Yea, yea, you’re practicing out to 40-50, heck maybe even 60 or 70 yards and you’re pretty satisfied with your shooting with only a couple of weeks to go before archery opener.

Photo courtesy of Summit Treestands.

But what happens when you trudge back to the hunting cabin on opening day with your head hung low after you just missed a 10-yard chip shot. You know it wasn’t because it was too far! Maybe you snagged your headnet or shirt sleeve with the string or bounced your arrow off a branch. But more than likely, you probably forgot to bend at the waist when that big bruiser buck walked within spitting distance of your perch up in that big white oak. Now, you will be the subject of merciless ribbing from your hunting buddies.

Go through your mental checklist before touching that release, and by all means - remember to bend at the waist!