Albemarle Tradewinds July 2016 Web Final Optimized

Talmage Dunn
bowhuntor@yahoo.com
252-267-5437
District 1 Wildlife Rep for NCBA
In my last article I wrote about the attraction of traditional archery. I hope some of you have taken
the opportunity to try something different. If you have good for you ! I would like to spend the
crux of this article on beginning to prep for the upcoming season.
First and foremost, have you examined your equipment from last season. I don’t mean have
you given it a cursory glance but have you really examined each piece of equipment. How is your
bowstring? Are your cables frayed? Is the sight properly alligned? Is your rest in working order? Is
your release working smoothly? Are your wheels and cogs in allignment? This is just a check on your
bow.
Treestand working properly? Are all the nuts and bolts in proper condition for youe safety?
Have you gotten a new stand? Are you practicing out of it? Can you use it effectively and quietly?
Where will you locate it this year? Is it easily moved? Is your safety harness reliable, you are after all,
putting your life on its line. Do you need a new harness?
Are your arrows spined appropriately for your bow? Are there any that you need to get rid
of, if so, do so. Do you need to replace the fletch or vane? Do you need to mark your arrows with
your identification? How about your broadheads? Are you using the same ones, if so, do the need to
have the blades replaced or sharpened? Are you changing to a different nroadhad? If so, make sure to
practice with one .
How about the items in your backpack or daypack? When was the last time you did a check
on them? Is your first aid kit up to date? Is your waterbottle cleam and free of bacteria? Many hunters
just stow away their packs from year to year and then just because they may not have used it,
grabbed it up for the next season. You have to continually check your equipment!! Know what you
have and add what you need. Your life or someone else’s may depemd on it! You have a resposibility
to yourself and your hunting partners.
Do you have the appropriate license to hunt the game you are after? Do you need a game
stamp or State/National Forest Stamp ? Are these located in an easy to reach place should you be
stopped by a conservation police officer?
Your vehicle that you will be using to get to your hunting area.... Is it in proper condition to
get you to and from your area. Do you need to get any work done now that you have been procrastinating
on doing?
Although many of these questions seem “simple,” they are not. Too many of us put off the
small things that may make a difference in a successful hunt or a disaster. A simple check now will
pay dividends for you later.
It is time also to scout your territory for the deer patterns for this year. Make it fun, take a
child with you, introduce him/her to hunting through scouting. Take a camera and take some picks
of the area now and in three or four weeks take the same shots to see what has changed.
Upcoming events:
NCBA Annual Picnic, August 7th, Guilford Bowhunters, Starting around 12:30.
Check our website for more details.
30 Albemarle Tradewinds July 2016 albemarletradewinds.com