After going back to work, I've had limited time behind the bow. I'd have time to put the practice in, but the nonstop rain has prevented me from shooting. Shooting in the rain is one thing, but shooting in torrential rain is entirely different. Everything in my area is flooded, and the rain just won't stop. Then, if it does stop for a few hours, the wind has been so bad, it's impossible to attempt shooting. Why frustrate yourself? So in the last week, I shot my bow one time after work, and it only lasted about an hour.
After picking up Doug and Logan, we began the trek east. It would take us about three hours to get to Oxford, Mass. On the drive, the rain never let up. Driving through heavy rain and fog, we hoped to drive out of it like we did the previous week. However, we didn't get so lucky this time.
Go Time
After bundling up in rain gear and sweatshirts, we headed onto the range, where we would start on a moose. Although the target looked close, I know the size of it can deceive even the best yardage gurus. I settled on a "safe" number after Logan and Dad placed their arrows in the middle of the giant 10-ring. When I drew the bow, the pin settled nicely. When the shot fired, the arrow got to the target much faster than I had anticipated and pierced the 10 line at 12 o'clock. We were off and running. Our primary concern was keeping the cards dry, and that would take everything we had.
After making a few good shots on the antelope and javelina, I felt good about my start. Things were going well. Although I wasn't happy with my line, I gave myself grace due to all of the clothes I was wearing. When we got off the rifle range and into the woods, things began turning sour, and the rain began becoming more than a nuisance. I wasn't having too much fun.
As we progressed down the road and along the trail, it didn't take long to figure out my draw length was a pinch too long to execute good shots uphill. The uphill shots were eating me up, and the weather and course didn't show me any mercy. I bowed to both of them and took my beating. When things go sideways sometimes, you have to do the best you can to weather the storm and stay the course. Good shooters will find a way out of it if they continue doing what they do best. Every target isn't going to be the best target you've ever shot. Some days, you might roll through a stretch of bad ones until you get back on track. You might lose your numbers... or your shot. You just have to remember to stay positive and gain anything you can from the learning moments that are presented to you.
Eventually, the beating stopped and the rain went from a steady downpour to a light drizzle. After getting away from the uphill shots, I found my shot again and things began clicking. However, the damage had been done, and there was no way to hide from the catastrophic demolition of my scorecard. The tornado had ripped through my card and left nothing in its wake. As with any storm, I figured I could begin cleaning up the mess and rebuilding, and that's what I did. I executed a perfect shot on the white goat and felt good about the result. Then I made a few great shots where the three targets were in a small area. I love shooting bedded elk, and when I executed a perfect shot on it, I felt confident.
At this point of the round, the weather slightly improved and I was able to enjoy more of Duane Williams' shooting. He uses a 45-pound Bear recurve, and it's a pleasure to watch him work his craft. Before he found archery, he was a bear on a bicycle and succumbed to many injuries. As with anything, eventually the injuries catch up to us, and we must sometimes pursue other hobbies. Well, I'm glad Duane found archery, and it's even more impressive how good he is behind the bow. I have a great appreciation for people who work hard and continuously try to improve. I know he will grow in the sport and achieve great things if he puts his mind to it. He was a joy to shoot with, and we all had some learning moments. The most intriguing thing I learned from Duane was the fact that he punishes himself for shooting 5s. When he gets home after the tournaments, he does five push-ups for every 5 he shoots. We busted on him for a bit when he got up to push-ups. Thank God, I only had to do five at day's end. I'm not sure my shoulders could handle more than that. If I had to do any for shooting 8s, my arms would've fallen off.
As we began down the homestretch, we decided it was time to give Duane a new name. Not only do we have a Muddy Mike, who gained his nickname at the first leg, now we have Freddy Bear Cub, who gained his nickname at the second leg. Who will stand above all others and come home with a new nickname after the third leg?
After getting past he disastrous results in the rain-soaked beginning, the train got back on track, and I finished the day by staying in the 10-ring on 14 of the last 16 targets, shooting two 8s barely out of the 10-ring I that stretch. I could easily beat myself up for the score that ended up on the card at the end of the day, but there was no need to do that on this day. I made the most out of a bad situation, and I became friends with Freddy Bear Cub. I could never ask for a better day than that.
Final Thoughts
I treasure every day I get to shoot with my friends and family. On Saturday, I enjoyed my time with Dad, Doug Vaughn and Logan Wadsworth. All of us would've liked to have shot better, but we made the most out of horrendous weather. It's hard to compare apples to apples when you have apples and oranges. I think we all did OK for the conditions that we encountered.
I learned that I need to be relaxed to shoot a handheld release. Sometimes, I get tension in my hand and forearm and try to muscle through my shot. I need to focus on my setup and master that as the summer progresses. My shot has been really good in practice. I need to transition that shot from shooting at the bag to shooting at 3D targets. That's been a struggle so far this season. I'm sure I'll figure it out, but it may take a bit of time.
I was lucky enough to make some incredible shots over the course of the last half of the day. Some of them were effortless and others made me stay strong and steady from start to finish. I stored all of the positives of the day in my back pocket and hopped in the truck to go home. My numbers were a little shaky at first, but improved significantly by the time I finished. I have yet to shoot a good score this year, but my battles have been a little extreme.
One thing I forgot to mention is that my sight light broke during the round, leaving me unable to see the pin. When it happened, I didn't have a trusty backup in my chair, so I had to use the shank of the pin as an aiming device. I don't normally shoot an up pin, but I had to move the pin to that position so I could see it a little better.
After doing that, the bubble fell out of my scope. They say when it rains it pours, and that would sum up my dad. It was one issue after another from start to finish. I'm glad it happened where it doesn't matter. I will be heading to Pipestem next weekend for the IBO National Triple Crown. With a lack of focus this year and the things that come with going back to work, I haven't put much into it, so I'm just going to go and try to have fun. Having fun is subject to argument, especially when it comes to competing in a tournament. I'll have to admit that I haven't had much fun the last few years. Things have snowballed out of control, and I've found myself in unfamiliar territory. It's not a place I like, but it's a place that only I can find the way to put it in the rear-view mirror. I'm still determined to make my eye doctor a liar. We will see what happens as we move down the trail. Good luck to everyone who is going to Pipestem. I hope you all achieve your goals. Oh, Digger, don't let Destini forget my large camo The Bow Shop hoodie. We gotta advertise for ya up here in the Northeast. See ya soon,
I wish we could've shot in the conditions Barry and Jay shot in on Sunday. That would've been nice.
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