3 Tips You Can Use Now For A Successful Bow Season

Practicing what I preach.
Photo: Caitlyn Carson

It's July here in Texas, and that means it's probably 105 degrees in the shade.  While the air conditioning may be calling your name, so is your bow.  Yes, your bow.  That tool you use to take down all manner of game.  If you are like most bow hunters, your bow has been sitting in it's case in the garage just hoping and waiting for a little attention from you.

Even in South Texas evening temperatures begin easing off into the mid to lower 90's.  As long as you are in the shade in Texas, the evening breeze will keep you reasonably cool.  This is the perfect opportunity to dust off the old target, throw some bacon wrapped venison bites and jalapeno poppers on the grill and start getting tuned up for archery season.

Cole putting in some work  
Photo Chris Carson

PRACTICE shooting without your rangefinder.  There will always be that one time that you forget the rangefinder in the truck or the batteries are dead.  How many times have you barely made it into the stand and been busted reaching for it or putting it down to grab your bow.  Know your ranges by sight.  By walking around to different areas and angles to shoot, you will gain a good "feel" for yardage and will be prepared to shoot without having to use the rangefinder.

PRACTICE shooting from the position you will be in while hunting.  If you are a tree stand hunter, practice drawing the bow standing in a position as if you were aiming at an animal below.  Slowly raise the bow to the target take aim and release.  If you typically sit on a 5 gallon bucket in a ground blind, then break out the 5 gallon bucket and sling some arrows.  Vary your shots by distances and angles.  Mix up the platforms a bit.  You never know what opportunity will arise in the field. Practice holing on target for 10, 20, 30 seconds or a minute.

Photo Chris Carson

PRACTICE shooting at long distances.  This can be fun, but requires a large area to safely be able to shoot at some very long distances.  Many hunters report a higher level of confidence in their shot when they practice at long distances.  Confidence is key in anything you do, so learn to shoot a tight group at 60, 70, 80 yards or more.

In addition, your equipment must be performing properly.  If it's been awhile since your last service, or you are in the market for a new bow, come see us at Twisted Oak Hunting & Outfitter Supply.  We are a full service bow shop.  We will custom fit you for a new bow or repair and tune your bow for success.  Also, we just got back from our annual trip to Mississippi to get new product and supplies, so we have some great pre-season specials going on right now like $100 off on our 300 lb. winch up Spin Tech tripod feeders with solar panel, 12 volt battery, and 6 bags of Orange Corn.

A small sampling of products you will find at Twisted Oak
Photo: Chris Carson

So there you have it, the 3 tips are PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.  Like any sport, archery requires a skill set.  You must be able to put the right pin, in the right place, at the right time, with the right wind, at the right yardage, with the right angle, in the right shooting lane. I've had the unfortunate experience of watching my arrow sail past my prey.  As I tell my baseball players, you will play like you practice.  Games are won on the practice field and in the batting cages and lost on the couch and on the electronic devices they spend all their time using.  Likewise, tight practice groups translate to humane kill shots in the field.


Take the kids outdoors this weekend, introduce them to archery, or some aspect of the outdoors they may have never seen.  Take them for a hike, a swim in the river, or better yet, both!  Make some memories.  If you need more ideas, check out 46 Things To Do Within 46 Miles of Hwy. 46.