Newbie here, just picked up a Mahaska d/r longbow...

[JB74nola]

Hi my names Jesse. I recently got into a discussion with a member on my pool team who come to find out is a long time trad bowhunter. Well, I was into archery as a tenager but seemed to lose my way before I hit my twenties. I've never shot a modern bow. Having learned to shoot with a longbow, I was interested in traditional bowhunting. I've read a good bit about it since our initial conversation and have found myself to be a proud owner of a Mahaska custom deflex-reflex longbow 62"/65#. I'm drawing 27" so from what I've read that should 62#. Going off a chart I found online for my draw length and weight, I should be looking for shafts at 2016/55lb. Greg gave me few dif arrows to try out shooting with the mahaska. Some wood ones of which I'm not sure of the make or weight, and some Easton xx75 2115 aluminum with a true flight 2117e mixed in. I've been shooting at 20-30 yards and am a fairly good shot(50% in a 9" paper plate at 30 yards), but I feel as tho if I found the proper arrow my groupings would be tighter and more true. Any help and/or advice from you guys would be greatly appreciated.    

[damascusdave]

The first thing we usually tell someone new to traditional archery is to find a mentor...sounds like you already have one in Greg...anything we could tell you would just be guesswork compared to having him work with you

DDave

[bentpole]

Mahaskas are Great Bows! In my opinion though at first baby steps.Start shooting 10 yards until everything clicks in. Pick a spot, draw ,anchor, good clean release, watch the arrow hit where you want it to. I've been doing Trad for a good long time now. Most of your hunting shots will be 20 yards and under.

[fmscan]

Jesse, Welcome, you are in for a new life. Suggest that you start out right, get a mentor, shooters forum has helped me a lot, go to 3D shoots, read. I did not have a mentor and my shooting is terrible (used arm muscles not back muscles)breaking a bad habit that you have developed is hard. I have found MOEBOW on Shooters Forum a big help - he has some videos that are GREAT.

[JB74nola]

Yes, I'm going over by Greg's this weekend to try out some of the carbons that he hunts with, was just looking for some knowledge on the subject before I went, and he sent me here when I showered him with questions at pool last night, lol. Now I did start out at about 10 yards a few days back and I am a dead shot even with the light wood kid arrows I bought for my step daughter to shoot, I backed off the target hoping to better see the variations in flight from one arrow type to the other. I shoot pretty much instinctively, I draw to my chin and just look at my target, the arrows tend to hit right where I'm looking till I start getting out past 20 yards. I'm gonna browse the shooting forum now, see what knowledge I can squeeze out of it. I'm also going to check out the tradiditional clubs in my area. Thanks guys!

[damascusdave]

Shooting light wood kid arrows out of a 60 pound bow is not likely a good plan...some bowyers will not warranty a bow shooting less than 8 grains per pound...your enthusiasm is obvious...just would not like to see you overstress a good bow

DDave

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Welcome to trad gang.

Remember to just keep it fun!  Enjoy!

[shirikahn]

Welcome and you got a great bow for a first one.  I wish you the best.

[HawkeyeArcher]

Welcome! Mahaska bows are made about 2 miles from my house. Great bows, and if you ever have issues, the owner's a good guy to deal with as well.

[joe ashton]

work on form,  you do not want to develop bad habits.

[JB74nola]

Thanks Dave, I won't shoot them anymore! I learned the hard way tho. Was target shooting in the moon light last night, and one of them exploded. The end result is a very sore left hand this morning, lol. The bow survived with out a scratch thankfully. But on the lighter side of things, Terry's clock form has tightened my groupings and removed the slight tinge I was feeling in my bow arm at full draw!