Tips for a new bow hunter

[Special T]

As a fellow new archer, I have a question. Where do most of you practice? I tried going to a local range, but going multiple times in one month gets expensive quick.

Also to contribute to the tips, I have found Nuts and Bolts Archery to be really helpful reading material (PDF in first post)

http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1399457

When your first starting shooting at 10 yards everyday for a doz or 2 arrows is great. You don't need to shoot at long distances when you first start short distances are better for 2 reasons. You  need to develop the smaller muscles in your back and shoulder. Add that to the fact that you are trying to find a comfortable consistent anchor point. Small changes have big impact changes. There are lots of great practice drills including shooting with you eyes closed that can be done at short distances. When i first started I shot a big bag target in my basement at 8 yards.  I know lots of people that bought a BIG bag target and screwed a couple pices of 3/4" plywood the back of thier garage and shot 2 doz arrows each day inside thier garage.

[Muleyman27]

Thanks for all the tips I will be trying all of them. Does anyone know of a good bow shop around the tri cities where I could get work done and shooting tips.? I am having trouble finding my anchor point I think I need to lengthen my draw length because when I pull back I have to bring my face forward to the string to aim and it feels like my pulling arm needs to go back more!

[Redbeard]

Yes your draw is too short.  String to nose is correct, not nose to string.

[RadSav]

Depends on where your hips are and how open your shoulders are to the target when you try to reach anchor.  But likely Redbeard is right in that you are too short. 

In Tri-Cities you might try Kennewick Ranch and Home.  Or drive to Walla Walla and see Steve's Archery.  I'm sure there are others, but those are the two I know have been good in the past.

[Muleyman27]

Depends on where your hips are and how open your shoulders are to the target when you try to reach anchor.  But likely Redbeard is right in that you are too short. 

In Tri-Cities you might try Kennewick Ranch and Home.  Or drive to Walla Walla and see Steve's Archery.  I'm sure there are others, but those are the two I know have been good in the past.

Yea I got my bow at kennewick ranch and home I'm going to attempt to change my draw length myself tonight. Doesn't look too hard. I measured my draw length and it came out to 30.4 and my bow is set at 30" my bow only goes to 30.5" so I hope it works out good

[bowtechian]

The carbon knight is a short ata bow if your a bit taller you may not touch the string, most ppl have a dl that is too long not too short post up a pic @ draw & have your form picked apart 

[Muleyman27]

is my form wrong? take it easy on me

[Special T]

The best way ive heard to "grip" you bow is to pretend your holding a baby chick by the head/neck with your pointer and thumb forming a circle so that the head doesnt slip through and you dont choke the thing to death.

[RadSav]

I see a lot of good things there Muleyman! 

Hard to tell about draw length with that jacket on and shooting so steep down hill.  Does look like you have some tension in your draw arm/forearm, tension in the bow hand and some weight forward.  But, from those pictures I can not tell for sure if it is the angle, the draw length or a combination of factors.  Definitely nothing that jumps out and screams, "Stop Everything!!!"  Just a few minor adjustments and you would be in pro form

I am assuming you are not using the sling just to show the arm and hand better for pictures   That is a good idea!  I have to remember that when I ask guys to send me pictures in the future.  Shows a bit too deep of grip and a little too much tension.  It seems odd, but the muscles in both the draw arm and the bow arm should be relaxed when shooting.  That means the hands and wrist too!  We can lock the shoulders and use back tension consistently, but we can not maintain muscle tightness consistently.  It changes with the weather, physical fatigue and our particular mood on each given day and in each given situation.  We want to shoot on a rigid yet relaxed platform.  Sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it?  As odd as it sounds it can be done...the human body is an amazing thing!

I think it would be a bit premature for me to advise any further based on these pictures.  If we could see another picture or two that might go a long way.  I'd like to see a picture of you shooting at a target that is at chest to eye level.  Would also be helpful if you were shooting in a short sleeved t-shirt.  Ideally I would also like to see a picture taken from above and behind you...maybe the cameraman/camerawoman could stand in the back of the pickup and take a picture looking over your right shoulder, straight down the line of the arrow.  I'd really like to see a picture of your feet from that angle too!

If I were you I would be feeling very confident in my possibilities.  You look really good so far!  Much better than I was expecting

[coachcw]

Rav missed the Slippers ! lack of a stabile platform throws you all off ! Keep at it and relax .

[D-Rock425]

draw looks a bit long to me and that bow

[coachcw]

draw looks a bit long to me and that bow

I agree that's a quick adjustment , I like the corner of my mouth and tip of nose .

[RadSav]

Rav missed the Slippers ! lack of a stabile platform throws you all off !

I noticed that first thing.  Those are great   Good way to find your weight distribution on gravel

Draw length does look long at first glance.  Then you see what looks to be a rather bent bow arm and weight forward disproportionate to the shot angle and I'm not so sure. That was why I felt it was premature to say anything just yet.  I was much more concerned with the draw arm not being in line with the arrow.

Assuming bow arm is correct and weight is correct in distribution to the downward shot the second point of reference could be made easily by raising the peep sight.  Peep may be too low and anchor may be too high.  So if the anchor was to drop/peep raised to a point where the arm levels out draw length might very well be just right.

Elbow can be too low even when draw length is correct.  You see it a lot with new archers who are using the arm to maintain back tension and not the back.  Gripping the release too tight in fear of it slipping off can cause much the same issue.  With all the tightness in the platform all interpretations are open until we get clearer data.

Just need a few more pictures to tell the whole story.  But I am very encouraged by what I see!

[bigbeamhunter]

nice slippers practice on form put your target at 10 feet and just practice form. if you are shooting 70 pounds lower it to 60 and just practice with lower poundage. form and being repetitive will help you in the woods.

[RadSav]

Here is a bow I felt very comfortable with.  But after a day at the range knew it was not right.  After reviewing the pictures briefly and looking at the mfg specs I was sure it was too long by about a half inch.  Most single cam bows I shoot at 29".  But at first glance it seemed this one was more to my natural 28.5".

Then I started looking at multiple pictures and looking past the point where the nose met the string.  Sure both arms were in line with the arrow - should mean proper draw length.  But after review I noticed tension in the left shoulder.  Then I noticed balance was a little back of center.  Then I noticed the arrows insert was behind the plunger hole...This bow was WAY too long!!  Almost 1" too long.

The pictures also made it appear as though I was getting into the grip too heavy.  I took at least a dozen pictures and they all looked like my grip was wrong.  But, this is a Bear...  The grip is so rounded that I was into it proper.  Same grip placement on a great PSE grip and pictures look just fine.  Just an illusion and a dumb goofy grip/riser on this bow.  Nothing some Bondo and a wrap could not fix!

Instead of placing the factory mark at 28.5" I ended up setting to the factory 28" marks (a full 1" shorter than previous).  I then lengthened the D-Loop by 1/4".  Suddenly the left shoulder relaxed, my balance centered, the string contacted much less of my fat face and finding a second reference point was unnecessary as it seemed to find me!  The right forearm still stayed level with the arrow.  My anchor still remained familiar.  But those 80 yard groups immediately shrunk by half.

Some times it takes a good bit more than just a glimpse of a single picture to really analyze everything.  Even after all these years I still screw the pooch on my own bows and make assumptions without all the data.