Field and Stream - Improving Your Bow Shooting RSS

The Best Field & Stream Reader Photos From January 2012

Dave_Maccar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:06:52 -0500

The 50 Best Field & Stream Reader Photos of January.

SHOT Show 2012 From The Floor: Day 2

Dave_Maccar — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:34:22 -0500

Photos from the floor of SHOT Show 2012, Day 2.

SHOT Show 2012 From The Floor: Day I

Dave_Maccar — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:48:40 -0500

Photos from the floor of SHOT Show 2012, Day 1.

The Best Field & Stream Reader Photos From 2011

Dave_Maccar — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:15:14 -0500

The 60 best photos submitted by readers in 2011.

Field & Stream's Best Photo Galleries and Blogs of 2011

Dave_Maccar — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:53:52 -0500

The 25 best online stories from F&S in 2011.

The Best Field & Stream Reader Photos From December 2011

Dave_Maccar — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:44:10 -0500

The 50 Best Field & Stream Reader Photos of December.

First Shots Photo Collection

Online Editors — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:59:48 -0500

A collection of jaw-dropping hunting and fishing photos from Field & Stream's "First Shots" magazine section.

Illinois Twofer Bucks: 325 Inches of Antler After 30 Years on the Bench

Dave_Maccar — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:22:56 -0500

Illinois hunter nets 325 inches of antler in one season.

The 75 Best Field & Stream Reader Photos From November 2011

Dave_Maccar — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:13:59 -0500

The 50 Best Field & Stream Reader Photos of October.

Two Longbow Legends: Ben Pearson Vs. Howard Hill

Sarah Smith — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:38:13 -0500

by Dave Hurteau

It’s really no contest, I know. Pearson was a great shot, of course, but Hill was that in spades (he won 196 tournaments in a row) with pinache (look at that wicked mustache) and star power (most famously as Errol Flynn’s double in The Adventures of Robin Hood).

Plus he seems perennially surrounded by the ladies—or the “little girls from archery school.” Still, it’s fun to watch the two longbow legends side by side. So enjoy:

Hill video:

Four Steps to Good Bow-Shooting Form

Sarah Smith — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:42:46 -0500

by Dave Hurteau

As I say in this video, we archers are forever trumpeting the importance of “good form,”—too often without bothering to explain just what that means. So here’s a simple breakdown. This is basic stuff, but it goes a long way toward shooting well.

(Sorry about the “that-is-a-dead-jackalope” line; that was the video editor’s idea. Damned editors.)

Bow Tip: How To Find Lost Arrows

Sarah Smith — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:41:50 -0500

by Dave Hurteau

Just for you buckhunter, here are five tips for recovering those arrows that—no way!—missed the whole dang target on the practice range.

1) Keep the lawn mowed short. (Yeah, right.)

2) If possible, set up so the terrain behind the target is uphill, even if only slightly.

3) When you shoot a flier, stop shooting. While the shot is still fresh in your mind, stare at the target and do your best to remember and mentally mark exactly where you missed. (e.g. “Left edge of the target, 2 inches high.”)

4) Drop your bow at your feet. Walk past the target, beyond the farthest point where the arrow could have landed, turn around and line up the bow, your marked miss and yourself—all in a straight line. Drop your hat.

Guest Shoot Me Down: Expensive Bows Are Worth Every Penny

Online Editors — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:32:13 -0500

by Dave Hurteau

In our last “Shoot Me Down,” I argued that “Speed Kills” because a fast bow allows you to use a heavier arrow and larger broadhead without giving up too much in trajectory. In response, lovetohunt gave us a thesis on kinetic energy, momentum and most interestingly, bow-and-arrow efficiency. Now, as our SMD winner, he is here to rant and rave as my special guest.

Take it away, lovetohunt:

Expensive bows are worth every penny.

All too often I see people hunting with bows that look like they were made in a toyshop 15 years ago. These folks can’t seem to justify spending the money on today’s better models, but I don’t think they realize that these expensive bows kill deer better than those ancient bows do.

Use a Rangefinder to Learn How to Judge Distance Without One

Sarah Smith — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:17:47 -0500

Many of you have heard this tip; it’s an oldie but a goodie. So think of this video more as a reminder to actually get out there and do it. You don’t need a bunch of expensive targets; two or three cheap bag versions will work fine with field points. And don’t forget to take those targets into the woods once in a while for this type of practice session, as distances look surprisingly different depending on the amount and type of cover.

The 50 Best Photos from Round II of the 2011 F&S Fall Trail Cam Contest

Online Editors — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:51:21 -0500

The Best 2011 Round 2 Trail Cam Photos

Bow Shooting Tip: Float the Pin and Squeeze

Sarah Smith — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:43:01 -0500

Many an expert rifleman, our very own David E. Petzal included, will tell you that because you cannot hold a rifle perfectly still in the field, you should not squeeze the trigger so that you’re surprised when the rifle goes off, but rather pull it at the precise moment when the crosshairs are where they should be.

Heroes of Conservation Winner Announced!

Dave_Maccar — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:58:38 -0400

At a time when the U.S. government is being asked to do more with less, conservationists all over the country are doing more without waiting to be asked. These efforts were recognized at the sixth annual Heroes of Conservation awards gala, sponsored by Field & Stream and Toyota. "It's a critical time, budgets are tight, and it is possible that essential projects to restore and protect America's wildlife and lands will be shelved due to lack of funds," F&S Editor Anthony Licata said at the Washington, D.C. event. "But there is hope. We are humbled by and incredibly grateful to people like our heroes, who are willing to work even when there isn't a budget."

Video, Interview: Mountain Biker Clobbered by Charging Antelope

Dave_Maccar — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:31:20 -0400

by Dave Maccar

Charging wildlife isn’t the first thing on a mountain biker’s mind in the heat of a race, but the animals don’t know that.

Evan van der Spuy was racing in the 38 km Time Freight MTB Express mountain bike race at Albert Falls Dam, 20km outside the city of Pietermaritzburg in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa for Team Jeep South Africa over the weekend.

His teammate, Travis Walker, was in third place with a GoPro camera mounted on his bike, and captured this amazing footage below of Evan, who was in second place until this red hartebeest (a member of the antelope family) had something to say about it.

Yes, the hit was as hard as it looks. Evan was stabilized with a neck brace and taken to the hospital for overnight observation. He sustained a minor concussion, whiplash and some bruising on his head where his helmet imploded on impact.

F&S spoke to Evan today to get his take on the events behind this video, which is rapidly going viral.

Evan said he is recovering well, and feels extremely lucky.

“Luckily I walked away with just a bit of whiplash and a concussion, considering what happened,” he says. “I saw the animal moving to cross the road in front of me, but when I saw how close it really was, I was shocked. Then, from the moment it hit me I was unconscious. I actually don’t know what happened from then.”

Shoot Me Down: Speed Kills

Sarah Smith — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:00:48 -0400

by Dave Hurteau

Bowhunters who pooh-pooh arrow velocity are fond of saying, “Speed doesn’t kill.” They reference the slow-but-deadly bows of yesteryear as proof. The term “kinetic energy” gives them a terrible rash.

They are right to a point. Deer are not hard to kill. A knitting needle at 200 fps would probably do the job if perfectly aimed. But there’s the rub. Some arrows are not perfectly aimed in the real world of bowhunting. While additional kinetic energy and momentum may be wasted on a double-lung pass-through, you’ll do well to have more of them should you hit the front shoulder, the spine, or God forbid the ham. And speed gives you that.

I like to shoot one pin out to 30 yards. With a moderately fast bow, I can do that with a 375-grain arrow, all set up to hunt. But with a smoking fast bow, I can do it with a 425-grain arrow, sporting a heavier broadhead, which boosts momentum for better penetration when needed.

Do You Cheat Low with a Bow?

Online Editors — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:21:40 -0400

by Dave Hurteau

Ethically, How Far is Too Far with a Bow?

Dave_Maccar — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 08:55:45 -0400

by Scott Bestul

Have a look at the video below—all the way to the end, including the kill shots—and tell us what you think: From an ethical standpoint, how far is too far with a bow?

The 30 Best Field & Stream Reader Photos of May 2011

Online Editors — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:45:32 -0400

These great photos are our editors' picks for the best shots entered into our Trophy Room last month.

The 40 Best Reader Photos of April 2011

Online Editors — Tue, 03 May 2011 08:27:38 -0400

These great photos are our editors' picks for the best shots entered into our Trophy Room last month.

Federal Court Rules in Favor of Hunting on Wildlife Refuges

Online Editors — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 11:24:25 -0400

Hunters won a major victory yesterday when a federal court ruled in favor of allowing hunting on dozens of national wildlife refuges.

From this press release from Ducks Unlimited:
Ducks Unlimited and waterfowl hunters across the nation are celebrating today’s federal district court ruling that supports the opening of waterfowl hunting on a number of public lands. Today’s ruling from the Northern Federal Court District of Ohio will help ensure that our country’s waterfowl hunting heritage will be protected. DU joined with Safari Club International and others to intervene in this action on behalf of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service as they attempted to open waterfowl hunting on almost 70 national wildlife refuges around the country. The action was opposed by anti-hunting interests in a lawsuit. After the ruling, Ducks Unlimited CEO Dale Hall said he supported the decision and reaffirmed DU’s support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Ducks Unlimited and its members have always been strong supporters of the National Wildlife Refuge System, whether it is through participating in the purchase of duck stamps or through directly partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,” Hall said. “I’m pleased this ruling will allow the USFWS to continue its mission of managing and conserving waterfowl and other wildlife along with offering quality wildlife-related recreation opportunities to the American public.”

The 40 Best Field & Stream Reader Photos of March 2011

Online Editors — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:07:47 -0400

Each month we look through every photo our readers post to the Trophy Room section of our site. We pick our favorites, then rank them and post them, in order. Did any of your shots make the cut? Check them out here.