dustyvarmint’s Mostly Archery mission is to help you avoid the same mistakes I’ve made over time. Maybe this list will.
I’ve made some silly, frustrating and unnecessary archery and bowhunting mistakes over time and I’ve been around a few others who’ve done the same. Hopefully the below list of don’ts with results will lead you to success… and provide you with some entertainment. Please leave a comment letting me know which is your favorite or share a don’t with me.
DON’T:
…shoot your bow using a loose grip while standing on a concrete surface, while standing in a treestand or while bowfishing from a boat (not me) without a wrist sling. Results – banged up cam, must climb back down tree to retrieve bow and spend one hour cleaning/lubricating bow, respectively.
The bottom cam.
…wear water weight vest for exercising on military base (not me) or, I suspect, around a federal building. Result – guns pointed at you, manhandled by large men in uniform, sweaty and face down on ground for lengthy period of time.
…run hand along carbon arrow without inspecting first. Result – scream like baby, ask Mrs. dustyvarmint to remove large carbon splinter in finger, heckling from Mrs. dustyvarmint.
Wahhhnnnnn!!!!
…set up bow with draw length measuring arrow without verifying measuring marks first. Result – bow draw length too short three times in a row, pull out what little hair remains.
Which mark is which?
…pitch tent in shallow depression no matter the forecast. Result – spend nights in car on lumpy seat not meant for sleeping.
…confuse outfitter’s wife with telemarketer and rudely exlaim, “NO! dustyvarmint does NOT live here!” Result – lose awesome, cheap varmint shooting location in beautiful mountains of eastern Oregon.
…drive hour-and-a-half to limited draw hunting area forgetting both limited draw tag and parking permit. Result – drive hour-and-a-half back to alternate hunting location just in time to make evening hunt.
…schedule serious home improvement project during archery season. Result – no workee, period.
…do home improvement projects during archery season while standing on ladder more than two feet off ground. Result – broken ankle, blood clot, screws in ankle, many blood thinner shots to stomach, missed hunts, walking cast frozen to treestand, Mrs. dustyvarmint shovels all snow and Thanksgiving family much easier to bear when passed out on the sofa due to pain medication. Hmmmm…
…shoot new drop away rest without verifying connecting rope knots are tight. Result – arrows impact lower and lower and lower…
…hold aluminum flashlight in mouth when temperatures are below freezing (not me). Result – same as sticking tongue on flag pole.
…”fix” bow’s set up; sights, rest, peep, etc., during season unless actually broken. Result – missed deer and nearly ruined trip to Texas.
…choose Snickers bars or M&Ms as treestand snacks at temperatures less than 30 degrees. Result – snacks harder than stones.
…think Pop Tarts will travel well to treestand. Result – permanent gooey mess in trouser cargo pockets.
…leave video camera battery in truck. Result – miss recording successful bear hunt on video.
…skip checking “bow zero” upon arrival to any hunting camp. Result – miss three beautiful pronghorn from 32-36 yards.
I missed three much larger pronghorn bucks before connecting on this one.
…use cheap mechanical broadheads on first turkey hunting trip to Kansas. Result – failure to open, catastrophic failure, lost turkey, go home empty handed.
…ship bow to Kansas for hunting trip in just a cardboard box. Result – smashed rest.
…expect airline baggage handlers to not drag blind across flight line. Result – holes in blind bag, damaged hubs.
…assume family member returned video or still camera to highest resolution before taking pictures or video of once-in-a-lifetime adventure or fail to check trophy pictures shot by friends. Result – no or poor graphic memories.
Is that dustyvarmint, is that an arrow in that turkey, what???
happy hunting, dv
If you liked this blog you may like the following:
- Photographing Your Hunting Trophies
- Overhauling A Hunting Bow
- No Bird Left Behind - A Turkey Tale
- Hello From dustyvarmint’s Mostly Archery
- Return On Investment – Outdoor’s Style
- Preserving Bowhunting Memories
- Passing On The Tradition
- Bow Stakes – A “Pointless” Tip
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