When I got the glass clean I started to wash out the window sills and there I ran into some relic long since deceased house flies. I tossed them in the garbage and that got me thinking about maybe cleaning up a fly box or two for trout. About that time my daughter came into the living room and told me to turn on the ceiling fan. She is fully aware of my short attention span.

I turned on the ceiling fan in my living room and it sent severed leaf fronds all over the area rugs. Im sure if I would have looked before I hit the on switch for the fan this new fresh mess wouldn’t have occurred, but it didn’t occur to me that all winter those peace lilies would have grown so tall. With somewhere around fifty indoor house plants it never occurred to me that one plant, all winter, had gone jack in the bean stalk on me, but it did.

She went for a broom. I headed for the door. She headed me off.

Well from cleaning up by the ceiling to now sweeping the floral covered floor I sort of spotted some lint my darlin daughter calls dust bunnies under the sofa. She said if we didn’t get rid of these bunnies, they make take over the house floor.

She helped me move the couch, and there, low and dust covered, hidden by a dust ruffle like a little treasure chest sat a lure box I thought I’d lost two years ago. I hit my knees and scooped the hallowed box up.

Here was tray full’s of some of my old standbys that had the past summer off. I felt like I won the powerball. Talk about striking gold. I mean what a find. Long lost lures that believe you me, I looked, searched for, and had long since given up on and who knew that just inches from me and my weary fishing feet lay the treasured trove. I was thrilled. I opened the box and went through them, each and every one of them.

I told my little angel faced house keeper how happy I was that she suggested we do some spring cleaning. Honey, this really turned out to be a great idea. I started to show her some of the lures as she shoved me the vacuum cleaner. She said stay with it dad, you never know what else you’ll find in here.

Early morning shoeing is all that’s left now. By this afternoon this would be a snowshoe slush fest. The white stuff would weigh too much in its melted morass of warm afternoons, so to go, I go early.

On the way to the crow raucous I cross the remnant tracks of deer prints slurred in melted, froze, and then melted again snow. Squirrels have scampered and rabbits romped. The old tracks are everywhere. Busted cattails have erupted and the seed pods look like brown fluffed explosions.

Chickadees are fee bee’ing just a few balsam branches away and everybody whoever studied the birds and the bees knows what that’s all about. The sun today feels warm on my back but the air coming over the snow is still plenty crisp and I bet it doesn’t cool the little bird’s spring fever one bit.

Those black crows know I’m getting close and they don’t want to leave the white winter buffet table. A sentinel guard bird high in a birch tree caws three times in alarm, wing beats it out of there and the chicken ones fly up and off the fed bed quickly. The hungry or brazen cock their heads at me, take a bite, and finally fly off.

The sky is full of cawing. It looks like I tossed a handful of ground pepper in the air. Flapping and floating they helter skelter out of here. Chickadees flit in to feed.

The deer was a buck. His antlers were shed, but the bald spots remain. What got him, looks like wolves. They don’t make yot’e tracks that big where I’m from. Around the furry carcass are a few fox tracks and fifty five or so million crow tracks. Seven, by my count, Chickadees, could care less if I’m standing here. They flit in, grab a morsel, and zip off to a branch tip.

Just as I turn to leave a crow roosts way above my head. The morning wind wiggles him up there and he lowers his head into the wind and clinches tighter. The fee bee, fee bee, is getting quieter the further away I get. I leave everyone wing’d, quietly alone now to finish there breakfast as I finish my noisy hike.

I actually use this release for hunting. This release is an excellent option to use in field archery competition. T.R.U. makes a camouflage wrist strap for hunting purposes if you so desire.

This release has had a direct impact on my shooting accuracy, whether it be while practicing or hunting I’ve been more successful hitting the 10 ring and vitals as a result. The cool thing about using this release in a hunting situation is that you just hook it to your bow when you get in your stand and leave it there until you make the shot or leave the stand.

This release is ideal for those of you who enjoy bow hunting in the late season when the temperatures are below freezing. You can keep your draw hand in your pocket or in a nice warm cold weather glove and pull it out just in time to take the shot at mister big.

I think this is one of the best releases out there with a very affordable price tag. The thumb release is ready when you are. Not only is it easy to use, it is very safe. I highly recommend using this release with a loop on your bow string.

The feel of the release is very secure when drawing the bow. This release accommodates many different sizes of hunters. My son uses my release with no adjustments.

This product is perfect for bow hunters that are just beginning as well as those who have been hunting for many years. Whether you’re hunting or 3D shooting this is a perfect all around release.

I highly recommend this product. Save yourselves the frustration of trying to find the right release from all those options on the market and go with the Pro Diamond you won’t be disappointed.

As we stood there realizing what had just happened all we could do was laugh at my long shot and Nathan’s calling, we were both so nervous when the bird was coming in you would think we were making a life changing decision, and in reality we were. We got the bird checked in and registered and now it was time to tackle the task of figuring out how to clean a turkey! This was an interesting endeavor to say the least. Most of us turkey hunters breast out the wild bird and that’s about it, but I wanted to keep the whole thing; for some reason! I still can’t say why? All I know is that I did. We removed and preserved the tail fan, beard and spurs. Once the bird was in the freezer we headed to meet my parents for a late dinner. When we returned home I was heart broke the family dog had gotten into the garage and destroyed the tail fan, beard and the spurs were never found honestly if my little brother wasn’t there the dog wouldn’t have been seen again either. I don’t even have a picture of my first turkey anymore I’m not even sure they were taken, the only picture I have is that mental picture in my mind of the bead at the end of the gun glued to his head. Ever since then my turkey hunting has changed. There isn’t a season that goes by that I don’t at least have my chances or put my tag on a bird.

I’m thinking this season if I run into a windy day I may have to go lean up against that old oak tree that I sat beneath for my first turkey. To the rest of you good luck this spring and let the 3 ½ inch shells fly like they are meant to hard and on target! May god guide your bullets and arrows making them fly true!

The following is my personal assessment of this product.

-Ample amount of light when fully charged to positively identify your target (with red lens) at approximately 120 yards with the unassisted eye, 200 yards with the assistance of 6x scope. This is more than enough when hunting at night. Most shots at night will come at distances well inside of 100 yards.
-Battery is a bit cumbersome but manageable.
-Battery life was okay but I would suggest having a back up battery ready to go for those all night trips.
-A little thought will need to go into the placement of the power cord in regards to hunting clothing, left or right hand shooter, etc.
-Mountable light switch can be mounted to your gun with Velcro. The switch operates quietly but with the power cord running from battery to the switch to the light, it can become a nuisance at times.

The second model I have used is the 250 Yard Varmint Light Kit from Primos. This model is similar in design to the 350 yard light but has a halogen light instead of the Xenon light bulb found in the 350 yard model. This light kit includes a wall charger, 6-volt rechargeable battery, mountable switch and red lens along with the spot light itself for approximately $109.99.
- Ample amount of light when fully charged to positively identify your target (with red lens) at approximately 80 yards with the unassisted eye, 140 yards with the assistance of 6x scope. The light features plenty of illumination for use in the darkest of nights with a fairly wide field of coverage.
-This model’s features and operation abilities are virtually the same as the 350 yard model but in my opinion the 250 Yard Model is a better buy. I’ve now had this model for more than 3 years without failure. Given the price and little difference in capabilities, the 250 yard model is in my opinion the best way to go.

This year I was able to test out a new model by Primos, the Rechargeable 100 yard LED light kit. This kit features a LED Light with rotatable red lens, mountable light switch, 6 rechargeable AA batteries’ and mount for scope listed at $119.99 on the Primos website.

-This scope mounted light is much slimmer and lighter than the other models, allowing for more mobility during hunting situations.
-Battery life is much better than the 6-volt models.
-No clumsy 6-volt battery to carry around in your jacket pocket or attached to your belt.
-The switch is a slimmer design which attaches directly to the light with no cord then running to a external battery, like the 6-volt models, makes for a more user friendly product.
-This model isn’t as bright with the red lens in use as the other model’s mentioned before. The LED light is sufficient to hunt with if shots are expected to be 60 yards or less. The light is not only much dimmer than the other models but also has a much smaller field of view.

I do like the power cord and switch on the 100 yard model and would like to see this incorporated on the 6-volt models if possible.

If you’re looking for a light to make those 70 to 80 yard shots at night, this product may not be for you. If you need a light that’s light, compact and maneuverable for those close shots, then the 100 yard rechargeable light would be a great addition to your varmint hunting bag.

At the end of the day, if I could only choose one scope mounted light it would be the 250 yard model. The performance and reliability of this model wins it a spot on my equipment list for varmint hunting every time.

Know When to Shut Up:
So you have a bird that is gobbling at everything you are throwing at him, he sometimes doubles and even triple gobbles at your yelps, cuts and clucks. Man, you’re working that turkey now! Or are you? Calling too much can make even the hottest birds hang up; they will stop and strut in a certain area just waiting for you to close the rest of the distance. What you want to do is call just enough to keep the gobbler’s interest so he keeps coming your way. You want to play hard to get. Yes, it’s always fun to have a bird hammer your call but too much of this can make for a long morning; you often don’t get second chances on workable longbeards. After a few encounters, you will be able to tell what a particular gobbler likes to hear and how much you should give him. When the turkey is inside 75 yards, it’s time to take a deep breath and remember to stay cool. By now you can probably hear the bird drumming and his thunderous gobbles seem to shake the woods and rattle your brain, this when a bird is most apt to hang up. If you can see the bird and he is still coming your way, do not call. Calling now can make the bird stop, pinpoint your location and wait for the “hen” to show herself. If you must call, only do it soft and when his head goes behind a tree or some other obstruction so his is not able to pick out your location.

The Foolproof Set-Up:
Location, location, location! Even the best callers won’t bring the bird home if their set up stinks. Here’s what to look for when setting up on a spring gobbler. The gobbler that is coming to your calls is going to want a fairly open area to travel through so he can strut and see well in the direction of your calls. Avoid areas with tangles and thick brush; this gives him just once more reason to hang up outside your shotgun or bow’s range. Place a decoy or two in the most visible open area for some eye candy as he makes his way in. In terms of elevation, you should always try and stay above or on the same level as the gobbler, for whatever reason it’s much easier to coax a gobbler up a hill than down a hill. Think about that for a second, if a turkey is above your set up, he can just look down on upon you from a vantage point and inspect if from a distance, if something is out of place or just doesn’t look right, he’ll surely pick it out and leave. Lastly, pick a good tree, the tree you pick can make or break you hunt. The best trees to look for are wider than your shoulders and give you protection from behind if a gobbler slips in from the back door or some other hunter foolishly decides to stalk your calls while white-knuckling his/her shotgun. The tree you decide to sit against could very well save your life! One more thing, always point your off shoulder towards the turkey while waiting for him to come. This gives you freedom of motion to swing to gun left to right and around obstructions so that you can stay on target. The best turkey hunters stay with the bird the whole time as he comes in, so if something does go wrong, they don’t have to move at a bad time and possibly spook the bird off.

With this information, I can nearly guarantee more birds in your lap and a whole lot more fun had this spring. Good luck and hunt safe!

The night before the primitive arms season opened my father and I sat going over gear and planning our spots to hunt he was going to hunt a large oak tree with a huge homemade wooden stand that you could see “forever” and lots of deer frequented the area. I told him I planned on hunting “the high ridge” nearly 3 miles from him. I had started finding large scrapes and rubs in the area that was mostly timber and expected my shots to be 20 yards or closer. And with the open sights on my T/C .54 caliber White Mountain carbine this would be ideal. We both woke early the next morning and watched the weather the wind had switched direction to blowing out of the north instead of the south like it had been for the past few weeks. My father with his coffee looked at me and said why don’t you hunt near the pond where you have been seeing that buck you have been trying to shoot? He continued; it hasn’t rained in weeks I’m sure he will still come to the pond. I thought about what he had said and agreed. I would set up “somewhere” around the pond. As daylight broke it was evident there was a thick fog. I couldn’t see 20 yards. But as the sun rose the fog lifted. I had moved from my first spot already. I was now 105 yards from where the buck would stand and drink. A long shot for open sights and a nervous kid needless to say.

I looked at my watch it was about time for the young buck to appear. Then I heard what sounded like a tree being mulled by a “huge” buck leaves being scattered and pushed around. If I knew exactly what it was as I would now I probably would have lost all control of thinking. Then as I watched across the pond I could see a deer moving through some of the willow trees on its edge I then caught a glimpse of antler! It was the forked horn- it had to be! I steadied my gun across my knees and waited for the deer to clear the trees for a perfect shot. I never looked at his head again. Once broad side the open sights were glued behind his shoulder and the side lock hammer was on its way to the no. 11 percussion cap. Then smoke filled the air and all I could hear was water slashing. Once the smoke cleared I saw my buck swimming in the pond, and he wasn’t the forked horn at all! I jumped up and attempted to reload the gun. In my haste I managed to break my wooden ram rod. I didn’t know what to do. Then the buck started swimming the other way! He pulled himself from the water onto the bank and crashed through some willows. I was sure he was headed up the hill and I would never find him. At that moment a shot rang out from my dad’s location about a mile away. I gathered all my gear and pretty much ran to the house opened the door and shouted that I had killed a deer without describing the deer at all. My little brother probably 6 years old at the time shouted “Chris killed a tern pointer!”

I then headed my dad’s direction still about ¾ of a mile away. I got to within 500 yards of his stand and heard another shot I dropped to the ground thinking he was shooting at me! After a little time passed I stood up and a decent 8 pt. and a few does were only 20 yards from me. They headed back in the direction of my dad. I stood there motionless for a while, and then another shot rang out from his position now it seemed he had shot three time that morning. I slowly advanced his direction and got to within 20 yards of him as he was looking down the sights of his Hawkins rifle. He eventually turned his head and seen me there. We talked in a hushed tone and he said he had just shot a running 8 pt. and it fell in some thick cover south of his stand but was still alive I came over to him and he showed me the bucks head sticking up in the brush. He then looked at my gun and seen my broken ram rod and asked if that was me that shot right after daylight and I simply said yes. We climbed down and went to “finish”, his deer. It was the same 8 pt I had ran his direction! He then asked me what I shot at and I simply said, a buck, he then asked if I hit it and I said yes, he then asked if I had found it, to that one I had to say no.

He looked at my gun and tried to push the bullet down the barrel with his ram rod but I had put the “buffalo” bullet in crooked and it wouldn’t budge so he reloaded his gun and told me to go find my deer. I had already taken him on to many trips to look for deer I had “hit” for him to walk the distance for no reason. He said he would field dress his deer then go get the truck load it and come help me if I needed it. We walked back to the house both smiling but dad had no clue why mine was so big; since I hadn’t found the deer yet. I headed back to my spot and decided I better look where the buck was standing when I shot him. As I neared the spot, the willows started crashing and there my buck stood 10 feet away up to his chest in the water! I don’t remember even shouldering the gun it just seemed to have gone off. I stood there as I watched the buck as he pumped steam from both of his lungs before he collapsed. That was the first real look I had got at my deer. And low and behold my little brother was right he was a 10 pt. and a good one at that! I headed home I arrived just as my dad pulled up with his baby of a buck in the bed of the truck I threw my hands in the air making huge antlers. His eyes were wide open. I ran inside to get my little brother and called my cousin down the street to see if he wanted to help. When we got to the deer I waded of into the water and raised my bucks’ head my dad’s eyes grew nearly popping out of his head with it being bigger than any buck he had killed and it was only my first deer! Once the haul out; to the house was done and the deer was loaded next to my dad’s he said that’s why you were grinning huh? I could only smile more. We went to the check in station and registered our deer and then headed to the grandparents for more photos; and then to my mom’s office since she was working that Saturday. Her office was doing a charitable event installing smoke detectors for elderly people who didn’t have them. The paper was there interviewing them and then they begun taking pictures of us and our deer and the next week there we were front and center in the “outdoors” section. And that folks is the story of me killing my first deer he wasn’t a true monster by no means barely scratches 125 inches but he still hangs on my wall and every time I give him a glance I remember why I love this sport so much!

Another important aspect of this legislation is that it prohibits willfully releasing hogs to live in a wild or feral state on public or private lands. This is significant in that this action has been the primary mechanism by which hogs have spread through the state and all of North America. This publically sends a message that it is unacceptable practice and supports law enforcement in the event a case is made.

Other key points included in the legislation deal with taking or hunting feral hogs on private land, one still must obtain permission from the land owner. But on public lands hogs can only be taken by means and times designated by the ODWC. Additionally any person whose hunting license is revoked may not pursue feral hog by any means. Although this legislation will not eradicate the feral hog problem it will give land owners firm ground to stand on when dealing with this invasive species.

*modified from article written by ken glee with the Samuel Roberts Nobel foundation legislative report on the feral hog in Oklahoma.

Hogs have moved through most of the entire contiguous und states, including Hawaii. This seems to be unbelievable however hogs have a short gestation period that is roughly 3 months 3 weeks 3 days. These litters can produce up to 16 piglets. This leaves room for exponential growth.

Current maps of hog populations are available to show this spread of the feral Hog as a species; if one would consider them that. If you know hogs inhabit your property. I would personally wage an all out war on these invasive species. The wild hogs will and do cause devastation to native vegetation, they cause erosion issues, as well as compete with native wildlife for various food sources. This puts stress on your deer herds’ and your turkey populations; as well as the fisheries in your region. Hogs can be hunted and trapped to reduce populations. Before doing this I would reference your wildlife agency in your perspective state for legal means.

In Texas snaring is allowed, however in Oklahoma it is not. Traps must be pen type structures. Shooting is a legal means of taking at different times considering the laws on public lands which you may be hunting. Private lands here in Oklahoma a feral hog is open for a bullet any time any day. That’s why many of us do everything from feeding the cattle to shed hunting with a rifle in hand. If you can find the rules and regulations in your area for this I would encourage you to consider. Your time in the woods to also incorporate a hog hunt anytime you are in the woods. This allows one to hunt most of the year and to bring an out of control population nearly nationwide to a tolerable level.

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There are many kinds of blinds on the market today. Most of these blinds are light-weight; offer some protection from the elements, easily transportable, and easily erected. I find that ground blinds are probably second in effectiveness behind treestands. One of the biggest advantages of hunting whitetail deer from a ground blind is that they are mobile, and come in many different styles.

I’ve used a number of ground blinds over the years from manufacturers such as Ameristep, Hunter Specialties, and Double Bull. Blinds usually are water and wind resistant. Ground blinds are offered in a wide variety of camouflage patterns. Most pop up blinds are equipped with shoot through mesh, or windows for shooting opportunities.
I also enjoy hunting from natural blinds like blow downs, brush, trees, and other natural cover. Once you have found an area where the deer are traveling, look to build the blind on the down wind side of the trail with the sun at your back if at all possible. Be sure to bring the chair you plan to use along to insure you construct the blind to the correct height. I like to brush the blind to look as natural as possible. Using pine or cedar branches will provide ample cover scent.

No matter if you’re hunting from a natural blind or a store bought blind the most important tool in my opinion is the chair or stool you will be using. It must be durable, light weight, flexible, and provide maximum rotation.
When building a natural blind or placing a store bought blind it’s important to do it a couple of weeks to a month prior to the hunt. Deer are aware of their surroundings. The more time the blind is in place prior to the hunt the better your chances for a bagging mister big. If you haven’t had a chance to try it yet, I highly recommend hunting from a blind. It gives you an entirely different perspective than hunting from a treestand.

It was still an hour and a half until the usual herd of does would show up and Daniel was getting fidgety. I had him practice shouldering the rifle slowly and steadying across the top of the blind. Even though his shot would be inside of 20 yards I knew this was needed because once the moment occurred and we were surrounded by eyes he had to be slow fluid and efficient. We also had his soon to be step father sitting with us who assured me that Daniels “real” father had let him shoot a few guns before. I had said the deer would show up at 8:20 and at 8:18 I started looking the direction they would come from. Then I whispered into Daniels ear to shoulder the gun a deer was coming that he could shoot. The young “nubbin” buck came straight to the feeder and had no idea we were there! With this being an antlerless season let me explain Oklahoma’s definition of antlered; any deer with more than 3 inches of visible antler on either side is an antlered deer so this young buck was legal to take.
I told Daniel to put the cross hairs right behind the shoulder and slowly squeeze the trigger. It was hard for him at first he was afraid of the recoil. We hadn’t had time to let him shoot at all before the hunt. He kept telling me to shoot the deer but I told him no it was “his” job. He finally settled down and the shot echoed across the hillside as the deer crumpled on the spot! It was tough to keep Daniel in the blind until I was sure the deer was down for good, which only took a minute or two! He had made a perfect shot! Once to the deer Daniel stood there eyes wide open and asked “well what now!” I told him we would walk back to the truck and get the ATV and come back for his deer. Since the spot was a place I bow hunted every time I had the right wind. I decided to take the deer back to the house for field dressing.

The whole time Daniel was glowing. Once home I guided him through the field dressing process and believe it or not he did very well. We took the deer to the check in station and Daniel made sure everyone in the place knew that was his deer! Then we headed to the grandparents where he, I and uncle posed for what seemed like hundreds of pictures. From that date Daniel has been hooked he has trail cams set up at home in Texas catching pictures of the wild hogs that roam the area. He is now 14 and took his first “antlered” buck this fall a very nice eight point that I let walk with my muzzle loader a few time so that he or my uncle would get a chance at him. Even though I wasn’t with him I can only imagine his reaction once the buck was recovered. It’s now at the taxidermist getting ready to hang on his walls for years.

Daniel poses with his buck that scores right around 119 inches not a bad first buck at all! Now he is really ready for next season! Maybe I can get a bow in his hands so he gets to experience that trill!

I enjoy using hang-on type tree stands as well. These treestands are similar in design to the climbing stand however, hang-on stands are used with climbing aids like screw in steps or climbing sticks that remain fixed to the tree to enable the hunter to reach the treestand. Hang-on treestands are fixed in nature and do not offer as much flexibility in changing positions as a climbing stand. These stands offer a fixed seat on vertical supports attached to a platform and no surrounding bars. This provides greater flexibility and a quieter approach for hunters.

I use ladder stands for the most part during gun and muzzloader season. A ladder treestand is a strong metal ladder with a platform, a comfortable padded seat and chains or straps to secure it to the tree. These stands range from 12 – 20 feet in height. Most are made to accommodate one hunter, however there are ladder stands made for two people called buddy stands. They are ideal for taking your son or daughter hunting with you.

I also use tripod treestands which are standalone stands with a platform and full circle swiveling seat and a gun rest at the top. These are ideal for use in hedgerows and clearcuts where trees are not available to use climbing, hang on, or ladder stands. They can be set up at any convenient spot enabling you to pivot 360 degrees to face any view.

Ladder stands are ideal for those of us who either own large property or have access to hunting locations where we can leave these stands through the hunting season. Hang on stands are also best for use in similarly secure places. Climbing stands are suitable for places where the hunter has to quickly move from one location to the other with the stand and needs to carry it home at the end of each hunting day.

Over my 34 years of hunting I used various climbing, hang on, and ladder stands to include but not limited to Summit, Ameristep, API, Lone Wolf, Rivers Edge, Baker, Equalizer, and Loggy Bayou among many others. Each manufacturer has a range of models to pick from.

Once across the gate I stare into the darkness of an old corral. A lone steer stands behind an ancient cedar fence. The boards are rotted and weathered with age. The north side of one board is covered in moss. The moss seems to have found the perfect place to grow and spread. I slowly wipe my hand down the edge of the board knocking the moss from its surface.

Dawn is approaching, the sky is no longer that deep type of blue the night sky harnesses, but now a tri-fecta of color, from that dark deep blue to a lighter blue and finally an orange lining at the horizon. I hasten my pace fearing I will be late to my destination. I trod across one more pasture with the same crunching of the frosted vegetation announcing my presence. As I near the timbers edge I approach a massive Oak that was surly once a lone sapling in a sparse landscape. Its girth is nearly twenty times any tree around it; I pause for a moment to stare into its canopy.

My final destination is some twenty-five feet above the ground in this tree. As I climb the limbs the bark dislodges from its location and showers to the ground. The frost covered branches are slick and require concentration while climbing. My breathing becomes labored as I ascend the tree. The moisture from my breath collects in the air as a light fog that wisps away with the wind. I finally come to rest on a cold aluminum platform. The light of the sky has begun to allow one to see; once again my eyes throb as they struggle to focus on the landscape before them.
Soon after daybreak the life of the woods begins to stir. First the birds awaken with morning songs. Their Chirps and whistles have a beautifully annoying quality. The lone steer from the corral saunters by. I can now tell that he is red in color, but not the same red as you find in a crayon box, but the red you can only use to describe the color of an animal’s hair. He stops and stares into the tree as if he watched me the whole time. Finally he moves along on his way to find the herd.

I sit a bit anxious wondering if the day will be productive. I hear the crunch of the frozen grass, similar to the way it sounded as when I had crossed the area. I slowly try to locate its source. My ears seem to guide my eyes in a futile attempt to find the location. Suddenly my eyes lock onto motion. The motion had been the flicker of an ear. The animal almost completely blended into its environment, gave away its location with less than a second of motion. The crunching continued as my quarry drew near. Within seconds the animal would cross an imagined border that marks my maximum range.

I slowly apply tension to the string of my bow. The cold muscles in my back and arms begin to twist and contract as the string comes to full draw. The tension of the string seems to hum with vibration for a brief second. With the exhale of my last shallow breath, the peaceful morning silence is over. The arrow in flight slices through the cold morning air without hesitation. Soon the arrow embeds in the ground and the target bounds away. But the escape of the sound the animal had heard is short lived. The arrow is no longer a cold inanimate object. It is now warm and stained. As I retrieve the arrow I note its color. It is a bright red, the kind of red you would expect to find in a crayon box.

I slowly follow drops of blood that mark the path that the animal had taken. The trail is easy to follow; the blood stands out in the icy frost covered grass. The trail is short, barley making it out of sight of the crown of the huge oak which I had sat. The lifeless body slides over the frozen ground easier than one would expect. Once to the huge front gate- I took no care to cross it silently, it no longer mattered.

Once to the house I position my harvest so that the family could come out and admire my bounty. I open the front door expecting the smells of breakfast and the sounds of morning news coming from the television. However, none of these sensations are present. Everyone is still wrapped up in their warm beds, asleep. How had they slept through my loud noises I had echoed through the house in the predawn? I walk into the kitchen and start a pot of coffee. The aroma of the crushed beans cooking warmed my nose and widened my eyes. The smell must have been leaking throughout the house and into the bed rooms. Soon doors begin to open and the sounds of sinks and toothbrushes are audible. It seems that on this day my morning was different than others. It’s just too bad they all can’t be the same.

He first taught me to shoot with my eyes closed about 5 yards away from the target. It’s amazing the difference between shooting a bow with your eyes open and your eyes closed. At first it is a bit awkward but you get use to it, you learn balance and the feel of the bow while you’re drawing and releasing the arrow. I draw my bow by squeezing my shoulder blades together while relaxing my arms. After I come to full draw I focus on squeezing the release and following through before I open my eyes. I practice this every time I shoot.

Next I shoot with my eyes open at 10, 20, and 30 yards. I only shoot until I start to feel tired or start shooting larger groups. I find that it is counterproductive and a blow to my confidence when I continue to shoot when I’m tired.

I try to practice shooting in different positions and simulate situations that may occur while I’m hunting. Keep in mind it won't always be possible to shoot from a text book stance. You may have to shoot around trees, under limbs, up or down hills.

Most of my practice occurs from February to June. July and August can be extremely hot. I look for indoor range opportunities these two months, which results in less practice opportunities. I pick up the pace in August at which point I break out my broadheads and fine tune my skills and my bow for the start of the season on 15 September.

Once the season starts practice doesn’t stop. I shoot at least once a week to make sure I’m still hitting the 10 ring and as cooler/colder weather sets in I practice wearing heavier gear. You’d be amazed by the noises your extra clothing might make or the difficulty drawing your bow with all your cold weather gear on.

Make no mistake, successfully shooting at a motionless target in no way shape or form insures success in the woods. I know people that can shoot the 10 ring at 50 & 60 yards with a bow but have missed deer at 10 yards. I’ve always said if you haven’t missed, you aren’t shooting or you’re lying. I sincerely believe the success I’ve had over the past 10 years can be directly contributed to my commitment to practicing throughout the year. We all owe it to ourselves and the game we hunt to be as proficient as possible with our weapons of choice. Remember practice almost makes perfect!!

Headquartered in Superior, WI, Field Logic is the manufacturer of the award-winning BLOCK and the new BLOCK Fusion. For additional information, visit the company website at www.fieldlogic.com.