Ever wonder what it would be like to shoot a bow? Well I thought that… less then a year ago and I am sure glad that I did. I was sitting here looking through all the pictures on the site and there was a common type. There were a lot of successful hunters on there posing with their trophies. To make me more aware, there were many big deer taken in Nova Scotia. A thought came to mind, it’s not rifle season yet! All those hunters have already had the chance to go after such a great animal.

At the time I was very unfamiliar with shooting anything with a bow. You know what it’s like when it comes to shooting deer with a bow if you have never shot one?. They say… "he must have been right on top of that thing" and "How do they get so close??"

I think it was about a week after that and I was down at my local club shooting a friend’s bow. Right away I was hooked. No questions asked I knew I wanted one. After that I shopped around and with some good advice from some members of this site I found myself a Hoyt hunting bow at a very good price and started off shooting that. I picked up on it very fast.

I started attending what are called 3D shoots. That’s when they have several different animals set on a course at unknown distances up to a maximum distance which depends on the archer’s age and bow setup which are called classes.

3D offers great practice for hunting; they have tree stand shots, uphill and downhill shots, woods to field shots and many others to fulfill the most realistic shots you could come across in hunting season. 3D also offers great practice for judging distances. I have made a lot of good friends out on the 3D course, and I can’t wait to shoot with them next year. The Greenwood club offers a Hunter Tune Up Shoot on September 18 / 2005 where they have difficult shots set up to mimic real hunting situations …there may be a branch in the way, too far to shoot or bad angles where points are gained or deducted if you decide to take the shot. I heard it was a lot of fun and can’t wait to attend it.

If you are interested in getting an extended deer season or just want a way to pass some good time then contact your local club or friend who knows something about bow and shoot one, I know you will like it! Make sure you go and see a
local pro shop and get a bow properly fitted for you and some tips on proper technique and form. Here’s a link to all the local clubs, get in touch and see when they shoot and come and watch and try it out!

/clubsorgs/

Shane Rafuse,  FipperT