Question: Many thanks to biologist C.J. Winand for his Hunting Whitetails column, "Whitetail Myths & Truths," in the Aug/Sept 2008 issue. I found the "When does breeding occur?" chart especially interesting. What is the likelihood of survival for fawns born late in the "tail" portion of this chart? -- Paul Babcock, via e-mail

Answer:: That depends on the quality of habitat and deer densities in your area. Nationwide, this percentage is all over the map. As a generic answer, I'll say it's not uncommon for half of all fawns (early and late born) to survive to 11⁄2 years old. In the Midwest, more than 70 percent of the total fawn crop breeds in some areas. This makes for a very productive deer herd. -- C.J. Winand, Contributor

Q: What is the best way to prevent my bow from twisting as I come to full draw? I have been told to shoot without gripping the bow. For some reason, my new bow has a tendency to twist. What can I do? -- Ovidio Suarez, San Antonio, Texas, via e-mail

Answer: Most new bows are designed to draw smoothly with little twist (torque). Usually, if a bow torques as you draw the string, it is because you have placed your hand into the bow improperly before you began to draw, or you are grabbing the handle as you pull back. It is easy to hold the bow in the wrong position -- until you begin to exert force on the string. The farther you pull the string, the more the handle begins to twist in order to line up with the forces of the string. Eventually, these forces overcome the friction imparted by your hand, and the bow twists.

To prevent this, learn to place your hand into the bow properly before you draw, and keep your bow hand relaxed during the entire shot process. For me, all the pressure from the handle centers at the base of my palm -- in direct alignment with the two long bones of my forearm. If I were to insert a straight rod from the tip of my elbow down through the center of my forearm, the exit point in my palm is the center point of pressure from the bow's handle at full draw. If you follow these suggestions, I'll bet the bow does not twist in your hand. -- Randy Ulmer, Contributor

Question: I am thinking of using the Carter Colby Spike back-tension release (the one Editor Dwight Schuh uses). I'm fighting buck fever, and I think it might help me take my time. Has this release ever cost Dwight an animal because he could not "time" the shot? -- Tim Moore, Lawrenceburg, Indiana, via e-mail

Answer: On occasion, a back-tension (BT) release will prevent your getting off a shot. It has happened to me. But: 1) What's worse -- to fail to get off a shot, or to make poor shots due to buck fever? Frankly, I'll take the former. At least when you do release an arrow with the BT release, the shot is under control and accurate. 2) If you fail to get off the shot, is it a shot you should have taken with a different style of release? Because it is impossible to "time" a shot with a BT release, you essentially must wait until an animal is stationary and in the open. Is that bad? No, that's good. The BT release disciplines you to wait for good shot positions and angles and eliminates the temptation to snap off quick shots at animals moving through marginal openings -- as you might do with a trigger-finger release. In summary, for anyone who suffers buck fever or target panic, I think the advantages of hunting with a BT release far outweigh the drawbacks. -- Dwight Schuh, Editor

Question: Bowhunting just became legal at Loch Raven Reservoir near Baltimore, Maryland. I know people who jog on the roads near the Reservoir. Should I alert them to potential danger during hunting season? -- Beth Santos, via e-mail

Answer: Data from hospital injury reports show that a person is more likely to be injured in a Ping-Pong game than in a hunting accident. And the hunting accident report includes both firearms and archery hunting. Note: The vast majority of hunting accidents are self-inflicted (i.e. falls from treestands, broadhead cuts). As they do with shark attacks, the media magnify hunting accidents because they are rare and make good stories. But, in reality, on a per capita basis, bowling inflicts three times more injuries than bowhunting. -- C.J. Winand, Contributor

Question: Can you recommend a good outfitter for turkeys? Missouri would be my first-choice state, but I'm open to suggestions. -- Dwayne Grayson, Carmi, Illinois, via e-mail

A: I don't have any suggestions for Missouri, but I can recommend a hunt in either South Dakota or Nebraska that will be the best you ever go on. It is with Dave Keiser, owner of Double K Guide Service. Dave's operation is based out of Gregory, South Dakota. His turkey hunts are bowhunting only, and his success rate runs 100 percent. I have hunted with Dave three times and know he has the birds and the knowledge to put you within easy bow range. To learn more, go to Dave's website at www.doublekguides.com. -- Brian Fortenbaugh, Assistant Editor

Question: I'm hoping to take an elk with my bow this year, but I'm not sure where to start. I have located some wallows near my home, and have noticed a recent increase in activity at each wallow. Should I hunt the wallows or try to call elk in? -- Kevin Emard, High Prairie, Alberta, Canada, via e-mail

Answer: The bulls will use the wallows early in the rut, so a treestand -- strategically placed for wind direction and shot selection -- might work for you then. Since elk are best located by calling, I also recommend walking the area, bugling and cow-calling, to locate a receptive bull. Once a bull responds, call aggressively to get him worked up. Once you've accomplished this, stop calling, get the wind in your face, move to within 100 yards of the bull, find a good natural blind, and then start with a few soft cow calls for 10 to 15 minutes. If the bull answers now and then, he is interested and will likely come to you; however, if, after 15 to 20 minutes of calling, he's answering but doesn't come to you, get him to answer and then close the gap. I like to move forward 25 to 50 yards, find another ambush spot, and repeat the soft cow calls. Continue this patient approach until the bull comes to you or gets tired of this cat-and-mouse approach and wanders away. If he doesn't respond to your cow calls, switch to bugles and aggressively try to get him ticked off so he'll come to kick tail or investigate your calls. -- Larry D. Jones, TV Videographer

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