Bow Peep Size Selection: Tip

Tip: Bow Peep Size Selection

There are many awesome tips,  choices, and professionals on this topic, but for the sake of my thoughts, I'm keeping it "simple". My goal is to pass on a tip that has worked for ME,  and hopefully will work for you.

One of the first things is to determine if you are going to BOWHUNT, spot target shoot, 3D shoot, or a combination of.

I'm going to focus on the bowhunting side of things. In my opinion, the same size should be used for hunting and 3D shooting. Why do I say this? By choice, I like to keep my real hunting shots to less than 30 yards (and that's pushing it).  3D shooting, it's ok to take long shots at the animal targets (they will live, baha). The key is to be able to have NO distortion, most view of your target when at full draw/aiming, and the ability to shoot under LOW-LIGHT conditions. Too, my larger diameter peep (1/4") allows me to see more of the contrast of my target versus the background (especially in wooded, thicker areas) and to read my target's body language. If your peep creates  a "ring in a ring" effect (when the peep is aligned perfectly around your sight housing at full draw), your heading in the right direction. My peep aligns well with my HHA Optimizer. 

With today's technologically advanced bows, we still need to keep ourselves in tip-top tuned form - not just physically (muscle memory, hand torquing, back tension, etc.), but also with our accessories. After all, the "bow is an extension of the archer", it's part of us. And like I always say (Thank you coach...), "practice the way your gonna play!"

Remember: right equipment equals confidence = accuracy = success = FUN! (good one, hey?)

Like with everything else, test out a variety of styles & sizes. Hunting? You don't want an obscured target, we owe it to our game the best shot possible. GOOD LUCK picking the right peep and size. Happy Shooting! 

(If you have other tips, please do share, I love to learn other tips).

I

Fuse Plus You Case Product Freedback

Thank you Fuse for allowing me to test out your product. Here is my feedback:

"Camouflage your iPhone 4/4s with this authentic Real Tree AP Camo case . This sleek, lightweight case is made from impact resistant, flexible, poly-carbonate plastic. This makes a great gift for the outdoors enthusiast or hunter."

Fuse has a large selection of accessories for your phones, pads, etc. I've been able to put mine to the test and have received compliments on it, as well. All prices are reasonable.

Mine also comes in Mossy Oak - pick your favorite (I chose Real Tree). Tell you what, it fit my persona, style, and protected my iPhone. I work outdoors in the construction industry.  My Fuse case has pulled through for me on the few times I AND my three year old have dropped my iPhone.

Do know this case does is not waterproof, nor does it have a screen protection film. I wouldn't recommend using it if you have butter fingers or work/hunt a lot around lots of moisture, dust, wet areas.  

Like with any other case, occasionally remove the case and do some "house keeping". 

Thank you Fuse PLus You.., I am very pleased with the product. It's not bulky, it's "me", and it has a great feel.  I look forward in seeing a waterproof case. 

Alex Tagle, 

HuntingfreakZ.com

HHA SPORTS Optimizer: Review/testimonial

O.K., the title is "Review....", but it's more of my own testimonial & opinion. No, no, no. I do NOT get paid by, nor am I sponsored by HHA Sports. Zero affiliation! As a matter of fact, I'm an average consumer with a love & passion for archery & bowhunting. 

(Don't forget to see pics below)

I've used many sights. I've experimented, changed, and, heck, I've even blamed crucial misses on sights (excuse sounded good, at the time). Too dull, too bright, too everything. Multiple pins just isn't  for me - too many options when my buck fever is at its highest.  I prefer to use a single pin to keep my chances of error to a minimum (choosing the wrong pin, ever happened to you?).  A fixed single pin is awesome! However, I had limited range. I changed to an adjustable single pin sight, that was too complicated to make adjustments when needed. Another one was just too fragile (I'm a bit rough on my equipment). Don't take me wrong, I've shot my biggest deer with low end, dull, complicated sights.., but if you are like me, you participate in 3-D and other archery-type shoots (you know - off season stuff), and I want a sight that offers me extreme versatility.

Then came into my archery & bowhunting life - an HHA Optimizer sight! All I can say is, I feel spoiled, considering the fact that I only shot with it for two days. That's right, two days. Day one I set it up (omg, it's so FREAKing easy) and shot  with it to dial in, using their Patent EZ tape. Second day, I shot with it to tweak it a bit (awesome tool-less micro adjustments). 

Here's why I only shot it for two days: I and other fellow peeps got together. I was so "on-the-money", I couldn't believe it. THEY couldn't believe it.  I was nailing most of all the center black spots, and X'ing most of them. I was so pumped and mesmerized, when I got to the 15 yard chip shot, tragedy struck, GAH! My peeps and I were wondering if I could keep the streak going. I went straight to shooting, and they kept their eyes on the target (when they should have been evaluating my form, or at least admiring me, baha!). NO ONE noticed I hadn't knocked an arrow. Dry-fire. Blown string. Cut finger. 

HHA sight had everything to so with my confidence & disbelief of my accuracy. Everything was the same on my bow, except THE OPTIMIZER!  Can't credit the wind, temp, trees, or squirrels (although I was showing off a bit). Not really, my precision rose to a level that it's never been before. Dry firing my bow was a thing of the past, until I was so "in the zone", by the grace of the archery gods (nah, not really - because of my skills & using HHA).

Thank my God, I didn't blow out my jugular, or hurt any of my peeps. Had fun.  After all, that's what it's all about. 

Thank you HHA Sports for your product: Tough, easy to set up & tune, sharp looking, and made in the USA. Woot Woot! 

"¿TU PRIMER ARCO?" Sigue Estos Consejos

(Disculpen la ortografia - falta de practica con teclas americanas)

¿Que, o cual arco compro? ¿Que marca es la mejor o mas apropiada para un para un principiante? ¿Cual arco es el mejor de todos? Estas preguntas son muy validas y respetables. Quiero confesar que no soy un "experto" o "profesional", si no que soy un arquero y cazado´r con años de experiencia. No te quiero confundir, pero si darte mi humilde opinio´n. Espero te ayude a decidir lo que es mejor para ti´, y solo para ti´, y tu nueva aventura en el mundo de arcos y cazeri´a:

1. Mucho cuidado con comerciales y testimoniales de dichos "profesionales". Yo, como tonto, fui´ victima de una propaganda, en cual una marca famosa, presumi´a tener "el arco con la mas alta velocidad que cualquer o´tra marca". Velocidad, velocidad, velocidad era su punto central de la propaganda, de su promocio´n. QUE PENA, PORQUE AHORA, ESA MISMA MARCA DE ARCOS NO MENSIONA VELOCIDAD COMOS LO MAS IMPORTANTE, NO SE ATREVEN MENSIONARLO COMO TAL. AHORA PROMOCIONA FORTALEZA Y SUAVIDAD EN SUS ARCOS. Realizaron que con dicha velocidad - SACRIFICARON detalles que, personalmente, yo busco y prefiero: Control, balance, suavidad al jalar el cable, el mas minimo esfuerzo en detener el cable en position despues de jalar (let-off), poco ruido al ejecutar el tiro, peso de arco, y una ejecuccion de tiro super suave (sin mucha vibracio´n y convulcio´n). Un ejemplo la velocidad no es ta´n importante: no importa que tan rapido sea el arco, la velocidad de sonido es mas rapido que la trayectoria. Muchos animales que cazamos, como el venado cola blanca, son mas rapidos que la flecha. Chequen este video como ejemplo (muchas gracias a @AmericanHunter).

2. Si el aco es para un juvenil/adolesente, asegurate que el arco "crezca" con el/ella. Unos arcos tienen un "draw length" (la cantidad de pulgadas que el arco permite jalar el cable) muy limitado, 27-30 pulgadas, por ejemplo, en lugar de 24-30 pulgadas. Mi capacidad de jalar adequadamente para mi cuerpo, lo largo de mis brazos, y mantener la forma mas apropiada es de 27 pulgadas. Otros arcos, tienes que comporar un "cam" diferente cada vez que tienes que cambiar el "draw length", y eso puede ser muy costoso.

3. No importa si el arco es para una persona adulta o juvenil, NO SE TIENE QUE COMPRAR UN ARCO CON TODAS LAS VANIDADES DE LA INDUSTRIA PARA TENER EXITO. Hoy en dia, con la tecnologia y los avances, un arco humilde en precio funcionan mejor que los arcos mas caros de hace unos años. ¡Funcionan super bien! Claro, hay que asegurar que tu, el, ella este´n bien seguros de que ser un arquero es lo que les gusta ANTES de comprar un arco mas caro.

4. Precio´n de Amistades: No hagas caso de lo que digan tus amigos. "Juro por mi Hoyt ", Mathews es la unica marca para mi", "Nada se compara como mi PSE/Diamond/Bow Tech/etc." Yo, por ejemplo, prefiero usar Elite Archery - Pulse. Un amigo mio tabien prefiere un arco de Elite Archery - Hunter. Recuerda, es TU ARCO. El arco va a ser parte de ti. Tu y el arco tienen que ser uno.

5. Menciono #4 (precio´n de amistades) para decirte esto (amistades me hacen burla cuando doy este consejo, PERO
FINALMENTE ADMITEN QUE TENGO RAZON): ¡¡DEJA QUE EL ARCO TE ESCOJA A TI´!! No puedo emfatizar suficientemente que tan importante es este detalle. Antes de comprar mi ultimo arco, dispare multiple arcos de alta calidad, con caracteristicas similares de las cual yo busco. El arco Elite Pure "hablo" conmigo y conectamos.

>>>>>>>>Notita de Oro: Cuando este´s en busca de un arco, antes de jalar el cable y despues disparar, cierren los hojos. Sientan el arco como se maneja al detener el arco, al jalar el cable, al detener el cable en posicion y sentir el "let-off", y mas importante, como se siente al disparar. Y como dijo my querida amiga de twitter y blogera fabulosa @DeerPassion, "¡¡El consejo mas grande para comprar tu primer arco es que calen/disparen varios arcos!! Vayan a un local/tienda de arcos con alta reputacion y experiencia, hablen con otras personas de que es lo que quieres, que es lo que buscas, y dipara todos los arcos que te interesan...., arcos son personales. Vale la pena en esfuerzo extra que pones de tu parte para encontrar algo que satisfacen tus specificaciones y necesidades."
¡Buena Suerte!

My Son's First Fish!

Boy, what a weekend! Bouncing of my old blog (All Over Again..., & I LOVE IT!), I have this to add (pics below):

I want to remind everyone, I am like many parents - proud of most of the simple things our children do. I believe I am like most parents that always wants to preserve memories with the "firsts" of our loved little ones - first word, first crawl, first step, first tooth, first haircut..., I can go on and on. To me, Marko catching his first fish is HUGE! I know this will be important to my son when he looks back after I'm long gone. Now with all this social media and technology, I just take that extra step to write about it and share it with others.

This past weekend, we spent it outdoors. Saturday, April 13th, we fed ducks, spent time in the jungle gym, he demanded to go to Bass Pro to buy worms, spent an hour because he loves their fish tank, went to a local lake and set up our fishing poles. Then the rock throwing began, took a nature walk, picked up sticks, threw sticks, shot his bow, ate, checked on the poles, and repeated many of these over & over, haha. Occasionally, to take a break, he'd sit on the lawn chair, drank water, and observed the fishing poles with great attentiveness. This day went fish-less, but with lots of fun. Then we went home, had a father-and-son "slumber party", watched Ice Age, ate our popcorn, and we gradually passed out. We were both exhausted.

Sunday, I knew was going to be special. The first words out of my son's mouth were, "Let's go fishing". "LET'S GO FISHING", it blew my mind. I cooked us some breakfast, headed to BP for more worms, and hit the lake again. We set up our poles, fished a while, but our worm supply somehow diminished (ask my son Marko to explain that one). Back to BP we went, bought more worms, and hit that lake again. It was a very windy day, but he just did not want to leave. Play, play, play. Cast, cast, cast. My son was a warrior, I tell ya.

Then I saw his bobber move. I could have sworn my heart almost jumped out of my chest! He picked up the pole, and began to reel in. Then I remembered the camera was in the vehicle. I asked him to wait so that I could get the camera. He is such a great listener, he gave me a chance to get it so I could record the moment. The rest is history.

Parents, friends, I captured a wonderful moment. My son and I created a memory of a lifetime. I created memories with my older children, but I did not have the resources to capture them technologically and social media as know today was non-existent. They are, however, forever preserved in my heart.

Marko's first fish is so much more than the fish or fishing, it's about our time spent together, the "memories" we made, the memory I captured on video, and taking another step toward introducing my son to the outdoors.
Love you Marko.

HUMOR: "Why We Shoot Deer......"

THIS FUNNY STORY WAS SHARED BY KIMBERLY RUCK. I DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY OF IT, BUT I CAN TELL YOU IT HAD ME CRYING FROM LAUGHING SOOOO HARD! USE YOUR IMAGINATION. IF YOU HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE, IT'S WORTH RE-READING. IN MAY CASE, THE MORE I READ THE MORE I ALMOST...., WELL YOU KNOW, DID #1 IN MY PANTS. LOL! I HAD A REAL TOUGH DAY, TODAY, AND THEN K.R. SHARED THIS. MAKE SOMEONE ELSE LAUGH. THEY WILL THANK YOU:

"Why we shoot deer in the wild:
(A letter from someone who wants to remain anonymous, who farms, writes well and actually tried this)

I had this idea that I could rope a deer, put it in a stall, feed it up on corn for a couple of weeks, then kill it and eat it. The first step in this adventure was getting a deer. I figured that, since they congregate at my cattle feeder and do not seem to have much fear of me when we are there (a bold one will sometimes come right up and sniff at the bags of feed while I am in the back of the truck not 4 feet away), it should not be difficult to rope one, get up to it and toss a bag over its head (to calm it down) then hog tie it and transport it home.

I filled the cattle feeder then hid down at the end with my rope. The cattle, having seen the roping thing before, stayed well back. They were not having any of it. After about 20 minutes, my deer showed up-- 3 of them. I picked out a likely looking one, stepped out from the end of the feeder, and threw my rope. The deer just stood there and stared at me. I wrapped the rope around my waist and twisted the end so I would have a good hold.

The deer still just stood and stared at me, but you could tell it was mildly concerned about the whole rope situation. I took a step towards it, it took a step away. I put a little tension on the rope, and then received an education. The first thing that I learned is that, while a deer may just stand there looking at you funny while you rope it, they are spurred to action when you start pulling on that rope.

That deer EXPLODED. The second thing I learned is that pound for pound, a deer is a LOT stronger than a cow or a colt. A cow or a colt in that weight range I could fight down with a rope and with some dignity. A deer-- no Chance. That thing ran and bucked and twisted and pulled. There was no controlling it and certainly no getting close to it. As it jerked me off my feet and started dragging me across the ground, it occurred to me that having a deer on a rope was not nearly as good an idea as I had originally imagined. The only upside is that they do not have as much stamina as many other animals.

A brief 10 minutes later, it was tired and not nearly as quick to jerk me off my feet and drag me when I managed to get up. It took me a few minutes to realize this, since I was mostly blinded by the blood flowing out of the big gash in my head. At that point, I had lost my taste for corn-fed venison. I just wanted to get that devil creature off the end of that rope.

I figured if I just let it go with the rope hanging around its neck, it would likely die slow and painfully somewhere. At the time, there was no love at all between me and that deer. At that moment, I hated the thing, and I would venture a guess that the feeling was mutual. Despite the gash in my head and the several large knots where I had cleverly arrested the deer's momentum by bracing my head against various large rocks as it dragged me across the ground, I could still think clearly enough to recognize that there was a small chance that I shared some tiny amount of responsibility for the situation we were in. I didn't want the deer to have to suffer a slow death, so I managed to get it lined back up in between my truck and the feeder - a little trap I had set before hand...kind of like a squeeze chute. I got it to back in there and I started moving up so I could get my rope back.

Did you know that deer bite? They do! I never in a million years would have thought that a deer would bite somebody, so I was very surprised when ..... I reached up there to grab that rope and the deer grabbed hold of my wrist. Now, when a deer bites you, it is not like being bit by a horse where they just bite you and slide off to then let go. A deer bites you and shakes its head--almost like a pit bull. They bite HARD and it hurts.

The proper thing to do when a deer bites you is probably to freeze and draw back slowly. I tried screaming and shaking instead. My method was ineffective.

It seems like the deer was biting and shaking for several minutes, but it was likely only several seconds. I, being smarter than a deer (though you may be questioning that claim by now), tricked it. While I kept it busy tearing the tendons out of my right arm, I reached up with my left hand and pulled that rope loose.

That was when I got my final lesson in deer behavior for the day.

Deer will strike at you with their front feet. They rear right up on their back feet and strike right about head and shoulder level, and their hooves are surprisingly sharp... I learned a long time ago that, when an animal -like a horse --strikes at you with their hooves and you can't get away easily, the best thing to do is try to make a loud noise and make an aggressive move towards the animal. This will usually cause them to back down a bit so you can escape.

This was not a horse. This was a deer, so obviously, such trickery would not work. In the course of a millisecond, I devised a different strategy. I screamed like a woman and tried to turn and run. The reason I had always been told NOT to try to turn and run from a horse that paws at you is that there is a good chance that it will hit you in the back of the head. Deer may not be so different from horses after all, besides being twice as strong and 3 times as evil, because the second I turned to run, it hit me right in the back of the head and knocked me down.

Now, when a deer paws at you and knocks you down, it does not immediately leave. I suspect it does not recognize that the danger has passed. What they do instead is paw your back and jump up and down on you while you are laying there crying like a little girl and covering your head.

I finally managed to crawl under the truck and the deer went away. So now I know why when people go deer hunting they bring a rifle with a scope......to sort of even the odds!!

All these events are true so help me God...An Educated Farmer"

Kuddos To This Family

March 16, 2013 - another 3D Shoot. I was running late to meet my buddies. I was hoping to be there to start showing off whatever skills I have, nothing to brag about. We went through the cold day, shooting one arrow at a time, cracking jokes (especially at the expense of Hoyt bow shooters). In that group I was so honored to be with was Mark of @SoleAdventure, Joe, @slsgdad (follow them on twitter), and three other outstanding individuals. There was no shortage of laughter. I wonder if we were there to shoot, compete, or socialize. I say all of the above - it's supposed to be fun! Fun we had, let me tell you.

But as we went through the range, I could not stop thinking of a family I was so honored to meet. It was meant for me to be late, otherwise, I would not have seen such an inspirational sight. Oh, the emotions. It would take too many words to describe.

Before I brag about them, I want to explain why it had such a huge impact on me. It entails some self-disclosure, a matter I seldom visit. To start, I never had a father. What father figure I had, died when I was a just learning to feel what having a male role model in my life (RIP, Mr. Moody). My sister and I did not have the closest relationship due to uncontrolled circumstances. My mother, passed a few years later. Recently, I've had some personal challenges in life. Last, I am passionate about my children and a lover of the God blessed outdoors!

Now the stars of this blog: The Merli Family. I don't know them nor did I interview them in depth, but saw the "big picture": three bows, a proud gentlemen standing beside each younger shooter as they took their turn to shoot, and a woman being the quiet, but strong & supportive, onlooker. WOW! The intense focus of the young shooters was amazing. I noticed how the father shot, but was more focused on his off-springs' experience - from their stance to what pin to use. Seven year old Adam was shooting a Diamond. His sister Courtney, 13, and both were participating on their first 3D shoot. I can't imagine how the proud parents felt. I introduced myself, asked permission to take pictures, and with a big smile (I couldn't contain myself), I told them how awesome it was to see them all there. It was a long shoot, so they may have left earlier than expected because I didn't see them after a while. Now, one confession before I go on. I was behind them at target #5, I heard Courtney shot a ten, AND I FELT PRESSURE!!! hahahaha. It takes a man to admit it, so I admit it. (I did shoot a ten on it, too, but Courtney - you made me a nervous wreck).


To the Merli Family, wherever you are - God bless. Mom, a big, nah..., a mega-huge thanks to you. It's not easy to get up, not be an active participant, be cold, and stand proudly and supportive. Dad, you kick ass. Keep that patience up, the passion, the passing on of tradition. Adam and Courtney, keep up the good work, miss small, and may all your dreams come true. From time to time, don't forget to just say "Thank you, mom/dad", just because. "Hasta luego, amigos!"