new guy questions.

[illianabowhntr67]

Welcome.Stay at it.When I started I knew nothing and still don't know alot.I was lucky to meet a fellow tradgang member in my town who has been invaluable in my learning curve.I have a couple of Brian Sorrels books and some shooting videos pm me if I can help. Jeff

[joe ashton]

[fmscan]

Dave, Welcome, I'm 64 and feel like a newbie compared to the guys on this site. I wish I had discovered this site yrs ago. You have a bright future and Traditional can become a way of life. The shooters forum is excellent and just remember when you threw a baseball to first, or shot a jumper in basketball, you only used the skill and instincts you learned thur practice. Enjoy the ride and don't be impatient... remember its the journey not the destination...

[JSMOFFITT03]

Originally posted by ordcorpdw:
Wow I have never had a more warm welcome on a forum.

Welcome (this is my first welcome),  Im new to the sight and Trad as well.  I felt the same about the out pouring of support from the other members on this site...  

Truely feel welcomed when you post and dont worry,  your not the only one posting newbie questions....  

[Jim Wright]

The suggestion to get Byron Ferguson's book is a good one and I like Anthony Camera's "Shooting The Stickbow" even more, it is a goldmine of information on all things archery for a new shooter and especially on shooting form and technique. In addition, Tony has that rare ability to convey somewhat technical information via the written word in an easy to understand manner.

[maineac]

Also, don't feel bad about starting close, as has been advised already.  10 yards or even less, focus on the spot and adjust to hit it.  Your brain is an amazing tool and will be able to make adjustments.  Start to back up when your arrows are all together.  Move back a little at a time, 5 yards max.  Also go over to the shooting forum on this site. Look at Terry's form clock.  Make sure your form is proper and your anchor (where you place your fingers against your face)is consitent.  Moebow has a great youtube video posted over there as well.    Enjoy the journey and welcome.

[ordcorpdw]

Awesome stuff! And thanks Keefer!

[George Vernon]

Developing a shooting style for traditional equipment can be like going for a buffet meal.  There are many good resources and all are worth trying.  Give each approach you try a fair chance and, after a while, you may find your own style beginning to emerge with bits and pieces from various resources.  At least half the fun of this sport is the ongoing experimentation with equipment and shooting styles.

[Keefer]

Dave,
  I just took the Rick Welch D.V.D. to the post office thismorning and sent it...Sorry I didn't get there earlier this week for ya but this is just one man's shooting technique and like others have told ya just start close and work your way back...If you have a local traditional archery club you might consider joining and see if they have a library of books/videos that members can sign out and return when done...Enjoy the D.V.D and if you see anyone else that wants to shoot traditional and you are done with it then please send it on....God Bless, Keefer's <><

[Huntschool]

On your own... put up a 1" dot in the middle of your target.  Step back 20 ft. Now concentrate on the spot, in fact the middle of the spot. Draw smoothly to anchor and perhaps hesitate for a micro sec and release as smoothly as you can...
Repeat 1000 times... Not to sound to Zen, but "allow your mind to let it happen"... LOL..  Then back up 4 steps..repeat.  You will be amazed....

Welcome to the site..

[Swinestalker]

Welcome to the site. I Switched to traditional from compounds about a year ago. You have already recieved lots of good advice from folks far more learned than me, however, I can tell you my biggest mistake was starting with too much weight. I started with a 45 pound bow, however, after advice from the previously mentioned Mr. Carmera, I bought a 35 pound bow to learn the basics with and it made a huge difference in my progression.

[Huntschool]

I should have added to my earlier post that the draw and release all take place in a smooth motion while you "burn a hole" in the center of the spot.  This is fluid, kinda like pouring water from one glass into another or for us older guys making a "Slinky" go back and forth from hand to hand without loohing at it....

The minds eye will see it... the conscious eye tends to look at the whole target....

[ordcorpdw]

Good video. the guy makes it soumd so simple and when im done im all about passing it on. I realizee what I was doing when I was aiming rather than practicing instinctive. Iam left eye dominant which isnt bad when shooting a handgun righthanded. aiming a right handed bow I noticed without even thinking about what I was doing , I closed my right eye. No wonder I couldnt aim the thing. Guess I better get good at instinctive. thanks for the advice guys.

[archery j]

Welcome! I am new to trad equipment after 20 years of compound shooting and I am having a blast. There are some great guys here with tons of experience and great advice. I would offer this, keep in mind I have been shooting trad for all of 2 months so take it for what it's worth.

*Get a bow that you can draw comfortably
*Find a comfortable and consistent anchor and hit the anchor on every shot
*Get your nock point set and arrow spine, tip weight somewhere "close" to where it should be... If not you will spray arrows all over the place...
*Now for aiming... Again I am not the expert... Make yourself pick a spot and focus... This sounds easy but its not... This has really been tough for me, at first I was focusing on a general area and not a spot. "Focus on a spot, a small spot"
*After somewhat tuning my bow, finding a consistent anchor, really focusing on a spot and pulling through my shot, I am actually getting respectable and enjoying myself... There is certainly more to trad than I have mentioned, however this has helped me consistently hit the target with fairly decent groups for my short time with trad equipment... Good Luck!

[paoloi]

I try shooting instinctively, but it takes alot of practice. As you move out your brain has to learn that distance, just keep shooting. Don't say "I was low" and then lift your bow. Just keep your focus on what you want to hit. You might want to check out a Rick Welch dvd, I found it helpful. Having said that, I know that Ron LaClare has said that he uses different methods of aiming at different distances, and you don't get much better than Ron. I find it hard to shoot instinctive when you pass your point of aim (that is if you were gap shooting, the distance when the tip of your arrow would be on what you wanted to hit). For me that's around 30 yards, then your arrow and rest start obscuring your target.

[LimBender]

Another good book, that is less on shooting and more on history, terminology, equipment, tuning, basics, and general info is T J Conrad's Bowhunter's Handbook.

[scout1]

Welcome to TG. I too am from Arizona. Don't know your living situation but if you are able set up a few bales of straw with a carpet or rubber backing where you live. It will make practice much easier to do.
I second the opinion on picking up G.Fred Asbell's books on instinctive shooting. Don't be afraid to practive close moving back as you get better. I shot my last bull elk at 8 steps with a Asbell era Bighorn recurve.

[Buckwheaties]

I second TJ Conrads book.. Good info in there.. You must realize that to shoot a Trad Bow well there is a lot of practice required, and I mean a lot.. Most of the guys on here love the practice and the fine tuning of ones form. You just can't pick your bow up a few weeks before season and expect to hit anything.. I shoot all year long, most every day..and work on my form every day too.. That said, it's a great ride..Most guys (and girls)(the PC-ness coming out in me)on this site and Trad shooters in general are good guys with good values, and want to help..Welcome and stick with it and you will get better, although sometimes it doesn't seem like it..Oh, the advice on NOT OVER BOWING YOURSELF is prime..