Conquering Opening Day: Whitetailes365
Conquering Opening Day
As the crisp autumn air begins to settle, every bowhunter’s excitement is amping up in anticipation for opening day. But before you head into the field, taking the time to meticulously prepare your equipment is crucial for a successful and ethical hunt.
Stings & Cables
First, ensure your bow and accessories are in peak condition, maximizing your chances of a clean harvest. The string is the very heart of your bow. Always have your strings in good shape. Neglecting your strings is like trying to run a marathon in worn-out shoes. Over time, strings stretch and lose their elasticity, impacting arrow speed and accuracy. Even if it doesn’t look worn, it may have stretched, so you might talk with a bow technician and see if you need new strings and cables. You don’t have to necessarily wait for visible wear and fraying on your string; consult a bow technician every 2-3 years, or sooner if you shoot frequently. Think of it as an investment in ethical hunting. Fresh strings vibrate less, leading to tighter groups and improved downrange performance. This translates to more confidence and a higher chance of ethical shot placement when it counts.
Choosing the Right Arrow Rest
The arrow rest plays a pivotal role in guiding your arrow after it leaves the string. A well-tuned rest ensures consistent contact and minimal interference, crucial for precise arrow flight. A popular choice for minimized arrow contact is the fall-away rest. These rests move out of the way upon arrow release, limiting fletching drag and maximizing speed. This can be especially beneficial for archers who prioritize tight groups and long-range accuracy. I personally like a fall away. For me, the less arrow contact, the better, and it offers a little more forgiveness on my human reaction and error.
Ultimately, the best rest for you depends on your shooting style and preferences. Experiment with different options and consult a technician to find the rest that complements your setup and shooting form.
Broadhead Readiness
Broadheads are the business end of your arrow, responsible for delivering a clean and humane kill. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. Fixed broadheads require tuning and practice due to their wider cutting surface, but offer reliable penetration. Expandable broadheads deploy on impact, creating a larger wound channel, but require precise shot placement for optimal performance. You have to meticulous if you shoot mechanical/expandable broadheads. Regardless of broadhead type, razor-sharpness is essential. Dull broadheads can deflect off bone instead of delivering a clean cut. Invest in a quality broadhead sharpener and regularly touch up your blades.
Every component, from arrow weight to broadhead type, can influence arrow flight. Dedicate time to practice with your broadhead-equipped hunting setup. This allows you to fine-tune your sight and get comfortable with the trajectory of your broadheads.
Seeing Clearly
Your sights are your window to the target, allowing you to aim precisely. A malfunctioning sight can turn a perfect broadside opportunity into a missed chance. Early morning and late evening hunts often rely on low-light visibility. Ensure your fiber optic sights are functioning properly. A broken fiber can significantly hinder your ability to acquire your target in low-light conditions. We know those mature bucks wait until last light to get on their feet, so don’t let a broken fiber ruin your opportunity at a whitetail.
While single-pin sights were once the norm, multi-pin sights offer additional aiming points for various distances. Consider if a multi-pin sight aligns better with your hunting style. The extra pins can provide added confidence and precision during a high-pressure encounter with a trophy animal.
Check Your Stands
Early season deer often exhibit a sense of relaxed alertness. They haven’t yet been pressured by hunters, making them more likely to visit established agricultural fields and food plots. With deer less attuned to human scent early in the season, you can leverage this window to position yourself closer to feeding, bedding areas, and water. Water is often underestimated, and by adding a tank, like Banks Outdoors’ Wild Water tank, you can keep deer around your property and prevent them from leaving. This increases your odds of getting within ethical shot range without spooking your target. Even relaxed deer rely on their keen sense of smell.
Always prioritize stand placement that offers a favorable wind direction, and do not hunt if the wind is wrong. Go through your data and find out if you need to reposition a stand or a blind. Deer are still in a predictable habit for the first week or so of the season, so leverage this to get your stands placed.
Deer rely on cover for security. While trimming overhanging branches for a clear shot is necessary, remember that less is more. Leave enough natural cover to blend your stand into the environment and avoid spooking deer. Focus on removing only the branches that directly obstruct your shooting lane at ethical distances. A well-placed shooting lane allows for a clean shot while minimizing the unnatural appearance of your setup.
Final Checks
Even if you’ve been shooting forever, it’s not a bad idea to get some advice from an archery coach or archery technician from a store. Go to someone you trust and who is knowledgeable. You don’t want to be taught the wrong thing. I had to work out some bad habits and learn new form. It’s worth the investment, and you don’t want to wait until hunting season is here to get that valuable advice. A knowledgeable archery tech can advise on your draw length, form, and give you invaluable tips. They also should be familiar with the specific bows they deal, so they can let you know inside information.
By meticulously inspecting and fine-tuning your bow, sights, broadheads, and rests, you’ll be setting yourself up for success on opening day. Remember, archery is a complex system, and each element plays a crucial role in achieving optimal performance. Taking the time to prepare ensures you’ll be ready to ethically harvest your target when that perfect opportunity arises. So, invest the time and effort in pre-season maintenance, and head into the field with confidence, knowing your equipment is ready to perform as flawlessly as you are.
Don’t forget to check your stands. Make sure they’re quiet. Replace your straps, tow lines, if you need to. Get your life lines set. You also might have to do some trimming. I don’t like to do a ton of trimming, as I need the cover to remain as undetectable as possible. However, you need clear shooting lanes.
by Aaron McKinney
September 2024
