Longbow frustration....help please

[Bakes168]

I hate to sound like a whiner but my longbow is giving me fits, I think I have an ulcer.
I try to shoot every day, some days my groups are good and other days I want to launch my arrows into the next county. I shot my woodies for a while but I don't think I spined them right and today I went to shooting carbons. My groups were a little better, but still not how I would like them and the season is about three weeks away. I usually start off shooting at around 12 yards and move out...maybe.

I think it could be because I just made the switch from recurve to longbow and am still getting used to the broom handle grip on the longbow. I just stopped shooting at my foam target and am shooting a a 3-D deer, and I could just be having trouble cause I can't focuse on a dot...I shot better with the dot. I usually shoot until my shoulder gets sore and my groups fall apart.
I'm shooting a 55# Bear Montana Longbow with full leangth Beman ICS Bowhunters with around 145gr tips and they bareshafted ok, the woodies I'm a little worried about cause I want to hunt with them this fall.

If any one has any tips, suggestions, or anything that helped them you have not idea how much I would appreciate it.
I keep thinking about going back to a recurve, but I don't want to give up on this......          

[bentpole]

LOL! Can't find a dot on the 3-D Deer? That's what you have to learn to do pick a spot anything on that 3-D Deer and FOCUS!!!Just like when thast deer comes in! Stop and think; well I can hit that dot pretty good but I can't hit the 3-D Deer worth a hoot. You didn't change aNYTHING EXCEPT THE tARGET. sHOOT qUALITY nOT qUANTITY! iF YOU SHOOT EVeRYDAY STOP AT 4 DOZEN ARROWS OR SO WHEN YOUR GROUPS START TO SPReAD IT'S TIME TO QUIT! Darn Cap locks!! I just got done shootin' three different bows today. My season opens Saturday and I have to decide which one goes in the woods Saturday AM!

[sabas silva]

Could it be target panic, I find that concentration on mechanis helps and for me a little cant and do not torque the grip and trying Terry Greens clock example helps. I am looking getting the book on target panic cure as soon as I can find it.

[Biggie Hoffman]

Forget about shooting groups. Take one arrow, shoot it, go pull it and go to a different place to shoot the next shot.
I think you'll find more often than not, your arrow will be in the right "spot"

[Bakes168]

I usaully only shoot three arrows at a time, but I'll try that. I just got done reading Dean Torges "The Elements of Style", and wow...I'll try that.

Bakes

[Curveman]

I do much better if I do as Biggie suggests. In fact, even though there is ample room to shoot in my back yard, I'll go to my rod and gun where I can focus better and shoot a different 3D target each shot.
I also discovered when switching to my new traditional style longbow that I couldn't shoot it with my high wrist recurve grip! Duh! That and not having the heavy riser to assist with bow arm stability proved to be a bit of a challenge initially. I am shooting well with it now though and plan to hunt with it this year. You can do it!  

[toddster]

Bakes168-  I understand your frustration.  Been there done that.  don't push yourself to much, is your recurve the same poundage, takes a while to get use to the bowhand.  This is usually the hardest part for most people.  I would take and stand at 10 yards with five arrows and shot four ends.  place a ballon or something roughly 15 to 18" below the spot you want to hit.  You know about split vision so we will leave it at that.  Don't try and swing draw it or rush it.  If you rush it, then you will shoot more slop, then good.  If worried about the season, hang bow up till little later.  This is how I was taught by Bob Wesley and this works.  Feel free to pm me with any comments, on the bowhand, just grip it like you was holding a bird in the hand with out it getting away or hurting it.

[Tim Fishell]

Zach, Maybe we can get together and shoot for a while Thursday night.  Let me know if that works out for you.  Tomorrow I will be in Chicago on buisness and I will be out of town this weekend.  If Thursday does not work maybe a night next week.  Let me know.  I am sure we can figure out something for ya.  

Tim

[billy shipp]

Along the lines of what Biggie said....I bought a 1993 Zipper. I told Bob I had shot recurves and longbows longer than I cared to remember, but never had any good adivce. I shot ok one day, then lousy the next. I ask Bob if he had any suggestions on becoming a better shot. He said preferably, shoot one arrow, go get it and shoot again....If you want to shoot 2 or 3 arrows, that's fine, but NEVER, NEVER, NEVER shoot 2 arrows from the same place. It has always worked well for me.

Billy

[Orion]

Agree with what others have already said.  Also, keep in mind that most longbows are physically quite a bit lighter than recurves.  Much easier to just float off target if you're not concentrating on the target and keeping a steady bow arm.  A bow quiver often helps by providing a little extra mass.