The Mule Deer Project

[bighouse31]

Cindy look up different ways to lace your boots try a few of them out and see if any help.

 

[Becca]

Cindy look up different ways to lace your boots try a few of them out and see if any help.

This is good advice, I have been amazed at what a difference the method of lacing makes!
Here is a photo of my Hanwag Lady Alaskans laced according to the instructions included by Lathrop and Sons:

Notice how the have crossed the laces (like the first step of tying a bow) on the top four eyelets below where I actually tie my boots. I had to unlace them part way to get the crossing on the lower eyelets. When I put them on I pull tight before running the laces through the next metal hook so it tightens from the bottom up. I am sure there are other methods out there, but this sure works well for me.

 

[chippewawarrior]

Cindy, try Hydropel or Body Glide (Anti-chafe stick or Liquified powder), they both will reduce friction on your foot. Combine that with a good lacing technique to lock in your heal, and you should be GTG... Another option is to find an insole with more volume then the stock ones used inside your boots (Kenetreks right?). Superfeet and Sole are popular brands. There is a growing thread on "insoles" under Footwear started by Aron here on Rokslide.

 

[robby denning]

Cindy,
I'm just getting caught up on the thread again. I must point out that the hard work is paying off. In the coaching session's pics, I notice you look much leaner than when we met up back in June. The workouts, calorie tracking, following Les's advice are working!

Good job

 

[BigSurArcher]

Just got all caught up! Excellent documentation! I shoot the same arrows... whacked a buck with one on Saturday. They're nice! By the way... sick sunglasses.

 

[Cindy Wamsley]

Thanks for the tips about my boots. I'm going to try some of the suggestions and see what I make work.

Becca, the pic is very helpful thanks.

Robby, I appreciate your comments.

BigSurArcher, I love the arrows and the sunglasses!

 

[chippewawarrior]

3 days is too long a break... Come on I'm on pins and needles as to what is going on? I check this thread at least 3x's a day!

 

[Evan Williams]

HAAHAHA Join the club ChippewaWarrior Lets hear about optics!!!

 

[Cindy Wamsley]

3 days is too long a break... Come on I'm on pins and needles as to what is going on? I check this thread at least 3x's a day!

There are definitely several things in the works.

A teaser... backpack, shelter, optics, broadheads and David's steps to name a few!

 

[JoniViles]

Generation X Line

WOW! You look amazing decked out in your Prois gear, Cindy! As a Colorado inhabitant myself, I can personally vouch for the appropriateness of the Generation X line for the high Rockies.

This line contains a mid-weight jacket, and pants. Engineered with our windstopping and water resistant Pro-Edition Fabric and combined with warmth-enhancing microfleece, the Prois Pro-Edition Generation-X line has it all. The Jacket is lined with our signature nylon tricot system to provide enhanced ease of movement within the garment. Sturdy and Snag resistant this line combines many of the great features of the very popular Pro-Edition Line fabric with our new athletically cut jacket with an integrated hood. The new mid-weight pants add a plush microfleece lining and a wind stopping technology making them extremely warm for their weight. The jacket is lined with our signature nylon tricot system to provide enhanced ease of movement within the garment.

I can't wait to hear how it performs in the field for you, Cindy! Good Luck!

 

[Evan Williams]

Joni,

Welcome to the site and what an amazing product you all have over there in Gunnison Thanks for your support of Cindy!

 

[Cindy Wamsley]

Joni,

Great to have you posting in the thread. Thank you for the details on the Prois clothing. It's a great product!

 

[Cindy Wamsley]

The Tenzing bow case showed up today! The bow fits which is good. There are 3 small accessory pockets for releases and the like and an arrow pocket for those extra arrows that I haven't lost in the grass yet! Well padded, good zippers and I like the zipper pulls for quicker access. It's a nice case. Thanks again Tenzing for sponsoring!

 

[Cindy Wamsley]

My backpack should be here tomorrow!

 

[rebecca francis]

It looks like things are coming along great Cindy! I am so excited for you! Oh and congrats about your Prois clothes…you are going to LOVE them! I am so enjoying following your progress!

 

[Rent Outdoor Gear]

Cindy's shooting update

Here's a shooting update Q&A with Cindy:

From Cindy - I can tell that I need to get the shot off faster. When I pull the bow and everything lines up the way I'd like I'm wanting to release but it's not happening at that moment and then I'm not grouping as well as I'd like to be. I think some improvement will come with more blank bale and more practice of course. Also, when my form breaks down I'm pulling it to the right. I adjusted the sight left to right and feel like I got it good. When everything is good with my shot, the results are good but when it's not the arrow consistently hits to the right and either high or low. If I can speed up that shot I think that will improve. One thing that is slowing me down for getting the shot off is that I'm watching that leveling bubble and it takes me a few seconds to get that level.

My Response: It does sound like your shot may be a bit slow... but remember to be patient and let the shot happen. Try to fend off any urge to rush. Some of that feeling is normal since the hinge style release is designed to take the ability to anticipate or force the shot away from you. Still - I know you were struggling with holding too long in the beginning so let's go over some stuff to help you be a little more efficient getting the shot off.

First off remember to draw the bow slightly above target and get it level right away. Then relax down onto the target. Crank the handle on the release and get to the click early, then focus on aiming through the rest of the shot. If you lose the level a little it's going to be a small miss. If your shot lingers too long and gets stale - it's going to be a bigger miss. As long as you don't over-hold, your level will be fine. So set it and forget it. Also remember to LET DOWN if you're feeling the window closing on your best shot. Start over and eliminate the bad shots - we don't want to practice those for obvious reasons. The last thing you need to be doing is forcing yourself to shoot shots you already know aren't your best. If you only practice good shots you'll be much more likely to get good shots when it counts!

It may also be that you need to speed up the release... By this, I mean set it so it fires earlier in the rotation. There should be a screw that holds the D shaped metal "half-moon" in place. This controls the point in the rotation that the release fires. Pay close attention to where the half moon is set - or even scribe a line on it with a sharpie and then loosen the set screw and move the "D" and shoot the release on a rope so you don't accidentally launch an arrow. If it feels better, go with it. If not, keep adjusting until it feels "right" to you on the rope - then test it on your bow and see if your shot cadence picks up a little. You can always move the moon back to the line you scribed with the sharpie.

I noticed when we were doing your 1 on 1 session that Evan had set the release up good and "slow" so you would have less chance of misfiring while drawing the bow (which is also why you should always test on a loop of rope before you hook onto the bow).

Speeding the release up will probably be a good solution for you now, but don't go too far because it will fire a little faster shooting downhill.

Have you got a routine and mental program in place yet? That was part of your assignment when you got home. That will really help you keep it all together when you get a shot at your buck! If so, please share with us the steps in your routine and your program.

You should probably be transitioning to about 50/50 or even 30/70 blank bale vs. target shooting at various distances now. I would spend a little extra blank bale time after you make the release adjustment so you can get tuned into the new feel. After you get a few more practice sessions under your belt, I want you to go shoot some fairly steep uphill/downhill shots at 15 - 35 degrees so you can get the feel for how that affects the "speed" of a hinge style release. You'll be a shooting machine in another couple weeks! Keep up the good work!!

Shoot straight!

Coop

 

[Cindy Wamsley]

Rebecca,

I am way excited about the Prois clothing. Thanks for your support!

 

[Cindy Wamsley]

Backpack Kifaru Timberline 2

Here's the backpack I'll be using. Thanks to Aron for your help.
It has 24" stays, a medium and small belt pouch in multicam, grab it and grab it lash kit. I'll probably be getting a few more small pouches to keep my gear more organized.
I'm excited to see how it performs. If anyone has any advice on adjustment, break in, packing in right or anything else chime in.

 

[RosinBag]

Hey Cindy, Darin's advice on shooting is great. I will say the toughest/hardest shot to make is the one you let down. When shooting competitively I try for a shot around 10 seconds maximum. I know as my shot goes longer, the shot breaks down and I am more likely to miss. It takes a lot of discipline to let down when your window has passed. Hunting I tru for the same thing, but obviously hunting situations are way to unpredictable. I may hold a lot longer, but once I start my shot sequence, I again try for 10 seconds maximum. I don't count my holding time if I am just waiting for an animal to get into position for the shot as I have not started my shot sequence, merely just pulled the bow back.

 

[Cindy Wamsley]

Rosinbag,

Thanks for the advice and the specifics. It's people like you that chime in on this thread that really help out. I appreciate that. I agree with you, Darin knows his stuff and is a great coach.