Newbie needs help!

[C.K.T.]

Hello to all.  I am a total newbie here so I have lots to learn.  I have been bow hunting for a few years with a Matthews, but when it comes to the trad bows I have no idea where to start.  What are some suggestions you guys have?  I would also like to get some books are videos as my 12 year old daughter is also interested.

I have some hunting land in Alabama (both North and South)  

Anybody willing to help out a southern boy who is totally green in this area?  Thanks!

 Keith Terry

[Tajue17]

my simple tips and tricks::::  light weight!  40# bow is perfect to get started trust me and there are plenty of folks here who consistantly use them to take deer a 40# bow with a 400grain arrow does damage and even cleans itself with dirt on the other side trust me.

start close,, only practice close and when it starts to become too easy then move back..

what I say to beginners I'm with is this,, there are many different styles but for the first timers,, draw the string back to anchor with 3 fingers (1 over 2 under the arrow) just barely hold the string so it feels like its almost slipping off (this may change later with your own stlye but for now it eliminates release mistakes)
when you come to full draw and anchor push the hand thats holding the bow right towards the spot you want to hit and let the string roll out of your fingers while still pushing that bow until the arrow hits (this promotes good follow thru)

for the first few weeks do not try to hit bulls eyes, you want to focus on hitting a tight group even if its high left or low right its the tight group you want to see when your practicing,,  eventually your brain will adjust and that group will move right to the point of aim.


with my daughter who is 9 I hang balloons from branches with string so they are about a foot from the ground, I also fill them with a little flour for the smoke effect when popped.    

filling them with water is fun too..  but kids need to see something happen or it becomes boring.  a empty clothes detergent jug on the ground being shot at with blunts by both of you is fun because you two get to just unload arrows together watching the jug bounce arround just pay attention to safety.

if you get or make flu flu's you can buy those cheap ballon kits that have tyhe helium and what I do is I have a lead weight that has a string on it and I lay it ovcer the knot of the ballon,, stand 30' ft away and pull the string which slides the weight off and the ballon goes up and we just bomb flu flu's at it and the kids love that one.

[DannyBows]

Welcome to the 'Gang!

Here's some good info:

 http://tradgang.com/docs/trad.html

[Kituwa]

Keith, where do you hunt in south bama? I am just off of interstate 65 exit 77, the Brewton /repton exit.If you are down this way we could get together and shoot a bit and i could show you what little i know.

[Benny Nganabbarru]

"Masters of the Barebow" DVDs, volumes 1 to 4.

"Traditional Bowhunter's Handbook" by T.J. Conrads.

Both available at 3riversarchery.com .

[ishoot4thrills]

Some great advice above. Welcome!

[illianabowhntr67]

welcome have fun.

[gringol]

I think the guys have given you a good start.  I'd only add this:
-Try to be as motionless as possible after your release.  Wait until the arrow hits the target before you let down the bow.  Also, keep your bow-hand relaxed; don't squeeze the bow, just cradle it in your fingers like an egg.
-pick a spot and focus! since you're shooting without sights, it's very easy to spray arrows at the target without really zeroing in on the bulls-eye.  I really have to bear-down and stare at the exact spot I want to hit.  It's kind of amazing how well it works.
-The most important thing is to have fun!

[maineac]

Some great advice.  Good videos.  Look at "Terry's Form Clock over on the "Shooters Forum".  Also a lot of good strands there on shooting form and technique.  When I get home I'll from visiting family for Christmas I'll try to attach a link to a you tube video that I find helpful for my students.

[PHONEMANINDIANA]

This helps me as well guys thanks a lot. I am reading "Instinctive Shooting, A step by step guide to better bow hunting. By G. Fred Asbell. Really putting things into perspective for me.

[Stump73]

Welcome! You will find great advice here.

[C.K.T.]

Thanks Guys - I am at Valley, AL  - between Auburn, AL and LaGrange, GA.  I hunt down here and in Franklin County, AL

[Mudd]

Welcome to the family!

Enjoy your journey with the rest of us.

Happy New Year!!

God's blessings on all of us.

His servant, Mudd

[straitera]

Welcome Bamaboy! Might hook you up w/good friend in Georgia. He's a year or so new to trad also & might answer some of your similar questions. PM me.