An Archer is born

[Kirkll]

I started my own daughter out at 3 years old, but it was short lived. Their attention span just isn't there at that age. It wasn't until she was 4-5 years old that she really started enjoying it, and was getting better.

At age 10 i started taking her hunting with me, and started her training on woodsmanship, and tracking. She wasn't squeamish about field dressing  deer and elk at all, and she loved climbing mountains with her Papa. But.... she didn't like the idea of killing an animal herself. So as she aged, she still hunted with me from time to time, but she never carried a bow while hunting, or even bought a tag......The all of a sudden Poof! she was off to college, and had her own life going.

She married a great guy i'm proud to call my son, and they gave me a grandson 4 years ago.  I'm going to try and get Arlo interested next summer, as he just turned 4 in September. I think he may be ready for an introduction this year, but i'll play it by ear and see how he develops. "Fearsome 4" is a challenge and constant test of wills. We'll see how it plays out, but he's just not ready yet.


Kirk

[Sant-Ravenhill]

Best post I've read in a long time. When this election season seems never ending and the news is always negative, it's things like this that reassure me and give me hope that no matter the craziness on line or in print the world is full of good people lifting and blessing their families and friends!

[Trond]

Best post I've read in a long time. When this election season seems never ending and the news is always negative, it's things like this that reassure me and give me hope that no matter the craziness on line or in print the world is full of good people lifting and blessing their families and friends!

Amen to that

[Terry Green]

Just FABULOUS all the way around. WELL DONE!!!

[Bowguy67]

I’ve been contemplating saying something as I don’t want anything to seem even remotely off, I hope no one misconstrues my intent,  If she ever decides to get another bow you may want to check her eyes. She’s clearly, it seems, showing left eye dominance

[Trond]

I thank you for your insights, but I think it’s way too early to say whether she’s left or right eye dominant. Sadly her fine motorskills aren’t that developed yet. I am not saying you’re wrong, just pointing out that she’s just trying to find her way from a screen to a longbow. That’s a long way to go for a little girl. Every arrow leaving that bow, no matter where it hits, is a win. Wherever it leads from here, is yet to be seen, but I will be behind her every step of the way.

[Bowguy67]

Trend nothing about time and fine motor skills change eye dominance. It’s a super cool story either way and thanks for sharing that with us.

[Kirkll]

Trend nothing about time and fine motor skills change eye dominance. It’s a super cool story either way and thanks for sharing that with us.

I think a lot of guys place way too much importance on eye dominance. I've been shooting right handed, left eye dominant for many years and it hasn't effected my ability at all.

When you get to the point where you don't shoot groups of arrows anymore to keep from blowing your nocks off and ruining arrows at 20 yards, id say eye dominance has very little to do with shooting ability.

The most important thing about training young kids to shoot is to keep it fun and give them lots of encouragement.  Get a large foam block so they can see their arrows sticking in the target. Also get them  a shooting glove that fits their fingers and an arm guard that protects them. Most beginners grip the bow too much and have string slapping the arm. it takes awhile before they learn to open their hand up on the bow.  Even regular small leather gloves make a huge difference. Most shooting gloves are too large for young kids. 

Keep it fun and you'll keep their interest...   Kirk

[Bowsey Wails]

Spot on, Kirk! I have a friend with the same; left eye dominant, right handed. He shoots extremely well.

[Kirkll]

The toughest part about training kids and helping them with consistency, is developing their form and establishing a good anchor point. The younger ones just don't have the patience to do the drills it requires to develop good alignment.   

The funny thing is..... There are a lot of adults with very poor form struggling with consistency issues too for the same reason....Lets face it, consistency is the key element in archery. With kids if you keep it fun, they shoot more. The more they shoot, they better they become.    Kirk

[Rob DiStefano]

Truly great thread, loved all the posts. 

Mr. Hill was right handed and left eye dominant and he sorta did okay with his longbows.    

[McDave]

Quite an odyssey, Kirk.  Well done!

[Trond]

I'm not a storyteller at the level of Kirk, but here's a couple of more pictures of my granddaughter shooting at balloons. Getting her elbow down a bit now...

As you may notice, she is not shooting the Sasquatch... went for a lighter bow to shape up her form.

[MnFn]

I agree that this is one of the best threads ever!  Thanks for posting it.  Wonderful job, Kirk.
I have introduced all nine of my grandkids to archery. They are all heavy into sports right now and don’t have much time for anything else, but we will see if any of them show interest in it in the years to come.

It doesn’t help that none of them live close enough for regular practice with me, but that is the way it is for now.

[Kirkll]

That is smart working on her form with the lighter draw weight bow. As her alignment shapes up and she becomes familiar with using back tension, it will build her strength and her confidence a lot.

 She has sure turned into a beautiful young lady.

[HARL]

 

[Trond]

 She has sure turned into a beautiful young lady.

Thanks from a very proud grandpa