On my third year now. I can honestly say that this is one of the things I have the most fun with every year. My kids shoot with me. Even my wife gets a little excited (even though she won’t admit it). So thank you for doing this!
Last year my MER was 60 yards. That’s coming down this year to 47. A) my target is set from my stand to a trail they all follow. In fact, my son was pulling up for his shot after mine and a doe ran within 3’ of the target! B) my arrows are pulling a little low and left now and I’ll need to re-zero after this challenge is over. C) I tagged my doe at 26 yards last fall.
My setup:
-Mathews Vertix: 28.5” @ 65#
-The Mathews quiver is new this year as well.
-Easton 5mm FMJs @ 28.25” for total weight of 480gr.
-IW s100s are new and replaced last year’s Slick Tricks.
-Using the same arrow I shot my doe with last fall.
-Stock QAD rest
-Not sure which stabilizer that is, but I added a shrewd angled quick release last year.
-Trijicon Accupin sight system. It’s my first adjustable and I love it. I can use it here in Mich, and they’re a hometown company.
-Tuff Guy release. This year I got a boa strap.
-Shooting with my bino pack on to replicate hunting setup.
@JG636: I can still reach out with field points, but you know how little I’ve shot this year.
Primary game is Michigan whitetail, but I’ll practice for elk too. My target:
That balloon is about 8” diameter, so splitting deer vitals and elk-heart sized. Gonna try to inflate a little smaller to 6-7” tomorrow.
My range:
47 yards. 8.4° down angle per my rangefinder. Total elevation change is maybe 8-10’.
Day 1:
Foggy. About 54°F with a bit of a chill from the cool fog. No real wind: a swirling 2-3mph breeze. Felt better than expected when it broke; I’ve been a touch apprehensive since this is literally the first shot I’ve touched off since November. My lovely assistant spotted the shot and is pointing to the arrow.
Day 2:
Day 2 was cold, maybe 40°. Steady rain, the kind that gets to your bones, dampens all sound and kills visibility. No real wind. Shot broke great.
Things learned: it buried past the nock. Target is probably getting old and porous? The rain is soaking through that jacket… it’s likely lived its useful life. Could barely see out through its hood, so not likely the best hunting jacket anyway.
I’m also getting better at rapidly progressing through my shot sequence. Less standing, holding, and concentrating on each portion of the draw/acquire/aim/release cycle, and more coordinated shot. Much like my rifle/pistol shooting progressed over the years. This time, I looked, pulled up and as soon as the pin settled, I was ready for the release. And it broke true. That kind of progress is gratifying.
Day 3:
Cold today. 40°. Raining. Stressed myself, consistent with what hunting season will be: I worked last night (I work third shift). The shift ended with a bang. I’m two coffees deep since 0430. Downright twitchy and a little lightheaded right now. Pretty amped up. Frankly, can barely see straight.
The shot broke clean enough. I tagged it. Frankly, I think I got lucky.
Day 4:
Managed to slip one in before I have to took the kid to the orthodontist. It’s spitting rain and snowflakes. About 6-8mph wind from my ten o’clock (right in my eyes). Pulled right.
Still hit the balloon; I really like the binary and immediate feedback to the shot - like shooting steel with firearms. Had to use a pink balloon, per my youngest’s request today.
Day 5:
It’s a beautiful crisp morning here. 39° and a soft drizzle. Gentle breeze out of the south (off the back of my left shoulder). Had to take an extra breath to settle the pin, but broke clean and happy with the results.
Thank you for hosting this challenge! Such a great opportunity to exercise every year. Really, this is just one of those joyful, happy-to-do-it events every year. Thank you again!!!
