Help for a Novice

[Catfish87]

Hello all, I am a beginner in the traditional archery field. I did a little bit as a kid, but not in the past 12-15 years. I recently picked up a Greatree Goshawk 60", w/ 45# at 28" for a pretty good deal just for a starter and because I like the idea of the breakdown for hiking/camping trips that I do. My main intent as of now is to start off with small game and maybe coyotes (if I can get them close enough), before moving to big game.
My main purpose for this topic is to get advice on setting up and tuning, arrow/string/broadhead selection, techniques, etc. that will help me be properly set up and develop my abilities. I should probably include that I will be doing things on a budget as I have too many hobbies already and dont want to dump all my toy funds into this until I explore it a little farther.
I greatly appreciate any help you guys can give.

[Catfish87]

just realized that I probably posted this on the wrong forum, should have been on the form forum.

[McDave]

Believe it or not, this is the right forum for all of your questions!  The form forum is limited to questions about how to shoot the bow as opposed to equipment related questions.

I just took a look at your bow, and it appears to be a standard looking recurve bow.  It will probably serve you fine for the purposes you indicated, as long as you don't have an overly long draw length.  Do you know what your draw length is, or if not, how tall are you and would you consider yourself to have long, short, or average arms for your height?  If the bow didn't come with a string, I recommend one of the sponsors of this board, SBD (Silent but Deadly) bowstrings.  Call them up and they will make the perfect string for your bow.  They may also be able to help you out with what the recommended brace height should be, if you don't already know.

Once we know, or guess, your draw length, we can help with the other items.

[Catfish87]

Norm, thanks for the link. I don't have a mentor readily available as of now, so I'll be mostly going off of articles and forums. That being said if anyone here is from the Las Vegas, NV area, let me know. An additional question for starting out, would you recommend tuning the bow to the max immediately, or first getting a "close enough" setup and working on form and consistent grouping before upgrading the string, arrows, etc.?

[Catfish87]

McDave, I do not know my draw length yet, but I am 5'10" with fairly average arm length. Im guess at 27-28", but not much experience to base that on.

[McDave]

I think you're probably right on your draw length, and it should be well within the range of your bow.  I would start off with a half dozen 1916 arrows cut to 29" fletched with feathers.  For now, get 125 grain field points, and later you can get 125 grain broadheads.  That may not be what you end up with, but it will be pretty close, and it will get you shooting.  While you're at the archery shop, maybe they'll measure your draw length for you.  Pick out a glove or tab, and a quiver.  If you pick out a glove, make sure it's a snug fit; you don't want a sloppy glove.  Then just shoot the thing for a while, and get to know it.  Probably in a town the size of Las Vegas, there is someone offering trad archery lessons.  At least, I hope so.

[Catfish87]

Appreciate your help McDave. There is an archery club and range, but it is a little over a hour drive from home, so not somewhere I will be able to hit consistently. My plan for now is to set up a 15-20 yd "range" in the back yard and get to work on basics.

[macbow]

Just as your planning.
Do some reading on the form forum. Especially Terry's clock post.

Once you get consistent with your shooting then fine tuning your form and equipment will be easier.

[cahaba]

Catfish clamp a clothes pin on your arrow close to the end of your draw and pull your bow while trying to maintain a consistent anchor and proper back tension and alignment. Then measure from the valley of the arrows nock to the back of the clothes pin. That will get your draw length. This will probably change some as you develop better form but will get you something to work with.

[Stephengiles]

Just like to say welcome,  and to tell you your in the right place. Just use this sights search function and every thing you need is here. I've used this sight almost daily since I've started shooting. You can spend hours reading and just scratch the surface. Also like posted above check the shooters form forum. It will help as much for your shooting as any equipment purchase. Now before I sound any more like a commercial. I'm out.

[shirikahn]

Welcome!  Everything stated above is gold. They're spot on for checking out the form forum.  I suggest also checking the videos on here.  Reading Mr Terry's posts then actually watching him shoot solidified his "style" in my mind.  

Loren

[Catfish87]

Thanks again for all the inputs, particularly the reference to Terry's clock. A lot of good information there that hopefully will have me consistent and accurate a little faster.

[LostNation_Larry]

I would second McDave's arrow suggestion.  I have first timers come into my shop all the time and my first suggestion for arrows is aluminum.  You need to work on your form for a few months before you spend more.  I would start with  1/2 dozen as suggested.  In the long run carbons are cheaper (don't break or bend as easily) and wood arrows are more fun and quieter, but it is hard to beat aluminum for your first set.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Welcome.

Best thing to do is Jump in, ask questions as you get them.  It probably wont be long before you meet someone from your area.

Enjoy!