Bowhunting Noob - Justin and Todd, I need your help

Neil - Not sure what you mean by "get me started" and how google images will help. I am an avid hunter - just not a bow hunter....but nevertheless, I have attached a GIS map of my farm in Elba (I tried to hide the location specific details to be safe). And, I included a picture from this past fall that I took while checking my posted signs.

To date, I have 4 perminant stands (rather ladder stands that I never move) and I usually bring down a hanger stand too...just in case I feel like exploring near areas. In total, this farm is about 330 acres, of which 250 is tillable (leaving 80 as woods and waterways). The eastern property line butts up to state land which is legal to hunt (those lazy hunters usually kick the deer into me right about first light ).

Oh, the house and area that I shaded in are not mine...but everything in the blue lines is.

Let me know what you are thinking. Always open to suggestions...however I will say that I will likely not bow hunt this farm since if I tag one, I cannot hunt there during shotgun season. I will put together similar maps for the other farms, but it might take me a while (kids are screaming).

 

WOW what a great offer! Amazing property from what it looks like!

 

well, for what's it worth, heres a quick update. I called all over the place and finally found a company who offered some help. For those of you who were taught by your fathers, consider yourself fortunate. And, be sure to pay it forward to your kids one day. Now, that said, back to my story...

I finally found a company who offered some help with getting my bow sigthed in. Quick back story, I had taken it to Cabelas who offered no support. They had let me shoot a few arrows, all of which were all over the place and they told me to practice and I would get better (fat chance when my "group" was 7 feet apart with 3 arrows, I would need to practice in a room with all the walls made of targets to feel safe). In hindsight, shame on me for not pushing them more.

Now to the current story....I took my bow to Schaffer Archery here in the Twin cities because they said they would help me. They were awesome! I told them my situation and they made time for me. They let me fire off a few arrows and immediately saw a few problems. First, The peep sight was not tied in place. That accounted for the variance in the up and down issue from my experience at Cabelas....but why the side to side issue (first arrow at cabelas was down and left by like 4 feet and the second was high and right by like 3 feet - at 15 yards)?? Well, it turned out that not only was my peep sight moving all over, my timing was off (still not exactly sure what that is, so hopefully I didnt get screwed) and the top wheel was out of alignment too (leaning sideways). They offered to service my bow, and knowing nothing about it, I agreed (hell for $60, why not?). The next day, they called me back. I went to test it out immediatey. After 2 hours at the store, tieing and retieing the peep, adjsting the sight, etc, it was getting close to hitting the mark (4-5 inches off the "x"). They suggested I swap out my sight, and I agreed (my old sight was an Apex with elevation controls that was apparently wicked complex....). Within 10 minutes of having the new sight on, I was shooting a 1/2in group at 20 yards....Damn near robinhooded myself! In fact, the staff and a couple other customers could not believe that I had never shot a bow before (either that or they were just trying to boost my ego...which worked).

In any case, I can say this. I am hooked. I have always shot firearms and have enjoyed it. But there is certainly something about shooting a bow that is special. I am not sure what, but I suspect that it has something to do with having to have more skill....whereas as a gun, hold it still and shoot....provided the sights are on, your hitting the mark. Shooting a bow requires much more attention. Staying steady, good form, no death grip, level the bow, etc. It really requires you to be fully in tune with your entire body...and lots of practice.

I have learned a lot from reading these forums, watching your shows and talking with people in the know. Without all of that, and especially without Schaffer Archery, I woud have given up on this. So remember, next time someone asks you for help, advice, etc., dont turn them away. There are not many places out there for people like me to learn this awesome sport. So share your passion with others and they will in turn share it with more (as I plan to with my kids).

And despite the fact that the originall offer was not met, I would still offer up use of my land to hunt on this fall - provied it is filmed for the show and that I can hunt with them. I wouldn't even need to be on the show, although that would be a nice bonus. Just would like to return the favor for what you have provided me. Insights, encouragement, etc.... But if not, no biggie as I will be out there, bow in hand with or without you!

Bowhunt or Die baby!!