Getting back into it

[RichardB]

Good Morning

I am just returning to traditional archery and because I am no longer a young guy anymore I have decided to ease back into it.

I am starting with a Wing 25 lb recurve bow and I am shooting at 5 yards to work on form(how quickly we forget) with an occasional shot at 10 yards. I shoot five single arrows (shoot one, pull it out, shoot another) take a five minute rest then shoot another five single arrows. I shoot 20-25 arrows per day, everyday but boy am I tempted to just let her rip with a long series of arrows. I had forgotten how much fun this is.

Next I plan to do the same program with a 35lb bow then move up to a 50 lb recurve.

My goal is to work up to the 50 lb bow so that I can hunt deer up to 25 yards by September.

So far this program is working, at least I am dead deer accurate with the 25 lb bow at 10 yards and am looking forward to gradually intoducing the 35 lb bow into my program in a couple of weeks.I have been working with the Wing for a week.

I would appreciate any input on how I might improve this program. I am a little concerned that the jump from 35 to 50 lbs might be a little much although I intend to intoduce the heavier bows gradually.

I do not use sights and I shoot right handed.

thanks

Richard

[joconn]

Welcome to the forum, Richard.
I think a jump that big would be a tad too much for most archers. I have two bows; a 36# TD recurve and a 45# trad bow. I shoot so much better with the 36 pounder that I am putting the 45# Martin up for sale. I shoot mostly 3D. Don`t hunt. So I don`t need a lot of power.
Good luck,
Joe.

[bowtime]

Richard,I too returned to recurve shooting back in Nov. Moved from 40# to 45#. All was well until
mid Feb......shot so much I couldn't shoot anymore. Started back to quickly....still have
not been able to shoot and practice. Don't rush
it or you'll be in my shoes. Take it slow,this
came on me like a freight train....very little warning. If you get soreness or feel any pain STOP shooting until it goes away.
Good luck!!!!

[Whump]

Whump Sez: You can take deer with 40 or 45lbs---easy.  Your state may have a poundage restriction, if so you will be bound by it, if not don't strain yourself trying to shoot too heavy. I hunted for years with fellows who shot from 40 to 45lbs  and routinely shot completely through deer at distances greater than 25yds. I admit I shoot long bows at 60lbs but this is not necessary for whitetails it is just something I have done for the last 30 or so years. Keep your arrow weight at close to 10gns per pound weight, shoot a good quality 2bld cut on contact     broadhead and you will be using my deer stew recipe this fall.  Hunt safe.

[RichardB]

Thanks for the input.
I am taking things very slowly and from what I am seeing you folks are providing me with a good reason to acquire a 40-45lb bow. Thanks for that too.

In Alberta the minimum hunting bow weight is 40lb at 28"

Richard

[TSP]

There's some big deer where you are...so the more bow weight you can train yourself to handle and be comfortable/accurate with, the better.  That said, 45# will work with good matched gear, good practiced form and taking close shots from good angles.  These are equally important, IMO.

[TSP]

By the way, congrats on returning to archery...and on your discipline in doing it with some forethought and planning.  Your new learning curve should be shorter than most.

[cvarcher]

All good advice. Go for the 45lber after you master the 35lber.Thats a sweet weight all around.Use tapered shafts if you use wood to maximize stability and speed.A nice 125gr zwickey on the front and 3- 5" helicals and your good to go.

[reddogge]

RichardB,
As one older guy to another I did the same thing.  The only thing was I started out with longbow and recurves and I kept my hand in it some in the backyard over the years so it was more like tuning myself up again after the compound years and dry years.

I started in the backyard with my old Bear Tamerlane 35# target bow for a month or two but moved up to a 48# Bear Kodiak Hunter.  No problems at all with the weight and could actually shoot a tad heavier.  I did get soreness in the shoulders and tender fingers but that quickly went away.  Also was hitting the tip of my nose but that has stopped.

Keep at it, you are doing fine.

[scriv]

I shoot a 37#@28 bow that translates to 43# at my draw.  I bought this bow with the idea of being able to shoot 150-200 arrows without getting physically tired.  I'd hunt with it in a minute.  The bow is a A&H ACS-CX.  This thing flat smokes.  The point is, lots of power for not much effort.  Something to consider.  Oh, by the way, I'm an old fart in training.  

[toddster]

RichardB-  About the bow weight jump they already said it.  About shooting arrows, you are doing it right.  It is better to shoot 10 great arrows, with perfect form than 1,000 bad ones.  take your five arrows, take your time and shoot them.  Pull them and do it again, you want four ends.  once you can put 4 out of 5 in there all four ends, take two steps back, and work from there.  bob wesley taught me that.  "for every bad arrow you shoot, you loose the work of 5 good ones", he told me.  But, he also said you still have to have fun.  take sometime and go stump shooting or just fling a couple, don't really worry about the bad shots, just have fun and keep it safe.

[bowtime]

Richard it's bowtime again. Like you I started
back slowly...... in August. You are doing it right Sloooooowly.I trained with a compound at
36# now up to 44# and also been able to shoot few
arrows with 40# recurve. It took me from Easter
until Sept. 1st to really be healed and shoot.
Good luck!

[CEO]

I just started shooting again after taking 29 years off. Blistered fingers and aching sholder blades never felt better.