I grew up a rifle a hunter, and doubt I will ever fully be a bow hunter only. I do however thoroughly enjoy archery and am working hard to integrate it more into my hunting choices. What I love about archery is that I can do it all year long. Many a night is spent just slinging arrows in the garage. Its a peaceful, relaxing, hobby that is just plain old enjoyable.
As I have progressed in my archery journey, I used my gear research skills to find a setup that really worked for me. Many, many, experts say let the bow pick you. Shoot them all, and see what feels right. To a certain extent I agree, but better yet, find a Pro Shop you trust, and has skilled staff. Then start shooting bows. Full Curl Archery in Anchorage, Alaska opened up about the same time I got into Archery. From its founders to its current owners, they have been a enjoyable place to shoot, visit, and learn new skills.
I shot several bows, and even went through a couple, before finding that bow that just fit me. You can read my process here: http://remotepursuits.com/xpedition-archery/
As a gear junky I obsess a bit about gear lists. As bow hunting is new to me, it has caused me to rethink my kit a bit. I have several bow hunting opportunities fast arising and am working hard to make sure I am properly prepared to launch that arrow to the correct spot.
One article that caught my mind is the one Shawn Smith wrote for Rokslide. You can read that article by clicking the hyperlink to follow: “Backcountry Proofing Your Bow”
Shawn has a lot of good info in his article, but in reality the real way to know exactly what you need is to experience a few failures in the field. With that said, the big premise I took away was around having your gear in good shape BEFORE you hit the trail. Bolts tightened, key marks in place, and a few backup items won’t hurt either.
As I move through this spring I will update my pack list and report back.
Here are a few key items to get us all started:
Extra Release (I shoot the Spot Hog Wise Guy)
An extra D Loop
Several Key Allen wrenches (bow / sight specific)
A few extra Broad heads (in addition to the arrows in the quiver)
I also picked up a light weight target by Grizz Targets, that I can take into the field. This allows me to test my “zero” if in doubt, or take a few practice shots to keep my head in the game. I have not had a chance to fully test this yet, but once I do I will do a more detailed review.
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