Archery Newsletter

With this being our first archery newsletter, I, Ted Lake, Lake of the Woods, Inc. will be addressing some of the events going on right now as we talk. I�ve been into the sport of archery and bowhunting for almost 50 yrs. and welcome you as a friend to this web-site. I would like to get to know you personally and share with you the importance of bowmanship and conserving our rights as bowhunters. I want you to feel free to e-mail me at anytime with your questions or suggestions concerning Conservation of our great land and the right to hunt, or anything else about the sport of archery. With that all said, this is what I�m doing right now in the off season of big game hunting and I�m sure you will enjoy these events during the summer months. I never stop hunting or practicing all year long. 3D target shooting is at the top of my list for the summer months. There are many local clubs in my area where they hold 3D target course shoots almost every weekend. What a good way to keep yourself in tune for your upcoming big game hunts. This also allows you to keep your equipment in tip top shape. When I go to these target shoots I�m always seeing old friends and meeting new. This allows me to ask questions about my equipment (new or old) and find out what is going on in the sport of archery and bowhunting. I�m always looking for the person new to the sport and trying to give them help and advice. You will find that the companionship of this sport is very close and the help you receive is very beneficial.

Another event that I enjoy is groundhog hunting during the summer time. Our local club holds a groundhog hunting tournament at least once a year. What a great time we have doing this. We usually start out early in the AM and end it about noon with a corn and hot dog roast for the whole family. If your local club does not have this event, try starting it yourself and watch the enthusiasm grow. Make sure wherever you decide to hunt, that you get permission from the landowner. Making friends with the landowner could be very beneficial to you during your big game hunt this fall.

During the spring and summer months, we as a family, totally enjoy bowfishing. This particular hunt can be done at all times of the day (daytime or night). The Michigan Bow Hunters organization holds a few of these events every year, and my boys and I look forward to this every year. Bowfishing is very cheap entertainment for the entire family. It means camping all weekend with family and friends with the possibility of winning some nice prizes for the biggest carp or rough fish. The kids who are too small or young still have a great time back at the campground along with a few of the mom�s who do not participate in the event. Friends meeting friends is what it is all about.

If it gets too hot outside there is a remedy for that too; try shooting indoors. Indoor shooting ranges can vary from; 3D targets, field targets or shooting at a screen with live pictures of moving big game and small game targets. All of these different types of target shooting will keep your archery skills up to snuff. Join a club and start enjoying these fine ways to keep yourself and your equipment in fine tune, if you already haven�t.

Don�t forget about your backyard, if you have one, and it is safe to shoot in. I�m constantly practicing in my backyard, shooting from an elevated stand or simply shooting on the ground at different yardages. Learning to shoot at different yardages is so very important for bowhunting. When you have done this enough, it will come to you as second nature when hunting or target shooting in the outdoors.

In our upcoming �Arrowhead Newsletters� we will be getting into the safety of your treestands and equipment needed for your fall season hunts. Don�t let your archery hunt be destroyed by an accident, just because you ignored to safety check all of your equipment. Have Fun In The Sun!