Some days...it's hard...

[MnFn]

Pretty much second everything Kenny wrote.  Back tension and concentrating on the spot are key for me to shoot well.  I need to be shooting often to maintain my accuracy.

This is just my experience, but I do much better with a recurve.  I have tried various longbows.

It may just take longer to master the longbow, but I am sure if you stick with it you will become proficient.  

For me, I just enjoy shooting trad.  It is my primary passion as far as pastimes go.  Hope you are enjoying it too, try not to allow frustration to set in.

[ANick]

FWIW, I picked up the bow again this summer, going trad vs the compound last used in the '80s.  I dropped back to 45# but have added a couple of bows since then that are in the 38 - 40 pound range.  Most of the time I'm shooting a 52 recurve now.

I found Jeff Cavanaugh's you tube video to be a good help as well Merlin's Archery Adventures and a great gob of others.  

Good Form should give some kind of group at 10 yards.  Consistency of head position, shoulders, follow through on the bow arm (my worst recurring demon) and the release.  

It gets there, somedays better than others.  Shooting video of yourself can show you a LOT that you would otherwise think is 'fine'.  

I wouldn't say dropping back to a lighter bow is needed, but it might help.  If you are having trouble on the bow arm with your current one, it may be better with the lighter poundage.  

On the release, if you are plucking the string you can drive yourself nuts too.  The description of a proper release being, 'no longer holding the string'works.  

Oh.. one more big help.. a deep hook versus a fingertip draw REALLY does help.  Intuitively that sounds off, at least to me.  However, there be some truth.

Check the area for Traditional archery clubs/groups or even a commercial range.  

G'luck

[JD Page 1965]

That's what she said...

[neargeezer]

I left the compound world in 1998. I still catch myself trying to “think” of all the little nuances to shoot better. It seems much better if I go through a simple shot sequence.

1.Set a deep hook with even pressure on all three fingers and at the same time slightly bend the knee under your bow arm.

2.Put a little tension on the string to set the bow in the bow hand. For me that slides the grip into the heel of my hand just to the right of my life line. Good heel pressure makes my bow arm shoulder solid keeping both arms in constant alignment.

3.Relax both hands and forearms (the hard part) and raise the bow arm.
 
4.When the bow is in position, rotate the string hand elbow into full draw. Do not draw with your hand, draw with your elbow. This will help engage back tension. Anchor is not as consistent as back tension. Anchor should not be thought about, it will induce arm tension that will destroy back tension. Anchor will just happen with back tension.

5.If you need to adjust to be on target, move or bend your whole body keeping your arms in the same alignment with good back tension. (That’s why you bent your bow arm knee in step one, if your knees are set you will end up moving one of your arms losing your back tension.)

6.Relax your fingers and LET IT RIP. Enjoy the feel of the shot, forget about the size of your groups. Make every shot feel the same and accuracy will happen.

MOST importantly, go watch Arnie Moe’s video’s. His explanation of the “rotational draw” is the best thing I’ve ever seen.

[Montanawidower]

I would say its normal.... Hunt with your compound this fall and try again next year.   The biggest turn off to traditional is wounding game.  

It took me years and unfortunately some wounded animals to dial it in.  There are no short cuts.  

With that said, its what makes fanatics out of us that have reached some degree of success.  

The old saying of "nothing worth having comes easily" is sort of the traditional mantra.

[VA Elite]

Originally posted by Montanawidower:
I would say its normal.... Hunt with your compound this fall and try again next year.   The biggest turn off to traditional is wounding game.  

It took me years and unfortunately some wounded animals to dial it in.  There are no short cuts.  

With that said, its what makes fanatics out of us that have reached some degree of success.  

The old saying of "nothing worth having comes easily" is sort of the traditional mantra.

this^

[Doc Nock]

You don't say "Where" in TN.  Sent you an email thru TG.

Sevier is a bit West of me yet, but shoot me a note if you're anywhere in NE TN

[Hoyt]

I've been back to recurves for quiet a few yrs now and not for one second have I thought about even taking one of my compounds off the wall..much less shooting it.

I don't have a thing in the world against compounds or people who shoot them I just enjoy everything about recurves much more.

I have definitely had more than my fair share of misses and I mean 15 steps to about one long step  with recurves since coming back. Along with close up shots at...at least Pope and Young bucks that I couldn't take due to recurve in hand instead of compound ...but not once even has the thought of wanting a compound in my hand instead of a recurve intered my mind.

It just is what it is and I rather shoot and hunt with recurves.

[Archer1977]

I am in Clarksville. Close to Twin Oaks I know, but I have yet to make it down there or meet another trad shooter in person. some of the W. Ky group have invited me to some events at the LBL, but I just haven't had the time to make it there when they are there. Family, work, college, hunting season... not enough time in the day!