takedown

[runamuk]

recently i started a thread about how i went to shooting with two fingers and was able to get some groups finally after two years..
well ever since that day my middle finger is very sore.
every time i try to pull my bow back it feels like there is an electric current going through my finger..
so i didn't shoot for about 3 or 4 days thinking it would get better but it has not improved at all..just when i thought oh yeah i might be able to get good enough to hunt with it this year...
i am shooting a 60# thunderhorn longbow,,
i am thinking i need to drop down in poundage to
somewhere around 50# so i am gonna get a new bow and want a takedown..
so i have a couple questions..
will a 50# bow be enough for elk??
any pointers or suggestions on picking the right takedown??
and is there anybody out there around the magic valley in Idaho that would be willing to spend part of a day with me,, just sorta checking out my bow and equipment and giving some pointers on how i can become a better archer???
it has sure been a long ol road trying to become a good archer..
 i am pretty sure i there is just a couple of small things that i am over looking,, thats keeping me from improving,,and my enthusiasm is starting to suffer..

[amar911]

James,

I am not the best person on this subject, but since most of the force in drawing a bow split fingered is on the middle finger, even when shooting with three fingers, it seems that you may be getting finger pinch on the bottom of your middle finger along with even more drawing force than a three finger draw and you are simply over-stressing your finger. A lower draw weight should help. I have not shot an elk with an arrow, but everyone who has shot one with a 50 pound or lower weight bow says it is plenty if you shoot broadside and hit behind the shoulder. There are many great takedowns -- not sure what you might consider to be the "right" one. Do you want a two piece or a three piece takedown? Are you looking at recurves too or are you sticking exclusively to longbows. There is usually a pretty good selection of bows on the classifieds and most of the people here seem to have a few bows on their racks that they would be willing to sell -- usually to buy some other new bow to try out. This is an addiction you know.

Good luck with your finger. I am surprised you could not ever get a good release with three fingers. How long is your bow and how long is your draw? What bow are you shooting? Have you tried shooting many other bows and varying draw weights, lengths of bows, and designs of bows. Surely there is one out there that will work well for you. It's easy to understand that you are discouraged when you are injured and not having success with your shooting. I hope you can find someone in your neck of the woods to help.

Allan

[runamuk]

Allen..thank you for your reply..
i am thinking i want a two piece,, i shot one from fox archery at the trad expo two years ago
it felt pretty good and was a beautiful bow,and that fella was a very nice guy..
yes i want to stick with a longbow..
i also am surprised that i am having so much trouble espeacily after two years of trying and shooting THOUSANDS OF ARROWS..
as a rule i pick this sort of stuff up very quick
no i have never shot any other bow, in fact i was starting to think that there was something wrong with my bow,, until last week when i dropped a finger and instantly started getting groups for the first time ever..
my bow is a Thunderhorn coupe stick,, it is 60 inches @60# with about a 29 inch draw..
i sure hope you are right about there being a bow out there that will suit me..
i now will have to go out and buy a compound  so i can make the archery season this year.. there just ain't much interest around here for trad gear, i have to order EVERYTHING from the net because there just ain't nowhere to get trad equipment,, so i am hoping that i can find someone to help out..
i know there is a few trad only shoots in Idaho so i am gonna have to find out where the next one is and go make some new friends..
once again thanks for the encouraging words i feel better already...