So I went to a bow shop about 45 mins awAy. They have an indoor range. So I shot a ragim Impala 45#. I actually had to shoot with some arrows they had and they Blazers on them! So you can imagine how they flew off the shelf. But nonetheless I shot from 15 yds about 15 times and managed to hit the kill zone about 4 times. It was good to just actually shoot one. I will say that 45# felt good but it was hard on my fingers without a glove. But at least I know what it feels like to shoot one ...

very good now try some other bows and other weights . With no let off it is a whole other  deal .

Pretty good I'd say without tuned arrows and no glove! Try several bows and see what fits you best if you can!

Above all , have fun!!

Sounds like your Hot To Trot on your journey to traditional archery !!!!!!        

Welcome to the Gang from Pa.

Tab or glove and feathered shafts will make a world of difference both in flight and comfort. It is good to be enthusiatic but go slowly and with the right equipment it will be a whole new world opening up to you.

I plan to just shoot any bow and every bow I can in the next few weeks. Then I will narrow it down to 2 or 3. Then make a decision and buy one. I want to make sure though that i get the correct arrow set up so I will be practicing with the same set up i hunt with. I know for a fact that 50# will be the max I can handle. Somewhere around 45# @ 27" give or take a bit. more on the lower end of 42-43. All I can say, you guys that do this and hunt this way and take animals have my respect. Always have. It's another world for sure.

i notice some people shoot or release it seems before they get to their anchor..also see some people actually bring the string back and settle for a split second then release. Is it just a matter of prefernce or what?

VA are you right or left handed ?

right handed

man.. that can be a controversial question mate.
shooting as you come to anchor, is what is commonly referred to as "snap shooting"- now many shoot this way very effectively - but the concerns might be  releasing before reaching full anchor(short drawing)- for me i suffered with inconsistency- some great shots some not so good, i think with me , there were just too many variables that werent being dealt with on the draw.
when i moved over to Rick Welch's shooting technique- with a pronounced full 2 second pause at full draw- it really significantly improved my accuracy- i could settle into the shot better- ensuring proper and CONSISTENT back tension- and allowing my "body" to aim naturally- not just focusing on when i reached anchor alone!!
he teaches you to "trust your bow arm", and i know now, when i second guess my bow arm, my shot will be off in elevation every time.

we're still talking instinctive shooting here. not gap or string walking etc etc

I can only speak on what I do, Im no expert and I'm still very much in the learning phase when it comes to trad archery, but I've been shooting firearms and bows all my life and there are certain things I've found that translate no matter the weapon is. I've always been the type to take a second or two to prepare to shoot and then shoot the first time the sight picture looks right. With my longbow my preparation is to concentrate on my target and make sure my grip is correct during the draw, then a split second to make sure my anchor point is correct and remind myself to make a good release, then i release as soon as the sight picture looks good.

i did notice when i held for a second i was closer to where i wanted to hit

yes hold for a split second or a few seconds , depends on the shot . Snap shooting is not usually a good thing, some can shoot that way but most can not .