Colorado Outdoors Magazine Video-Supplement
In this Colorado Outdoors magazine video-supplement, Colorado archer Mindy Paulek shares her experiences as an accomplished bowhunter. Paulek touches on the inspiration that fuels her passion for hunting with a “stick and string,” offers advice to other aspiring archers and explains how bowhunting has helped her develop a deeper connection to family and nature.
For information about bowhunter education and Colorado’s bowhunting opportunities, purchase the 2012 Colorado Outdoors Hunting Guide. This issue features “Archery Advice,” an in-depth article with helpful tips and advice from some of the state’s top archery pros. Annual subscriptions and back issues of Colorado Outdoors magazine may be purchased by calling: 1-800-417-8986
9 Responses
Excellent depiction of a bowhunter’s love for wildlife, nature and the challenge of the hunt. It’s great to see someone like Mindy encourage other women to enter the sport of bowhunting and challenge themselves.
I’ve just never understood this. I’d prefer to see them doing there thing alive. A carcass doesn’t do it for me. If you kill it, eat it. Or leave it do its thing.
Tate. You are obviously unfamiliar with Colorado’s hunting regulations. All game animals harvested by hunters are consumed. There is no wasted meat. Please take a look at the post linked below. It will provide great insight on the role hunting plays in our state. Hunting is not for everyone, and that’s OK. But it’s important to understand the larger picture here. Again, the blog post below will offer some helpful information if you take the time to read it.
http://coloradooutdoorsmag.com/2015/07/08/7-reasons-hunting-benefits-colorado/
Jerry, Mindy, thanks for this incredible video production and story. I began taking my daughter scouting, hunting, and fishing when she turned three (she loved it), and my son joined us three years later when he turned three (he loved it too). They’re both comfortable with and love the outdoors, and have become knowledgeable about many aspects of wildlife and nature. While I’m not an archer, my daughter has chosen to be one, and I do everything I can to support her. I showed her this video when it first came out. As part of her homework last night, she asked me about it again. While watching it, she gave me a big hug, and thanked me for all the times we’ve gone hunting and fishing together. My thanks to Mr. Paulek too!
Frank, Thanks so much for the kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed this video and that it inspired your daughter to become an archer. Mindy is an exceptional person and an accomplished hunter. I’m glad I had the opportunity to produce this video and spend a couple days with her in beautiful Durango. I hope you, your daughter and son create many memories together in the outdoors (just like Mindy and her father). Best, Jerry
Frank,
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment on the video! I can’t tell you how much it meant to me, especially to hear your personal story with your daughter. I am so grateful to know that the video inspired someone in a positive way. It was so touching to hear that your daughter recognized and took a moment to hug you in appreciation for what you’ve done for her. I’d like also say thank you for getting your children involved and giving them the opportunity to discover nature in such a special way. In a time when the recruitment of hunters it is increasingly crucial for the continued existence of wildlife, their habitat, and the future of hunting; I’d like to thank you for doing your part to introduce your children to this amazing sport. Additionally, the self confidence they no doubtable have gained through hunting and their comfortability in the woods is something they will carry with them for the rest of their life. I commend you on making time with your children out in nature a priority. Again, thank you for taking the time to write a comment and provide positive feedback, it means so much to Jerry and myself. Jerry did an incredible job on this video and I was extremely honored to be part of it. This video is precious to me because it is my personal testimony to how hunting has shaped me. More importantly, it gave me the opportunity to pay tribute to my dad for all he his done for me and the significance role he played in who I am today. It is also a tribute to the sport I am passionate about. I believe hunting is so much more that just a sport. Among many things, it is an essential wildlife management tool and links us to our culture and ancestry. This video is important to me for not only these personal reasons, but most of all because it gave me the opportunity to give back by reaching out and hopefully inspiring others. The only way I know that I accomplished this is through positive feedback such as yours. Also, I’ve been sure to pass on your thanks on to my father. Please let your daughter know how proud I am of her for choosing to be archer and represent women in bowhunting. She is our future and has an open invitation to hunt with me anytime. I wish you all the best of luck in the field!
Hi Mindy and Jerry!
I’m Frank’s daughter and I was very inspired by your video, a beautiful video and a beautiful person. I have been practicing and studying shot placement because I will have the opportunity to bow-hunt turkey with my family next spring. I have heard that 35 lbs is a good draw weight for turkey, is this what you would recommend? I am also beginning to investigate broad heads, is there a certain brand or style that you would recommend?
Thanks for your encouragement!
Hi Alexis! It’s wonderful to hear from you on here. I’m so happy you’ve chosen to archery hunt! And thank you so much for the compliments on the video, I’m so glad you enjoyed it. If your hunting in Colorado, 35 lbs is the legal weight required so your covered there. I would say 35 lbs should definitely do the job. You’re just more limited in your distance the lower your weight. Typically, I’d say the more weight the better in terms of your ability to reach further distances. However, the accuracy is the most important part, and you may have to hold your draw for a while on a turkey. Therefore, I wouldn’t sacrifice accuracy in order to pull a higher poundage. Pull what you’re most comfortable with and most accurate at, just be sure of the distance your comfortable with. Of course, shorter distances are more challenging, so when you kill a turkey with your bow you should be extremely proud of yourself and better be sending me pictures, because you have pulled off a victory much greater than some muscle bound man pulling 70+ lbs at a much further distance 😉 Turkey’s, with their keen eyesight, are a tough prey with a bow. Again, I think you’ll be well suited with your 35 lbs, just make sure you’re comfortable and sure of your accuracy and distance limitations. As far, as broadheads go, honestly I shoot the plain ol’ three blade 100 grain muzzy’s that you can easily pick up at most stores. They have always worked for me. There’s a lot of advice and personal preference out there and a lot of technology. I’ve generally stuck with what has always worked for me and that has been the muzzy’s. My personal preference, especially for turkeys, is a fixed blade. I stray away from any expandable blade. I know there’s some great technology out there now, but have heard too many nightmare stories with expandables. With turkeys and a lower general weight I’d definitely stick with a fixed blade. If I can help any further, please feel free to contact me on here or you can find me on Facebook and I’m happy to help in anyway. Good luck and be sure to let me know how you do!
Whoa, Mindy! Congrats, you have the hunting and the perspective down pat. From the looks of those photos you are well on your way to the Colorado Big 9 or big 10! Look forward to seeing your stuff at the awards banquet of the Colorado Bowhunters Association. We are in Grand Junction next year, March 1-17th I think! Good Luck this season!