First Year Trad Hunting

[LeeBishop]

@ Mudd, like I have said before, I don't think I can really go back to compound.

There is just something about it. All I can really say is that, it's real. It feels real.

What I don't really like is the expense of the wooden arrows. I bought a dozen on sale last year from 3Rivers for like $53 with shipping (I think) and now I see they are like $80 for a dozen.

That's a bit rich for my blood right now. May have to see about finding some cedar dowels and making my own.

[LeeBishop]

I bought this bow a year and a half ago when I was doing some background research to make this Ben Pearson documentary film.

But I haven't taken it out to shoot it until recently.

I thought I should try an master traditional archery if I am going to make a film about it. It's quite different and I think it's a shame how the archery market has been turned into mechanical bows.

It's not even archery anymore, really.  I understand that now. It's like muzzleloading with an in-line rifle instead of a hawken.

It's a way to avoid the effort the sport really takes.

[Friends call me Pac]

Lee I'm about 30 miles east of Conway.  I shoot in my backyard.  I have to work tomarrow but if  you would like to make a trip here Sunday afternoon I'd be happy to show you all about tuning.  For arrows i have wood, carbon & aluminum arrows to try.  I also have recurves and long bows of various draw weights.

You are welcome to come shoot here if you would like.

[Friends call me Pac]

I'll be at a friends house in Conway on Sunday.  He is known as "Rogers" here on TG.  He helped me make a laminated longbow and we will be sealing it on Sunday at his house.  

He has a place to shoot at his house and if that would be easier for you just pm me for directions.  He lives between rooster road and vilonia on hwy 64.

[LeeBishop]

Pac, I'm out of town right now out in the Ouachita Mountains.

I appreciate the offer, that would have been cool to see your friends jigs and gear he makes bows with and meet ya, but I'm about 1 1/2hr away from Conway for the rest of the week.

I'm out here prepping for deer season.

I found that one of my deer feeders was torn apart by a black bear. He left part of the feeder, but somehow he stole the 50 gallon poly pickle barrel that I had made into a feeder.  I can't find it anywhere. I guess it may have been drug off down the bluff into the slough.  I will have to try and track it down.

I had an expensive electric feeder motor on that thing...  Hopefully I will run across him shortly while I have a bow in my hands. He'll be in the freezer and I'll have a beautiful rug.

[LeeBishop]

Well, I for sure think that it may be the field points on my target arrows that are a little light.

They tend to be a little scattered when I shoot them. It's hard to keep them grouped up.

But when I use the broadheads they fly straighter and group pretty well.

These groups are at 20 yards.  It's my 3rd day trying to use a recurve bow. I think I'm getting the hang of it.  They are now mostly centered and I'm not shooting off to the left anymore. Working on the form.

Open to advice and help.

@ Pac, I think I need to figure out this whole target point weight thing.  I was thinking they were both like 125 grains, but the field points may be lighter. I dont' have to scales to weight them.

I built myself a target frame out of scrap lumber at the barn. It's working, but my target is falling apart from UV sun damage. Will have ot get a new bag to put around it after this season.

With broaheads
 

With Broadheads (closer)

 

This is with field points. They are looser, but this is about as close as I could group them. They don't fly as consistently as the broadheads.

 


I think it will be good enough to stick my bear at 20 yards.  I just have to try and keep within that distances with my tree stand.

[LeeBishop]

Well, I'm pretty sure I know what the problem is with my accuracy.

I went out to shoot some more today and I can see the arrows wiggling when they release. By wiggling, I mean the arrow kicks out a bit to one side and then straightens up. It does a fishtail  .

I'm sure I need to cut my arrows down an inch or an inch and a half to better suit my draw length. The extra length is making the arrows fly wrong.

I'd be a lot more accurate if the arrows flew correctly   :p