Tips for Success in Hunting

No, I’m not talking about the past elections.
How do you measure a successful hunt?  Is it a monster buck or bull?  Is it a successful harvest? Or is it time out hunting, with your family, friends or by yourself? Do you measure your success of a hunt by the equipment you use and the gear you have? Or simply time spent in nature soaking up God’s great creations?

Me?  I measure success of a hunt by my experiences…. Time with family, time with God and simply the God given ability to get out and do what I love.  Oh, and then there is the success of being able to hunt without desperately gasping for air and bending to cling to my knees after climbing a hill.  I’m talking about being in shape.  Both mentally and physically, they go hand in hand.  There is nothing more rewarding to me then to gracefully, quietly and easily make my way to the top of a mountain without feeling like I just went through military boot camp.  Sure, it’s an ego boost as well when I look around and see all the guys sweating and huffing like draft horses pulling a 3000-pound sled.

All too often hunters get prepared for the upcoming hunting season by making sure they have their bow sighted in, have enough arrows and new broad heads along with checking equipment to make sure all gear is up to par.  However, rarely do hunters take into consideration the physical preparation needed for the hunt.  Being physically fit can be the difference of having an enjoyable hunt or a hunt that kicks your butt.  We all know getting up early is part of the hunt. That alone is a hard task for some.  But when you wake up the next day and your body is screaming for more rest because you are sore from the previous days hunt... What’s the fun in that?  When you are in shape physically, the mental portion follows suit.  It has been proven time over that physical activity (working out) improves mental clarity and relieves stress. You have enough on your mind when hunting such as spotting and stalking, calling, and concentrating on making that once in a life time shot.  You shouldn’t be thinking about whether or not you can make it up the mountain without needing CPR!
So, with that being said I would like to offer some tips.

• Set goals; start off small and work your way up.  You will need to set both cardio and strength goals.  A good goal to start for cardio is walking 2-3 times per week, walk up and down your driveway to get started. Slowly increase the distance by a couple miles at a time, pickup your pace and change terrain. In addition to walking, add biking to the mix.  Make your routines fun, go for a hike in new territory, discover new places, or take up mountain biking.  Whatever you decide to do, make it fun, make it your own, make it challenging (repelling anyone?
• You will need to be physically strong to not only carry all your gear around, but also to carry out your harvest.  Hit the weights at least 3 times per week. Remember the smaller the starting goal, the longer the time needed to increase so don’t wait a month before the season to start getting active.  You don’t have to be a gym rat to accomplish these goals; there are a lot of things around the house that you can use as weights.  Get creative; fill a bucket up with sand! If you are up for the challenge, hire a personal trainer with specific needs in mind (hunting with a bow is exercise specific). Exercises to focus on for bow hunting specifically include: shoulders (front to side arm raises, arm circles, shrugs and lateral raises) upper and lower back (back extensions, seated lat row, reverse fly’s and reverse grip lat pull down) biceps (curls and pull ups) and core (oblique twists, reverse curls and good ‘ol fashion crunches).  You of course want to balance out your muscles so don’t forget to throw in some chest presses and triceps pushups  just for fun!  In relation to the actual hunt and climbing mountains, your lower body needs to be just as strong if not more.  Your tail end is one of the biggest muscles you got… work it! Lunges, squats (they don’t have to be in deep range of motion) and hamstring curls will all target the gluteus maximus, aka your tail end.   Once you get started in your exercise regimen, you will need (and want!) to maintain your progress.  It’s much easier to consistently exercise throughout the year then to be a one-month warrior.  Schedule time in your day to workout.  You may even have to book an appointment with yourself.  Most importantly, be forgiving.  If you miss a day or two or even a week, don’t be hard on yourself or ride the guilt train.  Just pick up where you left off.  Being strong enough to draw your bow back is an essential part to hunting, not only does it make it more enjoyable for you, but it isn't fair to the game we have the privilege to hunt if the shot we make isn't steady.
• Of course getting physically fit involves proper nutrition (sorry, facts of life!)  During the hunt (pack in/out intensity) you of course need higher caloric foods to sustain you.  However, with day to day eating, your choices should be a little more carefully planned out.  There is nothing new here and no magic pill.  Fruits and veggies, balance your proteins and fats and include carbs into your foods.  Now, when I say fats and carbs, I am not talking about ice cream, cookies, pizza, fast food joints and Ho Ho’s (although in moderation *gasp* it’s okay).  Our bodies need fats and carbs to function, but it is the good kind. (Real butter, avocado, legumes, nuts, occasional red meats, cheeses etc). And of course water.  Food has an amazing ability to heal the body; we just have to give it a chance.  I challenge you to try it… even if it’s not hunting season for you.  Make a commitment for at least one month.  Cut out boxed, prepackaged and canned meals.  Try to eat what grows naturally. When was the last time you saw a box of Hamburger Helper® growing off a tree?  You don’t have to get crazy and go all organic, but I would suggest you stop eating foods that are processed and full of preservatives.  Our bodies were not built to digest the chemicals in these foods.  You give this challenge a try and you will be amazed at the changes your body makes.

On a side note to physical fitness and proper nutrition, I want to mention the importance of having mental strength and clarity.  Have confidence in yourself and your abilities, now that you have exercised and gotten fit, you can do anything… right?  Confidence comes with knowing you can tackle the hunt, climb the hill and haul out your kill.  Be patient, positive and prepared (do I hear a triple “P” cheer?). Patients, well… you’re a bow hunter it’s a given that is an essential tool.  Positivity will get you a long way my friends, whether you are by yourself or with a hunting party.  Have you ever been around “that” person that see’s the down side to everything or is constantly putting themselves down?  I have and it’s not fun…  Keep your attitude up; after all there are worse things you could be doing instead of getting out to do what you love.  And finally, prepared.  Being prepared is such an important mental factor.  Having the right clothes for the weather, terrain and clothes that fit you properly (ladies - stop buying men’s camo clothes!) makes you feel, well, good. Being prepared to gut, wrap and pack your harvest with all the necessary tools leaves you without worry of how to get the job done.  Being prepared with extra food and water helps with the long process involved after taking that fatal shot.  To achieve all this, you have to be mentally strong.  To be mentally strong you have to be healthy.  To be healthy you have to be physically fit. Yes it’s tough to get started, but all things worth working for have great rewards.

Here’s to measured success!

April Mack is a team member of Shoot Like A Girl. For more information on April please go to www.ShootLikeAGirl.com and click on Pro Staff.

Ladies, where do we find time to prepare for hunting season?

In our busy lives as wives and mothers, we are often preoccupied with making dinner, doing laundry, and playing taxi to the kids.  When do we make the time for ourselves to workout, attend meetings, shoot the bow, work the dogs, and take care of other necessities including preparing ourselves for hunting?

Now, do not get me wrong, I love a busy schedule (it keeps me on my toes) and I am definitely not complaining.  It makes me stop and think though, what do other gals in this situation do to prepare for hunting season, all while trying to eat healthy, maintain an exercise-regimen and run a household? Let’s face it- If we want to be successful in hunting, we need to practice (whether it is bow, shot gun or rifle).  Not only is ample practice the right thing to do ethically to achieve a good kill shot, but who wants to come back with an experience other than a positive, memorable one?  Practicing takes time.

Let us not forget our other responsibilities like work and running the household.  We all know we cannot have a messy house…

It is easy to get overwhelmed with all that we have to do.  If you are constantly stressing over little things, the little things become big things.  Stop and re-evaluate what is important.  For some, making a list of daily accomplishments is a good way to tend to all your chores.  Keep the chore list light though! Remember that having priorities does not mean you can’t have fun. THAT should be a priority in itself. After all… “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t no body happy!”

Also, take a look at all of your extracurricular involvements.  Is it really necessary to volunteer for five different organizations?  Maybe cut that down to one or two and really focus on doing a great job with those commitments.  We seem to have forgotten how to simplify and enjoy our hobbies because we are too busy trying to play super-mom/woman.

Some of us hunt one-week (or perhaps even a full month) in a hard core, pack in - pack out scenario, while others hunt close to home nightly and on weekends. We work hard to maintain our health and physical fitness, but it is easy to let these priorities slip during hunting season!  Where in the world are we supposed to fit in our workouts?  After all, hunting takes precedence over such matters!  Doesn't it?

There is no rule as to how often one must work out to be fit.  You may not make it to the gym more than a couple days each week.  But that is okay!  What matters is how you workout when you have the time.  Make it count! You know how valuable it is to have 30 minutes to an hour to yourself for a good workout. Crank up the intensity- run, bike or ski on an incline rather than flat, or incorporate sprints. (I bet the more you push it, the more often your workout time will be cut in half!)  Hit the weights with some UMPH!  Lift heavier and max out around 8-12 reps.  Get your cardio in while you are lifting weights.  The old rule of resting 30 seconds to a minute between sets is just that… old.  Get some jumping jacks, mountain climbers, burpies or good ol’ fashion jump roping in there while your muscles recover.  Involve the whole family if possible.  Working out together as a family makes for great bonding time for all!

Maintaining top fitness is more than working out, but is also eating healthy.  Keeping family friendly meals on the table can be stressful when you are already short on time.  Just remember, not all meals have to be gourmet.  Keep meals simple and easy; the less time you spend in the kitchen, the more time you have to spend on preparing for the hunt.  Simple meals can taste great, and can be prepared quickly with healthy ingredients.  I love this time of year due to fresh garden harvests and the light fruits and veggies you can get at the stores or local markets. And of course our game meat that we eat is extremely healthy and lean.  Plan ahead what your meals will be for the week. Yes, this planning time will require you to sit down for more than a few minutes, but you can make up for it later in the week when your pre-planned dinner is cooking and you are mowing the lawn. (You forgot about that didn’t you?)  Try and shop one time per week with the exception of fresh produce runs to the store.  Planning ahead will really cut down on the amount of time you are away from home– or hunting.  If you want to eat healthy but you are not sure where to begin, focus on buying fresh, perishable foods, rather than packaged, shelf-stable foods from boxes, wrappers and cans.   Eating healthy really is one of the easier things you have to manage.

What’s that saying? “Time flies when you’re having fun?” Or “There are only how many hours in my day?”

Choose your battles wisely my friends!  If you are like me, high expectations (usually set by our own selves) keep us running in circles trying to get everything accomplished.  My kids don’t care if the house is spotless; my husband could care less if I don’t spend three hours in the kitchen to create some gourmet meal. (I have mastered the art of how many different ways a tortilla can be made!)  I have learned to pick out what is important to me in all the hectic schedules and “to do’s” in our lives.

For me, obviously after God and family, my priorities include keeping up my skills as a bow hunter and maintaining proper nutrition and my physical fitness level. (I must stay strong to haul out that monster elk I will one day conquer!)  I have learned that when I am able to focus on what is most important to me, I can relax a bit, enjoy the ride and get to the other stuff as time allows.  Thankfully, we are a family full of hunters and all understand what it takes to meet these priorities, so we all pitch in where and when we can around the house.  

I just remembered… I have to go wash the windows and paint the outside of the house.  So until next time.  Happy hunting, shoot straight and may God bless you with a bountiful harvest this year!

April Mack is a team member of Shoot Like A Girl. For more information on April please go to www.ShootLikeAGirl.com and click on Pro Staff. 

Hunters Safety System

I have worn my hunter safety system this year faithfully every time I have climbed up in a tree.  I have heard too many horror stories of people that do not wear them.  The new hunter safety system is lightweight and very comfortable.  Most importantly it has pockets, lots and lots of pockets with some very nice pink trim for us ladies.  If there is one thing us women need, that is a place to store stuff.  I loved the fact it had the binocular clips to make easy access to my binoculars without having to have an additional strap to get in the way.  The straps were very comfortable and easy to connect and disconnect.  I have never owned a system that I could or would wear walking to the stand.  This system felt like I had another small layer on and not like I was being strung up like a puppet.  I strongly advise anyone man, woman or child to use this system.  It is more thank user friendly it is a life saver.

To find out more about Hunter Safety System go to: http://www.huntersafetysystem.com
Debi Martin is a member of the Shoot Like A Girl team. For more information of Debi please go to www.ShootLikeAGirl.com and click on Pro Staff.

True Shot Archery Coach

True Shot Archery Coach
by: Debi Martin

True shot archery coach has been a very effective tool in teaching me to shoot correctly.  I am not the easiest person to convince that I am wrong, but seeing my groups without True Shot and with it are pretty convincing.  They are now tighter and have all but done away with my left/ right issues.
My step son Gage (9 yr. old) wanted to try it out as well.  Needless to say he liked it so much I could not fine mine.  After a long search through the house and all over our shop I finally I found it; it was in Gage’s bow stool.  He had claimed it for his own.  If it can convince a 9 yr. old and someone as hard headed as me, it has got to be a great tool.

Anyone looking to improve accuracy and to elevate torch should try this product.

Debi Martin is a staff member for Shoot Like A Girl. For more information about Debi please go to www.ShootLikeAGirl.com and click on Pro Staff.

My First Turkey Hunt

My First Turkey Hunt

by: Marissa Hoehn

To say the least, my first turkey hunt was very rewarding, except the fact that I left the woods empty handed. But it is not always about the trophy; sometimes the experience can be just as satisfying. It was my first true turkey hunt, and I decided to take it on all by myself. It took a lot of mental preparation, as well as the usual physical prep, but definitely more mental for me. Why so much mental preparation you may ask? Well the fact that I am a female in what is conceived as a man’s world. Most people will look at a female and think they won’t walk the miles it may take to track down a turkey, or the patience needed to call that big bird in. Well I decided to overcome the fear and take that hunt head on!

I recently moved here to Arkansas in August and have not been able to get into a lease yet, so I decided to hunt a walk-in area in the Ouachita National Forest. I started my preparation long before the morning of my hunt. I listened to my friends talk about their experiences, as well as stations on the radio that have conservation talks. I also read magazines, and of course the rules and regulations guide, to learn and soak in as much knowledge about turkey hunting as possible. I noticed when listening and reading, that no one hunts the same. Some people use mouth calls, some box calls. Some people hunt blinds over food plots and fields, while others do the listen and stalk. I feel that understanding a little bit about all the different experiences and ways to hunt helped make my hunt what it was. After trying to understand the hunt I had to become as familiar as possible with my location. I looked over topographic maps online, and also went out to the forest once before to scope out the area.
The night before I made sure my gun was all set up, laid out my clothes, made sure my backpack was packed with water and snacks, as well as my calls, flashlight, a knife, and extra shells. Alarm set for 4:30, I was ready to go. The next morning I made it to the woods before sunrise. I started my quiet slow walk into the mountains. Stopping every ten minutes or so to sit and hit my call. If I didn't have a response within 5-10 minutes, the slow walk started again. It was about 7:30 when I heard my first gobble, but I hadn't hit my call in a while, so I knew he wasn't answering me. I sat and listened for about 30 minutes to what I was hoping was a real hen and not another hunter. The last thing I would want to do was ruin someone else’s hunt. After 30- 40 minutes his gobble had started to fade farther away and I hadn't seen or heard the hen in a while, so the stalk on this tom was on. One thing I learned was that you can hit your call too many times. It was a major struggle not to call constantly while listening to him slowly fade out. But patience and perseverance were on my mind, I wanted to win this gobbler over. He kept gobbling and I hit my call rarely, I think this really kept him intrigued, you know like playing hard to get. Finally, I can tell he is on the ridge just northwest of where I was, so I trekked as quietly as possible to get just a bit closer trying to get a glimpse of this loud yet devious creature.
I listened and stalked him, finally catching a site of tail feathers through the brush almost three hours after first hearing him. This hard headed tom wouldn't budge though. I was sitting waiting about half way down the ridge of the small mountain we were on when I realized he isn't going to come find me. I was once told that the toms work their way to high ground towards midday so the hens can hear them better and they can search out hens more easily. Remembering this I decided I had to ever so quietly make my way to the top of this ridge to get this gobbler to make an appearance. So I did! Struggling with the dry leaves under feet I made it about 70 yds to his east. I finally found a good tree to rest on in a small opening in the underbrush. Settled in, I hit my call once, and to my surprise I hear another hen on the other side of this gobbler I’d been working so hard for. My first thought was that the last three hours were a waste of time and he was going to deviate from me and go after this other hen. To my surprise I see and hear this bright red head coming through the underbrush at me. Then, I see another, I was calling at two toms and had no idea. My nerves are racked at this point, gun up and pointed in the direction of my opponent. To add to the nerves of seeing my first bright red head, the long swaying beard as he walked didn't help. The tom, finally being at 30 yds and headed straight for me, stuck his head up to let out a gobble. Being green to the sport of turkey hunting, I couldn't wait any longer, he stuck his head up and I pulled the trigger. Thinking I was right on him with the kill, but to my surprise he flew away. Even though I knew he had no idea I was there prior to the trigger pull, my inexperience got the best of me and I shot long before I needed to.
I thank the Lord above for a beautiful day to experience my first turkey hunt. I think I learned more about myself that day then I ever have before. I realized that it doesn't matter what other people think, you’re the only person holding you back. There are no boundaries or limits to what you can do if you believe in your preparations and take your common sense and knowledge from other hunting experience and put them into use. Also, practice makes perfect when shooting a gun. I have duck hunted before but have never shot a shotgun at a still target. They are completely different! Pattern and be familiar with your gun prior to taking it out hunting!
I hope this story gives more women the courage and willpower to not be dependent on someone else to introduce you to a new hunting adventure. Take the bull by the horns, prepare yourself and believe in yourself. But most of all Shoot Like a Girl!

Marissa Hoehn is a Pro Staff member of Shoot Like A Girl. For more information on Marissa please go to www.ShootLikeAGirl.com and click on Pro Staff.

PHOTO TIPS

PHOTO TIPS

by: Colleen Richardson

Now that hunting season is underway I thought it would be helpful to give some photo tips of your next trophy. There are a few important guidelines to follow to ensure that your hunt is forever memorialized in great quality photos. There are lots of bad hunting photos in the world but with just a few short steps you can have some great photos to help that hunt last a lifetime! I have shared some of the photos I have taken over the years and they are by no means perfect but can give you some good ideas of do’s and don’ts next time you take some hunting photos.

1) Set up and clean up your animal- tuck his/her legs underneath him, set his best side toward the camera (less blood, entry vs. exit wounds etc.), clean up the blood as best you can from around the wound and especially its mouth, and be sure to tuck that tongue back in (or cut it out). The nicer you make your trophy look the better it will look in the picture. This is purely out of respect for the animal who gave its life for you to provide for your family.

 2) Clean up the area you are shooting in, i.e., remove tall vegetation or debris that is between the camera and the animal. If the scene of the animal is quite bloody, move 5 or ten yards away to a clean open area. You want pictures of the hunter and the trophy, not the large blade of grass that is in front of its face or a pool of blood nearby.






3) Choose a good backdrop. Be sure to look around and get a backdrop that encompasses your hunting environment (tree line, canyon, food plot, sunset) this will be the scenery for your photo, choose wisely.

Photo courtesy of Zac Griffith

4) Put the light towards you (not at your back unless it’s a great sunset) and ALWAYS USE THE FLASH, it’s your best friend! This will help bring good lighting to you photos and help to eliminate shadows. Use the flash even during mid-day shots; this will increase the quality immensely. Be sure to turn it off if taking shots of live animals so you don't spook them either.

These photos were taken back to back and show the drastic difference between a flash and no flash in low light situations. Time of day will play a large role in how the quality of your photos turn out. Below is a great example of a photo with flash and one without in a mid morning light setting.

5) Get eye/shoulder level with the trophy. Taking pictures standing above does neither you nor the trophy any justice. The lower you get the better you can highlight the key points of the animal and hunter.

6) Take shots from multiple angles. Turn the head of the trophy to be sure to get all characteristics of the antlers or horns. Be sure not to sit in front of the antlers or horns so you can highlight them against a light back drop (like a silhouette on a sunset). Sky lighting the horns, antlers or fan tails give the shot some dimension and perspective of the size and characteristics of the trophy.

Photo courtesy of Zac Griffith

7) Place your firearm in a safe position. Do NOT point the barrel of your gun in someone’s face, set it up responsibly (like you know how to handle a gun). If you have an archery trophy be sure to place the bow in for a few shots as well, this will help the credibility of the trophy to record books.  

8) Be sure to get several of you with your trophy but don’t forget to take some shots with your hunting party! If it is a guided hunt, take photos with your guide, the logo of the outfitter or in one of their “photo areas”. This helps to preserve the good memories you had with that guide and helps to give them some good promo pictures they can use to show the quality of hunt and trophies they provide. If it’s a family hunt be sure to get the whole herd together!

Photo courtesy of Amie Riggs, Photo taken by Shane Riggs

9) Be sure to charge your camera or bring extra batteries. A good quality camera can take 300+ pictures before the battery runs out of life but you don’t want to be stuck with one bar of battery left when you have a trophy on the ground. Be prepared!

10) MOST IMPORTANTLY, take the time to take lots of pictures, not only of the hunter and trophy but also candid shots along the way. What’s the worst you can do, delete them? It’s always best to have too many pictures than not enough. Remember, there is no going back once the knives are out! Taking the time to take good quality shots is just as important as preserving the meat, except you are preserving the memories. 

Hope these little tips help next time you are in the woods and always remember to smile!

Colleen Richardson is a Pro Staff Member of Shoot Like A Girl. For more information on Colleen go to www.ShootLikeAGirl.com and click on the Pro Staff Link at the top of the homepage. 

True Shot Coach Review

If you are new to archery, first let me start off by saying welcome! You are now part of a close knit group who are proud to support those alike. With that being said, archery is an acquired skill. It takes practice, being in tune to your body; aware of how you are breathing, knowing the positioning of your hands, head, feet, arms and back and more practice. Archery is not something you step into two-weeks before opening of hunting season or an archery competition and start shooting your bow. Archer's are always on the look-out for ways to improve the shot. There are many "bells and whistles" that can be used for improved shots including a simple tool that can be placed on your hand for consistent hand placement on the bow. Hand placement is one of the most important factors in regards to form.

“Don't Choke Archery” http://dontchokearchery.com/ introduced the True Shot Coach as a training aid for hand placement. This little device will help archer's reach the goal of consistent hand placement as well as provide a relaxed grip (aka - avoid the death grip!). The True Shot Coach is especially helpful for those that have been away from the archery scene for a while, young kids or anybody that is just starting out in archery. My son found it helpful to find his "grip" and helped in hitting tight groupings. I highly recommend this product to those that are tight on their grip or are just beginning!

April Mack is a Pro Staff Member and Archery Instructor for Shoot Like A Girl. You can read more about April by going to www.ShootLikeAGirl.com and click on the Pro Staff Link.