T-Bone's Blog

Walk Your Sight

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:31:00 +0000

Picking Vanes

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:24:00 +0000

Recurves Baby!

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:24:00 +0000

Talkin' Pass Throughs

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:23:00 +0000

Indoor/Outdoor Shooting

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:22:00 +0000

Inserts and Arrows

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:38:00 +0000

Draw Length

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:55:00 +0000

Talkin' Spines

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:42:00 +0000

With or Without a Quiver

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:39:00 +0000

Here's the first video on several of the questions that have been sent in.
Enjoy-
Travis

Kristle's Maine Turkey Hunt

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:19:00 +0000

I wanted to share this video with everyone. Kristle has been following us on the blog since Day 1 and continues to support what we do at Realtree. So give it up for Kristle and her first turkey.

Travis

Send Me Your Questions!

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:08:00 +0000

Hey Folks-
We are gonna change things up a little in the future and we want all of you guys to be on board. We are going to be answering archery and bowhunting questions via video. What we need from you guys is to send in your questions and we will mention your name and answer your questions and explain them on video and post them right here.

So send the questions on. Just include your first name and the city and state you live in.

Yours in archery,
T-Bone

Mentor Programs?

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:24:00 +0000

Question: Im a 36-year-old father of two, a 13 year old and a 6 year old. My son watches you and other shows all the time; he really loves hunting. My problem is that I work out of state and I'm not able to take him hunting and have nobody I trust with my son. I want to know if Realtree has the answer for me?

Hey Stoney,
It sounds like you have a delima. There are several things you can do: I would research the Georgia DNR for programs. And another idea is join a local chapter of a hunting organization for help. NWTF, QDMA, Ducks Unlimited, or evening local archery clubs. You will find plenty of quality hunters and folks that would be willing to help. Also, I know some states have a fantastic mentor/big brother programs. I have a good friend in South Dakota, Al Krause, who heads up a very successful mentor program.

Any of you bloggers that have anything to add to help Mr. Stoney please chime in.

Good luck,
Travis
T-BONE

Talkin' Draw Weight

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:07:00 +0000

Here's a question from Doug on the proper draw weight for killing big-game: I bought the new Hoyt Alpha Max 32"/70# draw weight. I'm going to New Mexico on a elk hunt. Will a 65-pound draw weight be strong enough with Montec broadheads, or should I crank it to 70 pounds?

Hey Doug-
To answer your question. Yes, 65 pounds will be enough to kill an elk. But I leave you with a few little tidbits of info. If you can comfortably pull more weight, then I recommend pulling more only if it doesn't affect your groups and or tuning of the bow. Another key for good penetration is to lean towards the heavier arrow for better kinetic energy and more momentum. This day and age with fast bows and light arrows, it is attractive for folks to want to get as much speed as possible, that's the way us guys are wired, LOL! Speed is important to a certain degree, but a slower, more accurate, more forgiving and, most of all, better penetrating arrow is the more productive and better confidence way to go. Remember, I say this regularly, "A slow hit is better than a fast miss." Good luck on your hunt and send us a pic of your bull.

Shoot Straight
Travis
T-Bone

Gobble Gobble Baby!

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:22:00 +0000

Hope everyone is having a great spring and getting to chase the ol' Thunder Chicken. I wanted to let everyone know that Realtree just launched a new site for all you turkey hunters out there.

Check it out at turkey.realtree.com.

And check out the Reports page, you can even send in a photo and story of your bird.

Travis

Fixed Broadheads...

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:56:00 +0000

Here's a question on the fixed broadheads and how to get them to fly like a field point.

Question: Why don't fixed-blade broadheads fly like my field points?

Answer: Well, the main reason is that fixed blades are not as aerodynamic as field points. The blades act like rudders and a lot of folks don't know this, but on fixed blades if the tip of the head is not perfectly aligned with the shaft, it will magnify the bad arrow flight. This is one reason mechanicals are so popular.

So, with that said, those who are shooting fixed blades make sure your heads are tuned, aligned and spin tested. This will make a huge difference in your accuracy.

Good luck
Travis

Target Panic Maintained

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:51:00 +0000

Here's a question on target panic sent in by a loyal follower, Kevin.

Question: Out of the blue, I started punching the button on my release. I usually shoot pretty well at the 3D shoots and know I have this bad habit. It is all in my head I am sure. Any suggestions for curing this? I have never done this before.

Answer:
Buddy, I am afraid that what you have is Target Panic. Archers and bowhunters get this and it is so frustrating. It will take some mental discipline to re-train but you can get it back under control. Yours truly went through it for about a year and a half back in the early 90s.

It's simply mind over matter. Most folks get target panic when they begin flinching when shooting, so they hold up under the target so they don't flinch when the pin hits the dot. What we have to do is shoot a lot at close yardage, say 5 yards, and put a piece of tape over your sights so that you just work on execution. Then practice aiming without shooting so that you see the perfect sight picture every time. Do these two things seperate for several weeks or more. Re-training your brain and muscle memory, then try just a few shots normal to see how things are going and always use the practice routine to keep you sharp on your shot. A key thing is not to rush it.

Good luck. It is so rewarding when you conquer target panic.
Travis
Tbone

A Peep Question

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:13:00 +0000

Question: What do you think of the peep less bow sights? What peep do you use?

Answer: There are a lot of advantages to not having a rear peep. The main reason is it allows more light gathering which allows you to shoot later in the evenings. But the cons to that set up is without a rear sight to look through, it makes it harder to maintain your anchor, therefore your groups suffer and begin to open up. In my opinion I would rather have the peep sight to keep me accurate 95% of the time and consistent and then in low light conditions I will practice shooting outside my peep and compensating. Most low-light shots are gonna be pretty close shots.

I prefer the G5 meta peep but there are several good peeps. I hope that has shined a lil' light on things for you.

Good luck
Travis
aka TBone

Will Hunt for Food

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:56:00 +0000

Hey Folks, just wanted share with you this picture and to remind you of
our men and women who are still overseas. It's flattering to know that
while they are protecting us, their minds are on their passion and all of
us back at home (check out their hats). Make sure you tell those who are in
the service thank you when you see them.

Salute
Travis
T-Bone

Texas Cull

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:05:00 +0000

Like most bowhunters, I love flingin' some arrows in Texas. Of course the monster bucks are the prize, but even does and cull bucks are definitely necessary to take out.

Check out this big 4 I shot last fall.

Anyone else have any good photos of cull bucks? If you do, email it in to prostaff@realtree.com. The best picture gets an autographed Team Realtree hat.

T-Bone

Safety First

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:55:00 +0000

Ole T-Bone's head is more than just a hat rack, you know. Actually, the folks at Hunter Saftey System have started making there great vests in 4XL and 5XL for all us larger frame guys. You can read the details on their website and see more awesome photos of yours truly. LOL!!! Just kidding.

The Indiana Buck

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:54:00 +0000

Hey boys and girls-
Finally off the road for a few days and back home to do some blogs. ATA and SHOT shows rocked the house and the industry is strong. That's great news in a time when most industries are really struggling.

So I told you I'd be catching you up on my fall, so here we go with my Indiana deer.

T-Bone

MASSive Mundt

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:59:00 +0000

Hey guys, I'll be trying to catch you up on the fall excitement with the next few posts. Here we go with the first.

A lot of you may know Nick Mundt, as he has appeared on several of
Realtree Road Trips in the past, and has been a cameraman with Realtree for
10 years. Well, Nick knows the Milk River like the back of his hand and this
year was his first time being in front of the camera at the Milk River. And
he started with a bang. This buck he took had 43 inches of mass, an incredible
deer. Way to go Nick. You can see this hunt on next years MB DVD

Travis

Going Bald

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:28:00 +0000

The 2009 Baldy Awards, to benefit the ASL Cancer Research Fund, are set for Thursday Jan. 8 at the ATA Trade Show in Indianapolis.

The annual hair-razing, fund-raising event has become an institution over the past decade as many of the bowhunting fraternity’s best-known dignitaries have sacrificed their beautiful flowing tresses in the name of fighting cancer.

On board for free haircuts this year are four magazine and TV celebrities. The future skinheads include Bowhunting World editor and Bowhunters Hall of Famer Mike Strandlund; outdoor writer and former Petersen’s Bowhunting editor Jay Strangis; Wild Outdoors TV host Jay Gregory and Realtree TV personality Travis “T-Bone” Turner.
All ATA show attendees are invited to watch the four lose their locks immediately after the show closes for the day at 6 p.m. Thursday Jan. 8 in the Indy Convention Center Atrium. At press time in November more than $55,000 had been pledged from donators eager to see the deed done.

In the past 10 years, $640,000 has been collected through the Baldy Awards. The money goes to a fund supporting research by doctors Arnold Leonard and Dan Saltzman, who are connected to the University of Minnesota Medical School. Their research involves genetic engineering designed to boost the immune system, and it has made major progress in recent years. In late 2008, it was granted approval by the FDA, opening it up to use on human subjects.

“This is ground-breaking news and some payoff for all the hard work and head shaving that raises much needed dollars to bring the death of cancer to fruition,” said fund coordinator Rob Evans. “This just goes to show you the archery industry can throw some heads together against cancer. Be there at the Atrium to see and hear history being made and be part of it.”

At the Indy event, a cash bar, snacks and seating will be available. Admission is free. To make a pledge, email Evans at evansmktg@wwt.net

Reunion

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:12:00 +0000

Paul Thompson is the proud owner of Bows-R-Us in Lucedale, MS. It was
so good to stop and see him and his family at their new location. Paul and
I have been friends for a lot of years. We go way back from shooting on
the ASA tournament trail and he has been real successful in competition and in
his business. It was real good to see them and I appreciate them taken me
to one of the best lil' catfish eating places I have ever been too. Can't
remember the name.

Yours in archery,
Travis

One Proud Dad

noreply@blogger.com (T-Bone) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:03:00 +0000

I know a lot of you won't need any words to go with this picture. But to say
the least I am one proud papa. He is really taken to the bow. We are having
fun.

A Bone Collector in the making
Travis

PS-notice my deer target on the box