Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kevin heath]

I have been a bowhunter all of my life and the thrill has kinda gone, so this last month I picked up a Bear Kodiak, and I have some questions that I am hoping can be answered here, Does using a trigger release with a long bow cause the arrow to "wobble"? what does the term spining mean? and can you use carbon fiber arrows with a long bow, they seem to be really inaccurate with this bow, also are there any good resources like books and videos out there that I cant get? okay I have written a book and i will stop now...Kevin

[arrowslinger22]

Let's see, first welcome aboard.  The trigger release is not likely causing the wobble, it's probably that the arrows are not matched to the bow.  Most likely too stiff.  Second, the "spine" is an indicator of the stiffness of the arrow.  It measures the deflection of the arrow with a standard weight and support.  Lighter spine means more deflection.  Carbons can be used and work well if the spine is correct.  Lots of books and videos.  I recommend you try one of the sponsors listed above.  Ask lots of questions, you'll get good answers here.

[Tom]

Kevin,
Helpful info would include bow weight, draw length, bow lenght,split finger-three under. Hard to figure close spine without those factors. Not many trad Shooters I know use releases but they have been used in the past. By spining you are probably talking about what an arrow spines for a certain weight.

[kevin heath]

50# at 28",64 " length and I have no idea what the rest is...Kevin

[Orion]

A good book is Traditional Bowhunters Handbook by T.J. Conrads.

[kevin heath]

Thanks orion. ..Kevin

[R H Clark]

Welcome Kevin
How far are you drawing that Kodiak?

The Masters of the Barebow volume 1 is a good DVD to start with.

[L. E. Carroll]

Kevin,
First welcome aboard !!! Don't get frustrated.  I know you have questions and thats to be expected!!Takes little time to absorb all it takes to do "Traditional"      

[Mo. Huntin]

I saw Ralph from Archers choice doing that and he said it was easier to draw that way.  I think you are going to have to play with spine just like the rest of us to fix your problems.  I think if I was using a release I would also use a string loop so you don't have to reserve all the time, plus it will put less torque on your nock of your arrow.  I would check O.L's bareshaft tuning stuff out, it worked very well for me.  I personaly think you are missing out not shooting fingers but if that is what you want more power to you.  Get started and post questions along the way.  You will find the search feature here very handy.  good luck

[bowmaster12]

Im also new to this trad stuff i have gotten a bunch of great advice and help from this site welcome to teh campfire    from my compound days i knwo that a mech. release add will cause the arrow to flex up and down and if shooting off the shelf of your bow (shooting without a rest) this may cuase strange arrow flight shoooting with fingers causes the arrow to flex side to side allowing more natrual arrow movement/flex when shooting off the shelf or a rest that sits completley under the arrow.  I have found the journy very enjoyable so far and the trad community to be very helpfull kind and carrying hope you find it the same  

[Mark 507]

Kevin, are you shooting feather or plastic fletched arrows? Plastic fletching can hit the shelf or riser causing poor arrow flight.

[Mo. Huntin]

I think bowmaster12 may have something with that elevated rest statement.  If I was already shooting a release I would use one of those stick on rests also.

[KentuckyTJ]

A traditional bow is meant to roll off your fingers when realeased. A release aid releases the string straight and a fairly violent "wobble" would occur. Try shooting the bow with your fingers.

T.J.

[Mo. Huntin]

I aint no pro but in my opinion if you find the correct spine arrow it will shoot just fine with a release. Compounds were not always centershot and you can make them very accurate.  I believe that releases have been used on non mechanical bows for a very long long time just not the mechanical release we use today. I know it can be done or a shooting machine would not work on a trad bow and they do.  You can probably shoot a lot more accurate with a release or everyone would still be shooting fingers.

[Kevin L.]

Kevin, welcome to archery as it was meant to be. I too started getting jaded with the "stuff and gadgets" and a good friend handed me a longbow. It's a real journey, and it can be frustrating at first, but stick with it. As for your questions, you've gotten some real good info so far. Remember when you started shooting a compound, how much it helped to have someone experienced help ya? Same thing here. Go to a shop that has AND understands traditional archery, or even better, find a trad buddy to shoot with. There's less stuff to mess with, but your equipment needs to be matched.

Welcome to the world of the stick and string,

Kevin

[kevin heath]

Thanks everybody for all your advice, I think I am gonna ditch the release and try finger shooting.
I just hate to  give up so much of the money i have spent over the years but then again I am weary of all the technology in primitive hunting so maybe the time has come to go native and RH Clark my draw is right at about 30" I am guessing cuz thats my compound draw and it feels the same...Kevin

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

Another good book to check out is the beginner's guide to traditional archery by Brian J. Sorrells.  Very useful info in there as well, even for the not so new beginners.  Relativly inexpensive as well.