| How to Shoot an Arrow Posted: 26 Jul 2018 01:00 AM PDT Archery has been around for thousands of years and remains a fun, challenging activity to this day. Whether you're doing it for sport, competition, or food, knowing how to properly load, aim, and fire your bow will make the difference between a whiffed shot and a bullseye. EditShooting a Drawstring Bow - Line your body up perpendicular to the target. When you're ready to shoot, line yourself up so that, if you drew an imaginary line from yourself to the target, the line would go across your feet. If you are right eye dominant, hold the bow with your left hand, point your left shoulder to the target, and handle the arrow and string with your right hand. If you are left eye dominant, do the reverse.
- Stand upright and place your feet shoulder-width apart. Pinch your buttocks together to bring your pelvis forward. Keep your back erect so that, when you pull the string, your arms and shoulders form a "T" shape. Your stance should be comfortable enough to hold for long periods of time, but also firm and alert.[1]
- Point your bow down and attach an arrow to the string. Point your bow toward the ground and place the shaft of an arrow on the arrow rest. Attach the back of the arrow to the bow string via the small plastic component with a groove in it, called the nock. If the arrow has 3 vanes, or fletching feathers, orient the arrow so that a single vane points away from the bow. Then, place the arrow below the nock bead or, if there are 2 beads, in between them.[2]
- Use 3 fingers to lightly hold the arrow on the string. If you're shooting with a sight, place your index finger above the arrow and your middle and ring fingers below. This is called the Mediterranean draw or "split finger" style. If you're shooting without a sight, place all 3 fingers below the arrow, which will bring the arrow closer to your eye. Use your thumb to support the back of the arrow and keep it straight.[3]
- Point your bow toward the target. With your fingers on the drawstring, raise your bow and hold it out toward the target. Your inner elbow should be parallel to the ground and the bow should always remain vertical. When held properly, you should be able to look straight down the spine of the arrow.[4]
- Use 3 fingers to pull the bow's drawstring back toward your face. Use your back muscles for strength and let your arm stay as relaxed as possible. Keep pulling until the bow feels tight, then use your chin, ear, or another body part as a reference point, that way you can draw the string back to the same spot each time.[5]
- Try to draw the string as far back as possible. This increases accuracy and dampens the effect of wind and gravity.
- When you pull back the string, lift your elbow up. This makes your shoulder muscles work instead of your arm muscles.
- Aim at your target. Most casual archers will use a technique known as instinctive shooting. In this method, simply point your bow so that the tip of the arrow lines up with your target. If you want to fine-tune your aim, try purchasing an adjustable sight that attaches to the front of your bow. When shooting, you can either close your non-dominant eye or keep both eyes open.[6]
- Release the arrow by relaxing the fingers on your string hand. The goal is to get a clean release, meaning the bow leaves your fingers with as little slowdown and interference as possible. While this may sound simple, the manner in which you release your fingers from the bowstring can impact the arrow's flight, and any unintended flinches or wobbles can knock it off course. After releasing the arrow, wait until it hits the target to lower the bow.[7]
- Do not move your hand forward to "boost" the arrow while you shoot. Remain still for the best shot possible.
- Pay attention to the bow's recoil or follow through, as it may indicate problems with your form.
EditFiring a Crossbow - Pull or crank the string to cock the bow. If you're using a manual crossbow, place your foot into the stirrup located at the front of the bow, then pull the string toward the back of the device until it cocks. Make sure to keep the string as even as possible. For crank crossbows, attach your crank to the device if necessary, then simply turn the crank until the bow cocks.[8]
- Load the crossbow with an arrow. After cocking the bow, place a crossbow bolt or arrow into the barrel of the device and line the cock vane up with the barrel channel. For safety, load the arrow from the top of the device, keeping your hand away from the main chamber and the front of the bow at all times.[9]
- Bring the bow to your shoulder. Similar to a rifle, bring the crossbow up to your dominant shoulder and either push it into the pocket of your shoulder or let it sit on top of your shoulder. Then, place your non-dominant hand below the crossbow to steady it, making sure to keep your fingers away from the main chamber. Do not freehand your crossbow as it can lead to inaccurate and dangerous shots.[10]
- Freehanding is when someone holds their crossbow in 1 hand and attempts to shoot it.
- Aim your shot using the bow's sight pin or scope. If your crossbow has a scope, peer through it and line the aiming reticles up with your target. Make sure to check your scope's user manual so you know what each reticle means. If your device does not have a specialty scope, line up your shot using the crossbow's peep sight or other alignment device.[11]
- Fire your crossbow. When you're ready to shoot, hold your crossbow steady and double check your scope or sight. Then, pull the trigger like you would on a gun. When the arrow releases, you'll hear a slight pop from the trigger.[12]
EditGearing Up - Determine your dominant eye. With archery, eye dominance is more important than hand-dominance because your dominant eye is what will handle aiming and judging distances. To figure out which of your eyes is dominant, point your finger toward a distant wall or object and close 1 of your eyes. If your finger appears to jump, you closed your dominant eye.[13]
- Buy a bow that matches your dominant eye. Most archery equipment is labeled as "right-handed" or "left-handed" in reference to which hand pulls back the bowstring. If your dominant eye does not line up with your dominant hand, purchase equipment for your weaker hand. Though it may take your hands some time to adjust, picking gear based on your eyes will boost your precision.[14]
- Typically, you can use crossbows in either hand.
- Choose arrows to go with your bow. For crossbows, look for bolts that adhere to the length, density, and nock recommendations given by your bow's manufacturer. When dealing with drawstring bows, purchase arrows that are about longer than your draw length. If possible, purchase high-quality arrows made from carbon fiber, aluminium, fiberglass, or wood.[15]
- If you're planning to shoot targets, get arrows with field point heads. If you're going hunting, use broadhead or blunt tips instead. Judo points are also used. They have small clasps that grip onto the prey after you shoot it.
- To find your draw length, pull back your bow as if you were going to shoot it. Then, have a friend measure the distance between the front of the bow and the back of the string.
- Purchase protective gear. Certain pieces of equipment are essential for ensuring both a safe and enjoyable shooting experience. Some items to consider buying include an arm-guard to cover you bow arm and protect it from bowstring slaps, a plastic chest protector to prevent string burn along your chest, gloves or a finger tab to protect your hands from string injuries, and a quiver to hold your arrows.[16]
- The finger tab/glove is the most important. Without it, you can get permanent nerve damage even on a 20 lb. bow. Trying to tough it out is not a good option even if you have developed callouses by playing guitar or something else.
- Buy targets and other practice equipment. For archery, the best way to practice is with a personal target. These come in a variety of forms including bag targets, which work well for simple point heads, foam targets, which can handle notch and broadheads, and 3D targets, which look like wild animals, zombies, and other creatures. Along with targets, consider buying things like:
- Strength training bars
- Release trainers
- Practice bows
- Try doing push ups, pull ups, and other arm strengthening exercises before you shoot. This will make it easier to hold the bow.
- Seeing a coach and getting instruction is the best way to learn as you will always have a form fault that is hard to spot for you and can be easily corrected when someone else watches you.
- Do not pull back and release the bowstring without an arrow as "dry firing" can create micro-fractures in the bow.
- Never aim at something you don't intend to shoot.
- Have a backstop at all times to your target in case you miss.
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| How to Fish in Freshwater Posted: 25 Jul 2018 05:00 PM PDT Freshwater fishing is a popular since it requires a simple tackle setup and you can fish from a variety of locations, like lakes, ponds, and rivers, as opposed to oceans. Before you grab your gear, think about what kind of fish you want to catch, like trout or bass. Be sure to check the weather to help you decide on a fishing spot.Then, attach a freshwater rig to your line, make your cast, and get ready to catch a big one! EditSelecting Your Gear - Select a rod around long to catch small fish. Look for rods made out of fiberglass or graphite. Small freshwater fish are classified by smaller species or shorter lengths of larger species, like large-mouth bass.[1]
- Smaller rods are often used to catch bluegill, bass, trout, and crappie.
- Go with a rod long to catch larger fish. Longer rods are better suited to catch larger freshwater fish because the extended length will help balance the weight of the fish. Select a rod made out of fiberglass or graphite to give your rod flexibility.[2]
- This is standard size for a fishing rod. Most beginners choose a size in between these lengths.
- Larger rods are popular if you are fishing for walleye, pike, trout, or bass.
- Use a bait-casting reel for casting larger lures over a long distance. You may be casting a lure from the shore of a lake to the center, or down a long river. Larger lures will also help you catch larger fish. These reels are also good to use with heavier lures.[3]
- Use an open or closed-bail spinning reel if you are using lighter lures. These are easy to use because they have a mechanical pickup that retrieves the line and an anti-reverse lever that prevents the crank handle from rotating while a fish is pulling.[4]
- Most beginners start with a medium or medium-light spinning reel.
- Size your hook based on the size of fish you hope to catch. Fishing hook sizes range from 32 to 1, with the larger the number, the smaller the hook. You can choose from 3 basic hook types: bait-cast, fly-cast, and bait and spin-cast lure hooks..[5]
- Use a smaller size hook (32-20) for smaller fish, and larger sized hooks (1-15) for larger fish
- You can determine the size of your hook by searching online or asking an employee at a local tackle shop.
- Specify your hook type based on different species of fish and fishing methods. For example, use a size 4 hook with a soft plastic lure to catch bass.
- Choose either live or artificial bait to catch freshwater fish. You can purchase bait at a tackle shop. For live bait, you can find your own as well. Live bail includes worms, minnows, crickets, or leeches. Artificial bait mimic fish's natural food, and they are often in the form of spinners, jigs, poppers, flies, and spoons.[6]
- To determine what kind of bait, research online to see what bait different fish prefer. For example, whitefish are often caught with a jig and a spoon.
- Grab your line and remaining tackle, like sinkers and floaters. Fishing line comes in many different weights based on strength. Sinkers are tackle that weigh down your bait to the bottom. Floaters hare small pieces of plastic that stay at the surface of the water, so you can keep track of your line. [7]
- Choose a test line.
- "Pound test" means the strength of the line.
- Try to match your pound test fishing line to the size of your rod and reel.
- Getting the right weight of line is important because if your line is too heavy, it may be visible under water, and if your line is too light, a fish may snap it.
- Buy a tackle box to put hold all your gear. Take your line, hooks, lures, and tackle, and put them in your tackle box so you are ready to go. It is helpful to pack extra hooks and scissors as well.
- Get a fishing license if you need one. Before you head out, look up the fishing laws in the area you are visiting. You may need to get get a resident, non-resident or a tourist license, depending on how long you plan on fishing.[8]
- You can get fishing licenses at hunting or sporting stores or online.
- In the United States and Canada, most states require a fishing license to catch freshwater fish, and you will be fined if you are caught fishing without a license.
EditChoosing When to Fish - Fish in between a new moon and a full moon for optimal catch times. Freshwater fish are influenced by the gravitational pull of the moon, much like all animals. Some fish have peak catching times based on the moon phases, particularly the full moon.[9]
- You can find out the moon phase by researching online. Visit sites like https://www.moongiant.com or refer to the Farmer's Almanac.
- Fish around the sunrise or the sunset to take advantage of feeding time. Fish tend to be the most active around sunrise and sunset, and this is when they primarily feed. They also are less active during the hot, muggy parts of the day, particularly in the summer.[10]
- Cast your line in the shallow waters if you're fishing in the spring. In the spring, the shallow waters warm up the fastest, and that warmth provides an attractive place for fish to swim and eat.[11]
- Aim for the middle of the lake during summertime. Because the water temperatures in summertime tend to be warm all around, fish prefer the deeper water in the summer. For best results, cast your line deep into the lake or river if you're fishing in summer.[12]
- Try different spots if you're fishing in the fall. Water temperatures fluctuate in the fall, so fish are often on the move at this time. Try a few different spots in the lake or river you're fishing in until you start getting some bites.[13]
EditMaking a Freshwater Rig - Use a clinch knot to attach your rig to your line. Run your line through your tackle, and create a small loop when you get to the end by bringing the end of the line towards your hook. Make 5 "S" twists around the line, and bring the end towards the hook. Push your knot through the first loop made near the eye (the loop you made before the "s" twists), and pull your knot tight.[14]
- Regardless of what kind of rig you make, you can tie a clinch knot for a secure hold.
- Make a basic bobber rig to easily identify your line in the water. Your rig is the way you assemble your hook, bait, lures, or other tackle. Weave your line through the hole in your bobber one time, and tie your hook to your line. This is a great rig for beginners.[15]
- Try a sliding sinker rig if you want to cast to the bottom. First, cut a piece of line. Tie a swivel to an end of the line and a hook to the other end. Slide a sinker onto your main line, and then run your main line through your swivel. Then, tie a knot to connect your separate line to your main line.[16]
- This is popular because you can fish from either shore or a boat and easily get your bait to the bottom of the water.
- Use a 3-way rig if you want to keep your bait off the bottom. Tie your main line to 1 eye of a swivel. Cut 2 lines, 1 about and the other about and tie them to the remaining 2 eyes of the swivel. Tie your hook to the longer added line, and then tie a sinker to the shorter added line.[17]
- This is recommended for river fishing or fishing in areas with a current.
- Do this to catch catfish, for example.
EditCatching Your Fish - Bait your hook with your artificial or live bait. Select one piece of bait, artificial or live, and pierce your bait with your hook. Pierce the hook several times through your bait so it will be securely attached to the hook. Try to hide the hook inside of your bait.[18]
- Store your artificial bait in your tackle box when not using it to fish.
- Bring your rod over your shoulder and flick it forward to make your cast. Press the release button and hold it down. With your dominant hand, lift your rod over your shoulder, and let go of the release button to release your line. Move the rod quickly and consistently to make your cast.[19]
- Fish tend to hang out where shallow water becomes deeper in lakes and rivers. Aim to cast in these locations to catch the most fish.
- Check behind you before you make your cast so you don't hit anyone!
- Wait patiently for a bite. Sometimes fish will bite right away if they are hungry, and other times you'll be waiting for a nibble for quite some time. You can cast your line again if you aren't getting any bites. Eat lunch while you wait, or talk to your fishing buddies.[20]
- If you put your rod down, make sure you can grab it quickly if a fish does bite. You don't want your big catch to run off with your gear!
- Set your hook when you feel something tug your line. When you feel a light tug or jerk, pull straight up on your rod. This is called "setting" your hook. You are piercing the fish's lip with your hook, and now you can reel it in.
- Reel in your fish quickly to bring in your catch. Crank your handle quickly and consistently so you don't lose your fish. Slow down a bit when you start to see the fish underneath the surface, so you can securely bring it on shore or onto your boat.
- Keep or release the fish, based on local laws. Identify the type of fish and review local laws regarding catching and releasing it. Many areas have different laws for all species of freshwater fish, based on sizing and population. You can unhook your fish and either bring it home for dinner or let it go.
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| How to Grow Cuttings from Established Plants Posted: 25 Jul 2018 09:00 AM PDT Not all plants have to be grown from a seed. If you have an existing plant that you like, you can grow a new plant from one of its branches. Growing a plant from a cutting will take a couple of weeks, but is fairly easy to do as long as you follow the right steps. First, you'll need to cut off a young stem with a new shoot, then you'll have to grow a new root system using a bottle of water or a porous soil mixture. Once the roots have formed, all you need to do is transplant the cutting to soil and wait for your new plant to grow. EditMaking the Cuts - Determine if your species of plant can grow from a cutting. Not all plants can grow from cuttings. Popular plants to grow from cuttings include rosemary, mint, basil, tomatoes, roses, English ivy, Chinese evergreen, and red and yellow dogwood plants. Check online or in a gardening guide to confirm that the plant you want to propagate can grow from cuttings.[1]
- Cut off a branch from the existing plant. Choose a healthy, disease-free branch from the top of the plant. Use gardening pruners and cut off the branch at its base.[2] Each cutting should be approximately long.[3]
- Look for a young, thin branch, ideally one with new growth or shoots on it. These will grow best when transplanted.
- Cut off big branches and 2/3 of leaves from the branch. Leaves and offshoot branches will inhibit new root growth, which is necessary to grow a plant from a cutting. Use your pruners to cut away offshoot branches and 2/3 of all the leaves on the cutting.[4]
- If the remaining leaves on the branch start to die while the roots are growing, it means that your new plant is dying.
- Cut the bottom of larger, woody branches on a 30-degree angle. Make an angled cut on the bottom of your cutting. This will help you remember which side is the bottom and will help you push the cutting into soil later. If you are growing herbs, you can skip this step.[5]
- Decide whether to grow your cutting in water or soil. The roots of larger plants with thick woody branches are known as hardwood cuttings and grow better in soil. Smaller herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary can initially be grown in water. Choose the method that best applies to your situation.[6]
- You can use the soil method for herbaceous and hardwood cuttings.
EditUsing the Soil Method - Scrape off the bark on the bottom of hardwood cuttings. Scrape off the top layer of bark near the bottom of your cutting with your pruners. Make sure not to cut too deep or you may damage the branch. Doing this will help the roots grow at the base of the new plant. If you are planting herb cuttings, you can skip this step.[7]
- Dab the end of the cutting in a root hormone, if desired. Purchase a gel or powder root hormone from a gardening store or online. Dabbing the bottom of the cutting into the hormone may speed up growth.[8]
- Transplant your cutting into a pot filled with a potting medium. The porosity of sand and perlite makes it a great medium to grow cuttings. You can also use a potting soil mixed with perlite or vermiculite. Push a pencil into the soil to create a hole for your cutting, then place the bottom half of the cutting into the soil.[9]
- Purchase a potting medium at a gardening or hardware store.
- Use a pot that has drainage holes in the bottom of it.
- Water the medium thoroughly. Thoroughly saturate the soil so that it's completely wet. Your new cutting will require a lot of water initially before roots begin to form.[10]
- The soil should not pool on the top of your pot. If it does, it means you aren't using the right potting soil or your pot doesn't have drainage holes.
- Secure a plastic bag over the top of the pot. Tape or tie a plastic bag over the top of the pot, making sure that the bag doesn't touch the plant. This will increase the humidity around the cutting and will encourage growth.[11]
- Wait for 2-3 weeks for roots to form. Keep the cutting in a bright area, but away from direct sunlight. In 2-3 weeks, roots should have formed on the bottom of the cutting. Carefully feel under the cutting with your fingers to see if roots have started growing. If they have not developed, you'll have to make another cutting and restart the process.[12]
- Transplant the cutting once roots have formed. Once roots have grown out of the bottom of the cutting, it's ready to be moved to its permanent growing location. Use a small gardening shovel and dig around the cutting, making sure not to sever any of the new roots. Extract the plant from the pot and put it into new soil.[13]
EditGrowing Cuttings in Water - Place the end of the cutting in a root hormone if desired. Root hormone can promote the growth of a new plant. Purchase either the gel or powder form of the hormone from a department or gardening store and dip the bottom end of the cutting in the hormone.[14]
- Do not inhale powdered root hormone.
- Place the cutting into a bottle of water for up to 2 weeks. Place the bottom of the cutting into a bottle or glass of water. Over the span of a week or 2, new roots should start to grow out of the bottom of your cutting.[15]
- Transplant your cutting to soil after roots start to develop. Take your plant out of the water and place the bottom of the cutting into well-ventilated soil like perlite or vermiculite. Keep the cutting in a dark place for 2-3 days so that the plant doesn't have to expend energy on photosynthesis.[16]
- Place the plant in a sunny area and water it, if necessary. If you are growing your plant inside, you should water it every 2-3 days. If you are keeping it outside, make sure to put it in an area that gets adequate sunlight. Look in a gardening guide or online to find the proper way to maintain your new plant.
EditThings You'll Need EditMaking the Cuts EditSoil Method - Pruners
- Root hormone (optional)
- Sand and perlite potting mix
- Plastic bag
- Rubber band or string
- Gardening Shovel
EditCuttings in Water - Root hormone (optional)
- Bottle or glass
- Water
- Potting soil
- Perlite
- Gardening shovel
- If the leaves die on your cutting or roots haven't grown in 2-4 weeks, you'll need to take a new cutting and start the process over.
EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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