When did you know you were ready?

[Fisherking73]

Just started shooting my WARF in practice for swithcing to trad completely from my compound (already up for sale lol)  I can keep my group in a 6-9inch circle at 20yds (in the backyard of course) and the arrow hits 90% of the time with in a 4-5inch circle of what I am aiming at when spot shooting. Inside of 15yds I have no doubts, but past that, I know I can make the shot in the backyard but a bit wary of out in the swamp against an animal. When did you feel you were ready to go after your first animal with trad? I want to do the animal justice and bring it down quickly and not just injure it. Also, do you think there is a big transition from WARF recurve to longbow?

[gregg dudley]

I was born ready...
Somebody had to say it!    :D  

Sounds like you are ready at 15 yards.  When you feel like you can mke the shot and limit your self to shots you feel good about then you are ready.  Go get 'em!

[Stumpkiller]

You're ready to hunt at 15 yards if that is as confident as you are to your shooting abilities limit.  You'll have to learn to hunt instead of just shoot.  ;-)

Practice, practice, practice.

[Night Wing]

Just wait for the 15 yard and under shot.

[David Yukon]

Like Stumpkiller said, learning to hunt is the thing, get as close as possible, and know when to shoot(calm, unalert animal).
good luck!

[Looper]

Well, it's hard to say, really. It sounds like you have a consistent form, so it's time to test yourself.

I'm an advocate of doing some extensive roving/stumpshooting sessions to test your accuracy under hunting circumstances. You'll want to wear your hunting gear and try to simulate the shots you'll potentially make while hunting. Use one arrow and pick a lot of different targets at different distances.  

Shoot uphill, downhill, sitting, squatting, twisted around, bow canted, from treestands, etc. It's also important to learn to shoot through gaps in brush, under/over limbs, etc.

What you want is to be within a feather's length of your intended target. It's also a good idea to step off your distances after the shot. You'll get a good idea of what your effective range is, and what that distance looks like in the field.

After you confirm your field accuracy, it's time to test your nerves and how you shoot under pressure. Small game hunting is an excellent way to test that. Squirrels and rabbits can really get your heart pumping.

Of course, you can just go deer hunting a see how you react to having one close. If you can control your nerves, and the animal is close, take the shot. If you're shaking like a leaf and can't catch your breath, don't shoot.

[mcgroundstalker]

Well said looper!    

... mike ...

[Rob DiStefano]

confidence.  

you either have all the necessary confidence or you don't - and the shooting/hunting skills to back that up.

[FerretWYO]

Ready is figurative. As others have mentioned its about confidence. You sound very confident at 15 yards. Get out there and make 15 yards happen. As you build confidence you build ability. Without one you dont have the other.

[ron w]

Do what Looper said, Then go hunting to see how you react to seeing game up close. I'm assuming you have bow hunted before with you compound.......it's really not all that different as far as the hunting goes. Practice, practice, practice and you will know when you feel that you can do the deed!

[Fisherking73]

Thanks for the tips and info. Yeah compound I have gotten hogs, but no deer. You hear so much about "buck fever" that it gets in your head I think. If it is anything like hogs, all I see are backstraps lol

[Looper]

You should be fine. Just verify your accuracy out where it counts, first, then have at it.

You asked about the difference between a warf and a longbow. The basic motions will be the same, but there might be some subtle differences in the way you grip the bow, depending on the type of longbow. A bow with a locator grip will be very similar, if not the same. A straight handled Hill-style will require a minor adjustment, but it's really not that big of a deal, at least to me.

Whatever you choose, just make sure you get it tuned, stick with it, use one arrow weight, and practice a lot. You need to make sure your eye gets accustomed to seeing a specific arrow flight. Switching between bows and different arrow weights can really throw a wrench in your accuracy at longer ranges. In the heat of the moment, your body will take over and do what it is trained to do.

[Plumber]

if you dont go huntin you will never be ready. expearance is priceless. you will make mistakes.it is a learning processe.you will make bad shots from time to time.lets not sugar coat anything here.it happens to everyone. you are not going to be able to partake in this sport without some winfalls.you can predict what you will do but its only a guess as to what the animal is going to do.with all our exp.an pratice things will still happen.good luck

[lpcjon2]

The day I put a longbow in my hand I connected with it like a umbilicle cord to the woumb. After I found my form it was go time, know your limits and you shall be successful.

[DannyBows]

I've been shooting Trad bows for 3 or 4 years now, but until recently I haven't been able to practice over 15 yards or so.

I was directed to a range a few weeks ago by Ken (njloco) and I found out quick that I'm not ready for 20 yard shots on game this season. So I'll stick to my limit, try to select set-ups that keep shots close, and enjoy watching any deer outside my comfort zone. Not a big deal to me. I don't need a blood trail to have a great hunt.

Good luck!