When it comes to the world of archery you will run into a lot of jargon which will inevitably be confusing when you head out to buy a compound bow. Some of these terms are risers, limbs, tillers and cams which refer to different parts of the bow, but others, such as draw length, IBO and draw weight refer to performance features of the bow. Let-off is one of those features that you’ll need to understand.

In the past when you drew a bow, particularly if you owned a longbow or a recurve bow you would have noticed that it takes a lot of strength to draw the bowstring back and then hold it while aiming for any length of time. Traditional bows have the most draw weight at the end of the draw which means it is particularly tiring if you try to hold the bow drawn for any length of time.

The compound bow has been designed to decrease the draw weight at the end of the drawstroke allowing the shooter more time to aim and release the arrow. To take the explanation further, as the bowstring is drawn back the weight increases steadily until you reach a certain point at which time the cam system steps in and it eases significantly so that by the end of the draw the shooter is only holding a fraction of the weight they were at the start of the draw..

The let-off rate of early compound bows was around 35-50% but nowadays the norm is more in the region of 75-80%, with some bows featuring an adjustable let-off. So a bow with a 70 lb draw weight and 80% let-off will converts to a draw weight of only 14 lbs.

It’s not always a good thing to have use a bow with super-high let-off at full draw because there is an increased likelihood to experience arrow movement whil in the shooting position. Some form of resistance is required to maintain a good natural alignment.

The let-off is listed by bow manufacturers as a percentage in their literature, sometimes you might see two numbers advertised next to the Let-off statistic. They will be “Effective” and “Actual” let-off. Let’s take a look at the difference between effective let-off and actual let-off.

Two figures are often listed under the Let-Off heading on a bow manufacturer’s compound bow specifications page. It may read something like Let-Off 65% Actual 70% Effective. What this is referring to is the disparity in draw weight change between drawing the bow and then the change in weight when letting the bowstring back down.

To calculate let-off you need to be able to measure two things: the minimum weight during draw and the maximum draw weight. These numbers differ depending on whether you are drawing the bow or letting the bow back down. As complicated as the second figure sounds, it’s the actual let-off or the let-off experienced when drawing the bow that you will be most concerned with. The figure you’re most likely going to see, though is the effective let-off.

Where it pays to remember the impact of effective let-off is after drawing the bow while letting it back down without an arrow fitted. Accidental dry-firing can occur as a result of the high effective let-off and the surprise with which it catches people unprepared. The sudden change in weight can rip the string out of unsuspecting fingers and you may be left with a shattered compound bow.

A final word on let-off comes with regard to the significance for those wanting their trophy listed in the Pope and Young Club’s record books. Until recently only those trophy’s taken with a let-off lower than 65% were included. This has since been changed in 2004 so that those taken with a higher let-off will be listed but an asterisk will be placed by the hunter’s name.

With any luck the previous explanation will help you when you go out to purchase a compound bow and you see the let-off figure you will understand the significance of the numbers. The higher the number, the lighter the draw. Now you just have to decide whether that will help or hinder your shooting accuracy.

There is something wonderful about games that can’t be captured by any other kind of Christmas gifts. While toys, CDs, DVDs and books have a somewhat limited amount of use in many cases, games can be just the ticket for nights in for years after originally being given as gifts. As well as all of the old classics there are countless new titles added to the market all the time, and there really is a game out there for every man, woman and child to enjoy.

Games are an excellent way to get the family playing together at Christmas time, and after Christmas is over, there is still much to be enjoyed whenever free time needs to be filled. There are games out there for one, for two, or for groups of players to enjoy. They aren’t just fun; they can also be educational and help with socializing when played as part of a group.

Christmas 2008 sees some fantastic games out there which would make ideal Christmas presents for friends and loved ones. Along with new editions of Monopoly, Cluedo, Scrabble, Twister and all of the old classics (even the humble Rubiks Cube has seen a resurgence due to the ‘Speedcubing’ craze), there are some fantastic new games that are taking stores and the public by storm. Let’s take a look at some of the older favourites and the new hits.

20q is a great new digital handheld version of the classic 20 Questions game. For kids there are classics such as Hungry Hippos, Pop Up Pirate, and TV themed games such as Ben 10 puzzles and more media tie-in games from the likes of High School Musical, Doctor Who, In The Night garden and more. For card game fans there’s always Uno, or Top Trumps, which this year adds titles such as TV favourite Top Gear to its list of licenses to thrill players of every age. Scene It, Articulate and Cranium are also filling the market to tease your grey matter. All of these games would make ideal gifts for Christmas 2008.

With so much to choose from on the market, it is very easy to get carried away and have the best Christmas ever. So pull up some chairs, unfold the board, and start throwing the dice.

Jogging was and still is the best way to lose weight, burn fat, strengthen the cardiovascular sytem all while having fun outdoors. You can jog almost anywhere and just about any time you want, making it very convenient to do. This is why there are so many people who do it.

A wrong beginning like setting the bar too high even though they may not have the right stamina to begin creates failure. This has prompted scores of people to quit doing it before it has had enough time to do them any good.

Let’s take a look at some things that may make it a little easier to get started on a jogging routine without running yourself into the ground.

The first and probably the most common mistake people make when starting a jogging routine is that they start out too fast. They go out and pace themselves too fast and end up huffing and puffing out of breath after 5 or 10 minutes. This is an instant recipe for failure and many people quit within a few days. So my advice is to get yourself organized and get the right equipment including, obviously, a good pedometer to be able to make your jogging a bit easier and rewarding.

People with patience and a little endurance likes to keep going for a while anticipating that jogging will get easier along the way. It can get harder because as some people build stamina, they push for higher jogging intensity. So it seems that there is no progress.

When you are about to set out on a jogging routine, the best thing you can do is buy a heart rate monitor before you ever jog your first step. With one of these, you can set up a pace that is comfortable for you and you can keep within that level throughout your jog. This means that you will not have to “guess” about the pace and you will not have to feel like your lungs are on fire when you are finished. This is when a good pedometer can make a difference. In this regard many people ask me what is the righ pedometer and I usually advice newbies to consider pedometers like the Accusplit AE170, not only are they very basic, but they are easy to use and understand.

The key here is to always jog between 50% and 70% of your maximal heart rate. You need a good heart rate monitor to stay within this limit. You can speed your pace up if it goes a little low, and slow down if it goes a little high. You can even slow to a walking pace if your heart rate goes too high, and resume a jogging pace once it goes below 50%.

The way for you to know where your heart rate should be to be between 50% and 70% is by using this formula:

Subtract your age from 220. This will be your maximal heart rate. Now, simply multiply this by .50 and .70 and that will give you your targeted heart zone. Below is an example of this formula.

Say you are age 42

220 minus 40 equals 180

180 times .50 equals 90

180 times .70 equals 126

By looking at this example, you can see that if you are 42 years old, you would keep your heart rate between 90 and 126 while doing your jog.

The fact is you do not need to go fast to get benefits from jogging. It is how long you are moving that counts. It is more beneficial to cover a mile in say, 17 minutes, than to cover it in 8 minutes and then be exhausted.

If you stay within the limits of your heart rate capabilities, you will begin to add more time and miles to your jog as you go and jogging will become something you look forward to instead of something you dread doing.

If you have been rafting for a while in North America and you think you know it all about rafting, you might be amazed with whitewater rafting Nova Scotia as it is definitely a really different experience! Tidal waves create the white water when the river comes to a narrow section. Waves of up to 16 feet have been known to form. If you are looking for a rush of adrenaline this is the place for you to go. It’s no secret that when you catch the top of a high wave when rafting in Nova Scotia there’s nothing more exhilarating. At times Nova Scotia rivers have risen as much as 30 additional feet while rafters battle down them.

This can provide some exciting moments when those white water waves are at their highest. It is important to note though that some of these rivers or sections of them are too dangerous for children and for people who have not had the appropriate training and experience.

A rapid hunt, finding the one that best suits your rafting

It goes without saying that there are going to be a range of different rapids that requires less or more experience. There are going to be rapids that require at least some experience and expertise, whereas others will be okay under guidance for the general public.

White water rafting in Nova Scotia offers a variety of rafting packages to choose from and rafting trips which include children are generally safe and relaxing. On the high-end if you are seeking the more aggressive rapids you have yet to come across when participating in american whitewater rafting, you shouldn’t come across any difficulties locating good packages as well, however for most of these you will be required to be at these 12 years old. These rapids are certainly action packed, but you will still be able to enjoy a pretty awesome scenic view. If you already have practice with american whitewater rafting as well as or different regions white water rafting in the area of Nova Scotia can provide you a more intense rafting experience. Rafting on tidal waves in Nova Scotia is something new, something that no seasoned rafter would have found in the US, so if you’re looking for something more, Nova Scotia is the place to go.

White water rafting in Nova Scotia can offer you a new and different experience for your nature-oriented outing. For one Nova Scotia’s rivers provide something new for rafting and also Nova Scotia has beautiful countryside and will provide a beautiful place to be at one with nature.

Every time a bowler throws their first ball in a frame, there is ONE hope in the forefront of his mind, “Please let it be a STRIKE!” 

Knocking all ten pins down with a single bowl is the best possible outcome and the goal to which all bowlers aspire in every frame. We all experience “beginners luck” at first, but then seem to lose sight of whatever we did to make it happen.

We all look up to the bowler who can get multiple strikes in a game. Thankfully, there are bowling tips and techniques you can learn to replicate that magic moment…and bowl a strike over and over again!

Where do you start?

Right where you stand.  Literally. Your foot placement is absolutely fundamental to your success. Even if you do everything else correctly, if your feet are not where they need to be, the ball won’t go where it needs to either! 

Are you right or left handed? If you are left handed, aim your right second toe at the 1-pin. If you’re right handed, aim your left second toe at the 1-pin. It may feel odd at first, but make no mistake…it works!  Watch the foot placement of pro bowlers and you’ll see they do it too. 

Keeping your proper foot aimed at the head pin allows your shoulders to relax and square up with the foul line, making the ball more likely to go where you want it.

Step up to the swing

You now know where your starting point is. Let’s talk about where we’re going…to your first intentional strike.  Cradle your ball and retract your arm.  You’re just four steps away from bowling your first strike ball!  If you are right handed, step with your right foot, then with your left foot.  As you step with the left foot your ball arcs downward. Take your third step with your right foot as the force of the ball lifts your arm upwards. Release the ball and use your left leg as a counterweight to maintain your balance.

Releasing the ball

It’s important to release the ball at the proper time. If you release too soon, your ball will likely start rolling early and it won’t have sufficiency energy to knock the pins down. If you release on the upswing, you’re likely to divot the lane at worst, and roll into the gutter at best. The best time to release the ball is just as centrifugal force begins to guide the ball upward.  You’ll feel it in your hand as gravity begins to pull at the weight of the ball. Be sure your wrist is straight and relaxed and that you’re aiming for the strike zone (the little “x” on the lane in between the arrows).

Following through

As you let go of the ball, remember to NOT look at it. Your eyes should remain fixed on your target and your arm should continue its upward arc until after the ball has been released.  It happens all too often when a novice bowler pulls his arm back rapidly and watches the ball, only to have it roll off course. You definitely don’t want that happen to you! Under normal conditions, where your eyes are looking is where your shoulders and feet are pointing.  And we know that to bowl a strike, they all need to be facing forward!

By following these easy to learn techniques, you’ll know how to bowl strikes more consistenly.  Your friends will be amazed and the competition disappointed. You can stand proud knowing that you have mastered the skills required to bowl a strike again and again!