Bowhunting Magazine and Archery Tips » Ask the ProBowhunters

What is the purpose of a bubble level on an archery sight?

David — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:06:12 +0000

What is the purpose of a bubble level on an archery sight? I see many archers have them attached to their bow sights at local 3-D competitions.

Answer:
Try this experiment, and see for yourself. The next time you are on level ground at the practice range, try hitting the bull’s-eye while canting your bow. You will notice that your arrows will fly well off their mark. A similar result occurs when bowhunting from uneven terrain. We think we are shooting from a level platform when in reality we are canting the bow downhill. To compensate, some archers use a bubble level while others consciously cant their bow INTO the hill to make the shot.

What broadheads and boots do I need to Bow Hunt Elk?

David — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:02:28 +0000

Question:
I’m planning on hunting elk this fall and am beginning to put together my outfit. I would like to shoot two-blade one-piece heads. Are these a good choice? Which ones do you recommend? Also, I realize that boots are important because of all the climbing and sharp rocks, so what is the best boot for elk hunting?

Answer:
Two-blade heads are an excellent choice. Models such as the Zwickey and Magnus are good choices. If you plan to shoot fast arrows, say, something over about 250 fps, you may find that some two- blade designs (due to difficulty of maintaining straightness during manufacturing) have a tendency to wind-plane. Before heading west, make sure to practice thoroughly with each arrow/broadhead combination in your quiver.

Several good boots will fill the bill. You need three qualities in spades: light weight, excellent foot protection and ankle support. Some of the best elk hunting boots are actually hiking boots because hikers demand the same qualities.

Check out Broadheads at eders.com
or more Broadheads at bowhunting outlet.

Bowhuntingoutlet also offers a large selection of hunting boots

How long of a Stablilizer should I use?

David — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:54:06 +0000

Thanks so much for all the tips and advice on edersbow.com!!! My question is:…are longer stabilizers more accurate than short ones?:

Answer:
In theory they are, but the difference is small when comparing hunting length stabilizers. On the other hand, a 30-inch target stabilizer, when compared to a six-inch hunting stabilizer, will steady the bow better as you aim and release. However, anything over about a foot in length becomes far too cumbersome for hunting. In a hunting stabilizer, overall bow balance is more important than length. Look for one that holds the bow level in your relaxed hand as you follow-through.

Some of today’s top performing stabilizers are filled with rubber- coated silica and will vibrate freely to soak up shock. These will make your bow a little quieter.

One of the most popular stabilizers on the market right now is an 8.5 inch stablizer from B-Stinger SportHunter Stabilizer. This is a good balance of utility, effectiveness and comfort. The Bstinger Stabilizer is fabricated with high performance carbon fiber tubing designed to be both lightweight and extremely rigid. Vibration dampening Sorbothane inserts are added to minimize residual noise and vibrations. A stainless steel disc weight is specifically designed to get the maximum rotational inertia (i.e. stabilization) for the given length of the stabilizer.

For more info on
For great bowhunting Stabilizers see eders.com or for more great Archery Stabilizers, visit BowhuntingOutlet

Whats the Relationship with Arrow Speed and Draw Length?

David — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 02:40:48 +0000

Question:
All the AMO speed ratings are given for 30 inches of draw length. I have only a 28 inch draw. How much speed is lost for each inch of draw length? Does percent letoff change for short draw lengths?

Answer:
For every inch either side of the AMO standard that you draw your bow you affect your speed by approximately 4 to 5 %. To calculate how fast a bow will shoot at your 28 inch draw with a 540 grain arrow and 60 pounds draw force, multiply the bow’s AMO rating by .92 and .90. This is your bow’s base speed range. For lighter arrows add one fps for each five grains of weight you remove. For heavier or lighter draw weights, add or subtract 2 fps for each pound of draw force change. Letoff should not be affected by draw length except at very long draws with only certain cam designs – in this case it will be less.

How do you determine the best archery anchor point?

David — Mon, 17 May 2010 20:31:39 +0000

Question:
How does a person determine his best anchor point?

Answer:
Much of determining an anchor point is personal preference, but there are some good suggested starting points. For years the standard starting point for the finger shooter has been the index finger in corner of the mouth. A higher anchor, such as the middle finger in the corner of the mouth, may be a better anchor for the instinctive shooter. The release shooter should try to get the last knuckle of the index finger back around the ear lobe. This will stretch out the draw length, increasing arrow speed slightly. These three anchor points will allow you to use your back muscles properly and to point your elbow straight behind you for best accuracy.

What should you zero in on during your post season and spring scouting trips, and why?

edersbow.com — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:13:05 +0000

Question:
What should you zero in on during your post season and spring scouting trips, and why?

Answer:
You should have three goals during your off-season scouting trips. One, locate scrape lines because they could occur in the same place next season. Two, look for rub lines because they help you unravel buck travel patterns. And three, always be on the look out for cast antlers because they let you know the quality of bucks that survived the firearm’s season, and if you are scouting in the early spring, those bucks that survived the rigors of winter, too.

Does it matter whether you get arrows with right or left helical?

David — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:35:37 +0000

Question:
Does it matter whether you get arrows with right or left helical? Is one better in a specific situation?

Answer:
It makes no difference whatsoever. Super slow motion videos produced by Easton Aluminum show that an arrow doesn’t even begin to spin until it is well out of the bow. The only time the direction of helical makes a difference is when you are fletching your own arrows with feathers. Make sure the feathers you order have the same helical direction as the clamp on your fletching jig. For example, if your clamp is for right helical, make sure you order “right wing” feathers. Vanes are non-directional and can be used in either left or right helical clamps.

The art of using a rangefinder the right way…

David — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:19:44 +0000

Question:
When hunting from a tree stand should I take my range readings parallel to the ground or should I take them directly to the animal?

Answer:
It really depends on how you will get your range information. Obviously, if you don’t have a rangefinder you will have to pace off the distances. Do this well in advance of the season and write the distances to specific landmarks in a small notebook that you carry in your fanny pack. This reduces the amount of human scent in your hunting area during the season. Make sure when practicing that you use the same system to determine your sight-in distances.

If you do have a rangefinder, it is much easier to take the readings straight from the stand to the target. This distance will be farther than the comparable distance along the ground because of the angle. To account for this difference, make sure to sight-in from stand height using the rangefinder and taking your readings straight to the target.

By the way, make sure you check out some of the sales on rangefinders at www.bowhuntingoutlet.com

What’s the difference between helical and straight fletching?

David — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 19:42:45 +0000

Question:
My dad uses straight fletching on his hunting arrows and seems to do just fine, but everything I’ve read seems to be saying you have to use helical fletching. Is there really a difference? What is best?

Answer:
There really is a difference. Since a broadhead acts like a wing and can steer the arrow off line, it is important to use helical fletching with about 3 to 4 degrees of helical to get the arrow spinning. This will increase stability and reduce the tendency for planing. Even bowhunters who shoot mechanical broadheads should avoid straight fletching since even the small exposed wings on these heads can cause planing. Fletching length is less critical. But with that said, if you shoot a Whisker Biscuit, it is best to shoot with straight fletching for thebest performance.

What can I do to make my aim steadier?

David — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 20:40:34 +0000

Question:
When I’m aiming I can’t hold the bow steady. What can I do to make my aim steadier?

Answer:
First of all, you don’t have to hold the bow steady to make great shots. That is one of the greatest misconceptions in archery. By trying to hold the pin steady you develop bad habits like target panic. Instead, let the pin float close to the spot you are trying to hit, but don’t worry about trying to keep it perfectly still. As your pin floats, slowly squeeze the trigger so the shot takes you by surprise. You will be amazed at how close your shots come to the center of the spot you’re trying to hit.

There are ways you can improve your aim to reduce the size of the movements your pin makes and thus reduce your group size. Strength is important so that you can relax completely at full draw. Shoot regularly so you gain important strength and don’t have to fight the draw weight of the bow. You can also turn the poundage down until you feel very comfortable at full draw. Put a very slight bend in your bow arm just enough to unlock the elbow. Many archers find that this also facilitates steady aiming.