(http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy94/innate123/Archery/InitialSuccess001.jpg)
To All:
The image above was shot a few days ago at 8 yards. I was terribly excited as I hadn't shot a "group" yet. I have been reading the trad. bowhunter handbook, but have mainly got advice from members of this forum and one other forum. I felt things "click" the other day as I actually saw my arrow flight.
The next photo was shot today at 8 yards. Yikes! Made my wife come out and see this one. Now, I want to make it clear that my first 3 groups of 5 arrows looked nothing like this one. Prob. 5 - 6" groups with one "flyer" per group. And, if I open the garage door and go back to 13 yds, I struggle and always shoot LOW, not sure how to correct that other than just shooting alot.
This last one I just stared at the bullseye and didn't think about much else - I QUIT AND WALKED AWAY FEELING GOOD - LOL. I will shoot tonight but heard somewhere if you really have something that feels "right," walk away and try to remember it.
(http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy94/innate123/Archery/InitialSuccess002.jpg)
Thanks again for all of the support! Now, if I could only do this consistently - lol.
Tim
How cool is this? Way!! Thanks for sharing. I would also like to shoot groups like that consistently.
God bless,Mudd
From the looks of that, your gonna need a fletching jig!!!!
Mudd's right, WAY COOL!!!!!!!!
Good for you. Looks like you are on your way. Don't scoot back in too big of increments. Go back to maybe ten,get those groups, then 12, good groups, you get the picture. It takes alot of practice. But you my friend are on your way!!!
:notworthy: congrats on some fine shootin wish my groups looked like that! what is that target expandable foam?
Thanks, I think this was my "lottery" group and yes, I am starting to damage feathers, but I'm still not courageous enough to shoot to the outside of the target - lol.
Yes, it is industrial grade polyurethane that a friend experimented for me. It is 8" thick and 2 psi (I think). It is not his 3 psi foam, but he layers 2" at a time allowing them to dry. Because of this, I have a 3 x 3 rubber mat bonded with the foam on the back side as a back stop. The arrows are starting to go through.
What is nice about this is, when it gets bad, I'll cut out the middle section and have him spray a new section for maybe 10 bucks or so.
He thinks the 3 psi will be more durable. It is what they use to seal a new house to the foundation.
Tim
By the way, I "cant"ed my bow quite a bit more and took a more athletic stance on that last group. Could that just be the right form for me?
And, as I put on the AT trad section, I stared "angrily like a football player" at the bullseye on that last group.
Tim
Nice going. Yes that and when you cant it more you can see the target better.
:clapper:
OOOHHHH!!! I had that magic moment a few months ago. WAY COOL! Now if you're like me, you'll find that it only works when you don't think about it! Trust your eyes and your muscles - the first elevation hold with your bow arm is the right one, windage will be spot on if you anchor consistently. Put it away when you start to get tired. AND REMEMBER that the first shot is the most important shot of your practice!
YEE HA!
Great shooting! I think the key to that great group was the focus and concentration you talked about. That is a key to good shooting from any distance.
congrats, tim! :thumbsup:
that's fine, potential 'meat in the freezer' shootin'.
Well folks, I just went out and shot 20 arrows and I'm not posting any photos - lol. Not bad shooting, but didn't get that same group again unfortunately. Funny though, I hear something clicking all of sudden like my arrow hitting the shelf or something. I've never heard it before and am curious why it would start now?
Tim
congrates!you are well on your way now.
Whenever I practice I won't quit until I get a "go-home" group. That is a group that is real good and makes me leave the range in a good mood.
I am going through some really poor shooting right now ( and don't know what is causing it) so the go-home groups are a little harder to obtain, but I still do it every time.
Bisch
Looks great. You are starting to get the "feel" Keep at it and the distances you can do that it will increase. Don't pressure yourself, just keep enjoying it and working at your muscle memory.
Way to shoot!! Don't give up, always make having fun you main target. The clicking could be bad arrow flight, do you see any bad wear on your rest?
Not too much wear, although the velcro carpet is pretty new. I don't know if it is related to me canting the bow more now.
I just got my field point test kit today from 3 Rivers and threw some larger points on and didn't hear the clicks. I also got my bow square as well and put my nock to 5/8" above center. I'll shoot the 100 grain tips again and see if I hear the click.
Tim
well that pic says it all congrats and real good shooting.
It is always a rush when shooting goes well, I still get excited after a good shoot even if it is every day
Awesome job!! :thumbsup: :clapper: As others have said keep at it at that range until your consistently shooting groups like that then move back in small increments 2-5yds and continue the process.
Nice Shootin! Looks like you're well on your way.
:archer: good shooting
It feels good when it all comes together.
Keep it up!
keep up the awesome shooting and im going to have to make one of those targets for the garage!
Very good!What is very cool is seeing how excited you are.You are on your way.Have fun!
Funny you asked about the "click" because I found that to be one of the first manifestations of poor form (which always seems to follow over-thinking the shot). It may very well be caused, as is the case for me, by the string rolling off of your fingers - the result of too deep a grip (relative to the first groove in your fingers).
Picture the release originating between your shoulder blades and bring your thumb to the top of your shoulder upon release, that is, straight back.
Again, don't over think it, feel it. "Become the arrow". From what I can describe it, when it's 'clicked' for me, is that the shot begins with a knowing that you are going to hit your target, which you intently look at. Imagine a laser and burn a hole through a spot - that kind of intensity.
Next, feel the ground at your feet and check your posture, touch your shooting hand to the string and without taking your eyes off the target inhale while fluidly bringing the bow naturally up and finding your anchor. "Use the force", cause dang I can't describe it any other way, and "know" when to release. It's crazy.
Now, forget everything you just read and let us know what the everything-comes-together shots feel like to you and what makes it all gel in your universe... Pretty soon some crazy smart archer will see the connection and jot down a one size fits all formula but until then I think you'll find this is a journey between you, your bow and what it is your aiming at/for. Happy trails... :campfire:
Lookin good. :thumbsup:
QuoteOriginally posted by NorthernCaliforniaHunter:
Funny you asked about the "click" because I found that to be one of the first manifestations of poor form (which always seems to follow over-thinking the shot). It may very well be caused, as is the case for me, by the string rolling off of your fingers - the result of too deep a grip (relative to the first groove in your fingers).
Picture the release originating between your shoulder blades and bring your thumb to the top of your shoulder upon release, that is, straight back.
Again, don't over think it, feel it. "Become the arrow". From what I can describe it, when it's 'clicked' for me, is that the shot begins with a knowing that you are going to hit your target, which you intently look at. Imagine a laser and burn a hole through a spot - that kind of intensity.
Next, feel the ground at your feet and check your posture, touch your shooting hand to the string and without taking your eyes off the target inhale while fluidly bringing the bow naturally up and finding your anchor. "Use the force", cause dang I can't describe it any other way, and "know" when to release. It's crazy.
Now, forget everything you just read and let us know what the everything-comes-together shots feel like to you and what makes it all gel in your universe... Pretty soon some crazy smart archer will see the connection and jot down a one size fits all formula but until then I think you'll find this is a journey between you, your bow and what it is your aiming at/for. Happy trails... :campfire:
Ok NC:
You just put me in a hypnotic trance after reading the routine u described. - lol.
It is funny that you mentioned too deep of a grip on the fingers. I think I read where you want a deep grip and was really digging the fingers in yesterday. I still struggle with "letting the string" go with out snapping my fingers off per se.
I haven't repeated that group, so obviously much, much more work is needed. Thanks for da advice.
Tim
looken good keep it up. looks like your going to have to buy a fletching jig before long
Takes time to be consistent. It seems the best shots come naturally when you are not thinking or trying too hard & you know it's good as soon as you release. HIT YOUR ANCHOR,PICK A SPOT & LET HER FLY. I seem to shoot better while moving around a target outside at different angles,kneeling, visualising hunting scenarios, stumping etc. I think it takes your mind off of your form & helps u concentrate on the shot placement better.The first shot is the one that matters. U overthink everything too much shooting at the same spot over & over. Like u said end on a good shot. Also recheck your brace height occasionally, that can change on you depending on the string you use, not sure what you r shooting. Good luck !! John
ya gotta love it when a plan comes together.
In all of this...don`t forget to have fun.
Everything is easier if it`s fun.
When I first got back into shooting a trad bow, it took me a long time to work out my own style of shooting. It was when I began doing it "my" way when I really began to get consistent. "My" way was a combination of everything I learned, and read, and watched.
Success is measured by how much fun you have. If you`re having fun, you`ll keep at it. If you keep at it, you`re gonna get good...real good. :thumbsup:
Don't be scared of the outside spots. It's just another spot. Remember the saying "aim small, miss small" I don't care how small a spot is, I try to find an even smaller spot in that spot even if I have to create it in my minds eye. Try shooting some dimes wedged in a split on the end of an old arrow in front of your target that already has spots on it. Talk about having to stay focused! Just don't mix up the ones you've hit with your other change and try to put one in the soda machine at work. Doesn't work out to well. Your doing great. Good work!! :thumbsup:
nice group:thumbsup: (nice target too)!!! When I started out, I got up to 1 in groups, Don't know were that went!! :knothead: is that greatstuff in the target? :thumbsup:
Thats awesome. keep it up.
Long:
Read up a few posts of mine. It is a industrial polyurethane insulator that is 2# cu.ft. a friend sprayed in a box for me. He usually uses 3# per cu. ft. density, but that truck is shut down for the winter. I am not sure what density that Great Stuff is though.
We experimented with the 2# to see how it would hold up, but as a precaution, I laid a 1/2" rubber matt at the bottom of the box and the arrows are hitting the rubber mat now but NOT going through it.
I think you'd need a lot of cans of great stuff to do this, but if anyone tries it, do it in 2" layers to allow drying.
The nice thing about this target, is when the middle wears out, we'll cut it out and spray in a new middle.
Tim