"You can only control what you can control, and you can control your attitude about everything else" - JK

The mental attitude one brings into a situation not only shapes the course of the experience but can shape the outcome of your life.

As I sit in my car looking out at my local archery range where I've spent the last two hours meticulously practicing and adjusting the settings of my compound bow a feeling has washed over me of gratitude. This grateful feeling only came after a much longer feeling of frustration and self-loathing. It is the time of year where final adjustments must be made and an ethical level of accuracy has to be solidified in order to enter the hunting woods with confidence.

After a multitude of adjustments on my setup this year I think our final selections have been made. After several weeks of shooting nearly every day I've noticed an increase in consistency of my groups at longer ranges.

I've made 5 major adjustments this year which I hope will culminate in a successful outcome if the opportunity presents itself.

Increased the draw weight of my bow from 60 to 70 lb.
Changed my strings from Hoyt factory to Winner's Choice.
Increased the stiffness of my arrow by changing the spine from 400 to 330.
Changed my vanes from Bohning Blazer to AAE Max Hunter and went from a 3 Fletch to a 4 Fletch setup
I traded my Muzzy Trocar fixed blade broadheads for a set of Iron Will S100s

Arrow with 4 Fletch AAE Max Hunter Vanes

Today, 9 days before the opening of archery Elk in Colorado I applied my final sight tape [#15] extended range on my Spot Hogg Hogg Father.

After 5 months out of work with a very intentional increase in my outdoor recreation, including frequency of archery practice, I am feeling thankful to be so fortunate to have the opportunity to chase Elk for my first time this fall. I put myself in a position to be able to hunt for 14 days this archery season and I'm feeling very hopeful about my chances.

Arrow with 3 Fletched AAE Max Hunter Vanes

I don't know what to expect in the woods in September but I've spent the past 150 days with this singular mission in mind.

I found it easy to get discouraged when I let my mind enter a negativity spiral, constantly assessing how I could be better. Today as I leave the range I have remembered that my favorite approach to life is controlling what you can control and controlling your attitude about everything else.

To everyone entering the woods this year with a bow or rifle in hand I wish you a tremendous amount of luck and I encourage you to remember you're already fortunate to be in the pursuit of this primal tradition.