May 25, 2016

4 Tips for Becoming a Better Bow Hunter

by Austin Delano

FieldNotes5.25.16_hdr

With the warmer months of summer approaching quickly, archery season for big game is starting to feel not so distant. Some states have whitetail, elk, and mule deer seasons that start as early as mid August. It’s a cliché statement that it’s never too early to begin some practice shooting but it’s the truth. I committed last year to start shooting in June in preparation for archery season and a mid November hunt in the Midwest. I fully believe the extra practice paid off as I had to make a difficult 46-yard shot on the last day of the hunt.

Weekly practice doesn’t have to be a chore, shooting a few dozen arrows 2-3 days a week can really help you stay tuned in to your equipment and form.
Confidence. I still get excited anytime I’m fixing to get a shot on a whitetail, plenty of practice ahead of time gives you the confidence you can make the shot even with some buck fever.
Being comfortable with yardages. Consistent practice can help you in your distance judgment. There are also some great tools available like Leupold’s Vendetta bow mounted range finder that really take the guesswork out of it. The Vendetta even has a scan mode that allows you to range animals as they move for optimum accuracy.
Consistent practice in the pre-season will keep you familiar with your equipment and anything that needs fixed or updated. The archery stores get really busy right before the season starts with people that just started shooting and discovered they needed a new string or other serious repair.

How to Get Private Land to Hunt with Bruce Hooper

Before I look for private land to hunt, I have some business cards printed with my name, address, phone number, and the fact that I’m on the Mossy Oak Pro Staff. Also, I put the color, the make, the year and the license plate number of my truck on them. When I go up and knock on a door, I tell the landowner who I am, that I'm on the Mossy Oak Pro Staff and

Turkey, How-To, Mossy Oak

Latest Content

Toxey Haas's Tips for Brushing in a Duck Blind

Toxey Haas loves to hunt ducks. In these videos, he takes us through his essential kit for brushing in and repairing a duck blind as well as how he prepares his duck blinds every year.

Waterfowl, How-To

Mossy Oak's Woodsman Series is Back

The Mossy Oak Woodsman Series is Back. Rooted in everything core hunters expected from us in the early days, the Woodsman collection is thoughtfully designed, constructed with quality materials, quiet fabrics, sturdy stitching and of course, our timeless camouflage patterns. We're proud to celebrate the core of hunting, woodsmanship, and with seasonal collections on the horizon, we're excited to open the archives, add a few things and re-introduce these classic designs. The Mossy Oak Woodsman

Turkey, Big Game, Small Game, Deer, Waterfowl, Predator, Conservation, Land Management, Gear, Mossy Oak

From the Archive: Deer Calling Tips from the Pros

Originally published in the 1994 Mossy Oak Bowhunting Magazine, this article talks to professionals like Will Primos on calling in deer.

Deer

How a Fistful of Dirt Started a Revolution

"That day was the beginning of a revolution in hunter concealment. It was the beginning of Mossy Oak, America's most effective concealment system."

Turkey, Deer

From the Archive: Ask the Pros! Mossy Oak Experts Answer Key Questions

"Pay attention as Mossy Oak Pro Staffers Will Walker, Mark Drury, Mike Fine and Stan Oakes--archery hunting's A Team--delve deep into the sport for insight and info that only they can provide."

Deer, Bow

From the Archives: Tune-Up Clinic

Originally published in the 1994 edition of Mossy Oak Bowhunting Magazine, this article discusses how to make sure your bowhunting set up is perfect come season.

Big Game, Deer, Bow

From the Archives: Bob Dixon and Steve Burnett on the Art of Mix and Matching Camo

By Terry Madewell, originally published in the 1994 edition of Mossy Oak Bowhunting Magazine As big whitetail bucks are inclined to do, this one had done the unexpected. I'd studied this buck's pattern for a couple of weeks, being extremely careful not to leave any scent in the wrong places. I'd selected a stand site where the dense underbrush funneled into a 40-yard-wide strip. I was sure this was where he would walk and I

Turkey, Big Game, Deer, Waterfowl, Predator, How-To

Fall Foraging: Nuts, Mushrooms, and Fruit

Check out Mossy Oak's foraging mushrooms, nuts and fruit post and learn why fall is the easiest time to forage for Beka Garris.

How-To, Ingredient Wild

How to Use onX to Map Out Your Rut Hunting Plans

Here’s a look at how to use onX Hunt to map out your rut hunting plans in the weeks ahead.

Deer, Land Management, How-To

Field Judging Black Bears

Ask any experienced hunter and they’ll tell you that black bears are among the most difficult big game animals to field judge. Part of that is because they’re far less common than deer, so hunters just don’t get much experience seeing them. And part is just the nature of the beast. Any large, black carnivorous animal will look big, especially if you don’t have something for scale nearby.

Big Game, How-To

Black Bear Season Primer

Hunting tactics can be broken down into several schools of thought. Here's a 101-style overview on what to expect this fall if you're bear hunting for the first time.

Big Game, How-To

3 Hill Country Stand Locations for the Whitetail Rut

These key spots funnel deer into tighter spaces, condensing activity and greatly improving your odds of not just seeing more deer, but filling your tag when it counts most.

Deer

Explore All Posts