The first post on a forum is kinda stressful. Not only am I new to the forum but to traditional archery. Frankly archery as well for the most part. So I'm sorry and please forgive my newbie questions. I had a compound as a kid and didn't really hunt with it or know much technique. I live in AZ and the lottery process for the deer hunts are lame compared to living in GA. So I got an inexpensive long bow. 45 lbs. At 26". I seem to be fighting between firearms training "look at the front sight" vs just looking at the Target and letting the arrow go. I had a sight pin on my compound as a kid. What the heck do I aim with? Tip of the arrow or just get better at "instinctive" shooting? Found the PSE coyote and even though it seems less traditional it says you can mount a sight. Tempting, but seems less appealing than a traditional wood recurve.
When I was a kid, I just used instinctive shooting. That's all I know. Anyway, just keep both eyes open and shoot close distances. Increase distance as you get better. My backyard goes out to 20 yards max. So far, I feel confident getting my arrows on the target in a group about 12-15 inches. It's getting better as I solidify my form. Form and release are everything.
Pick up a copy of Byron Ferguson's "Become the Arrow." A superb book on how to aim from one of the greatest shooters alive.
Dave,
Wecome to the club and stick around for lots of good pointers on several different shooting techniques that many will share with you but I have a Rick Welch D.V.D.showing his techtique that I won in a drawing last year here on TradGang and I was going to put it in the Givaway drawings but "Big John" is already giving one away to one lucky winner now so if you want to learn one of several ways of shooting just give me an address to sent to and I'll be more then happy to sent it to you....There are many different ways to shoot traditional but just have fun and find what works best for you...God Bless, Keefer's <")))><
Welcome man.. once to trad you never go back! Everyone has their own way of shooting. Basically get close to start, work on form (follow thru and hitting your anchor) and concentrate on a small target (quarter size) and keep shooting... remember, look at the spot only, w/ both eyes open. Your brain will do the rest...
Dave,
Welcome to TG! Tons of info is shared here (be sure to use the search function).
I would like to suggest picking up a few of the instructional DVD's (or Books) available that are geared to Trad shooting.
The Masters of the BareBow series (for one) is a great collection of instruction w/ many different shooting disiplines shown.
I'm sure that eventually you will find a shooting form and a good Bow/ Arrow setup that will get your arrows to the spot you're aimin' at, (aim small, miss small) but it won't come without alot of commitment on your part.
I think that by asking for advice from the great & very knowledgeable members here shows that and is a good start!
Best of Luck on this great Journey!
Keith
Nice! Seems when I'd try and aim I'd miss the Target completely. Then I'd try just looking at the Target and I'd at least hit it......not consistently in the same spot but I hit it. Very addicting. Keeper, wow thanks! I'll send you a message.
Sorry bout that keefer, phone spell checked it keeper.
Welcome to the tradgang family!
:campfire:
:archer:
Welcome,you can learn alot here, there are very helpful folks always welling to help.
Welcome aboard! There is a never ending wealth of information on ways to shoot. Just be patient and don't give up.
QuoteOriginally posted by bsoper:
Pick up a copy of Byron Ferguson's "Become the Arrow." A superb book on how to aim from one of the greatest shooters alive.
Excellent advice right there.
That book was probably one of the most helpful teaching references that I have used, concerning barebow aiming. That, and, of course, tips from the greatest people on earth: Tradgang members!
Wow I have never had a more warm welcome on a forum.
Welcome!!
We all were newbies at least once.
Welcome!I've been a member for just a few months myself.I don't post much,just lurk n learn.But,yup,this is the best place I've found to hang out.
Dave,
I got your email and I'll get the D.V.D. ready and shipped to you ...You should have it sometime next week..God Bless, Keefer's <")))><
You are in a good spot for advice here on TG.
Another book for you to consider:
My public library just happened to have a copy of Beginner's Guide to Traditional Archery, by Brian Sorrells. I found that to be a good source of info, has a lot on equipment set up & tuning, and a step by step specific practice method for learning to shoot instinctively.
The book is still in print and available for purchase if you do a search on it.
QuoteOriginally posted by ordcorpdw:
Nice! Seems when I'd try and aim I'd miss the Target completely. Then I'd try just looking at the Target and I'd at least hit it......not consistently in the same spot but I hit it. Very addicting. Keeper, wow thanks! I'll send you a message.
You've already recieved a lot of great advice here. I'd suggest picking one approach (book or CD), get that ONE down pretty good, then fine tune and develope what works for you.
Just one point; your statement above suggests you might want to look and focus on the center of a spot on the target as opposed to shooting at the whole target. Even a bullseye is too small; focus on the middle of the bull. Sounds silly I know, but "aim small, miss small" is a big deal. Many of us (myself included) have shot at a whole deer and missed miserably by not picking a spot.
Welcome Dave. No need for intimidation. Good folks here will help. Keep your trad experience fun & you win.
Get Fred Asbells video on instinctive shooting, Thats all you really need to get a great background. For me I learn easiest from video . Reading is good but there is something about the visual that amps up the learning curve.
Welcome.Stay at it.When I started I knew nothing and still don't know alot.I was lucky to meet a fellow tradgang member in my town who has been invaluable in my learning curve.I have a couple of Brian Sorrels books and some shooting videos pm me if I can help. Jeff
:campfire:
Dave, Welcome, I'm 64 and feel like a newbie compared to the guys on this site. I wish I had discovered this site yrs ago. You have a bright future and Traditional can become a way of life. The shooters forum is excellent and just remember when you threw a baseball to first, or shot a jumper in basketball, you only used the skill and instincts you learned thur practice. Enjoy the ride and don't be impatient... remember its the journey not the destination...
QuoteOriginally posted by ordcorpdw:
Wow I have never had a more warm welcome on a forum.
Welcome (this is my first welcome), Im new to the sight and Trad as well. I felt the same about the out pouring of support from the other members on this site...
Truely feel welcomed when you post and dont worry, your not the only one posting newbie questions.... :goldtooth:
The suggestion to get Byron Ferguson's book is a good one and I like Anthony Camera's "Shooting The Stickbow" even more, it is a goldmine of information on all things archery for a new shooter and especially on shooting form and technique. In addition, Tony has that rare ability to convey somewhat technical information via the written word in an easy to understand manner.
Also, don't feel bad about starting close, as has been advised already. 10 yards or even less, focus on the spot and adjust to hit it. Your brain is an amazing tool and will be able to make adjustments. Start to back up when your arrows are all together. Move back a little at a time, 5 yards max. Also go over to the shooting forum on this site. Look at Terry's form clock. Make sure your form is proper and your anchor (where you place your fingers against your face)is consitent. Moebow has a great youtube video posted over there as well. Enjoy the journey and welcome.
Awesome stuff! And thanks Keefer!
Developing a shooting style for traditional equipment can be like going for a buffet meal. There are many good resources and all are worth trying. Give each approach you try a fair chance and, after a while, you may find your own style beginning to emerge with bits and pieces from various resources. At least half the fun of this sport is the ongoing experimentation with equipment and shooting styles.
Dave,
I just took the Rick Welch D.V.D. to the post office thismorning and sent it...Sorry I didn't get there earlier this week for ya but this is just one man's shooting technique and like others have told ya just start close and work your way back...If you have a local traditional archery club you might consider joining and see if they have a library of books/videos that members can sign out and return when done...Enjoy the D.V.D and if you see anyone else that wants to shoot traditional and you are done with it then please send it on....God Bless, Keefer's <><
On your own... put up a 1" dot in the middle of your target. Step back 20 ft. Now concentrate on the spot, in fact the middle of the spot. Draw smoothly to anchor and perhaps hesitate for a micro sec and release as smoothly as you can...
Repeat 1000 times... Not to sound to Zen, but "allow your mind to let it happen"... LOL.. Then back up 4 steps..repeat. You will be amazed....
Welcome to the site..
Welcome to the site. I Switched to traditional from compounds about a year ago. You have already recieved lots of good advice from folks far more learned than me, however, I can tell you my biggest mistake was starting with too much weight. I started with a 45 pound bow, however, after advice from the previously mentioned Mr. Carmera, I bought a 35 pound bow to learn the basics with and it made a huge difference in my progression.
I should have added to my earlier post that the draw and release all take place in a smooth motion while you "burn a hole" in the center of the spot. This is fluid, kinda like pouring water from one glass into another or for us older guys making a "Slinky" go back and forth from hand to hand without loohing at it....
The minds eye will see it... the conscious eye tends to look at the whole target....
Good video. the guy makes it soumd so simple and when im done im all about passing it on. I realizee what I was doing when I was aiming rather than practicing instinctive. Iam left eye dominant which isnt bad when shooting a handgun righthanded. aiming a right handed bow I noticed without even thinking about what I was doing , I closed my right eye. No wonder I couldnt aim the thing. Guess I better get good at instinctive. thanks for the advice guys.
Welcome! I am new to trad equipment after 20 years of compound shooting and I am having a blast. There are some great guys here with tons of experience and great advice. I would offer this, keep in mind I have been shooting trad for all of 2 months so take it for what it's worth.
*Get a bow that you can draw comfortably
*Find a comfortable and consistent anchor and hit the anchor on every shot
*Get your nock point set and arrow spine, tip weight somewhere "close" to where it should be... If not you will spray arrows all over the place...
*Now for aiming... Again I am not the expert... Make yourself pick a spot and focus... This sounds easy but its not... This has really been tough for me, at first I was focusing on a general area and not a spot. "Focus on a spot, a small spot"
*After somewhat tuning my bow, finding a consistent anchor, really focusing on a spot and pulling through my shot, I am actually getting respectable and enjoying myself... There is certainly more to trad than I have mentioned, however this has helped me consistently hit the target with fairly decent groups for my short time with trad equipment... Good Luck!
I try shooting instinctively, but it takes alot of practice. As you move out your brain has to learn that distance, just keep shooting. Don't say "I was low" and then lift your bow. Just keep your focus on what you want to hit. You might want to check out a Rick Welch dvd, I found it helpful. Having said that, I know that Ron LaClare has said that he uses different methods of aiming at different distances, and you don't get much better than Ron. I find it hard to shoot instinctive when you pass your point of aim (that is if you were gap shooting, the distance when the tip of your arrow would be on what you wanted to hit). For me that's around 30 yards, then your arrow and rest start obscuring your target.
Another good book, that is less on shooting and more on history, terminology, equipment, tuning, basics, and general info is T J Conrad's Bowhunter's Handbook.
Welcome to TG. I too am from Arizona. Don't know your living situation but if you are able set up a few bales of straw with a carpet or rubber backing where you live. It will make practice much easier to do.
I second the opinion on picking up G.Fred Asbell's books on instinctive shooting. Don't be afraid to practive close moving back as you get better. I shot my last bull elk at 8 steps with a Asbell era Bighorn recurve.
I second TJ Conrads book.. Good info in there.. You must realize that to shoot a Trad Bow well there is a lot of practice required, and I mean a lot.. Most of the guys on here love the practice and the fine tuning of ones form. You just can't pick your bow up a few weeks before season and expect to hit anything.. I shoot all year long, most every day..and work on my form every day too.. That said, it's a great ride..Most guys (and girls)(the PC-ness coming out in me)on this site and Trad shooters in general are good guys with good values, and want to help..Welcome and stick with it and you will get better, although sometimes it doesn't seem like it..Oh, the advice on NOT OVER BOWING YOURSELF is prime..