New to traditional archery

[TheBronzeAge]

About a year ago I was given an old compound bow which I greatly enjoyed.  More recently I've been wanting to step a bit further back in time with my archery equipment.  I've never used sights or releases, but I still don't really have a clue what I'm doing.  Mind giving me some pointers?

Specifically, I can think of two points I need clarified: do I need a glove/protection for either hand, and how does one shoot without an arrow rest without having the lowest vane on the arrow kick you in the hand and go flying off at a funny angle (which always happens to me)?

[McDave]

I can't think of a better introduction to traditional archery than the Masters of the Bare Bow series of DVD's.  There are three of them now, and each seems to be better than the previous one.

In answer to your specific questions, you normally wear either a shooting glove or tab on the hand you pull the string with.   We use feathers rather than plastic vanes when we shoot off the shelf, because God made feathers to fold back when shot and not bounce off the shelf and go flying off at a funny angle.

[Chuck Hoopes]

Like McDave says.  Also seek out traditional shooters in your area, and shoot w/ them.  Theres always a few at any 3D shoot, and of course if you can find an all traditional shoot all the better--Never met a traditional guy, that isn't happy (thrilled) to help a newbee.  There is of course, a ton of info. in dicussions at this site-- just start reading the posts from the past and present. Anything to be known about trad. archery, and shooting is right here.  The Bare Bow DVD's are a great way to get alot of info. concisely organized w/ visuals.

[highelk]

welcome to the finer things.
if you are experiencing the problems with your arrow hitting the bow on release then you could be to stiff on your spline.
have you ever matched your arrows to your bow?

[TheBronzeAge]

Originally posted by highelk:
welcome to the finer things.
if you are experiencing the problems with your arrow hitting the bow on release then you could be to stiff on your spline.
have you ever matched your arrows to your bow?

No.  If you can explain this process I'd be very glad to listen.  The last person who "explained" it to me mostly reminded me that when you're an expert it's easy to forget that the non-experts listening have no idea what any of your terms mean.  It wasn't much of a learning experience.

[highelk]

Sorry about that.I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination. I am going to try and explain this process but i am sure that others will chime in.
when an arrow is shot from the bow it actually bends around the riser(handle).
the spline is the term used to indicate stiffness of the arrow. if the arrow is too stiff (heavy sline) it does not bend enough.
If it is not stiff enough (light) it bends to much.
so in order to have the proper bend then the arrow needs to be matched to the bow. weight of draw and draw leghth are big factors.
there are different methods to do this.
Do you have a traditional archery shop close to you?
 If so they can help you with it.
others on this site can probably give you ideas on how to do it yourself. maybe try the search feature and type arrow matching.
the search is at the top of this thread just under sponser list.

You will get all the help you need as far as advice goes and more right here to start.  Describe your equipment you have, your size etc. as a starting point.  Then the good folks here will fill in the blanks.

[canshooter]

The various ways to match your arrows to your bow are all explained in the Masters of the Barebow films. I started shooting a barebow 18 months ago and I bought the first of the three MOTBB movies at that time. As each film came out I bought it. They are a very comprehensive series, and with their help and some pointers from this website, I took barebow gold in the Ontario indoor championships this spring followed shortly after by gold in the indoor Canadian championships. Everything you need to know is in there!

[Bunny buster]

for protection you should get a shooting glove and arm guard if needed. You will also need to match your arrows with your bow as said above. Also with traditional archery FORM  IS CRITICAL. you can find form techniques on this forum and the best way to shoot is the way that feels most comfortable to you.

[TheBronzeAge]

Sorry guys - I meant to thank you for the tips earlier, but I've been running about like a crazy man.

To summarize:
1) Masters of the Bare Bow DVD
2) Arm guard/bracer (I have one, but I don't wear it shooting compound - guess I'd better start)
3) Shooting glove

Anything else?  Do I have to shell out for a shooting glove or can I just take the finger middles out of any cheap, tough glove?  I'm a grad student, so cash is always a bit tight.

[KentuckyTJ]

Welcome from Kentucky, plenty of good advice here.

[Killdeer]

There are a lot of trad guys in North Carolina, Maybe there is one near you.

Do you have a bow yet?

You can use any glove, but a shooting glove will be better for a smooth release. Or, you can make a tab very cheaply out of scrap leather of a suitable thickness. I made one out of a cowboy boot that lasted for years and years. Lost it out hunting last October, dangit.

There is a shooters' forum here where form and related topics are discussed. Read a bit over there, and when you form a question, try a search. The search engine here is pretty good, and you will likely have questions that have been asked and answered before.

Summer is coming, and shoots are being held all over the country. I dunno how close you are to Tennessee, but I have wanted to go to the Tennessee classic for years! There are a lot of shoots in North Carolina, and if you peruse the Trad Events forum, you will bump into a lot of fellow statesmen.

Now, go read a lot, cut up your boots, do some searches and get back to us ASAP.   :D
Killdeer      

[ber643]

Good stuff from Killdeer there - Keep it simple (until the bug really starts gnawing on you, at least)  

[NorthernCaliforniaHunter]

I love ya Killie! Your alright! Cut your boots...  

[Killdeer]

They were Acmes. I switched to Western after my horse sustained an injury, a broken dorsal spine of a vertebra in his withers. I left the boots, with a can of mink oil in one, in the back floorboard of the Pinto for a while.

I think it was September when I fished them out and discovered that one boot was wonderfully soft and supple and three to eight times as dark as the other one. It was probably this one that made my terrific tab. Still had some of the decorative stitching in it... part of the shaft of the boot.

Killdeer   :rolleyes:

[ckanous]

Where are you at in NC?

[TheBronzeAge]

No bow yet - I'm working on that, and I think I know where the bow is coming from.

I'm in the Raleigh area.

[unregistered]

I have an older glove that I will send you if you like. It ain't new and has been shot quite a bit but it still works well. PM me your address if your interested. Also I have some assorted feather fletched arrows if you need some. They are 45/50 spined cedars with 160 grain tips and 2216 aluminums with 125 grain tips.