Good read

[ShannonJ]

the basics from a mother daughter team
http://www.womensoutdoornews.com/2013/09...ring-hunt/

[Mikey]

You are here: Home / Featured / Mia & the Little Gal: On selecting archery equipment and preparing for the hunt
Mia & the Little Gal: On selecting archery equipment and preparing for the hunt


September 5, 2013 by Mia Anstine Leave a Comment
LG
and I both enjoy archery shooting and hunting. LG shoots in archery
competitions and we both bow hunt. Since we are different sizes and have
various needs, we use different archery equipment.

Our bows

LG currently shoots a Mission Menace,
by Mathews. We chose this bow for her because of its capability to
adjust as she grows. Compound bows can be quite pricey, and if you are
purchasing equipment for a youth shooter, you want a bow that will last
through his or her developmental stages. With a suggested retail price
of $269, the Mission Menace is affordable and will last LG for years to
come.

Mission Menace by Mathews

LG was no different than any other new shooter. She had to start out
at a lighter draw weight and, over time, developed her muscles and
increased the weight. Knowing about this growth period was one reason we
chose the Mission Menace for her. In Colorado, a minimum 40-pound draw
weight is required for hunting. We wanted to make sure to purchase a bow
that would eventually meet this minimum.

The Mission Menace offers a wide range of flexibility in draw weight
that changes in correlation with the adjustment of draw length. Over the
years LG has grown and we have adjusted the draw length by 3 inches. By
moving set-screws in the upper and lower cams, adjustments are a
breeze. We are able to make these changes at home, without taking the
bow into a shop.

LG now uses her bow in competitions and for hunting. It is a
smooth-shooting bow and has very little vibration. We have added a rest,
dampener and sight to the bow and it weighs in at a mere 4 pounds. She
is able to carry it around 3D courses and during hunts without it
weighing her down.

The adjustable cam on the Mission Menace bow by Mathews archery.

Mama Mia’s bow

My bow is an entirely different story. I’ve been shooting for a
number of years and also have owned a number of other bows. Since I am
finished growing, I look for different characteristics in bow than those
we wanted for LG. I need a bow that provides the maximum amount of
performance.

Mia Anstine with her Mathews Jewel.

Other than practicing and having fun with LG, my primary use for my
bow is hunting. I prefer a bow that will give my arrow the largest
amount of kinetic energy. With a draw length of 23 inches, my options
for a high-performance compound bow are limited. I tried several bows
before settling on my Mathews Jewel. The Jewel provided optimum performance for my short draw length.

On a side note, LG is a lefty, and most manufactures produce right as well as left-handed bows.

Other than performance, some things to look for when purchasing a bow
are size, weight and construction. As a hunter I look for a compact bow
that is fairly light and easy to maneuver through the brush and trees.
LG likes a bow that is light so she can maintain a steady shot during
competitions where she may be shooting as many as 60 consecutive times.
Minimal vibration also plays a significant role for someone who will be
shooting repetitively. Another factor that is very important to me is a
smooth draw.

Ultimately, the bow you choose is a matter of personal preference. LG
and I recommend trying a variety of bows to see what feels good to you.

LG practices 3D archery.

This year I will be hunting antelope, bear and elk. LG will be
hunting coyotes, raccoons and rabbits. The variety of animals an archer
may hunt varies from state to state.

Other aspects of bowhunting

Always try to be in shape when for the hunt. General fitness is
important. We work on balancing muscle strength with flexibility. Using
latex exercise bands to add a little resistance, we perform exercises to
develop back and shoulder muscles. We suggest incorporating your
practice shooting into your fitness workout. Try sprinting up a hill to a
target. Nock an arrow and aim as though you were hunting. Practicing
with an elevated heart rate helps simulate a spot-and-stalk situation in
the field. Another fun thing to practice is shooting from your stand or
blind. This will help determine angles and turning radius you may have
in a confined situation.

Remember to practice, practice, practice!

Mia & the Little Gal is sponsored by Girls With Guns Clothing







Filed Under: Featured, Mia & the Little Gal Tagged With: archery equipment, archery hunting, Mia & the Little Gal

About Mia Anstine
Mia
Anstine pens “Adventures with Little Gal,” a column about raising her
daughter to love the outdoors. She also is on the field staffs of Prois
Hunting and Field Apparel for Women, TenPoint Crossbows, and
HERCAMOSHOP.

[Saltwater Bass]

Great read

[Mikey]

it is a great read, some good info too!!