Pine Ridge Archery

How Far Is Far Enough? Determining Your Ethical Crossbow Shooting Distance

Bowfishing 101: A Fun Summer Sport That Sharpens Your Archery Skills

KIDS ARCHERY 101 - BY TRACY BREEN

In the last five years, a plethora of movies have hit the big screen that portray archery in a positive light. The Hunger Games is by far the most popular movie series out there that has put archery front and center in today’s culture. Brave from Disney and others have also helped shed some light on how awesome the sport of archery can be. As a result, more kids are asking their parents if they can shoot a bow. John Schaffer from Schaffer Performance Archery in Minnesota has noticed an uptick in bow sales. Schaffer owns a pro shop and manufactures bow sights and arrow rests. “We have noticed many people bringing kids into the shop asking for a kids’ bow in the last few years. It is really cool that parents and kids are interested in the sport of archery,” Schaffer said. Getting started in archery is not like learning to play basketball. Some attention to detail is required. It is best if a child gets a quality bow and quality instruction. Below are a few tips to get a child started properly started in archery.

VISIT A PRO-SHOP

John Schaffer is quick to point out that if a parent is planning to purchase their child a bow, they should purchase a bow from an archery pro shop, not a box store. “When a person comes into a pro shop with a child, we spend a lot of time making sure they purchase a bow that fits them. We also make sure they are pulling the proper amount of weight,” said Schaffer. “I see many parents purchase a bow that doesn’t fit their child and the kid often ends up pulling too much weight so it is hard for them to pull back the bow. If a child can only pull 10 pounds, that’s fine. Eventually they will pull more weight. In the beginning, we want them only pulling what they can comfortably draw,” Schaffer explained.

PURCHASE A BOW A CHILD CAN GROW WITH

It is important to note when picking out a bow for a youngster that a bow is chosen that the kid can grow with. “Many companies including Mission Archery, PSE and others make bows that have adjustable draw weight and draw length so a kid can use the same bow for years as they grow.” Once you have a bow for your child trick it out in colored accessories from Pine Ridge Archery. “Kids all have a favorite color,” said Bychowski. “Tricking their bow out in all matching accessories makes shooting more fun for a kid.”

START THEM OFF CLOSE 
When introducing a child to archery, Schaffer suggests starting them close to the target. “Because adults often shoot at 20 or 30 yards, many parents think their kids should be shooting at the same distance. Kids will have a hard time hitting the target at that distance when they are just starting out. I start every kid at five or ten feet. The goal early on is to just hit the target. I am not worried about accuracy. When they can consistently hit a target, I lengthen the distance between them and the target.” Schaffer also starts kids off shooting at balloons because kids love hearing the balloon pop when the arrow hits it. “The goal is to make archery fun and exciting and shooting at balloons does that,” Schaffer added.

BUY A TARGET

Once a child is set up, it is important that they shoot at home if possible. “We always encourage parents to get their kids a target so they can shoot in the backyard if it is legal where they live. Parents shouldn’t just purchase any target. There are youth targets on the market. Morrell Targets and others make targets that are built to be shot at with lightweight bows. It is really discouraging for a kid if they shoot at a target and the arrow bounces off the target. Arrows will not penetrate targets built for kids and the arrows will be easy to remove for the kids, which makes shooting fun. After a kid is pulling plenty of weight, buy them a few 3D targets for the backyard. Kids love shooting at animals. It also helps teach them about the anatomy of animals which they will need to know if they start bowhunting,” Schaffer noted.

TRY A LEAGUE OR A TOURNAMENT

Archery is just like any sport; the more a child shoots their bow, the more accurate they will become. “We have youth leagues in our store and it has become very popular. Children enjoy competition so kids are attracted to leagues,” Schaffer said. Brian Bychowski from Pine Ridge Archery has taken it one step further. His daughter, Elena shoots in tournaments all over the country and they both have a great time doing it. “The wonderful thing about archery is a child can quickly see the results of their hard work. My daughter loves to shoot competition. We never get too serious; we just have fun with it. There is no doubt that she will be bowhunting with me when she gets a little older. The goal right now is to make archery and tournaments fun,” Bychowski said.

HAVE FUN 

Schaffer echoed what Bychowski said. “I tell parents they need to keep it fun. We never try to overload a kid with too much technical information when we start them out. We put a bow in their hand, teach them a little bit about proper form and technique, and let them shoot several arrows. Keeping it fun is a necessity and when it is fun, they will keep doing it.”

GET INVOLVED IN ARCHERY PROGRAMS

P.J. Perea from the NWTF knows all about keeping archery fun. The NWTF has partnered with N.A.S.P (The National Archery In The Schools Program) and Scholastic 3D Archery to promote archery to kids in school and after school. “These programs teach the sport of archery and show kids how much fun archery can be. The N.A.S.P. program gets kids started with archery while they are at school. The S3DA is a program to get kids into 3D archery. Of course, if you get kids into shooting 3D animals, eventually many of those kids are going to want to archery hunt which gets more hunters in the woods which is a big plus for hunting and the NWTF,” said Perea. “Getting kids involved in archery is a great thing all the way around. Archery is a sport anyone can participate in and many kids who start out just shooting for fun take up bowhunting.” Matt McPherson from Mathews Archery once told me the thing that makes archery cool is that a kid doesn’t have to be athletic to excel it. Many of us were not born to be baseball or football stars. Yet we can all excel in the sport of archery. If you have a child who needs a little confidence booster, put a bow in their hand and watch their face light up. Many kids who have grown up with a bow in their hand have gone on to be some of the best archers in the world. If you haven’t done so already, bring your child into a pro-shop and get them started on the right foot. The smile on their face when they see the first arrow hit the bullseye will be priceless.

Sidebar 1- PROPER SETUP AND TECHNIQUE

Some parents want their child to shoot a recurve or longbow like they see in the movies. Some parents want their child to use a compound bow, especially if the parent already owns a compound bow. Schaffer recommends a compound. “If a child is under the age of 6 years old, we start them on a Mathews Genesis bow without any sight or gadgets except a kisser button. If a child is over the age of 6, we have them start with a compound bow that has an adjustable draw weight and draw length. We set them up with a kisser button, a sight and a rest. This allows them to start learning proper form and shooting techniques right off the bat. A kisser button really helps a child learn how to shoot the same way, shot after shot. Learning on a traditional bow takes more time and they are much harder to pull back. A compound is typically a better choice for a child.”

Get Ready for Hunting Season with the Pine Ridge Archery 30-Day Plank Challenge

Hunting season will be here before we know it, and now is the perfect time to start getting in shape. Strong core muscles make a huge difference in your balance, stability, and shooting form. That’s why we’re inviting everyone to join the 30-Day Plank Challenge—a fun, simple way to improve fitness before fall arrives. If you want to get fully prepared with top-quality gear as well, check out the full lineup at Pine Ridge Archery.

Why Planking Helps Bowhunters

Planks are one of the most effective exercises for building core strength, and the core is the foundation of steady shooting. A strong core helps you:

• Hold your bow steadier

• Reduce shake while aiming

• Maintain better posture

• Improve your follow-through

• Handle long hours in the field

Because planks require no equipment and take only a few minutes, they’re perfect for hunters with busy schedules. And if you want to pair your training with new stabilizers, wrist slings, or peeps, you can see all options at Pine Ridge Archery.

Join the 30-Day Plank Challenge (#pineridgeplank)

The challenge is simple:
Follow the daily plank chart, take photos of your progress, and share them on the Pine Ridge Archery Facebook page using #pineridgeplank. Throughout the challenge, we’ll pick lucky participants to receive Pine Ridge Archery swag—even more motivation to stay consistent!

If you're looking for a fun community to stay active with, the #pineridgeplank group is a great place to start. And while you're there, explore gear upgrades like NITRO Vanes and stabilizers at Pine Ridge Archery.

No Gym Needed—Just a Few Minutes a Day

You don’t need a gym membership, weights, or expensive equipment to participate. All you need is a small open space, a little motivation, and a few minutes each day. Planking fits easily into any schedule—whether you're at home, at work, or even traveling.

A quick daily plank routine pairs perfectly with preseason equipment prep. If you're tuning your bow or making upgrades, consider adding accessories like a Pine Ridge Archery string loop, Nitro Peep, or Nitro Stabilizer, all available at Pine Ridge Archery.

Build Strength Before You Hit the Woods

Getting into better shape now will make hunting season more enjoyable. Stronger muscles help you draw smoother, shoot more consistently, and stay comfortable during long sits or stalks. The 30-Day Plank Challenge is an easy first step toward better fitness—and better performance in the woods.

Combine your fitness routine with reliable, American-made accessories from Pine Ridge Archery, and you’ll be more ready than ever when opening day arrives.

Ready… Set… GO!

Join us today by posting your first plank photo. Stay committed, share your progress, and get in shape alongside fellow bowhunters. We can’t wait to see your #pineridgeplank posts!

TIPS FOR BOWHUNTING LONGBEARDS

Spring is coming and now is the time to consider bowhunting gobblers this spring. Taking a turkey with a bow can be extremely challenging. The eyesight of a gobbler combined with the fact that they spook easily makes getting to full draw difficult. If you want to kill a turkey with a bow this spring, below are some tips to help you prepare for opening day.

• Practice from a blind if you intend to hunt from a blind. Shooting from a blind isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Set a blind up in your backyard and shoot at your target at a variety of different yardages. Shoot at the target at five and ten yards, not just at 20 and 30 yards. Turkeys often come in close and shooting high happens often in the turkey woods. Knowing exactly where to aim when a bird is in close is a necessity. Don’t guess because the vitals on a turkey are extremely small.
• Know where the vitals are located on a turkey. The vitals are only the size of a softball and knowing where to aim, especially if a bird is strutting, can be difficult. If you know where the vitals are located, you will know where to aim regardless if the bird is strutting, facing away from you, or standing broadside. Check out turkey vital diagrams online or look at a Master Target face target.
• Consider shooting a turkey in the head. A head shot can be difficult but the wonderful thing about a head shot is if you hit the head, the bird dies; if you miss, it lives to see another day. You don’t have to worry about wounding a bird. If you are considering shooting only at the head, purchase one of the broadheads designed especially for the headshot.
• Use a top notch decoy. Avian X and others make decoys that look life like. The closer you can get a longbeard to your decoy, the better chance you have of going home with a gobbler in your vest. Realistic decoys pull birds in close. The best turkey decoy is a real stuffed bird. If that is out of your price range, consider buying a Turkey Skinz. Turkey Skinz are a real turkey skin that wraps around any foam decoy to give the decoy a lifelike look. The skin has feathers and wings attached so it makes any decoy look great.
• Use bright fletching. Pine Ridge Nitro Vanes are available in many bright colors. You will always want to know where the arrow hits when shooting the bird. Bright fletching will help you determine where you hit the bird. I always aim right above the drumsticks and love watching the arrow disappear into the bird about three to six inches above where the legs attach to the body.

Why Winter Archery Leagues Make You a Better Archer All Year Long

For many bowhunters across the northern United States, winter makes outdoor shooting almost impossible. Snow piles up, temperatures drop into the single digits, and stepping outside to fling a few arrows simply isn’t enjoyable. So what can you do to stay sharp during the coldest months of the year? According to John Schaffer of Schaffer Performance Archery in Burnsville, MN, one of the best things you can do is join a winter archery league. If you want to try new accessories during the off-season, you can find them at Pine Ridge Archery.

Stay in Shooting Shape All Winter

Many bowhunters take half the year off from shooting, and by the time summer rolls around, they’re trying to rebuild strength, form, and consistency. Shooting in an indoor league keeps your muscles active and your form sharp. Schaffer explains it simply: “By shooting during the winter, a bowhunter can keep his muscles strong, his form in good shape, and even learn how to shoot better under pressure.”

If you’re thinking about upgrading stabilizers, vanes, or string accessories, winter is a perfect testing season. Check out options like NITRO Vanes and NITRO Stabilizers at Pine Ridge Archery.

The Off-Season Is the Best Time to Experiment With Gear

Winter leagues give you a controlled environment to try out new sights, rests, arrows, or accessories. Instead of scrambling in late August, you get months to dial in your setup long before the season arrives.

It’s also the ideal time to experiment with new products such as Pine Ridge Archery’s NITRO Vanes or a new NITRO Stabilizer. Using them indoors allows you to see how they group and tune without weather affecting your results. Explore these upgrades anytime at Pine Ridge Archery.

Learn to Shoot Under Pressure

Shooting at a deer is stressful—even for experienced hunters. Indoor leagues recreate a version of that pressure. When people watch you shoot, or you’re trying to beat friends standing behind you, your nerves kick in. Schaffer notes that this pressure is actually a benefit: “Shooting when a lot of people are watching you can be very nerve-racking… This little bit of pressure forces a person to concentrate on making the shot.”

Over time, the anxiety fades, and you become a calmer, more confident bowhunter. To keep your setup looking sharp, browse color-matched accessories from Pine Ridge Archery.

Accountability Helps You Improve

It’s easy to say you’ll shoot in your basement during winter—but most people don’t follow through. Joining a league creates accountability. You’re committed to a weekly schedule, often with friends, which means you’ll actually show up and shoot. By spring, you won’t be dusting off old habits; you’ll already be shooting tight groups.

Adding consistent practice with well-tuned gear—like stabilizers, loops, and peep sights from Pine Ridge Archery—helps you enter the season fully prepared.

Final Thoughts

An indoor archery league is one of the best tools for winter training. It keeps your form sharp, builds confidence under pressure, encourages regular shooting, and gives you time to experiment with new gear. When spring arrives, you’ll be shooting better than ever.

If you want to upgrade your setup during the winter months, explore high-quality vanes, stabilizers, and accessories at Pine Ridge Archery today.

Antelope on a Budget: Why This Affordable Bowhunt Offers Big Rewards

When most bowhunters dream about an out-of-state hunt, their minds go straight to chasing whitetails. Whitetails are the most popular big-game animal in North America, and it’s no surprise that many hunters want a shot at a trophy buck. But what most people don’t realize is that bowhunting whitetails with an outfitter only has about a 30% success rate. If you want an adventure that offers a higher chance of success and doesn’t drain your wallet, hunting antelope should be at the top of your list.

Before your next hunt, it’s always smart to fine-tune your setup with quality gear from Pine Ridge Archery.

Why Antelope Are a Budget-Friendly Bowhunt

Antelope hunts are surprisingly affordable compared to other guided hunts. Many outfitters out west offer opportunities that cost $2,000 or less, making them accessible for most bowhunters who want a big adventure without breaking the bank.

Success rates are also much higher. Most bowhunters who book an antelope hunt—especially one sitting over a waterhole—will get a shot opportunity. That alone makes an antelope trip more exciting and rewarding than many traditional guided hunts.

To prepare your bow for longer shots, explore tuning accessories such as peep sights and stabilizers at Pine Ridge Archery.

My Colorado Antelope Experience

This past fall, I hunted with Trujillo Creek Outfitters in Southern Colorado. They offer a “trespass hunt,” which means you hunt private land each day but do so without a full guide. You’re dropped off, set up in a ground blind near a waterhole, and hunt comfortably on your own. It’s simple, effective, and the success rate is extremely high.

The best part? I brought my family along. While I hunted, they explored small mountain towns, enjoyed the hotel pool, and soaked in the western scenery. It turned the hunt into a family vacation—something that’s much harder to do on a whitetail hunt unless everyone participates.

And when you bring home antelope meat, you’ll discover that it makes fantastic ground burger and table fare. Affordable, fun, and delicious—hard to beat.

If you want to personalize your bow for your next hunt, check out color-matched accessories from Pine Ridge Archery.

Long-Range Practice Is Essential

Antelope are small, fast, and alert animals. Their vitals are smaller than a whitetail’s, and long shots are common if the waterhole setup doesn’t pan out. In preparation for my hunt, I practiced regularly at 60 and 70 yards. Shooting this far requires a well-tuned bow.

For my setup, I used a Pine Ridge Archery NITRO Peep and a NITRO Stabilizer—both of which helped keep my groups tight at long range. You can find these accessories and more at Pine Ridge Archery.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a bowhunting adventure that’s affordable, family-friendly, and full of opportunity, an antelope hunt is a fantastic choice. The landscape is breathtaking, the animals are beautiful, and the success rates make the experience even more enjoyable.

Give antelope hunting a try next fall—and make sure your setup is dialed in with high-quality gear from Pine Ridge Archery.

BY TRACY BREEN
About the author: Tracy Breen is a full time outdoor writer, consultant and game dinner speaker who often discuss how he overcomes cerebral palsy. Learn more about him at www.tracybreen.com

Just Relax: How Loosening Your Grip Can Improve Accuracy and Tighten Groups

Whether you’re brand new to archery or a seasoned bowhunter, one thing many shooters struggle with is learning how to relax—before, during, and after the shot. It’s natural to want to hold the bow tightly. Many archers believe that gripping the bow harder will help keep it steady. Unfortunately, the opposite is true. A tight, tense grip often leads to poor shots. For high-quality accessories that support proper form, visit Pine Ridge Archery.

Why a Tight Grip Hurts Your Accuracy

When you choke the bow handle with a firm grip, your bow tends to react the moment the arrow is released. This movement—especially in the bow arm—throws off your shot. Even a slight flinch can cause the arrow to miss the target entirely. Poor follow-through is one of the biggest causes of inaccuracy.

A relaxed grip, on the other hand, allows the bow to move naturally. The shot breaks cleanly, the bow stays in line, and your arrows hit much closer to the center. Professional archers always shoot with a soft, relaxed bow hand for this exact reason. To help achieve that relaxed hold, many hunters rely on support accessories from Pine Ridge Archery.

The Wrist Sling: A Simple Tool That Makes a Big Difference

If you want to shoot with a loose bow hand, you need a wrist sling. A wrist sling keeps the bow secure in your hand without requiring pressure or tension. It allows you to hold the bow lightly while still keeping full control.

Pine Ridge Archery offers several great options, including the Nitro Wrist Sling and the Kwik Sling. Both are designed to keep your hand in the proper position so the bow can settle naturally during the shot. When adjusting your sling, make sure it fits snugly around your wrist to support your bow during the release.

Adding a wrist sling to your setup is a simple upgrade that can shrink your groups at both close and long ranges. You can browse sling options at Pine Ridge Archery.

Relaxing Your Trigger Hand Matters Too

Your bow hand isn’t the only part of your form that needs to relax—your trigger hand does too. Many bowhunters, especially in high-pressure situations, tend to rush the shot and punch the trigger. This jerking motion sends arrows off target.

Instead, you want a smooth, steady trigger pull. Snipers and top-level archers all rely on the same rule: squeeze—don’t punch. The best shot breaks almost by surprise.

Choosing a release with an adjustable trigger helps you dial in the perfect feel. With a softer, smoother trigger, you can train yourself to squeeze slowly until the arrow launches. Practicing this technique consistently will tighten your groups dramatically.

To complement your form improvements, explore precision accessories like stabilizers, peep sights, and loops at Pine Ridge Archery.

Final Thoughts

Good shooting starts with good form, and good form starts with a relaxed body. By learning to soften your bow grip, trust your wrist sling, and squeeze the trigger gently, you’ll see tighter groups and more consistent accuracy.

If you want to upgrade your setup with accessories that support better shooting techniques, check out Pine Ridge Archery today.

BY TRACY BREEN
About the author: Tracy Breen is a full time outdoor writer, consultant and game dinner speaker who often discuss how he overcomes cerebral palsy. Learn more about him at www.tracybreen.com

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