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Author Topic: My First post and a Few Questions  (Read 805 times)

Offline Duckdog1983

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My First post and a Few Questions
« on: July 28, 2009, 03:51:00 AM »
I just drew into MCAAP and it’s a traditional only hunt. So of course like most hunters who draw this hunt I have not shot traditional bows. Other than when I was 5-10 years of old. Now, after shooting for a couple days I love it and want to continue shooting, and hope to go to some shoots "eventually". I have searched and read numerous posts about form and in general I understand the ideal form. Getting to it is another story. lol. After, three semi-consecutive days of practice, I started getting pain in my rotator cuff area "bow arm". With the hunt three months away I fear that too much time off will delay any accuracy that I could gain. I'm going to take a couple of days off then post some pictures of my form. So, hopefully you guys can pick it apart and help me stop this pain. I have read a few posts about blind bale shooting and blank bale shooting to help practice form. All the post I have read never defined what they are. So could someone walk me through this drill? I think I am pushing my bow and my shoulders probably aren’t parallel with my arrow. I need some pictures to verify though. Next question, is three months to short of a time to become sufficient out to 20 yards? I know a lot depends on my natural ability and I’m an accurate shot with guns and compounds so I hope this goal is obtainable. What do you guys think? Am I asking for too much in too short of time? Should I reach for a goal of 15 yards?  Thanks in advance for the help. Jay
Genesis 27:3 Now then, get your weapons, your quiver and bow, and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me.

Offline robtattoo

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Re: My First post and a Few Questions
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2009, 07:17:00 PM »
In my humble opinion, if you've got a hunt in 3 months & your compound isn't an option but yourself a stick-on rest & a pin sight for your recurve/longbow. The rest makes arrow selection a lot easier & a sight pin takes a lot of the guesswork out. Don't believe for a second that you're any 'less-trad' because you use a sight & rest. If you were determined to shoot barebow, off the shelf then honestly, I'd say that 3 months is no where near enough time to gain sufficient ability to shoot at live game at much past 8-10yds.

Blind shootng is simply that. Stand abot 8 FEET from a bale/target set at about4' off the floor, nock an arrow, 'aim' at your spot & raise your bow to shoot, fingers on the string. Now close your eyes, draw the bow & shoot. It's not an instant thing, but after 2-3 dozen arrows you'll begin to feel what your body's doing as you draw, release & follow through. It's a HUGE advantage if you cen film yourself whilst you're doing this.

The reason that this works, is that your brain interprets visual stimuli far better than any of your other senses. If you can see your target, your brain automatically aims for the centre. If you miss, your brain tries to compensate & you'll adjust (subconsciously) your aim to hit the centre, rather than performing an identical shot. With your eyes removed from the equasion, you'll begin to feel differences between shots (ie; if you short draw/over-draw, drop your bow arm, lose back tension, collapse at release etc...) & your bodywill automatically try to make every shot feel the same. Once you've taken 3 dozen shots, your body will begin to come alive! It makes you aware of things that you'd never notice in a million years with your eyes open!
If you can video yourself, once you've completed the blind-shooting turn off the camera & put it away DON'T LOOK AT IT AT ALL!!! Repeat the excercise four or five time over a week or so & then watch all the video together. You'll almost instantly begin to visually relate to the feelings your body was giving you.

You may aso wantto check out Terry Green's 'Form Clock' at the top of this forum. Terry has (in my opinion) 'perfect' form. However, you should understand that not everyone can achieve this.
My old archery coach (UK Olympic coach) once told me that your form is just that; YOUR form. As long as you make every shot identical (Form-wise) then how you do it doesn't matter. Form issues are only issues if they are either unpredictable, or unrepeatable. If you consistently do the same things every single shot then don't worry about it.

Just out of interest, could you please tell us a few more details about yourself & your bow?

What are the specs on your bow? (length, weight etc...)

What is your drawlength & how was it measured?

Do you have arrows spined for your bow yet & how did you achieve this?

What is your previous bow-shooting experience with a compound?

Could you give us your height & build?

Sorry to pry, but all these bits of info could help us to help you improve safely & quickly.


Oh, and welcome to the forum man!  :D
"I came into this world, kicking, screaming & covered in someone else's blood. I have no problem going out the same way"

PBS & TBT Member

>>---TGMM, Family of the Bow--->

Offline reddogge

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Re: My First post and a Few Questions
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2009, 09:14:00 AM »
Your handle rings a bell. My revered lab Buck was born in 1983 and died in 1997.  A most wonderful waterfowl dog and AKC Master Hunter.

Consider buying an inexpensive bow in the 35# weight class for practicing on form in the backyard.  I'm doing this now recovering from elbow surgery and it works well.  No pain and I can shoot all I want.  I'll move up in weight gradually as the season nears.  Lighter weight and lighter arrows fly in similar trajectory to my hunting bows anyway.
Traditional Bowhunters of Maryland
Heart of Maryland Bowhunters
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Mayberry Archers

Offline ronald poole

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Re: My First post and a Few Questions
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2009, 02:48:00 PM »
you cant have shights on a bow at mccalster
get a light bow
i have a rick welch at 40# that shot the same arrow as fast as my 53# roy hall
try shooting three under its is faster to learn
i had a guy from affrica come to bear hunt with me and tought him to shoot a longbow in the three days he was here
i get pics all the time from him with kills over there
a blind bale is where you close your eyes draw and anchorehold and release with out aming at a target to check yougood luck on your hunt
they got biggen there
200 in ever year

Offline D. Devall

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Re: My First post and a Few Questions
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2009, 03:39:00 PM »
huh. from reading posts on here im getting more accurate every day.

and most of the tips i find are from questions i would never think to ask.

Offline Duckdog1983

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Re: My First post and a Few Questions
« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2009, 07:39:00 PM »
Hey guys thanks for the tips. Shooting after a few days off helped my pain that’s for sure. Also from blind shooting, I figured out why I was straining my shoulder muscles. My "brain" was trying to compensate to keep my forearm from being wacked. lol. I was bending my arm just a little bit not letting it lock into place for a bone on bone feel. I took some video of myself shooting. However I can’t post it tonight because I got called in at work, setting at the office right now.  

Q What are the specs on your bow? (length, weight etc...)
A 60" 53# @ 28"


Q What is your drawlength & how was it measured?
A My compound is 29", however im right about an inch shorter with my recurve, Arrows cut to 28.5 and hang over the shelf about a half inch.

Q Do you have arrows spined for your bow yet & how did you achieve this?
 A I'm shooting Easton Legacy 2020 I think they "might" be a little more spine then I need. I plan on switching to gold tips. Any help with spine?

Q What is your previous bow-shooting experience with a compound?
 A Shot in back yard every year from summer till spring turkey season, from 13 till now "25". Current compound 75# 29" with an 85% let off.


Q Could you give us your height & build?
A 5'10" 200lbs

No need to worry about prying very thankful for all the help.

Reddogge  1983 is the year I was born. Sorry for your loss I could only imagine. My lab just got her Started title in HRC. I have been very blessed. She is hard charging and a great marker. First dog I have trained and I wish I could say it was my ability. Lol.
Thanks again hope to get the videos up soon.   Jay
Genesis 27:3 Now then, get your weapons, your quiver and bow, and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me.

Offline Duckdog1983

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Genesis 27:3 Now then, get your weapons, your quiver and bow, and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me.

Offline Shleprock

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Re: My First post and a Few Questions
« Reply #7 on: August 02, 2009, 07:24:00 AM »
Not much on exact form. I have my own that a friend gave me a few pointers on a couple years ago. I shoot fair groups. I think most problems arise from the release and the grip hand starting to tighten up after shooting for awhile and getting tired. That's when I stop. I don't want to starting compensating for fatigue and mess up my form I've created. What I wanted to add is the 1/2" overhang with the short arrows. That's seems kinda close to put a broadhead on.
Kota5-----                                    "The arrow has always been a keen thought and the bow always an expresion of hope. By these means freed thoughts fly." Dean Torges

Offline Duckdog1983

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Re: My First post and a Few Questions
« Reply #8 on: August 11, 2009, 02:42:00 AM »
ttt

Hows the form? Jay
Genesis 27:3 Now then, get your weapons, your quiver and bow, and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me.

Offline SHOOTO8S

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Re: My First post and a Few Questions
« Reply #9 on: August 11, 2009, 03:04:00 AM »
I see a couple form issues...but the biggest needs to be addressed first....you have got to stop grabbing the bow! The bow grab and the corresponding dive of the bow needs fixed, before you can work on other issues.  Most times bow grabbing is a mental issue that exposes itself via the entire bow arm side. It appears your anticipating the shot???
2004 IBO World Champion

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