New to bow hunting… entirely

[dwyattcarlile]

#6871

So, not only am I new to this sight and new to traditional bowhunting, I’m new to bow hunting in general. Never before have I owned a bow nor really shot one. My reasoning for getting into the sport and doing it traditionaly came about from a combination of a love for the outdoors, hunting, and history. My father decided to give me his Martin Hunter HH4890 recurve that he bought about 20 years ago. Though the draw weight concerned me at first (65# @ 28″) I am finding it to be an easy draw for me even though holding it there for very long does get difficult. I walk around drawing the bow back and have yet to shoot an arrow because I want to get my draw down and be able to hold it for an extended period of time before I start shooting. This will ensure me that once I enter a North Idaho shooting situation where my draw could possibly be held for a couple minutes (as I have had to do holding a rifle to my shoulder), I can do it. Basically, to get down to it, what do I HAVE to know right now that I should have known before I ever touched a bow? My father doesn’t really bowhunt so he has no advice for me. Please… talk to me like I’m stupid for I am extremely new to this. Baby steps! Oh, lastly, how do I clean this thing in a safe manner? It’s extremely dusty from sitting around.

[wildschwein]

#55700

I have been exactly where you are. Decided a few years ago that the rifle was too easy, and after seeing an add with a longbow in it decided to go that route. I hadn’t even seen a tradbow (outside of movies) let alone handled one, and didn’t know anyone who shot one either.

To make this transition as easy as possible, I recommend picking up a couple books. The ones that have helped me the most are…

Stalking and Still-Hunting by G Fred Asbell

Instictive Shooting By G Fred Asbell

The Traditional Bowhunter’s Handbook by TJ Conrads

Beginner’s Guide to Traditional Archery by Brian Sorrels

These four books shaved months off my learning curve, and still prove invaluable on a day to day basis.

I would also suggest you join your local range and/or bowhunting organisation. There are likely numerous folks at both locations who would more than glad to help you out.

[lyagooshka]

#55723

dwyattcarlile,

Welcome. I am also new to traditional archery, though I not to archery in general. I cannot really give technical advice since I don’t want to steer you wrong, but what I can say is: Have Fun! That is the best way to not tire of the sport. Another thing is: prepare to miss. I did, and still am. If you could just pick up a bow and start hunting with it, what you would have is a compound (sorry, couldn’t resist 😆 ). Also, what got me interested is reading stories about traditional archery. The suggestions by wildschwein are excellent (read 3 out of 4) from a technical stand-point, but for simple pleasure, try “Hunting the Hard Way” by Howard Hill. It gives you an idea of what is possible with a traditional bow and after reading it, I knew traditional archery was for me. Lastly, don’t forget this site and TBM. Many wonderful people here who are a wealth of knowledge, and are more then happy to “spread the wealth. Have fun, be safe, keep shooting.

Alex

😀

[dwyattcarlile]

#55746

Stalking and Still-Hunting by G Fred Asbell

Instictive Shooting By G Fred Asbell

The Traditional Bowhunter’s Handbook by TJ Conrads

Beginner’s Guide to Traditional Archery by Brian Sorrels

I have actually purchased 2 of those books. I should receive them soon. Both of Asbell’s books I haven’t seen yet, but I will definitely look them up. I also purchased a book called Become The Arrow by Bryan Ferguson and Glenn Helgeland as well as Instinctive Archery Insights by Jay Kidwell.

[skifrk]

#55878

I would think for cleaning that you can wipe down with a wet rag and you should be good, if it is the original string for the bow you might want to get some stringwax and work in or have it checked to see if you need a new one. If you have not hunted much before, do you have a local archery club you could join? You might be able to find a mentor there who can steer you in the right direction with hunting help. After all while it is possible to convey what to try over the internet, getting out in the woods and learning the area and experiencing it first hand can help a lot with your growth. All the books are good to read, i also bought to watch DVD’s since sometimes for me I get more out of watching then reading, so i got Masters of the Barebow series which talk about form and technique for shooting. Have fun on the journey of archery.

[dwyattcarlile]

#55935

Thank you for the insight. I know the area I will be hunting very well and am always going out into the woods to get away from all the people around here. In time it’s just going to be a matter of practice and experience. God willing I will have many hunting seasons ahead of me. After all, I’m only 25.

[archer38]

#8523

Don’t take this for anything more than another beginner’s advice, BUT, I cannot imagine anyone holding a 65# draw for more than 10 seconds and still shoot accurately. Don’t set your expectations too high here. Secondly, the best thing I ever did to help my shooting was to follow the teachings of Rick Welch. You should look him up. He WILL make you a better shooter.

[Mathew Carothers]

#15750

I’ll second this. I just switched from 60lbs to 45. I honestly believe that I hindered my learning by being so stubborn and sticking with the heavier bow. To be fair, I just got the 45#, but I am optimistic.

The book and video suggestions are spot on, though. Personally, I am the researcher type, and read everything I can get my hands on, and Asbells books and video, as well as this site and TBM have been a fantastic learning source for me.

[handirifle]

#16141

Find deer, aim bow, draw bow, shoot deer, clean deer, then take deer home, enjoy venison.:wink:

See, it’s quite simple really :D.

Yea, I wish!:(

Good advice above, take heed.

[Stephen Graf]

#16445

And… Don’t think of your bow as a gun. It’s a totally different bird. Which means you have to learn to hunt in a different way. Getting close, planning your shot, staying invisible… There will be no need to hold your bow at full draw.

And, as has been said, you have a really heavy bow. At least for most people. That may be why your dad never got into it. If you got a 45 lb bow to start with, your dad may even get interested. it’s a totally different (and better) experience to shoot a comfortable bow.

Enjoy the flight of the arrow. You have picked some good books to read.

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#18944

I started alone also. I had TJ’s book, which is the most complete book about trad archery and bowhunting in general. I also had a video made by Denny Sturgis called, I think:

” shooting instinctively at the moment of truth”

I don’t know if they still make this one, but the DVD series Master of the bare bow is right on, especially the Ron LaClair and Fred Eichler segments!

[Goraidh]

#20067

As was mentioned earlier, enjoy. Enjoy the bow. Enjoy the arrows. Enjoy getting to understand their relationship with each other and with you. Enjoy learning how to hunt with your bow and arrows. Enjoy learning how to get closer to a wild deer than you ever thought you could. This is fun stuff, man. Enjoy it. And good luck to you.

[Arne Moe]

#20262

I see that dwyattcarlile the OP, hasn’t posted since the end of July. I do agree that archery is meant to be fun and to have fun with!

Now, here is the spoiler. For a newcomer to archery he will (probably) not have fun nor will he be successful starting with a 65# bow. Even a 45# bow is too much to START with! If he or anyone else came to me for coaching, they would START with 15-20# and learn a correct draw sequence that will lead to success AND more importantly REDUCE the risk of injury.

It would be interesting to know if the lack of any followup posts from dwyattcarlile are because he lost interest, hurt himself or found that he couldn’t shoot that bow??

Just sayin’ and wondering.

Arne

[Mathew Carothers]

#22025

15 to 20 lbs? Wow, that is considerably lighter than I expected. You don’t have any problem teaching a clean release with such little pressure against the fingers?

[Arne Moe]

#22072

Matthew,

Yep! 15-20# Here’s why. To really learn the mechanics of the shot, a person will “get it” faster if they are not struggling with bow weight. It also allows them to explore themselves and find areas that can be relaxed because that is not needed for the shot. They also can learn and find the arm/shoulder/torso movements that lead to efficient execution. Just because a person CAN pull a heavy bow does not mean that that is the way to learn.

Many shooters start with heavier bows (sure some are successful) and they frequently get so much of their body very tense just pulling the bow back that they can’t relax any part of it.

We frequently read or hear someone say, “I can only shoot a XX# bow because any lighter and my release gets bad. I submit that it is not the release that is bad, but that that person learned with a very tense string arm, forearm, wrist and hand. So the heavier weight bow “rips” the string out of their hand. It certainly DOES mask errors in shot execution.

On a light bow you can learn to relax that entire string arm all the way out to the string hook. Then learn to get back tension holding the weight of the bow. Then with that relaxed arm they can get perfect relaxed hand releases. Tension in ANY part of the string arm make the release harder to execute than it needs to be.

After getting this down on a light bow it becomes

much easier to move back up in weight and the good execution follows you. It is just VERY hard (nearly impossible) to learn this initially on a heavy bow.

Arne

[Mathew Carothers]

#22084

I understand. I feel like I am experiencing the same thing with my new (to me) 45lb’er. With the old bow I strained so much that I felt pain sometimes.

[Arne Moe]

#22101

If done correctly, archery should NEVER cause pain! Nature’s way of saying “don’t do that!” NO pain ANYWHERE!! Fingers, arms, shoulders, torso, etc = NO PAIN.

Pain is caused be many things but a couple are too much bow weight and poor form execution. These are the most common.

You see many folks trying to prevent pain by using thicker gloves/tabs, short drawing, snap release to name a few. 99% of these are better fixed by getting the shooter shooting more correctly.

Archery is NOT a strength sport, it is not an aiming sport; IT IS a FORM sport!

FWIW

Arne

[stykbo]

#37331

I am finding it to be an easy draw for me even though holding it there for very long does get difficult.

Well, my 2 cents, for what it’s worth….

I too started with no help from no one back in 1968. I didn’t even know there were other “archers” out there. Consequently, I wasted a lot of time going through all the wrong stuff. Oh it was fun, but unproductive.

If 65# is an “easy” draw for you, do it. But don’t even think of holding anchor unless you’re going to compete in the Olympics. I would recommend “INSTICNTIVE SHOOTING” by Asbell but “Become The Arrow” is too zen for me. I would save the rest for later on.

Get 10 feet away from a target and pick a pencil dot on the face of the target… get in a comfortable, slightly bent forward posture with bow in hand, and stare at that pencil spot. Do NOT take your eyes off the “spot” and draw back moderately quick, touch your finger to the corner of your mouth and release. Now consider what you did, see what happened (on target) and try to put another arrow in the same spot by doing the same thing over again. Doesn’t matter where you hit (unless you missed target entirely). Your goal is to tightly group arrows… and get used to that weight.

What do ye say brethren? 😀

[stykbo]

#37337

Oh, btw… if you are destroying your arrows at 10 feet…move back. And then move back again.:wink:

[cannoc]

#14078

I started shooting with a 55# long bow because it was a gift. It was lots of fun but too much weight. All of that practice with weight I wasn’t ready for has caused me to struggle to this day to come to full draw even with a lighter weight. I bought a new bow this year. It’s 46# Black Widow long bow and shoots sweet! Archery is lots of fun! I wish you well!

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