HH bug got me ... Part One!

30coupe · January 02, 2012, 08:35:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Rik:

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

Ummm, yup!

I'm still kind of amazed at how much better I shoot using the swing draw. I have almost entirely cured my habit of plucking the string, which always accounted for a few shots high and right.

I have developed a cadence. I think "swing, draw, anchor, gone." This works better for me because it reminds me to do each step. I don't want to think release because I just want back tension to take care of the release, so I think gone. That and keeping my right hand in contact with my face on release accounts for the lack of plucking.

I also notice that I am less conscious of aiming per se. I just focus on the target and go through my cadence and the arrows kind of miraculously appear on the target. The cadence keeps me from rushing, yet the shot still happens pretty quickly, if that makes any sense.

This swing draw thing has cost me a nice cedar arrow and a couple of nocks, but I can live with that. :rolleyes: The really cool thing is that it works just as well with my Kanati as with my Shelton.

January 02, 2012, 09:14:00 PM

[/QB][/QUOTE]

I'm still kind of amazed at how much better I shoot using the swing draw. I have almost entirely cured my habit of plucking the string, which always accounted for a few shots high and right.

This swing draw thing has cost me a nice cedar arrow and a couple of nocks, but I can live with that. [/QB][/QUOTE]

LOL....What a blast! Better take a few steps back or you will run outta arrows soon :D

ChrisM · January 02, 2012, 09:22:00 PM

Well I think today that I can claim some true success with my Hill bow. I have been learning since about July of this year. It seemed like a two steps forward and one step back kinda thing. Well the past two weeks I can shoot without worry about grip, bow arm, anchor, cant or anything else. Its just fluid and second nature. I am now able to concentrate on the center of the center. Today I was cutting dow goat weeds at will out to 20+ yards. The three things I beleive that has helped me the most are:
1. Bow hand and arm as Nate showed in his video
2. Swing Draw with the last 6 inches a stationary bow arm.
3. Nock under the arrow (Probably the most dramatic improvement of all)

Now to go after some critter now that I have the comfidence to make an ethical shot.

Bud B. · January 02, 2012, 09:22:00 PM

Nate,

You and I may not carry the same style back quiver and I need that second strap, but your insight is through experience and mine is
through hit-or-miss and lack of experience. There are several users on TG that post good solid experience based information and I try to soak it up like a lurking sponge. You are one of them. There are several others too, and I mean several, so don't discount the contribution you make.

My hide is abut 8-10 oz in thickness so it's all good

I'm lurking alot on this Hill thread and just soaking it all up.

Ray_G · January 02, 2012, 09:24:00 PM

Swampthing,

Stiff inserts inside the stalls is what the American Leathers Crossover glove is all about! I love it and favor it over my Big Shots. Smooth leather (not cordovan) on the stall face and string runs away from them just like you mentioned. I am only pulling 54# at my draw length but it works fine for me.

I am not knocking the glove you mentioned but if you like the American Leathers line, it is worth trying.

Crossover is the lighter colored glove:

Crossover and Big Shot back to back with string side of the stalls facing outward:

swampthing · January 02, 2012, 09:40:00 PM

I got one Ray, not even in the same ball park when it comes to stiffness.

Ray_G · January 02, 2012, 10:32:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by swampthing:
I got one Ray, not even in the same ball park when it comes to stiffness.

Wow :eek: ! Do they put Baleen in those Bateman stalls? Must be the difference in draw weight makes it fine for me. Glad you tried one, though.

daveycrockett · January 02, 2012, 10:53:00 PM

How long of a hill style would a fellow need for a 29" draw?

GingivitisKahn · January 02, 2012, 11:08:00 PM

Dang Nate - you're going to need to apologize for that apology of yours. :D

daveycrocket - My Halfbreed is 60# @ 29 and 66" long. It's fine and I really like it but if I had it to do over again, I'd probably get it made to 68 or even 70 inches.

MikeM · January 02, 2012, 11:16:00 PM

I have a 29" draw and I have tried Howard Hill Archery bows by Craig in the 66" 68" and 70" lengths. I have found that the 70" length works the best for me.

swampthing · January 03, 2012, 08:25:00 AM

go with 70" If that is your true draw..........

Ray, He uses as type of poly like black widow puts in their super leather tab, factor that in, with the cordovan, and then line it with suede!! Very stiff and almost scary when you first try it, you feel as though you have no control. Like cold slicks on your street car, you might want to give it a few laps before you start "racing"

January 03, 2012, 10:14:00 AM

I have seen lots of recurve and compound shooters that thought they would have a 29 or 30 inch draw with a longbow and then do everything they could to target that same draw length. Going to a Hill longbow, one needs to be open to the idea of changing their approach a bit and excepting the fact that they need to conform to the bow. I suspect that those that talk of struggling with their Hill style bows on this and other threads are trying to get the bows to work for them the same as their recurves and hybrids. Some adaptations will work for some, but for many, they will find that their recurve ways will make a longbow fight with them. Anytime someone says they need that 29 or 30 inch draw longbow, with no disrespect intended, the question needs to be asked- Are you sure about that 30 inch draw? Many people lose an inch or two going to a longbow. It will keep popping up as more longbow newcomers arrive.

swampthing · January 03, 2012, 10:54:00 AM

Very true, when I open up any bow, "in target form," I draw 29.5" and would want a backset bow to be 70" for that. In string follow I would get away with 68"
When I shoot "Hill style" I draw 26.5" I like a 66" bow for that.

tradlongbow · January 03, 2012, 12:07:00 PM

Hey Guys,

While I was searching the internet today, I found an archery website that posted the "Hitting them like Howard Hill video". I know that the video is out of production and we may have a few members that never seen it. The video is in 4 parts, just follow the link. I hope this works.

Enjoy,

Darren

http://archeryduns.webs.com/apps/videos/videos/show/14895607-hit-em-like-howard-hill-parts-1-4

MikeNova · January 03, 2012, 12:18:00 PM

Nate thats non sense. If it wasn't for your advice Id have ordered a 70" 80lbs heavy backset bow that I couldnt shoot.

Hawken1911 · January 03, 2012, 12:30:00 PM

Awesome Darren! Thanks for the video link.

Paul

Nate Steen . · January 03, 2012, 02:55:00 PM

Wow...guys...I don't know what to say. I've been away for a couple of days and, well, I wasn't expecting this response. First of all, everything is fine, okey dokey on my end. I really appreciate all the positive comments from each of you. There's nothing wrong with me, I will still continue to post.

the reason for my apology is this....sometimes I post things without the benefit of an editor (me) looking over my shoulder. When I say/write things, I know that I am accountable for them and when I re-read the things I had posted, I sensed in myself through my posts an ego-laden theme. Sometimes there is a fine line between helping for helping's sake or helping for our own accolades. If I seek accolades/kudos for myself I am in the wrong. I sensed this attitude in my posts and it bothered me. I believe that if it bothers me, it could have bothered someone else as well. That's why I made the apology. Obviously from your responses, I didn't bother you all, but I may have offended others who didn't respond. My desire is to be of assistance to those who ask, but not to be a know-it-all. Thanks again for the kind words on my behalf, I look forward to further discussions involving the varied aspects of longbow shooting.

dragonheart · January 03, 2012, 04:00:00 PM

Legendstick53 · January 03, 2012, 04:05:00 PM

Nate by your advice and ofcourse and also from the others members my Hill style shooting is starting to take finally same shape. Thanks everybody.

Mark

David Mitchell · January 03, 2012, 04:47:00 PM

Nate, I'm glad you feel so deeply about the ethics and attitude of your posts....that is highly commendable and I wish more people did. But that said, you are for sure your own worst critic. The rest of us don't see that in you at all. Bless you for your attitude and for wanting to do it right--but you are, brother!.