Patience leads to perfect practice by PSE’s Al Quackenbush
By Al Quackenbush
Perfect practice leads to success in the field. We have all heard it many times, but it rings true. Not mentioned often is the art of practicing patience both on the range and in the woods, both with you and with other archers. Learning to harness it is something that does indeed take practice.
One of the reasons I like to get to the local archery range early in the morning is that there is less pressure than later in the day. When I lived in New York I had the luxury of having a target set up in my backyard and could practice at a moment’s notice. I could shoot anytime and I didn’t have to wait for others to finish up. Here in California it’s a different story. In the city where I live, I am not allowed to shoot in my backyard. It’s a safety issue that I understand. The other options are to go to a local pro shop to shoot up to 30 yards, or to go to the local outdoor archery range. The outdoor range I speak of is the site of the 1984 Olympic archery competition. It’s a large range where you can shoot out to 110 yards if you like. On Saturdays and Sundays the range fills up quickly, so it is in your best interest to get up early and claim a bale target.
Recently, my friend Brett and I have been hitting the range around 7:30 AM on Saturday mornings. The weather is cool, a bit overcast and we can almost always grab our favorite target area – the one on the very end. On two separate occasions, we have watched the range fill up quickly. This causes a bit of congestion. Here is where focusing on being patient comes into play. If you are late to the range, you must be patient and wait for a target to open up. If you are like Brett and I, we must be patient with ourselves. You have one of three decisions to make. You can give up your target to allow someone else to shoot. Not a likely choice as you made the effort to get there early. You can cave under the pressure and rush through your practice to accommodate the people waiting for you. This would be the absolute worst decision as it would cause poor form, poor technique, and quite honestly poor practice. The best thing you can do is shoot like you would during a perfect practice session. Take your time, focus on technique and worry about you and no one else.
If you have ever gone golfing in a foursome there is bound to be someone in your group that is slower than the rest. Usually it is me, but that is beside the point. Before long, the foursome behind you is on your heels. You have three choices. You may continue to play slow and irritate the other group. You may allow them to play through. Or you can stress out under the pressure to speed up and totally mess up your day of relaxing on the course. The same will happen on the archery range should you allow it.
We had a gentleman come sit right by us at 40 yards after we had only been there a half hour. We usually shoot for two hours or so and I was sighting in a new single-pin sight, so I was patient. As the minutes went by, arrows flew downrange and we had a blast. Before long two and a half hours had elapsed and our arms were spent. We offered up our target and the man graciously took it. He was patient and so were we. Everyone was happy.
My favorite part of the day was toward the end of our range session. A young boy walked up beside us and started shooting. You can see him in the left side of this photo. His first arrow in his aim was true and he exclaimed to his teacher, ‘I hit the target! Look, I hit the target!!’ His enthusiasm was pure and full of energy. It totally made my day to see someone so excited about archery. I hope all of us can get out there and let that inner child out as often as we can. We should all carry that enthusiasm and have fun when we hit where we are aiming. Even after nearly thirty years of shooting a bow and arrow, I still get a thrill out of my arrow hitting exactly where I am aiming.
Albert Quackenbush has been bowhunting for more than 29 years. He shares his adventures on his blog, www.SoCalBowhunter.com and is a PSE Staff Blogger. He is a Pro Staff member for TightSpot Quivers, HHA Sports, and Piranha Custom Bowstrings. He is a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, California Deer Association, and is a Life Member of the North American Hunting Club.
Albert was born and raised in New York State where he learned to hunt everything from squirrels to whitetail deer. He lives in Southern California with his wife and daughter and hunts year round.
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
Benefits of 3-D Archery by PSE’s Dustin Jones
By Dustin Jones
http://www.highcountrybowhunter.com/
Spring is here which means that I am getting closer to chasing antelope and elk. Predator hunting is the only season that I’m hunting right now but there is one more season that I look forward to this time of year. I am taking advantage of practicing and participating in the many upcoming 3-D archery shoots.
There is so much you can learn and grow from as a bowhunter by shooting 3-D targets. I’m not saying that shooting a block target is bad or that you should only shoot 3-D targets. When you get the chance to shoot at a life-sized deer, elk, turkey, or any animal you are pursuing, you gain that experience that you otherwise can’t from just a block target. I wanted to share some of the benefits that I have gained.
Shot Placement
Sure the vitals on a deer are all in the same place, just as every elk has their vitals in the same place. But what happens when you get an animal just slightly quartering towards you or away from you? What about if they are bedded down? There are so many different possible situations that you could encounter while hunting that you couldn’t possibly prepare for everyone, but you can prepare for a lot of them by shooting at life-size targets. Being able to set up a quartering shot, long distance shot, or even a kneeling shot will help prepare you for those situations better. You can also quickly walk up and analyze the shot placement, make any adjustments and try again.
Realistic Situations
You can see different situations and scenarios in this picture
You spot your animal and you notice that there will be just this one little opening for a possible shot, should you take it or let it pass? Setting up a realistic situation is very easy to do and great practice. Set up your target with some brush in the way so you have to adjust a little, or even set it up at odd distances instead of at the regular 20, 30, or 40 yards. Sometimes those shots that are 36 or 43 are just enough to get you to over-think your shot. The two shoots I mentioned in the beginning are great examples of this as they are set up on a mountain and you scale the mountain to take your shot on different animals in different situations.
Pure Enjoyment
Teaching my son Fynch while he’s young
When I shoot either at the 3-D range or at a local shoot, I am usually with friends or family when I go. Being able to have great company and friendly competition always adds to the level of enjoyment. Let’s be honest, it is much more fun to shoot at something that resembles the animal you will be pursuing rather than a cube. Having friends or family share in the archery experience is priceless. My wife actually owns a bow but has made it very clear she does not want to shoot a live animal, but she loves getting out and shooting 3-D targets.
Fynch and his Bear
These are just some of the many benefits of shooting 3-D. There are plenty of opportunities to get out and experience shooting 3-D. What are some of the benefits that you have encountered?
Dustin Jones is a passionate outdoorsman who loves to hunt, especially bowhunt. He created his blog, HighCountryBowhunter.com, to share his experiences with others. He is a Field Staff member for DIYbowhunter.com and Adventure Team member for MINOX Hunting Optics.
Dustin was born and raised in Eastern Idaho where he currently resides with his wife and two sons.
Keep your eye out for the #elktour DVD over on huntography.com! Watch PSE’s Emily Anderson and Dustin Jones hunt elk DIY style on our amazing public lands in the Western United States. Huntography also films a deer hunting DVD called #deertour which you will be able to watch PSE’s Will Jenkins hunt whitetails. Huntography…filming America’s hunters, one at a time!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
Archery Practice Tips by PSE’s Will Jenkins
By Will Jenkins
Now that Deer season is over and we’re gearing up for spring gobbler, summer 3D or Field Archery shoots its time to practice.
If you have any amount of land you most likely practice often and alone in your yard without the luxury of having a lot of input from other archers. Here are a couple of things that are important to being both consistent and accurate.
1. Don’t Practice Past Fatigue: Guilty! I do this all the time, shoot a few dozen get tired but push through it and form goes down the drain. Take a break come back in a couple hours for those last few or wait until the next day. Otherwise, you will definitely start developing some bad habits.
2. Line up the Peep with the Pin Housing: If you use a peep be sure to line it up with the circular pin housing of your sight. This will help you keep everything in line and be more consistent. This may be a no brainer but you likely focus more in the pins than the housing. Making sure you consistently center the housing makes a huge difference and it’s easier to center than just looking at the pins.
3. Develop a Repeatable Shot Sequence: If you just yank the string back and let if fly you’re not doing it right. Try to develop a basic shot sequence it doesn’t have to have tons of steps or be overly complicated just make each shot has the same order and sequence of movements. This doesn’t mean you need to make that sequence specific to any one stance because we should all know wild game rarely comes through the shooting lane that allows you to use the most comfortable shooting stance.
4. Video Yourself: If you don’t have people to watch you and help critique your form get a video camera and a tripod and video yourself. Play it back and watch your form. If you aren’t sure post it on you tube and get in an archery forum link to it and ask for input. This is also a good opportunity to note your draw length and see if you look overdrawn. If you don’t have a video camera use your cell phone, smart phone or point and shoot camera most all have video capability.
None of these tips are ground breaking but a few things to keep in mind while practicing. Maybe you already knew them and this will serve as a reminder to keep you consistent. Now get out there, practice and don’t settle for good enough!
Will Jenkins is creator of TheWilltoHunt.com and Harnesses For Hunters. He’s an avid outdoorsman who enjoys sharing his experiences through his blog. He also writes for Bow Adventures e-Magazine and is a member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association.
Will lives in Central Virginia with his wife and two kids. He hunts in Virginia and Maryland but has dreams of heading west to hunt Elk and Mule Deer.
Keep your eye out for the #elktour DVD over on huntography.com! Watch PSE’s Emily Anderson and Dustin Jones hunt elk DIY style on our amazing public lands in the Western United States. Huntography also films a deer hunting DVD called #deertour which you will be able to watch PSE’s Will Jenkins hunt whitetails. Huntography…filming America’s hunters, one at a time!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
Spot Shooting with PSE’s Jared Bloomgren
By Jared Bloomgren
www.facebook.com/jaredbloomgren
With the bow seasons 2012 fading away and spring seasons of 2013 just around the corner, many of us are left with the anxious feeling of what to do next!? For many this causes some extreme anxiety as well! The past seasons are always engrained in our minds and 2013 seasons will be here before we know it. This applies even more to those that do not hunt during the spring time. Now is not the time to let your shooting fall to the back seat! There is never a time for that for the serious archer…..
The past seasons are slowly fading away and leaving those important memories and lessons burned into our minds forever; we are left with the “off season blues.” Now is the time to freshen up a few of our skills while patiently waiting for the next season. Many people hang their equipment up and leave it alone until just before the next season. However, this is when it is a good time to sharpen up on your shooting skills. It will pay off in the future seasons to come.
I find it very comical when someone comes up to me and when asked how the shooting has been going I get a reply along the lines of, “I only pull the bow out to shoot it just before season to make sure it is still on.” The customer is always right, right? Well not in this case, I just smile and say that I disagree with their thinking 100%. Generally they are very receptive and listen to what I have to say and why I feel that way. So what is there to do during the off season I am often asked?
This may include some 3-D shooting, league shooting, outdoor ranges, or getting together with some friends in the back yard and flinging a few arrows while telling hunting stories. Although 3-D shooting is hard to beat, if you don’t have the time to get away and commit to these events like I do, there are other options. Something I enjoy doing during the off-season is what I like to call “spot shooting.” Others may know this as “stump shooting.” There is no set schedule, just whenever you can get away.
Now I know when I say “spot shooting” most instantly think about punching paper at a spots league from 20 yards or something similar. But not this guy! Nope…..think of shooting that will challenge you with various scenarios and shot situations. Various stance and positions, standing and sitting. Listen up!
This is something I have been doing for quite some time now and it helps me out a great deal. I got this idea when I was younger. I would go hiking or go for walks in the outdoors looking for sheds or scouting for future seasons. I got to thinking, “Why don’t I carry my bow with me and shoot at different spots while I was out?” This has helped me a great deal with range judgment. (Keep in mind this should only be done away from people in secluded and/or designated areas.)
You are offered with many different shooting scenarios in changing terrain and conditions. Simply pick out a dark patch of grass, a cow pie (preferably dried up), mounds of dirt, or anything you can find to shoot at that won’t ruin your arrow! The possibilities are endless! Also just an FYI, rocks are not a good choice for obvious reasons. But it never fails that I usually end up finding the rock that I am not looking for from time to time.
But no matter what you decide, one does come across patches of rocks that are unseen by the eye. Trust me, you will go through a few arrows but if you pick your spots wisely it will keep broken and/or bent arrows to a minimum.
I have found carbons to be more forgiving for this type of shooting for obvious reasons. Aluminum tends to bend pretty easy as we all know because it retains memory. The nice thing about carbon arrows is: if they are not broke they are usually good to go. I flex check my arrows often to avoid downfalls. I also tip my carbons with 100-grain Zwickey judo points or some style of rubber blunt. This will keep your arrows from skipping into the next county. The judo tip usually makes it quite easy to find your arrow after the shot. The tip does not allow the arrow to completely bury itself under grass or dirt. But don’t get me wrong; the judo tip does not make your arrow invincible to loss. I have plenty lying around out there as well as many busted arrows to prove this. Despite the loss of arrows, I feel this hobby has helped me out a great deal with range judgment and depth perception as well as different shooting positions and elevations.
I will also use my broadheads every chance I get as well. There is nothing like using your hunting set-up year round to perk your confidence in your ability and equipment. There are also rabbits and squirrels that you may run across while hiking, scouting, or shed hunting that all taste pretty good! Prairie dog towns are also another fun place to practice hitting small targets at extended ranges! They don’t taste near as good as a rabbit though!
So even if you shoot league, go to 3-D shoots, or fling arrows in the backyard, and/or you just simply want to try something different to put a bit of a spin on your shooting, try “spot shooting,” it just may be something the “off-season blues” called for…below are a few things I do.
When I go on a family hike or with friends you will see me toting my bow along. It is a great way to sharpen up my skills and keep on my A game. I like to think of my bow as an extension of me. I often times get weird looks from others on hiking trails but if they are bowhunters they often think, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
It is also fun to get together with a few buddies and go for a long hike. Each person takes turns picking out what they want to shoot at along the way. Usually the one who makes the least effective shot goes and retrieves everyone’s arrows in an attempt to redeem themselves on the next shot. I also like to carry a pack with weight in it to help learn the best ways to shoot with a pack on and the additional weight and how to maintain your form and balance. The various shot scenarios will help you determine how to keep the correct form when shooting angled shots. It is a fun way to add a little competition all while increasing your effectiveness.
Another thing I like to do while out is to push myself in order to get my heart rate racing and my breathing going full force. Quickly look around and pick something to shoot at and take the shot while huffing and puffing. This helps me to control my breathing while completing that shot. There have been numerous times that this has happened while hunting. Knowing how to shoot under these conditions can reap big rewards for you in a future hunt.
So this spring I will be out shed hunting, this summer I will be out scouting, I will be hiking, getting myself in shape, fixing fence, etc….the options are endless, but you will find me with my bow right there with me as I sharpen up on my shooting. Will you?!
Jared “J-Rod” Bloomgren is a hardcore Do-It-Yourself bowhunter who strives to better himself each year in the outdoor community. As a professional hunter, freelance writer and photographer, he likes to relive his outdoor adventures through written expression and photography making the reader feel as if they were along on the hunt. He attributes much of his success to the vital education he has learned from the various big game animals that he hunts. He is quoted as saying, “In each and every hunt, success or defeat, I learn something from every outing and that I can put in my arsenal of knowledge to use at a later date, a later date that will again put my wits against that of my prey.”
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
Maximum “Effective” Shooting Distance by PSE’s Jared Bloomgren
By Jared Bloomgren
www.facebook.com/jaredbloomgren
This is another one of those touchy subjects with many. It often turns into “I can shoot farther than you” conversation that turns to arguments at times. Even worse when you start throwing in the talk about animal distances!
This is what it comes down to and it is as simple as this. Your maximum effective shooting distance is that distance in which you are comfortable and can consistently put your arrows in a group one after another repeatedly. For some this is 40 yards and for others it may be 90. Keep in mind this is not shooting at live targets during hunting conditions per say!!
Shooting from various positions is important….
“So what do you need to do to increase your maximum effective range?” It all comes down to one word…….PRACTICE! And then more practice, practice, and practice! Try not to use an excuse that it is too hot or cold out, it is too windy, it is too wet, it is raining, etc…you get the picture. Sure there has to be limits but by shooting in as many adverse weather conditions as you can will also increase your shooting capability and confidence. Having confidence in your shooting and your equipment is very important and this can only be gained by shooting as often as possible.
When I first started shooting over 25+ years ago I started shooting at 10 yards and over time my range increased to 20, 30, 40, 50, etc…As I became more confident in my equipment and myself I began to stretch that distance to 110, 120, etc…Granted this didn’t happen overnight or over a year or two. I am still brushing up on my shooting today and I feel as if I can never be as good of a archer as I want to be!
A practice that I like to do at times is shoot an arrow at my target and run to that target, grab my arrow and run back immediately picking up my bow and shooting another arrow. Sometimes I do this while shooting up or down a hill as well to mimic the effects of being short of breathe as if I had to get up a hill quick to make a shot. As I get better I start to move the target farther away.
I am to the point today that I usually practice at ranges greater than 80 yards. This makes those 50 yard shots feel like chip shots and those 30 yard shots a slam dunk! So what is my maximum effective shooting range? Right now I would say that it is 120 yards but can stretch that out to 140 yards but I lose a bit of confidence after 120 yards. I can assure you that I will continue to improve on that! Remember, this is while target shooting.
Light levels can change….
Another thing that makes this type of shooting possible is by having a flat shooting, fast performing bow. That makes the Omen Pro and Max my favorite bows to date because of their raw performance. The shorter brace height has never been an issue for me either. Having great form makes these longer shots possible and longer shooting will actually improve your form. Why? Because a minor flaw in form at 30 yards may mean a 2” change in point of impact. A minor flaw in form at 100 yards can mean a foot or more! Longer shots force you to improve and keep your form consistent. Longer shots compound minor flaws in form and this makes you become a better shot and archer. Shooting from various positions is also important. Standing (even and uneven ground), sitting in various positions, with various types of clothing, different angles, etc…again, you get the point. Mimic as many various shooting positions and situations you can.
Now to what everyone is wondering. You wouldn’t dare shoot at an animal at 120 yards would you?! Well that all depends…..More than likely not but I will shoot at and kill animals at longer yardages than most archers would even think about shooting. Again, why? Because of my practice that I have done and the confidence I have in myself and my gear! 120 yards is not a shot I have ever done and do not plan to because I like the challenge of getting in close as I can for a shot! With that being said the animal’s behavior, body position, and weather conditions do come into play for each shot. An animal that has no idea I am there and is completely relaxed will allow a farther shot than an animal that is alert and nervous. Every condition has its place and many do not have a place for a shot at all. Keep in mind that I will never loosen an arrow on an animal that I know will not make a good clean ethical kill shot! We should all have that same belief in our mind at all times.
Elevated shots are important….
The greatest archer of all is the one who knows his limitations.
Only you can answer what your maximum shooting range is. It will depend directly on your level of confidence and capability directly related to practice and the shooting you make yourself take part in. Maximum shooting distance on a live animal in a hunting situation takes on many variables that also, only you can decide on.
So what are you waiting for?! Get out there and practice and brush up on your skills! I challenge you to start practicing at longer distances. You will be happy you did! It will increase your maximum shooting range guaranteed!
Jared “J-Rod” Bloomgren is a hardcore Do-It-Yourself bowhunter who strives to better himself each year in the outdoor community. As a professional hunter, freelance writer and photographer, he likes to relive his outdoor adventures through written expression and photography making the reader feel as if they were along on the hunt. He attributes much of his success to the vital education he has learned from the various big game animals that he hunts. He is quoted as saying, “In each and every hunt, success or defeat, I learn something from every outing and that I can put in my arsenal of knowledge to use at a later date, a later date that will again put my wits against that of my prey.”
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
The Cure for Post Season Withdrawl by PSE’s Al Quackenbush
By Al Quackenbush
February is typically a month where we feel deprived of hunting. There is a void in our lives as not too many are out actually hunting, but more so just thinking about it and how they can’t wait for deer season to roll back around. Even for me it can be a tough time of year to get out, but with turkey season rapidly approaching getting into the woods to scout is key to success. A major plus is that while scouting areas for turkey in California you can also hunt coyotes or hogs year round so bring your bow and arrows when you scout, too!
Target Practice
Practicing should be a year round activity. Just because the snow is falling or there isn’t any hunting season open doesn’t mean you should hang up your bow for the next few months. Stay sharp year-round by practicing year-round. I am fortunate to have good weather and an outdoor archery range open throughout the year. This year I plan on also setting up a small target in my garage to allow me to shoot a few arrows every day just to keep my body fluid.
Bring a friend out scouting and introduce them to the wild! Another good way to get people interested is to take some of that hard earned venison and whip up a nice meal. Have some friends over for a venison feast, swap stories and share the wealth. You would be surprised at how many guys want to go hunting after tasting some steroid-free meat!
Bring a GPS…and be sure you are up to date with the current versions of software. Land may have changed hands, public land become private or vice versa. By bringing a GPS into the field you can mark different areas to review in the comfort of your home and give you exact locations for when you head back out to hunt.
Scouting
Two more items that are a must when I scout are my binoculars and my camera. A good pair of binoculars like my 10x42s are great for scouting because they are powerful and I don’t mind the extra weight when it comes to optics. I want good quality, power and reliability (just like my compound bow). I also bring a camera along to document areas, things I find on the ground, and any animals I might see. It’s also a great way to document your trip to show your hunting buddies or your family.
So, if you get out there to do some early pre-season scouting or are fortunate enough to get some hunting in share your experiences and photos on the PSE Facebook page. We would all love to participate in your progress, excitement and all around success!
Albert Quackenbush has been bowhunting for more than 29 years. He shares his adventures on his blog, www.SoCalBowhunter.com and also writes for Bow Adventures e-magazine. He is a PSE Staff Blogger and a Pro Staff member for Piranha Custom Bowstrings and Field Logic. He is a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, California Deer Association, and is a Life Member of the North American Hunting Club.
Albert was born and raised in New York State where he learned to hunt everything from squirrels to whitetail deer. He lives in Southern California with his wife and daughter and hunts year round.
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
An Archer’s Morning by PSE’s Emily Anderson
By Emily Anderson
Blog: http://www.fromthedraw.com/
Carrying bow in hand and arrows in the other, the archer journeys through the open field. An established target lays waiting along a well worn path. The archer doesn’t want to miss the moment. She makes an appearance briefly each morning, nods and slips away after illuminating the land with glorious stretched out rays. Each new day is introduced in morning splendor as she swings her lantern of light across the horizon. She is making her way, evidenced by the surrender of darkness, so the archer quickens his step. Dawn is drawing near and the archer will be there to greet her.
The rhythm of the draw, aim, and release is mesmerizing, which somehow pauses the spinning of the world as an arrow slices through the crisp clean air. Fingertips begin to grow numb as Jack Frost makes an appearance, but Dawn’s soft golden rays greets the archer with a kiss simultaneously as the string is anchored to lip’s edge. The favor is returned as glistening rays dance off the tip of the arrow now slicing through the thin veil of breaking light. The dance continues. Anchor. Breathe. Aim. Release.
Morning is now chasing Dawn across the prairie, threatening to snatch up her golden rays as the sun inches higher in the sky. The brilliant rays of first light has done it’s job and pierced through the archer’s heart. Dawn’s tranquility has swept by, leaving an archer in an open field thankful for another day. Through the peep hole of a bow sight, the archer winks and watches as she introduces the day gracefully. She winks back and slips away with a promise to return to catch the next arrow in flight.
The archer gathers arrows and journeys on, ready to face the day with the promise of Dawn coming again.
Emily Anderson’s hunting journey began shortly after she got married. She enjoys the passions for the outdoors, hunting and fishing as a team with her husband. She established www.FromTheDraw.com as a way to share her stories as a female hunter. Emily lives in Colorado which allows her to hunt elk each September in the Rocky Mountains. She is now a PSE Staff Blogger and will be posting daily about her experiences and views on archery and hunting.
Keep your eye out for the #elktour DVD over on huntography.com! Watch PSE’s Emily Anderson and Dustin Jones hunt elk DIY style on our amazing public lands in the Western United States. Huntography also films a deer hunting DVD called #deertour which you will be able to watch PSE’s Will Jenkins hunt whitetails. Huntography…filming America’s hunters, one at a time!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
PSE’s Albert Quackenbush Building friendships through bow hunting
PSE’s Albert Quackenbush Glassing
It’s a rare event when I want to crawl back into bed on a hunt morning, but today was one of those days. I was just plain tired and the bed felt super comfortable, plus it was 2:00 AM on a Saturday. Fortunately, I snapped out of it quick because while it may have been early, it was time to bow hunt!
Brett and I made it to the trail head at 4:15 Am, which was exactly the time we wanted to arrive. There was a 3/4 moon, so we got to do something I have never done before; hike into our spot by moonlight. Our headlamps remained off on the nearly two mile journey into our destination. We were both happy that the temperature was 46 degrees as that made our hike in much more enjoyable. After dropping Brett off, I made my way to my glassing location, which was a Ridgeland that gave a spectacular view of the valley below. Sunrise wasn’t until 6:30 AM, but the moon was so bright that I was able to start glassing the ridges at 5:45 AM. It was amazing!
Brett glassing a distant hillside for deer
Sharing public land with rifle hunters is something every bow hunter must do. On this particular morning, the rifle hunters were out in full force. Around 7:00 AM, I received a text from Brett that he had spotted some does on a ridge. Quickly picking them out through my binoculars, I waited to see what they would do. As they walked down a trail, all they needed to do was turn right and they would be in bow range for Brett. They had other plans and turned left.
Hunter safety is something I am passionate about in my bow hunting seminars. In the state of California, it is not mandatory for any deer hunter to wear blaze orange. When archery and rifle seasons coincide, I am always wearing some sort of orange to let other hunters know where I am. Forty-five minutes after sunrise, Brett informed me that another hunter was near his location and had no idea he was there. Brett and I were both wearing blaze orange hats and this hunter had absolutely no orange on. I watched as the hunter took the ridge I was glassing from and started to hike it right toward me. I made the decision to stand right up and make sure he noticed me. Not only did I not want to be mistaken for a deer, but I also wanted him to know that I was hunting this ridge. He finally noticed me, turned around and stopped near Brett again. He then noticed Brett, waved and found another position. It was a tense situation because we didn’t want any confrontation nor did we want anyone shooting in our direction.
Deer on the nearby ridge
We glassed and waited patiently for a buck or a doe to walk into range. After two hours of waiting, a shot rang out in one of the canyons. I watched four doe take off from where the shot came from. Anticipating them running up the ridge I was on, I got ready. Like the two does from earlier, they went the other way. Within the next few minutes, we watched as four other hunters met up with the shooter. By his actions, we could tell he had a buck down. Brett made his way over to my location and we glassed the canyons as the hunter’s field dressed their deer. Seeing nothing, we hiked into an adjacent bowl.
We hiked and glassed and hike some more. We ran into more rifle hunters and still had smiles on our faces. Why? We were bow hunting and having a great time being in the great outdoors. As we made our way through drainage I spotted a forkie shed. It was a great reminder on why we were hiking our tails off.
PSE’s Albert Quackenbush found Small forkie shed in drainage
The weather was perfect, but the deer were nowhere to be found. We did find another hunter taking a nap under a shaded bush. We chatted with him for a few minutes and then continued hiking. Beside the other hunters, we soon realized we were not the only predators in the forest. Right in the middle of the trail we found these mountain lion tracks that had been made that morning. It gave us an uneasy feeling, but the worst part was the cat had decided to head right into the area we were headed. Now all bets were off as we turned back to find a shaded spot to relax for a couple of hours.
Mountain lion track
The evening hunt was a bust, but on the hike out it was evident that both Brett and I enjoyed the day. Breathing in the fresh air, burning boot rubber, and seeing some beautiful country while bow hunting made it a great day. All in all, we encountered eleven rifle hunters throughout the day. Not a single one of them had a stitch of orange on. I encourage all of you bow hunters to be safe out there and to try to anticipate situations you will encounter. No matter what, have fun and be safe out there!
Albert Quackenbush has been bowhunting for more than 28 years. He shares his adventures on his blog, www.SoCalBowhunter.com, and also writes for Bow Adventures e-magazine. He is a Pro Staff member for DIYbowhunter.com, Piranha Custom Bowstrings and Field Logic. He is a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, California Deer Association, and is a Life Member of the North American Hunting Club.
Albert was born and raised in New York State where he learned to hunt everything from squirrels to whitetail deer. He currently resides in Southern California with his wife and daughter and hunts year round.
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
How do you know which eye is dominant? – Q & A w/ PSE’s Bobby V
Bobby V brings in PSE Pro Staff Chuck Cooley to answer a question about how to determine eye dominance.
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
Tips on Target Practice By PSE’s Albert Quackenbush
By Albert Quackenbush
www.SoCalBowhunter.com
PSE’s Albert Quackenbush Target Practice
Practice for the extreme if you want to down an animal with one clean shot. What do I mean by that? A few years ago, I was out scouting a month before the season and at 6:00 AM it was 89 degrees. At 6:00 AM!! Imagine what it would be like at 2:00 PM. Here the temperatures during hunting season can easily reach 100 degrees midday. It gets hot, you get sweaty and uncomfortable and you need to prepare yourself for it. Also, you really should practice at ranges you aren’t so comfortable with. Shoot out further and you’ll be surprised at how your accuracy will change at closer range. Here are steps I continually work on throughout the year when I am practicing to prepare myself for the extremes.
In the early part of the year you will find me practicing in shorts, a t-shirt and sneakers when I am at the range. It helps me loosen up and it’s comfortable! The same should go for you. Start off the year practicing in your comfortable clothes, no matter where you are. Make it enjoyable. As the weeks tick by, I will add more clothing during select sessions at the archery range. On some hot days (80+ degrees), I’ll clothe myself in my long-sleeve, long pant gear. I’ll wear my hunting boots, too. Why do I torture myself like this? Hunting in the high desert could mean shooting a deer when it’s 90 degrees. You really should practice in those extreme situations. I have also had clothing get tangled into my bow string and throw off my shot. Wear what you plan to hunt in from time to time and you’ll find instances like this that can be corrected early on.
PSE’s Albert Quackenbush 3D Practice
Sometime during the next few weeks I will add in a 3D target to the mix. While you can start with a regular target with dots to shoot at, in the field you won’t have a bulls eye to focus on. Buy a 3D target and practice with it as much as you can. For me, I shoot at a small javelina target. Have I ever hunted javelina? No, but the target area is very small and it leaves little room for error. I could try to pick up a moose target, but I want my shots tight and my confidence level as high as it can be. If you hunt deer exclusively, pick up a quality deer target. My shots greatly improved when I started shooting a 3D target.
PSE’s Albert Quackenbush Target Practice Tips
Want to add some more fun to your target practice? Take an old sock and fill it with rags or more old socks. Prior washing optional! The more you stuff in the better the result will be. Once you have six or eight in, tie off the end with a knot. Success! Now you have yourself a small rabbit target to use at the range. Then, tip one of your arrows with a judo point made for small game hunting. Start shooting at the rabbit a few times during each session. Keep track of your range and how you improve over time. You might surprise yourself how confident you will become and how far out you can hit that small bundle of socks.
Keep in mind that you must also prepare yourself for failure. Without failure there can be no improvement. Even after 28 years of experience with archery I still miss my mark once in a while. I am not perfect and I have bad days at the range, too. Just a few weeks ago, I was shooting with my friends and we were shooting at sixty yards with deadly accuracy. During our round of six arrows each, I drew my bow, settled my pin, and let the arrow fly. Immediately I knew it was off the mark as I felt he bow torque in my hand just as I released. My arrow went right over the 3D target and buried itself in the thick grass behind it. Was I dejected? You bet I was! How had I missed? No matter what I thought, I had to stay positive. It was what I did next that mattered most. Instead of beating myself up for missing, I went back to shooting and focused. I found my anchor point, settled the pin, squeezed the trigger on my release and buried an arrow deep into the vitals of the javelina. My practice session ended where it should have – on a successful shot.
PSE’s Albert Quackenbush
In closing I have one very important tip to ensure continued success. Once your arm gets tired, stop practicing. You can make bad judgments followed by avoidable mistakes if you continue to push yourself. Instead, go rest or pack up and prepare yourself to come back another day. I had to learn the hard way and now whenever my arm gets tired I am done. Remember that when shooting at an animal it is the first arrow that is the most important, not the last.
Albert Quackenbush has been bowhunting for more than 28 years. He shares his adventures on his blog, www.SoCalBowhunter.com, and also writes for Bow Adventures e-magazine. He is a Pro Staff member for DIYbowhunter.com, Piranha Custom Bowstrings and Field Logic. He is a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, California Deer Association, and is a Life Member of the North American Hunting Club.
Albert was born and raised in New York State where he learned to hunt everything from squirrels to whitetail deer. He currently resides in Southern California with his wife and daughter and hunts year round.
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
PSE’s Dustin Jones Practice Techniques
Dustin Jones
http://www.highcountrybowhunter.com/
PSE’s Dustin Jones Practice
We have all heard the saying “practice makes perfect.” While I believe this to be true, I feel like there is more to practice than just practice itself. Shooting your bow often will help strengthen the muscles that are being used as well as building the muscle memory. Now don’t get me wrong, this is all good practice but here are a few ways to become a better archery hunter.
1. Set Up in Different Scenarios
PSE’s Dustin Jones Sister in law
As nice as it would be to always have an animal come in at 20 yards and stand there broadside with nothing between you or them, let’s be honest, it doesn’t always happen. Set Up several different realistic scenarios in which you think you might get a shot. When I am spot and stalk hunting for deer or elk, I need to use the trees, rocks, or sagebrush for cover. I try and recreate some of these situations by setting up my target and actually trying to sneak up on it and draw while trying to stay covered then slowly peek around and place an accurate shot.
2. Shoot How You’ll Hunt
PSE’s Dustin Jones brother Travis Archery Shoot
this is one that I strive to focus a lot of my attention. There are different times of the year that you hunt which requires different clothing. This is why I practice often so as the seasons change, I will know how I shoot with certain layers on. Now building the muscle memory and being consistent in your form won’t change, but you may find that one extra layer could be getting hit by the string as you shoot so you need to add a shooting sleeve over that layer. It will feel different when you have a hunting pack on. There have been plenty of times when hiking in with my pack on I get an opportunity at an animal. By practicing with my pack on I have the confidence knowing I can make that shot.
3. Just Breathe
PSE’s Dustin Jones brother Kevin
Controlling your breathing is the most challenging aspects of hunting. I have troubles controlling my breathing no matter if it is a large bull elk or a whitetail doebut getting a handle on this will help you tremendously when the moment of truth comes. So how do you practice controlling your breathing? That is a really good question. What has worked for me is I sometimes do a light jog just to get my heart rate and breathing up then try to get it under control. Granted it’s not exactly the same but feeling your heart beat faster and breathing rate go up then try and shoot has helped me.
4. 3-D Archery
PSE’s Dustin Jones 3-D Archery Shoot
I enjoy shooting traditional flat face targets, but some of the best practice is shooting 3-D targets. I am a member of my local archery club and they put on several 3-D archery shoots throughout the year prior to hunting season. This is a great way to practice and see where you should be aiming on certain animals indifferent positions. I would highly suggest getting a 3-D target to practice with and set it up in different scenarios.
These are some things that have helped me become a better archery hunter. So yes practice does make perfect, but it matters how you practice. Don’t do it for the sake of practicing. When you are out there, make it worth your time and have fun. I may look funny sneaking through my yard just to shoot a 3-D target, but it sure is a blast!
Dustin was born and raised in Eastern Idaho where he currently resides with his wife and two sons.
Keep your eye out for the #elktour DVD over on huntography.com! Watch PSE’s Emily Anderson and Dustin Jones hunt elk DIY style on our amazing public lands in the Western United States. Huntography also films a deer hunting DVD called #deertour which you will be able to watch PSE’s Will Jenkins hunt whitetails. Huntography…filming America’s hunters, one at a time!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
2013 PSE FleX Cable Slide Technology
2013 PSE Technology – FleX Cable Slide
PSE FleX Cable Slide Technology
- Uses the same technology and manufacturing process as our PSE X Technology limbs for outstanding durability
- Reduces lateral load by 30% for decreased torque at full draw
- Adjustable offset allows cable clearance using different size arrows and fletchings
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
- 2013 PSE Technology – FleX Cable Slide
PSE’s Albert Quackenbush Very Enticing..
By Albert Quackenbush
SoCalBowhunter.com
PSE’s Albert Quackenbush Bow Practice
Four years ago I purchased my first PSE compound bow. It was a 2006 PSE Vengeance. I spent time researching this used bow and found the details to be very enticing. When I met the seller at his house, we spent a great deal of time discussing the bow. Being a lifelong bowhunter himself, he asked that I shoot the bow in his driveway before I purchased it. The fit and feel was just right for me. The draw was smooth, the weight in my hands was perfect and it shot like a dream. The price couldn’t be beat. I made the purchase knowing I had found the right bow for me, but that wasn’t always the case.
One of the biggest challenges I faced growing up was finding the right bow. When I first started shooting a compound bow it was because my dad bought it for me. I shot it often and loved it because he gave it to me, not really thinking about anything else.
Due to lack of knowledge and understanding, I have shot many different bows during my archery career. The most dramatic and hard lesson I learned was when I was 16 years old. I had outgrown my first compound and had to upgrade. My dad took me to a local pro shop to look at some used bows. We could never afford to buy a new one, which I was completely fine with. Just being able to bow hunt was incredible itself.
Once inside the pro shop, we noticed the owner reviewing a bow a gentleman had just brought in to sell. It looked like a great bow and my dad wanted me to try it out. It was selling for a great price and it was within our budget. This is a common mistake made by new bowhunters. They make an impulse buy and later, after shooting it and realizing their mistake, falter and get discouraged.
Albert Quackenbush
Now please understand I do not blame my dad or anyone else. There’s no blame here. It’s a misunderstanding and lack of knowledge. We did not know that you could shoot a few bows, try them out and see which one fit. It felt like we were inconveniencing the pro shop owner by taking our time looking, so we jumped at the chance to buy the used bow. Sure, I shot it (it was a difficult draw) and the bow was way too heavy for my 16 year old frame, but the price was perfect. So we bought it.
For the next two years I shot this bow with my confidence as low as one could imagine. It had no let-off, was heavy and although I was fortunate to take a couple deer with it, I really disliked the bow. With the same tactics as previously described, I went out and bought a new one.
My point in all of this is don’t buy a bow just because it’s on sale or that you think looks cool. Actually take some time to shoot it. Be sure it fits you so that you will own it for a very long time.
I have moved on from that first PSE to other PSE bows because they just fit me even better. I shot a PSE X-Force for years before upgrading to my current PSE Bow Madness. This is a great bow for me and is hands down the best bow I have ever shot. It fits me like a glove, shoots exceptionally well and is quiet. PSE is a company I trust and will be shooting for a very long time.
Albert Quackenbush has been bowhunting for more than 28 years. He shares his adventures on his blog,SoCalBowhunter.com, and also writes for Bow Adventures e-magazine. He is a Pro Staff member for DIYbowhunter.com, Piranha Custom Bowstrings and Field Logic. He is a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, California Deer Association, and is a Life Member of the North American Hunting Club.
Albert was born and raised in New York State where he learned to hunt everything from squirrels to whitetail deer. He currently resides in Southern California with his wife and daughter and hunts year round.
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
The 2013 PSE Videos Are Here!
youtube.com/psevideo
We just loaded our 2013 PSE videos to our YouTube.com Channel! There are videos on PSE bows, cams and PSE technology. Go and take a look! www.youtube.com/psevideo.
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
The 2013 PSE Consumer Catalog is here!
2013 PSE Product Catalog
Come and take a look at what PSE has brought you in 2013! http://bit.ly/psecatalog.
Pre-order from your local PSE Dealer! Click here to find a dealer near you!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
Tournament Shooters are Perfectionists…and so are we!!
2013 PSE Supra Max
Pre-Order Now From Your Local PSE Dealer!
We know that tournament shooters are a little on the compulsive side. They’re never quite satisfied and believe that even the best bows can be improved. Fortunately…so do we! That’s why we redesigned one of the most popular tournament bows on the market. Introducing the Supra™ Max. Just like the original Supra™, it features a Planar Flex Riser, B.E.S.T. Raptor™ grip, and Mini EVO™ cams. But this year it has been radically improved and now features the new Centerlock 2™ Limb Pockets, FleX™ Cable Slide and Backstop 2™. The result is one of the finest target bows to ever hit the market!
To find your local PSE Dealer, click here!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
The New Phenom™…Absolutely Phenomenal!
2013 PSE Phenom
Pre-Order Now From Your Local PSE Dealer!
At PSE, we have always believed that money shouldn’t keep you from enjoying the sport of archery. Introducing the Phenom™, a terrific money-saving alternative for serious target shooters. Its design is very forgiving with a 36 inch axle-to-axle length and 7 inch brace height. It features X-Technology, pivoting limb pockets, preloaded split limbs, the new Backstop™ 2, Planar Flex riser, and Raptor™ grip. The result…an incredibly accurate and forgiving target bow that won’t break your budget.
To find your local PSE Dealer, click here!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
Don’t Just Win…Dominate with the PSE Dominator™ Max!
2013 PSE Dominator Max
Pre-Order Now From Your Local PSE Dealer!
At PSE, our goal was not only to engineer a better target bow, but to engineer a target bow that would make our shooters better. We did that by creating a bow that is the most accurate, most forgiving bow ever made. The new Dominator™ MAX still has all the features you would expect; super stable shoot through riser, symmetric Raptor™ grip and fourth generation X-Tech split limbs. But, now it features the all new Centerlock 2™ Limb Pockets, FleX™ Cable Slide and the Backstop 2™. The result is what we believe is the most accurate and forgiving bow ever made. Shoot the new Dominator™ MAX and see why more of the world’s best target shooters are turning to PSE!
To find your local PSE Dealer, click here!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
Dominate the World With the Dominator 3D Max!
2013 PSE Dominator 3D Max
Pre-Order Now From Your Local PSE Dealer!
What happens when you combine the revolutionary design and technology of the Dominator™ MAX with a shorter axle-to-axle geometry? You get the hottest 3D bow on the planet! The Dominator™ 3D MAX has all the features of the Dominator™ MAX: super stable shoot through riser, revolutionary Centerlock 2™ Limb Pocket system, Symmetric Raptor™ grip, Backstop 2™, FleX™ Cable Slide, fourth generation X-Tech split limbs and the Mini EVO™ Hybrid cams. The result is a 36 ¼” axle-to-axle target bow that is sure to dominate the 3D trail in 2013!
To find your local PSE Dealer, click here!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
2013 PSE Technology and Cams
2013 PSE Technology
New and Improved Fasteners
In 2013, PSE is beginning a long term investment in higher grade fasteners to improve the reliability and durability of our bows. Our hardware upgrades include improved plating, expanded use of Nylok® self-locking patches and a switch from hex head to Torx® head screws.
- Higher torsional strength and improved torque transfer efficiency
- Longer tool and fastener life by reducing stripping, rounding of corners and cam-out
- Technical and economic benefits have created world wide acceptance and common usage in the firearms, automobile and consumer electronics industries
New Centerlock™ 2 Limb Pockets
- New design that is 16% lighter
- Triple Lock Design uses 3 locking and alignment features for a zero tolerance fit
- Secures and pulls the limbs to the center line of the bow
- Incorporates specially engineered glass reinforced nylon to support flexing limb for quiet operation
- 10 Turns adjustment of limb bolt
New Flex™ Cable Slide
- Uses the same technology and manufacturing process as our PSE X Technology limbs for outstanding durability
- Reduces lateral load by 30% for decreased torque at full draw
- Adjustable offset allows cable clearance using different size arrows and fletchings
New Backstop™ 2 Bumper
- Rotationally adjustable to align the center of the bumper with the string
- Micro-adjustable to customize impact distance
- Simplified length adjustment
New Vibracheck™ Limb Damper Band System
- Made of a specially formulated elastomer to absorb vibration
- Easy on and off attachment allows installation without disassembling the bow
- Can be used on individual split limbs, across both split limbs, or on solid limb bows
- Versatile design allows placement on other bow parts for further vibration reduction
- Available in multiple color options
UF Hybrid Cam (UF)
- Discreet cam profiles at all draw lengths for uncompromised performance
- 5” draw length options in ½” increments
- Adjustable wall and valley to meet individual shooting style
- Cam profiles engineered to minimize limb and string vibrations
Bow Model: Omen™ Max
Core Cam (CC)
- Dynamically balanced and rotationally synchronized for optimal performance and tuning on Center Pull Bow Geometries
- 7075 aircraft grade aluminum for increased strength and decreased weight
- Improved energy storage with comfortable rollover is the core concept of this 11th generation hybrid
- 3rd generation posi-lock inner-cam
Bow Model: Dream Season® DNA™
EVO Hybrid Cam (EV)
- 2nd generation posi-lock inner-cam
- 6” draw length adjustment in ½” increments
- Smooth rollover with generous valley and solid wall
- Cam profiles engineered to minimize limb and string vibrations
- Nock travel optimized for tunability at all draw lengths
Bow Models: Evo™ Max, Freak™ Max, Hammer™
Drive Cam (DC)
- Hybrid cam performance with the simplicity in adjustment and timing of a single-cam
- 2nd generation posi-lock inner-cam
- 6 ½” of draw length adjustment in ½” increments
- Gentle rollover with generous valley and solid wall
- Cam profiles engineered to minimize limb and string vibrations
- Nock travel optimized for tuneability
Bow Models: Vendetta™, Revenge™, Drive™
Mini EVO Cam (ME)
- A smaller version of the EVO cam for shorter power stroke
- 2nd generation posi-lock inner-cam
- 5 ½” of draw length adjustment in ½” increments
- Smooth rollover with generous valley and solid wall
- Cam profiles engineered to minimize limb and string vibrations
Bow Models: Stiletto™, Dominator™Max, Dominator™3D Max, Supra™ Max, Phenom™
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
In 2013, PSE Now Offers Color Dampers!
2013 PSE Color Dampers
PSE is now offering our popular line of damping accessories in colors. Allowing for customization of each bow, each piece is durable, effective and gives a custom look without a custom price. Color kits allow for a total bow “makeover” , individual pieces allow for splashes of color or the ability to have multiple colors on the same bow. Our new limb bands require no bow press and are easily attached to solid or split limb platforms!
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
2013 PSE Custom Colors are here!
DESIGN YOUR OWN CUSTOM BOW!
2013 PSE Custom Bow Colors
Monday, October 1st, we are launching our 2013 PSE Product line! Pre-order from your local PSE Dealer! Here are our custom colors for the year! Lots of surprises to come! 
Jon Shepley and the engineers at PSE spend a great deal of time designing our bow line each year. They do everything possible to offer a wide selection of bow options that will satisfy the needs of most archers. But, there are customers who need or want something a little different. What if you want a special color that we don’t offer in our catalog? That’s why we created the PSE Special Service Custom Shop. Through our Custom Shop you can let your imagination run wild. Using the multitude of existing components, the Custom Shop can possibly make a one of a kind bow, just for you.
Important Note: Not all desired configurations will be possible and always remember our catalog offerings are designed by our engineers for optimal performance.
Are you looking for that special color for your compound bows? We now have many colors to choose from. Colors will vary from run to run and are available only for Compound bows.
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
PSE’s Albert Quackenbush – Proud Bow Hunter
By Albert Quackenbush
SoCalBowhunter.com
PSE’s Albert Quackenbush Target Practice
Hunting has been in my family for as long as I remember. My dad and brother are the two best hunting partners a guy could ask for. We would spend all year discussing the previous year, the weather, where to place stands and when October would arrive so we could get in the woods. Sure, we hunted for small game and turkey, but the animal we most desired was the whitetail deer. I took it for granted, until I moved 3,000 miles away.
Where I grew up in New York State everyone hunted. When I moved to California that all changed. It was a new place with new friends who didn’t understand hunting. Then married a woman who doesn’t care for hunting, but she appreciates the passion I have for it. I am a proud bow hunter and I am not afraid to share it.
I have actually made some great new friends through bow hunting in California. Some of the guys are my new bow hunting partners. Every week we hit the archery range to practice and talk about the upcoming archery seasons and what we can hunt. I look forward to it each and every week.
Now that my daughter is three and a half, I have started sharing more and more of the outdoors with her. I have never hidden the fact that I hunt, nor will I be ashamed of it. Sometimes, when I am watching a hunting show on television, she’ll hop on my lap and point out the animals onscreen. It makes me proud to know she knows the animals and sees the hunters in pursuit of wild game.
When I get home wearing camouflage face paint, she often jokingly asks me if I am wearing makeup. Of course I reply that indeed I am!
PSE’s Al Quackenbush Teaching his Daughter to Shoot
Just recently, my daughter and I ventured to a sporting goods retailer and we picked out her very first bow. While I was introduced to archery when I was nine, I figured she could start earlier if she wanted to. Sure, she’s not going want to focus on it for more than five minutes, but she should have fun and shoot some arrows like her dad if she wants to. Enthusiastically, she said that she wanted the bow and also loved seeing all of the taxidermy around.
The next day, we got her bow out of the package and she shot for the first time. Like most kids, she was frustrated at first. With a little patience and coaxing, she was shooting arrows and smiling in no time. You can bet that I will be sharing more bow hunting tips and techniques as we both age gracefully.
Albert Quackenbush has been bowhunting for more than 28 years. He shares his adventures on his blog, SoCalBowhunter.com, and also writes for Bow Adventures e-magazine. He is a Pro Staff member for DIYbowhunter.com, Piranha Custom Bowstrings and Field Logic. He is a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, California Deer Association, and is a Life Member of the North American Hunting Club.
Albert was born and raised in New York State where he learned to hunt everything from squirrels to whitetail deer. He currently resides in Southern California with his wife and daughter and hunts year round.
To learn more about PSE’s top quality bows and bowhunting accessories, click here.
PSE Introduces the PSE Staff Bloggers
PSE Staff Bloggers
September 10, 2012 – Tucson, AZ – Precision Shooting Equipment, Inc. (PSE), a pioneering company in the archery industry, announces the selection of the PSE Staff Bloggers for blog.pse-archery.com.
“We are very honored to have assembled such an outstanding team of bloggers to represent PSE,” said Blake Shelby, PSE Director of Marketing. “Their dedication to DIY hunting, family and bowhunting will be represented in their posts.”
The PSE Staff Blogger Team consists of the following:
- Pedro Ampuero – www.adventurousbowhunter.com
- Emily Anderson – www.fromthedraw.com
- Will Jenkins – www.thewilltohunt.com
- Dustin Jones – www.highcountrybowhunter.com
- Albert Quackenbush – www.SoCalBowhunter.com
- Ainsley Beeman
- Jared Bloomgren
“We are excited to welcome them to the PSE family and look forward to reading their posts,” said Jonathan Shepley, President of PSE. “We believe they will be an asset to our industry with their tips, strategies and insights into bowhunting and archery.”
About Precision Shooting Equipment, Inc.
Pete Shepley, a legend in the archery industry, founded PSE 41 years ago. Today, PSE is one of the largest privately-owned archery equipment manufacturing companies in the country and a leader in development and manufacturing of the most advanced compound bows and related equipment ever produced.
For more information about PSE, visit www.pse-archery.com or read their blog at http://blog.pse-archery.com.
