Eagerness flowed through my veins as I stared through the steam of my coffee. It was January in Arizona. A beautiful time of year to be a bowhunter. Bucks were rutting does like mad and I couldn’t wait until the sun climbed its way up the horizon. At this point in my bowhunting journey, I hadn’t yet touched an animal with my arrow. I had a lot to learn back then some 10 years ago from now. One lesson that sticks out the most to me, which was a turning point in my success, was falling victim to paralysis by analysis. From my experience, the biggest mistake of new bowhunters.
I made shirts! This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time and finally got around to it. At the moment I have two designs, but there is more merch to come. So, keep you eyes out for that. Until then, let me give you the skinny on the Dialed in Hunter Shirts available now in The Shop.
At the time of writing this, it’s late July 2024. This time of year always makes me think of one thing, besides the unrelenting heat in my great state of Arizona. It’s Fall black bears. Our archery season starts at the end of August and I just returned from my first scouting trip of the year.
If you caught my Custom Arrow Build 101 post, you saw that I got new custom arrows built up from Evolution Outdoors. Right there in the owner Dale’s shop, I was impressed with the build and the level of detail that went into making sure they were all top-notch. Looks are one thing and results are another, though. I just got back from the range with these arrows and I’m liking what I’m seeing so far.
It’s hotter than heck out, tags are arriving in the mail, and I’ve been shooting my bow as often as I can. We are knee-deep in the pre-season of hunting, otherwise known as, at least to me, the refining season. Along with shooting my bow, I’ve been trying to refine not only my shooting skills but my equipment, and arrows are a massive part of that. I do believe I have found my best arrow build to date and I’m gonna share it with you.
It was about an hour before dark and I spotted a nice black bear feeding along the edge of a bluff. Quickly, I scaled the cliff I was sitting up against and scurried my way over to him. If everything worked out, I’d be able to come in from above and have a steep downhill shot at the bear. That’s exactly what happened and exactly where I learned a harsh lesson about my 3rd axis adjustment.
Serious bowhunters will likely have at least one story similar to what I’ve laid out above. I’ve been burnt more than once by 3rd axis and it’s stung each time. In order to try and save you some “sting” I’m going to give you the nitty gritty on your 3rd axis adjustment in the video below. If you’re not paying attention to 3rd axis, you’re asking to fail. Whether you’re bowhunting from a treestand or spot and stalking in the west, this applies to you.
I’ve had the pleasure of using a pile of index style releases. Some are great and some I wouldn’t care to try again. And over the last few years I’ve really come up with a certain criteria for myself on what makes a good index style release for me and my style of hunting. Usually that recipe costs a pretty penny. I just recently found a release that shatters that standard. The Stan SoleX is everything I need in an index style release aid, but with a much more affordable price tag.
I hope you enjoy the video review. If you do, please subscribe to the channel, leave a comment, you know the routine.
If you’ve used this release, I’d love to know what you think. I’m currently carrying this SoleX in my backpack as a backup release. I still prefer the Carter Like Mike II, simply because it feels more beefy than the Stan does. The Stan is every bit of functional though, and I have the same impact points with both releases. My brother uses this SoleX as his main release and he loves it. All in all, this is a fantastic index style release aid for anyone looking to get a full hook around their trigger and a surprise shot. From beginner to vet, the SoleX is a winner in my book.
Want to learn more about backpack hunting? Check out my book Becoming a Backpack Hunter: A Beginner’s Guide to Hunting the Backcountry.
This is the first post in a new series I’ll be doing called “Behind the Bow.” My goal with this series is to take one thing per episode that I have personally overcome or an AHA moment in my bowhunting/archery journey and break it down for you. All of this with the hope to provide you with real-world perspective and experience to help you along your own journey behind the bow. Be sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel to stay up to date with all future episodes!
It’s like a disease. Target panic is something that infiltrates the minds of bowhunters worldwide. Whether it’s not being able to hold the pin on target, nervously punching the trigger, feeling like you have no choice but to shoot, or aggressively anticipating the shot. This is nasty business and it takes more than a good sleep to overcome it.
What is an archery spring bear hunt without the bow and arrow part right? Shot opportunities in bowhunting don’t grow on trees. Each one is earned and the earning part is gonna be on the healthy side for the backcountry bear hunt I have planned. In light of that, confidence in my setup, and confidence in my shooting needs to be absolutely dialed. I may only get one shot, so I’ll need to make damn sure it counts.
This past January 2024, I spent 14 days bowhunting one of my favorite animals on the planet, the coues deer. It’s a spot and stalk hunt that I look forward to every single year and this past January was no exception to that. The exception was the number of days I stayed in the field though. The hunt was rough with lots of ups and downs. In the end, I was able to come out with a great buck, and now a great film that I’m super proud of.
The film is called Fourteen – An Archery Coues Deer Story. It follows me throughout my January 2024 season from the backcountry to living out of my truck. It explores the deep connection I have to my brother that was made through hunting long ago. And then there is the overall message to NEVER GIVE UP. There are snowstorms, failed stalks, laughs, frustrations, and all. Looking back it was perfect and I really hope you enjoy this film. If you do, please subscribe to the channel and share it with your friends. Thanks!
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