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 “Better stand back a little, you are in his strike zone,” the animal trainer told me.  I looked down at the lion cub…he probably weighed close to 200 lbs.  I stepped back a few more feet.  Someday Truman, (the lion cub’s name), would weigh over five hundred pounds and would truly be an impressive animal.  Right now I am at the animal trainer’s compound to shoot a baboon…so the lion will have to wait.

Taking pictures of Truman the lion

Fast-forward several years.  I am in my San Francisco studio and Truman has just been led out of his trailer producing a collective gasp from my staff and myself.  The lion had indeed become an impressive animal…tipping the scales at 500 lbs., with an impressive mane, and with an unexpected muscularity, Truman indeed, seemed like a “King of Beasts”.

The lion was owned by Bow Wow productions. I had recently asked one of Bow Wow’s trainers about working with the Lion and the Tiger and if she felt one was more dangerous than the other.  She thought about it and answered that the Tiger might actually be more dangerous.  The lion, in order to keep his mane, could not be neutered.

When Truman walks into a room people sense his dominance, his wildness…his danger…and respect it.  With the tiger, having been neutered, they feel like he is a big kitten and drop their guard.  She was right.  When Truman walked into my studio we all felt not just a sense of awe but a sense of danger too.

Rules for photographing lions

There were three animal trainers and each carried a pick handle and a can of mace.  I can’t imagine that a pick handle would have done any good if they had been needed, and I think the mace would just make the lion madder! The lion was kept on a chain at all times, though having once seen a tiger effortlessly run across a field with a helpless trainer bouncing behind; the chain didn’t bolster my confidence either.

The first thing the animal trainers (there were three of them) did before letting Truman out of his trailer was to explain the ground rules to us.  None of us should separate from the group they told us. That might trigger his Hunting instinct.

They asked me to get rid of all of the sandbags (we use sandbags to hold down the light stands and such).  When I asked why, the trainer replied that Truman might be possessive of them.  When I told her that wouldn’t be a problem she said that I didn’t understand… if the lion wanted the sandbags he would have to kill us to make sure we didn’t take them from him.  We got rid of the sandbags.

Other rules include directions not to approach a piece of meat (rewards for the Lion) that might end up flying across the studio, and if we had anything we didn’t want him to “mark” we should put tarps over it.  No sudden movements or distracting noises were to be made either.

The photo shoot -Lion pictures ahead!

I arranged to shoot the Lion because, frankly, I wanted to get close to a Lion.  I also figured that I could make a couple of great stock photos.  I sure hoped so…the Lion costs $5,000.00 to rent (When I asked the trainer how long I would get she replied “As long as he wants…”).  I needed to get the poses necessary to create a lion trainer with his head in the lion’s mouth, and the poses to have the lion sitting on a throne being the “King of Beasts”.

I discussed what I needed with Stephanie, the owner of Bow Wow.  She would be able to have him open his mouth really wide, stand up on his hind legs (resting his forelegs on a bar) and sit on a stand.  That would be enough.

The shoot went smoothly.  We managed to get him standing and resting his front legs on a large camera stand we had braced for that purpose. One of the trainers would put a piece of beef heart on a stick and entice the lion up, just like one would entice a cat with a small morsel of food. And just like a cat, Truman would try and catch the treat with a quick swat of his paw. Sometimes he would catch it, but when he missed and the trainer would rise up the treat ever higher, he would rise up and brace himself on the camera stand.  I remember how his muscles would ripple and he seemed immensely powerful and self-assured in a lazy kind of way.

He begrudgingly sat on a circus pedestal for us, rolled around on the floor, gave us a few big yawns and paced the studio in larger and larger circles.  Each circle brought him closer to me. The trainer said he was curious about me and was trying to slyly get close enough to investigate.

Finally, the trainer said Truman was getting a little agitated and it was time to quit.  Elapsed time:  forty-five minutes.  But it was worth every penny!  Oh yeah, and before getting back in his trailer he did manage to “mark” the art director’s car.

Taking pictures of Lions keeps my excitement level up.

It is opportunities like shooting the lion that keep me excited about stock photography and that help me make images that don’t get lost in the crowd.  That, as I see it, is the biggest challenge in stock today…not getting lost in the shuffle. 

To succeed you have to try and be the King of Beasts…you don’t have to be it…but you have to reach for it.  And you do that by taking risks, by getting out of your comfort zone and by stretching yourself to do a little bit more and do it a little bit better.

John M. Lund
http://www.articlesbase.com/digital-photography-articles/taking-pictures-of-a-lion-truly-the-king-of-beasts-705208.html

Tell me where I can find some accessories for my crossbows!

When looking for your crossbows and accessories, why not try an online search for all your accessorizing needs. The Internet carries every type of accessory that you would need to outfit your crossbows with all the latest gear to not only make your bow a thing of beauty but also a deadly companion on the hunt. They can outfit many different types of bows by makers such as Ten Point and Horton, just to name a few. Why not just shop on the internet here and get everything that you need at one stop? This way, you don’t have to run all over town to find just what you want and need for that bow, or better yet, try out their selection of bows from these three fabulous makers?

Well, tell me what the internet has to offer customers who have crossbows?

It offers such things for your crossbows as scopes, guards, cleaning kits, cables, and lubricants along with arrows, quivers, and cocking airs for your crossbows. They even carry the entire line of Ten Point and Horton bows so that you have a lot of variety to choose from. They also carry vanes, pads and cranks. They have everything that you would need to get a bow in shape for the Hunting season. Heck, they even carry Fishing rigs for your bows. How many others do that? As I said, the internet has it all and is proud to offer you the full line of bows and accessories that will compliment any bow and bow owner. They have it all for you here in one place!

Sounds like you have a wide assortment of crossbows and accessories!

You bet your boots they do! They pride ourselves on the quality and quantity of the crossbows and accessories for your crossbows! That is why they call themselves a “one stop shop”. They have many different choices when it comes to outfitting your bow, that you would be hard pressed to find someone else with their quality, quantity and price selection. So why not stop in online and take a look around. You are certain to find what you need, and if you don’t see it, ask about it! An internet site probably can order what you need if it don’t have it in stock for your Ten Point and Horton bows. You can also ask about special order accessories as well for your bows.

Do you carry any other lines of crossbows?

Actually, online internet sites do. They will also carry the Eastman line of bows. These bows have the same composition as the other bows do. They will also carry accessories for the Eastman line of bows. You might say that The internet is a multiple team bow carrier here. These many lines make up the internet’s stock in trade. They have something for everyone from the beginner to the expert marksman. They have a full line that is just waiting to be explored. So, come on in and see what they are all about. Find out why shopping the best, you won’t have time for the rest!

Jennifer Walterscheit
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/where-can-i-find-accessories-for-my-crossbows-570354.html

Archery and a List of Archery Terms:

When we think about all Archery has to offer we don’t always look at terms. So today we will take a look at some of the terms used in Archery and see where they themselves correspond. Whether your talking Shortbow, Longbow or any other type of thing that has to do with Archery. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the terms used.

A:

A/C/C
Aluminium/Carbon/Competition arrow shafts made by ‘Easton’.
Made of multiple layers of carbon graphite fibres in a epoxy resin wrapped over a high strength aluminium shaft (0.2mm thick).
The code numbers printed on the shaft indicate its size:
eg. 3-71/300 where 3 is the number of carbon layers, 71 is the last two digits of the core aluminium shafts thickness in thousandths of an inch (0.271″) and 300 is the spine of the arrow in thousandths of an inch.
There are specific types of points and nocks for this arrow shaft.
These shafts are lighter than the ‘Ultra-Lite’ Aluminium shafts.

A/C/E
Aluminium/Carbon/Extreme arrow shafts made by ‘Easton’.
Made much the same as the A/C/C arrows, except the shafts are ‘barrel-shaped’, being thicker in the centre of the shaft and tapered at each end. This creates a much lighter and stiffer arrow.
The code numbers printed on the shaft indicates its size:
eg. 1206G/370 where 12 is the diameter of the aluminium core shaft measured in 64ths of an inch, 06 is the aluminium shafts thickness measured in thousandths of an inch, G indicates the model series and 370 is the spine of the arrow in thousandths of an inch.
There are specific types of points and nocks for this arrow shaft.
These shafts are lighter than the A/C/C shafts.

Actual Draw Weight
The measured or calculated draw weight of an Archer.
eg. a marked bow of 30 lbs. at 28″ draw when used by a person having a 27″ draw length will have an actual draw weight of 28lbs.
(a 1″ difference in draw length will make approx. 2 lbs. difference in draw weight.)

Aim
To superimpose a sight pin on the centre of a target or, when not using a sight, the placement of the tip of the arrow on a particular point for a given distance.

Anchor
A combination of points to which the bowstring and/or index finger of the drawing hand are drawn to on the face and neck.

Anchor point
Definite spot on the archers body, normally the face, on which string and index finger come to rest.

Arbalest
A medieval crossbow that needed a windlass to draw the bowstring back.

Arm guard
A piece of stiff material used to protect the bow arm from the slap of the bow string upon release, worn on the inside of the bow arm.

Arrow Case
A box of wood or other material to store and carry arrows. Each arrow being held separate either via foam, slots or clips to protect the feathers or vanes.

Arrow plate
A plate, adjustable or fixed, to which the arrow rest is attached.
A piece of horn, shell or leather just above the handle of a longbow where the arrow passes as it leaves the bow.

Arrow point or pile
Metal point inserted into end of arrow shaft. Can also be that the shaft fits inside the point as in wooden shafts and some carbon shafts.

Arrow rest
A projection or support on the bow or the arrow plate located in the sight window on which the arrow lies when nocked on the bowstring.

Arrowsmith
A person who makes metal arrowheads.

Ascham
A tall narrow cabinet in which bows and arrows are kept.

Axle
The bearing pin holding the wheel in the limbs of a compound bow.
(The length of a compound bow is measured from top axle to bottom axle).

B:

Back
The side of the bow away from the bowstring.

Backed Bow
A bow which has been backed with rawhide, wood, fibre or sinew.

Ballista
A very large medieval crossbow used by an army attacking the walls of a besieged town. This crossbow was capable of firing large rocks and spears long distances.

Barebow
The discipline of shooting without a bow sight, stabilisers and release aid.

Bass or Bast
The twisted straw back of a straw mat target butt.

Belly
The side of the bow nearest the bow string. Now called the ‘face’.

Blunt point
Usually a conical rubber arrow point with a flat tip designed not to let the arrow penetrate a target, but rather bounce off.

Bob-tailed Arrow
A arrow that is thicker at the point. It tapers to the nock end.

Bodkin
A medieval type of arrowhead designed to shoot through protective chainmail or armour usually worn by Knights.

Bolt
A short arrow used in a crossbow.

Bow arm
The arm that holds the bow.

Bow hand
The hand that holds the bow.

Bowhunter
A person who hunts animals using a bow.
In Australia, only feral animals may be hunted. Native animals are protected.
Popular feral animals hunted are; wild pig, goats, foxes, deer and water buffalo.

Bow sight
A mechanical device attached to the bow with which the archer can aim directly at the target.

Bow sling
A leather or nylon strap, fastened to either the bow or the archer’s hand, which prevents the bow from falling to the ground when the archer shoots without gripping the bow.

Bowstring
A multi stranded string of either Dacron, Kevlar or Fastflight looped to the bow nocks or teardrops.

Bow stringer
Cord with two pockets of dissimilar size or one pocket and one saddle, used to string a recurve bow.

Bow stave
A piece of wood used to make a bow.

Bow square
T-Shaped device to measure brace height and nocking point location.

Bowyer
A person who makes bows.

Brace height
Shortest distance from the string to the pivot point of the bow when strung. (Old English : Fistmele).

Bracer
A name used for an armguard. Usually used to describe the leather armguard used with a longbow.

Broadhead
A arrowhead with triangular shaped cutting blades used for Hunting animals.

Bubble
See ‘level’.

Butt (Target Butt)
Any backstop to which a target face is attached.

C:

Cables
The plastic covered steel cables that connect the string via the cams or wheels to the opposite limb of a compound bow. Cables can also be made of Fastflite string material.

Cams
The wheels on a compound bow have a ‘cam shape’ to one side that controls the amount of force and the shape of the draw/force curve of the bow. Many different cam shapes are available to choose from;
eg. Hoyt’s ‘Accuwheel’ = soft cam, smooth shooting for target archers,
‘Performa Cam’ = radical cam, stores maximum energy for bowhunters.

Cant
To hold the bow to the right or left while at full draw. The reference to right or left is determined by the position of the top limb.

Cast
The distance a bow can propel an arrow.

Centre serving
The protective winding on the centre of the string where the arrows are nocked.

Centreshot bow
A bow where the sight window has been cut past the bow’s centreline.

Classic style
A method of shooting with as little deviation as possible from normal relaxed body position.

Clicker
Small strip of metal mounted on the sight window in front of the arrow rest giving precise indication of full draw by snapping off the arrow point with an audible “click”.

Clout
A form of target shooting in which an arrow is shot into the air at a 15 metre diameter target on the ground at distances of up to 180 metres.

Cock feather
The feather or vane set at right angles to the slot in the nock (also called the index fletch).

Composite bow
A Bow made of more than one material. Not necessarily a laminated bow.

Compound bow
A hand-drawn, hand-held bow that for similar poundage at full draw, stores more energy than a recurve bow through the use of two cables and two eccentric wheels. Most modern compound bows have a 65% let-off of the peak draw poundage at full draw, e.g. a compound bow of 60lb. peak weight will have a holding weight of approx. 21lb. at full draw.

Creep
Letting the arrow move slowly forward before release (not maintaining draw length). Usually caused by loss of shoulder/back muscle tension.

Cresting
Coloured bands applied to the arrow shaft used as identifying marks.

These are just some of the terms that you may encounter in the world of Archery.

See for yourself why Archery is the sport that it is, You will be glad that you did.

Arthur Archer
http://www.articlesbase.com/archery-articles/archery-and-a-list-of-archery-terms-663930.html

Archery has been a part of history for hundreds of years as a way to hunt for food. You now have those who still hunt for food this way but archery has become a sport for enjoyment. Ti is apparent in the amount of individuals who purchase archery equipment each year. This sport began as a way to survive and now is a way to relax and have fun. To be good at it, an individual needs to be practiced and dedicated to learning about it especially in the area of the archery equipment they choose to utilize.

Shopping For The Goods

Those who are just getting into archery might think they need to by the top and best brands of archery equipment to make things better to start. This is the wrong thing for them to do. It is best, when starting out, to work with the simplest of archery equipment until their skill improve and they can handle the more advanced items. Know what you need before you get to the store and make sure you have a budget in mind. Stick with both and you will be sure to come out with what you need.

The Right Bow

Of course, you will need a great bow to start you off right. It is the centerpiece for the entire sport and needs to be a good piece of archery equipment. Three different types of bows exist for you to choose from. The first is the longbow. It is the simplest and most basic of the other two. These still resemble the bows of long ago. You can not use a bow sight on this particular bow. Next, you have the Recurve bow. It is a timber bow and is good for archers who have a high skill level. Finally, the Compound bow is better for higher levels of archery skill also.

Bow Requirements

When going to purchase a bow, you need to take into account your height, the length of your arm, the weight of your arm, and what type of archery you will be performing. Archery equipment is made for the specific use intended. Some are better for Hunting and some are better for competition. The archery equipment needs to be comfortable for you to use and affordable for your budget.

The Rest Of The Gear

After you have found the right bow, you need to consider other archery equipment to go along with it. If you like, you can buy handles and grips for the bow. If you purchased a Longbow, you will not need this. The handles and grips give you a better aim because of the solid grip it provides. Bowstrings are the next consideration and it is important to have a few to change out when needed. Do not scrimp on the strings. Bow sights are the final thing to consider. They will improve the shot you already have by up to 20%. Take a look at what is available and then decide what you need to make this a great sport for you.

Jen Walterscheit
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/the-art-of-archery-is-in-the-archery-equipment-you-choose-521155.html

Small game Hunting is a sport that pursues small animals to kill them for food or for prestige. Weapons usually used to hunt small game are guns, bow and arrows, or even the crossbow. Also called projectile weapons, it has had its fair share of accidents in the wilderness so rules have been set up for the safety of its enthusiasts.

Learn more at http://www.gamebird-hunter.com/firearms.html

A misfired weapon has a good chance of injuring or even killing the shooter and becomes a danger to his companions near him. Here are a few suggestions of how to practice safety in the wilderness:

1.Always assume a gun is loaded. Treat your weapons with the respect they deserve; even when the weapon is unloaded.

2.Never point your gun at anything you don’t intend to shoot. Make this a habit even when the weapon isn’t loaded.

3.An unused weapon must always be pointed in a safe direction.

4.Safeties that prevent the weapon from firing must be engaged until right before use, for an added level of safety.

5.Keep calm in all circumstances. Panicking or even unnecessarily hurrying increases the chances of an accident. An emotional person has no business handling a weapon. During times of high stress and anxiety they have greater chance of causing an accident.

6.Keep your target in front of you when stalking or lying in wait: this increases the chances of killing the game with minimal risk. Keep members of your party at your side or behind you.

7.See then shoot. Don’t shoot at anything you’re not sure of: you never know, you might be shooting at another human being. The recent accident caused by Dick Cheney to his hunting partner serves as a reminder to this rule.

8.Before attempting to climb, rappel, or dig, always unload your weapon; remove the cartridges or magazine from the weapon and check for rounds in the chamber.

9.Be aware of your weapon’s capability. Always know how far and how powerful your weapon is. This reduces the chances of shooting through a target into something you have no desire of hitting.

10.Wear ear plugs if needed to protect your hearing.

11.Before and after a hunt, always check and clean your weapon. Neglecting to do this may cause an accident due to worn or unclean parts; misfires and/or backfires can occur due to stoppages, rust, loose parts, etc. If necessary, carry tools to maintain your weapon in the field: remember to unload the weapon first.

Wayne Foster
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/small-game-hunting-and-your-safety-in-the-wilderness-55525.html

Africa, a place that is naturally endowed with species that it exclusively owns.

The mere sound of the name rings bells of adventure, exploration, realization and hunting. Because of the diversity of hunting safari, it offers as much opportunities for Hunting fanatics to explore a range of ecological areas that have their own specialties.

Well, it’s hard to imagine how we can exactly describe the purity of Africa. It is safe though to tell you that it is filled with rich resources of plain animals suited for game, predators that follow after their kill, animals grazing on fertile and unspoiled lands and others.

The game aside, Africa gathers the largest, most dense and extreme concentration of plant species and strange animals that seem to have come directly from the sixth day of the creation.

Now going to the bird, at any given time of the year, a single national park can contain an average of 300 to 500 bird species, which make Africa not only a haven of species but also a paradise for naturalists and ornithologists.

The plant and tree species are also diverse that it is impossible to record them all. Some species are as old as several thousand years ago, which again seemed to be the direct link to the Creator.

Al these combined (and the mixture of other components), Africa is one big paradise for man and the creations to enjoy. To flourish and to experience the circle of life. The dance that plays with each organism and specie. And the life that sets the balance between the created and the wardens.

As for the hunting safari, Africa boasts the most excellent sites and species that fuel man’s passion for hunting animals in their natural habitats. Though hunting is restricted in some national parks, local governments still assigned African hunting safaris where varieties of games are enjoyed but in accordance with ethical restrictions.

Some common hunting safari animals in Africa are: black wildebeest, gemsbuck, red hartebeest, springbuck, waterbuck, bushbuck, zebras, antelopes, eland, steenbuck, rhebuck, impala, blue wildebeest, warthog, kudu and many other species.

In African hunting safaris, the most common method used is the rifle hunting. However, although it is popular enough there are still unsettled issues concerning the caliber of the rifle. Please check on the guidelines as suggested by you tour operator.

Next to the rifle hunting is the bow hunting, which for the present is not as customarily used as the rifle hunting. Experts see the future of bow hunting though as the standard to restrict any other issues that must be dealt with the more common form of hunting.

Low Jeremy
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/know-what-to-expect-from-an-african-hunting-safari-59648.html

Game management has been given proper credit for reestablishing the deer herds, but it is actually the deer themselves that should be credited for changing their habits to adapt to our civilization. Soybeans are not exactly the native forest environment of deer.

Deer love soybeans. Soybeans are a particularly good food source for nursing does because they enhance rich milk production. The excellent protein of the soybean produces fat little bucks. Deer can be spotted at night in soybean fields in prolific numbers in areas of successful repopulation. Soybean fields are a great place to scout in order to estimate deer numbers or to select a particular specimen. Simply shop for deer from the convenience of your automobile by using a spotlight. This is generally legal providing the spotlighters do not shoot the deer, an action which is illegal everywhere. Some states allow no spotlighting at all. The individual law may state that it is legal only if no firearms or other devices for taking game are in or on the vehicle. In some instances, local laws do not even allow a scouter to shine his headlights over a field and will prosecute for “harassing wildlife.” Check with officials before attempting to spotlight a bean field. Never use your vehicle to chase or harass deer.

Red lights are less alarming to deer. The kind that plug into a cigarette lighter are the most popular. White lights will do quite well, however, and will show up antlers instead of just eyes.

Soybean foraging by deer is a growing concern for farmers. Small numbers of deer cause no major crop damage, as the deer selectively nibble a little here and there. But in areas of high population density, deer congregate to socialize as well as to dine and become a nuisance. Often bean farmers welcome hunters with outstretched arms until the hunters destroy more beans than the deer do. Hunters often show little or no consideration for crops by driving through crops or dragging deer through them.

The fallow fields are primarily hunted during early season, which is generally bow season. Mid-October is the usual harvest time in most areas. After the beans are harvested, the deer will move into other areas in search of other food supplies. It is usually true that acorns become the new primary food. Sometimes beans are harvested early enough that a good number of soybeans which fell away from the harvester root and sprout. This new growth is prime deer forage and suitable hunting ground for later hunters.

In shooting deer in the soybean fields, the hunter must take care not to damage the beans. Deer must be carefully carried out and not dragged.

Deer are most destructive to soybeans when they are first sprouting from the soil in the spring. This is the only time that deer will consume the whole plant. This is not often a problem, however, since the woods and fallow fields are also producing new growth at this time.

Later in the season deer merely eat small parts of a plant here and there. They do not uproot plants or take them to the ground. Groundhogs (woodchucks) do a lot of the damage to soybean fields that is attributed to the track-leaving deer.

Farmers sometimes get upset when they spot a couple of deer out in their beans. Such farmers can have their crops inspected by conservation officers and biologists upon request. Farmers are issued special hunting permits which allow for some departures from the regular laws of the harvest. These permits are often handed out by the farmer to hunters who might assist him in reducing the number of deer in his area. These permits are usually for does only, since does do the reproducing. Bucks are to be left for regular hunters.

Sometimes the farmer may be allowed to sell these permits to recoup some of his income. For foodfare these animals are of the finest quality. Those who complain of “wild-tasting” venison (providing that the wild taste is not the result of poor cleaning methods) should consider hunting beanfield raised deer.

To find out just who has these special permits allowing hunters to take more than the regular number of deer, the hunter might check with the game warden, the feed and seed store, or the local agricultural office, co-op, or other farmer-related places.

For beanfield Hunting during gun season, a flat-shooting, long-range rifle with a scope is recommended. A field that is barren of deer upon first observation might at any time have deer all over it suddenly appearing which had been bedded down out of sight in the shallow cover of the bean plants. Scope out the field for antlers.

Albie Berk
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/do-deer-love-soybeans-700903.html

Also known as Bow fishing, this is a sport wherein a fisherman uses archery equipment to fish.

A regular hunting bow can be used for fishing by simply attaching a reel to the front of the bow grip.

Archery fishing is especially favored by regular hunters when regular game like deer are off season. This way they can continuously hone their skills for whatever season it may be.

Before engaging in archery fishing, one must first take into consideration the following:

1. A fisherman must be duly licensed. Some states require that an individual have a state license to fish.

2. Equipment. Most states have a predetermined set of approved equipment for archery fishing.

3. Archery Safety Course. Still, some states require that an individual go through an approved safety course for archery Fishing to ensure that the individual is well versed with the proper safety precautions and information regarding applicable laws in fishing.

4. Seasons. Bow fishing in some states can only be done in certain seasons. This is to allow the fish to spawn.

5. Species of fish. Some states have rules forbidding archery fishing for some species of fish.

The following skills are necessary for an individual to obtain and practice:

Knot tying. Though it may seem like a simple task, tying knots that will not slip (line for the arrow) are crucial in bow fishing.

Tuning. Tuning is making sure that the bow is at its best working condition. To ensure this, one has to continuously adjust the rest and calibrate the nock.

For a faster tuning process, one may shoot a regular bow-fishing arrow (without the tip) onto a target made of cardboard.

Marksmanship or targeting. Bow fishing and bow hunting, though similar on some aspects, really do differ on many things. Arrows for bow fishing are heavier, have larger arrow tips and, the most obvious one, has a string attached to the arrow.

And since fish are shot in the water, resistance differs as when compared to shooting in the air (for bow Hunting of games)

There are various methods or ways of archery fishing. This includes the following:

1. Still hunting. A fisherman selects a place by the lake in which he would wait for passing fish to shoot its bow at.

2. Stalking. This can be done on foot or while on a boat. One is in constant motion in an attempt to locate fish.

3. Ambush. Fish that are best ambushed are the ones that are spawning since they tend to crowd thus increasing chances of target.

Nicky Pilkington
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/tips-for-archery-fishing-10031.html

For the very best experiences when you bow hunt, you need to pay special attention to the weight of the arrows you wish to use as well as how stiff the shaft should be in order to work the best with the draw weight and the length of the arrows you are using. It isn’t always a good idea to use the lightest and fastest arrows available because they can actually cause damage to your bow. Light arrows and heavy arrows generally absorb the same amount of energy from the bow but lighter arrows result in the bow vibrating much more, which can result in damage to it.

The Archery Manufacturer’s Organization, known as AMO recommends the standard minimum weight for an arrow to be six grains for each pound of the bow’s maximum draw weight. According to this calculation 360 grain arrows should be used with a 60 pound bow. Keep in mind that heavy hunting arrows weigh approximately 8 – 10 grains per pound. If you want more speed then use lighter arrows of only 5 grains per pound, but don’t use anything lighter than that.

The stiffness of the shaft is very important because of the pull and release methods used when the arrows leave the bow. Finger release arrows offer oscillations that are called paradox that begin the moment the string leaves your fingers. This is why you have to bend the shaft of the arrow at precisely the right moment in order to get it to pass the bow without hitting the riser. To get the best flight for your arrows, the shafts have to be a good match for your bow and for your personal style of releasing them. Mechanical release bows contain less flex with most of it being up and down movements. This will allow you to be able to use a wider range of arrows with different shaft stiffness and still have it fly well. For more info see http://www.deerelkhunting.com/locations/Hunting-Wyoming.html

Another important issue that you need to consider is point weight because it relates to the stiffness of the arrows, especially if you are using a bow where the arrow is released with your fingers. Make sure you determine the broad head weight you will need for what you are Hunting before you buy any arrows. It is also a good idea to practice with field object that are going to be of a similar weight.

If you are going to hunt whitetail deer then chances are you will be shooting from approximately 20 yards away. Most medium weight arrows can handle this distance without any trouble. Remember that heavier arrows require you to be more accurate but the shot will be quieter as well as penetrate the animal deeper. Lightweight arrows are perfect for practicing, but they are best left unused unless you have excellent vision and normally hunt at a distance of 25 yards or more. Choosing the right arrows for bow hunting involves looking at your style, the type of bow you use, and trying out various types of arrows to find those that work best for you.

Amanda Fain
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/right-on-target-find-the-right-bow-128701.html

Bow hunting can be a progressive challenge for anyone who likes to go rifle hunting. Bow hunting can make you feel much more accomplished as a hunter as you’re using ancient technology. Not only that using a bow can also teach you some new skills that will help when you use your rifle again. You need certain skills to get anywhere near your target even if you hire a guide. Sudden movements or even just your scent can alert your prey to your presence and they’re not going to stay around for a chat! This adds a little more excitement to the hunt.

You can be successful with your bow hunting if you learn a few basic secrets:

If you are using a deer stand, you need to space out the time you use it. The more often you’re out there, the more the animals will get to know that you are there. They may even get to know your routine and avoid the area altogether. It’s important to get more than one stand and switch between the ones that you use.

You will need to waterproof your arrow fletches for hunting in the rain. Using hairspray will work, but make sure that it’s of the unscented variety. Use three or four light coats of hairspray on the fletches, make sure you allow each coat to fully dry before adding another coat.

You will need to try to mask any human scent possible. Perform this de-scenting before you get to the stand. You will need to observe which direction the wind is blowing in. Animals can easily pick up your scent from a long way away. You don’t want the wind blowing the scent in their direction. If the stand you are using is not well suited to the wind direction, then go and get to another one. Remember, animals are designed to sniff out scents and use this as part of their early warning system.For more info see http://www.deerelkHunting.com/equipment/Bringing-Out-the-Big-Guns.html

When elk and deer are out of season, you can still practice all aspects of your bow hunting skills. When out of season you must also regularly maintain and check your equipment so that you’re ready for the season to start.

Both elk, and deer have a habit of cramming that last bit of feeding in before the winter hits. This extra feeding will result in more activity than usual. Watch the weather carefully for any snow or rain storms, this would cause the temperature to change. Animals notice these changes in temperature and act accordingly. If a major storm is forecast then ideally you want to hunt before or after for better results.

Cold weather will make hunting with a bow more of a challenge, in winter your draw back will be much more difficult. You will need to drop the draw weight by a few pounds if you plan hunting in really cold temperatures.

You can have a really exciting time when you go bow hunting. It’s a fantastic challenge and you can really learn some great secrets that you can’t when hunting in any other way. Thousands of people all across the world are hooked on bow hunting, why not join them?

Amanda Fain
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/learn-the-secrets-of-bow-hunting-hit-the-target-131752.html