A note from Hunting Freakz: Last year, second week into the IL season, I’d been seeing a couple of bucks come out from their staging area. Wind right, I decided to move in, set up my stand and hope for their continued routine. Finally, with an hour left of legal shooting light, out they came. The more dominant buck sent out what I call the “tester” buck. The tester buck scoped the scene, checked wind, and started to head my way. They were reading the script. The dominant buck felt at ease, comfortable, but stayed about 25-30 yards behind on a constant basis. When the tester buck finally got to the base of my tree, he bolted after he caught some of my scent. Big daddy just picked his head up, looked confused, and just stood there broadside long enough for me to draw my bow, settle the pin, and shoot. Low and behold, MURPHY’S LAW STRUCK!!! My release FAILED! I squeezed the trigger and the arrow did not go off. In shock, I let down and as soon as I relieved a bit of pressure – the arrow went somewhere. That 135”-140” class Public Land brute was gone! Second blown opportunity for me to have a second P&Y. Thus, the following article by Mike Strandlund, member of the National Bowhunters Hall of Fame, is a must read:
“Few things in this world seem as susceptible to Murphy’s Law as bowhunting…If something can go wrong in bowhunting, it will.”
“With the combination of many components, complicated gizmos, the importance of details and the need for near perfection, if something in bowhunting can go wrong, it will. If you’ve bowhunted very long, you’ve likely had an opportunity spoiled by some type of equipment failure.
What’s the best way to avoid it? Anticipation and prevention. If you take a look at your full array of gear, consider the weak links, anticipate the problems that might occur and how they might be prevented in the first place and quickly fixed in the second, you will prevail. The best way to do this exercise is by isolating components and problems. Here are some examples:
1. Peep Tubes: some of you already know why this item is the first on the list. Peep tubes are the fastest-deteriorating component on your bow and more prone to failure. You can avoid this problem by using a tubeless sighting system, or checking your tube frequently, replacing it and keeping a spare. Tip: make sure the replacement is exactly the same as the original, or it can change the arrow’s point of impact.
2. Bow String & Cables: These are high-risk components – one kiss from a broadhead blade and your bow will fly to pieces. Once, I unknowingly got a branch stuck in an eccentric wheel, and as I drew, it guided my bowstring off track. Keep extra parts on hand and get portable bow press, and know how to use it (which means practicing at home). Keep records of bow setup data so you can return draw length, brace height, tiller, nock-point locations, cam timing, and etc. back to the original position.
[Hunting Feakz note: Maintain your string waxed after every practice session. Check for wear & tear on a regular basis if you shoot frequently]
3. Sights and Rests: These mechanical devices involve many components and often moving parts, which makes them susceptible to failure. I’ve written before about how I’ve had good hunts ruined by faulty arrow rests. Sights have also done me in. One fateful day I draw on the biggest buck I’d ever seen, only to have my bottom sight pin come loose and land on top of my arrow shaft, making it impossible to shoot! Obviously, the first thing on my list is to periodically check that all sight and rest screws are as tight as secure as they can be. Use stout equipment and sight pin covers.
4. Releases: Begin by using a reliable product and maintain it well, and always keep a spare in a pocket or backpack.
5. Broadheads: Even something as simple as a broadhead can fail. Some models can lose blades if the heads become loose. Others can suffer different problems. Use failsafe heads and keep them sharp and inspected.
[Hunting Feakz note: mechanical broadheads are getting better. However, if they are reliable on rubber bands or o rings, be careful they are not torn, dry rotted, or simply missing. Others, just simple have a problem of premature deployment, shake loose walking to your stand, or open with a simple bump and don’t know it until it’s too late!]
6. Accessories: I always bring a kit of small parts and tools with me. This includes any Allen wrenches that apply to my rig, extra bowstring, serving material, a nock point, some extra screws, and tape. I also keep a Judo point or blunt tip handy so I can check my bow’s zero, whether I have a real target or not.
[Hunting Freakz note: always carry some sort of target to check your bow, shooting an arrow or two before you go afield, if possible. I once was checking my bow; a friend decided to check his and realized he was not sighted in properly. A few tweaks, Allen wrenches handy, we got him back into business!]
7. The Right Attitude: This deals with minding maintenance, being careful and generally using due diligence in handling your equipment. It will pay off in saved opportunities. What this all leads to is simply being prepared – having the knowledge, spare parts and tools available to fix your problem… It’s best to anticipate, prevent and be able to repair. Sometimes that doesn’t work, but a tenacious spirit will. Persistence can often be the most valuable tool in your arsenal.”
Share this with your fellow bowhunters. It may apply to firearms, too. Pay attention specially to novice hunters. Happy and Safe hunting to all!
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