Author Topic: newbie to trad archery (Read 996 times)

10point · « **on:** February 03, 2010, 03:47:00 PM »

used to shoot a recurve many years ago when i was just a pup. then got into compounds but recently trying to relearn shooting a recurve. i'm shooting an old 45 lb. kodiak mag and having a tough time with accuracy. how long does it usually take to become consistent at say, 20 yards with a 5 inch group??? just curious if my learning curve is normal or maybe i am doing something very wrong. any typical mistakes that the greenhorns usually make??

COLongbow · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2010, 04:00:00 PM »

I too, recently converted from a compound. First to a recurve and now a longbow. All the experts on this forum (not me) can steer you right as far as making sure your bow and arrows are tuned right to allow accuracy. That being said, don't be surprised that getting good is a lot more challenging with trad gear. But I'm sure you'll find it's a lot more fun than just lining up that dumb pin in your peep sight! Each time I shoot my longbow I learn something new and get a little better at all the components to making a good shot. I have shot a couple times at 20 yards just for fun, but currently confine myself to 10 yards. I only get a 5 inch group at 20 yards between 2 and 3 in the morning when I'm dreaming!

I think you'll enjoy the journey with trad gear and congrats on making the change!

McDave · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2010, 04:43:00 PM »

The path can be short or long, depending. If you just shoot arrows, like you shot baskets in the playground when you were a kid, you will gradually improve. Unless you are a natural athlete, you will probably never reach your potential. This path can be fun if you're just enjoying shooting the bow and not in any hurry to reach any particular level of proficiency.

If you study the DVD's put out by experts, such as The Accuracy Factory, by Rick Welch, or Masters of the Barebow series, you will progress faster.

If you actually take classes from Rick Welch or Rod Jenkins, you may progress more in 2 days than you would on your own in 5 years.

Rob DiStefano · « **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2010, 08:04:00 PM »

without going into the viability of your form or physique, there are lotsa gear reasons to consider first. stop what yer doing and check this out ...

trad archery newbies

Predator Man · « **Reply #4 on:** February 05, 2010, 01:12:00 PM »

Check out masters of the barebow 1,2,3 Pay close attention to Rod Jenkins instruction. All the other guys are just babbbling about nothing but Its worth the purchase to listen to ROD. Get all 3 as a package deal on 3 rivers archery site. Worth the money for sure.

Im sure others will have varing opinions.

Rob DiStefano · « **Reply #5 on:** February 05, 2010, 01:16:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Predator Man:
... All the other guys are just babbbling about nothing but Its worth the purchase to listen to ROD. ...

so, peter, tell us what you really think ...

rnharris · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2010, 01:31:00 PM »

rnharris · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2010, 01:38:00 PM »

10 point,just my opinion maybe try a longer bow say 60" and work on keeping your bow arm strait and steady watching the arrow hit the target before moving anything! do a search here on shooting form there is a wealth of knowledge here and lots of good video's to watch and then compare the differint styles of shooting good luck,Ralph

Terry Green · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2010, 03:04:00 PM »

Rob. .........he ain't been here long.

10Point,

You can take stuff from several folks to help you develope your own style. Take what fits you and leave the rest on the table. Rod certainly has some great advice and he sure wouldn't tell you to discount every one else.

And be leary of "one way - broad brush" babblers.

House · « **Reply #9 on:** February 06, 2010, 03:21:00 AM »

Well said Terry. My shooting has improved greatly...mostly due to help from Terry, Guru, and Rod. Thanks guys!

Travis

Earthdog · « **Reply #10 on:** February 06, 2010, 05:53:00 AM »

I shot for around two years before I met another archer,mostly rabbits at pretty close range.
It wasn't until I tracked down a club and met an older gentleman who showed me the basics of good form that I ever even shot a group.
With that mans advice I was shooting reasonable groups at 20 in about two weeks.
Just reasonable was then how it stayed for over 30 years until I discovered the internet and places like "this".
In the 4 years I've been following forums like Trad Gang my shooting has improved far more than it ever did before.
Once I figured out what type of advice to listen to,,this forum and a couple of others like it have been the single most informative and helpfull thing I've ever found outside of paying for regular coaching.
There are some "very" intelligent and generous people on this site.
10 point,you came to the right place,an that's a pretty good start in my book.

10point · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2010, 05:54:00 PM »

thanks for all the good tips. I did buy the masters of the Barebow and it is well worth the money. Some of the shooters mentioned nock fit to string as important to accuracy. Before I start filing my nocks, do any of you have experience with nocks that grip the string too tightly?? Can a nock actually be too tight? ( I thought a good tight fit was good.)

McDave · « **Reply #12 on:** February 15, 2010, 06:04:00 PM »

The nock should be just tight enough that the arrow can dangle from the string without falling off. If you tap the string, it should make the arrow fall off.

If the nock is too tight, arrow flight won't be as good as if the nock has a correct fit.

If my nocks are too tight, I hold them in boiling water for about a half minute to soften the plastic a little, and then press fit the nock over a piece of copper wire I found that will give me the correct fit. I just snap it on and immediately off the wire, without holding it in place, and then the nock fits my string perfectly. You just need to find something like my piece of copper wire that will give you the correct fit.

If my nocks are too loose, I just hold them in boiling water, and then squeeze the ends together a little.

If you try to adjust the nock fit when the nocks are cold, by biting the ends of the nock, for example, you risk fracturing the plastic and weakening the nock. Filing is okay, but time consuming.

Rob DiStefano · « **Reply #13 on:** February 15, 2010, 06:04:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by 10point:
thanks for all the good tips. I did buy the masters of the Barebow and it is well worth the money. Some of the shooters mentioned nock fit to string as important to accuracy. Before I start filing my nocks, do any of you have experience with nocks that grip the string too tightly?? Can a nock actually be too tight? ( I thought a good tight fit was good.)

nocks should never ever fit *tight*, that will give inconsistent releases. always a loose fit. there are instances where the nock should *very lightly* adhere to the center serving, such as 3 fingers under or for newbies.

johnnyc · « **Reply #14 on:** February 16, 2010, 04:05:00 PM »

I'm definitly no expert, I've only been at this about 14 months. I've learned everthing on my own starting with books from the library. They had alot of "outdated" archery books that really helped because they were before compounds. In one book, it claims you are still a beginner until you've been shooting 18 months? I think it's one of those things "easy to learn, difficult to master."
Here is what I've learned, might not be much but hopefully it helps.
Pick one bow. Don't change bows alot, like from longbow, to recurve, from different lengths and weights. I'm bad on this and it's addictive. I have too many bows to have been at this a year. And until recently, kept shooting something different each week. Research and buy 1 good bow that can be used throughout the way.
Probably better to spend money on quality targets than flip flopping on bows. Especially if you plan to hunt. I spent all summer aiming at a block target. When a deer walked out at dusk, i wasn't prepared to hit behind the front leg.
Keep it fun! Don't give yourself yardage and time limits. Don't think, I have to hit 20 yard groups in x number of months. My 5 year old son and I have the most fun breaking off a carrot and sticking it in our block target and putting the target in a new spot each time so we don't know the yardage we shoot and trying to hit that carrot. Its a game and before you know it, you've spent 2 hours having fun. I'm more accurate doing that than when I put my target out and stress over making 5 perfect shots in a row.

tradhunter1 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2010, 09:57:00 AM »

When I started I was lucky enough to have met a couple real nice guys at the ITBS rondevous and they told me to shoot at 10yds and concetrate on my form. once your body begins to remember the form from shot to shot and session to session then your accuracy will improve. then move back to 15yds then 20.... you get the point from there. Remember your not shooting a compound so your form and draw length will change a little.

good luck and keep practicing.

buckster · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2010, 04:35:00 PM »

Shoot with as many trad guys as you can, and shoot as many 3D tornaments, etc. as possible.
Others have mentioned coaches, and I'd second this as well.

For me, the time/$ I spent to attend Rick Welch's school was the best $$ I've EVER spent in Archery. There are other great coaches and mentors out there as well, but Rick lives only 30 minutes for me, so when I moved to Central AR a few years ago, I was able to take advantage of my "geography".

All the Master's of the Bare Bow videos are also great help aids IMO. Good luck in your endeavor, you will find that this site is a wealth of knowledge in itself!!

10point · « **Reply #17 on:** March 03, 2010, 07:40:00 PM »

Again, thanks for all the good advice,,,, this site is priceless. This journey would indeed be much longer without help.I have improved significantly since hearing from you all and Masters of the Barebow. I have studied it many times and have learned both from what was said as well as watching the various shooting styles. From watching these shooters, I learned to position my bow arm, acquire the site picture ( begin to bore a hole through the target), and align the arrow before begining to draw. Once at full draw I make minor realignments and use back pressure to pull through the release. These changes have made big improvements. I still have a long way to go but I am no longer discouraged and am enjoying the shooting immensely. More improvements in form are needed but I think that I can get there now.

JOE HARROD · « **Reply #18 on:** April 08, 2010, 07:18:00 PM »

i am a newbe to tradgang.these guys can give you the best answers than anyone in the world.i have shot my bows for 46 yrs an i wish these guys were around it sure would have been easier to learn trad bow.i had to learn the hard way.the best information i can give you is.it is quality shooting form.this is a art that takes time.shooting form comes accuracy comes last.patience,practice,persersence.ask questions an you will learn quicker an better.

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