Pennsylvania Game News - May 2018 - 59

cent orange requirements for season in
which they're participating.
And you're sure to get some odd looks
heading to a firearms deer sit in blaze
orange, toting your compound.

Winter & Spring Hunts
When winter hits, the late-archery deer
season can again provide a unique challenge for anyone with an unfilled deer tag
willing to weather the elements.
I particularly enjoy gathering a few
buddies and conducting low-key rabbit
drives following a decent snowfall.
We like to quietly position standers
at the ends of transitioning field cover
or grown pastures and have our drivers
slowly still-hunt along the edges.
A driver often will spot a rabbit holding
tight and slip an arrow through the brush.
If not, the standers might get a shot as
the fleeing cottontail pauses at the row
end before hightailing it to the next block
of cover.
For this, we prefer judo-style grasshopper field points, which help prevent
arrows from burying themselves in the
snow when we miss - and we often miss.
But it is a lot of fun.
Meanwhile, an old boss gobbler irrefutably is the king of spring. Why not
change things up by going at him with
stick and string?
Today's outdoor marketplace offers
a variety of inexpensive hunting-blind
options that can help conceal the drawing
motion that has previously limited bowhunters from "risking it" with a gobbler's
keen eyesight.
Archery gobblers can be taken without
a blind, as long as hunters are careful to
use surrounding cover, natural shade and
obstructions to hide their movements prior
to the shot.
MAY 2018

A wide, expandable broadhead is an
excellent choice for turkeys.
Spring also is a terrific time to get back
into the swing of regular target practice.
Knock off the winter rust with a few
rounds of 3-D archery at a local course
or backyard range. It will help keep you
dialed in, and the fresh air can't hurt either.

Staying Sharp in Summer
Summer is no time to get complacent,
despite limited hunting opportunities.
Groundhogs wreak havoc on agricultural fields and meticulously managed
food plots, and they present a prime
opportunity to hone your ground game.
Spot-and-stalk hunts for groundhogs are
a perfect way to practice field-judging
distances, using the lay of the land to
avoid detection, and mastering a stealthy
approach to close the gap.
Judo-style grasshopper tips or field
points are generally cheaper than broadheads for this type of hunting, and they
certainly help prevent arrow loss, but
don't expect many pass throughs on thickskinned groundhogs. Aim for the vitals,
and be prepared for a quick follow-up
shot, if necessary.
As with any type of hunting, proficiency is important and should be made
a priority before pursuing game with
archery tackle.
Be sure to put in plenty of time at the
practice range, shooting from a various
positions and angles to keep your shooting
form as sharp as possible.
There are no guarantees in hunting, and
taking the year-round archery challenge
might lead to more complex outings. But
it's the best way to experience bowhunting's special moments all year long.
So, ask yourself: Does the season ever
really end?
59
Pennsylvania Game News - May 2018

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