Just bought 1st Traditional bow!

[JasonW]

Brand new to the sight, and just bought my first traditional bow.  

Used 66" 58#@28" Wes Wallace Mentor recurve.  

I am alittle overwhelmed on how to begin into shooting/learning with a traditional bow.

Just sharing my excitment with everyone.

Jason

[JoeM]

Welcome Jason,
Your going to ge all the info you need from this sight, great group of people.  I started about 6 months ago and have been sort of self teaching myself with help from this sight.  It's going to take patience, because some days you will think this aint for me, then others you'll think I finally got it.   Just remember to have fun!  Joe

[jhansen]

Jason,
Welcome to the site and to trad bows!  One question to begin with...can you draw that bow comfortably and hold it at full draw for several seconds?  The reason I ask is that many people overbow themselves in the beginning and this causes problems.  I'd venture to guess that being overbowed is a leading reason newcomers get frustrated and quit.

John

[Blackhawk]

The Mentor is a great bow    ...and John has asked a question and made a wise comment you should consider.    

Oregon has quite a number of quality bowyers and a very active trad community.  Have fun!  

[JasonW]

jhansen:

I am able to pull my bow back comfortably, but maintaining at full draw more than a couple of seconds and I begin to shake slightly.  

Does this seem like I might have to much draw weight?  If so what can I do to rectify this?

Tks again
Jason

[T.J.]

Welcome! Nothing like starting out with the best. Good choice in bows. First rule of the forums is when you announce a new bow you have to have pics    :D    I highly recommend Masters of the barebow dvd's 1&2

Good luck on your shooting. You'll have days when you think you've mastered it and then you'll have days when you think you've lost all progress. It's part of the process. Have fun with it and it gets addicting!

[returntoarchery]

Welcome Jason. Just looked up the Mentor. Sweet looking bow. You're gonna need to post pics.

[Widowbender]

Welcome aboard!!! Great People Here!!! You can get alot of help and encouragement here!!! Don't be afraid to ask questions.

David

[Shawn Leonard]

Jason, welcome and ya may be a tda overbowed to start. 58#s at 28"s if ya pull the full 28"s lead to some form issues and such, but if ya work your way into shooting a not reall y worry about much until ya get used to the weight you will be fine. Welcome on a long wonderful journey! Shawn

[jhansen]

Jason,
If you can't come to full draw and hold it for several seconds you may tend to snap-shoot.  Snap-shooting, especially for beginners, is a problem.  Veterans may appear to snap-shoot but the truth is that the shot is so ingrained into their brains and muscles that they don't need the time to mentally prepare the shot.  While you are learning the mechanics of shooting a bow you need to take things slower.  Seeing the arrow in your lower peripheral vision will help you align it with the target.  Being comfortable at full draw lets you mentally check things like back tension before you release.  

Then there's the physical aspect of being overbowed.  Everybody wants to shoot lots of arrows in a single session.  That's normal.  But your body needs time to develop the strength and stamina that pulling a bow repeatedly demands.  Ignoring this fact can lead to physical injuries such as rotator cuff tears in the shoulders.

Can you go on with your current bow?  Sure you can.  Just take it easy until your body catches up with your enthusiasm.  You will be glad you did in the long run.

John

[JBiorn]

Why are we assuming he is overbowed? Prolly could play defensive end for the Raiders and bought a comfy bow to learn with before getting a big bow. A little shake is natural when a guy is new----I mean it could be merely a form issue. Its just a matter of teaching the muscles(unfamiliar ones)about the bow.

I suggest a search for Terry's form video.

Jeff

[LEOPARD]

Jason, welcome to the gang!            :D

[JEFF B]

welcome to the family and hve fun with ya bow.  

[varmint]

Welcome to the fold!!

Spectacular group of people here!Any questions or concerns are only a click away from being answered.

HAVE FUN!!

And we expect pics of number 2,and 3,and 4,ect..........because it WILL happen eventually.

[Danny Roberts]

Hang on for a great ride here. You'll be knockin' over one of those awesome OR. yews before you know it and whittlin' yourself a selfbow. Good luck to 'ya !

[tradtusker]

i second what varmint said!  :D      
Welcome!

[Doug in MI]

I agree with TJ get the Masters of the Barebow videos.

[Basic Instinct]

NIce bow choice!!   You should come on down to the Lakeview Bunny hunt in April. Should be some great shooters there I hope. Be a good chance to pick up some tips. I hope to do some learning myself!!

[Labs4me]

Congratulations. And welcome to the addiction!