This will be my first bowhunting season and needless to say, the anticipation about now is killing me. August is nearly here, all my magazines are starting to talk about big bucks, and the woods are calling my name.

Killing time at work, I came across a beginner's guide to bowhunting that Field & Stream just put on their web site. F&S Bowhunting Guide There is some really cool stuff there, but it got me wondering if any experts (legit or even self-proclaimed) would have more to offer than a beginner's guide.

Check out what they put on their site, and let me know if there is anything they're missing. Especially anything i can be doing right now to make my season more successful.

Thanks everyone and good luck this season.

I'd just STRESS shooting from actual hunting conditions.....in actual hunting clothing.

At the range.....I'm a "killa". I just know that being in the treestand is a LOT different (them deer actually CARE when you draw back.....and whether you're stealth when doing so.....go figure). My son can draw my bow. It's set at 64 lbs.....and he's 14. Now.....he aims it at the sky.......and it takes a bit of effort.....but he CAN draw my bow. Now....introduce the cold.....hunting clothing......balance needed to remain on-stand.....and we MAY have a different outcome.

I had been shooting all season.....and went to VA for late deer season (2nd week of Jan (9th-10th, I believe). I'd just (week or two earlier) gone from 60 to 64lbs. on my draw weight. Easy enough. When the first morning rolls around......it's 12 degrees and blowing snow. I walked to my stand (from a 10 minute 4 wheeler ride in this weather).......and sat down to "warm up". I'd been in the stand for an hour or so.....and decided to stand up and move around a bit. I decided to draw my bow.

O U C H !

It was EVERYTHING I could do to draw it, once. After I stayed loose and drew it a few more times (re-created the motion).....it got easier. But....I'd have hated to miss the buck of MY lifetime because I didn't understand me AND my equipment.

Practice is crucial. It's fun. Practicing REAL hunting conditions requires some effort.....but it's likely something not too many people do (in all honesty). We bought a ladder stand and sat it up at the house......just to shoot out of.

I hope this helps.....

Jeff

sbgobblers hit the nail on the head

Get comfortable with your equipment. This means shooting until it becomes a habit. Just make sure you have good habits when you shoot. Because when the moment of truth comes it must be automatic. Make sure your bow is set up properly and make sure your broadheads fly right from your bow.