posted
Curious as to where you all have been gripping.... lately. I have been doing some stumping and have found that just grabbing where it is natural, not emphasizing any thing, just grab and go, let the bow pull it self in to "time" working great so far, quiet too. The dynamic fulcrum on the bow is at the upper 1/3 of the riser. So it seems that forcing "heel" pressure would be counter productive. Just grab it, wrap hand around it where it naturally feels right, stare at spot I want to hit, spread draw/release.
Posts: 970 | From: New Hampshire | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
I think Howard used the secondary aiming more when he was attempting really long shots. I can't recall just were it is in the book, but he mentioned picking a tree or rock or something several feet above his quarry as his aiming point.
Like Pope and Young, he also shot an arrow at distant targets, watched where it landed, then adjusted his point of aim on the next shot, and connected. On closer targets he simply "shot right at it." How he did that so accurately is what I'd like to know.
One thing I think guys like Howard Hill and Byron Ferguson have that many of us lack is incredible vision. When they coupled that with excellent hand-eye coordination, the results were nothing short of amazing.
posted
I don't know, Hill in Hunting the Hard Way was pretty specific. He did say one cannot be so dogmatic about it, he also said that it gets to be very fluid and fast. Although, picking an imaginary spot can get real analytical, for someone that has not had a feel for pointing a bow developed, it is kind of what your own hand/eye coordination would eventually do anyway. He basically is explaining how he developed his own. No matter what, you are going to see that arrow out there. Knowing that you are using what you are seeing and how not to get your brain in a tizzy doing it, seems to be the question.
Posts: 2559 | From: Iowa | Registered: Oct 2009
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I see you have been enjoying the Miller! It's very nice looking.
One thing I found...was that extra piece of leather on the rest that sticks up to keep the arrow in place was hitting my arrows upon release and making them fly erratic. A couple good ones, and a bad one or two, and so on... I pulled that piece out and BINGO. I don't think I've shot a quieter bow.
Posts: 1687 | From: Michigan | Registered: Jun 2007
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posted
One thing I am jealous about...is that Hill shot such a heavy bow. All you guys that can handle the heavy draw weights have such a great advantage for general shooting. Speedier heavy arrows that you can "mis-judge" distance with and still hit the mark. I used to shoot my friend's Hill style bow at 64#, and I could only shoot it a few times, maybe 12, but it really sent an arrow down range in a hurry. Injuries keep me from shooting the heavy weights on a regular basis, and lately I just stay away from them.
Posts: 1687 | From: Michigan | Registered: Jun 2007
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posted
I hear you Overspined. I have some serious damage in my shoulder that I haven't had diagnosed and it limits me to 55# and under. I would love to shoot a 75-80 pounder just to see what it's like. But it will never happen. I guess we're both lucky that we have the strength left to shoot Hill bows at all.
-------------------- "...and last of all I leave to you thrill of life and the joy of youth that throbs a moment in a well bent bow, then leaps forth in the flight of an arrow." - Saxton Pope Posts: 690 | From: Tabernacle, NJ | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
The heavier bows do have some advantages. But, for me it means shooting one every day. If you let off for a while, you will have to work back up. I use it as part of an overall exercise program. The better shape you are in overall, the less likely you will be injured doing other things. I try to set a goal. Right now a 70# bow is comfortable for me to shoot for quite a while. By the end of the summer I hope to be at 75 or 80 lbs. I received a new Wesley from HHA yesterday, its 65#s seems like a toy. Posts: 664 | From: Virginia/Texas | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
If drawing your bowstring is the hardest thing your shoulder muscles ever do, you are not treating your body well.
Work your muscles in other ways, ways that are much more strenuous than simply drawing your bow, and you just might gain some bow strength.
That's the way we're designed. The harder we work, the stronger we get. No way around it. We are well designed.
Being way stronger than your bow is kinda like being way smarter than your wife. You should never admit it out loud, but MAN is it a whole lot better than the other way around.
Uh. . . what's that dear? Yes dear, I have already finished drying the dishes and the laundry is almost done. . .
I use one of the TRX trainers. That thing will burn you up. Best thing I've found for overall training and hitting those bow muscles.
Posts: 664 | From: Virginia/Texas | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
I find the best exercise is shooting the bow several hundred shots a day and as often as possible. You need to keep it sports related, that's why I believe in shooting as often as you can. I handed my bow's of 50-60 lbs to guys that workout at the gym regularly and they never had the back muscles to pull the bow. Last year, I was in the gym with a bunch of guys half my age, they were in their 20's. They brought out this device that you squeeze and measures your strength. I almost doubled what these other guys were pulling when I squeezed that machine. I was able to do it because of the bow string that I pull all the time. I' ve been shooting 50#s for a couple years; and have been very pleased with my performance and the bows out put. I don't see myself increasing the weight. Darren
-------------------- Darren
tradlongbow@yahoo.com
"Archery may not be the sport of all Kings, but Archery is the King of Sports" Howard Hill
quote:Originally posted by Rik: If drawing your bowstring is the hardest thing your shoulder muscles ever do, you are not treating your body well.
Work your muscles in other ways, ways that are much more strenuous than simply drawing your bow, and you just might gain some bow strength.
That's the way we're designed. The harder we work, the stronger we get. No way around it. We are well designed.
Being way stronger than your bow is kinda like being way smarter than your wife. You should never admit it out loud, but MAN is it a whole lot better than the other way around.
Uh. . . what's that dear? Yes dear, I have already finished drying the dishes and the laundry is almost done. . .
(darned taskmasters anyway!)
Good one, Rik.
-------------------- German by birth, Bavarian by the grace of god Posts: 190 | From: Bavaria, Germany | Registered: Apr 2008
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posted
I love to shoot heavy. For years I shot eighty pounds and up and could draw 140#....but now I don't have the time for those weights and shoot around 64 or 65#....but I can shoot that weight upside down and longbow accuracy is about control.... Posts: 903 | From: Kimberly, Id | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
One thing I have noticed, a light bow, like stepping down from 70 58 for hunting, will show your errors. A heavy bow does clean up some flaws for alot of people, myself included.
Posts: 34 | From: Michigan | Registered: Dec 2011
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posted
Phew, that was really close guys. . . she almost saw what I was typing!
Posts: 600 | From: Horseshoe Bend, Idaho | Registered: Nov 2003
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