First Day With the Bow

Took the crossbow out for the first run this weekend. Shot my first 4 arrows into a foam target at 10 yards adjusting as I went. Come to find that the short arrows penetrated the block too far to remove them. Had to saw the block apart to get the arrows out. Great start.

After removing the arrows, I started shooting into round hay bales which worked fine. Unfortunately one arrow shot high and to the right of the others. Discovered that it was bent from the removal procedure. Down to 3 arrows left.

Backed up to 20 yards and fine tuned the red dot for that distance then went to 30 yards where I couldn’t find the range. Finally went to the instruction book and found out what I was doing wrong. Tough being a male.

Shot 3 arrow groups at 30 and then 40 yards with a 2″ group at 30 and a 4″ group at 40 yards. Decided to move back to 20 yards for one last check at that distance. Results are on the next post.

The top arrow is the first one shot. Notice the damage on the top feather. That is where arrow #2 hit it. #2 is on the bottom left with arrow #3 sticking out of it. All were touching in the target so I am fairly pleased with the accuracy of this unit.

I have 3 witnesses that can verify this story. My wife, who doesn’t lie, a hunting buddy who does, and a 3 year old grandson who loved to pull the arrows out.

Here deerie, deerie, deerie.

Nice shootin’ Putz!

Looks like you have that crossbow dialed in.

Note to B.O.P….No matter what the O.F. says, do NOT put the apple on your head!

Good shootin’ Putz! Hooks is tearing around with mine this year…

dave

I was thinking more like Son of Putz for that job.

Still got a long ways to go before I’m a deer hunter though. That group was an inch left but I didn’t have any arrows left to shoot. Still have to shoot broadheads and free standing. Still have to learn how to carry that clumsy thing in the field. Still have to set up blinds where the target will get close enough. Still have to learn how to bring it to the shoulder without getting noticed. Oh, so much to do and so little time to do it.

Putz,

Are you hunting out of ground blind or Tree?

If you are in a tree, look at getting a shooting rail. Cabelas sells them for around $35.00. Great to rest your Crossbow/rifle on. It keeps it prety much in shooting position and less movement required for when “HE” steps out.

If you are shooting from Ground Blinds look @ getting a Bi-Pod or shooting sticks.

Both of these will help you steady your shot, cause less movement when the moment of truth comes, and will help you hold your cross bow in position. Try holding that thing out there for like 20-30 seconds free hand is a chore and a half. Something I did not think of for my old man until the moment came .

Thanks, Rob, good idea. I’ll be hunting from the ground as the trees are too small for this body. Besides the tallest thing I get on is a bar stool, or so my deer hunting buddies tell me.

Hooks, I’ll buy ya a beer if you can match that from 20 yards. Or maybe even if you don’t.

I used my rifle sling. You should have the pegs on there. If not, easy to install. I carried mine without a problem. Sticks may not be a problem, but I would shoot that way first, before hunting that way. One thing I noticed with mine, is you really want to shoot free hand. If you lean it on a branch or somthing, it can torque it when fired. Maybe it was just me….But when I shot freehand, I was much more accurate. Just like the bow. You don’t rest that when you fire either. Plus, with a crossbow, you need to pull it tight to the shoulder, and keep it in tight. It is the opposite effect of a rifle as you know from shooting it. It likes to pull away from you!
Good luck! Practice makes perfect. I also went through a lot of bolts! I think I had a dozen, and had only three to give to Hook.

I saw the results first hand last night. PapaPutz split the arrow in half. Very cool.

So if I buy a compund bow, and a different license……..

Hey Dad, gonna need to borrow some money. Thanks in advance.

great shooting i can see theres going to be a deer in trouble this year!

Hey Putz,

Nice shootin’
Next time your up stop by and i’ll shoot with ya. We set the range up right off the back deck! Those little gems drive tacks!!!
Since I can’t draw the big bow back anymore I applied for a crossbow permit last week too. My doctor says “hell, i’ll give you a note to shoot out of the car when you need to. My reply was that when I get that bad i’ll quit hunting!

Put one of my stands up out back on sunday and was already getting pumped for the season to open. I can still climb a tree,kinda, now reloading that bad boy in the tree might be a trick to learn though?

Hooks,

Mama and I will be staying at Agate Bay Sept. 9-12. Maybe we can take an hour or so to practice one day. I’ll buy the beer when we are done. Can’t stay too long though, Mama needs her fishing fix.

Whoaaaa Hooks, if Putz plans on shooting at MY place ……….Bring him to the cabin PLEASE, no offense Putz but firt timer and all Now, cards that is a different story…..I played last weekend, no more dealin’ for me, I am all in…….So lets go at it again Putz

Ooops. Woke up Mama Hooks. I assumed he meant the cabin. My bad. We can’t shoot arrows in our backyard where I live.