The Busybody BUCKBUSTER SHOOT

Transcription

1 Newsletter for the Month Cub Run Archers ly m October 2015 pp Facebook = Cubrunarchers Upcoming Events: Next Meeting 1 November 11 AM Cub Run Fall Indoor Star FITA Tournament Sat & Sun, Nov The Busybody President President Walla remarked that we need to do a better job of keeping our facility clean. If you make a mess, it is your responsibility to see that it is properly cleaned-up. BUCKBUSTER SHOOT On Sunday, September 20th Cub Run Archers held its final shoot of the year, our annual Buckbuster 3-D shoot. The weather was fantastic and we had a pretty good turn-out with a total of 43 shooters participating (that is about 10 fewer than the number of chigger bites I got on Saturday setting up the course and that's staying on the paths and not walking through the woods! If I were a member of another Northern Virginia archery club I would not come to CRA for shoots simply because of all the insect bites I would be getting. We really need to do something about this!). I would like to thank all of the people who helped me get this shoot done including: Bob Walla, Hank Di Toro, John Brett, Mike Cinnamon, Dick Riemer, Matthew Smith, Jim Kerrigan, Terri Perry, Linda Riemer, Debbie Henningsen, Mark Stewart and Eric Vondra. If you helped and I didn't know about it (like putting away the targets on Sunday) or you helped and I forgot to mention your assistance, please consider yourself thanked! We'll do it again next year. dd Range Officers : Chris Rose reported that a 6 month extension for the inspection of our field range has been granted by VBA and that the club will need to address target butts that are or are nearly shooting through. He has been informed that if these butts are not repaired suitably, the range will not pass inspection. The repairs need to be made and the range re-inspected by the end of March. He also reported that an Eagle Scout project will undertake to stain the target butt holders on the practice range and four new benches on the field range. A work party will be called soon to address the necessary repairs to the field range. Treasurer: Jim Kerrigan noted that he will be beginning to put together a suggested Cub Run budget for 2016 and solicited input by phone, or in person from anyone who had suggestions as to what the budget will need to contain. He further reported that in an effort to have a more uniform accounting of the CRA budget, all reimbursements in the future will require an appropriate reimbursement fom to clarify budget expenses during any necessary budget audits,

2 Indoor Archery Director: There will be an indoor range officer orientation meeting immediately following the regular meeting and also following the November meeting. Everyone wishing to act as a range officer on the indoor range must attend one of these meetings. All range officers have to be at least Level 0ne certified archery instructors. Vice President's: Dave Dobbins reported that the final shoot of the year, our annual Buckbuster 3-D shoot, was held on Sunday, September 20. Participation was pretty good with a total of 43 shooters in attendance. He thanked all who assisted in making this shoot possible (see the next newsletter for a list of names of people who helped with the shoot). He pointed out, as he has in the past, that many of our 3-D targets are getting old and several are in need of replacement. He noted that McKenzie targets can no longer be purchased although you can still get some parts. He recommended that Rinehart 3-D targets be ordered this fall since we have had pretty good turn-outs from our 3-D shoots (74 shooters at the Winter Classic and 43 shooters at the Buckbuster). The treasurer noted that $500 was already allotted in the 2015 budget for 3-D targets and suggested that the membership approve of an additional $1,500 expenditure to revitalize our set of 3-Ds. The motion was seconded, discussed and passed unanimously. VBA Representative : Red Bourdage reported that for 2016 shoot year, we got all four of our requested shoot dates. VBA is looking for donations for the 2016 banquet that can be used as door prizes. As part of the 75th anniversary of VBA, next year all trophies earned at VBA State Shoots will be given out at the banquet. This will allow for them to be personalized for the trophy winners.

3

4 10 Bow Shooting Tips by Bill Winke - Tuesday, September 6, Treestand Technique: When people miss from a treestand, they often miss high. There are two reasons. First, the deer itself may jump the string. Almost all of them drop at least a little, some drop a lot. Second, some archers lower their bow arm instead of bending at the waist to create the downward shot angle. This also tends to produce high hits because it changes the relationship between the bow arm and the upper body and thus between the bow and the eye. 2. Relax: It starts with your feet and legs and leads to your bow arm and bow hand. Everything should be relaxed. Bend your bow arm just enough to unlock the elbow and let your fingers hang naturally in a relaxed grip. 3. Focus on the Spot: You have likely heard the old saying that if you aim small you will miss small. That is definitely true of archery. Learn to maintain a sharp focus on the spot you want to hit. 4. Follow Through: The follow-through is both mental and physical, and serves to hold everything together long enough for the arrow to escape the bow. On the physical side, your grip-hand must stay relaxed until the arrow hits the target. Many bowhunters snap it closed at the same moment they release the string destroying accuracy. Resist the common tendency to drop your arm when you release the string. 5. Two-Finger Release Technique: There s no question that the mechanical release is the most accurate way to shoot an arrow; however, if you want to stick with fingers, then use only two fingers to hold the bowstring at full draw. After reaching let-off, drop your top finger off the string and then execute your anchor and release with the other two. The best finger shooters carry 70 percent of the holding weight with their middle finger.

5 6. Make a Surprise Release: Target panic is the attempt and the inability to hold the pin steady on the intended target while taking a shot. Invariably, the afflicted will issue a Now! command in their mind when the pin hesitates on the spot. Trying to time the shot eventually creates a mental gridlock resulting in very inconsistent (and distressing) shooting. The cure is simple, just learn to create a surprise release. 7. Float Your Aim: One of the most damaging misconceptions in archery involves aiming. Many feel that the pin should settle rock-steady on the spot they want to hit in order to enjoy great accuracy. This is where target panic gets the spark that turns into a flame. If you are releasing the string correctly, with a surprise method, you won t be able to time the shot, nor do you have to. Just let the pin float around and over the spot. When the surprise release goes, you will be amazed by how close the arrow hits to the center. It is spooky, really, but one of the keys to good shooting, nonetheless. 8. Aim Time: Studies show that seven seconds is the longest an average person can stay focused on one thing without distraction. Make every attempt to perform your shots within seven seconds from the time you lock on the spot. 9. Mid-Flight Obstacles: Because arrows do not fly on a flat trajectory, you can often lob a shot over an obstacle. With your bow at full draw, aim at the intended target with the correct sight pin and check the pins for the yardages in between and you can do this. 10. In-Season Practice: Most bowhunters make the mistake of shutting down their regular practice when the season starts. You need to keep up your strength and maintain your form throughout the season so it will still be sharp when you need it.

6 ARROW SELECTION Taken From the Nuts and Bolts of Archery A Guide to Tuning Shooting Compound Bows Proper Arrow Selection Everybody has their favorite arrow for the type of shooting that they do. Let s talk about using low weight arrows to get to the bow s maximum speed. General rule of thumb is do NOT go any lower than 5 grains of total arrow weight per pound ofbow draw weight. If you have a 60 lb. draw weight bow, the PROPERLY SPINED, total arrow weightshould be at least 300 grains. To design a PROPERLY SPINED arrow for a 60 lb draw weight bow that is LONG enough to fit past your arrow rest and only weight 300 grains total arrow weight is possible, but very difficult to do. For 3D Some folks are using fatter arrows in order to "cut lines". Some folks are use super short, super skinny, arrows to get that ultra-lightweight arrow; the 300 grain total arrow weight arrow for a 60 lb. draw weight bow. For Field Archery For field archery you need a versatile arrow; something that shoots well for you at 10 yards AND shoots equally as well for you at 80 yards. Some folks are fans of the "properly spined" skinny carbon arrows and other folks like the fat carbon "line cutter" style arrows which also happen to be crazy stiff. In terms of the "properly spined" skinny arrows, you have a choice of an all carbon arrow or you can go to the carbon/aluminum core arrows like the Easton ACC or Easton ACE or even the Easton X10/ProTour arrows. The fat carbon "line cutter" arrows, for example, would be the GoldTip Series 22 or the GoldTip XCutterarrows. These fat carbon arrows are NOT meant to be shot at "proper spine". These arrowsare designed to be shot at normal draw weights or even low draw weights. Typically, you cut the carbon tube length so that you have about 1/2-inch past the arrow rest and use a 90 grain or 100 grain glue in target point. These GoldTip Series 22 arrows or the even stiffer GoldTip X-Cutter arrows will be off the charts stiff. In order to shoot these ultra-stiff, fat carbon line-cutting arrows accurately, your cam timing must be PERFECT, your arrow rest center shot must also be dialed in PERFECT, and your shooting technique must be very, very consistent. If you can do these three things, the crazy stiff carbon target arrows will shoot very well all the way out to 80 yards.

7 Maybe the properly spined skinny carbon arrows will shoot better for you on a field archery course. Maybe the crazy stiff, fat carbon line cutter style arrows will gain you a few extra points. The only one way to find out is to take a chance and purchase both styles of arrows and see what works best for you. For Indoor Shooting Let's assume we are talking Vegas style indoor shooting. Some folks shoot their crazy large aluminum arrows full length (Easton 2712 at 34.5-inches) with lower point weights at the front end. Some folks shoot their crazy large aluminum arrows "shorter" and use crazy heavy point weights like 300 grain Pro Points or even heavier. The best way to figure out what works for you is to experiment with, say, 2 dozen arrows and a variety of point weights. You can try, say, 6 arrows full length and try all kinds of point weights (yep, this means buyingmultiple dozens of points). You can take another 3 arrows and start whacking off 1-inch at a time and try, say, the 300 grain points. Some folks swear by the larger feathers, some folks swear by Quick Spins, other folks swear by their favorite vanes. Again, you have to experiment and see what works BEST for you. For indoor spots, some folks swear by the properly spined "skinny" carbon arrows. People try all kinds of things when chasing the x-ring count. You can improve your x-ring average with small changes in stabilization (I'm working on some experiments as we speak). For some folks, the "properly spined" skinny carbon arrows, just work better for them. I must say that the "skinny", properly spined, carbon arrows seem to be MORE forgiving of shot execution mistakes. The super fat, crazy stiff, carbon arrows are definitely NOT forgiving of shot execution mistakes.

8 2015 VBA Shoot Schedule Cards New(2015) VBA shoot schedule cards are available next to the desk in the living room area of the indoor range. Upcoming Shoots and Activities Cub Run Fall Indoor Star FITA Tournament November No more VBA shoots until the first of the year.

9 The Back Porch The Busybody c/o Red Bourdage 4217 Jackson Mill Rd Haymarket, VA Send submissions to: Cub Run Archers Club Officers: President: Bob Walla Vice President: Dave Dobbins Secretary: Robert D'Imperio Treasurer: Jim Kerrigan Field Archery: Dick Reimer Range Captain: Chris Rose Indoor Archery: Dave Gilbert 3-D: Joe Kieler Youth, Public Relations: Jim Smith VBA Representative: Red Bourdage Social Director: Terri Perry