HH bug got me ... Part One!

[Ben Maher]

thanks Mate ... I'm with ya ...

[Overspined]

Originally posted by kestimator:
 

Originally posted by ron w:
Maybe I missed it earlier in this thread, but was there ever a Hill Bow made with a reverse handle? Just curious as I just picked up a Northern Mist Whisper and it seems kind'a neat! So what can you tell me? Thanks in advance.......ron w

I think there may have been.  I can't remember for sure...but in one of the books I've got (I think that it is Craig's) there is a photo of Howard Hill shooting a reverse handled bow. [/b]

I've seen pic(s) of Howard Hill shooting a reverse handle bow, but I don't remember where.

Ron, you can get any Hill model in a reverse handle. They do not mention it in the catalog, I don't why that is. it is a tough choice between the NM whisper and the reverse Hill, my son declares the Whisper to be the best bow he has ever shot.  I was going to get a reverse model this year, I like how the reverse models shoot, but I opted for a new Filson coat and another hundred arrow shafts instead.  With my right hand back in gear, I am back to shooting my old favorites and shooting them good.

[Nate Steen .]

for the guys interested in shooting a longbow better, here goes....for the old timers who are shooting good as always (Mssrs. Lamb, LeClair, Cameron, etc.)you can skip all this stuff....

This will be a multi-part series, here's part 1:
one of the banes of modern target shooting is the small, portable, foam target/backstop.  They are designed for compound shooters mostly. Back in the day, most everyone shot targets at round mat targets, or stacked haybales.  Mostly the round targets are set up on stands around 48" to the center of the bull.  When people learned to shoot the Hillstyle swing draw back then, they shot at a target that was almost or truely on plane with their shoulders. The 'swing' was a long swing to get the bow up to a level position.
Nowadays, people go buy a foam cube target and shoot at it on the ground.  The 'swing' is a much shorter swing to get the bowarm on target.  Watching many fellas shoot, I've noticed that the old timers used to shooting level have great follow through and a nice, level bowarm/drawing arm form.  Olympic target archers have this same nice form.  Backyard shooters tend to have a quicker shot form, sloppier bowarm and dropping arm form, due to the fact they are shooting down at the ground.

This shorter swing time of the bowarm at the lower target position will lead to short drawing and premature release because of the speed at which the shooter is on target and the brain yelling to let go of the string.  Also, I've noticed it is difficult to keep a nice level/straight drawing arm in line with the arrow (straight line form) when always shooting down.

We are creatures of habit, so when we practice shooting down at a ground level target all the time, we ingrain that swing draw timing, and it is difficult to shoot at a target that's 3 or 4 feet off the ground where a deer/elk's chest would be because that takes a longer swing, or longer draw timing to get on target.

Lesson 1:  get a target set up so that you can shoot absolutely level with your anchor...I'm 74" tall, my anchor point is 64" off the ground,  I shoot at a target 64" off the ground also...  That's key point number 1.  If you are 5'7", your anchor point on your face will be somewhere around 56-57" off the ground.  Set up your backstop and target so that the center is that high off the ground.
Start shooting the swing draw while focusing at a spot level with your anchor and shoot over and over at about 10 yards or less.  Shoot lots of arrows, lots of arrows until that swing motion is absolutely repetitious and your bowarm, drawing arm/elbow and arrow straight line will be beautiful.  One week of shooting 40-50 arrows per day will be a good start.

and have someone photo you or video you and you will notice a nice form like Schulz has in his video, or Hill has in his photos and movies.

Lesson 2 and the reasons why this level shooting is important will be discussed next week.

[Bud B.]

OK Nate, I'm tuned in. (as in watching and waiting)

Now that the 2013 St. Jude Faith bow is on to the next hunter I'm back to the Hill styles.

Thanks for helping.

[far rider]

Thanks Nate! I'll give lesson 1 a try.

Tim

[Goshawkin]

Cool,I've been setting my targets up at about chest height for years.Always made sense to me to practice on targets while I could be in perfect form,then go stumping for more realistic hunting practice.

[MikeNova]

Nate good point but does this practice apply if you primarily hunt from a treestand? If I'm not jumping ahead to far.

[DWilhelm]

Thanks Nate.  This is the type of stuff we need.  I actually set up a target in my unfinished basement that allows me to shoot level about a year ago.  This may explain why I have never shot a bow so consistently as my Hill Big 5.

I will be waiting patiently for the lessons.

[Goshawkin]

Originally posted by DWilhelm:
 This may explain why I have never shot a bow so consistently as my Hill Big 5.

You're last name might have something to do with it as well!!!There were a couple GREAT Hill style shooters with the same name. Ken and Walt Wilhelm. Hunting buddies of Howard's.One of them put the apple on their head for the William Tell shot. Would be way cool if you were related to them.

[Nate Steen .]

Notice all the old video clips of Hill almost all shots are set up to shoot level.  That is the foundation form.  Don't get ahead Mike....the swing to level cadence or timing is what each shooter must learn.  Our individual cadence might vary...but develop your own cadence....or rythm if you prefer.  

When I am not stumpshooting I shoot level at the bales...9 or 10 yards.  That is it.  No twenty yard shots, etc.  Always close shooting for form..always level.  I can bring up my bow to level and shoot blindfolded.  I can do it it my sleep.  I have shot tens of thousands  of arrows this way.  This form foundation should be automatic....

That is the thing to work on...everything else falls into place and that is what is coming.......

[LongStick64]

Nate, I completely agree with you but as far as a below level target, by bending from my waist, am I not in the same position as if I am shooting straight up at a level target ?

[cahaba]

Excellent as always Nate. Can't wait for the next lesson!

[Shinken]

I think that I will get me a manikin so that I can work on my William Tell shot this winter!  I think one that stands 57" - 58" tall will be just the ticket....

   

Shoot straight, Shinken

 

[Ray_G]

quote:Originally posted by Shinken:
I think that I will get me a manikin so that I can work on my William Tell shot this winter!  I think one that stands 57" - 58" tall will be just the ticket....

       

Shoot straight, Shinken

      Must have video proof, David!

[Kelly]

Originally posted by ron w:
Maybe I missed it earlier in this thread, but was there ever a Hill Bow made with a reverse handle? Just curious as I just picked up a Northern Mist Whisper and it seems kind'a neat! So what can you tell me? Thanks in advance.......ron w

In John Schulz's book, "Hitting Em Like Howard Hill there is a picture of Howard doing some shooting with a reverse handle bow in his hands. Looks exactly like a regular Hill LB-just turned around so the back became the belly. Suspect this one was from the fiberglass age.

[MikeNova]

Ok Nate  not for that reason but I had already elevated my bag target some, now I have elavated it more. Now I'm going to put that 10 yards into practice. Keep posting I'm listning.

[Hank]

The straight line thing is not new and actually not really the way it is -- Bob Wesley teaches and explains it correctly. Looking at the pictures posted by Sunset Hill, you can see the elbow is slightly elevated. Drawing a straight line from the elbow through the drawing hand, it points straight to the bow hand, the arrow is at a slightly different angle, more level with the ground.

[Nate Steen .]

Straight line form is probably better described as level form as there are some angles caused by both wrists.....the idea is to get used to shooting level, not down.  I will download some pics soon.

This stuff isn't new...I am just telling it as to how  it applies to the Hill style of shooting and how it relates to things Hill said to his students.

[Nate Steen .]

Shinkin...now thats funny right there..!