2012 MO TWEEP SHOOT Results

The 2012 "MO Tweep Shoot was a success!! We had 10 shooters attend, seven of them from social media Twitter: @SoleAdventure (Mark), @Viper_Venom89 (Rudy), @slsgdad (Joe), @stlsprtshntr (Justin), @speedyarrow73 (Bryan), @bobbyjrhester (Bob) and yours truly - @HuntingFreakz (Alex). @gjonsey (Gregg) honored us with his presence and could not shoot due to work commitments. Guests included: Al LaChance, Donnie Roam, and Northside Archery Club member, Gary Vogel.

(note: to view pictures of winners, visit www.huntingfreakzadventures.com from a computer for best results)

BRAGGING RIGHTS CHAMP award goes to @SoleAdventure!! He scored an impressive 502 with over 20 x's to his credit. He started off a little slow, but didn't take him long to turn it up. Congratulations, Mark!

First Kill of the year goes to Gary Vogel. He shot a beautiful Pronghorn buck in Wyoming that green scored over 74”, easily making it possible for a Pope & Young entry. Congatulations, Gary! Now the pressure is on the rest of the gang to score on some big brown critters!

Door Prize Winners were: @slsgdad: Moultrie decal, cap, & Vapor Trail’s cable & string combo. @Viper_Venom: Moultrie decal, cap, & a Silent Retriever. @stlsprtshntr: Moultrie decal, cap, & a Silent Retriever. @speedyarrow73: Moultrie decal, cap, & the Ultimate Deer Hanger. @bobbyjrhester: Moultrie decal, cap, & Ozark Custom Calls shirt. Alan Lachance: Moultrie decal, cap, & pack of Super Sonic Broadheads. @SoleAdventure: man this tweep had a field day (no pun intended) won a Moultrie decal, cap & a Silent Retriever. (I should have pulled out his name, hahaha)

What a blast. Weather was favorable. We all gathered to shoot the breeze, talk some hunting, archery, and even got a change to make a few announcements of fellow tweep Mark and his involvement with @huntography. I had the pleasure to learn about a possible new ARCHERY SHOP coming near us soon. The shoot could not take place without the famous TRASH TALK, of course. Don’t forget the “sun was in my eye” excuse. Some targets did claim the lives of a few arrow shafts that refused to fly straight (pun intended). Hoyt shooters got a lot of grieve, now I understand why, LOL! Just kidding JOE and Al . We had a Diamond, Elite, Hoyt, BowTech, RedHead, Mathews, and my favorite, G5’s Quest Primal bows making a presence. Believe it or not, Will’s (@TheWillToHunt) name came up a few times.

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Bob Brumback of Northside Archery Club. He took some time from his Saturday to help with the shoot. All the funds he collected will be put to good use on the park’s archery range. The range is maintained by the club, for club’s use AND the community. Also want to thank Steve Peacock for volunteering his time to take some pictures to share with (southern way) y’all. Last but not least, “Friends of the Shoot”. Go to my website and CLICK on their link and pay them a visit. They truly are supporters of events for average people that share the passion for the outdoors.

Overall, everyone at the shoot was a winner and that’s what made this event a success. Met new people, put names on faces, and started another network of friendships. Social media is powerful, but we make it powerful. I truly am blessed to have been able to be a part of this, to have been able to see fellowship and laughter, and realize that, yes, as common folks that we are, we sure are special.

God Bless and hope more states, more tweeps and friends pick up on this idea. I’m already brainstorming for next year. There will be some improvements, more prizes, and hopefully more participants. Oh, yeah, I’m making it my goal to dethrone Mark.

Alex - HuntingFreakzAdventures

PART II: "Bow Gear DISASTER PREVENTION" - PEEP SIGHT

HOW TO AVOID PEEP SIGHT DISASTER - Murphy’s Law blog follow-up! I WILL OPEN UP THIS BLOG BY QUOTING MIKE STANDLUND, AGAIN:

“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".....

NOW HUNTING FREAKZ IMPUT, TIP, AND ADVISE ON THE PEEP SUBJECT, BECAUSE TUBLESS OR NOT, FAILURE IS PREVENTABLE. READ ON:

A tweep friend and I got together on a Saturday, just recently, to meet and shoot our bows. We had a fantastic time, even though we shot in the rain (goes to show how dedicated we are about our passion). It was also a great time for me to sight in my bow with the new arrows I had. He, on the other hand, thought he was sighted in – NOT! We both noticed how inconsistent he was on his groupings. His form was superb. His consistent anchor points, according to him, hadn’t changed –he’d just shot a few days before and was nailing his targets. We inspected his bow to determine what possibly could have been going on, and everything seemed normal. Coincidently, later that same day, at a 900 round shoot, a veteran shooter found himself in a similar situation – inconsistent groups. His frustration was evident. Too, everything appeared to be normal on his set-up.

What went wrong with both bow shooters? You see, their peep sights were tied in such a way, that if bumped just right, shot so many times, the peeps were loose enough to move up or down in a bow phenomenon called creeping. Both archers in their sport, respectively, realized their peep had moved. I was floored as to how easy it was able to be moved up or down. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way years ago when one day I was shooting tight groups on my first few shots, and after a few rounds – I was way off! My peep had crept up on me. I took action!
The following doesn’t require “L” wrenches, but does require special attention via a little extra serving around your peep sight. Many archers serve ONLY above and below the peep, which, the larger the peep, the greater chances for it to move. I don’t have the scientific terms for this, that what I called it a phenomena.

SOLUTION: Go above and beyond to secure your peep sight or it could spell a bad tournament performance, or better yet, a MISSED SHOT at a dream whitetail! Have your outfitter or professional archery shop start on the top (or vice versa) and continue with the same serving string to the opposite site, not before wrapping though AND around your peep a few times. Now you have a true continuous serving working in such a way that it will reduce the chances of any creeping/inadvertent moving. This will not add the kind of weight that will destroy your speed or kinetic energy. Today’s bows are so fast; it behooves us to take this added measure/precaution. (PICTURES BELOW)

I shared this bit of a tip with both archers and they were impressed. After our shoots, they both went straight to work and solving their silent, but impactful problem. Good for them.
(GOLD NUGGET ADVISE!! Since I am writing on this subject, PLEASE try this exercise to determine your peep alignment, if you have not already. The following may take a few tries: CLOSE YOUR EYES and follow your draw cycle as you normally would. Feel your stance, feel your nock points- very important. After you have done all that, open your eyes. Taking into consideration you are shooting according to your dominant eye, you need to make sure that your “20” yard pin is centered without having to make un-natural adjustments like lowering your head, adjusting your release hand, etc. When you feel like you’ve found “the spot”, take a break and repeat the drill, IMO at least three more time. Then you WILL be certain your peep is where it needs to be. Finally, follow it up with SECURING your peep sight properly!)

"Tweep Bowhunter Shoot"

HuntingFreakz and Northside Archery Club are hosting a just-for-fun bowhunter archery shoot! Our goal is to have an opportunity for social media friends (Twitter AND FB) to meet, greet, and share our passion. It will even be a great time to share and/or learn new tips, and of course - show off your skills Invite your friends. CONTACT me if you plan to attend. Hoyt shooters, u may participate, too, LOL! j/k ;)

WHEN: Saturday, August 25, 2012
WHERE: CREVE COEUR PARK, 2143 Creve Coeur Mill Rd.
Saint Lous, Mo 63146 (Maryland Heights area)
TIME: Shoot begins at 9 a.m.
(registration between 8-9 a.m.)
COST: A stunning $3.00
(helps cover target cost & maintenance)
FOR FUN!: NO OFFICIAL scoring although we will follow a similar format. 14 target, 4 arrows per target, 2 rounds. We will take a break between rounds. Adjustable hunting sights ok (remember, it's not an official tourney, only for fellowship and fun). Distances are from a few steps, up to 80 yards. C-ya there! Contact me at alex@huntingfreakz.com or visit www.huntingfreakzadventures.com