The pursuit and experience of the traditional dream is often beyond words.
Continuously, the desire for:
New bows, different designs and different bow specs
Different arrows and different arrow designs
Different broadhead designs
Improved strings
Better string silencers
Different fletching
And on and on..........
***With aspirations of gaining an edge make the headlines
The issue being that all these possible improvements are crowding the estimated 10% which contributes to a successful harvest. How much of the 10% is actually available?
Much focus may be squandered by ignoring the estimated 90% factor in gaining the most precision honed edge. " That being the person behind the bow", where one's own room for improvement as an archer may be well over ten times what is available for gaining a significant edge versus simply focusing on the former. The game we pursue deserves no less than our best efforts.
Please share your own personal objectives and plans to improve as a traditional archer this year?
Shoot farther distances at practice.
Good stuff Friend. I know you guys probably see me as a newb....but....I know about deer and I know about deer hunting. And the NUMBER ONE thing I know is that archery is a CLOSE UP game. The closer the better.
With that in mind I may PRACTICE at further distances to hone my shooting skill but I will do so with the idea in mind that this longer distance practice will make me automatic at hunting distances.
My GOAL as a trad bowhunter is to always play the wind, always strive to put myself in position for a CLOSE shot at a RELAXED animal and as usual to NEVER take a shot that is less than perfect.
My goal is to go afield this fall with my recurve and hunt whitetails. If I set a goal to kill a deer and it doesn't happen, then I am disappointed. So I just want to hunt with the recurve. If a kill happens, all the merrier. If it does not? It won't be for lack of effort. I have killed enough deer in my lifetime to last me the rest of my lifetime. I have killed some really big bucks in my 25 years of this pursuit. At this point, I just want to hunt with the recurve. I will continue to shoot every week a few days, and do my best to perfect form and release. I have the skills to hunt, I have the skills to get close. I will find out if I have the skills to kill with trad gear. But in the end, I just want to hunt with my recurve.
QuoteOriginally posted by VA Elite:
My goal is to go afield this fall with my recurve and hunt whitetails. If I set a goal to kill a deer and it doesn't happen, then I am disappointed. So I just want to hunt with the recurve. If a kill happens, all the merrier. If it does not? It won't be for lack of effort. I have killed enough deer in my lifetime to last me the rest of my lifetime. I have killed some really big bucks in my 25 years of this pursuit. At this point, I just want to hunt with the recurve. I will continue to shoot every week a few days, and do my best to perfect form and release. I have the skills to hunt, I have the skills to get close. I will find out if I have the skills to kill with trad gear. But in the end, I just want to hunt with my recurve.
And THAT is exactly what it is all about. Have fun...enjoy the outdoors and enjoy the pursuit.
Well, I just signed up for a Rod Jenkins seminar to TRY to do something about that 90%. I'm also drawing my bow a lot, even if I'm not shooting, trying to keep that weight from dropping even lower.
Having said that, I've been shut out the last 2 years. Couldn't see a deer I wanted in a range that was acceptable, so I'm also going to keep working on tighter groups so when that magic day comes around, I'll maybe have that 90% down to 25%?
Wonder how long it will be before we actually do have to pass a competency test as they do in Sweden for hunting moose.
My shooting is something I work to improve from each arrow I launch. Equipment is, as stated, a small percentage of what can be accomplished. The rest is the loose nut hanging on to the bow. I too shoot farther during practice than I will at an animal, and I spend a lot of time stumping, trying to have the shot emulate a hunting scenario. I spend time blind bale shooting, which gives me a better idea of my form, or lack thereof.
A hunter in good physical shape is a better hunter, and I strive to keep ahead of the age curve by maintaining fitness. I also practice stalking and being aware of animals reactions. Stalking game in non hunting situations is great practice for when the season is open.
One thing thing that really draws me to this site is the fact that I read zero posts about antler inches, age, buck named this or that, hit list bucks, yada yada yada... I have grown tired of all that crap. It's fine if that's what makes you tick, but there is sooo much more to bow hunting than those things. I have been down that road before and what it ends up doing is taking the innocence and purity out of the hunt. Kill a spike! kill a doe! kill a monster! it all means something to those who hunt in different ways. I spent the better part of 8 years chasing pope and young class deer. It almost drove me out of bowhunting. When i finally did kill that class buck, after many years, it changed the way I hunt and why I hunt. I no longer let that control me and I wish more of the younger generation would quit watching TV hunting because it sets unrealistic expectations. It gives false hopes to many. In the end, a man who puts in the effort and learns how to do it the hard way will be much rewarded for it. Think of the great poet Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken, it is a story of life. You get out of it what you put in it.
I've had some disturbing signs of age-related infirmity this winter. I have been taking for granted, so far in my life, that I would always be able to shoot my bows as long as I was breathing.
Frankly, I believed as long as I kept shooting, my muscles, ligaments, etc. would stay in shooting shape. Throughout the years I've averaged shooting a few arrows every day. Some days several sessions and rarely a day missed (if not traveling) with no shooting. Apparently, at 61 this isn't true. It's going to take extra work.
This is the year I try to turn back the clock by adopting better fitness and nutrition habits. Nutrition changes have already reduced "me" by 13 pounds (since Dec. 12th) with 15 more to go to be what I weighed in 1992.
Next is the regular but purposeful exercise regime. I can't stand the thought of just pumping iron or using stationary equipment (even though I have that stuff) to exercise. I'd rather dig holes than do curls. Walk or jog a trail than the treadmill.
I'm planning to mountain bike ride, help my son coach cross-country, and shoot my 3D trail on a regular basis.
Not planning on taking one past 20 yds but instead of practicing at 15 & 20 I'm going to do most at 20 & 25
I want to improve my stealth and accuracy on highly angled/elevated shots. Stumps and targets are usually square on. Tree stands and quartering shots are different.
As for gear, I'd like to buy nothing new except maybe some more clothing that fits well. I may try the Medicine Bear Badger broadheads, but probably not as I've already got a huge supply of Stingers that work just fine and are tuned to my bow.
I plan on spending some time and actually building some good ground blinds where I hunt. I've been kinda halfway doing it, with poor results. On my place in Kansas I know the trails the deer typically use, but I haven't put in the effort to get some good blinds built that are set up for trad. bows.
Fun. I've been hunting for 20 years+ with a bow plenty of small game but not one large game animal yet. But I always have fun so that's my goal.
QuoteOriginally posted by Bowwild:
I've had some disturbing signs of age-related infirmity this winter. I have been taking for granted, so far in my life, that I would always be able to shoot my bows as long as I was breathing.
Frankly, I believed as long as I kept shooting, my muscles, ligaments, etc. would stay in shooting shape. Throughout the years I've averaged shooting a few arrows every day. Some days several sessions and rarely a day missed (if not traveling) with no shooting. Apparently, at 61 this isn't true. It's going to take extra work.
This is the year I try to turn back the clock by adopting better fitness and nutrition habits. Nutrition changes have already reduced "me" by 13 pounds (since Dec. 12th) with 15 more to go to be what I weighed in 1992.
Next is the regular but purposeful exercise regime. I can't stand the thought of just pumping iron or using stationary equipment (even though I have that stuff) to exercise. I'd rather dig holes than do curls. Walk or jog a trail than the treadmill.
I'm planning to mountain bike ride, help my son coach cross-country, and shoot my 3D trail on a regular basis.
Kudos to you on your progress! I can relate personally to being that very age and noticing the changes. Not so aligned on the treadmill issue, however.
I've been a nordic skier my whole life, and this winter has been a godsend for me. I'm also lucky enough to have thousands of acres nearby for stumping when there's less snow on the ground, and some nearby peaks provide good hiking workouts.
However, there are a few times in the year (mostly in the summer heat) when I've found having a treadmill is pretty useful. I've discovered that placing my iPad on it to watch video (in my case, programming from Sweden) makes the minutes pass quite pleasurably. I use hand weights while I'm on it to keep my shoulders limber and add some effort to the workout.
This is a great thread and one of the reasons I love this site.
I'm at that age now where things start to fall apart if you don't work 'em (52). So, I'll be spending more time walking and climbing the hills where I live this year and maybe even a little weight work to limber up the muscles.
I have set a goal to shoot as often as I can - whether it's once a day or once a week - with my travel schedule. I'm fortunate enough to have a little property with a 'stump' trail I can walk for some decent practice.
Now if the snow will just melt!!
AJ
As a person who often over-intellectualizes things, my goal is to listen to my body more, and try to hear what it is saying. It's fine to figure things out in your mind, but unless you can translate that into reality, all you have is an idea.
I need to extend my range while I am laying on my back with my feet up. I need to do that on occasion for my back, deer and turkeys seem to know that I am in a limited situation and they come to look.
Kill Deer :readit: ;) :p
QuotePlease share your own personal objectives and plans to improve as a traditional archer this year?
shoot the perfect arrow...
savor this traditional journey...
QuoteOriginally posted by Amberjack:
This is a great thread and one of the reasons I love this site.
I'm at that age now where things start to fall apart if you don't work 'em (52). So, I'll be spending more time walking and climbing the hills where I live this year and maybe even a little weight work to limber up the muscles.
I have set a goal to shoot as often as I can - whether it's once a day or once a week - with my travel schedule. I'm fortunate enough to have a little property with a 'stump' trail I can walk for some decent practice.
Now if the snow will just melt!!
AJ
AJ, I'm with you. At 53 things are beginning to go down hill, sooooo last month I started lifting weights again and realized I have lost 2/3 of my strength from when I was 26... I was very very strong at 26. I am finding that every workout I am adding weight and doing the same amount of reps, its coming back quickly although I doubt it will ever get back to where I was at this point. If I do I will definitely have to buy more weights. Either way, I intend to be in the best shape I can be by August. I'll spend the summer hiking the hills as well.
I plan on refining my accuracy and get consistent to 40 yards, which helps make that 25 yarder a chip shot.
I also plan on breaking the curse... I hope. I'm from Nevada and every time I would draw a cow elk tag over there I would pretty much get one, last 4 tags I was successful, prior to that it was 50/50. I have hunted 4 seasons in Utah and I have been skunked each time. I really want to end the curse :bigsmyl:
To jump in with you other 50-somethings. At 55, work often leaves me too tired and sore to want to shoot...or hunt. Oh and I HATE the cold these days.
Nothing incapacitating but I'm always on ladders or in the rafters, climbing, reaching and working over my head. Ibuprofen has become a food group. LOL
I guess I need to be smarter about archery practice because I don't think I'm going to be shooting hundreds of arrows per day like I used to.
I'm going to spend a couple of days getting some coaching from Jimmy Blackmon next month. Looking to get my shooting to the next level.
I've already completely lost my apatite for hunting in trees. My tripod and permanent stand in the backyard is ok but I'm done haling all that junk in and out of the woods and up and down trees. I'm staying on the ground.
I too do not plan to go quietly into that good night. I turned 60 and had to join the YMCA and work at things I used to take for granted. I shoot a 55lb bow on a winter indoor league at 20 yds. That's 45 arrows for score and 25 more for warm up. I also practice 100 arrows or more a week besides that.
I find I am more focused on form and sequence. I will shoot maybe 10 3D shoots this year. If I keep moving Im good. If I sit on my tail then Im done and I know it.
Heading to 54, staying in shape is part of it. Practicing daily, not too many arrows, but focus on all good arrows. (Once I can find my target and walk around the yard again). Scout hard and build blinds all summer. Spend as much time in the woods with a bow in my hand this fall as possible.
This year I plan to practise enough to be confident to hunt whitetails with my longbow.I have done lots of deer hunting with other weapons but this year I really want to shoot a deer with my longbow. I'm really enjoying the journey so far and when the moment comes that I have a deer I like in a good position for me I want to be confident that I can make the shot.
I also agree that this board is very refreshing without all the fake hunting stuff you see on tv shows,inches,hit list bucks and every buck in the county named.
After 30 years experience with shooting bows my personal objectives are to simplify rather than complicate how I approach archery.
A popular perspective today is that shooting for technical precision and repetitive pinpoint accuracy is the MOST important aspect of shooting a bow, even for archery renowned through the ages for it's beautiful simplicity and even for average shooters just looking for some fun on the range/in the field. 'Traditional', as we call it, has become a game of moving or removing (as much as we can) the challenge of archery towards something more accomodating to our insatiable quest for shooting perfection. I'm more interested in retaining a semblance of what traditional gear and methods used to be, more than in creating a mindset for how rifle-like traditional results might be.
Call me old school, I'm fine with that.
TSP, good thoughts. Target accuracy and a fluid well timed hunting shot are two different things. All too often form is dictated by groups of arrows in a target that is not going anywhere. We tend to set up our hunting situations to match our shooting form, it is always about form. It is just as possible to set up our form to match our hunting shots, but it takes practice, lots of practice finding that fluid zone, that separates the hunters from the target shooters.
This year, I'm setting up a shooting clinic with Rod Jenkins. Since my traditional archery journey began most all of my education has come from the wonderful people of TG. That said, I'm ready to take my shooting to the next level. I'm excited to receive professional shooting advice and training from Mr. Jenkins and hopefully improve my shooting!
I'm finally getting a setup made for my long draw. Shooting overdrawn bows has made for some squirrely shooting, and finding arrows was misery until I found Forrester. Now I have a proper bow and well made arrow shafts on the way. My medical condition has made it rather hard to get set up to my liking, but I have one bow here and another on the way to finally get to use my disability instead of suffer from it.
I plan on hanging more stands this year and shooting broadheads much more often. Seems like I shoot lots of field points but fail to shoot many broadheads.
Teaching more 4H archery classes. Taking in a few 3Ds. Hunting a lot, but mostly just taking my bow for a walk. At 67 my physical shape is excellent, as I have done what the youngsters (50+) are planning.. Keep it. Do not lose it as it takes a lot to get it back . If I do retire I will take up knapping seriously. Knapping, not napping as I can already do that!
QuoteOriginally posted by pavan:
TSP, good thoughts. Target accuracy and a fluid well timed hunting shot are two different things. All too often form is dictated by groups of arrows in a target that is not going anywhere. We tend to set up our hunting situations to match our shooting form, it is always about form. It is just as possible to set up our form to match our hunting shots, but it takes practice, lots of practice finding that fluid zone, that separates the hunters from the target shooters.
Is there a separation between the hunters and target shooters?
It seems that many of the top target shooters are also very successful hunters.
Don't need to say much because many of my thoughts have been expressed except...learn, hunt and introduce some more hunters young and old to trad.
I plan to build more self bows and keep it simple last year I built several new self bows and killed two deer with them. The satisfaction was unreal. I had drifted away from my wood bow and arrow roots. I am on a continuous journey to improve my shooting form. I llike simple so that I know "I" am the problem not the equipment.
I like trying new bows and arrow configurations, etc. However, I think if I develop greater form consistency, my overall performance both hunting and 3D would benefit more than with any gadgets or gimmicks .
I was so impressed with Brad (Huntmuleys) story last fall that ended, after many weeks and hundreds of miles of stalking in different kinds of challenging terrain and weather, with a series of great photographs and a decision not to shoot. My goals for 2015 are to get in better shape, keep practicing all sorts of shots in field conditions, hunt every reasonable opportunity, even if its a 30 minute walk from home looking for toms, bunnies or squirrels. It would be a "Dream Season" if I draw back on a good ,close shot on an old doe in December, then ease up and whisper "Godspeed, old girl."
My oldest for me "go to" bow I got in 93 and still shooting the same 2018/snuffer setup. My newest is 8 yrs old and shooting 2219/snuffer setup. I find what WORKS then I leave it alone and dont mess with it. B50 strings, aluminum arrows, and snuffer broadheads are constantly the same so I never worry or second guess my equipment. What I am working to improve is my woodcraft to be able to get off 15 yard shots at deer from ground blinds. Having deer at 15 or less yards is one thing, shooting them is something different...........
I hit 60 this year, and was diagnosed with 2 types of cancer in December. Just started my 3rd month of chemotherapy. I'm looking forward to turkey hunting in May, hoping to get my 3rd tom with a longbow. If I can make it into the woods in the fall, and enjoy the cool mornings, fall colors, and possibly see some deer I'll be extremely happy! So far I have been able to shoot on 2 archery leagues this winter, the chemo has me exhausted at times. Had to go down from 55#'s to 47#'s on my bow, but can still hit the targets pretty good. This has changed my outlook on hunting, and target shooting entirely, just glad I can still draw a bow, and watch the flight of the arrow!
Try to keep it simple, don't over think stuff. Sharp BHds kill no matter the number of bevels. Forget all the grunts and smells and stuff, just keep wind straight and keep shots close and broadside.
Shoot ALOT, first arrow is the only arrow that counts in practice for me. Well they all count but I like to think that first one is THE hunting shot.
Far as methods is I want to go further in my yak and hunt off the waterways even more. No kills doing this this yr but maybe next yr if I can just get out there more in the yak.
Keep your head up kstout! Give the turkeys heck and fall won't be far behind.
I plan on shooting until my bows cry uncle. Also, as much as I like talking to all you fellers in the computer box, Id like to find some real live people to shoot with.
Shot control!
Kstout, I'm thinking you got it right. Every breath we all take is just one more closer to our last one anyway...so we might as well enjoy the ride on God's beautiful earth and share the jug together while we can, lol.
Someone asked if there's a 'separation' between hunting with traditional equipment and target shooting. To me that's kinda' like asking if there's a difference between drinking an ice-cold beer on a hot day or just carefully pouring it into the glass. :D
My main two focuses this year are:
1) to be in much better shape when hunting season comes
2) to improve my hunting ability so that I consistently close the distance to under 20 yards. My success this year will not just be on harvest, but how consistently I am able to get within the magic 20 yard circle.
It's simple, pressure yourself to better yourself. Whatever that takes for you.