You Should Know What I Know!
It’s easy for an archer to think everyone should be doing this! Am I right? People can be so funny, it’s amazing how we think just because we know a thing, everyone else should know it too. Another example, an auto mechanic says, “ Pop the hood and change the plugs.” Maybe your response is, “ I don’t see a plug, what’s it plugged into?” The mechanic shakes their head because they can’t believe you don’t know what a plug is.
I’ve never heard of automatic information teleportation from one brain to the next, have you? The best way to learn a thing for most people is hands on, at least that’s my opinion. There are some of you out there that can read or watch something and perfectly accomplish the goal or task without effort. For the rest of the normal population, we require hands-on experience because it’s more enjoyable that way anyway!
At Weekend Wilderness Camp
Some would be best interested in one-on-one introduction to the sport but others may thrive in a setting that’s a bit more mixed up, let’s say. A mixed up set-up? What am I talking about? Recently I attended a Wilderness Weekend at a particular camp that would be a perfect example of what I’m speaking of.
There were a total of seventeen attendees and we shared appropriate bunkhouses. After settling into our particular bunk, we joined together in the camp kitchen for some great food and a general introduction. After supper, there was a gathering and great conversation because outdoors people are always filled with great conversation. Some of the attendees were avid outdoorsmen and women, where others were not so much. We stayed up as late we could stand, finally, we tucked ourselves in to get ready for the next day’s adventures.
The Woodies And the Mallards
After breakfast, we split up into two groups. One was called the Woodies and the other the Mallards. The Woodies,(the team I was on), was scheduled for the archery range, and the Mallards made their way to shoot skeet. At the archery range we began with an Instructor, and he went over the basics using a bow like the PSE Archery Stinger ATK Compound Bow set to a low draw weight because you udon’t want to a new shooter to fight the bow.
The instructor introduced the parts of the bow and what they do. Followed by the proper hold and draw form, as well as the possibility of being slapped if you don’t hold it properly. They also made themself available for the less avid outdoorsmen and women to answer questions and encourage them to have a proper start in the sport.
Build Up Your Confidence
Then we were released in pairs to stalk the 3D wild game targets. The first target, was like the Real Wild 3D Boar and was set at ten yards. As each group was confident with the distance practiced, they moved onto the next target. Up next was a target like the Real Wild 3D Bear was at 15 yards, followed by the Rinehart Coyote 3D Target at 20 yards. Some stayed back at the closer targets, while others continued to move onto the more challenging distances. We finished up and traded places with the Mallards.
Other activities we enjoyed on our Wilderness Retreat aside from shooting were;
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- The .22 rifle range
- Wildlife observation
- A wild game cooking class
Another activity was some good old outdoor adventure stories from people from different walks of life. It doesn’t get much better than that, except when you hear several of the now not just attendees but compadres share their future plans with you. “ I never knew how much fun archery would be! When I get home, I’m setting up a range in my backyard!” or “ If I knew how good I’d be at shooting a bow, I would have tried it a long time ago! I’m hooked!”
Share the Sport
Another great question was asked was, “ Where should I shop for my new bow?” I think y’all know what The Bow Bully told them! If you love the sport, as I’ve said before, “Don’t be a jerk! Share it!” That’s one way to get some hands-on experience!
