Sweet it is!! I was all grumpy and tired of “kid” things today. Went out and shot for awhile and all is well. Mostly anyway:D:D. I’m certainly glad for my parents sake that I was a perfect child. 😉

Yes, stumping is good medicine. Fresh air, sounds of the woods. I surprise myself at how often I realize that while I might be picking a spot that I could be picking an even smaller spot if I only focus. There’s the focus that you think you are having, then there’s the focus you get when you can really clear your mind. That’s a sweet thing.

There are also times when I’m trying to shoot and I’m just too distracted. That’s when I stop shooting and focus on what’s calling for my attention. Folks can brag all they want about multitasking but the truth is you can only do one thing at a time if you are going to give it your best.

Archery has been good to me.

broadhead wrote: I am humbled by the power of traditional archery.

Well said, it is a beautiful thing.

Its funny but I have seen people that struggle on static targets, but go stump shooting and they shoot great! I agree its the woods setting, your mind is clear target choices are infinite, i think we focus much better to the task at hand! With targets there may be time for overthinking to set in! I hope our temps come up a tad a we lose a little snow right now you can’t see a stump, would love to do some stumpin & Roving, it would be great to cleanse the soul!

dwcphoto wrote: There’s the focus that you think you are having, then there’s the focus you get when you can really clear your mind. That’s a sweet thing.

How true Dave! I notice the same thing most times I’m shooting but capturing and at the same time letting go of that focus is the hard part 😕 I suppose it’s subconscious and that’s what makes it hard to apply when all the million things are going around our heads 🙄

For me stumping is a rite of spring, not due to arrive here for several more weeks. All winter, all around, is pure white. Other than the snowshoe trails we make to walk the dogs twice daily, we pretty much leave the woods alone, as elk are wintering up there and don’t need to be disturbed when they’re enduring their annual starvation mode. As spring seeps in the west and south-facing slopes start thawing first, with glorious patches of bare earth dotting the white. The dogs love it for all the smells suddenly revealed. As the patches grow, my daily walks get longer and higher, mentally and physicall preparing for mid-April turkey opener. When it’s safe to start stumping without fear of losing arrows beneath the snow, I have to control myself else I’ll blow out a shoulder, as I did one spring years ago, from shooting way too many arrows every day. This is the time I also enjoy “trashing” the woods by “flight shooting” any throw-away arrows I may have accumulated — man do I love the sound of the sizzling feathers and the sight of the arc of the arrow disappearing into the distant blue heavens. And without points, which I always remove and save, those suckers really travel! Generally, it doesn’t take long for the dogs and my wife, on their daily walks, to find them all and fetch them home to become kindling. But it sure is fun … and now you’ve got me thinking about turkey season already! To be addicted to hunting is to constantly be in anticipation of the next season opener. Could be worse. 😀

In Tae Kwon Do my Sensi taught us the exercise of “miso no kokoro” (phonetically) which literally means “mind of bee paste”. Before writing on a wax tablet the old writing was pressed out with the heel of your palm. That act or clearing the slate is a mental exercise to relax and prepare you for clear thought.

It’s a good technique for ANY shooting – target or on game. Breath exercises and mind clearing makes you consistant. And consistancy makes you accurate.

I wish I could have done some in Idaho this week, but the soil there is of decomposed granite and would destroy my arrows pretty quick.

MENTAL CLUTTER !It gets to most of us I suspect .

The stress of daily living can sometimes be overwhelming . But , having the privilege and freedom to walk the woods at any time of year is soothing to the person that has found the ability to let go of the WORLD and become consumed by the present surroundings .

There are times when I’m unable to do that . But , when I am able it is generally one of those engagements with nature that is to be anxiously written down in my journals .

I challenge you all! Write it down in detail . Each and every detail of the outing . The successful parts as well as the failures .

Stump shootin’ is one thing that brings satisfaction and confidence over the still target in the yard or range .

David Petersen wrote: For me stumping is a rite of spring, not due to arrive here for several more weeks.

Man, I wish it was only several weeks away for us up here! I’m itching to get out of the basement and “stretch out” with some longer shooting distances.

The “mental clutter” issue is an interesting one. There are certainly times when I know I’m not focused, and it shows in my accuracy. And no matter how long I continue to shoot, it doesn’t get better. That’s when I just have to laugh it off and go pour a pint of something hoppy.

But, then there are other times when my brain is full of distractions and shooting my bow strips it all away and puts my brain in a good place. I call it “bow therapy.” 8)