As the sun reaches 135 degrees of longitude and the days begin to lose a little sunlight, deer hunters are crossing off days on the calendar as archery season is once again growing near.
It’s time to get them bows out and start stretching their strings. It’s important to start shooting and rebuilding the muscle memory in your upper body, especially for the dedicated arrow flingers headed south for the opening day of archery, next month. That’s right parts of south Florida will be open to bow hunt in July, the earliest season in our country.
Start out easy, if you haven’t shot in a while. Start out working less about accuracy right away as opposed to the physical mechanics of the shot. So, get up close to your Target, say three to five feet away. Slowly draw and fire repeatedly, giving all of your attention to your anchor point, form and the shot itself. Accuracy isn’t your focus…. Just don’t miss the target and lose an arrow.
When I do it, I elevate my target to face height and get right up to it, then practice going through the physical process of drawing and firing my bow, with my eyes closed. And I’d continue to do so, closing my mind to everything but the shot, until I no longer thought about it still it was as natural as breathing. It’s a regimen I learned many years ago while competing in International competitions and it’s a great way to get my form back quickly if I’ve been away from my bow for too long.
Once my form and focus are up to speed, I’ll push that target back to thirty yards and get back to focusing on accuracy. Putting that arrow where you want it each and every time is a must if you’re going to hunt with it. It’s all about a fast and ethical kill. You owe it to both yourself and the deer
I heard from my friend, Lisa Yaeger today. She’s running for Citrus County judge but was telling me of a young couple, whom she’s close to, kayaking on Lake Lindsey recently, and their encounter with a rather unfriendly gator. Well, the months of June and July are the alligator nesting season in Florida, and alligator mothers are highly alert and protective of their eggs and young. During this hot season, all reptiles have an increased appetite and are more active. Our FWC encourages everyone to use caution when in and around water, including on the shoreline. Especially if you spot a nesting mound; know momma is near and you are in danger. Get away quickly.
And in your getaway, try running in a zig-zag pattern. I don’t know if that actually works as I’ve never tried it. But, the teacher of my first-grade health class was certainly confident that it would. Yes, they actually used to teach us that in school. I’m sure if nothing else, the gators would get a chuckle out of it.
As always folks, I sure do welcome any comments or questions. Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]. God Bless, and good hunting.
