Explore Bowhunting

5 05 2014

explore bowhunting logoThe Archery Trade Association (ATA) has created a program, Explore Bowhunting, for ages 11-17. They

Explore Bowhunting's Student Handbook, The Total Set-Up and the Gut's of It: Anatomy Flip Book. Photo: Diane Hassinger

Explore Bowhunting’s Student Handbook, The Total Set-Up and the Gut’s of It: Anatomy Flip Book.
Photo: Diane Hassinger

have designed this program to “spark an interest and passion for bowhunting in today’s youth.” (http://www.archerytrade.org/grow-archery/explore-bowhunting). Well let me tell you, they succeeded! I will try not to gush about this program, but it will not happen. This is the greatest beginning bowhunting program I have seen! While I am more interested in the content, which is top-notch, the presentation and quality of the handbooks is also excellent!

This program is designed to be used by schools, outdoor education centers, recreation programs,scouts, 4-H, summer camps, events or anyone who is interested in teaching youth to bowhunt or just get close to wildlife. This program teaches fundamental skill, awards skill achievement, makes activities fun, exciting and challenging, and has options to go to the next step. Their lesson plans were created to be used at intro to bowhunting events, 1 day or 1 week camps, or as a 6 week class. Birthday parties are also a great venue to utilize this fantastic program.

Sarah working on different types of broadheads and shot placement. Photo: Shannon Best

Sarah working on different types of broadheads and shot placement.
Photo: Shannon Best

These professionally developed educational tools include; The Explore Bowhunting Curriculum Book, The Total Set-Up Equipment Booklet, Curriculum Media Pack (DVD’s and maps), a White’s Tale board game and the Student Handbook. It is apparent as soon as you open the student handbook, how much thought went into this program. It covers topics such as; tracking and animal sign, bowhunting equipment, tree stands and blinds, camouflage, hunting the wind, shot opportunity and placement, judging distance, spot and stalking, what to look for after the shot, trailing and even skinning and gutting. There is much more too, but pretty much if you can think of it being involved with bow hunting, it is in there. Pretty much like Ragu: It’s in there! The Total Set-Up Equipment Booklet is as jam-packed of helpful information. Read about archery terminology, parts of a compound bow, crossbow and recurve bow, with details on what each part does and how it works. The Explore Bowhunting Curriculum Book teaches the instructor how to teach the program, and follows along with the Student Handbook. There are also many fun activities to help teach, but make the learning fun!

We started using this program with my 2 grandchildren. Ryan at age 9 is technically younger than what the curriculum is designed for, but with his background in hunting since age 4, he followed along and understood the information. For both of them, this course was a reinforcement of what we have been teaching them already. The information is presented in such a way that it makes it easy for the kids to understand the hows and whys. They knew we hunted the wind, but didn’t fully understand everything about it until now, they just knew to do it! If you have youth in your family, church, neighborhood or schools, that are just getting started with bowhunting, this program should be a must to do! Sure you could try to teach everything on your own, but this program makes sure everything is included and in an easy to follow along presentation.

Contact your state’s wildlife agency to locate and register for a workshop of Explore Bowhunting near you. For more information about the Explore Bowhunting program, contact Emily Beach at  emilybeach@archerytrade.org; or Kelly Kelly at kellykelly@archerytrade.org.

Download the Explore Bowhunting brochure at http://www.archerytrade.org/uploads/documents/ExploreBowhunting_Brochure.pdf

Download the Explore Bowhunting Table of Contents and 2 Sample Activities at http://www.archerytrade.org/uploads/documents/SampleActivities_ExploreBowhunting2.pdf

Download the Student Handbook sample at http://www.archerytrade.org/uploads/documents/SH_Sample.pdf

ATA/Explore Bowhunting logo is the sole property of it’s rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.

Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.

 

This product review originally published on Ladies in Camo at http://ladiesincamo.com/licpr/2014/04/22/explore-bowhuntingdiane-hassinger/


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Bow Hunter Action Figures for our Bow Hunting Youths

5 05 2014

hunter dan logo

Bow Hunter Dan and Ann shooting their Mathew's Bows in their Ameristep tree stands. Photo: Hunter Dan Co.

Bow Hunter Dan and Ann shooting their Mathew’s Bows in their Ameristep tree stands.
Photo: Hunter Dan Co.

Make learning fun with Bow Hunter Dan and Bow Hunter Ann! Both 8” fully poseable action figures made by the Hunter Dan Company. There is a complete line of accessories available for them, and they come complete with lots of great hunting gear, all names we, as adults, have come to trust. They both wear Rocky Hunting Boots, Deer Hides pants and shirts, a Hunter Safety System safety harness and store this in their Scent-Loc style storage bag. They shoot Mathew’s bows, climb into an Ameristep Tree Stand, glass with their Nikon binoculars, range with their Nikon rangefinder, call with the Quaker Boy Shooter Deer Cal, and use Renzo’s Deer Decoys and rattle using their rattling antlers. These figurines are very well equipped!

Hunter Dan urges the kids to wear a safety harness whenever they leave the ground! Photo: Hunter Dan Co.

Hunter Dan urges the kids to wear a safety harness whenever they leave the ground!
Photo: Hunter Dan Co.

Accessories available include Pop-up Blind, Camp Tent and a quad called The Beast. They are hunting for big game such as Whitetail Deer, Pronghorn, Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Black Bear and Wild Turkey. They are assisted by their faithful Labrador Retriever. Our youth are only limited by their imaginations where their hunts could take place.

My granddaughter, at 11, is an avid hunter, but likes playing with these figures. We make pretend of hunts we are on, shot placements, safety issues and even tracking. Lately she has been “teaching” her 2-year-old cousin all about hunting. Together they have been to the mountains for elk, and to the local woods for black bear. They can travel the USA on their hunts of a lifetime, in their imaginations. My stairwell spindles make the perfect “trees” to set the tree stands in, and chairs create their forests. They are having a lot of fun, while making sure to play at staying safe and making ethical shots. According to Sarah, the only thing missing was a practice target, so that Dan and Ann can practice with their Mathew’s bows!

Sarah shows Ellie when a good shot placement would be on this mule deer. Stairwell spindles make great trees! Photos: Diane Hassinger

Sarah shows Ellie when a good shot placement would be on this mule deer. Stairwell spindles make great trees!
Photos: Diane Hassinger

What I like about these figures are that, Bow Hunter Ann and Dan, like our youth, wear the Hunter Safety Systems harnesses, and shoot Mathew’s bows. Play carries over into real life for us. All the action figures have held up to many hours of hard hunting play! Anything that encourages these kids to learn about hunting, while having fun, is a great addition to our house.

The MSRP for both Bow Hunter Ann and Dan is $19.99, while the accessories range from $4.99 to $21.99. All items are available for purchase at http://hunterdan.com/sort/products/action-figures/

While you are on this website, check out their extras for kids, http://hunterdan.com/extras-for-kids/, which includes downloadable coloring pages and an interactive bow-hunting game. The newest catalog from

Hunter Dan is available for downloading at http://hunterdan.com/catalog

Hunter Ann encourages all of her “HUNTIN’ BUDDIES to attend an approved Hunter Education Course before actually going afield.”

Hunter Dan logo is the sole property of it’s rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.

Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.

 

This product review originally published on Ladies in Camo at  http://ladiesincamo.com/licpr/2014/04/16/bow-hunter-action-figures-for-our-bow-hunting-youthsdiane-hassinger/


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Morrell Baseball Fieldtip Target

5 05 2014

morrell logoDo you often wish there was different way to practice archery with your children? Morrell Targets has a game series line of targets that make shooting your bow fun!

baseball

The Baseball Field Tip Target by Morrell.
Photo: Morrell Targets stock photo

These field tip bag targets feature a Baseball Game on one side off the target, and Bulls-eyes on the other. Measuring a generous 28″X28″X12″, they feature the Internal Frame System with 24 layers of arrow stopping power. The targets are 100% weatherproof, and are considered part of their X-Tended Life Targets. They are perfect for shooting with your child, as the target will stop arrows shot from both adult and youth bows. The baseball target has various sections that declare your shot a hit, home run, double play 2 outs, outs, triple play 3 outs and more. The bullseye side has 5 different bullseye targets to pick from.

These targets stopped all of the arrows within a few inches, and they were still easy to pull! Photo: Diane Hassinger

These targets stopped all of the arrows within a few inches, and they were still easy to pull!
Photo: Diane Hassinger

On a recent snowy weekend, 2 of my grandchildren were lamenting, “we have nothing to do.” That is the wrong thing to say in my presence, I will find something for them to do. Since we couldn’t run around and play baseball for real, we proceeded to get out the bows for a little fun. When I was initially looking at the target, I thought this was going to be easy, a shutout on my part. Then the target taught me there is a lot more than just shooting involved!

As we took turns shooting, I was of course shooting for the home run area. Ginger was taking the “easier” shot on the hits. After 4 shots; 4 difficult home runs for me and 3 hits and a grand slam for Ginger, we were tied up. I should have seen that one coming! There is as much strategy involved with this game as its namesake. Before we realized it, almost 2 hours had passed. We were so intent on our game that the cold didn’t matter, and the foot of snow was not a problem. We were having fun shooting and as a family!

product reviews 2014 024

Hits, Home Runs, Grand Slams; Where will you hit?
Photo: Diane Hassinger

Morrell Targets are so concerned about the future of our youth, that they donate to the NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program), by means of money for scholarship and target support. Morrell Targets are also the official target for the NASP state and national tournaments. They have earned the honor of being named a Platinum Medal Level Sponsor!

The Baseball Fieldtip Target has a MSRP of $89.99, and can be purchased at http://morrelltargets.com/products/91/Baseball-Game-Fieldpoint-Target. You can also find a dealer for these at http://morrelltargets.com/dealers/.

Morrell Targest and NASP name and logo are the sole property of its rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.

Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.

This product review originally published on Ladies in Camo at http://ladiesincamo.com/licpr/2014/04/14/morrell-baseball-fieldtip-target-diane-hassinger/


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Categories : Ladies in Camo, Product Review