New Convert Here!

[Dbax129]

So I was given a bow for my birthday, and after much deliberation, decided to hunt archery elk. I waited until the last day of special permits to apply.
Kicker is, until today, I hadnt even shot it! I had actually never even shot a bow. In light of only having 3 months until archery season, I took it out today and started shooting. Within 10 shots I was getting pretty consistent at about 25 yards. Paper plates were dying every shot by the time I finished. Then I moved back to 35, and was surprised at how much difference that made! Only 2 paper plate kills per 6 shots. Crazy. All this to say I'm hooked.  Bow is an old Clearwater archery bow with cobra sights, and the guy at wholesale sports said it was at 64lb of draw. And I got 30" arrows.  340s, but I'm not really sure what that means.
Any tips would be great guys. Thanks! This is going to be awesome.

[Bean Counter]

I started about this time five years ago. Still have the same bow. I did a September elk hunt and got my one and only shot on an elk up until this point (mainly due to a lack of drawing a tag). 8x8 Rosey  I missed the shot at 47 yards.      Not sure how it happened but sufficient to say, experience counts for a lot. You need to shoot a LOT between now and Sept. I would say its better to shoot 30 arrows 6 days a week than planning for 90 arrows twice a week. That means more time getting to your range, setting up, etc. You're already trying to compress a lot of experience and need to dedicate some serious time if you want to make this happen responsibly.

[RadSav]

Any tips would be great guys. Thanks! This is going to be awesome.

My biggest tip for someone just starting out;  Just shoot lots of arrows and have fun!

After a month or so, then start thinking about things a little more to fine tune those areas that might need some work.  But for now just shoot and have as much fun as you can.  That is the only way you are going to get comfortable enough with it and know it enough to take full advantage of instruction later.

[JJD]

A relativly new bow hunter here too.
I would add to work your way into it.  No use shooting a lot of arrows to begin with and stressing muscles you have not used much before.
Just end up having to sit out a few days if ya over tax them.  If the opportunity exists, I like to shoot  1 or 2 dozen arrows twice a day. Build your muscles with time cuz ya can't shoot worth a darn if you are all stiff, sore and all bound up.

Have fun! 

[Westside88]

Make your practice count by working on good form and habits. Focus on an repeatable anchor point and release. There's a lot going on when getting ready to shoot at an animal and you want as many things as possible to feel natural. If possible have an experienced friend watch you shoot to give you tips early on. Also it's a good idea to shoot from and draw from a variety of positions while practicing

[sakoshooter]

Besides having fun at it, the best advice I could give a brand new archer is to take a short lesson at a pro shop. For as little as $25 per 1/2 hr you can learn a ton and take weeks/months off your learning curve. Don't be intimidated, make a few calls. And have a great time.

[Hilltop123]

     Lets not start bad habits!

[Stick em]

  Get to as many archery shoots that you can. You'll get plenty of tips. Also get off the flat range sometime and get on a walking course. Get some practice using a range finder, but try to guess your range and shoot first. You may only get one opportunity on a hunt, but it will be nothing like the flat range on the wet side. Good luck, welcome to the addiction.

[snarkybull]

http://www.amazon.com/Bowhunters-Accurate-Shooting-Complete-Hunter/dp/1589231473

great intro book and reference manual for beginning tuning.  helped me a ton as a DIY guy.

[darren]

Get to as many archery shoots that you can. You'll get plenty of tips. Also get off the flat range sometime and get on a walking course. Get some practice using a range finder, but try to guess your range and shoot first. You may only get one opportunity on a hunt, but it will be nothing like the flat range on the wet side. Good luck, welcome to the addiction.

Can you recommend a good walking course near Tacoma or in the Puget Sound area? Thanks.

[Stick em]

Skookum has a great to walking range divided into 4 sections. Doug puts out 3D targets every Thursday until September. They are in Puyallup on Shaw Rd. Tacoma sportsman club is off Canyon  rd. and also has a good walking range. This is a big walking range so be prepared. They have a reat variety of angles to shoot from. The other place is Cedar River Bowmen in Enumclaw. It is a member only club but they have 4 good walking ranges with elevated platforms to shoot from. Living in Tacoma makes those my top 3 recommendations.

[lamrith]

Welcome to the madness!!  I just picked up a bow last month.    I do not plan on Elk, but am thinking strongly about deer.

Like said just get out there, work on your anchor point it is your well..  Your anchor for putting shots were you want.  I will second taking that bow in to a pro shop, they will do 2 things for you, set it up properly for YOU, as well as give you tips and pointers on form etc.

TSC has a flat range that is open daily with targets from 10-50yrds or more, the walk thru course I am not sure when it is open.  I do not believe it is open every day as I am pretty sure it requires shutting down some of the gun ranges.

[RadSav]

A beginner will rarely develop bad habits in their first month of shooting.  And new shooters generally have difficulty handling the bow and understanding instruction when everything is new.  That is why I usually say to just shoot and have fun that first month.

Once you no longer struggle to draw, hold and keep the arrow on the bow then it is time to decide which direction you want to go with instruction.  You can either continue to just shoot and have fun.  You can get 40 different versions of what your issues are from the internet.  Or you can get together with an experienced instructor and one by one address form and technique.

I encourage all newcomers to become comfortable with the bow first.  You will get a lot more from the future instruction if you have developed the strength and endurance necessary to concentrate on the specific issues that require attention later.  Don't wait a year for those instructions as it is easier to develop good habits if you don't have to unlearn bad habits.  But don't rush in to a 25 point check list of frustrating instruction either.  Wait a short time until you and your body are ready.