HH bug got me ... Part One!

tradlongbow · January 02, 2012, 02:16:00 PM

Swampthing-

Your pics are always super bright and clear. What camera are you using?

Darren

January 02, 2012, 02:18:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by tradlongbow:
Swampthing-

Your pics are always super bright and clear. What camera are you using?

Darren

Yeah Darren, I was just thinking the same thing

john gilbert · January 02, 2012, 02:39:00 PM

Nate, you just know alot. If knowledge cant be shared, what good is it. Your advice has helped me in my shooting already. John

GRS · January 02, 2012, 02:52:00 PM

Nate, I don't know what brought that on but I respectfully disagree. You have been nothing but helpful in your posts and pm's. I, for one, value your insights and opinions immensely. I put a lot of stock in the opinions of people like you, who have shot ( and built) Hill bows EXCLUSIVELY. I think your experience shooting ONLY Hill bows has given you some valuable insights that other folks don't learn while trying to shoot all types of bows and trying to shoot them all the same way. While that will obviously work (I did it for a while too), I don't think it's the BEST way to shoot a Hill bow. I realize that I only have 9 mos. experience shooting Hill bows, but in that time I have shot many thousands of arrows, and I feel that to get the most from any type of bow, you need to shoot it the way the bow wants to be shot, not necessarily the way you want to shoot it. I know that for me, the way you, Shultz, and Hill shoot works far better with these bows than trying to shoot them like I shoot recurves and hybrids. I hope that makes sense. Again, I value your input a great deal, and hope to learn a lot more from you. I hope this thread lasts another year!!

Thanks
Gerald

Molson · January 02, 2012, 02:52:00 PM

Nate quit worrying about silly things and keep on contributing. Your opinions, speculations, facts, and experiences make for a most enjoyable read!

Ultimately, it is up to the reader to comprehend (or perhaps even interpret) what has been written. We are all responsible for ourselves.

Swamp Yankee · January 02, 2012, 03:01:00 PM

There's a lot of great information on this thread, and on Tradgang in general. Most is valuable, some interesting; others make you wonder what planet the author is from. As mentioned, it's up to the individual to try different ideas out and use what works for them. I don't find any archer's particular style works 100% for me; but a little of this and a little of that does. I don't want to shoot just like Howard Hill ( or Fred Bear or fill in any name for that matter), because I'm not them.

swampthing · January 02, 2012, 03:51:00 PM

I PM'd you guys on the camera specs.
I always try to find the "good light," that is what helps, not expensive cameras.
Most of the time it eludes me.

January 02, 2012, 03:52:00 PM

We all try different things at different at times, some we stick to.

ChrisM · January 02, 2012, 04:43:00 PM

Nate that is the craziest thing I have read from you. You are viewed as a source of info because you provide great wisdom and do it with humility. Someone who tries and Buffalo there "knowledge" on others usually gets the cold shoulder quickly.

stik&string · January 02, 2012, 04:56:00 PM

Nate I would have to disagree with your post and echo what many of the others have said. Although there isn't a one size fits all approach to this stuff, I sure do appreciate your insightful posts and they have helped me greatly.

Now if someone could talk you into producing more bows....

David Mitchell · January 02, 2012, 05:12:00 PM

pavan....some well used bows there--just like they should look after being cherished and put to their intended purpose.

David Mitchell · January 02, 2012, 05:14:00 PM

Oh, yeah, one more thing I want to mention--NATE--you been in too much New Years egg nog??? We all greatly enjoy your posts and you DO NOT come across as an arrogant know-it-all. In fact, quite the contrary. Please pay close attention to what all the guys above have said.

Traxx · January 02, 2012, 05:42:00 PM

You may not wish to portray yourself as a "Know it all",but ill tell you what,all the advice and info you have givin over the years has proven to be correct.At least for me it has,so keep on a givin it.

Red Tailed Hawk · January 02, 2012, 06:00:00 PM

Dang Nate, I love all the great info you provide.
I hope you will always feel content to keep giving advice.

Much appreciated!!!

swampthing · January 02, 2012, 06:17:00 PM

Now I like the American Leathers line of gloves, but I gotta say, the E.W. Bateman lined with inserts cordovan glove is myteefine as well. From what I can remember Howard used inserts in the stalls, makes for a stiff glove without much any string feel, good thing with 84#'s if you ask me, but what I understand now is how that string comes off the fingers with these stiff gloves. No drag, slip, no nothing, just #'s of tension set free, like a switch. Reminds me of the custom trigger's on my firearms of past, requiring just a thought to ignite the powder...

Rod Cam · January 02, 2012, 07:10:00 PM

Nate, I for one would never want to see you stop writing articles on the Hill style, You know I have been doing this for a long time and there is very few people that can put it in words like you do, you are very sincere about it and that is the way it should be, keep on writing, I for one enjoy it.

30coupe · January 02, 2012, 07:51:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by sunset hill:
I'd like to apologize to the folks reading this thread and others on tg wherein i have posted. I have realized that in my zeal for archery and shooting hillstyle longbows i have often posted replies and remarks that have conveyed the thoughts i am a hillstyle know-it-all. That is wrong of me. I am sorry. In my chosen lifestyle i have tried to live with humility in all things and sometimes ego/pride raises his ugly head. Reading over some of my past posts i realized they did not convey the message i wished them to.

I am by no means an expert on the hill style of bowmaking...shooting...or archery in general. I am just a fella who likes building and shooting hillstyle semilongbows and as such i have studied and observed the aspects of both. My opinions on the subjects are just that. My sincerest apologies to all and i hope i have not influenced anyone here into thinking i am someone of importance. Thank you.

What the heck are you talking about? You have been nothing but helpful to any of use who asked. Even though you make and sell quivers, you have been more than willing to help me as I tried to craft my first. You have shared what works for you without suggesting that what anyone else does is wrong or that your way was the best. Since you have had success shooting that way, your words have been a boon to those of us who are just beginning this Hill-bow adventure.

As to you not being an expert at building Hill style bows, have you looked at any of the pictures the guys who are lucky enough to own one of your bows have posted? Has anyone posted even one negative comment about your bows? If you don't qualify as an expert, no one has the right to claim to be one.

If any of us owe an apology, it is the boneheads like me who keep bugging you for free information.

Please accept my apology and please keep sharing your wealth of information. I am way too old to gain that much knowledge by experience. I certainly hope you and all of the Tradgangers who have so much knowledge continue to share it. One of the greatest aspects of this group is their willingness to help. I hope you will continue to do so.

Russ

Rik · January 02, 2012, 07:58:00 PM

Today, I had the single greatest day of shooting practice I have ever had.

It's hard to explain, really, why it should be so. I am practicing the swing-draw that I so love to tease you guys and especially Nate about. I've noticed to my surprise that it's not that much different than my normal way of shooting.

First, I watched the Hitting 'Em Like Howard Hill video paying close attention, then I laced on an armguard, strung my bow, and headed out for some 15-yard practice.

The last 25 percent of the shooting sequence is exactly the same. I reach full draw with the arrow already aimed, keep squeezing the back muscles and releasing in one fluid, living motion.

Ah, but the first 75 percent of the shot sequence is different. I have been starting the draw with my bow at my left hip and my bow arm well bent. I swing up as I push forward with my bow arm and draw with my back muscles all the way to full draw, shortly after which the arrow is gone. Sometime I start the draw with the bow half way up from my hip, but the results are the same. Drill shots.

Now here's the funny part, at 15 yards, I am shooting better than my normal way of shooting. This may be because I am not overthinking the shot before I draw and also before I let got of the string. I do not yet know the answer.

I can tell you it is a fun way to shoot. Will I be able to shoot this well at 25 yards? I doubt it, but in a week or so, after more practice, I will start shooting at that distance and see what happens.

Have any of you ever noticed that bows and arrows are just plain fun?

dragonheart · January 02, 2012, 08:16:00 PM

Someone many moons ago said they are bewitching! LOL!

January 02, 2012, 08:17:00 PM

Nate the biggest difference that I have seen is how to approach a true Hill designed bow. What you say about bow arm and bow hand is exactly correct in my experience, I also can see how a higher center point would work if the bow was centered for that style. I would guess that would be that 1&1/2" versus 1&1/4" from the rest thing. I split the difference and go 1&3/8". I think when Hill described his aiming, it is really about what acknowledging what your senses are telling in the first place, with time it becomes automatic, but can be used analytically if needed.
I have proven that I can make a major oversight with aiming when totally ignoring my arrow, the side of the bow became my sight check without me realizing it. It can throw the shot way off when canting a longbow more, to left with a right hand longbow. Just a quick mental check of the arrow alignment would have proven to me where the arrow was going to go before I let it go. but then Hill did say not to get all fundamental and orthodox with the mechanics of aiming. Besides, what did that poor defenseless turkey ever do to me anyway. Maybe I will shoot him on Wednesday.