Getting Back to the Roots: Traditonal Bow Shoot

Enjoying Family, Friends, and Time in the Outdoors
By Todd Gruber, Knox, Pennsylvania

In the age of archery technology changing rapidly and archery equipment becoming obsolete almost immediately after you purchase it, there still are many that are converting back to the way archery used to be.  Bows and arrows made of wood and no sights to guide your shot are gaining in popularity more than most would think.

Emma and I with her first bow.

I have been shooting a traditional recurve bow for about 7 or 8 years now, and even though I have not hunted much with it because some back issues had kept me from practicing as much as I would have liked, I am looking to start hunting strictly traditional this year.  Over the past 3 years I have been able to introduce my wife and two daughters to the sport as well as some of my friends and their families.  Pennsylvania is home to two of the largest traditional shoots in the country.  I was fortunate enough to attend both events this year.  The STAR (Ski Sawmill Traditional Archery Rendezvous) and ETAR (Eastern Traditional Archery Rendezvous) and they are both located within an hour of the beautiful Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.  This year I was able to camp for the weekend at STAR with my family and my good friends Bill and Laura Evans with their son Tanner.

The STAR shoot is much smaller in comparison than ETAR but is a great shoot to take the family to because of the flatter terrain and laid back atmosphere.  STAR consists of 5 3-D archery courses, novelty shoots, and the canoe shoot.  Vendors are present at the shoot to stock up on supplies.  Last year my youngest daughter Emma was only about 18 months old but we were able to use a cart that you pull behind a bike to maneuver her through the courses.  I would not advise on taking a youngster up the ski slope to the two courses up on top because it can be very steep at times.  This year at 2 years of age she shoot her own bow made of CPVC and walked about 90% of the course.  My nine year old daughter Dani has been shooting for about three years and out shoots many of us adults.  My wife Deanna has been shooting for three years also and seems to enjoy it more and more.  Every year we attend we are seeing more and more families attending.  Both shoots offer a great atmosphere and we have met many people from all over the country.  The one thing that I have noticed is that most of the people that attend the traditional events are very laid back and willing to share there knowledge of the sport to offer tips and tricks of the trade.

My daughter Dani is left handed so she must sit backwards on the horse for this shot.

STAR is a great shoot to go camping with your family because it is not real crowded and there is a lot of room for the kids to play.  Last year at STAR we shot all day on Saturday and saw only a handful of people on the courses we were shooting.  This year there were more people and the shoot seems to be gaining in popularity.  Seminars are available at both shoots to help you become a better shooter or enjoy some of the trick shooters that attend the event.  STAR and ETAR also have programs for the kids to improve there skills or just have fun.

ETAR is one of largest traditional archery shoots in the world.  I am not sure how many shooters this event draws, but I know it is in the thousands.  ETAR consists of 9 3-D courses as well as many novelty shoots and a raccoon shoot at night.  If you want to camp at this event I would suggest getting there on Wednesday because it fills up fast.  There are many vendors at this shoot and you can shoot some of the best made bows from the various bowyers that attend the event.  The  vendors sell bow making materials, archery accessories, furs, and quivers among various other supplies.

My wife Deanna with friends Bill and Laura

Both STAR and ETAR offer great accommodations with on site camping available, nightly swap meets, and unlimited shooting.  STAR is usually the last weekend in June and ETAR is the last weekend in July.  Both shoots start on Thursday and run until Sunday.  On Sunday both shoots end with a door prize drawing.  For more information on the shoots you can google Ski Sawmill or Denton Hill ski resorts or look at Archeryfestivals.com.  Ski Sawmill and Denton also offer compound shoots but I have never attended.

Bill taking aim!

If you are interested in trying your skills with a recurve or longbow this is a great place to go.  Even if you don’t shoot, it is worth making a trip to see what they have to offer and you can stop and see the sights of Pine Creek and the PA Grand Canyon.

A view from atop Ski Sawmill Resort

---

Thanks for the great story and photos Todd. You can send us your hunting or fishing story and if we use it on our web site we will send you a Pennsylvania Sportsmen Portal T-Shirt. The Pennsylvania Sportsmen Portal is all about folks who hunt and fish in PA and we love to feature our site visitors. Only criteria is, you must be a Pennsylvania resident. Stories can be from out of state adventures also, but we are really looking for stories that feature hunting and fishing in PA. Click Here For More Information.

Scott Archery Little Goose Release

Product Review by Mike Bell, PSP Field Staff

Cost
Black - 59.99
Camo - 64.99
Deluxe - 69.99 (includes 3 interchangeable triggers…Slim Line, Spring, Knurled)

Product Features

• Four hole adjustment


• Pivoting head


• Fully adjustable Trigger


• Angled jaw design for todays new bows


• Single Caliper (1 moving Jaw)


• Available in Black or Paradise Camo


• Available in Buckle or Hook and Loop Strap
  

Personal Assessment
After several negative experiences early in archery, I’ve learned where I need to spend money and on which accessories I can save a little.  A quality release is a must and the Scott Mongoose release is worth every penny.  I started using the Scott Mongoose through several recommendations from friends and through research on the internet and magazines.  They are adjustable and extremely comfortable, durable and consistent.  I started using the regular Mongoose and went to the Little Goose five years ago when I put a string loop on my bow.  The Little goose is more compact with a foreword trigger and gave me an extra half inch on my draw.  Both releases work great and have served through many thousands of shots.  The last thing I want to concern myself with when touching off a shot, is a faulty release. The Scott has definitely lived up to its name as one of the best.  Since my early days archery hunting, I’ve went though several bows and all different accessories, but the one thing that has remained consistent has been my Scott Release.

Limitations
The cost on the Scott Mongoose could be an issue for some archers, but after the initial investment you will have a quality release for many years to come.

Recommendation
Based on my experiences with my Scott Mongoose and Little Goose Releases, I would have no problem recommending the Scott Mongoose or Little Goose to any archer looking for a quality durable release.

AVERY Sporting Dog Products - Reversible Collar and Training Lead

Product Review by Teresa Patterson, PSP Field Staff

Cost
Reversible Collar - $9.99
Trainer’s Lead - $9.99

Product Features

Collar:

• Heavy-duty webbing sealed in a waterproof sleeve.


• Super tough powder coated steel buckle and D ring.


• Three sizes to fit any dog.


• Multiple colors. (Shadow Grass, (Killer weed) KW-1, Break-up)


• One side camo/one side blaze orange.


• Tough Quick-release buckle

Trainers Lead:

• Heavy-duty 1 inch poly webbing.


• Durable coated steel hardware.


• Double webbing for durability.


• Trigger snap & quick release buckle.


• 6” wrist loop.

The waterfowl and upland bird season is almost upon us and I needed to versatile collar and lead for Drake.  I knew that a short lead would be my best answer. Drake is fresh out of basic training and I am still training him at home.  So controlling him on a short lead enables me to guide him more easily while we are training and in the field.

While goose hunting we usually like to keep our dogs staked down.  Dogs are as excited as we are about hunting. In the heat of a hunt  they see that first bird drop you never know what they may do. I have seen even the best trained dogs break from their blind at a fallen bird.  This can be an accident waiting to happen.  I found the Avery Trainer’s Lead very versatile for at home training and in the Field.   It’s inexpensive and yet very durably made.  The part I like best is that it can easily be hidden and is short enough to keep the dog in the blind. Not to mention the quick release snap. This is the feature I like the most. It can easily be reached and can release the dog on command for a retrieve. Not to mention there is no long leash or rope dragging behind them, getting muddy, wrapping around their legs or knocking over the decoys.

The Avery reversible collar is another great new product.  This collar is ideal for the dog that hunts both waterfowl and upland birds.  The collar has the same quick release snap as the Trainers lead and can quickly be switched from Camo to blaze orange in seconds. Which when hunting upland birds I always like to have some type of orange on the dog for safety reasons.

I have the KW-1 camo pattern.    I like both of the products.  They both seem to be made well and have held up to my use thus far. Both are very reasonably priced.  I would recommend these products to anyone who has a dog they are training or for use while hunting.

• Click here: Avery Reversible Hunting Dog Collar at MacksPW.com


• Click here: Avery 24 Inch Trainer's Lead at MacksPW.com

Thumbs of Green & Velvet Dreams

As always, August has flown by and archery season is just around the corner. This year, my friends and I have been busy making preparations and gearing up for the opener. A new task we took on this year was planting a couple small food plots to experiment with seed mixes before we plant larger areas next year. I’m not blessed with a green thumb, so I was happy when my neighbor, Jody Ion, who has some experience with establishing plots, offered to help us get started.

Jody’s tractor and discs did a great job at preparing the soil for planting; Jody showing off a little PSP pride!

Jody has a nice tractor with all the implements, so we were able to get our small plots planted pretty quickly. The first step was to plow the area and then work it over with a set of discs. That left us with a nicely-tilled plot that was ready for lime and fertilizer. Application rates depend on soil types in each local area, so getting a soil test before you start is a good idea. In our plots, we used pelletized lime at about 500lbs/acre and 10-10-10 fertilizer at 300lbs/acre.

Kirk Byerley and I filling the cyclone spreader with lime; Jody tops off the spreader.

The seed mix we chose for our site included two types of brassicas (turnip and rape). These species are very hardy and contain high levels of protein. Growth rates were advertised at 24 inches in 45 days under ideal conditions. Recommended seeding rates were approximately 5lbs/acre.

Kirk and his 4-wheeler made short work of spreading the fertilizer; That’s me spreading seed on the freshly-tilled plot.

After about two weeks, our plots had germinated well, sprouting to a height of 3-4 inches. Although the plots aren’t very large, they’re positioned between a bedding area and larger agricultural fields. We’re hoping they’ll provide a nice staging area for the deer before they head to the big fields later in the evening.

A view of new growth after about two weeks; The seeds germinated quickly in the fertile soil.

Making time to shoot my bow has also been a priority, and the practice sessions are starting to pay off. Although I haven’t done it yet, this is the time of year when I switch from the light-weight arrows I shoot all summer, to the heavier arrows I hunt with. Everyone has their preferences, but I like heavier arrows for hunting because they’re quieter and provide increased penetration. Speaking of heavy, I should also mention here that I’m very impressed with the sturdiness and durability of the Big Shot targets we’ve been testing. They’re very well made and I can tell that it’s going to take a really long time to wear one out. That won’t keep me from trying though!

Spending some quality time on the backyard range; A nice looking group after a few sight adjustments

Scouting trips around the local area have revealed that there are quite a few nice bucks that survived last year’s season. Most of the late-summer bucks are travelling in bachelor groups, and it’s been pretty common to see three and four together at once. My friends and I have noticed that there seem to be a lot of two-year-old bucks that typically have 8-point racks about as wide as their ears.

These two bucks were feeding early in a clover field; This nice half-rack fell victim to a busy highway.

We have also been lucky enough to see some really nice bucks on our scouting and spotlighting trips. I would say that these deer are about 3-4 years old on average, and they’re much more wary than their younger counterparts. It’s nice to catch a glimpse of the big boys now, before they seek out their hiding places during the hunting season. Here are a few photos of the bucks we’re trying to keep tabs on for the opener.

A typical August bachelor group

This young 10-point has tiny kicker points growing off of his G2s.

This buck walks with a limp and most likely grew his droptine as a result of his injury.

A young 10-point and a heavy-racked 8-point

This big 10-point is one of the nicer bucks we’ve seen so far this year.

As you can see, prospects for this year’s season are looking good. The colder nights are making it seem like fall is fast approaching. As far as I’m concerned, it can’t get here soon enough! I’ve heard some forecasts predicting an exceptionally cold winter. Personally, I wouldn’t mind a colder than average bow season too. There’s just something magical about those crisp, frosty mornings and the impact they have on heavy-racked bucks and hunters alike. Good luck to everyone with making your final preparations, I can tell already it’s going to be a dandy season!

Preparing for the Opening Day of Goose and Dove Season

It seems like I have been preparing for the opening day of goose season for months. My training with Drake is a daily ritual. Preseason scouting started months ago at newly hatched goslings, practicing my new River Bottom calls, etc.

The past couple of weeks really kicked up the preparation though. It started with ordering our shells. Once they arrived Jimmy quickly loaded up all our shell belts with anticipation. We took another day to work on our blinds. I had gotten some Avery killerweed Layout blind kits and we decided to prepare our blinds in advance with concealment on the stubble straps. This will help to greatly cut down precious time in the morning groundwork. Many waterfowlers know that there are many times it seems like you are trying to get your blinds concealed and someone yells, “Geese! In the air!” you have incoming and you aren’t ready. So we are hoping this helps.

Jimmy in his layout blind.

We separated decoys into their individual bags…it always seems by the end of season in February…you have full bodies in with the floater ducks…floater geese somewhere else….so this was the time to check the flocked heads and separate accordingly.

Jimmy had the guns cleaned and the proper chokes in and ready to go. I pulled out our lightweight Medalist Camo and checked waders and wading shoes. I have been working Drake everyday with familiarizing him around decoys, calls, blinds and other equipment. Not to mention are daily routine training on ground and water.

The most important thing we have been doing is scouting, scouting and MORE scouting. We always visit the farms where we have permission to hunt in advance to the first week. We touch base with the Farmers and make sure nothing has changed with his property and to assure we still have permission if the geese show up on their farm. We check local waterways we know the geese may frequent. Most importantly is the “wild goose chase” as I call it. This is where we usually sit on a high hill or by a roost site and wait for the geese to take fight to go feed. Depending on the local crop and what is planted, harvested and when it is harvested determines at times where the geese will be. Once the geese take flight we try to determine from our post site where they are feeding. This is most important the day and night before the opener. Usually, and I say that softly… (until they are disturbed or the feed runs out in a field) they will continue to return to the same field each day. That isn’t always the case. 2 years ago we had a large flock pinned in a field one night…tons of feed in the field, set up bright and early and waited. And waited. Only to never have them arrive. Why? Who knows they are wild animals! My guess, the wind made them do it!

Another aspect of scouting is the preferred flight routes or corridors ducks and geese tend to fly as they move back and forth from feeding areas to roost areas. It is good to locate these corridors. This can help as to where you can set up in or near them during hunting season. Geese will tend to fly out into the wind and keep going until they reach a field to feed in. Resident geese will establish a pattern and often fly the same way each day and feed in a field until the food is gone. Then they move onto the next field. Now this theory will change with the wind. Meaning a major wind shift will cause birds to fly out in a different direction and not the usual flight. Thus the answer to our no show geese I told you about above.

Jimmy is very excited this year being able to hunt. His whole day is planned so he says. Early morning geese as long as we can keep them coming in. Then dove in the afternoon. Then according to him another goose hunt that evening. My bet is he will be sleeping in his blind later that evening! He got a new gadget for hunting this year. Those of you that know my son…you know Spike is all about gadgets! It’s the “Dove Tree”. Yes it is a 10 foot plastic tree that can be broken down. It has an anchor that goes into the ground, actual limbs that attach to the tree and dove decoys that clip on it. I can’t wait to see if it works.

I think we are about ready as ready can be. My highlight this year will be most importantly seeing Jimmy actually hunting his first goose hunt, his reactions, and excitement. Then seeing my dog at work and spending that exciting first morning with family and friends.

Good luck to everyone venturing out. Be safe, be courteous and be sure to post all your stories.

Teresa

BigShot Archery Ballistic 450 Bag Target

Product Review by Mike Bell, PSP Field Staff

Cost
59.99 online @ www.bigshottargets.com

Product features

• 6.5 oz cover material


• Sewn in handle for easy transport


• Rated to handle arrows or crossbow bolts up to 450 fps


• Easy two finger arrow removal


• Staggered dots in front and back to extend life of the target


• 24X24X14 dimension

Personal Assessment
I chose the Big Shot target for this review because it is time to start preparing for this upcoming archery season.  I just received this target two weeks ago and wanted to share what I’ve experienced thus far.  I recently heard about this target from a friend.  When I checked out their website the first thing that jumped out at me was the price.  While the price seems relatively low, the target is well built and looks like it is made to stand the test of time.  The target is rated up to 450 fps and I really enjoy the easy arrow removal from this bag target.  The Big Shot Archery Bag is 14 inches wide at the base, so it sits on the ground with no need for target stands.  I know the true test of a target is how it stands up over time, but so far I’ve shot many arrows into this target and it has held up great with absolutely not signs of bulging or tearing.  The dots on the target are easy to see and have stopped my arrows shooting 275 fps at 5 through 40 yards easily.

Product Limitations
I haven’t had this target long enough to truly test how it stands up to thousands of shots, but from what I’ve seen so far, the target is built very solid and performs great.  The Ballistic 450 is made for field points only, so a separate target is necessary when shooting broadheads.  Though I haven’t used them, I know Big Shot Archery also provides a line of targets which will accept broadheads.

Recommendation
Based on what I’ve seen so far, I would highly recommend the Ballistic 450 Bag to anyone looking for a well built, durable field point target capable of stopping arrows from today’s high speed bows and crossbows.

Cabela's Telescoping Pet Ramp

Product Review by Teresa Patterson, PSP Field Staff

Cost
Approximately $125.00

Product Features

• Telescopes from 39 to 70 inches to accommodate heights of most vehicles.


• No skid coating to prevent slipping.


• High impact plastic has no sharp edges.


• Non-slip rubber feet on both ends that keep it from slipping when in place.


• Weight capacity of 250 pounds


• Built in carry handle.


• 18 inches wide and weighs 18 pounds.

With having Drake now and taking him on so many hunting trips afield not to mention personal outings he accompanies us on. I wanted to look into a pet ramp to help with his jumping in and out of my Durango.  Even though he is only 2 years old and has no problem getting in and out of the vehicle; I look at it as a preventative measure to help him now for his future health.

A pet ramp or a dog ramp can be a preventative healthcare tool as even the healthiest pet is susceptible to joint or spinal injuries when jumping up or down from heights. Breeds with long spines, short legs, or overweight bodies are at significantly higher risk because of the additional stress. Damage may be done each and every time a pet is required to jump up or down from high places. This can be particularly damaging to them after your pet has been lying down for a period of time allowing their muscles, joints and tendons to become stiff. Pet ramps can eliminate the risk of impact, shock and repetitive stress that can contribute to arthritis and the emergence of hip dysplasia.

I found the ramp very easy to use, light weight, durable and compact enough to carry in the back of my vehicle without taking up too much extra room. It has a sandpaper type finish to help the dog with their footing while climbing it. It can be adjusted to a few different lengths for different vehicles.  So this makes it versatile. Drake weighs about 80 pounds and it holds up quite well.  I would recommend this product to anyone who has a pet especially a hunting dog. You can make life easier and more enjoyable for your pet at any age.