Deer Hunters Keep in Shape
by Bow Fishing

By Marty Prokop

Hunting with archery equipment offers the deer hunter a longer season. In many states the archery deer season starts around mid-September and runs through the end of the year.

Deer hunting with archery equipment is a true test of determination and patience. An archer has to wait for the perfect, close range shot.

With archery equipment, I find I am using different muscles than I use during the rifle or muzzleloader deer hunting season.

What can an archer do to keep the shooting eye sharp and muscles in shape during the off-season?

Perfect Practice Makes Perfect Recommends Marty Prokop

Set up a bow range and practice often.

Creating a safe bow range is fairly easy to do. If you live in the city, check your local regulations regarding having a bow range in your backyard.

When choosing a site for your personal bow range, look for an area that will offer you a few different yardage options. Choose the yardage options that you would most likely experience while out deer hunting.

My bow range, for example, will allow me to shoot from distances as close as 10 yards all the way to 75 yards.

If you plan to hunt from a deer hunting tree stand, for archery practice build yourself a shooting platform equaling the height you will be deer hunting from. Place your shooting platform at the most likely yardage you would encounter deer while you are deer hunting.

I place my shooting platform at approximately 30 yards from my target.

Marty Prokop Advises to Choose a Good Archery Target

Personally, I like to practice with 3-D targets. There are many different brands of 3-D targets available today. They range in price from $60 up to $300.

Since I mostly hunt whitetail deer, I opted for a life sized whitetail deer 3-D target. Using a life size 3-D target simulates a real deer and allows me different shot possibilities at different ranges, which gives me perfect practice.

Make sure the target you choose has a replaceable vitals section. This will save you money in the long run. Instead of having to purchase a whole new target, you can simply purchase and replace the vitals section.

Safety First Reminds Marty Prokop

Before you nock your arrow to the bowstring, make sure there are no people, animals or objects in or beyond your line of fire.

Always make sure you have a strong, oversized back stop behind your target. A back stop prevents arrows from passing through your target. It also stops arrows that have missed the target completely from traveling outside of your bow range.

When constructing your target back stop use material the arrow cannot pass through, but that does not damage your tips or arrows. Your back stop should be a minimum of two feet taller than the target. Make sure the back stop extends at least one foot wider than each side of the target.

When you practice, I recommend you use regular tips and not broad heads.

If your local regulations do not allow you to set up your own archery range in your back yard, find a local sporting goods shop that offers an indoor range.  

Practice Archery and Fish at the Same Time says Marty Prokop

One of the ways I keep my hunting eye sharp and my muscles ready is to bow fish. Bow fishing is the only sport I know where a person can hunt and fish at the same time.

Check your state’s local rules and regulations regarding bow fishing before you head to the nearest lake or pond. Make sure you know how to swim or you are wearing a floatation device while on or in the water. Always keep safety as your top priority.

Your targets are rough fish; such as carp, suckers and gar to name a few.

You can equip your hunting bow for bow fishing for around $75. This will get you a great bow fishing reel, arrow with fish point and the line needed to attach to your arrow.

A good pair of polarized sun glasses will help you spot the fish lying just under the water’s surface. Searching for fish just below the surface keep your hunting eye keen.

On a good day bow fishing you can take up to 100 shots at fish. This will help keep your muscles in shape for the archery deer season.

The added bonus is the fun of reeling in fish.

If you haven’t tried bow fishing yet, I hope you will after you read this week’s newsletter.

Keep your hunting eye sharp and your bow hunting muscles in shape during the off season. Perfect practice during the off season will make you more confident in your deer hunting tree stand come deer season.

Good Luck and Great Hunting.

Marty Prokop

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