how long at anchor?

[rickmasters]

Hi, I am new to Trad bows. I have hunted with a compound and gun for about 20 years and shot many whitetails with bow and gun. I recently have been wanting to get back to fieldcraft and have always wanted a longbow. I started watching some videos and reading up and now am hooked on traditional hunting. That being said I don't know crap about longbows. I thought it would be simple but it seems very complicated. I bought a few used bows and am trying to get arrows and there is a ton of different info that the arrow guy needed to know with regard to centering of draw string etc. Anyway, sorry for going on in my first post. My question is how long should you be able to hold a longbow at anchor? I am trying to figure out what weight will be good for me to start? Thanks

[JohnnyWayne]

Welcome to the gang  

Some guys don't hold very long, me I usually hold 2-4 seconds then let go. I am sure others will chime in so welcome again and glad you found us  

[erictetterton]

yea i hold at least 2-4secs. however long it takes me to get steady and focus on my spot. welcome to the gang

[Rossco7002]

2-4 seconds for me too. If I could give you advice based on my own (bad) experience - hold at anchor from the start. I started with the 'touch and go' release and it morphed into target panic that took me years to beat.

[ThePushArchery]

I tend to shoot quickly once at anchor. My finger touches anchor and the arrow is away.

Welcome!

[jsweka]

Originally posted by rickmasters:
My question is how long should you be able to hold a longbow at anchor?

How long should you be able to hold a longbow at anchor is a lot different than how long you should hold while shooting a longbow.  I think some of the previous responses are mixing the two.

Me - I'm a touch and go type of shooter (aka snap shooter).  As soon as I hit anchor the arrow is loosed.  Now I can hold at anchor without shaking for probably 30 seconds or more.  That's with a 59# bow.  I don't know if there's any hard rule, but you'll definitely drop from what you shoot with a compound.  When I converted to traditional bows I was shooting an 85# compound and found that 55 - 60# was a comfortable weight in a traditional bow for me.

[ALwoodsman]

I also hold for two to four seconds.  In my opinion if you can't draw and hold steady for a few seconds then you need a lighter bow.

[Jake Diebolt]

I hold for 2 seconds usually, sometimes less when field shooting - but lately I've been training to hold for longer - up to ten seconds - to build up my endurance. I don't shoot my best when shooting like that, but at some point while hunting the ability to do that might come in handy.

All that said, there are some guys who barely touch anchor before the arrow is away - those are usually instinctive shooters.

[Rob W.]

Welcome from Indiana!    

I would say the answer to your ? would be long enough to get off an accurate shot. There are many variables to picking a starting wieght. Most will suggest a pretty low # to get form down first. I went from a 73# compound to a 45# recurve then to wieghts in the 60's and 50's. It took me a few years to figure out what I really like. Attending a few large trad events would have helped considerably.

Good luck on your journey!  Rob

[Terry Lightle]

No holding-just letter rip

[JamesKerr]

You need to be able to hold at full draw for atleast 10 seconds without shaking. That said almost nobody holds 10 seconds to shoot. Most guys hold under 5 seconds when shooting. My standard hold is somewhere around 3-4 seconds. However depending on how game presents itself I can hold longer or shorter time periods.

[Shot]

I used to not hold at anchor at all. About a year ago I started holding 2-4 secs, my accuracy great improved. Especially on longer distances.

[Bullfrog 1]

5 to 10 seconds. I'm very methodical.  Works best for me.

[guspup]

Pull to your anchor point and release. As mentioned in the zen of archery, it should be like a raindrop rolling off a leaf.

[legends1]

I hold 5-7

[Stumpkiller]

My mentor taught me: "draw slow release slow, draw fast release fast."

Has to do with the ryhtym of the shot.  If you're snapping at a bunny taking off you swing up and release the instant you hit anchor.  If you're facing a target bale you have more time.

And, sometimes, you're waiting for a deer to take a step and clear cover you have to hold several seconds.  Though usually trying to hold a drawn bow is MUCH worse than raising the bow and waiting to draw and take the shot at the proper time.  At least IMHO.  The thing about hunting is the situaions are varied and require adaptability.

Practice them all.

Targets and stumping I hold 1-2 seconds.

[Fastltz]

I was just talking/teaching my 9 year old cousin about that today. I believe you should be able to hold it for a 10 count just in case but for a shot a 2-4 count. My cousin was snap shooting and missing horrible so i made him do a 2 count and he greatly improved. My last shot of every practice is a looong hold to practice that and to build strength. Just me. Good luck and welcome to the gang!

[fujimo]

google "Rick Welch"
his style of vshooting has done more than anything else to help my archery.

[sheephunter]

The "Masters of the Barebow" DVD set helped my shooting out considerably, I would recommend that to get a good idea about the different styles and techniques. For me it is a solid two point anchor and hold until I feel settled and confident, which is usually a few seconds or longer at anchor.
In regards to draw weight to start at that is a tough question that only you can answer. But whatever bow you can get correct form with during long shooting sessions to start is the best (which is usually lighter) and then work up once form is down. 40# is probably a good starting point.
Good luck and welcome!

[coaster500]

I shoot bows that I can hold as little a two seconds or as long as necessary for an animal to clear for a shot. I shoot 45 to 50 pound bows and find that they are more than powerful enough for all the animals I have taken. If I shot any heavier equipment I could not do this.