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Prepare for real-world encounters

Now that Minnesota’s and Wisconsin’s bow hunting seasons are underway, thousands of archers will take to the woods in pursuit of North America’s most popular game animal — the whitetail deer! For those of us who just can’t get enough hunting, the bow season is a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of this time of year.

Archery season affords us the luxury of enjoying over three months of pursuing our passion — all the while, enjoying some of the best weather and scenery the year has to offer. Even though the season has begun, it’s important to reflect on the skills and preparation required, because you can drastically increase your chances of success by preparing for it properly.

Practice, practice, practice!

There is a big difference between target shooting and bowhunting. If you want to better your chances for closing-the-deal, you need to prepare specifically for those types of situations.

One of the most important and beneficial things to have in your archery arsenal is Confidence! The only way to achieve this is through practice and preparation!

Many archery experts recommend shooting upwards of 100 arrows a day! This most certainly will lead to improved skills, comfort and confidence, but may not be practical for everyone. If you can shoot that many, go for it! If you can’t, I recommend shooting as much as you can even if it’s a few shots a night or every other day.

We need to make time for practice! As bowhunters, we owe it to the game we pursue to perfect and to make ethical, accurate shots. You need to know, “I can make this shot,” when that opportunity arises.

In the elements…

A great preparation technique is to shoot in all types of weather. Rain, sun, or snow — get out in it! All too often, folks wait until spring or summer to begin their archery practice. They wait for warm, calm, sunny days to shoot. If that is the only type of weather they plan to hunt in — then fine. But as we all know, being ready for all kinds of weather and being able shoot accurately while persevering natures elements is very important!

Bowhunting is a pursuit that demands, among other things, a high level of discipline, dedication, and patience. It’s because of this and the fact that so many people fall in love with the sport — it really is a year-round pursuit.

This rule also applies to your shooting equipment as well. It’s very important to shoot in the clothing that you will wear under specific conditions. This reduces surprises and frustrations while in the stand. Take the time to find out how your equipment and clothing operates in different circumstances. Come November — when it’s freezing cold, blowing wind and snow, as that heavy-tined buck walks into bow range — you’ll be glad you did!

Shoot where you’re going to shoot…

Don’t wait until a deer walks into range to take that first shot from your stand, or your blind. I shoot from my tree stands and ground blinds year-round. There is no better way to prepare than to shoot each unique shot from your stand!

Shooting 3D targets are great and a lot of fun! However, a simple block type target is a great tool to use in all sorts of shooting lessons. Easily transported, they are ideal for placing in the woods and practicing with! Shooting from your stand at different angles or your blind at several distances is an excellent way to sharpen your skills!

It’s also beneficial to shoot all year. Many people spend the summer shooting and tuning their equipment. Then when the fall hunting season rolls around — only to take their first shot when a deer walks into view. There is no more important time to have faith in your hunting equipment than during the hunting season and the only way to ensure this happens is to shoot!

Remember, Confidence is key! In practice, try to replicate a hunting encounter as much as you can. Practice with the clothes you wear, the arrows and broadheads you shoot, your draw weight, shooting lanes and stand positions.

These are just a few things you can do to stay sharp and a quick reminder of how important preparation is. You may not be able to fully prepare for every type of scenario, but being diverse in your shooting and hunting preparation, you can dramatically improve your odds when the opportunity presents itself!