge to beat him with my bow wasn’t there any longer, must mean I’m finally healed. Maybe it’s just because Farmer was standing there with me to. But this blog isn’t about that.

This morning I noticed vibration in my string when I anchored, the perpetrator my peep tubing. R convinced me to get rid of the tubing, so far my peep hasn’t rotated, so I’ll stick with it until I have problems, knock on wood. I’m happy with how my bow is shooting at 20 and 30 yards, I made some adjustments to it this morning and it’s shooting center, hope I can keep it up through tomorrow.

Wish me luck, I’ll be back with results! Happy shooting!

A Bowhunter's Legacy: Different Rounds

There are several different rounds that I talk about shooting. Adult league has two different rounds, Five spot and Animals. A perfect score on both rounds is a 500. Each end consists of five arrows and we shoot a total of ten rounds. Spot rounds are shot at 20 yards. Animal rounds are shot and varying yardages, we shoot two ends at 10 yards, 15, yards, 20 yards, 25 yards, and 30 yards. Animals are definitely the most challenging.

3D shoots are a little different and a whole lot more challenging, we shoot 2 arrows per end and 40 ends, making a perfect score a 400. Yardages are "unknown", we are lucky enough to have a large enough range we can shoot up to 50 yards. There are also a few little tricks, a horse, balancing trampolines, side hills, stumps, simulated ground blinds, and tree stands. It's definitely a challenge, and is for sure the most fun!

Dear Cupid, I'll give you free lessons!

Dear Cupid,

I feel it’s time for us to converse once again. Archer to archer here, you really need to work on your aim. As an archery instructor I’d like to give you a few pointers, heck I'll even through in a few free lessons!

First off if you drop your arm your arrow is going to hit low. We’ve seen this in the number of assholes you’ve sent my way. Don’t drop your arm any more, pretty please.  If you flinch while releasing, your arrow has a high chance that it’s going to hit high. I’ve yet to see this, I imagine if you were doing this specifically you’d be sending some pretty intellectual guys my way… Again I don’t think this is your problem. Your grip on the bow is very important. If you torque the bow it’ll fling your arrow to the left or to the right, usually causing you to miss, in my case it usually causes my arrow to fling into the wall. If you get really close to your target it doesn’t make much difference, we are talking really, really close, like five yards. I think this is your major problem; you’ve really missed a couple of excellent choices lately. But don't worry, maybe we will get a second shot at them! If they are like mulies they run in a pattern.

So now you are wondering how to fix this problem, right? Well first off I’ll show you your targets, then I’ll get you really close so that the torque isn’t such a problem. When we start to add some yardages I want you to make sure you are using the correct pin on your sight, if you use the wrong pin your arrow could hit high or even low, and well no more low shots please. Don’t drop your arm, otherwise we’ll be in trouble.

Don’t be nervous I’ll be right there with you through it all. We will turn you into a top notch archer! One who can out shoot me! Hopefully it won’t take to long either.

See you soon for your lesson!

Love, Becki

Catching Up! The New Life & A Bowhunter's Legacy

February has been one crazy month, already! My family made a heart wrenching decision ...  it seems like the right answer for now. A couple of my shooting buddies are going through hard times, my prayers are with them, I've been through what they are going through and I don't wish that upon anyone else.

~~~

I lacked a Valentine this year... so I bought myself a gift!

Two years in a row I've lacked a Valentine. Oh well, just means God needs a little more time.

~~~

My home shoot was this weekend. My Friday night score isn't even worth mentioning. It was rough going. My shoulders and chest were aching, probably from the bronc ride I received earlier this week. I started the half with a 121, it went down hill from there. I came in DEAD LAST... sigh.

Saturday I shot with a little more enthusiasm. I shot out of spite, and spiked my scores. My score was 238. I'm still not in the 300 range. Arie is still fighting me, and I'm afraid that once I change her string and cables she'll be even more spiteful, I guess we will see since M.C. Promised me we'd get it done this week.

The Reappearance

 Yesterday as I was driving home from the hospital I noticed my buck is still hanging around......

A Bowhunter's Legacy: Still shooting 300s

The first time I broke 300 I never expected to do it again. I was used to shooting great scores then dropping back to the bottom of the barrel, however it’s remained consistent. I’ve shot four scores in a row all over 300. What’s changed? Good question…

I’m still shooting the Parker side kick extreme, in pink of course. I haven’t adjusted the draw length, it’s still 26 inches. The poundage is still hanging at 55. My arrows are still 28 inches, even though they are now a menagerie of brands. I’m still shooting my wrist release, simply because I was ordered not to switch back to the handheld… and I’m still listening even though he’s gone. My rip cord is still holding up to the abuse. So what’s changed?

My sight, a couple of months ago I bought a TruGlo Micro-Brite sight. It’s a simple 5 pin micro adjust sight; however I had one hell of a problem getting enough up and down in it. In the end it all worked out for the best. Because I couldn’t move the sight up any further and I was still six inches high I adjusted my nocking point, peep sight, and d loop. Guess what it did, sorted out my all over problem.

Of course I shoot best when I stay focused on shooting. I switched back into a WhisperLite peep sight. It has a larger view in it, I’m able to see all of my pins without adjusting my anchor point and the black fingers keep the other archers on the line out of sight. Now if I can get over trying to wrestle the pin to the center I bet you I’d jump my scores once again.

I’m changing the strings out on my bow. I’ve shot with the same string and cables for over a year now; it’s time to change them out. I would really rather wait till off season to do it, but the string has started to fray where the peep sight is. I’m not comfortable shooting it any longer. I ordered a custom made string and cable set, in black and pink of course.

I also ordered a half dozen of the Ted Nugent Gold Tips. Most of my pink v3s are broke, I’m down to three. I love the v3s and in the end I’ll probably end up going back to them. But I figured I’d give Mr. Nugent’s arrows a try, after all I hear he is an Archery God (catch the sarcasm?)

A Bowhunter's Legacy: Breaking 300

A perfect score on a spot league night is 500. My average for a spot round sits at about 222. Tonight I shot a ... wait for it ... 353! I Finally broke 300!!!

And to top it off this is my 300th post!

Heres to breaking 300! That's three shots of Jameson for me.

A Bowhunter's Legacy: Easy on the Arrows

I sunk down into the tall grass once again. It was cold and the weather was threatening moisture, which we desperately need, it didn’t bother me. I closed my eyes and relaxed. I thought about sitting across the counter from Sonny. I could see her smile and her beautiful blue eyes.

“I’m so very proud of you.” She said with a smile.

“He wasn’t there it doesn’t count.” I mumbled.

“Oh but it does, you focused on shooting, you worked the yardages but most of all you smiled the whole time and didn’t once get frustrated.” She said then took a drag of her cigarette.

“I had a blast. For the first time I actually enjoyed shooting the whole time.” I answered.

She smiled, “then that is all that matters.”

Friday night I shot a 220 and came in fourth place. For those of you who haven’t followed my struggles with my bow that doesn’t seem like much of an accomplishment. But believe me it is. A few short weeks ago I had given up all hope of ever figuring out how to control my shooting. I had been tempted to leave my bow in its case and walk away. A break up tore me apart, and his presence at the range made it all worse. This 220 is a result of me pulling my head out of my ass and reminding myself who I was before all of this. It took a little bit of faith to know that I was a talent shooter who could do what ever she wanted, if she could put her mind to it.

I enjoyed shooting with my buddies. I hadn’t seen most of them since the end of last years 3D season. It was remarked that I was a whole new shooter; I was more confident, but still as charming and beautiful.

Saturday morning the overall group of shooters was a little smaller. I shot 224 and third place in the women’s division. I did however break two arrows that day, results of two wall shots. In the whole weekend I had six wall shots. Out of 80 shots, I consider six to be improvement, since last year about half were wall shots. Saturday I shot exclusively with Big Rick and Ty. I can’t catch a break with either one of them, not only do they push me to become a better archer they push me to be a better person. They are genuine friends and I can’t wait till next month’s shoot!

I opened my eyes as I began to get cold, I looked up into the hazy sky. I found the archer constellation and thought about what Beans had told me. “What you seek will find you.” I realized that all I had ever looked for was happiness. I thought that required a man, time exclusively with someone. “Man I was wrong.” I whispered.

A Bowhunter's Legacy: Back to the Good

Tonight I focused. Tonight I drew myself back to the good shooting. 20 and 30 yards are dead on. My farthest shot tomorrow is 48 yards, I have my 40 yard pin set and my 50 eye balled, here is to hoping that I've finally go it figured out!
I even had a brief conversation with Bowman and conducted myself with Grace and didn't become distracted. I know somewhere Sonny is smiling... Wish me luck tomorrow I may need it!!!

A Bowhunter's Legacy: 2012 season opens!

Tomorrow is the first shoot of the season! We all know I've been struggling with shooting. I thought I had it all figured out in Omaha, then I came home and lost almost all my sense. I've set a goal for myself to break 300 and to stay focused on my shooting.
Big Rick and Ty are my two shooting partners for this tournament. They are positive shooters and help me adjust my yardage and shooting style. In the end all I really want out of this shoot is proof that I can keep my level head in competition.

A Bowhunter's Legacy: A Year Ago

It was a year ago last Thursday when I first started to shoot with the guys down at the range. A lot has changed. I've gone through three bows and about two dozen arrows. I've made more friends then I can count. But somewhere in it all I changed. I became more like the woman I want to be.

Arie, the Pink Parker, is finally shooting well. I finally got help adjusting it so the sight works properly. I am now shooting groups the size of quarters. It's only taken a year and around six sights to get to this point, but I am finally doing it.  The first night I sighted in my sight I thought it was fluke. I'm known for shooting great groups and then suddenly throwing my arrows all over. But last night, the third time I've consistently shot with this sight, we played follow the leader. Basically a game of HORSE, an archer picks shots he knows he can make but doesn't believe the other players can. Anyway I didn't break one arrow, didn't miss one target, and all were worth a score. I was extremely happy, and when I went back to the paper target I was still shooting quarter sized groups.

I'll be in Omaha for a couple of weeks before the first archery tournament here at the range. I have set up a couple of pro lessons and enlisted the Big D to help me so I continute on with this growth. I'll have available time and a private range, thanks to the D. I am hoping I'll return with the confidence and a bow that shoots better then before.

There may be Hope yet!

A Bowhunter's Legacy: Broken Promise

D sat across from the table. He looked over his beer glass with a straight face. “What did you do?”

I squirmed in my chair, “I messed my bow up.”

He sighed, “Beck I told you if you needed something done you needed to ask Bowman or me.”

“Well Bowman wasn’t exactly an option. I asked, I know, and you, you were a little absent. What did you want!” I said getting frustrated.

“We had a deal. You broke your promise. You are going to have to figure out how to fix it yourself.” He said leaning back in his chair.

I sighed, “Fine.”

We sat in silence for awhile. “I mean it Beck. Fix it or I won’t buy you that new bow.” He said sternly staring me down.

“I got it D. Now can we change the subject?” I took a drink of my wine and stared at him.

“What do you want to talk about?” He asked.

“Well for starters why you’re being so damn pissy?” I said setting my glass on the table.

He sighed, “I’m just frustrated.”

“With what?” I asked.

“You.”

I sighed and put my head in my hands.

A Bowhunter's Legacy: Upgrading Bows

I’ve been drooling over the Matthews Jewel for a little while now. I’ve wanted a Matthews for over a year now, I shot one the first time last year while bow hunting with Texas. It’s probably the smoothest bow I’ve ever shot. I had the chance to shoot a Matthews Jewel up at Black Hills Archery a few weeks ago. It’s amazing. Orgasmic.

It’s not a cheap bow, it’s rather expensive. Course I’m a girl with expensive tastes, see the Harley Sportster.

I could pull the specs off of the website, but they are right there for you to read, if you so please. Let me tell you why I like this bow so much. The let off is 20 % more then the bow I currently shoot. If it’s not really it sure feels like it. I feel like while yes I’m pulling 50 pounds I am only holding 10. I like the look and feel of the Matthews. It’s a light bow, even fully outfitted. It’s quiet, so quiet I was left standing there wondering if I really had just shot the bow.

The grip is amazing. My fingers found their proper place without any help. If held correctly the grip reduces the risk of torquing and grabbing. I struggle with grabbing, hell I struggle with torquing. But I shot the Matthews Jewel without any of those problems. I was grouping within a half-inch diameter.

We all know that pink is my favorite color. But I’m thinking for 2012 I need a new color, maybe electric teal, similar to my Harley. Guess what, the Matthews comes in electric teal. Lucky Ducky, yep that’s what I am.

So now it’s time to pull out the doe eyes and work on D. After all he is the one who thinks I need to become a competitive archer, he’s the one who said he’d buy me what ever bow I so pleased... One problem, he isn’t too much of a Matthews man, hum I’ll have to work on that…

A Bowhunter's Legacy: New Sight

So I bought a new sight. You can stop laughing now. Yes I know it's the fourth of this year, I am so aware. But let me remind you, the spot hogg fell off of my bow and this last truglo is a pain to adjust. So whala met my new sight Truglo Micro-Brite. It's a microadjut sight. I'm kinda excited, not really sure why...
Anyway I'm installing it on my bow tonight, all by my damn self! I'm so proud...

I'll let you know how it goes....
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I was pretty big talk up there.

Well that was a fail. It would have helped if I hadn’t left my instructions at home. But I muddled my way through it. Now if it falls off the front of my bow then I won’t have anyone but myself to blame for it!!!

A Bowhunter's Legacy: The Quiet Muley

I slammed the palms of my hands into the hard concrete. Pain recoiled throughout my arthritic body. I laid on my hands and knees panting in the cold fall rain. I had decided on three miles, I felt I was ready, but just as I reached the two and a half miles mark my knee had enough. Nausea waved through my stomach into my throat.

I lay down in the wet grass and tried to recover. In the distance I could hear the throaty roar of the thunder. I shuddered as the wet began to seep through my pink fleece coat. I began to cry, frustration settled as I realized I had done this to myself.

The tall drying grass waved in the cool settling breeze. I closed my eyes as pain screamed throughout my body. I tried a pain management technique I’ve learned, meditation. But it didn’t work; I couldn’t draw my mind out of the pain. So I lay as I waited for the pain to subside.  I’d been in the tall grass for about fifteen minutes when I heard something coming. I panicked as I rolled onto my stomach and sat up.

I met nose to nose with my buck. He looked at me curiously. The Big Guy in Camo’s story streaked through my head as my eyes widened, he had had a group of muleys try to trample him to death, but the buck gently touched his nose to my forehead, blew warm air, and then continued on his way.

I sat in silent shocked and watched him work his way down to the pond. I shuddered as I grew colder and realized my knee had quit screaming. I stood up and quietly walked home. The buck watched me pass then continued into the trees. I left him there, questioning if I had the heart to take him.

We shall see in the morning, I’m quietly hoping he disappears on his own accord, but then I think about another hunter taking him, it hurts more. We shall see where our continued path takes us.

A Bowhunter's Legacy: Full Blown

There is something about the wind through pines that seems to settle me. As I settled into my full draw I couldn’t help but think about how quiet the woods were. Thirty yard away stood a very nice buck, a buck that would have looked great on my wall. I say would have because, well he would have if hadn’t spooked.

I was taking my time settling the shake out of my bow arm. I saw him simply as one of the foam targets on the range. I settled my pin in the kill zone. Just as my pin settled I heard a car door slam up at the top of the canon. My buck raised his head and without any warning quickly dashed down the woods. He was out of sight before I could even think.

I was sitting there listening to the pines, starring through my empty peep sight thinking what the hell just happened. I groaned let the bow down and listened to the sound of the wind in the pines. I sat there waiting patiently in hopes he’d come back. He didn’t.  Of course there is always next time, but it never fails.

Archery league started last night. I scored a 353. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad, but considering the last time I shot an animal round I shot a 260 I’ll consider it improvement. I’m looking forward to the indoor season. It’s one of the things I enjoy the most league and competition.  Reflecting on where I was this time last year I’d say I’ve made leap and bounds as an archer. But what I am most proud of, the fact that I actually feel confident as a shooter.

As for the buck, maybe it’s meant to be. But still it’s really disappointing.

A Bowhunter's Legacy: The Muley

Tonight he watched me move across the hard pavement with curiosity. We have rendezvoused at the same time for the past couple of days. He quietly stands watching as I take my evening run, not phased by the presence of a human. His muley horns have lost most of their velvet, and by opening day of deer season I’m sure the velvet will be completely gone. I’ve asked the guys if they have seen him, “the big five by six on the south circle.” No, they shake their heads, “Haven’t seen him.”

I paused for a moment as his eyes met mine, “Why do you only come out for me.” He snorted, raised his head and stared at me. He didn’t flinch or move a muscle. His ears twitched in the gentle sandhills breeze. Back in the trees behind him I laid eyes on two does. Their heads were raised also, but they were more nervous. They turned and ran off deeper into the trees, out of sight. He turned his head to look at them; he looked back to me and snorted again. “We’ll see.” I whispered then moved back into my run.

He was gone when I made it back to the gate. I imagine he had followed the does. He leaves me wondering, why he only shows for me. Each nigh he is in the same place waiting patiently, it seems, for me to pass him. He isn’t scared of me, isn’t nervous as my shoes hit the pavement, he’s content to watch me pass. His muley ears are always moving, listening to the hills around him. He’s keen and alert. The one time I passed him in a vehicle he ran quickly, but me on foot he doesn’t mind.

I’m sure when the time comes to draw on him I’ll be left wondering why he isn’t running. Maybe our paths were meant to cross, maybe he’s meant to be my first buck. But as smart as he is I’m sure he’ll disappear the first day of deer season, they must have a calendar somewhere that tells them what day deer season opens. But maybe he’s just meant to teas me, to get me pumped up for the season so I can take something just as big or bigger. Either way I’d be happy, if he’s staring at me on my wall or out in the pasture, he’s something special, I just haven’t figured out what yet.