Deer Season is Almost Here

I find it very difficult to keep calm this time of year. There are so Many things that need to be completed in the next few weeks before the season opens. I am the type of individual who believes being unprepared is one of the worst things anyone could be.

A successful hunt usually comes down to paying attention to the small details in relation to the overall big picture. In the next few weeks we will talk about what keeps me awake at night in preparation for the 2015 PA archery season.

Start rounding up your gear, It's time for a hunting locker inspection.

27,592 Pa Elk Applications

This year 27,592 hunters applied for a Pa elk license.  That raised $275,920 Just from applications alone. Another $157,150 was raised through a raffle for the Keystone Elk Country Alliance. Add to that another $52,500 from a license raffled off from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and you have a total of $485,570 for Pa wildlife!

Good luck to all the hunters who were awarded a license this year.

Coyote Vital Target

Now that I have the Bushmaster .223 sighted in I can start to think about Coyote hunting.  There are several coyotes in the area and they definitely have an impact on turkeys and fawns.

Bushmaster .223 Range Day

Today was spent sighting in the Bushmaster .223  It was a beautiful day to be outside sending some rounds down range. We were sighting in a new Nikon  3x9x40 scope at the Western Pa Wounded Warriors range. Everyday shooting is a day well spent.

Using the Caldwell lead sled made sighting in easy and the rifle was dialed in pretty quick. The scope was not bore sighted but was on the paper the first shot. Using three shot groups it worked out well. The .223 shot just as well off the bench too. I can't wait for deer season to start.  But until the season gets here, shooting paper targets will have to do...

Falcon Archers, Dick Zorn 3D 2015 Shoot

Crossbow Maintenance

Now is the time of year I really start to practice shooting my Tenpoint crossbow. I like to shoot my Field points up until the end of August then I will switch and concentrate on shooting my broadheads. Here are a few good points to keep in mind when maintaining your crossbow. You can purchase the precision oiler by clicking here

Deer Vital Target

I always liked the saying"Aim small, miss small".  As we are preparing for the season I feel it's important to visualize the shot.  A well placed broadhead (fixed or mechanical) will quickly and humanely bring down a whitetail deer.

Ham and Bacon Shoot

Yesterday was the ham and bacon shoot sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors at the California Hill Gun Club.  The weather was beautiful and we had a good group of shooters come out to support a great organization.

I shot six rounds really well but did not win any bacon or ham. My groups were tight and consistent but I just could not get closest to the X with a single BB. That's the great part of shooting in a ham and bacon contest. Anyone can win with a little luck.

One thing I would like to mention is winning is not always about the prize. And let's not get confused, this is not about handing out participation trophies to children in athletics. Everyone who participated in yesterday's event, able bodied or disabled was a winner. Several of the shooters had significant disabilities and they were still able to compete and win.

We all support each other and share in each others success. One particular young man is new to shooting. Several of us offered encouragement, let him use our shotguns and cheered for him to win. Unfortunately he did not win a prize but I think he took away something much more valuable. A feeling that he was part of a group, a feeling that he could accomplish his goals, and a sense of belonging.

It's amazing what can happen with the right group of people. When we encourage and support each other we all win.

Rotary District 7300 Donation, Trac-Fab

I would like to thank The Rotary District  7300  for their very generous donation of a new Trac-Fab all-terrain wheelchair to the Western Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors. It will provide veterans a better opportunity to explore the great outdoors.

Without adaptive equipment like this veterans may not have the opportunity to access off-road activities such as hiking, fishing and hunting. Tracked wheelchairs such as this are the only way veterans and people with disabilities can get off the pavement. After all, nature and the great outdoors is not ADA certified or approved.

.243 Range Time

On Sunday I was able to get to the range for a little rifle practice. Shooting the .243 is always fun and it was grouping well. I was shooting almost 1'' groups which is good for me.

It was a beautiful day outside and I seen three gobblers which made the day out even better. I plan on shooting my rifle a few more times before the season starts. But the next range day will be dedicated to practicing with my crossbow.

50, 100, 150 and 200 yard targets. I don't plan on shooting past 150 yards. I know my limitations and my comfort zone. Always shoot within your abilities for a clean ethical hunt.

Pregame Before The Hunt

August.  If you have not started preparing for deer season yet, today is the day.  Hunting season will be here before we know it.

It's time to get your trail cameras out, time to start glassing fields, cutting shooting lanes and most importantly shooting your bow, crossbow or rifle.

Just like professional football players have started training camp, we as hunters need to start practicing our skills and preparing for the season if we want to be successful.

It's also important to take an inventory of your hunting gear. Learn what needs to be replaced, tightened, painted, oiled, cleaned, put new batteries into or thrown out.

If you are a serious hunter, Now is the time to prepare, We owe it to the game we pursue. Check all of your safety equipment, prepare and have a plan for emergencies this season.

Check back and follow along as I prepare for the 2015 deer season.