6 Reasons Why a Laser Rangefinder is an Archer’s Best Friend

6 Reasons Why a Laser Rangefinder is an Archer’s Best Friend

6 reasons why a laser rangefinder is an archer’s best friend
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Shooting an arrow right-on-point towards targets require a huge amount of skills, such as the ability to keep the body still and the art of aiming.

The ability to shoot an arrow accurately is the ultimate goal for most archers, and one of the huge reasons on whether we can have a successful hunt. Today, the tool to allow you to easily assess the distance of your target is by using a rangefinder. As you go deeper into the woods to hunt, a rangefinder would no doubt be one of the most useful assets. Remember to bring your GPS along with you so that you remain safe and still enjoy a good hunting experience.

There are many rangefinders such as using RADAR, LIDAR, SONAR and Ultrasonic. However, we would mainly talk about laser rangefinders here because they are the most common ones used. Therefore, here are 6 reasons why you must have a laser rangefinder.

Reason 1: Increase your chances in making a clean shot

A laser rangefinder would give you pinpoint accuracy, showing you the distance between you and the target. However, the measurement would be valid only if the shot is made in a straight-line. You can find a laser rangefinder equipped with angle compensators to mitigate this problem.

Having a laser rangefinder mounter on your bow and learning how to use it can eliminate unnecessary movement and the need to guess the distance between you and your targets. This allows you to pay attention on selecting the right moment to release your arrow.

Furthermore, a rangefinder will keep your shots sufficiently and consistently precise to be centered over the target’s vital parts. Other than not wanting to miss your target, every hunter with integrity wants to make a clean shot to avoid tracking of a wounded animal. With better aim, it would translate to less time spent on following the injured animal’s blood trail, and it allows you to kill it in a more humane way.

Reason 2: Defy Gravity

If you are shooting arrows over any distance, gravity pulls the arrow towards the ground the moment they are shot. The longer the distance to reach the target, the longer the drop.

Since bowhunters usually shoot from elevated positions, it would involve high angle shots. High angle shots will usually render you to shoot over targets because gravity will not act on the entire arrow, but only on horizontal portions of the range, between the archer and the target.

While shooting at high angles, you can make corrections by using simple trigonometry, while many rangefinders would help you calculate the True Ballistic Range (TBR), taking into account the angle you are shooting from. A laser rangefinder would definitely be your best companion when you hunt in canyons, on mountains or any terrains that has slopes

Reason 3: Understand your terrain better

Preparation can increase your chances significantly for a successful hunt. Having a laser rangefinder can help you effectively scout the location of your hunting ground. You can familiarize yourself on where the elk would habitually enter and exit, while getting a range for each of them. When you take the shot, you are already familiar with the distance between you and the target.

Also, it would also be fun to explore the environment around you! A rangefinder can increase your awareness of the terrain around you, giving you an idea of how you can hunt better.

Reason 4: Prevent anything from blocking your target

The rangefinder can detect objects that would get in the way of your shot. This would save you a lot of trouble because hitting an item blocking you could potentially cause the target to move away. However, with a rangefinder, you can try different positions, ensuring that you get a clear shot.

However, this function is only present in certain rangefinders. Hence, if you are an enthusiastic bowhunter, keep an eye out for rangefinders that display your shot clearance.

Reason 5: Convenient to Travel with

After packing all your necessary gears, you will find that the size of the gear you pick would be important. It is advisable to have a rangefinder that can fit into your pocket, making easy for you to hold and use it.

Nowadays, rangefinders have become smaller in size and lighter in weight. Monocular rangefinders can replace your binoculars too, providing the function of magnification and determining the distance between you and the target. With this rangefinder, you do not need to tug around between two different units for getting a clearer vision.

In extreme weather, some rangefinders that come with nitrogen filled lens can prevent fogging and are waterproof. Most rangefinders are made from rugged materials that can sustain physical abuse. This shows you why a rangefinder is the perfect travel companion!

Reason 6: Having all the functions you need in one device

With a cutting-edge rangefinder, it would give you a range to the target, automatically input all of the environmental conditions and some are even capable of connecting with the wind meter via Bluetooth connection.

Nowadays, some rangefinders have ballistic software which are necessary for long-range shooting. It can also automatically calculate the shot angle, making sure that you won’t miss a shot! With these functions, it would significantly increase your performance in several areas including speed and accuracy.

Conclusion

A rangefinder is a very useful hunting tool which significantly increase your success rate in shooting your target. With a wide selection of rangefinders to choose from, you can choose which of the function you want to forgo. For example, you can forgo the angle compensator if you do not hunt from a treestand. If you like to hunt in the open fields, you do not need a rangefinder that can pick out secondary objects. Make sure you carefully consider your hunting conditions before picking a laser rangefinder!

7 Tips On Writing An Emergency Preparedness Plan

7 Tips On Writing An Emergency Preparedness Plan
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Every family needs to be prepared for emergency situations. You never know what can happen and how that situation might affect your family.

There could be a fire, an earthquake, a flood or any other kind of natural or societal disaster can happen.

It is best to be prepared for them all. That is the best way to protect your family.

Writing An Emergency Preparedness Plan, you need to account for all of your family members, any family member with special needs, your children’s needs, pets etc.

Have a sound financial plan as well.  Set out cash funds just in case. Prepare for anything that’s possible in your area but also for unexpected events.

*Note from Dave: I wrote the kindle ebook pictured above to help new preppers make a plan.  This post wasn’t written by me, but this is something I used to do a lot, and Emergency Preparedness was my undergraduate Major.  Many articles on this site relate to this topic.

Here is a list of tips on creating an emergency preparedness plan:

State what the roles of each family member are

In case of an emergency, each family member needs to know what to do. You can’t lose precious time on organization when an emergency happens and this is why you need to organize everything in advance. Every family member should know where to go. Plan for your kids being in school and let them know where you want them to go if an emergency strikes then. Also, plan for you not being at home in those situations and figure out where to go, what to do and what’s the fastest way to get to your supplies.

You can also do an occasional run through of who does what in each situation to make sure that your plan runs safely, smoothly and effectively.

Create emergency kits

Emergency kits are a good way to get all you need at once. You can purchase them, already made in many stores but you can also create your own. No matter what you decide, make sure that there is enough water and food for at least three days, that there is a first aid kit and some tools of protection as well. “Keep them handy at all times – you can put one in your car, keep one at work if possible, a couple in your basement or somewhere in your house and you could also make sure that your children have mini-kits with them at all times”, – explains Johnnie Miller, a Safety Manager at Ukwritings.

Practice your plan

Once you are done creating your plan, it’s a good idea to practice it. That’s the only way to memorize it perfectly. Run these plans in different situations – at home, do run-throughs of what happens if you are not at home, study the roads to see which can take you home faster. Teach your family members how to use some of the essential tools and how to defend themselves. Show them how to handle certain objects or how to drive if they are old enough.

Make a list of necessary supplies

As certain emergencies strike, you will likely not have time to go to the store and purchase everything that you need. Instead, make a list of all the things you’ll need and slowly, as you have available funds, purchase those items. Update this list frequently – there is no way you can think of everything that you’ll need on your first try. Plan for at least three days or longer.
This list should be easy to read and check off, so you should probably use formatting tools like StateOfWriting or Boom Essays to make it as comprehensible as possible. Don’t put anything that isn’t crucial on this list – keep in mind that you’ll have to carry these things yourself, so anything that’s not essential isn’t welcome.

I have an incremental emergency kit list to show how you can build a great kit without scarifice.

Make a communication strategy

Communication strategy is just as important as the rest of your plan. You never know what can happen and that’s why you need to organize your family and let them know how to communicate in case of emergency. Create a sheet of phone numbers each family member should know and call in case that they are alone and separated from the rest. Make sure that everyone has a phone, coins or prepaid cards if they need to reach you. Establish an ICE name and number and make sure that everyone in your family has it.

Make an evacuation strategy

Discuss as a family where you could go in case of an emergency. State who is in charge of what – shutting off utilities, taking care of pets, taking emergency supplies, driving etc. Make separate plans for each situation.

Stay informed

Best way to be prepared is to be informed. “Do some research on what is a possibility based on your area’s history and prepare for that. Stay informed on current events that might affect you on sites that give this sort of information, watch news, weather reports, read newspapers etc”, – says Earlene Boone, a Safety writer at Essayroo and Academ Advisor.

Conclusion

It’s better to be prepared that sorry when a disaster happens. Having a solid plan ensures that all of your family members will be safe and taken care of in case of an emergency.

Freddie Tubbs is a communication manager at Paper Fellows. He is running Academized and Australian help blogs and is a regular contributor at the Vault magazine.

DIY Plumbing: How to Take Care of Faucets and Fixtures

DIY Plumbing: How to Take Care of Faucets and Fixtures
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This guest post shows how to take care of your faucets and fixtures, mostly by cleaning, but it has a few other DIY tips that are helpful also.

You have faucets and fixtures in places like your kitchen and bathrooms. You might even have them in your laundry room too. As with most components of your home, these items will require some regular maintenance. This is especially true when it comes to keeping them clean. The following are some tips on how to keep your faucets and fixtures in good working order.

Lemon and Vinegar

When it comes to cleaning chrome faucets and fixtures, vinegar has always been a safe and powerful way to clean up lime deposits. Soaking the fixtures in vinegar for an hour can erode lime and restore the shine to your chrome components. If you want a better smell, however, lemon is a good natural cleaner too. Lemon is also great for eliminating water stains and soap scum build-up around your faucet and fixtures. If you are using brass fixtures, you will be more limited in your choices of cleaners. Often, distilled water is best in these cases.

Clean in the Hard to Reach Places Too

To keep sink and tub fixtures moving like they are brand-new, you must take extra special care to get into crevices and underneath tight mountings where rust and mineral deposits can accumulate. In these situations, using a toothbrush or dental floss to work in and out of hard to reach places can truly get the gunk out. Certain areas will be more difficult, but you can eliminate the problem with persistence.

Clearing Drains

While it may be relatively easy to work out problems with your fixture and faucet. Cleaning out a troublesome drain can sometimes be a more daunting task. If you are not sure the best way to proceed, then you may want to work with a company like Ez Flow Plumbing and draw from their years of expertise in clearing drainage systems. If a clog is creating a drainage nightmare, it may require tools you do not possess to get far enough into a drain to handle the situation.

Your faucets and fixtures are important components for your tubs and sinks that should last for a long time. If you take care of these components, they will function like new until you decide you want to change them out for something more modern. Additionally, keeping your faucet and fixtures in good working order will help to prevent unnecessary rust and damage to these parts as well.

Old Home Renovations: 3 Signs it is Time to Update the Driveway

Old Home Renovations: 3 Signs it is Time to Update the Driveway

3 Signs it is Time to Update the Driveway
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Today I have a guest post that outlines 3 Signs it is Time to Update the Driveway of your home.  I admit I have a couple of these at my place.

If your home’s driveway could talk, it would probably plead for a complete overhaul long before you would likely think it needs more than minor renovations or resurfacing. As if automobiles weighing several tons each rolling up and down the asphalt every day wouldn’t exert a hefty enough toll, annual seasonal cycles of freezing winter temperatures and precipitation, a springtime thaw, sweltering summer heat and a full-circle arrival back around to snow and ice inevitably leave cracking patterns like varicose veins from one end of your driveway to the other. As a homeowner, you have two choices: mind your driveway’s wear and tear on a timely basis or wait until the elements and steady daily traffic convert neglected yearly maintenance into a horrendously costly replacement project. Heeding these three telltale warning signs should convince you to update your driveway before compounded damage leaves you no choice but to break the bank replacing it.

Cracking and Potholes

The ground beneath your driveway flexes and shifts constantly. Eventually, as cars pass over the pavement constantly and changing temperatures cause everything beneath it to contract and expand, cracks can eventually deteriorate into potholes. Ignore these troublesome craters long enough at your own peril. Your car’s tires and suspension will drive the point home inevitably if subjected to them long enough to cause mounting damage. Remedy shallow potholes with a basic resurfacing, but don’t wait too long before making a date with a construction material delivery service and investing an afternoon in making over your rough-hewn asphalt. Deeper holes may require a more expensive resurfacing down the line.

Pooling and Drainage Issues

Believe it or not, few variables will wear a driveway down more persistently than moisture. If water runs right down the middle of your driveway or pools in conspicuous places, drainage issues may have already jeopardized its lifespan. This is a bigger problem than just sidestepping puddles while walking up and down your driveway during spring showers. When moisture seeps into surface cracks, freezing and thawing cycles will gradually expand, contract and weaken the underlying ground. Timely resurfacing locks out water and optimizes drainage, giving your driveway even better odds for a long life before you need to consider replacement.

Weathering, Crumbling and Erosion

A sun-faded driveway is one thing. Once your surface starts looking especially beaten-up, the entire structure has probably weakened to the point where bigger problems may soon develop. A crumbling, eroded driveway is harder to drive or park atop without accelerating ongoing damage to a car’s tires, wheels and suspension. Even pedestrians need to tread lightly, since a craggy surface invites twisted ankles and ugly trip accidents. Erosion is a methodical process, but the sooner you buckle down and resurface, the better your chances of spending several times more to repave or replace the entire thing.

Knowing when to update your driveway is not rocket science, but don’t let that fact undersell its importance. Remember, your vehicles call this little landing strip home between commutes. Just as importantly, it leaves an immediate curb-appeal impression capable of instantly elevating or depleting your home’s value. All things considered, you will almost always be better off erring on the cautious side by addressing visible structural concerns sooner much rather than later. You never know what a difference 12 months can make until you step outside and wonder when your assault evolved into an array of lunar craters and stray chunks of pavement.

Avoiding Contractor Fraud as Incidents Increase

Avoiding Contractor Fraud as Incidents Increase
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Over the last several years, contractor fraud in the construction industry has increased significantly, leaving many homeowners and business owners at a steep financial loss. Contractors are an integral part of the construction business, but as more contractors go rogue and fail to perform the work they promised, reputable construction companies and individual contractors take the hit. In a recent case in Washington, D.C., a residential home improvement contractor was found guilty of making false statements in bankruptcy proceedings and taking undue funds from government programs as part of his contracting business. From 2008 through 2015, the contractor stole from several homeowners by lying about his credentials and skills, requiring many of them to find other solutions for their home improvement needs.

As contractor cases like this continue to make the news, it is imperative for legitimate, licensed and bonded contractor businesses who hire contractors as well as homeowners to recognize the, warning signs of fraudulent individuals. There are several ways fraud can take a toll financially, but those who hire contractors can pay close attention to the following in an effort to stop fraud in its tracks.

 Licensing and Bonding Requirements

One of the most important steps in hiring a reputable contractor in construction is checking on the licensing and bonding credentials in place. Nearly all states require a contractor to hold a license, which requires an application and some proof of training or work history. In addition, a surety bond is also mandated by many states. Contractor surety bonds are an expense to the contractor, similar to insurance for a business, except that the surety company promises to pay up to the bond amount should the contractor fail to perform the work up to industry standards. These two critical pieces of information are a telltale sign that a contractor is, at a minimum, able to legally operate in the state where the project will be completed.

It is important to note, however, that simply because a contractor has a license and a bond it does not necessarily mean they will conduct themselves in the most professional manner. Those who hire contractors must also take the steps below to ensure they receive what they pay for without instances of fraud.

 References and Work History

Another smart way to check the legitimacy of a contractor is to ask for references and previous work completed. When contractors are willing and able to provide past customer references, be sure to follow up by calling those customers to ask about their experience. In most cases, legitimate contractors offer up references they know will put in a good word for them, which can make it difficult to know if fraud is on the horizon. To spot check these references, do an online search for the contractor or business name to see if there are any negative reviews or fraud alerts. Avoid hiring contractors who have several complaints against them with regulatory agencies or popular online review sites.

 Payments and Billing

The final protective step in avoiding contractor fraud may be common sense, but it is arguably the most important. Any contractor who asks for a significant up-front payment on a contract should be questioned as to why there is such a large need. In most cases, a small percentage of the project’s value is due at the time a contract is signed, but not the full amount. Any ask over 20% of the total payment may indicate the contractor isn’t operating legitimately. Large initial payments give no incentive for contractors to come back to complete the work, so it is best to choose a different hire.

Contractor fraud in construction is not completely avoidable, but there are steps consumers and business owners can take to safeguard their bottom line. Always start with a check of licensing and bonding, and follow up with work history and references when possible. Be sure to save the bulk of payment until the contract is successfully completed to avoid financial loss in any construction project.

Author:

Eric Weisbrot is the Chief Marketing Officer of JW Surety Bonds. With years of experience in the surety industry under several different roles within the company, he is also a contributing author to the surety bond blog.

Link to photo: https://www.jwsuretybonds.com/img/jwteam/Eric-Weisbrot—Marketing-Manager.jpg