Pre-Hunting Season Groups

[paleoman]

#3094

I have been practicing on and off since spring with my recurve, having picked up my intensity since August. I can’t seem to do any better than a general 12″ group at 20 yards. Most of the time I can get 4 of 5 arrows tight enough to be happy (4-6″), but then there’s always a flyer or bad group that kills my confidence. I have a “vintage” compound that drives them right in and I am getting weak. Any advice?

[Stephen Graf]

#16842

How long have you been shooting a recurve? It takes a few years to get consistent tight groups. There is the occasional “natural” who can do it faster, but for most of us it is yet another exercise in patience.

I would move up to 15 yards, or 10 yards. Everyone has a limit to their range. And you should definitely practice within that limit. As you improve, you can move back.

Are your arrows flying correctly?

Is your brace hight right? If you twist the string up and increase the brace height the bow will be more forgiving.

When I discovered longbows, I stopped shooting compounds entirely. But I went 2 years without killing a deer with a bow. (I made up for it during black powder 👿 )

The last arrow I shot from a compound killed a big bull moose in Quebec, nearly 60 inch spread. So I left it at that with the compound.

My advice is to do what makes you happy with regard to hunting with the compound. But you may find that when you pick it up and take it to the woods, it isn’t the same friend you remember…

My advice with your recurve is to practice at least twice a week, all year long. It is not like a compound. Shooting a traditional bow is akin to building a relationship. You have to work on it all the time, or it doesn’t develop well…

[paleoman]

#16911

Steve – thanks for the reply. I’ve had the bow now for 5 years or so and have shot at about the same schedule as I mentioned. Sometimes I am not as intense in the early part of the year, but at least once or twice a week usually.

I brace the bow at 7″ from the inside grip (the bow is a Jim Reynolds Thunderstick, more a longbow maybe I’d say). My aiming has gone from looking down the barrel of the shaft, to more recently “painting” the target with the broadhead tip and basically aiming with the point (I had the thought I should paint the tips with orange nail polish like an open firearm sight) and that seems to be getting me in better.

I agree with you on the compound. I much prefer to hone my self discipline and break thru this bit of frustration. So I’m going to move in closer as you said. If 15 yards is my best shooting, that is where I’ll let loose on what I hope will be my first trad buck (or big doe!). Thank you!

Scott

[Mark Turton]

#18187

Hi Scott, I can only tell you what has worked for me, I shoot groups of no more than 3 arrows I found that it helps with my concentration and focus. When I get flyer’s or open groups it almost always because I have not anchored properly.

One more point I started wearing glasses for reading about two years ago and find when I’m tired arrows will string to the left up to a foot.

Hope some of the above might help, Mark.

[George D. Stout]

#19175

A lot of inconsistent groups comes from form breakdown. You need a solid anchor, a clean release….and maybe most imporant of all, a good followthrough. If you are happy with your overall form, you may want to address the followthrough; it is the most overlooked aspect of a quality shot. Make sure that you are keeping your bow arm in place until the arrow strikes the target. Repeat that to yourself several times. If the head comes up to peek at arrow flight, the bow arm usually moves out of the way….not good.

Form dictates where the arrows will go, and it may be a simple fix if you look at your shot process. If you have someone near you who shoots fairly well, have them watch you shoot….they may see some inconsistency.

This is not a hard thing to do, but you “must” follow a consistent pattern of form to get those groups. And, don’t listen to anyone who says you don’t neet to shoot groups. Groups show you that you are either consistent or not….simple as that. You don’t always need to practice that way, but it is a way of detecting breakdowns in form.

Get close and get consistent with……draw, anchor, aim/focus, release, and followthrough.

[Mark Turton]

#20201

Thought about this while walking the dogs, there is also the psychological aspect when going from compound to a real bow.

For me the secret to shooting a compound was understanding the mechanics and geometry of the thing, ounce you understand that it’s pretty simple if you do your part you will hit whats in the site. Its all about the bow.

I’m sure George is right in what he says a traditional bow is all about you, you have to forget/ignore everything that went before if you don’t follow the steps George laid down it just wont go right.

Bit more waffle, to much time on my hands at the moment, Mark.

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