HH bug got me ... Part One!

Good thing there was no posing with the broadhead on the real shot, the blunt that was really used would have blown through that helmet that was hidden under that pretty wig like it was a pop can. I can never shoot so good if I am posing, seems like Hill knew the difference as well.  On the apple of the first video there was that face on no helmet, that takes nerve.  A good way to practice is to put apples on top of gallon milk jugs.  I killed the milk jug 4 times last fall before I hit the apple.  I am ready for volunteers.

[Ray_G]

Originally posted by pavan:
A good way to practice is to put apples on top of gallon milk jugs.  I killed the milk jug 4 times last fall before I hit the apple.  I am ready for volunteers.

 Not for the faint at heart, nor loose bowels!  It was surely a different time.  Glad I don't live near you, Pavan.  I would be renamed "Chicken".

[swampthing]

Yeah really, I onced riccoched an arrow of my block target!

I found it amazing how easy that milk jug was to hit when we put a face and ears on it and an apple on top.  Makes you wonder how many people were running around with arrow skid marks in their skulls.

[Jesse_83]

I can't believe its only been a week since i ordered.  Does time always go this slow when your waiting for a new Hill?

[Blueridge]

Jesse I think I'm a week ahead of you . I'll let you know if mine gets here early.

[Blake Dustin Adams]

I recently read something where he quoted that he preferred the long bow....a bunch of other stuff....and then something about snap shooting.

I'll try to find what it was.  I think it was an add for the recurves he was selling back in the 60's.

While it is possible to snap shoot many bows, emulating Howard Hills form and rhythm is easier with a straight gripped Hill style longbow.  Hill said when hunting you can be more accurate if you shoot fast than by taking your time.  I have found this to be true as well, that does not mean however, that the basics of form are thrown out in the haste. that swing draw, bent bow arm and the natural approach to non-exaggerated form helps give the fluid flow to getting on target without a lot of prepping the shot. In other words if you jump a pheasant from a bow along your side stance, you have a better chance of getting a good shot off quicker and easier.  It is not so easy if you need to extend your bow arm before your shot sequence begins.  
This thread covers lots of pretty wood combos, but is amazingly barren in functional application of the Hill package, which all comes together to make the fluid shooting philosophy work as a unit.

[Ringneck]

I can see the swing draw working on pheasants, but on deer and elk I would imagine they would beat feet when spotting the motion. Thoughts??

[sou-pawbowhunter]

I dunno-it seemed to work for Howard.  The man put a lot of game in the bag.  

[David Mitchell]

Worked just fine for Howard....not for David Mitchell.     We each have to find our own method.

[Rik]

Well, Howard killed his bull elk at, if I remember right, 196 yards or so? At that distance, the swing draw is no problem.

My average shot on bull elk is eight yards. The 6x6 i killed two years ago was at three yards.

At these distances, the swing draw would not be conducive to eating lots of elk meat.

[SpankyNeal]

I guess it depends on where the animal is looking when you draw. If I set my arm first, I inevitably shoot high, but that's just me!

[SpankyNeal]

In an attempt to go along with what Pavan said, I made a couple of short video clips to try and help a few guys maybe get a little better visualization of some of the things we had been talking about. I'm far from being an expert, but I'll put the links below for you guys to look at. All critiques are appreciated, so let me know what you think!

   

   

   

   

I plan on re-making a couple. These were just something I put together quickly so they're not that good!

[Mudd]

Thank you Spanky!

I've seen these before but it never hurts to go over them again... and again... and again...lol

God bless,Mudd

[GMASIUK]

Nice video's Ken. How do you like that american leather glove? I've been eyeing one of them for awhile.

Glen

[SpankyNeal]

Glen, that's the crossover glove with the cordovan tips, and inserts on the inside and I love it! Gives all of the protection of the Hill glove, but is way more comfortable and stays on your fingers!

[Nate Steen .]

I think that for the majority of hunting shots, a swing draw is more adaptable to the situation.

 Rik,  at three yards, the swing draw isn't necessary....you just hold out your arrow and the elk runs into it...lol lol    

I personally like the manueverability of the swing draw, have shot alot of game because of it.  Even an animal from a treestand, so I know it works there as well.

Pavan,  great point made.  I've talked to several via pm's about the Hill style, which encompasses bow design, shooting style, aiming, etc....not just a pretty bow.

It's quite amazing to me how many fellas are caught on the pretty Hill-bow lure...and sell/trade the bow because they are attempting to shoot it like another style bow...  There are a few guys who can shoot a Hill style bow like a recurve or r/d bow and shoot it well....but those guys are in a vast minority.....the vast majority of guys shooting Hill style bows would benefit from lessons in Hill style form and function because it really does matter with this style of bow....

What bothers me most about teaching this Hill style to people is that the ones that doubt what Hill and John Schulz taught me will learn nothing and the ones that accept it and understand what I am getting at out shoot me in a matter of weeks.  Nice job Ken.

[Rik]

Hmmmm. . . I've got an open mind. Perhaps a Western (west of the Continental Divide) Hill-Style_Shooting_clinic clinic might be popular. I, being a straight-arm-before-I-draw guy will be one of the first to enroll (as long as it isn't during a hunting season).

Place it somewhere near Aspen trees and mountain scenery and you might get a more than a few others to attend. What better way to spend three or four days in the summer, before elk season?