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I’m a Vietnam Veteran with PTSD, the intensity of traditional archery staying (focus) is one of two things that I have to deal with, the other is the grip on my Sage bow is too large. I’m not able consistently shoot with such a large grip. The battle trying to concentrate on two things is too much. I can buy a new recurve bow with a smaller grip but not until November 2014. So, is there anyone that is in traditional archery with PTSD, and how have they deal with two?
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First, thank you for your service to our country. Our troops never got their just due in that era, and quite the contrary. I am sorry for your difficulties and that of so many other.
As for your attention to focus, that would best be advised by your doctors on how to overcome that medically oriented challenge.
As for the grip issue, I can relate personally. I do NOT have PTSD, but I had bows with grips that sucked out loud in stereo! For years! I would talk to bowyer after bowyer…had a few custom bows made…but alas, none ever resolved my issues.
All I can say is that your Sage is a tool. So is a rasp and sandpaper. I have altered a few early bows desperately trying to find a cure to the shape of bow handles. I was successful only in part, but I found DEFT spray varnish to cover my efforts to alter the wood handles and it never hurt performance.
Fortunately, Kirk Lavender of Bigfoot Bows built me a custom bow, after watching video of my shooting from varied angles with different bows… he built me a handle that is amazing! Many of his customers say the same thing.
For now, with November already being hunting season, I’d recommend judicious rasping and sanding to make your bow fit you better… slow and steady as she goes! A little at a time.
The good thing about most stick bows is they’re of wood… unless you have to remove so much wood it makes it dangerous! You could even perhaps speak to the bowyer who builds Sage bows and ask opinions so you’re not left for the next 7 months battling 2 frustrations!
Good luck. And again, thank you for your service and sacrifice for our country!
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Welcome!
Ad Doc said, grab a rasp and some sandpaper and have at it if needed.
Another thought is to try to hold the bow a little on the loose side, that way the large grip may not be such a problem.
For me the fun is in the journey, not the destination.
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I don’t have PTSD, but I did have some the normal spectrum of stress related issues when I got back from Afghan. I found my return to archery to be a helpful tool in kind of ‘zenning out’ and focusing. I’d leave all my worries aside while I was on the range, just going through the shooting process.
Maybe if you can break down your shot sequence into steps or catch words, like “Grip” (how you’re holding the bow), “Bow arm” (check your bow arm shoulder and elbow position) “Hook” (how your fingers are on the string), “Anchor” (Complete your draw), “Follow through” (complete your follow through). There are a number of ways you could do that, but I found having a step by step process helped me focus on form and forget about everything else. Shooting at the range became a very mentally relaxing experience for me.
As far as the handle goes, the fellas may be right, you might just have to make it smaller. I use a real high wrist when I shoot my recurve and it’s really just the webbing between my thumb and forefinger that contacts the riser. Maybe that kind of grip would help you if the handle is too fat to consistently contact the riser with a medium grip. I’d try a few things before I bought a new bow though, you never know what may work.
There are a few other vets kicking around the forum mate, you’re in good company here 😉
Jim
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Thank you for your service. PTSD is a difficult wound that many have had to deal with. I agree with the advice every one is giving you about the bow. I would add do not pay attention to where the arrow hits the target. Proper form is most important now. But you need to be nonjudgmental when you practice. Practice with mindfulness. Feel the wood touching your bow hand. Notice your five senses. The idea is to completely pay attention to your practice but not the results. This is being in the moment. Mindfulness is a technique I teach to people that I am privileged to help with PTSD. Being in the moment gives your mind a break from thinking about the past or the future. Using mindfulness a number of times a day helps build inner strength to cope with the emotional wounds. Again thank you for your service.
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Thank You to all who answered the call! Awhile ago I when to the local Sportsmans Warehouse, and I talked with the archery staff there about the Sage bow; twisting at the shot; and what he said was that others were having the same problem. So he had me to shoot two Bear bows both with smaller grips, the feel was much better. I have a Mathews bow that came with a large handle/grip, and I could not shoot that bow either, so I had the archery shop remove that grip, replacing it with a smaller handle/grip. I’m now able to shoot this bow much better. I will continue shooting what I have until I’m able to buy a traditional bow with a smaller handle/grip. For the PTSD, I’ve had two sessions of counseling: 1999/2000 and 2010/2011. My shooting modern archery was at the lowest point since starting archery 2007, the counseling session in 2010, turned things around, and my shooting has improved where I felt traditional archery I’d give it a try spending $140.00 Samick Sage, a small price to pay. Again, thank you!:D
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Howdy,
Great to see your post. I don’t suffer as you do, nor did I serve in the military, but my hat is off to you in a big way. I read the posts here and you have some great advice. The only thing I would like to add is that I read a book by G. Fred Asbell, called Advanced Instinctive Shooting for Bowhunting. He’s very clear on using a high wrist for a recurve. I stuggled with my recurve because it has this nice fat grip to grab a hold of, so I’m tempted to do so. Fred offers that using a straight wrist, which gives you very little contact with the grip is the right way for a recurve. Obviously, the right way will be the one that works best for you, but it might be worth a try. Wish you all the best! dwc
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rferdinand,
I do not have PTSD. I cannot imagine what it is like, but I do have pretty severe ADHD. I call it “look-squirrel disease”, and that’s not even a joke. I cannot concentrate on one thing, let alone two. Not sure if this will be of any help, but this is how I deal.
First, my expectations are as follows: getting out into the woods, even if I spend 5 minutes in the stand before I have to light a smoke or climb down to adjust that twig in my shooting lane (I didn’t mention OCD as well) or tinkle, or whatever, it’s still a hell of a lot better than sitting on my duff at home getting brain-drained by the idiot tube. My “success” is being there. With time, 5 minutes turned into 6, then 7… I learned to amuse myself with the sights and sounds around me, not just with the [lack of] technology. Eventually, I started to actually see things. Deer, turkey, all sorts of not-in-season stuff. It seems the more I enjoy it, the more it just falls into place. Can’t give you some scientific rational, just how it happened for me.
In terms of shooting, it’s actually the same. I have read many books on instinctive shooting. They are great and written by excellent archers. But they are not for me. The days I do best on the range are when I just show up and don’t give a hoot. I just pull back, hit my anchor and let go. No, I am not hitting elk at 187 yards, but I am hitting the target.
I am rambling, so I will leave it at “just have fun”. I don’t know what else to say. Since you were in the military, I assume you fired an M16. Not the most customizable weapon, but once you got the fundamentals, you could at least hit the pop-up. I’m gonna say, same with a bow. Unless you get a custom that is made specifically for you and your hand/grip, I don’t think you will ever have one that is “just right”.
Again, still rambling, so good luck. I am sure there are people here on this forum that will be able to give you outstanding advice. I have asked many questions, and I always get a lot of food for thought.
Take care,
Alex
😀
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Soothing time in the woods is my backyard. The woods here in Alaska you can find the four footed furry kind (black or brown) with big teeth and claws. Therapy is just spending time shooting my bow, the compound or recurve. I will be shooting both today, first the recurve, and then the compound. Again, THANKS to ALL who answered the call. I will be looking at shooting my bow with a different mind set; just for fun.
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I too suffer from PTSD and totally relate to what you are saying with regard to focus. Jim is on the right track.
“Maybe if you can break down your shot sequence into steps or catch words, like “Grip” (how you’re holding the bow), “Bow arm” (check your bow arm shoulder and elbow position) “Hook” (how your fingers are on the string), “Anchor” (Complete your draw), “Follow through” (complete your follow through). There are a number of ways you could do that, but I found having a step by step process helped me focus on form and forget about everything else. Shooting at the range became a very mentally relaxing experience for me.”
Taking his advice a step further, I have found that if I focus on only one aspect per practice session I have more satisfying results overall.
As far as my PTSD goes I have found that the VA does want to help and they have the resources to get the job done. If you are not taking advantage of their services you should. You earned that right.
Hang in there and feel free to PM me anytime.
Steve
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I too suffer from PTSD and totally relate to what you are saying with regard to focus. Jim is on the right track.
“Maybe if you can break down your shot sequence into steps or catch words, like “Grip” (how you’re holding the bow), “Bow arm” (check your bow arm shoulder and elbow position) “Hook” (how your fingers are on the string), “Anchor” (Complete your draw), “Follow through” (complete your follow through). There are a number of ways you could do that, but I found having a step by step process helped me focus on form and forget about everything else. Shooting at the range became a very mentally relaxing experience for me.”
Taking his advice a step further, I have found that if I focus on only one aspect per practice session I have more satisfying results overall.
As far as my PTSD goes I have found that the VA does want to help and they have the resources to get the job done. If you are not taking advantage of their services you should. You earned that right.
Hang in there and feel free to PM me anytime.
Steve
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I too suffer from PTSD and totally relate to what you are saying with regard to focus. Jim is on the right track.
“Maybe if you can break down your shot sequence into steps or catch words, like “Grip” (how you’re holding the bow), “Bow arm” (check your bow arm shoulder and elbow position) “Hook” (how your fingers are on the string), “Anchor” (Complete your draw), “Follow through” (complete your follow through). There are a number of ways you could do that, but I found having a step by step process helped me focus on form and forget about everything else. Shooting at the range became a very mentally relaxing experience for me.”
Taking his advice a step further, I have found that if I focus on only one aspect per practice session I have more satisfying results overall.
As far as my PTSD goes I have found that the VA does want to help and they have the resources to get the job done. If you are not taking advantage of their services you should. You earned that right.
Hang in there and feel free to PM me anytime.
Steve
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Here is another source for support: Combat Call Center–877 927 8387. Hotline staffed by combat vets that you can talk with about experiences or any other issues. Great team I talked to them today and they are there to help:D.
Yes, to keep on thread I shot the bow today–thinking of mom down there in the sun and sand8).
Semper Fi
Mike
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Busted! Yes, we are in Costa Rica and I’ll be here for the next month. But, as any good Mom will tell you, I can see you guys from anywhere in the world! 😀
On a serious note, PTSD is a serious issue and I hope that we can help in some way to calm anxiety, share experiences and help in any way we can.
Way to keep it on track, ColMike!
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