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“Archery Fit” Archery Tips | Fletching Arrows

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Fletching Arrows | Fletching Jigs, Helical, and Offset Vanes

A direct comparisons can be made between a hand loaded rifle shell and an arrow when it comes to accuracy and group size. We all know rifle shooters who obsess over the combination of bullet weight, shape, design, amount of power, primers, built-up pressures, trajectories, and various combinations of all when seeking the ultimate load for a particular rifle. An archer seeking the best arrow for a particular bow or a specific purpose follows much the same path and the ability to fletch and refletch arrows as required is an important part of the process. A growing number of archers understand the advantage of fletching their own arrows. While buying finished arrows is quick and convenient it does not allow for custom tuning and is like buying “factory ammo” off the shelf. It works but does it provide the greatest accuracy and smallest groups?

Anatomy of a Hunting Arrow

An arrow is made up of several basic components. The arrow shaft, point weight and design, nock and fletching. When selecting an arrow shaft there are several considerations, shaft weight, straightness, stiffness or spine and the tolerance to which each shaft is held. Obviously the tighter the tolerance the closer matched the arrows will be in a given set. When it comes to arrow spine some shafts have indication marks which if aligned when fletched will position the stiffest portion of the arrow in same direction to increase the consistency of each shot.

Point weight is dependent upon the end use. Heavier points are often preferred by hunters seeking large game to increase penetration. Heavy points are also used by target shooters when shooing long distances in windy conditions to minimize wind drift. Lighter points are favorites of archers desiring to achieve maximum arrow speed and flatten trajectory. Changing point weight also impacts the spine, (stiffness), of an arrow and can be used to make minor changes when tuning a bow. The addition or removal of weight to the point can stiffen or weaken an arrow shaft and also impact the arrows FOC, (Front of Center balance point). The addition of weight weakens the spine and the removal of weight makes the arrow tune stiffer.

Nocks which are the smallest but important component are selected on arrow type and string fit. A nock must be just snug enough to remain on the string during the draw but leave the string with minimum interference upon release. Most quality nocks have a slight, “snap-on, feature which satisfies both requirements nicely. For most hunting arrows, most hunters also seek lighted nocks that cover these requirements.

Fletching

When it comes to fletching there are numerous styles on the market from which to choose. At one time natural turkey feathers were the accepted fletch and while they had the advantage of forgiveness when crossing the rest they were inconsistent in weight and thickness and did not perform well in wet weather. Feathers are still popular today especially among traditional shooter and in some cases indoor shooters looking for ultimate forgiveness or shooters desiring a large stabilizing fletch. Feathers were an important part of archery’s history and will always remain so but today’s plastic vanes control the largest market share. In addition to being weather resistant and much more durable then feathers, vanes are also consistent in shape, thickness and weight. These characteristic have greatly increased the ability of the archer to produce more closely matched arrows and tighter groups.

Vanes are available in a variety of shapes and lengths which offers the archer numerous options when selecting the vanes that will produce the tightest groups. In addition and equally if not more important is the angle at which the vane or fletch is applied to the arrow shaft. That angle can be varied from right to left with anything in between a slight offset to a hard helical. Fletch angle is directly associated with arrow spin and stabilization. The harder the angle and more helix applied the greater the generated spin which increases stability to a degree but which can also reduce speed impacting trajectory at long ranges. Fletch angle is a series of trade-offs and experimentation is required to determine what works best for what purpose.

All of these options are available to the archer that chooses to fletch their own arrows and it offers not only convenience but the ability to experiment with the combination of arrow components that produces the best results for the intended purpose.

An arrow set-up for indoor shooting is often different than an arrow set up for 3D or one set-up for long range target shooting. The same is true with hunting needs. A broadhead tipped arrow that is perfect for hunting whitetail at under 35 yards is different than the best arrow set-up for elk or caribou where a 65 yards shot is common. Could one arrow work for the various aforementioned examples? The answer is definitely yes, but that does not mean that one arrow is the best for all situations. The easiest way to find the best arrow for your specific set-up is fletch your own arrows which gives you the ability to experiment with different components to find the best arrow for your intended purpose. Fletching your own arrows gives the archer the same ability as the hand-loading rife shooter to find the best load for a particular rifle and purpose.

Whether you are interested in fletching your own arrows for convenience or in order to fine tune your set up it is basically simple and requires only a few tools the main one of which is a fletching jib. Fletching jigs come in various price ranges and designs. Some jigs fletch one fletch at a time while others can do three fletch at once. Actually the number of fletches applied should be the least consideration. When selecting a fletching jig it is important to select one that is easy to use and is accurate allowing the user to install each fletch in exactly the desired position and to repeat that for each vane including one that might have to be replaced in the future. This eliminates the need to strip all the vanes from any arrow requiring repair.

PHOTO: The Vane Master Pro, (VMP), fletching jig from Last Chance Archery is simple, flexible and easy to use. It is also extremely precise allowing for the accurate placement of vanes in any desired configuration.

One of the most accurate and versatile fletching jigs on the market today is the Vane Master Pro, (VMP), fletching jig from Last Chance Archery. The all-new Vane Master Pro is an innovative tool made to provide perfection and consistency when fletching arrow to arrow. The VMP is designed to accommodate every arrow size with little or no adjustment. Arrows can be fletched at 0-5 degree helical, left or right, with the ability to hold vanes up to 4 inches in length. This jig has the ability to fletch 3 or 4 fletch configurations (4 fletch knob sold separately) while using Vane Flat Technology. Vane Flat Technology uses two wires to hold the vane, allowing  the clamp to perfectly contour around the shaft, for perfect vane adhesion every time. An optional  crossbow adaptor has recently been added to the line-up which allows the VMP to be used to fletch crossbow arrows regardless of the style nock used.  Last Chance Archery has upgraded its three fletch, or 120 degree knob for its VMP fletching jig. Not only can you now fletch 120 degrees spaced vanes while aligning your nock with your cock vane up, but you can also fletch 120 degrees and have your cock vane align at 90 degrees for recurve shooting or for those utilizing a rest requiring this nock positioning. This knob is standard on all new VMP jigs and is also available as a retro fit for older models. 

PHOTO: The VMP utilizes flexible wires to hold the vanes in the proper position during the fletching process. These flexible wires allow the vane to easily contour to the shaft surface regardless of shaft diameter and desired angle of vane ensuring accurate placement and maximum adhesion between the vane and shaft..

A precision tool like the VMP allows the archer to easily try different shapes and angles of vanes to determine which combinations produce the tightest groups as well as perform accurate vane replacement when required.

The choice in vanes is almost staggering with new ones being introduced continuously. While in some ways today’s vanes appear similar to the ones introduced years ago, the changes have been dramatic. Today’s vanes offer new technical shapes specifically designed to provide sufficient guidance and quick arrow correction with minimum drag. The material itself has greatly improved and now posses better memory avoiding vane distortion from pass-troughs. Today’s colors are widely varied and highly visible allowing for individual creativity for those with a flair for fashion. Recon Archery Products will be introducing a line of vanes shortly which will incorporate these features in a new highly efficient performance vane.

For those new to fletching the best advice is to pay attention to the fletching directions included with their shafts or vanes. Make sure shafts and vanes are clean before fletching, closely follow cleaning directions and use the recommended adhesive for trouble-free results.

Photo: Levi Morgan shoots arrows with fletching that has a 2 degree offset as he shoots long distance most of the time. Unless you are shooting a light arrow it is hard to put a lot of helical or offset to arrows as once the arrow gets passed 50- 60 yards it begins to over control the arrow. This is called the arrow parachute effect, essentially the back of the arrow slows creating an arrow that has decreased accuracy.

Fletching arrows yourself allows you to control the end quality of your arrow as well as try different combinations of vanes, shafts, points and nocks to develop the best finished arrow for your intended purpose, tightening your groups, putting more points on your score card and bigger trophies on your wall. It is definitely worth the extra effort.

 

How Competition Archery has Made Me a Better Bow Hunter

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Transitioning from Competitive Archery into Bow Hunting

Being a competition shooter has no doubt made me a better hunter. Every week I compete, I’m faced with the same pressure I experience during that decisive moment of a hunt. The stress of shooting at a deer’s vitals is the same I experience trying to keep myself together when shooting that final arrow in competition. The level of preparation and mental toughness I’ve learned from being a professional archer has allowed me to excel under pressure when in the stand bow hunting.

  

Finding Gear 

Many people get caught up in gear brand and types, when they need to focus on fit. Finding the right gear, the basic process for competition shooting and bow hunting are the same: decide on the gear that fits you well.

Gear brand isn’t as critical as gear comfort. In today’s industry, most top end bow manufacturers make quality products. The key to shooting these quality products well is searching for brands that feel comfortable to you. When you shop, try every bow you can.  Put it in your hand, shoot it, and concentrate on how it feels.  It has to feel right to shoot right. 

Once you have equipment that feels right to you, you can balance and tune it with precision (paper tuning for example). A properly tuned bow creates a more forgiving shot in the field and the stand.  I have an entire video playlist on how to properly tune your bow and some top notch archery tips.

Proper Archery Form 

Target shooting has defined how I shoot. Whether you’re shooting at a deer, or shooting at a target, it’s important for you to be straight.  This means you should be in a straight line, feet shoulder width apart, with no leaning or tilting.  Your arm should be “straight relaxed”. However, despite understanding these basics of shooting a bow, I don’t want you to get caught up in the details. Why? Because I’ve been by guys that have a form that you would never find in an archery book. Whether you’re bow hunting or competing, there is no such thing as “perfect archery form” despite what many people have you believe.  In fact, there isn’t a right or a wrong form. Success simply depends on how repeatable your form is. 

Some of the best shooters in the industry don’t shoot by the “book”.  They simply have a process that they can follow time and time again. They know this process produces results, and it allows them to focus on simply aiming, rather than hitting their target.  

The same theory applies to bow hunting. If your form is repeatable, your shot will be repeatable when you need it the most. When you pull back on a deer, you shouldn’t be thinking about proper form, you should be thinking about aiming and the end result. This is crucial when developing your shooting process.

Develop a Process 

Developing a process is critical in competitive archery. Developing this type of process can improve anyone’s success when bow hunting. If all you’re thinking about is not messing up the shot, then you’re likely going to mess up the shot. That’s why you need to think about a single step of the process, and rely on your instincts to follow through with the rest.  

So how do you develop a repeatable process?  By breaking your goals into small steps.  You need to be able to think about each of these steps rather than focusing on the big situation (like not missing that deer). The right process is one where you think about aiming, and everything else just happens.

 

My shot process looks like this: 

  • When a deer is coming in, I only focus on ranging him.  By focusing on how far he is, my mind isn’t focused on the situation. This keeps the pressure under control. 
  • When I come to full draw all I focus on then is aiming. I literally tell myself time and time again to “just aim”.  You should never be focusing on firing that release.  The release should be a subconscious movement, your consciousness should be focused on aiming that pin.  

Below are a few drills I recommend to develop this shooting process: 

  • Aiming Without Firing an Arrow 

Hold it for as long as you can until your form starts to break down.  You learn to ease your mind and the anxiety when firing your shot.  You are also building your stamina. 

  • Blind Bailing 

This is where you walk up within 2 or 3 yards of a target and close your eyes.  Picture your pin being in the middle and practice firing over and over again. Learn what that surprise release feels like. Doing this will create a much more fluent shot.  

  • Long Range Shooting 

Shooting from a distance magnifies everything. That’s why long range shooting is my go to drill for competition and archery. If I need to shoot from 40 yards, then I’ll practice at 80.  Doing this magnifies any issues I might be having with my bow or my form.  This also makes shooting closer seem so much easier.

Reducing Archery Panic

Handling Pressure 

Where target experience shines is when a person has to deal with pressure as a hunter.  There are many similarities between archery competitions and hunting situations, and pressure is a big one. With bow hunting, you’re faced with the pressure of “one shot”.  You have only one chance to execute this hunt.  With one mistake you could miss the deer and the opportunity will be over.  As a hunter, you may only experience this feeling a few times a year, so it can get the best of you.  

However, with competition archery you experience this feeling every week. You learn to excel when put in high stress situations week in and week out.  This constant pressure builds mental toughness. This is a toughness you can take to the stand. 

By practicing the tips above: finding a comfortable bow, properly tuning, developing a process, and practicing, you can overcome any target or buck pressure.  Remember to break your goal down into actionable steps that will allow you to focus on aiming, and not panicking, during the shot.  

Putting it Together  

Many hunters practice a few days before season, at twenty yards, and call it good.  However, that won’t result in a successful (or ethical) journey as a hunter.  It’s your responsibility to make the shot at your highest potential.  

Much of my success as a hunter comes from the time I put in as a tournament shooter.  As a hunter, it’s your job to put in time, every day, to assure you are successful as well.  I can’t emphasize enough the importance of learning how to develop a process and focusing on the individual tasks of that process. To do this, you need to create subconscious actions you can only achieve through practicing. Remember to reach your full potential, learn how to keep your mind on aiming at full draw and letting the process handle the rest. Then you’ll find success too.

Body, Mind, and Equipment

Focusing on Your Body, Mind, and Equipment with Levi Morgan

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Archery Tips | “Off-Season” Improvements for Archers

If you’re a bow hunter or tournament archer, you know that both take constant commitment. While most hunting seasons may be over, it’s our responsibility as sportsmen to stay motivated and on top of our game throughout the off-season. Why? For archers and hunters, there is no off-season and the one constant variable that needs to be maintained is ourselves. There is constant work to be done to engage the three most vital aspects of archery and bow hunting, your body, your mind, and your equipment. Every element affects your shot, don’t leave anything to chance…

The Only Option – Mathews Inc. – Levi Morgan has dominated the archery tournament scene for over a decade, claiming 10 consecutive ASA (Archery Shooter’s Association) Shooter of the Year titles, 7 IBO (International Bowhunter’s Organization) Triple-Crown Championships, and 5 IBO World Championships, among other titles, making him the most decorated archer of this century.

When my hunting season ends, I go straight into tournament season. I have to be at the top of my game, so if anything, my season ramps back up in the “off-season”. I must have a constant commitment to my equipment, my mind, and my body. While you may or may not operate at the same intensity, what I’m focusing on now can help you for tournament season or next year’s hunting seasons. Whether you’re a competitive archer or a diehard bow hunter, take the information and archery tips below seriously.

Your Body

Within the last 6 years my efforts towards staying fit have taken a more intensive approach, spending more time than ever at the gym. These sessions are archery and bow hunting specific workouts focusing on the most important parts of the body in those respects. You should focus on the 4 muscle groups below as I do regardless of tournament or hunting season.
  • Back – Arguably one of the most important parts of the body for you as an archer and hunter. This is where I typically start. Wide-grip lat pulldowns, bodyweight pull-ups, and standing T-bar row allow me to strengthen my back. Doing multiple reps and holding for a second or two after each rep helps me build stamina. This helps me to steady the bow at full draw.
  • Shoulders – This is where most injuries occur in archery. I typically focus on mobility, not lifting heavy to avoid potential injury. Side lateral raises, dumbbell shoulder press, and the Arnold press allows me to keep my shoulders healthy and strong, without abusing them. This approach will increase my longevity while helping me maintain shoulder maneuverability.
  • Core/Cardio – These two together are vital for aiming and shooting, especially in bow hunting scenarios or outdoor tournaments where footing is inconsistent. Weighted crunches, hanging leg lifts, and planks allow me to keep my core strong for those uphill and downhill shots. While working on my core, I typically keep my heart rate at 150- 160 for around 20 minutes. This heightened heart rate is where I can expect it to be with at the moment of truth whether that may be a big buck or high-stress tournament situation.
  • Triceps – This muscle group’s importance is dependent upon an archer’s form. The more bend in the bow arm at full draw, the more strength they need in their triceps. I try and take the bend out of my arm while shooting, while also strengthening my triceps with triceps pushdowns, dips, and close grip barbell bench press. In combination, I end up with less stress on my triceps each shot and better stamina.

Your Mind

During open hunting seasons or tournament season, time is a constant demand. The demands of the hunting season alone can sometimes leave our practice regimen lacking and take its toll on shooting form and accuracy. Staying on top of this is based on your motivation and your drive. During this critical time, make time to shoot your bow and maintain confidence in your shooting form.
  • Film Your Practice – With every cell phone and tablet equipped with a high definition video camera it’s easier now more than ever to film yourself during a practice session. Setup a camera to film your shooting form. This allows you to go back and review the footage. Having the ability to identify issues with your form, release, and follow through quickly and make adjustments to the issues before they become a bad habit. Watch yourself throughout the draw, anchor, shot, and follow through. Also look for problems in the shot cycle, be sure to pay attention to the smallest details.
  • Practice How You Hunt – There’s an age-old adage that you play like you practice, and it holds true for archery and hunting. When hunting from an elevated stand, make sure you make shots from a stand during your practice. If you hunt from a blind and plan to hunt sitting in a blind chair, make sure you practice that setup. Practice standing at a yardage line, shooting straight at targets to help you develop form and confidence. Keep in mind that this isn’t consistent with hunting situations. Spot and stalk hunters need practice from kneeling positions and practice making a shot after crawling or sitting for periods of time. Tree stand hunters need to practice extreme angles. This can and should be done in practice similar to a real hunting situation. Make the time you put into shooting count, quality practice will build a quality archer.
  • Develop a Repeatable Anchor – Work to develop a smooth and efficient draw during your practice sessions and bring that draw to a clean and repeatable anchor. It is key to your accuracy to develop an anchor, often using multiple anchor points to draw to. Being able to have the same anchor time and time again will help you develop muscle memory and it will go a long way to making the shot count when you have an opportunity under pressure. The critical aspects of the anchor consist of how your hand fits the release, how your hand touches your face, and how the string touches your face. Developing a three-point anchor that you can consistently duplicate time and time again is critical to your accuracy.

  • Shoot One Arrow– Shooting only one arrow will force you to slow down and make each shot count. Take your time and concentrate on the draw, the anchor, and the target one arrow at a time. When you shoot only one arrow and walk to retrieve that arrow after each shot, you force yourself to concentrate on each shot and make it count. One arrow practice sessions can really help strengthen your mental game. The one-shot technique forces me to slow down and focus on all the aspects of the draw, anchor, target, shot, and follow through. Practicing with only one arrow is also much like hunting, you have to make that one arrow count when the shot presents itself on a hunt. This one arrow practice session makes me focus on the only thing I can really control, myself.

Your Equipment

The easiest thing to optimize is your equipment…not your mind, not your body, but your equipment. Whether it’s tweaking cams, trying new releases, or adjusting bow sights, your gear should be spot on without excuse. Your body and mind is your base, but your gear should be a dependable tool through which your body and mind operate. Here are just some of the things I work on during the off-season to make sure my gear is operating at its best.
  • Bow Maintenance– Just after hunting season, it’s a good starting point to run through a quick checklist. This list should include: string condition, cam alignment, looking for any rust or corrosion, and checking for any loosened fasteners. Having a qualified bow technician you trust to give your bow a once-over is a great idea, as they might also be able to recommend improvements that you can adjust and work through during the winter and spring months. If you feel like your bow is perfect, it happens every once in a while, make sure you write it down! That absolutely perfect setup should be recorded for future setups. This is especially true before you go and adjust your equipment or get a new bow.

  • Arrow Choice– Choosing the right arrow for your bow setup will be dependent on what you’re hunting. Making a change in the arrow you shoot doesn’t make sense during an open hunting season, but during the off-season you have the freedom to experiment with other options. Consider changes in arrow diameter, arrow spine, and arrow weight within the capabilities of what your bow is designed to handle. Trying different fletching types, nocks, and point weights to see what shoots best from your bow. Be sure to mark each shaft with a unique identifier so problem shafts can be eliminated. When you find that ideal arrow setup…again take record of it.

  • Release Type – Being an effective and accurate archer is more complex than you might expect at first glance. A lot depends on one single piece of equipment, especially when it comes to accuracy and repetition. Making sure you’re using the right release could be a game changer going into next year’s hunting season. If you’re curious to try a new brand or even a new type of release, now is the time! There are four types of releases: index finger, thumb trigger, back tension, and resistance activated. If you’re curious which release fits you best and is most accurate in your hands, then use this off-season to fine-tune the right release for you. Be sure to consider your hunting and shooting conditions when you’re evaluating releases. Do you hunt cold weather and wear gloves? Do you spot and stock, elevating the risk of losing a release not attached to your wrist? Make sure you consider all aspects of the hunt before you decide on a release.
  • Broadhead Choice – One of the key components in bow hunting is the broadhead. It’s the first piece of your equipment to come in contact with the trophy you’re pursuing. A hunter’s broadhead must be accurate, rugged, sharp, and most of all deadly. Making changes in broadhead choices is best done between big game seasons when you have time to properly evaluate and tune your bow. Any broadhead you shoot must be proven and deliver confidence in repetitive lethal hits.
  • Bow Sight – One thing a lot of guys change during the off-season is their bow sight. There are many brands and types of bow sights on the market, and every year a new model comes out. Some shooters prefer various pins from 7 all the way down to 1, this is the time of year to find what best fits your ability, equipment, and hunting style. Don’t neglect your peep sight when you’re considering your bow sight equipment and any changes. The peep is a small part of your setup, but it’s critical. Consider the size of the peep and the amount of light it allows in. Is this the time to consider adding a peep with magnification if you’re having trouble focusing on your pins? Make sure you at least consider your front and back sight choices and if a change might help you in the field.

  • Stabilizer – Changes to your bow stabilizer can change the balance and torque at the shot. Every archer shoots differently and as a result, each individual bow and shooter require their own balance ratio. I set my balance ratio by observing how much pressure I put on the back of the bow. Essentially the harder I pull, the more weight I need on the front bar. If you have a very light front bar on a high let-off setup and you pull hard on the backend of the bow, your pin will simply float wildly and an accurate shot will prove very difficult to make. This suggests where to add weight to balance the bow. So it’s not a one fits all mentality. Analyze what type of shooter you’re before worrying about stabilizing your bow.

The time between hunting seasons is the perfect time to get in quality practice. Think outside the box and make each practice session valuable and applicable to the game you hunt and methods you use. Focus on each arrow, each draw, every anchor, and follow through to develop accuracy and consistency. Focusing on your body, your mind, and your equipment will keep you at the top of your game.

Archery Tip for Reducing Target Panic

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Use This Archery Tip in Your Practice Sessions

 

If you’ve shot a bow even a few times, you’re probably familiar with this topic. Target panic can affect everyone if the right conditions are there. It’s the sense that when you draw your bow back, you need to quickly get on target or you’ll lose your shot opportunity. While that could be true if you wait too long, just feeling that emotion causes some unfortunate things to happen with your archery form. That’s what makes this archery tip so important to use in your bow practice sessions. When everything’s on the table and you’re about to take the final shot of the competition or take the shot at an animal, you need to be confident in your compound bow archery form. Are you?

 

What Causes Target Panic?

 

Target panic is a result of mind games. It’s all psychological. When you start to lose faith in yourself or believe you might miss a shot unless you quickly touch off a shot on your Block® targets, your compound bow shooting form breaks down and your body unconsciously starts to shake. Just a little at first. But before you know it, your pin is wobbling all over the target, making a steady shot impossible. If left uncorrected, this feeling of anxiety and fear of poor shooting can spread to every time you draw your bow back. Say goodbye bullseyes and dead deer and hello sub-par groupings, embarrassment, and frustration. So what can you do to fix it before it gets to that stage? Check out the archery tip video below.

 

 

How To Fix Target Panic

 

As you can see, being an accurate archer isn’t all about quickly punching the release when your pin drifts over the middle of your target. While bow shot timing is important, good archery should also be about steady consistency. Here’s an archery tip for you to try out.

A great way to overcome this tendency (which is usually learned and built up over months or years) is to practice without shooting any arrows. During the offseason (i.e., summer), commit a couple weeks of your practice time to unlearn what you have learned by using this archery practice drill. Simply draw your Matthews® bow back, settle the pin on your target for as long as you can accurately do so. Do not touch the release and do not shoot the arrow. If the pin starts drifting all over, simply let the bow down and take a break. Take note of how long you can hold the pins steady so you can compare to later on. Repeat this process 50 to 60 times a day and for a few weeks if time allows. Your body will slowly start to get more comfortable with aiming when you don’t have the unspoken pressure of shooting. By the end of your archery practice session, you should notice that you can hold the pins steady much longer on dead center without as much drifting. Compare it to your first time to see how much of a difference it made.