[blancharddm]

in reply to: ETAR #36135

I bought Joel’s DVD last year and attended his seminar this year at ETAR. I’ve seen significant improvement in my shooting since I’ve adopted his techniques. It’s definitely a stress-tested program. I also appreciated that Joel had the integrity and confidence to step out onto the range and demonstrate his shooting ability under stress in front of others. That’s something that I haven’t seen from some other shooting instructors.

[blancharddm]

in reply to: Acute target panic… How to cure? #8706

I suffered with TP for nearly 20 years. I tried many of the solutions that have been recommended here, most specifically a perfection of my shooting form. I could make it work in most instances, except for the most important shots, those that were under pressure. When shooting with a groups of guys, or especially at an animal, I would lose control of the release.

I disagree with those who say that more focus is the answer, and with those who say that there is no easy answer. I discovered the answer this summer and have been completely cured. My answer came from Joel Turner.

I found answers from Joel on a thread at Tradgang. I also bought his video on TP from A&H Archery. Joel deals with the subconcious aspects of shooting, and his solution works. I strongly recommend checking out his video. I also noticed in the most recent TB magazine that he is doing a seminar in Michigan, I believe it is.

I strongly recommend checking him out. I am incredibly thankful that I happened upon him this summer. I am shooting better than I ever have.

[blancharddm]

in reply to: Your first trad kill… #62310

I lay no claim to being a “master” or a “walking book of knowledge”, but this question brought back some fond memories of a great day from long ago, so I thought that I would share:

It was western Pennsylvania, mid-October in 1994 and I was 13 years old. My dad and I would head out into the woods to hunt whitetails as soon as he returned from work and I from school. We had a few stands hung in the piece of woods that was a few miles outside of the town in which we lived. Dad would take me to my stand and get me settled before moving along to do some stalking nearby.

At about 4:30 that afternoon, a grey fox came up the path about 15 yards in front of me. I remember thinking that it was pretty cool to watch that fox quietly slink through the woods. I had seen many a red fox in my life, but never a grey.

A moment after the departure of the fox, a small deer appeared following the same path. Within a few moments, it was directly in front of me, following the same route that the fox had taken (not sure if the deer was tracking the fox, but it sure seemed like he was).

Within moments, the deer stepped into a clearing and presented a clear, broadside shot at about 15 yards. I was shooting a 55 pound Bear Super Grizzly that was my dad’s first bow. I picked a spot and before I even realized it, had drawn the bow and sent the arrow on its way. I watched the autumn orange Easton arrow tipped with a Zwickey Eskimo pass through the deer right behind the shoulder. I was very excited and began to feel the adrenaline flowing immediately thereafter, but I knew that I had made a great shot. I watched the deer as far as I could follow his path and made a mental note of the last location at which he had appeared.

I was confident that I had made a good kill shot on the deer. After waiting about 45 minutes, I climbed down to begin the track. I had followed blood trails with my dad before, and felt confident that I could do it. Fortunately for me, it wasn’t a difficult trail to follow. After about 75 yards, I spotted my button buck lying motionless against a tree with his white underside clearly visible. I approached from behind and gave him a nudge, but the life was clearly out of him. I had taken my first deer with a traditional bow!

I finished the business of field dressing and tagging, and then proceeded to drag my trophy to the truck. Cell phones and radios were not a part of our repertoire in those days, so I simply waited for my dad to return (our original plan was to meet at the truck anyway). I’m not sure that the grin ever left my face the entire time.

When dad came strolling down the road, his first thought was that I had become bored and left the stand early. He could hardly believe it when I told him that I had killed a deer, but there was the indisputable evidence for him to see. I still remember the pride that beamed in his smile and handshake.

It’s incredible to me that I can still recall that whole episode as if it was just yesterday. It was definitely a great day, and helped to cement that I would remain a traditional bowhunter for life. In the process of writing it, I’m reminded of how important was the role that my dad played in shaping who I’ve become and the values that I have as an outdoorsman. I can’t help but think about how great a blessing he has been to me.

If you made it through the whole story, I thank you for reading. I hope that you’ve had a similar experience, or that if you haven’t, that one will find you soon.

[blancharddm]

in reply to: Denton Hills, PA shoot #43127

I can’t speak to getting a campsite at Denton Hill, as my crew stays at a cabin some 45 minutes south of the ETAR location. That being said, if campsite are difficult to come by at Denton Hill, I know that there are a number of state parks along the route that we take (Route 44) on our way to the shoot that seem to have camping available. Two examples that come to mind are Cherry Springs State Park and Lyman Run State Park. It would be about a 20-30 minute drive, but it might be an option if you can’t find anything closer.

[Author]

Posts