its easy to for me as 3 men (all members here) have helped me out greatly in one form or another.
1) Kat (Ken Thornhill) has helped me tremendously with form and arrow set up I owe a great deal of my shooting ability to him.
2) Ron W (Ron Waldron)who has helped me a great deal with bow set up and has made about anything a man can imagine for me dealing with bow gear. I know Ron has some shooting struggles of his own on and of but he without a doubt knows a TON about traditional archery and shooting!
3)Ron LaClair who I had the pleasure of talking with at Denton Hill a few years ago. one thing Ron helped me on was anchor point and how important it is to hold tightly against your anchor point, "really mash it in" is what he said and I laughed but i'll be dammed when I paid more attention to that way my shooting became more persistent. really wish I could spend some more time around that man.
I just want to say THANK YOU to these 3 men. I do not consider myself a great shot but I feel I am average to good and I feel very confident.
I have been extremely fortunate, and have spent a good bit of time with both Ron LaClair and Fred Asbell. They have both helped me in different ways. Fred really helped me define my personal form. He makes things like "release" so simple. Ron has helped me a GREAT deal with the mental aspect of shooting, especially under pressure (Ron has also taught me quite a bit about woodsmanship, but that wasn't your question).
Lastly, I honestly have to give credit to my Dad. Dad was probably the best and most dedicated bow shooter I ever met. He didn't get serious about it until about 1968, but once he did.....wow. He never competed, but he should have. I watched him make some amazing shots. He put a bow in my hand EXTREMELY young, and was a good, gentle, firm stickler on form. He turned me loose with a quiver full of arrows, and always made sure I had a good bow, properly tuned, and good arrows. He was also an incredible arrowsmith, and sold some commercially. Steve Turay recently located and gave me a dozen boxed arrows that my Dad made in about 1972.
I have had some good influences, and I'm grateful.
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/3-24-201473917PM.jpg) (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/rnorris/media/3-24-201473917PM.jpg.html)
LOL......I'm flattered......but I have no one to blame but myself....... :biglaugh:
In the beginning it was Byron Ferguson and G. Fred Asbell that I tried to pattern my shooting after. Then it was a couple of local guys that tried to help with flaws as they saw them and a few videos that I bought and watched. But, when I really started to obsess and REALLY try to focus on getting better, it was TradGang and the "Shooter's Form" forum that I turned to. And y'all have never let me down. Too many of y'all to name here, and in too many different ways, but Arne Moe (Moebow) & McDave definitely deserve to be named.
That's to whom I give credit for my shooting ABILITY. My INABILITIES, however, are my own damn fault. :wavey:
LOL - I won't force the blame on anybody!
Rick Welch for shooting style and Steve Lamb for my first lessons
Moebow, McDave and Rod Jenkins. Although my shooting is nothing to write home about, it's not their fault. I've been given great instruction!
where i came from- there was nobody to help or guide me- self taught( very badly) until i discovered Rick welch!!!
My shooting ability would be an insult to credit to anyone else...so I guess I'll take the blame.
I am pretty much self taught in a lot of ways but there are several people who influenced me along the way. The first would be Mimi Bentley, who with her husband Gordon, ran The Archery Center in Madison. She helped me when I was struggling.
The second is Randy Ulmer. I first became aware of Randy and his how-to videos during my wheel days and figured out that he and I had similar styles. His advice on form and more particularly shot sequence helped me develop the same in me.
More recently would be Rod Jenkins, not necessarily because he taught me anything new but reinforced what I already knew and had let lapse. I was amazed at how much I had forgotten.
Though I haven't met him yet, Arne Moe and his form videos have been immeasurable in fine tuning many aspects of my form.
And of course all the people I shoot with on a regular basis - we are always willing to offer help to anyone struggling with their shooting - that's the nature of our sport.
I can only blame myself.
The initial phase was an Olympic coach that taught the basic instructor class at my archery club, then after that, hanging out at rmsgear watching Tom Clum give lessons and shooting with him and a few select others
I'm still working on the ability part but over the past two months many on here sharing their experiences, comments and suggestions on form, equipment choices and tuning has certainly been very helpful and much appreciated.
Have also found Jeff Kavanagh videos to be very informative and covering the whole range of trad topics. He's a heck of a shot too which in itself is entertaining. He's also cross dominant and shooting from the non-dominant eye side which is encouraging for someone trying to make that work.
G Fred Asbell at the beginning followed by Terry's form posts and instructions here and a friend I made early on who offered much advice from afar (NY to SC) Adkmountainken. These three gentlemen got me on target and there words, photos, and videos have kept me there through the years.
90% self taught. The other 10% from watching good shooters.
Mr. Rod Jenkins and his superb class was the best $ I spent on archery. Thanks again Rod.
Lots of time practicing figuring out what to do as much as what not to do. Single biggest thing that helped me was dropping to 52 lbs at my draw length. Now I can get my elbow behind my shoulder at full draw which really gets me into my back muscles... What a difference !
If there's anyone to blame outside myself, it would have to be you guys!
I was a lost, lonely archer fumbling along in the dark until I came across TradGang!
I dare say everything I have learned about traditional archery was from here or somehow stemmed from here.
Thank you all!
To tradgang and all of you. I didn't have a teacher so I lucked out by finding this site .
I'm self taught but remember reading a Bowhunter Magazine article about barebow shooting by Larry D. Jones back in the early 90's that was very influential on me. Larry talked about anchoring solid, back tension(with a clicker) and referencing the arrow. Prior to that I really struggled with snap shooting and target panic while trying to shoot pure instinctive. Larry's elk hunting articles also sparked my interest in western hunting. I never met him but he definitely deserves some credit!
Johnny Grubbs, a cement contractor who was a consistent field archery compeditor and my instructor. Met him through my father who was a television director and producer and who had Johnny and his wife, Betty, on television shooting a demonsration for promoting their class. Betty was a two time Instinctive Division National NFAA Champion and would shoot into the hole of 45 RPM records as part of her demonstration. They took me to various state and regional field archery tournaments, hunted with them throughout Oklahoma, and deer hunting in Arkansas. Also encouraged me to join two local archery clubs with field ranges. Betty passed on young before she obtained any more national championships but did turn professional just before she died. Good folks.
its real easy me and myself LOL!!!
GOD! and a couple people he placed in my life along the way .
Right On Target Frank! :thumbsup: We can learn from many people, but the truth is Our Father, every ones Father, has taught us through others...
Understand the friends that gave you some pointers or constructive criticism did so because (they) love you... That is what I believe... God Is Love!
That being said: In my account, the list of persons that helped me along the way would be in the dozens... Couldn't even start a list here...
... mike ... :archer2: ...
John holzrichter, he taught me it all. Aim, form and repetition. Tried for a few years on my own before I met him. He fixed years of bad shooting habits in a few weeks for me.
Gabe
Pretty much self taught, although I read stuff by Howard Hill, John Shulz, Byron Ferguson.
I know what Howard said about hunting and target shooting, but my experience was a little different. I switched to a compound bow for a couple of years and I joined a bow league. After one year I decided this was not as much fun so I started bringing my father's Root target recurve. Thirty eight #.
It really helped me to develop good hand control and a consistent release. I only shot league for 1-2 years.
When I first started archery at age 10, the guy that ran the range gave me some basic training. I have read many articles and seen many videos. I have attended brief seminars by Byron Ferguson and Fred Asbell. So, I have picked up tidbits here and there. Plus, some things I figured out on my own. I would doubtlessly benefit from an in depth course by a qualified expert trainer.
remember Ron it was YOU who finally said something about my "T-Rex" style draw and it was only after then I started working more on form with Ken, if you had not have busted my stones I would have thought I was still drawing 28 inches!
Myself! I didn't grow up with archery heroes. I didn't grow up with a family rooted in outdoor activities or with weapons of any kind. My first hunt was at 28 years old with a $5 flea market Shakespeare recurve and unmatched aluminum arrows. Compound bows were next. They were easy to learn to shoot and I killed a few deer with one until I decided I didn't like the feel of drawing a compound or having to keep up with the Joneses with all the latest gizmos. I started building selfbows and all wood bows with instructions from books by folks like Jay Massey, Paul Comstock, Jim Hamm, William Vonderhey, etc. After I get into selfbow shooting I realized I needed a little help with my shooting and that is when I got G. Fred's "Instinctive Shooting" and it's all history from there so I guess I owe most of my shooting knowledge to G. Fred. I owe my ability to myself for sticking with it for so many years not knowing if I could do it or not...I only knew I wanted to learn, so I did.
I learned to shoot way back when from friends. It took me quite a while till I finally found someone who could teach me methods to tune.
A lot of my shooting ability credit has to go to Rod Jenkins. Although it took quite a while to learn how to apply it everyday, I learned enough in Rod's 2 day clinic to eventually be able to shoot better than I had ever previously though I could!!!
Bisch
Same here Bisch, after doing it my self taught way for 40 years it took a lot more time than I initially thought it would. Rod gave me the building blocks and a path towards my goal, building a consistent strong shot, the rest was up to me. Been a fun journey and the rewards are very satisfying now.
self taught.
Abe Penner for building such a great shooting bow.
My brother John instilled the ethical hunting in me but I decided to try trad archery.
QuoteOriginally posted by ron w:
LOL......I'm flattered......but I have no one to blame but myself....... :biglaugh:
Love it ^^^^ I am same!
Nah grew up being the only bow nut around. Like many was a wheels dude but when the technology had me more tinkering on bow rather than shooting bow I found recurve so shooting off shelf to be much more friendly.
there was one guy that I ran into and can't remember his name. He made his own arrows and all that. He did help me gain some confidence in shooting live game.
I had missed my first deer with trad, bummed and pride in the gutter -I was great on the range but messed up on first chance at a deer?? - he said lets go squirrel hunting! I said your nuts I can't hit a deer! Much less a squirrel. He laughe said cmon on.
I smoked the first three squirrels, missed a few smoked a couple more. But was happy and confident again in my shooting.
Just taught me focus I guess? So he helped me a lot that day.
J
Course missed many since then too! I know I didn't focus like I should have or something else basic.
I picked up my first recurve in 1968 and self taught myself to shoot.
That being said MOEBOW here on the forum has given me a wealth of good advice that has really taken my shooting to a higher level.
Zwickey judo point
self taught
educated by a good 20 years older friend!
I learned a lot from members of the Sarasota County Archery club and a pro shop called Treetop Archery in Sarasota, Florida.
Barry Wensel for me and he doesn't even know it. I was just starting in my traditional journey when October Whitetails came out. I liked the simplicity of setting the bow arm and then drawing straight back to anchor. I had to develop the anchor and release myself, my basic "style" or lack thereof in shooting was based on watching Barry in those videos. It has served me well over the years.
D.P.
My Father gave me my first bow, Danny Delprat was the first to show me any archery form, Tom Parsons has spent about 25 years pounding it in my head, Bob Wesley the fine southern gentlemen, and Dave Miller's Expedition with a Dacron string and no side plate leather showed me how to grip the bow to get the best arrow flight, and Steve Turay explaining how the shooter can take the bow out of tiller just by his grip torqueing the bow limbs.
I learned more in a few days at a Rod Jenkins clinic than I'd learned in the previous 20+ years.
Terry Green via the shooting tutorial on the Tradgang video. I have shot trad for 36 years, but I have greatly improved since I started understanding the science behind making a repeatable shot form. I am not a target archer by any stretch, but I am so much more confident that I find myself surprising myself at some of the shots that I now make without hesitation.
My Buddy Friend aka Scott Sanders.
I wish I had someone to blame, I mean credit! :saywhat:
When I was growing up we used to go to my Grandparent's "Gentleman's farm" twice a month. Just a little 7 acre spread with a large garden and chicken coop. Backed on the Susquehanna River. He had longbows and static tip recurves. I also had a "tom boy" aunt who taught me to shoot a bow, fly fish and ski.
But my Bowhunting mentor was Gary Hall. He was a former state archery champion and an incredible shot. Also a pretty good hunter. We met at a local lake as we had similar sailboats and only came up with the common interest in bowhunting after a dinner at his home.
We used to boat into Balsam Swamp Lake and make camp and bow-hunt there for a week. Until his heart started to go south on him and we went to day trips.
He died in 2005 in April winding up a 1964 Moto Guzzi motorcycle he had restored over the winter. Had a heart attack and dumped the bike into guardrails. Two miles from my house. He lived a very full 60 years and I miss him a lot. Not a week goes by that I don't recall Gary.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/Stumpkiller/Bowhunting/Gary.jpg)
Ken Thornhill reminds me a lot of Gary. I think that's why I instantly liked him.
It was my dad , back in 1963 .
I wanted a bow and arrow really bad and he got me setup with a 25# bow and a real neat cardboard target .
It was awsom .
It was my dad. He been hunting with a bow since the late 1950's, when bowhunters was a rarity to see in the woods. He hunted with a recurve only until two years ago when his shoulders was just giving him to much trouble to bare. With great resentment, he bought his first compound, or what he likes to say, a "screen door", because the way it sounds when he shoots. Ha ha! But he still manages a shot or two with his old Shakespeare recurve once in a while. Another thing, I, nor my brothers ever actually seen our dad buy new broadheads! We believe he has been hunting with the same set of Zwickey's for as long as any of us remember. So I have to credit him for my love for Zwickey's as well. Here is a picture of my dad hunting our family's property back east. Thanks Pop!
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a639/martinhunter1/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-10/NCM_0082_zpsql3cgl7e.jpg) (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/martinhunter1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-10/NCM_0082_zpsql3cgl7e.jpg.html)
The information that people share on this site has always been helpful,thanks Tradgang.
Leland
Makes me wonder how many guys posted on this thread that still can't shoot worth beans.... :bigsmyl:
Barry Wensel and a fellow named Rick Blase. they had a video produced by whitetail visions called techniques for instinctive bow shooting. Rick shot an onieda eagle compound and Barry of course had a silvertip. i was in 8th grade, obsessed with bow hunting. watched this video and saw how much fun these guys were having so i took the sights off my golden eagle compound and shot 2 deer the next yr. then, a yr later i bought my first stick bow...brackenbury drifter. sometimes i wonder if those guys will ever realize how many people they influenced. the good ole days!
Pete and Dave (page 3 post): I want you to know how much guys like myself appreciate hearing stuff such as this, whether it's true or not, Ha. When we made those old/original videos they were produced in hopes guys like yourself would pick up the ball and run with it after seeing the fun we had. Knowing I've been a part of sharing so much enjoyment to others is a real blessing and makes me proud. You are right, I never dreamed I'd influence so many guys over the years. Every once in awhile I'll get a nice note or email from someone sharing their thanks. I really do appreciate that. Sharing our knowledge and experience goes a long way. And I'm proud I could help. Happy Memorial Day to all. And thanks again. BW
QuoteOriginally posted by Hankem:
Makes me wonder how many guys posted on this thread that still can't shoot worth beans.... :bigsmyl:
Guilty!
I have nobody to blame but myself :(
My brother-in-law "limbhanger" here on tradgang in 1996
After 10 years of not even picking up a bow, he hands me a Howard Edwards "Challenger" longbow and I started my obsession with traditional.
Thanks Bro!
I had been bowhunting for 30 years before I met Dan Quillian. He taught me more in the first year than I had been able to put together on my own. That's when I became a real archer. I sure miss that old buzzard.
I guess the ones responsible for me not giving up on shooting a bow all together, must be my local archery seller, Ola Klopbakken and of course Moebow and the rest of The Gang. I still have a lot to learn, but I´m getting there.
My Dad sparked my interest at about 10 years of age. I continued on after he lost interest. I can't find anyone to take credit for my poor shooting though!
As Jimmy Buffet once said... "Now I know, its my own damn fault"
Mine's God given ability and as good as he'll allow me to get.
99% self taught and self inspired,,,,actually its a gander mountain catalog and a picture of a Martin ML12 that inspired me to check out traditional and move away from the bear polar LTD compound I shot bare bow.
I honestly never heard of any of the traditional greats when I started I didn't even know Fred bear shot a recurve I thought he just made compounds.
I give Paul Brunner that last 1% for telling me what arrows to buy because I didn't even know what the numbers meant.
I can honestly say this style of archery was all my own idea.
I was introduced by a late friend. My ability to shoot half accurately came as a result of thousands of arrows and a will to not give up .......
Mark Horne
When I was a kid around 12 years of age my father who is deceased now started shooting a compound and I wanted to shoot one also but also wanted a dirt bike, my father said make a choice so I picked the bow. The friend that started my father was Donnie Frenier a great archer in my area of Va. He actually started a local archery club in the 1950's called Dixie Bowmen. Him and my father have both passed on and I miss them both dearly. Each and every time I make a bow kill I hold my bow up to heaven with tears flowing and say "That's for you Pop! I love you!" I even have that phrase on all my bows. Thanks all for reading this.
Floyd that's some good stuff you wrote.
Mike Shaw when im shooting lights out...Me when i can't hit the broad side of a barn from 10 ft away :laughing:
SATAN!
I would really hate to hang that buzzard around someones neck. Guess I can blame it on youtube and not giving up. LOL
Brian Sorrell's through his excellent book
Rick Welch - although I no longer use his anchor points
Arne Moe aka Moebow - WATCH HIS VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE
And for all the many flaws - me
A guy named Vic Henry owned an archery shop on cty rd 18 near Mpls. The first 4 times I shot it was with a 7 pound bow, it's all about basic form and with 7 lbs you can't make mistakes. He taught basic Olympic style. Vic gave form and God gave talent!
John Schulz
Grayarcher from Sweden, Rick Welch and my hunting partner .
I started on my own and shot for many years with terrible habits.A Dave Knipes'(Vermonster13) place and what a world of difference it made for me.
Initially Jake from Snellville Archery Center and Bowhunting Shop (George Ryals place). After that I just took what he taught me and practiced, along with getting tips from the guys here on TG, TBG and NGTA-Rob DiStefano, Chuck Nelson, Sam McMichael, Jeff Hampton, Crispin Henry, and Beecher Duvall, to name a few. Great people in this community. I still have a loooooong way to go. All these guys gave me a good base, though. Sorry if I forgot anyone.
wow that's an interesting list for sure!