Fred Eichler-Amazing Recurve Shot!

[NDTerminator]

Last night I noticed the DVR had recorded a new episode of Easton Bowhunting, the only hunting TV show I consider worth watching.  I rather admire Fred as like me, he chooses to be as trad as he wants to be, and I openly admire his skill with a recurve...

Long story short, last night using his Palmer TD recurve, he arrows a major league Coues buck square through the heart from a gound blind at a measured 34 yards! I was about floored as those itty bitty deer are about the size of a big ND buck jackrabbit.  Complete pass through, and talk about blood! the deer took off across the waterhole, leaving it looking like a shark had killed something in it!

I'm curious if anyone knows exactly what type of setup ol' Fred shoots, and his style?

He said he was using Easton Axis 400s and Muzzy Phantom 125's.  He made no mention of any extra weight or brass inserts, and they looked to be fletched 3-4" feathers over a 7" wrap, maybe 30" BOP.  Unless he added weight he didn't mention, I would be surprised if his arrow weighs in at more than 500 grains.

Doesn't appear he shoots major weight, either. I punched the above numbers into Stu's calculator and came up with a spine of 72#, but I didn't get the impression he was drawing near that much.   He doesn't look to have a long draw, and is super smooth.

His style looks to be some type of gap.  Although he shoots with a lot of cant, it appears too deliberate for true instinctive.

Anyone have any intel?...

[Ben Maher]

i think Fred draws about 31" ... and he shoots ok ... !!! lol

[Jack Whitmire Jr]

He shoots instagap    Couldn't help myself, not sure how he shoots except very well. It's funny he shot a compound on last episode and missed on the buck  


Jack

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

Fred Shoots a 54# bow and he actually has a rather long draw at 30.5 ".  His total arrow weight is just under 500gr.  His shooting style is true instinctive.

There is an interview with Fred with all of this in the latest Traditional Bowhunter Magazine.

[A.S.]

That was a great shot he made on that buck! I was impressed to say the least.

If you have the Masters of the Barebow video with Fred in it, he explains his setup and shooting style.

[NDTerminator]

Yep, have the video and recall him being in it, but won't have time to sit down and find it for a few days.

It's vaguely discouraging that I started shooting archery before bows had wheels and probably couldn't have made that shot with one of my recurves if someone bet me a grand and spotted me 3 practice arrows.

Figured what the hell, so I emailed him through his outfitting web page.  I imagine he's pretty busy to answer stuff like that, but it can't hurt to ask...

[Bill Turner]

Fred is usually quick to answer questions that are put directly to him. Go to his website and e-mail him directly. Unless he is in the field, he will get back with you pronto. Also, don't be surprized if he pops up here and answers your questions. He has done it before. He is one of those guys with whom I would love to share a campfire.    

[wisconsin wood butcher]

when is the show on? i've not been able to find it lately

[Running Buck]

I saw that show last night. One thing for certain, he was more then happy that he made the shot. 34 yards is a lot more realestate then I would shoot across. I was impressed.

[NDTerminator]

My wife & I were discussing the show & shot this morning.  We both decided that, given the distance & angle, we would not have taken that shot if we had the oppportunity with our compounds sights & release.

That's no criticism of Fred, it's an homage. No question that shot was well within his range & skill envelope and he had every confidence he was going to nail it.

I've been shooting bows a long time and he's easily in the top three recurve shots I've ever seen...

[GMMAT]

Does anyone remember seeing the shot on the big moose, last year (I say "big", because he shot a smaller one, also)?  He never came clean (and I mean NOTHING by that....we joked about the shot distance in an email) on the actual distance....but it was definitely "out there".

"On the moose shot I will never tell !" - Fred E.

He's obviously a good shot.  How good?  Couldn't say.

[Predator Man]

He has a [email protected] 62" palmer takedown. He draws 30.5    His arrows are obviously full length for a draw like that I would assume.  His total arrow weight is just under 500 grain.  He has used this setup or one very very similar on every one of the animal's he killed in the super slam. I emailed him the other day to see if he would be kind enough to tell me what his speeds are like through a chrony but no reply as of yet.

[Bill Carlsen]

Fred is featured in the Masters of the Bare Bow DVD where he explains his setup and shooting style. He does prefer  his Palmer recurve and you guys got it right. He does shoot 54# and uses 400 Axis shafts or the FMJ and Muzzy Phantoms, which his wife manufactures...her dad founded Muzzy and she is the current CEO. On the DVD Fred says all he shoots is broadheads, which I would probably do if I had a never ending supply.

[Sean B]

I caught that one too, what a shot!!.....They didn't even show it in real speed, all slow mo!

[wtpops]

Great shot monster COWs deer but I thought the best part of the shot and most of his shots is his reaction once he realizes he has a good hit. He is so pumped and genuinely excited that it makes me smile and happy for him and, for me, is a big part of why I like to watch him.

[Jerry Wald]

If you order his DVD's you will actually see the shots he misses on too. Not taking away from the games he gets...but he misses too.

I think if we all got paid somehow to JUST HUNT then we could do the same.

Professionals at anything are usually gifted (some not) ppl that practice constantly.

But like every professional they have OFF days.

I like his vids too, but I also like that he shows his BLOOPERS.

35 yards isn't a long shot BTW....most of us have shot gophers at 50+ yards.


Jer Bear

[varmint101]

Yea, that was a perfect shot.  Down in 20 seconds, I loved it!  Looks like everyone nailed his setup already.  I'll have to get that Masters of the Barebow dvd sometime!

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

Originally posted by Predator Man:
He has a [email protected] 62" palmer takedown. He draws 30.5    His arrows are obviously full length for a draw like that I would assume.  His total arrow weight is just under 500 grain.  He has used this setup or one very very similar on every one of the animal's he killed in the super slam. I emailed him the other day to see if he would be kind enough to tell me what his speeds are like through a chrony but no reply as of yet.

I used to shoot a Palmer that was 57# @ 32". With a 500-grain arrow, I was getting right around 200 fps. If I had to guess, I'd say Fred is probably shooting between 190 and 200 fps with his setup.

[barkrider]

I would agree Fred's show is the only one I consider watching on the hunting network anymore
It's one of the few non horn porn shows

cheers on mad skills

[wv lungbuster]

Fred Eichler who is he I thougt he was a compound shooter.