Well it’s January 2021 which means the majority of people are analyzing their life, deciding what they’d like to change, and (hopefully) making steps in the right direction. I know the people at my gym are, based on how challenging it is to get a parking spot before 6am every morning! I’m not mad though, I genuinely hope they'll keep it up. Having an active lifestyle will positively spill over into every area of your life! THAT’S. A. FACT.
I started installing wraps on my arrows for a few reasons, but mostly just to make them look different while simultaneously advertise my brand. I love them aesthetically, but they have been the biggest pain in the butt too. I don’t like that every time I hit another vane while practicing or do an average job fletching in the first place, I have to peel the arrow wrap off and waste all of that material, as opposed to simply replacing the single fletching. This probably isn’t the best thing to write about when I literally sell my own arrow wraps online (see here), but I want to be honest about it too. Maybe one day I’ll try them again, but I’m really annoyed with them right now and I’ve gone back to the old ways.
No matter how much you research, watch videos, or talk to fellow hunters about their experiences, you are bound to find something that you’d do differently the next time you get out. The cool thing is that it changes depending on the species, method of choice, time of year, terrain, and amount of time you have. I took little notes when I was on my recent archery antelope hunt - things that I’d want someone else to know before attempting to spot and stalk a speedgoat. A few of these I knew prior to the hunt from talking to friends, while others I learned by actually chasing them myself.
On January 22, 2013 I received my first bow from my husband. We never visited a shop to look at bows together, but he knew I was RH (right-handed) so picking up that RH bow on my birthday felt natural. P.S. It was the best gift ever, in case you need an idea! I've been RH my whole life, so why would I shoot a bow any other way? Well here I am, 5.5 years later, and my first hunting season as a left-handed archer is quickly approaching. This has raised a LOT of question across my platforms.
Instant gratification: the desire to experience pleasure or fulfillment without delay or deferment. We are all guilty of this in some way and I personally find it exceptionally difficult because I have perfectionist tendencies. This is my biggest concern when introducing others to a hunter's way of life. They imagine getting a bow, taking a few practice shots at the target, then going out to try their newfound skill on an animal. It's not fair - to yourself or the animal. It creates a lot of risk, and if I can give any advice, it's to enjoy the process of becoming an ethical bowhunter.
Whether you're new to archery or you've been shooting for over 20 years, there's always room for improvement. I feel that most mistakes stem from accumulating bad habits over time, and I speak from experience when I make that statement! I truly believe that going back to the basics of archery can be a great refresher, even for those that might have more experience.
If you've hunted for long, you've likely had someone ask you what they should invest in as a beginner archer. This is always an exciting question for me because that means one more person is putting a bow in their hands. They may not ever hunt, but they will soon understand the addiction of sending an arrow from point A to point B!
Lately it seems my inbox is flooded with questions regarding marketing and how to go about moving forward in a very competitive industry. I can't help but love the most common question: "How do I become an Under Armour Hunt athlete? It's my biggest dream!" Well ladies, I have a public announcement to make: I'm not on the Women's UA Hunt Team!
