After 7 long hot months I will be returning to the land of the free and the home of the brave in early August with just enough time to fling some arrows before the season starts.  I was wondering if anyone had tips on the best way to get back to the form that I used to have perfected.  Shooting dots (aim small miss small), stump shooting, cotton ball start close and move back?  Just looking for suggestions from anyone who has been out of the game for a little while at one time or another.  
Also, does anyone know who builds a good longbow at or around 85#'s?

1stLt Logan A. Giger
USMC

Thank you for your service sir, hope god smiles on your time this season

welcome home, thanks for your hard work an service
all the things you mention above will whip you back into shooting shape in no time.

Welcome back home, may your journey here be swift and safe. With the sounds of the July Fourth celebration ringing in my ears, your post makes me happy that there may be something that we can do for   you.

Your practice upon your return will depend upon your facilities at or near your home. We're it me, I would use a blank bale for form, then a target on it to verify aiming, and then some arrows with Ace Hex Heads on them for stumping and yard games.

You will get all kinds of suggestions for your longbow. You need to decide what kind of longbow, grip type, and what sort of features are important to you. Are you into D shaped or Hybrid RD types? Super speed or quiet power? Only you will be able to say.

There are many TG members in Pennsylvania who would be honored to shoot with you, and let you try out different styles of bows. There may be some 3D shoots that you could attend, also, even if you go bowless. Vendors at such events love to have you discuss and try their bows, hoping to make a sale, yes, but because they love archery, too. It is too bad that you are coming home after the Denton shoot, but maybe crowds aren't your thing. That is a place to shop, though.

Because you are a Pennsylvanian, and because RD Hybrids are popular, and because I love his bows, I will put in a plug for Leon Stewart as an excellent bowyer who can make the heavy bow that you desire. There are hundreds in the U.S. who can do the job for you, and do it well. I mean them no slight, as I have bought from and enjoy the products of more than a few of them, but Leon stands out to me for his craftsmanship, business ethic and values. A pleasure to deal with and he is in your state.

Thank you for what you have gone through for us. We can do what we do only because you did what you had to do in your Service. Now, let us do something for you.

Killdeer

Thanks for your sevice and welcome home soon. You might want a lightweight to get your form back, then hit the heavy bow. Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll be successful! Chuck Deshler from TwoTracks Bow and Wool makes a great bow that is great value too. Good luck! Bill Dunn (Zipper Bows)makes some fine bows too, his one piece Zipstick is getting great reviews.

Cant say it any better than Killie, thank you for your service! I have a Leon Stewart and live in Pa, get ahold of me anytime and shoot mine, you just may like it. As for practice, start close and get your form perfect again, then worry about distance.

Gentlemen thanks for the help.  Killie I currently have a 68# widow that I really enjoy, a 58# Ancient Spirits Sequoia (built by Tracy Trickett), a 52# Massie Longhorn, and a 65# Zipper.  All are shooters and I love them each for different reasons.  The reason for the heavy bow is to improve my concentration and shooting with the lower weight bows and maybe a future trip to the dark continent for some real big stuff.  I have had the chance to shoot about every form of stickbow out there when I worked with Chris White and Claude Stewart when they had Allegheny Archers open just south of Butler so I have a pretty good idea of what I am looking for just wanted suggestions on who builds a good heavy bow which is exactly what you provided; so thank you.  I have all but given up on any type of big game hunting with anything other than a stickbow and I am always looking for a new challenge.  Only time will tell what adventure is next but I certainly cannot wait to find out.

glad you are back  safe and sound. welcome home

Thank You for your service Sir!, hope your return home is safe.

My Neice and her husband are both over there    

My only advice would be start out light and start mixing in the heavier ones when it feels right.

Eric

May you have a safe and speedy return home    THANKS for serving this GREAT country of ours          

Thanks for your service    

If you want to try a bunch of bows Denton is the place to go.

Welcome home, brother.  I know all too well the excitement... and impatience that you are experiencing getting ready to leave that dust pit.
Have a safe journey home... probably the worst part of the trip! Heh, heh!
This coming season will sure be special for ya. Lot's to appreciate here... like cold water, grass, leaves, clean air, trees, stillness.

Thank you, Sir, for your service. Have a safe trip home!

Thank you for your service and have a great fall!

Why the devil did I think you were from Penciltucky?
I must be losing it!

Killdeer  

I am from penciltucky but I am stationed in North Carolina.  Rest assured a PA whitetail will fall to my arrows once again this season!  Haven't missed a year since I was 14!  Haven't missed a year with a stickbow since I was 18!  (for reference I am 24)

Welcome home, sir. Go get 'em  

Welcome home Lt. I remember looking forward to a hunt when I was rotating out of Nam. May I suggest looking at the classified ads for a bow of great stature. It looks to me as a number of folks are giving up on the heavy weight bows as they grow older. For the type of shooting practicing you want to do a slightly used bow could be an answer.
Semper Fi, Tom M

Thank you for your service and welcome home!

Thanks for the input Tom!  Me and the boys did some work with the M240B over here... its no M60 but it is a darn fine machinegun.  0331's are among my favorite of all Marines as my first command was a weapons platoon.
Semper Fi,