The Value of Moving Target Practice

It was a blustery day in late November of 2014, and I was perched in the early morning hours atop my climbing stand.  I was tucked against a large trunked chestnut oak bordering a line of mountain laurels.  It was rifle season in Maryland, but I wanted to connect with the longbow. As stiffness and chills started to take over and the morning waned, I stood up and tried to stretch for the sunlight that was slowly warming the frosty leaf litter below.  Behind my stand I heard crunching, and turned to see a 6 point buck feeding along the line of shrubs.  I knew a shot behind my stand would be tough, but I felt it was doable.  I leaned out far and slightly canted the slender Schulz made Howard Hill Tembo completely vertical.  I had not practiced this cant much and pulled the shot due to alignment issues.  The arrow sailed and struck the unsuspecting buck in the hind bottom roast! Oh No!

I don't know why, maybe the quietness of the longbow combined with the impact point, but the buck turned and ran toward me.  I quickly drew another arrow from my back quiver and from so much ingrained practice, had the arrow pulling back to anchor as the deer ran 15 feet from my tree at a full tilt.  I focused hard behind the shoulder and the arrow was away.  It was a blur and my mind caught movement of the arrow, but it appeared to me that I had shot over the shoulder.  I drew another arrow and the buck stopped 87 yards away and I let fly again.  The buck bolted.

This scenario came to a happy ending for the hunter when we found my buck with my arrow in the chest.  As it turns out that running shot did connect.  A wounded deer that would otherwise have been suffering was killed cleanly.

 

Since then, I have made it a point to practice all manner of unorthodox shots as well as work on hitting moving targets.  The Hill style straight end longbow excels at being forgiving of these unorthodox shots.  

Some will say that gaining proficiency at these kinds of shots takes extra-ordinary talent, or that it is unethical to take these shots at game.  I can say that I have no great reservoir of archery talent, nor am I a one of a kind the likes of a Mr. Hill or Schulz, but I have gained a comfort in hitting moving targets that gets better with practice.  As evidenced by the scenario above, this skill is at times ethical and a benefit.  The last item is that this type of practice is darn fun!

There is no need for a complicated set-up or area to practice hitting'em moving.  Having a person throw for you is great, but not a necessity.  Simply tossing a tennis ball or kickball and using rubber blunts has worked well for me.  Having a slight hill also helps.  

Recently, I worked up a simple cable and pulley system for a cardboard disk that was fun.  This target was made by gluing simple cardboard circles together and zip tying it to a pulley from my porch railing to the ground below.

Practice focusing on the smallest part of the target as you can.  Keep that concentration as you relax your fingers.  

Practice always makes these types of shot easier.

I also practice some unorthodox techniques like the reverse cant, and turning behind shots.  

This type of practice is fun and can benefit you in hunting situations.  Don't let the "nay-sayers" stop you from trying.  This type of hunting practice used to be common, but now there is a definite static hunting trend.  Don't let them limit you.   

Take a look at Gene Wensel in these old videos of him and companions hitting big old bucks on the run.  It can be done, and done responsibly by getting proficient. 

 

You never know when this will pay off.

Enjoy!

Nate Steen of Sunset Hill Longbows Demonstrates using a Back Quiver Video

This is a very good informative video for anyone who wants to learn how to use and reap the benefits from using a back quiver in the Hill style for hunting.

Cooking, Preparing, and Eating Deer Ribs (Venison Ribs) with a Pressure Cooker (Insta-pot)

One of Fred Bear's "famous game recipes" as related by several publications from those like Glenn St. Charles and Bob Munger was flame broiled sheep ribs over an open campfire.

Here is a photo of Mr. Bear roasting some sheep ribs in 1954 from Bows on the little Delta: 

 

Ever since seeing those photos I have tried to cook deer ribs, but most attempts proved terrible as the white chalky fat leaves a paste and coating in your mouth well after the meal.  Deer fat is much different from sheep in taste.  I came across a tip from a fellow about boiling the ribs in coffee to render out the fat before roasting or BBQing.  I tried this and it actually worked well, though I blew through many pots of coffee. Later, I got the idea of using my pressure cooker and use only 16 ounces of coffee in the bottom instead.  This proved to be a super method I wish to share.  

I have also roasted them over a open fire successfully, but it takes diligent trimming and a slow roast to render out all the fat.

 

I typically use a cordless sawzall to cut away the ribs from the hanging deer.  I cut down parallel to the spine, then down removing them away from the sternum.  

Next I will wash off any bone chips or blood and try to remove any bulk fat that is easy to cut away. I also cut away and sections shot through.  These sit in my refrigerator most times for several days to age as I process the other part of the deer. 

Next, I cut the rib slabs big enough to fit in my pressure cooker.  Sometimes this takes some creative arranging and trimming to get them to fit. Then pour in 16 ounces of coffee to the bottom and set the cooker for meat/stew setting for 40 minutes. 

Once pressure is released I drain the ribs and coat with a dry rub / or some BBQ sauce before putting them in my smoker for several hours around 225 degrees. 

At the end they are delicious!