HH bug got me ... Part One!

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Swamp Yankee:
How in the world did anyone shoot "correctly" before the days of online forums like this...

by trial and error, by learning from a good coach or mentor ... or maybe not at all.  there are a lot of 'not at all' archers out there.  they're easy to spot, too.

There were basic how to books back in the 50s and 60s, we all had them.  Our gang rented movies with Bear, Pearson, Hill and others.  We learned from reading stuff on paper and watching films and shooting with each other.  More and more people now days only are socially connected through their computer.

[SpankyNeal]

quote:Originally posted by gregg dudley:
100 pages of this stuff!  Geez!

I had the HH bug one time, but I took a prescription strength black widow and got over it.

   

[Blueridge]

Widows are fine bows, have 3 of them, but there is something about these Hill bows. I don't shoot my widows much anymore since buying my first Hill.

[Owlmagnet]

Same here, Blueridge.  I have a perfectly fine BW TF, and a couple ILF rigs.  Great bows, but my string follow Wesley is the bow I reach for, day in and day out.  Go figure.

[Wannabe1]

I've had numerous Widows, a few Morrisons, Palmers and I can't even name all the others custom bows I've owned. But, something about them just didn't reach out and grab me, if you know what I mean.

I am recently developing a real love affair with a Big 5 I picked up from Rob. The modified grip has just got me tickled pink! My shooting has improved with the new control I have with this bow.    :D

[Steve Clandinin]

Quote:by trial and error, by learning from a good coach or mentor ... or maybe not at all. there are a lot of 'not at all' archers out there. they're easy to spot, too.

Sorry ,I just can't understand the meaning of this,probably just me.

[Rob DiStefano]

pertinent to tw's post above, i think one (of a few) major problems with hills are the (were the) handle shapes - that alone has turned off more than a few potential hill devotees.  the new craig handle shapes - particularly the new rounded locator - is a complete renovation masterpiece that now makes the hha longbow more than a viable second thought for all trad archers, it's a must-have.

[Ray_G]

Originally posted by Rob DiStefano:
pertinent to tw's post above, i think one (of a few) major problems with hills are the (were the) handle shapes - that alone has turned off more than a few potential hill devotees.  the new craig handle shapes - particularly the new rounded locator - is a complete renovation masterpiece that now makes the hha longbow more than a viable second thought for all trad archers, it's a must-have.

Rob,

Are you referring to HHA bows when you speak of the handle shape or all makes of the American Semi-Flat bow?

I have a "traditionally" shaped handle on my Sunset Hill and I find that the narrow, belly side of the handle to be a great benefit to consistent placement of the bow handle in my hand.  Imagine looking down from straight overhead, the riser is in the same position every time because I have that part in my crease and against my thumb base.  Without the riser in the same place, my shooting suffers - ask me how I know.  I must be getting that consistent placement because the suede grip is smooth where contact is happening every time.  The grip dimensions were shaped based on my hand size.

I don't find the "wedge" shape uncomfortable (brain dead?    ) and am shooting a 58# @ 28" bow.  Now, I have only been shooting for four years but I disliked the index grip on previous R/D bows and have fallen in love with the straight grip.  I guess it is true what is said, "Try many, find what ya like and go huntin'!"

Ray

[Blueridge]

I have two HH's with dished grips. I really like them. does the new locator grip cause you to not heel the bow as much like on the widow lb's. you can heel them or shoot them like a recurve. What is the difference in the feel between the dished and new locator on the Howard Hill?

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Steve, I think Rob means that many archers haven't learned some form of correct technique, perhaps due to not shooting and studying enough.

I could never complain about my previous more narrow locator grip, and when I first got the new more rounded grip it felt quite different, but now it is really comfortable and familiar.

I tried the new locator for a few shots and I have to say that i prefer my own, which is a stretched and slightly narrower copy from my 1956 70" bear kodiak. I like to get the bow deep into my hand and I adjust my grips so that the bow gets to that spot without thinking. On straight grips I have made mine to be biased to the bow hand, not symmetrical. I know it would be difficult to impossible for a bow company to make a bow handle as customized to the person as the individual can do for themselves.  If in doubt about the grip and fairly handy with a file and sandpaper? Get the large straight grip and make it the way you like it, or just get a blank and make the whole thing the way you like it. If you shoot with a bent bow arm the straight grip works good for those that heal the bow.

[Steve Clandinin]

Ben,Your right.Shooting a Trad bow accurately is one heck of alot harder than most think.years ago we didn't have near the education as there is today or products for that matter.This site sure would have cut down alot of frustrating years for me,through determination and my true love of the bow I MADE myself shoot better.Strong,consistant form and hours and hours of shooting,there are no shortcuts here and there shouldn't be.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Steve Clandinin:
Quote:by trial and error, by learning from a good coach or mentor ... or maybe not at all. there are a lot of 'not at all' archers out there. they're easy to spot, too.

Sorry ,I just can't understand the meaning of this,probably just me.

back way before the net and forums like trad gang, you learned archery by just doing it.  sure, you could read books and maybe get lucky and see a film, and if you were really lucky you could find a qualified coach, or perhaps a mentor who knew how to teach ... such as craig had with howard.  most just thought what they were doing was the right way cause it "worked", kinda sorta.  most were wrong in some or all ways.  

a good coach/mentor can help by having you and your physique mated properly with a proper bow and matched arrows, and use a form that works for you, not the coach or anyone else.

i see a fair number of archers at shooting events, old timers too, that still haven't a clue how to shoot.  their accuracy is so-so at best.  that's sad, because with the proper education, their archery endeavours could be so much more rewarding.  and that means better hunting.

[Joe Subler]

Without giving my age away I can tell you that I was one of the younger guys at age 16 who joined a small town newly formed archery club back in 1965.  None of us had any formal archery education and we would shoot, examine and shoot again hoping we would learn something in the process.  Once every so often the town would show a hunting movie with Howard Hill, etc and we would all go together to see what we could learn.  Great fun but I ended up with a lot of really bad habits that I am trying to rectify to this day!

Joe

Originally posted by Rob DiStefano:
pertinent to tw's post above, i think one (of a few) major problems with hills are the (were the) handle shapes - that alone has turned off more than a few potential hill devotees.....

I'd have to say this is THE main reason that, in 35 years, I never gave Hills a chance.  I hated the boxy grip, mostly because I would compare it to my Bear Mag or Browning curves.  It just felt way to uncomfortable.

I have yet to experience the new locator...lookin' forward to it.

[gregg dudley]

Originally posted by tradlongbow:
Thanks Guys,

Like I said earlier, I have seen and owned a lot of books and pics of Hill, but this particular pic was the best that I have seen of Howards form closeup and the pic is clear.

Rob-
The articles that you posted from Ploem was always great stuff. I have those IA magazines at home. I hated to see IA stop printing, I thought it was the all time best magazine.


Gregg-
This Hill bug is not new to everyone, some of us have been shooting Hills for several decades. For me, I went from Hills to 21st Centuries with a Hill grip ofcourse, and I fell in love with the speed of the 21st Century. Then I went to a mild reflex/deflex bow with a Hill grip like Fred Anderson's HHC, Randy Denhel's Saxon, and Vince's Mohawk. Eventhough I enjoy shooting all of these bows, I find myself back to my first true love, the straight limbed American Longbow.

Darren

Just having fun with you guys!  I know that y'all love 'em and they are surely classic beauties.

[far rider]

I think I like my new to me Hill Half Breed!

 

[Blueridge]

Looks like it agrees with you looking at that group

[Steve Clandinin]

Rob,Your so right,I've seen the same.In recent years its fellas coming from Compounds wanting to try Longbows and Recurves.I've seen so many go back because of the frustration involved.Last year my nephew really wanted to try Trad.(He lives in British Columbia )I told him if he comes out to sask.I would give him one of my home made Recurves and teach him to shoot.He had no idea.When he left with his new bow and proper form engrained in his mind he was on cloud nine.Now thats the only thing he wants to do.He loves it.
Our town is filled with young bowhunters,most of their fathers I know usually end up in my Den,and all have sworn to Trad Archery its real enlightening for our future.
For many years I never hunted with my recurves as I felt in my heart I wasn't a good enough shot,my standards wouldn't allow it.I vowed to myself to get good,it was worth it.
Like you said Rob I think many would be suprised at how good they COULD be.
I just find it amazing how the true simplicity of the longbow has captivated men for so many centuries and here today its doing the same,hell 102 pages you'd think we were getting old and Senile !LOL