Father's Day is a special moment for all the archery families out there. It is a day we celebrate what we share with the man who has always been there for us. Teaching us right from wrong, what the love of shooting our first arrow is like, and how to shoot for the stars and dream of what we can achieve. Thank you to dads everywhere.
There are times in life where parents get chances to really teach their children what they want them to learn in life. Archery provides some of those lessons between a child and father. To keep striving for your best, to never give up, and that your father is there to guide you every step of the way. He will be there to teach you how to shoot your first arrow, to climb that tree stand even though you’re afraid of heights, and even being there for your first deer in that “great circle of life” talk. Dads are the best at teaching us about life.
The times we share with our dads are priceless. From the time we shot our first arrows, maybe totally missing, to our big moments winning championship titles. Your first hunting stalk together, or week long camping trips together. So remember, whether its memories with your children or memories with your own father, make them count.
Let’s face it, archery has its own language. Talking shop with your dad can be an awesome time. Especially in the middle of a store, restaurant, driving, hunting blind, and everywhere in between. You can finish each other’s sentences, have ideas for what might work for each other’s bow setups, or insist that this scope has more clarity than the other.
Not everyone can say that they are striving for greatness with their archery hobby. But in a way, a dad can offer a sense of competitive love and encouragement. So if you ever find yourself wanting to achieve more, you can always ask your father to help you. They will have a kind and teasing way of doing it too. Perhaps making bets with ice cream for the winner as well as exchanging chores for the loser. All as a fun way to encourage and always strive for your best.
Dads are always in our corner of the ring for any occasion. Whether you are his proud son or beautiful daughter, a father will always be there to support you. You have dreams of making hunting videos, do it. You have a dream to make it to the Olympic Games, go for it. Dad will always have your back and encourage you to push yourself further than you would have ever imagined.
Dads, we really appreciate all that you have done for us over our lives with you. Thank you for the time to teach us to love archery. We love that we can share it with you too!
If you are first starting out, you have probably wondered what your first archery tournament experience will be like. “Will I do well? Will the hotel serve breakfast? Have I practiced enough?” Sure, these are fine questions to ask one’s self when wanting to attend an event. However, the real task to start thinking about is, “what do I pack?!” I will let you in on 10 key items to have packed for any tournament. Now we all know you will pack your bow and arrows. This list will give you the most neglected items that archers forget to bring with them to tournaments.
1/ Serving material: Many top archers will always have serving material on hand just in case a scenario happens that a D-loop breaks or nockpoint breaks. You don’t want to have to rely on someone else to have material for you. Especially if you’re walking around a 3D range, or a field course.
2/ Arrow Lube: This is your new best friend when you have a hard time pulling arrows out of any bale. Whether it is a 3D animal, Whitetail foam, or straw. This product will help in saving energy and time at the target.
3/ Binoculars/spotting scope: Never leave home without your trusty pair of arrow spotting glass. There is nothing worse than half way through your drive, or flight, that you instantly remember your pair is sitting on the coffee table back at home.
4/ Bow stand/bow pod: If you thought carrying your bow from target to target was tough, try walking around a field course that doesn’t have a bow stand available. Don’t make the event less fun for forgetting this important item.
5/ Extra spinwings/vanes: It happens all too often when yours and competitor’s arrows clash in the target. Ripping and cutting apart your fletching job. This could also be a problem when too many of your arrows need to be fixed and you don’t have anything for it. So always make sure to pack these and the fletching jig (or double sided tape) to apply them.
6/ Allen wrenches: The life blood of all bows are held together with parts to be tightened by a set of allen wrenches. Listen to your bow. If something starts rattling, get out your wrenches!
7/ Back-up release aid/finger tab: whether you are a compound or recurve archer, the way you shoot your bow comes down to these two products. If you happen to lose your primary or misplace it at the tournament and don’t have a back-up, you could be in some serious trouble.
8/ Weather gear: This ranges from rain and sun, cold and warm weather, and everything in between. Sunscreen and bug spray are your best friend for outdoors. As well as sunglasses and that favorite hat you always shoot in. If it decides to rain, make sure you have a jacket that you can shoot in. Your equipment wants to stay dry too, so make sure to either borrow a towel from the hotel or bring one with you that can wipe the rain off of your grip and other essential parts before you go to shoot that first arrow. Baby powder is also a secret weapon. Just a little sprinkle of the stuff on your palms can keep all that sweat and nervousness to a minimum on the most humid of days.
9/ Extra stabilizer weights: For some that don’t know the benefit of having just one to three extra stabilizer weights, here’s the scoop. Some people will tell you that they were holding really well the few days leading up to the tournament, and now that they are competing, they can’t seem to make it hold the same. If you get this same feeling the first day of the competition, you can either add (or remove) from your main stabilizer depending on if you bob up or down. Add to the main rod if your sight dot is drifting up, or remove one from the main rod if you are dipping down. Remember though, it won’t take much but those few extra weights could mean the difference on aiming if you need them.
10/ Snacks: Never forget to bring that favorite bar you like, or trail mix you can’t get enough of. Sometimes while walking courses or during target events, they don’t offer food on site. So you can quickly run low on blood sugar without realizing it. Don’t let it happen to you.
If you are looking for a case where you can fit all these and more, you need to check Legend Double2 compound bow case. It has enough space for 2 bows ATA up to 44" and lots of pockets for your gear.
