Matt's Bowhunting Blog

Bowcast at the Bird 2010 is in the books and it was a smokin good time!  My hats off to the FMP boys Anthony and Launch for setting up a killer course.  I was able to shoot the smoker round a few times with some fellow BowCasters and we had a blast!  Hanging out and shooting with these guys and gals made my weekend.  Thanks for the good times and I can't wait until next year.

Hi BowCasters, 

A few guys have requested some more pictues of the BowCast Benches.  Here are a few with more to come throughout the year.  I still have to get an arrow saw, press, and vice.  Any suggestions BowCasters on what brand and why??

I have had several requests for the list of materials I used to make my BowCast Benches.  Here is the list and a few more details of how I put it together.  See the pictures in my previous blog.  BowCast Benches

A few weeks ago I started building two archery benches for my home bow shop.  I thought about what I wanted in a bench and looked at many pictures online of other home made bow benches.  Here is a breakdown of the benches.  I will be posting more pictures over the summer as I start using them.

Hi BowCasters!

I can't believe how time flies and looking back my last blog entry was in November of 2009.   Shortly after that post I was approached about a job opening.  After about a month of negotiations between two CFOs we made the decision to move.  We are now finally settled  and I will be more consistent with my blog entries.  

I have been using my Nikon Monarch X 10X42s for most of the summer at 3D shoots and while shooting at the range.  Last weekend I was able for the first time to test them out in the field.  I was whitetail hunting in the cold and snow for most of the time and this binocular performed just as well as it did in the mildness of summer.  Here are my thoughts on the Monarch X.

Early this spring I began shooting as many different bows as possible.  I wanted to see if I was missing something in all the new bows on the market.  After shooting the Elite GT500 my mind was made up and I started a new journey with a bow that was totally different than my Mathews.  This blog is a follow up to my original review of the Elite GT500 that I did in March. 

Here is the roadmap on my new school rig.  This year I traveled out of my comfort zone, leaving my single cam bow and fixed pins.  The result..... This rig left my old rig in the dust somewhere a few thousand shots ago.

During the month of September I'm usually out every weekend chasing bulls in the backcountry of Idaho.  However, this year in September I have been at home awaiting the arrival of our daughter. 

I can still remember the first time I went on a backpacking trip as a teen.  I had my green Kelty overflowing and I could barley shoulder it.  It pulled me all over the trail.  Over the years of backpacking and hunting I have learned how to pack and what to pack.  From weight distribution to organization, here are a few tips I have learned. 

Season for me opens in a few weeks and I am starting to organize the items for my pack.  One of the significant items in my pack revolves around boning out a bull or buck in the backcountry.  I never leave my truck without the items below in my Badlands, even if I'm only hunting for a few hours or a day.  I keep everything but the knives and saw in a gallon ziplock.  This way it keeps the game bags from getting wet and I have it all in one easy to access package.  Here is a list of the items that I carry in my pack for boning out a bull or a buck.

All I can say is that I  am counting the days until next year!  The shoot was intense, a learning experience but most of all a fun time!  Here are a few pictures.  More to come!

Only 6 days left until BowCast at the Bird 3D shoot!

Has anyone ever shot over the back of a bear or under a deer?  I have!  The main reason was not following my shot routine and failing to estimate the yardage accurately.  Everyone has a different shot routine and method for estimating yardage.  However, its important to follow your routine each and every time before you release an arrow into foam or fur. 

Just a quick post on what I'm up to.  I have been shooting my Elite Z28 everyday this week and am finally getting it dialed.  Getting ready for BowCast at the Bird and hunting season!  I got my plane ticket this week to SLC and I can't wait to shoot some foam at Snowbird.

BowCast at the Bird 3-D shoot is August 1^st and for many BowCasters archery season starts shortly after.  How are you improving your shooting accuracy to make this season a success?  Are you, shooting daily at the range, practicing estimating yardage, and working on your shot routine?  The realistic hunting challenges you will face at 3-D shoots allow you to apply these hours of practice, increasing your confidence and effectiveness on foam and then fur.  Shooting for your trophy starts at the range, is lived out on the 3-D course, and then experienced in the field.

I'm really determined to end this blog series with a successful picture of a turkey harvested with my Elite GT500 and not my Benelli Super Black Eagle....  :)  BUT for me if I don't get a turkey by May 31st with my bow, it won't be an unsuccessful season.  I measure my success by the amount of time I am able to spend in the outdoors.  This is what I live for.

Update.....Turkey Hunting

I'm listening to episode 87 right now and thinking about turkeys.  Great show!!!  Funny and educational as always.

Here is a quick update on my turkey season and some pictures

My turkey season started last Saturday and should have ended in the same day.  I called in four jakes and shot three times only to have my rest fail with each shot.  On the third shot my arrow took parts of my rest with it and I was done.  With a new brand of rest, tuned bow, and a new decoy I was ready for this morning's hunt.