Ashby Bowhunting Foundation Newsletter

October 2026

Witnessing wild behavior of a truly wild animal in a wild place. There is a strand of a bowhunter’s DNA that can only be activated by spending time in these places.

Rob Neilson - Retired

Ladies/Gentlemen:

It has been a pleasure running the Ashby Bowhunting Foundation for the past decade, but the

time has come for me to retire. In this volunteer role, I’ve enjoyed getting to know and help

bowhunters worldwide understand the details of various arrow builds and what makes them

less/more efficient penetrators. All of this was to help the bowhunting community to become

more lethal, i.e., successful which helped with reducing the wounding/loss rates and put

bowhunting in a better light amongst non-hunters. With that came the joy of helping many see

through the marketing of products that puts you at a disadvantage for a quick kill, which is what

we owe to the animals we hunt.

With my retirement, the Ashby Bowhunting Foundation will be dissolved, but the educational

efforts will continue. Doc will continue with the webpage and podcasts, while myself and other

Directors will continue our volunteer efforts through Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Texas

Wildlife Association, Longoria-Hosmer Foundation, and other organizations.

For the final time, good hunting and as always, have a nice day.

Rob Neilson

Following these steps saved my 2026 season when my final bow shop checkup found I had a cracked limb.  Thankfully my bow was under warranty. 

Bowhunting Season Preparation Tips

By Dennis Wehling

Early-Year Preparation

  • Identify your target species.

  • Determine the appropriate arrow weight including insert weight, broadhead

    weight, nock and fletching for your target species.

  • Select arrows with appropriate weight, GPI, and spine.

  • Confirm good FOC while prioritizing perfect arrow flight and structural

    integrity through bare shaft testing and nock tuning.

  • Evaluate your shooting ability honestly.

  • Establish a realistic practice and fitness plan.

  • Identify and work within your physical limitations.

Summer Practice

  • Practice regularly for accuracy and consistent arrow flight.

  • Determine your maximum effective and ethical shooting range.

  • Practice judging range.

  • Shoot from different positions and realistic field situations.

  • Practice while wearing all hunting equipment.

  • Check for clothing, hat, or binocular-harness interference.

  • Listen for unwanted bow or equipment noise.

  • Check that arrows aren't rubbing or contacting anything.

  • Fix any problems discovered during practice.

Equipment Maintenance

  • Inspect bowstring and cables.

  • Check silencers.

  • Inspect rest and timing.

  • Check arrow and broadhead clearance to bow, cables and sights

  • Inspect limbs, wheels/cams, and other components.

  • Replace worn or damaged components.

  • Check all screws, bolts, and fasteners for tightness.

  • Identify and eliminate potential equipment failure points.

About 1 Month Before Season

  • Take your bow to a reputable bow shop for a final tune and inspection.

  • Have strings and cables inspected.

  • Have limbs and other major components inspected for damage.

  • Bring a bare shaft for testing.

  • Confirm bare-shaft flight after tuning.

Final Testing at Home

  • Confirm bare-shaft flight at approximately 7 yards.

  • Confirm consistent accuracy and arrow flight with broadheads.

Before Heading Into the Field

  • Do a final inspection of the entire bow and arrow setup.

  • Verify all screws and fasteners are secure.

  • Confirm equipment works properly with hunting clothing and gear.

  • Confirm your maximum ethical range.

  • Make sure you understand your physical limitations.

  • Let family or friend know your plans, location and expected return.

  • Pack reliable equipment and minimize unnecessary failure points.

  • Practice making the best shot you are capable of, rather than simply the longest shot you can make.

Good luck

Doc’s Ramblings

I am so pleased ABF selected Joe Furlong to posthumously receive this year’s Ashby Award, which we’re presenting to his family, all of whom carry Joe’s love of archery and bowhunting.

The award recognizes one’s lifetime achievements and contributions to bowhunting, and few will ever equal Joe’s achievements and contributions. Joe left a legacy that will live in the hearts and souls of the multitudes of lives he touched.

Joe was a close friend, and a true gentleman, which is something of a rarity today. I miss Joe, and the frequent phone calls we carried on for years. I’ll always have a special place in my heart for Joe. This month’s Ramblings are just a few verses, written just for Joe.

The True Measure

Multitudes of rulers, of all types and kinds, are applied to each of us, all throughout our times;

and each is meant to measure, things we somehow feel, each of us should treasure.

Yet a man’s true worth, no one can ever tell, from time of birth, ‘till life’s last bell;

for then true measures made, on God’s own golden scale, and each must say, with total truth, all his own life’s tale.

And there, I know, this very day, the weight was heavy laid, and there God marked, every debt, more than fully paid; for true marks he left behind, on each who ever knew, this good friend of mine.

RIP Joe, you are missed,

Ed

Joe Furlong in his shop