Please participate, any and all. Just as the topic implores, would you consider yourself a good shot? In addition to voting, please post the number of years that you've been at this traditional archery business. Thanks in advance.
Started with a small yellow fiberglass bow when I was about 6 or 7, around 1956.
Got my first bow around the age of 10 so 53 years, ish...
35 yrs trad.
I guess around 10-12 years of shooting. A 10 year gap in there somewhere. Never had much guidance at all... books early on, then learning a whole lot in the years I've been aroung this site.
All in all, I consider my shooting "OK" at this point, so I chose the good days/bad days option, which is largely how it goes (more good days than bad days, these days!)
A couple years in my tweens, then didn't come back to it until about 7 years ago. Been at it full time since then. Shoot almost daily.
I have my days. It's about like golf! Going to 3D shoots and seeing others shoot. I would say I'm just a bit over average. Started with a Darton wheel bow in 82. Bought my first Trad bow in 95 hunted with it a few years then took a big compound hiatus. Took the old bow out about 4 years ago and killed a deer with it. Been back into it full bore ever since. Now I have a whole room full of recurves and longbows.
I consider myself a pretty fair shot on a good day. Less so on a bad day. I generally have more O.K. days, though. One way I describe myself is that on some days I am an archer, but on other days, I am just a clown with a bow in his hand.
I started archery in 1959 (age 10) but did not shoot seriously ubtil I was a teenager. Even then, I spent more time with the rifle than the bow. In the 1980's, I became much more serious with the bow, and by 1990, when I tried a longbow, was really into bow hunting. 22 years ago I stopped deer hunting with a rifle altogether, with the exception of taking one deer with black powder.
All of my bowhunting has been with traditional gear. When I got started, there was no such thing as a compound bow, and I never saw any reason to get one. Yes, I was greatly influenced by the adventures of Howard Hill, which may explain my attraction to Hill style longbows. Essentially, that's all I shoot now.
I am not afraid to say it, I work damn hard. My practice sessions go for 2 or more hours, sometimes several sessions a day. I need to be a good shot, my favored game is fast, small, and quite often not sitting around waiting for me to get off a second shot. To hit a sitting dove one needs to be a good shot. To hit a flying dove, one needs a miracle.
I'm like Pavan, I shoot everyday and work hard at it. I feel that we as hunters owe that to our quarry. I have hit the same place twice every now and then. Even took a couple apart because I needed the arrows. Been at it 45 yrs (http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd251/bens5218/20170520_195334.jpg) (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/bens5218/media/20170520_195334.jpg.html)
Just over a year for me. My answer is NO, not a good shot. Some days are pretty good, some I'm all over the place. To me, that means not good. So I just keep practicing, 4-5 days a week.
My dad started me shooting after I watched him shoot. I was five or six years old and that would have been in 1951 or 52. So that means that I have been shooting for many years, but you have to exclude the years for college because I was both working and going to school full time.
Regards,
Grouse
j just have fun shooting my bow. I have for the past 18 years
I started in the summer of 1963 .
Been shootin' every sense . :archer:
Been shooting the bow for 72 of my 78 years. Don't plan on quitting
any time soon.
I started four years ago and shoot every day for at least 20 minutes. I have my on and off days.
I think I was eight when I got my first bow, went to the dark side when I was eighteen and didn't come back to the light until mid 40's. Been trad for about 12 years now.
Bout 12 years Trad only, for me. Had been shooting compound since a kid, about 25 years. I shoot pretty often. It's addictive.
Any good???? Lol, that's kinda subjective isnt it? If my shooting is meant for elephant, I wouldn't have to be near as tight of a shooter as pavan and his doves....but it would be good for elephants.. Compared to Hill, I stink royally! Been shooting for almost 30 years traditionally.
Almost 50 years since starting, minus about 20 years in the middle when I was too busy with kids and work.
73 years and looking forward to the next 73. Lots of changes in that time but for me, always with stick bows.
27 years at Traditional, 38 in archery all together. I shoot every day. I've ruined over a dozen arrows with robin hoods. Now I wouldn't say I'm a "great" shot and I don't shoot like this all the time. I'd say that I am a consistent shot. (http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee393/seanb45/photo3_zpsbeb88212.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/seanb45/media/photo3_zpsbeb88212.jpg.html)
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee393/seanb45/2F6F1491-5A84-4265-B06A-8E7B1919D6EE_zpseejb3pat.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/seanb45/media/2F6F1491-5A84-4265-B06A-8E7B1919D6EE_zpseejb3pat.jpg.html) (http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee393/seanb45/2B44D325-9239-4C19-AE10-3F25D4FE94AC_zpskeeutazv.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/seanb45/media/2B44D325-9239-4C19-AE10-3F25D4FE94AC_zpskeeutazv.jpg.html) [URL=ht:
I have been shooting a bow since about 8 years old,first 10 trad and all trad for the last 9.
I began my journey into trad in 2008.
Since 1959 when I was eight,first bow deer at 14. Definitely have good days and also days where the broadside of a barn is safe. As my attention wanders so do my arrows. But will stick with it until the end of the road.
Started shooting archery with a old Indian bow back in the 70's. Like others, I migrated to wheelie bows during the 80's but made the easy transfer back to traditional in the mid 90's and haven't looked back since. I shoot daily but I am not much on 3D shoots because I practice and hunt with broadheads.
"Good" is subjective and relative.
I voted "yes" (good) but I'd bet that John Demmer is a good bit better.
I've always been a pretty good shot though the learning curve was pretty steep the second time I picked up trad. Started shooting an all glass bow in about 1957 at the age of 8-9 and shot trad until about 1975. Picked up a compound then and shot several of that variety for 35 years. Got back into an exclusive relationship with long bows in 2009 and had to get a new and bigger freezer. So short answer, been shooting arrows for 60 years this year.
Since 1966...
Been shooting trad since 1969 with my old fiberglass recurve now 58 yrs old,still practice on a daily basis.We owe it the animals we hunt.
Yes - 40 + years - started with a Browning recurve
<><
<----------------<<<<<<<
Shooting trad for 24 years. I try to shoot almost everyday for at least a half hour.
52+ years at this. Started with a Ben Pearson Ol Ben.
I started shooting nearly 50 years ago with a green fiberglass Ben Pearson bow. I still have that bow tucked away. Most days are good, but I have to work hard at it. Then some days I guess I just don't concentrate!
25 years traditional, took awhile for my hunting ability to catch up with my shooting ability.
:archer:
Shot my first arrow almost 60 years ago . I never get enough of it and I shoot almost every day. I'm a fair shot and have won several state championships in my division. I love 3d shoots but I mostly hunt .
I wouldn't say good, but I have fun. First shot field archery at camp when I was a kid, and got pulled into 3D after college by a coworker/mentor who was the president of our local club, around 2000. Got active in the club, then got married and started making kids. So I'm back at it now after about a 5 year break, and I'm bringing my 5yo twins along. Fun for all of us!
Approximately 23 years traditional. Like the old cliche' says, not as good as I once was...but better than average. Used to compete a lot, folks got in bad shape and had to slow way down on that, folks passed away but now I do a lot of shows as a vendor/rep so even though I'm there I'm not competing.
Took a Rod Jenkins clinic a few years ago, before my folks passed, but didn't have the time to implement what I learned. Need a refresher course.
I did learn a lot though, and haven't forgotten all of it. The NASP team I help coach has won North Half and State the last 4 years.
Chad
I see by the poll results that we are approaching Lake Wobegon status where everyone is above average. :bigsmyl:
due to everyone's scale of proficiency being much different in everyone's mind, this would be interesting to do another poll with predefined group sizes or proficiency suggestions to choose from.
If a shooters goal in this sport is to hold 3 arrows groups in a 5" circle at 10 yards, and accomplishes it, then that is for sure good.
Thats why this sport is so awesome, its fully customizable to the individual, from equipment, goals, aiming methods, etc etc etc.
Bought my first recurve in '84. Young and dumb and it was too heavy at 74#. Shot it until it broke in in '88 and went back to a compound until '91 when I got a bit smarter and bought a 55# Widow. Switched to a longbow in 2002 and longbows are what I prefer now. Have dropped in weight to 45-50# so that I can hopefully keep this up for awhile longer!
Everyone has their own goals, if a three arrow group at 10 yards is one's goal, good for them. I have seen lots of folks do good with three arrows when taking 'their' shot at their specific distance, but add arrows and start mixing things up and that good group is gone. Groups are one thing and hitting specific targets at a non-specific distances is a whole nother category. Some rate themselves with those three arrows, some with target scores and others by game hit and game missed.
I shot single string first dozen yrs of my life,
got away form it work, girls and family.
started with shooting single string again 84 have not lost the passion yet.
Since 1962, I started out with many bows made from any suitable stick until I got my first glass bow about a year into it. I have never owned a compound although I did shoot a friends enough times to know that I didn't need one. Am I any good? I wouldn't imagine that you would stick with something for that long if you aren't successful.
Began shooting a bow when I was 7. My grandfather got me an old fiberglass bow, he shot with me at least a few times a week. He had a 1968 bear grizzly that he bought new. It took years before I could say I was actually good and accurate enough to hunt with. It was a major learning curve. Tradgang of course helped tremendously for me when I was really the only person shooting traditionally once my grandfather passed away. I am now 22 and I practice like I hunt and feel I am a pretty good shot within my hunting ranges, always room for improvement though.
Got my first recurve in 1967 after seeing my uncle Herb practice for bowhunting. Been at it ever since. I was 15 at the time, I'll be 65 in June.
30 years
I'd say I'm OK, good enough to be confident inside 20 yards. Been shooting for almost 3 years.
I couldn't hit water, if I fell out of a boat... But hey, it's suppossed to be fun!!! Been at this about 55 years. Started shooting about the time I started walking...
I've been shooting over 50 years. Started hunting deer with a bow in 1968.
started shooting a little fiberglass bow when i was about 6 years old 60 years later still shooting . i have bounced a few times to wheels and cams but felt a loss and it was trad and the pure joy of shooting . Am I good ? some days ok
and yes most others still trying to lock it all down and tighten up my shots . I still think the the journey is the joy and the memories .
-------Black Wolf 68" 57#@28" -----
-------Tall Tines 60" 52#@28"------
-------Tall Tines 60" 45#@28"------
45 years trad. I do alright but am still striving to improve. As mentioned the journey is the pleasure.
Made my first bow when I was in 3rd grade in 1962. Made THE arrow too, no fletching. Both were saplings.
First hunting bow was Ben Pearson Cougar when I was 14 or 15.
Shot recurves until 1976. Left curves for wheels in 1976.
Returned to recurves in 2010.
I'm effective at 20 and under. I would like to make it 30 but I doubt I'd shoot that far on anything white-tail or smaller.
I'm not 100% recurve.
I'm pretty decent under 20 but I like 15 better when hunting.
Don't really think about range til after the shot hunting. More a go or no-go before the shot when hunting.
So, no I'm not as good as I wanna be, but still working on it after 44 years of trad hunting and 1 year with the other bow two different times.
"Good" being relative I had to say no because if you mean can I win tournaments then the answer is definitely no. Can I take game animals? Yes I can and I have over the years. Been shooting traditional since I was 12 and I'm now 60 and still just OK by some standards. I don't shoot everyday throughout the year but I do concentrate my efforts before hunting season and during the season. I've been doing this so long my first few shots are dead on. I suppose if I had more time and dedicated my time to improving I could then say that I am "good" but I'm still working and I often get home after dark. If I need to shoot like during the season I have a lighted target and often I do shoot at night. Other activities also take up my time but fortunatelt archery is a sport one can continue on into old age and I intend to continue with it in retirement.
Been shooting trad for almost four years, can hit a three inch target ninety percent of the time out to about 30 yards until I get tired and shaky
Been shooting a bow, of all types for many years, but since the age of 10, I have had one or more trad bows and shot them constantly, since I am 55 that means 45 years of trad bow shooting/hunting!
5 yrs
The results are about what I expected, and I think are probably accurate. "Are you any good?" is different from saying "Are you in the top 10th percentile?" "Any good" to me means a person has a consistent enough shot to be effective at some range, and the shooter knows what that range is. Kind of like "any good" with a hammer means that a person can generally drive a nail without bending it over, and knows what nail to use for the job.
Mcdave; I am fully aware of the difference between "any good" and "top ten percentile". The more open ended question should have yielded a greater variety of answers, and the results did not disappoint.
This poll was designed to ask a little, but get a lot. How good someone is was more or less a decoy question and the good stuff came from typing out a response. I think it is great when people share their origins and motivations pertaining to traditional archery. There is certainly a theme of "more fun" from the newer and more experienced archers alike.
By the way, I've been shooting a traditional bow almost exclusively for 10 years. I have practiced a bunch and am capable of making some very good shots, but I wouldn't go so far as to say good-just inconsistent. Although my shooting is not likely to impress anyone on a 3d range, I have all the confidence in the world to go hunting thanks to the luxury of taking only the shots I want to. I couldn't agree more with what many have already stated; traditional archery is just a darn good time.
50 years. If I shoot one bow, only, to get ready for hunting season I'm good enough. When I switch between a half-dozen bows, left and right handed over a 30 pound range of draws, its not so pretty.
I've shot since I was little. In the last five years I've started trying to become as accurate as I can be. I still struggle with mental focus at times but I'm getting there.
Forgot to say... The misses are the most fun!!!
DANG, those arrows do some funky things...??!!!
Been at this hard-core for about four or five years now. This, and other sites, along with a myriad of Ytube videos has helped me get to what I consider being a good shot, not great. Wish I had gotten into this sport a lot sooner. But then again, if I had, I probably would've had to file for bankruptcy.
Started in the summer of 2013, got my hands on an old Bear recurve.. Kinda got " the itch " for a long bow, got my hands on one, and that was it! Picked up a takedown version of the same bow as backup, which became the go to bow.. I don't consider myself a great shot, but I make shots with that long bow that absolutely amaze me. As long as my form is down..
At this point, I,m a better shot with the long bow than any of the handguns kickin around the house, for the most part. Long bow, it has become mostly automatic..switch over to a recurve,hafta think about what I,m doing a bit..
I have my days. Some days I can hit self tossed targets out of the air one after the other.
Some days I couldn't hit water if I fell out of a boat.
A majority of the days fall in between that.
Been shooting sticks for 7years.
With wheels I consider myself a great shot, only shot pro for one season before career choice took me down the path of never getting weekends off. That's when I transitioned to Sticks.
75 years pulling bow strings, never owned a compound
49 years of the addiction. And on my 50th anniversary I'm probably buying me a new bow.
I've been shooting trad for 10 years and I'd say I just qualify as "good". I thought I was good after about three years, but I wasn't.
This thread has had me wondering how to "measure" good. Since most people are geared to numerical measurement and most of us have done at least some 3D shooting, I figure it can be used as a ball park. (Probably not overly realistic, but what the heck?) I came up with the notion of a score of 160 on a 20 target course. This would average an 8, translating to a kill zone hit on each target. Consistent scoring well below this mark would indicate numerous bad shots. The better shots would be well above this score. Now for you guys that don't do 3D, I guess you will just have to compare arrows loosed to animals collected. Now, why didn't I come up with that scheme to begin with? It just shows what happens when you have too much free time on a rainy day. I wish I did have a sensible means of self measurement, though.
In actuality, most of us need to think of good specifically within our individual distances. Some are good at 15 yards but not good at 25. Most of us who have been shooting for a reasonable length of time do have a range at which we are consistently effective. The trick is hunting within that distance.
I wish I could shoot as frequently as guys like Pavan. 150 arrows daily would have my repaired shoulder and tendonitis wracked elbows howling in pain. I truly salute you guys who can put that much work into the sport.
I used to think I was pretty good, but now I'm just fair ... I have been shooting since the late 50's and started with a little fiberglass bow. I started hunting big game in 1970 and my first kill was a mule deer doe that year.
Sam ... a fine way to measure "good" is something we do at one of our Traditional Bowhunter of Washington shoots. It was named the Viking shoot because the winner gets a Viking hat to wear.
The basics of scoring are pretty simple. If you get a kill zone shot you get 5 points, if you hit anywhere else on the animal you get -5 points, if you get a clean miss it is a zero ... Highest total wins. It can be a very enlightning and humbling experience. It's a fun format and gives you a good idea how really GOOD you are.
Started off when I was 15 with a recurve
Switched to a compound Barebow
Moved onto sights
5 years back now with the trad gear
Got in with some great shooters and have improved mine along the way
elkken, I have heard of that scoring system. Around here I have heard of it referred to as "ethical scoring". That would sure tell us something about ourselves.
Got my first recurve Paul Bunyon custom at age 12 and hunted that year. Got serious at age 16 Bear kodiak magnum 1965, shooting ever since.
I have been fortunate enough to shoot the +5 -5 scoring at a few shoots. It was fun, but the +5 was a tie wire ring and often smaller much smaller than the lungs may be, so a good behind the shoulder 8 is -5. The people who won these shoots also just happened miss and get a 0 instead of a -5 when the shot was a challenge- sandbagging.
Depends on the day.
QuoteOriginally posted by McDave:
The results are about what I expected, and I think are probably accurate. "Are you any good?" is different from saying "Are you in the top 10th percentile?" "Any good" to me means a person has a consistent enough shot to be effective at some range, and the shooter knows what that range is. Kind of like "any good" with a hammer means that a person can generally drive a nail without bending it over, and knows what nail to use for the job.
What he said.
Been at the longbow for 50 years this year..wow, where did the time go?
I'm 50. Been shooting since a little kid. I'm probably not as consistent as I should be! Like others stated I really work at it. If work is the right word. Maybe just obsessed searching for a rare perfect shot. My sessions are too long. Sometimes two hours on a weekday evening if there are no chores needing done. Sometimes two or 3 times a day on weekends. When I'm shooting good I don't want to stop but I'm more likely to be satisfied, unstring and organize gear and make arrows. I've made some changes and have been shooting good this year. When I'm shoot bad I can't stop until it's fixed. That can be really counter productive.
I go through periods where I feel like there is nothing I can't hit and sometimes I'll have week long slump where I can't keep them in the vitals no matter what. My best accuracy (or luck) has always been when shooting at deer. I'd say my weakness is not being able to hold concentration on the spot at the critical moment. I'll probably always fight that.
I judge my shooting mostly by that first arrow. They have been really good the last week or so. I switched to a lighter physical weight 1 pc 59 Bear, from a heavy 3 pc. I shoot much better with the lighter weight bow even at heavier draw weight.
Tedd
Started shooting in 1990 when I received my MR Hamilton Scorpion Longbow.
Started three weeks ago as a new experience with my Fiancé.
Been a lot of fun and learning so much over the last few weeks.
Started off with a 30# Fleetwood Monarch (sage knockoff)
Thinking I can move up in weight over the next while but not pushing it.
I'm just here to learn all I can and these forums are an incredible tool to this point!
Welcome Kevin!! There is much knowledge here for sure!!
Got my first real bow in 1980 at the age of 14. It was a 45# Pearson recurve. I shoot almost everyday and I am better now at 51 yo than I have ever been. The last three arrows that I have launched at game have connected. This includes two squirrels and a dove. Not very large targets for sure. I have learned several things from this forum that have improved my shooting. I now have confidence that I can pull off any reasonable shot that's within my range. It is from diligent practice and discipline and not from any unique talent on my part. I am still learning as I go.
I have 8mm film of me shooting a bow in 1957 when I was 10. Shott off and on through my teens and Army years, then picked up a bow again for the long haul in 75. Shoot pretty consistently.
I am certainly improving. I have my off days. Last 3 days were good and continuing to get better. Been at it for 2 years but have been recently trying to practice consistently.
Good? Heck, I'm a legend in my own mind! I never miss, its always the arrow's fault!
Didn't start shooting until about a year after after I started reading NFAA's "Archery" magazine. Borrowed them from our Explorer scout hut and wore them out sitting over the edge of the floor furnace at home trying to read and keep warm at the same time.
First time to shoot an event was my introduction to field archery as a member of the Oklahoma City Archery Association in February 1962. First two bows: '62 Kodiak Magnum and a '63 Tamerlane proudly bought with my own money.
Kill paper plates "pretty-good" now at short 3-D distances out back with a rack of old rosewoods.
I'm going on about 12 years now. I have to admit, I found Tradgang about the same time I started. It was a tremendous wealth of knowledge that helped me progress rather rapidly because I really didn't know squat other than I wanted to shoot trad. It didn't take long before I was able to hit softballs at 20 yards. After getting my form down, I also learned how to tune a bow and shafts and the whole process became much more effortless. I also have to say I've tried so many different styles of bows and other gear I know what I like, and what works best for me.
My Dad gave me a new 30# Bear bow for Christmas in 1957.....Been shooting ever since. Going on 60 years now. Went from recurves to longbows after making friends with Ron Laclair in 1982. I am learning to shoot left handed now since my serious bicycle accident 3 years ago. I love shooting the Hill style longbow too much to stop flinging arrows. I'm not doing too bad left handed, but, I'm not as accurate as I was right handed. Me and my grandson shoot together....he's a lefty, so we're both learning together and having fun. I still get a thrill watching the flight of my arrows I shoot! I've had a long love affair with archery.....: ) Horserod
I went from right hand to left because of a finger injury, I still shoot right handed, but I need to not get carried away. I did an experiment yesterday with Groves recurve, which is not the easiest pointing creature, when compared to my Hill style bows. Shooting just 6 1918 arrows, I shot 30 arrows and held each shot for several seconds and split image aimed as refined as I could. I put my red ball on the ground as my secondary position and made certain that my feet were on the exact spot for every shot from 22 yards. My target was an 8 inch cardboard disc, white with a 50 cent sized black dot in the center , then five inch circle. I missed it completely 3 times, but kept track of the hits. Then I went into the house got a glass of water, went back out with the same bow and arrows and shot another 30 shots. I shot at the same target, from the same distance, but moved around a bit and shot every arrow with a smooth 2 second tempo with no secondary target ball and released every arrow as soon as a good anchor was made. I never missed the disc, I hit the black dot four times, just two times with the hard aiming, and had more arrows in the five inch circle. My goal is to get that or better with a Hill style bow with a one second shot tempo. So far I have been shooting left handed at a two second tempo, I would like to be able to speed that up when needed.
That is very methodical Paven, I like it. :clapper:
QuoteOriginally posted by jerry womble:
Been shooting the bow for 72 of my 78 years. Don't plan on quitting
any time soon.
THAT ^^^ is awesome! hope I am as fortunate to go so long.
Good shot as long as I stay in my effective range.
<25yards.
I've been shooting traditional archery for about 7 years. I never shot wheelie bows.
Some days I'm great and some days I'm horrible.
Depends on whether I'm shooting to impress the people around me, or when I'm shooting to get the job done. When people are watching, I usually fall apart. When I'm alone, trying to shoot a leaf or a butterfly, or a tennis ball... or a chipmunk. I usually shoot pretty well in those settings. Well enough to be happy with my accuracy.
I know just what you mean Archie. I too tend to shoot my best when there isn't an audience. I'm a great shot- you'll just have to take my word for it. :biglaugh:
I chose "I have my days," mainly because the other two are too arbitrary.
I feel I'm good at what I choose to do, how I choose to do it, and at the distances I choose to do it at. All my practice is geared toward those things.
I'm not particularly good at the things I don't practice.
Well, after the way I just shot at the Howard Hill shoot, I need change my answer to "NO!". I did very poorly. My shoulder does just fine for part of a round but does not hold up for the entire course. Luckily, I can do a few warm up shots and then shoot solidly for 15 or 20 arrows. Good enough for accurate hunting. Besides, if I need that many shots on a deer, it is past time to go home.
been shooting since i was five. I'm 64. most people consider me a good shot.
I suck.
Been shooting off and on for 42 years
QuoteOriginally posted by The Vanilla Gorilla:
I suck.
Pretty well sums up my shooting too. But I do get by. 2 deer per year are plenty now that it is just the wifey and I. :goldtooth:
QuoteOriginally posted by The Vanilla Gorilla:
I suck.
I pretty much do too in my opinion , past 18 to 20 yards, so I set up my hunting shots at 15 and get along pretty nicely.
A year or two ago I would have said I wasn't too bad a shot. The last year or so I have a lot less confidence in my shooting.
I think too much emphasis on group sizes at targets can give folks a false impression either way on whether they are good shots or not. Sure, I can hit my deer target and when I knuckle down can shoot tight groups, but really what difference does that make? There is more to being a good hunting shot than just shooting groups. There are lots of shot variations that happen when one is small game hunting that the stiff target shooting does little to prepare one for. I believe that mixing things up and trying to hit fun stuff can make the game more real and wake up the brain. Just shooting at short range and at the same target trying to get groups can make ones brain get stale. The enemy of clear concentration is apathy and routine boredom.
If I get good, I up the challenge. Presently shooting self bows. If I get good at them, will have to start throwing rocks.
Can shoot a near perfect group of one arrow and often do so on game. Not much of a shot but a heck of a closer on the hunt.
Been shooting Trad 12 glorious years now. Hell of a shot to boot.
You seen that Elf Legolas in Lord of the Rings? taught him all he knows...rat'
First recurve in 1972, I still suck. Shoot almost everyday. But I love to watch the arrow fly.
I am good at not being any good.
Went out this afternoon, wow, I was scrabbled. Hands jumping, arrows that previously flew perfect spiralling, everything was out off. Went out after supper, started from scratch on all of the bits and pieces, after 50 shots or so, I finally found the groove back. Why does fun stuff always take so much work, before it's any fun?