Introduction

[ShooterToo]

I've been bitten by the "Bow Bug".  I've been reading the posts here and on some other forums for a while and decided to step out of the shadows.  I would like some recommendations for books or videos that can start me off with the basics and bring me to a place where I should be comfortable hunting the '08-'09 season.  

For some background; I was given a recurve in 1983 and hunted with it for two years taking three deer. (Either blind luck or suicidal deer I suppose.) I gave it away in 1985 and bought a used compound.  I shot the compound almost a week when a buddy saw it and offered to buy it at a profit for me.  I haven't pulled a string since.

Where should I start?

[Terry Green]

You can start right here on this forum, as there is a wealth of info on this forum.  Just start looking around.

[Junction hunter]

Welcome ShooterToo,
I'm a rookie too. These guy on the forum are awesome and very, very helpful.

[ShooterToo]

I understand there is a lot to be learned here, but a forum isn't the easiest place to retrieve knowledge.  If I search for specific questions I get hundreds of results that contain the search term. For example AMO yeilds 191 results and not one of them defines the term.  If I start asking specific questions people get tired of giving basic answers and tell me to use the search function. If I use the search function...See what I mean?

All I'm asking for is a couple of book titles that have been helpful to you.  I'm brand new to the sport and would like to learn the right way first rather than "unlearn" mistakes later.  

The bow shops in my area cater to compound users and have not been much help.  They are happy to order anything I want but I don't know what to ask for.  I got a good deal on a Bob Lofton longbow and the shop pro can help me with arrow selection, as long as I want carbon. I need basic info aout equipment and how to use it.  Shooter's glove, bow glove, shooter's tab, release, arm guard, quiver, bow quiver, back quiver, target quiver and hunting quiver...again more questions than answers.  And if I tell him what I want I don't know if I'm getting what I need.

When I asked about traditional shooters at the bow shop I was told, "Well, there used to be this guy but,".  How do I find out about traditional shoots and shooters in my area, MS Gulf Coast?  And what about that book title?

[Orion]

Pick up a copy of T.J Conrad's The Traditional Bowhunters Handbook.  It will answer most of your questions for you.  Or Fred Asbel's Instinctive Shooting. Or Roy Marlowe's Timeless Bowhunting.

[ShooterToo]

I ordered The Traditional Bowhunter's Handbook this afternoon.  Maybe this time next week I'll know enough to ask a question.  After reading it I'll try the Fred Asbell book.  Thanks Orion.

[madness522]

Another book to add to your list would be Byron Ferguson "Become the Arrow".

[JC]

A half hour with an experienced trad shooter who's a reasonably good shot will be worth a lot more than most books when you first start out. I'd search out some other trad shooters locally...doing a search through the member directory here might help. I know Chad Weaver, LBR on Tradgang here, is in Mississippi so he might be able to point you in some additional direction.

Attending a big trad shoot will also help a lot, I'm sure there are a few in your neck of the woods each year. Many are usually listed in Traditional Bowhunting Magazine. They also have a list of trad archery clubs for each state in each issue.

Spending some time reading the threads about form critique, watching the posted form videos, A video camera and posting some of your own shooting clips here would probably be a big help.

[mike g]

Welcome Back....
         

[cvarcher]

wow- heres a guy who hunted with a recurve for 2 years and took 3 deer and hes asking for help how to shoot? OK. Im assuming longbow. Get the video Hittem em like Howard Hill. You didnt mention weight so dont overbow yourself. Your going to be breaking some bad habits (maybe none with 3 deer-he he ) so its easier with a lighter bow say 45lbs. Traditional should mean wood arrows although your free to shoot anything you personally like. Ask questions onbe by one on the forum and youll get the right answers.The fluid motion of instinctive shooting is a fluid comfortable motion .Nothing rigid and not alot of hold on the shot. Think .. you can do this in your sleep . when you can it will become consistant and youl get success. Also bear in mind that instinctive will not produce the tight consistant groups that target archers do over and over. But it will produce the most accurate fastest shot on game at unknown distances.we can shoot good groups but not as tight and not as steady all the time as the target archers. So the styles are differant.draw length take a yard stick and put it just below your neck at the solar plexes and reach both hands to the yardtick side read where your middle fingers are reaching outstretched without straining.That will be you draw length. Allow 1-2 inches of extra length for the arrows broadhead and you have total arrow length.Start with a good glove.Most like the American leathers traditional glove. Back quiver will give you fast speed for a second shot if needed and can hold alot of arrows or small game and lunch.Good Luck -you are Home!