Female Beginner

[ishiwannabe]

Way to go Shawn!
Sarah, in Army Basic, they made us figure out which eye was dominant, and shoot accordingly. Left eye shot left handed, etc. I think it hurt more than it helped. I couldnt hit anything lefthanded, but qualified expert when I switched back to rigthand(and that was a gun "easier" than a bow I think)...shoot what is comfortable, your brain will adjust to whichever way you go. Dont sweat the small stuff....everything is small stuff. Just shoot, use good form and the rest will come.

[Sarah]

When I was shooting compound with the Hoyt dealer, I kept closing my left eye in order to focus properly (with my non-dominant right eye). I assume this could be considered bad form because my depth perception would be reduced.

At the time I thought nothing of it because I thought I was right eye dominant, but now after thinking about it, I can see that being quite a handicap later on when it counts in the field.

Any thoughts on that?

[Killdeer]

That you have to close your left eye indicates the extent of your left eye dominance. Were I starting fresh, as I am also left eye dominant, I would try a left handed bow.

My dominance is enough that I have to think about it to SEE through my right in order to aim. Otherwise, I just naturally use my left, or both. In a hunting situation, you don't have time for those shenanigans. I have shot right-handed for so many years that whatever my aiming system is (I am afraid to analyze it!!) has adapted to my eyes' condition.

If you have to squint or close the offside eye, you are sufficiently handicapped so as to seriously consider a lefty (or "correct", as a minority here would say) bow. Lucky you, you have a chance to start out correctly.

The other option wold be to buy an old double shelf Cub or Grizzly from the 1950s, and switch hit at will.

Killdeer

[ishiwannabe]

A compound shooter usually closes their off eye to be able to focus through the peep. Instincitive shooting doesnt require that.
I would still suggest trying both LH and RH bows, and go from there.
Either way you choose, you will love it.
Good luck on your journey.
Killy....you mean you didnt mean to hit either of those running rabbits???? I for one thought you were a very good shot.

[Killdeer]

Hee hee! Between you, me and Shawn, poor Sarah's head must be reeling! You and Shawn both make very valid points. Only Sarah will be able to feel what will be right for her.

Archery, like any shooting sport, is mostly a mental challenge. It is a very lonely journey, but the rewards are very real, and custom-made for the individual. We can point out the roads, but the traveller must choose. Well, unless they pay us to coach...

I've only done this for 43 years, and I'm not qualified to coach.    
Killdeer

[Doug in MI]

Get the DVD "Masters of the Barebow" volume 1. Its a good shooting video that will help you learn the different styles of shooting. There is a lady from Alabama that shoots 3D tournaments very succesfuly that hasnt been shooting for very long that tells about her style of shooting a takedown longbow. And make sure you get an arm guard to wear before trying out all these bows.

[JEFF B]

welcome to the family so many bows to look at and try boy you are going to have fun.  

[Widowbender]

Welcome aboard, Sarah...Glad you are choosing the traditional route.

David

[SHOOTO8S]

Let me throw in my .02 worth


One of the best shooters I know is left eyed, but shoots right handed..BUT he had to overcome some issues to become one of the best! Why not start out left handed to match your dominate eye and save the headaches?

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Sarah, Hello & Welcome to the camp fire @ this Pow wow.... When finding a bow it is best to try as many as you can.....A recurved bow is closer to a wheelie bow in the handle, but You might find a long bow shoots better in Your hands... Good Luck...

[mrkbsm]

Sarah - I didn't notice this thread until today so maybe one of the other Iowans on here has already volunteered this info... the Iowa Traditional Bowhunters Society (ITBS) has a website at  www.iowatbs.com  where you can find out about them.  Myself and a few of the other club directors float around the forums on a half regular basis.  
The annual Rendezvous just happened in Ames over Memorial Day weekend, but the upcoming shoot in Coon Rapids, MN is supposed to be a good one from what I hear (June 14 & 15) and isn't horribly far away.  I'm going to try and make it up there this year.  
If you're looking for any other ITBS specific info don't hesitate to send me a PM.
Happy shooting!
Mark

[Sarah]

Hey All,

Just a bit of an update.

I managed to get off work early today and zipped up to the Footed Shaft.

Unfortunately, Lamont didn't have any lefty bows in stock. Also we discovered that my draw length is shorter than 28" (I think 26 or 24...) and talked about how going lefty would mean a lower draw weight while I work up the strength on my left side.

Since he didn't have anything to sell me, he said to wait for the Coon Rapids shoot and see what they have up there. He gave me a loaner bow (30#) to start getting some strength in my left arm with.

The bow he gave me can shoot either way, so I think I'm just going to practice both sides so that I can remember form on my right and try to translate it to my left.

(I'm still very bare bones, as I only have one crappy carbon arrow that my room mates found in the backyard and nothing else...I'll aquire some soon     )

If anyone wants to carpool to the Coon Rapids shoot, PM me.

[vermonster13]

PM me your address and I'll send you some better than crappy woodies you can shoot with until you get settled in.

[pointy sticks]

Sarah other have probally said this already.

some of us shoot right handed and are left eye dom.

I do, and probally couldn't shoot left handed if my life depended on it.

Just something to think about, if it feels natural I'd go with it.

But hey thats just my 2cents

Welcome aboard buy the way.

[2-BIG]

Sarah, looks like you have a lot of responses and I didn't have time to read through them all but I wanted to help if I could. My wife has small hands and is 5'3" also and she prefers bows with smaller handles on them. She has 2 Saxon recurves that fit her hand great and they are 35# and 44# at 24" draw.

[hunt it]

Welcome Sarah,

I am right handed and shoot left handed because I am left eye dominant. In the end you will do what is most comfortable for you, but I would strongly recommend you go the lefty route if it works for you. In the long run your overall shooting accuracy should be noticably better if you shoot your dominant side. I know many have mastered it otherwise but for the vast majority accuracy is higher shooting dominant eye. Have fun.

[DEAN]

I can send you a FRED BEAR 64 IN 40##28 IF YOU WANNA TRY IT. it's a sweet shooten bow and not to heavey for you to get your form down the right way???THIS BOW IS A LEFTY

[Shaun]

Hey Sarah - you might wanna think about this beauty and helping out the St Judes kids

Only a few minutes left to bid

 http://tradgang.net/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=122;t=000129

[Sarah]

Thanks everyone again for your excellent advice (and equipment offers). You're a top notch lot.

I wanted to update you on the goings-on in my archery adventures.

Dean has been so kind as to set me up with a 62" Fred Bear Grizzly 42# @ 28" (I'm still not quite sure exactly what my draw is, maybe 24"...) and between that and the lovely woodies vermonster sent me, I'm ready to practice like mad.

I'm headed to the shoot in Coon Rapids this weekend, I'm guessing I'll be there Saturday making the rounds.

So far I'm loving the sport and can't wait to improve. Thanks for a good welcome.      

[bentpole]

Good Man That Dean Sarah! Enjoy and enjoy Coon Rapids. You have alot of fun.