Bow hunting tips

Running:
The last couple of days I got out for my runs during my lunch break at work. I couldn't resist taking my watch, but I did resist looking at it until the runs were completed. I wanted to run these just free and easy, no hard running and no big hills. To avoid the hills I modified my route some. Both days I ran five miles. Tuesday I did the run in 37:35 and today it took me only 35:45. Today's run felt like the same effort as yesterday and is a good sign for Sunday. If I could keep up this "easy" pace for 26.2 that PR could be had. Tomorrow I'll likely run 4 or 5 miles, and then rest for Sunday after that. The weather for Sunday's marathon looks real good right now. Let's hope that forecast holds.

Hunting:
A few years ago I tore out a magazine article on bow hunting tips. I jotted these down and added a few of my own. With that said here are some tips to keep in mind to be successful.

*Have a somewhat detailed plan and a good idea of how and where you will hunt.
*Have a good knowledge of the terrain and where deer travel.
*Always be downwind of where deer move. The key word is always.
*Know which deer frequent your hunting area. Some areas are better noted for big bucks than anything else. Have everything in your backpack you’ll need. An extra release, more Game Tracker string, compass, light, matches, Space Blanket and other items.
*Wear clean clothing and clean rubber boots.
*Shoot two or three times at a target before going out. Know exactly where your bow is shooting.
*Use a Game Tracker device. It can help eliminate long hours of searching for a weak or nonexistent blood trail.
*Use only razor-sharp broad heads. Factory sharpened heads are rarely sharp enough.
*Wear a safety harness when hunting from a tree stand.
*Visually inspect all stands before committing to them. Don’t take unnecessary risks.
*Inspect areas within shooting range for open shots, and commit them to memory. Know where you can shoot.
*Use a grunt call sparingly. Too many hunters call too loud and too often. Err on the side of too little and not too loud or often.
*Know your best shots and wait for either a broadside or quartering-away shot. Never take a low-percentage shot.
*Pay attention to what other deer are doing while you wait for your buck to turn and offer a good shot. Make certain you can draw without being seen or heard.
*Pick your shot. Never shoot at the center of mass, but pick the exact spot to aim. Concentrate on not lifting your head at the shot because it can cause the arrow to go high. Follow through!
*Know your ideal shooting range and never exceed it.
*Always sit quiet and motionless. Be still and be quiet, and draw the bow smoothly and silently.
*Know a deer’s body language. It will tell hunter what the animal will do. Each deer is as different from other deer as fingerprints, and that means that each animal can and will react different to various stimuli.
*Hunt alone. A solitary hunter is quieter, moves less, and there is less chance of one person spooking a deer than two people.
*Be prepared for a shot at any moment. Deer hunting means paying attention. Never be caught with the bow anywhere other than in your hand.
*And an extra bonus tip for good measure. Shoot once, shoot straight and don’t miss.

Gardening:
Last night we had our first frost. Tonight we are likely to have more. I covered up a few things to give them a little more time. Some plants are just done for the year. The frost will kill all the pumpkin and squash vines for sure. At least we shouldn't have a hard freeze. If we do I'm in trouble as the rind on the pumpkins could get ruined. There was no time to pick all of them so I'm hoping for the best.