Calling my wife's bluff

[yakimanoob]

Hey folks!

This is my first post in the stick-and-string world.  My wife and I have been backpacking/climbing/exploring together ever since we met, but I have yet to get her into the world of hunting.  She loves scouting with me and watching animals, but she's always said she didn't have any desire to shoot one "unless it was with a bow."  She's not into the modern compound bow thing, but has been talking for a year or so about how she thinks it would be really cool to hunt with a longbow. 

So, this Christmas, I'm calling her bluff.  Her new Damon Howatt Stealth longbow should arrive in the mail tomorrow 

I've got until Christmas to complete the package of necessary equipment, and compile some reading/training resources for her to dig into as she likes. 

I've shot a bow roughly 3 times in my entire life, and she's in the same place.  Help?   

[Boss .300 winmag]

Nice.

It’s not hard to learn, I got my first compound one summer years ago and that year opening weekend had my deer.👍

You’ll have to get photos of her getting it, really like to see the expression on her face.

[Yelper Guy]

I've shot a bow roughly 3 times in my entire life, and she's in the same place.

Just don't put an eye out!

[Special T]

Good for you!  I love shooting my re-curve and enjoy the Traditional only nights at Silver Arrow Bowmen in Mount Vernon.

[pianoman9701]

She should love it. 

[WapitiTalk1]

You sly dog.... nice tactic 

[CedarPants]

This sounds like some super stealthy reverse psychology.  Get her hooked, then next year tell her that you want to focus on helping her get an animal and that you really have no interest in shooting an animal unless it is with (name your weapon and brand of choice).

See if it works 

[Bobvernon2]

I recently bought my wife a bow and the first time shooting she smacked her forearm with the string (I guess women’s joints are naturally prone to pushing the forearm out)  and hasn’t picked it up since. If I had pushed her to shoot something with a lighter draw weight to get her form down right is probably be fighting her on who shoot first. So my tip is take her practicing and maybe buy an arm guard until she’s good to go!

[yakimanoob]

@CedarPants I imagine that's what's been done to me.  She's way out of my league psychologically   

And yeah I was thinking about an arm guard.  I'll be sure and pick one up as part of the package. 

[CedarPants]

@CedarPants I imagine that's what's been done to me.  She's way out of my league psychologically   

And yeah I was thinking about an arm guard.  I'll be sure and pick one up as part of the package.

 

[quadrafire]

Nice. What a great gift idea

Tons of You tube vids out there for beginning. Another great set of DVD's is Master's of the Barebow. Highly recommend them. Lots of info also at https://www.3riversarchery.com/
Skillet may be able to help you out if he still has them.

@Skillet

[Jpmiller]

I'd recommend either setting up a place to shoot in your yard or finding someplace really close by so shooting is convenient. My wife loves shooting with me and I bought her a new bow this year as well. Going out to the backyard to shoot for fifteen minutes is a blast and she shoots way more than she would if we had to drive to the local archery club and that keeps her excited about it. Good for you and good luck to your wife 

[boneaddict]

Lots of arrows.    and when she starts to shoot, shoot close.

[jdb]

I find shooting a bow very therapeutic. Even if she never hunts I'm pretty sure you'll both enjoy the time spent shooting

[jackelope]

My wife and daughter have been shooting bows off and on for a couple years. Maybe a year ago my wife declared she might be interested in shooting a turkey with her bow, then making it for Thanksgiving dinner. I was like ..... ya, ok....whatever.... and that was that. The other night we were out in the garage talking with a friend and she solidified that interest and then told me she was essentially upset with me for not taking her seriously. So.... I guess I'm taking my wife turkey hunting this spring. She even said she might be interested in shooting one with a shotgun. She did throw the disclaimer out that she might change her mind when the time actually comes for the rubber to hit the road.

We'll see where it goes from there.

[branches]

I find shooting a bow very therapeutic. Even if she never hunts I'm pretty sure you'll both enjoy the time spent shooting

My family finds this to be true also. Even if you have to shoot in the garage at 10 yards or in the house shooting the bow with the family is a great time.

[huntnfmly]

Very cool that's a great gift

[dscubame]

My wife and daughter have been shooting bows off and on for a couple years. Maybe a year ago my wife declared she might be interested in shooting a turkey with her bow, then making it for Thanksgiving dinner. I was like ..... ya, ok....whatever.... and that was that. The other night we were out in the garage talking with a friend and she solidified that interest and then told me she was essentially upset with me for not taking her seriously. So.... I guess I'm taking my wife turkey hunting this spring. She even said she might be interested in shooting one with a shotgun. She did throw the disclaimer out that she might change her mind when the time actually comes for the rubber to hit the road.

We'll see where it goes from there.

That's awesome!

[lokidog]

I think my wife prefers bow hunting over other methods, modern just happens to be more convenient sometimes for her though.

Good luck with it.   

[RadSav]

I was somebody in the hunting industry a long time ago.  Then I thought to myself, "I wish my girlfriend (now wife) would go bowhunting with me".  Now I'm the worst paid guide and hunting chauffeur ever.  Be careful what you wish for...sometimes wishes do come true!

Tip:  Order a damn good full length arm guard (or two - Long for lower / short for upper) before you give her a longbow.  Good thick leather one!  Women tend to have looser joints in the elbows than men.  And when it comes to trad bows, longbows especially, it's not "IF" they will hit their arm but "HOW OFTEN".  E.W. Bateman makes a great one that laces with our UVR tubing.  Less than $16 from 3 Rivers or Lancaster.  I like the Bateman finger gloves too!  Though most of women I have taught prefer a stiff tab more than a finger glove. 

Also, if she is full chested...a chest protector or at least a good compressing sports bra isn't such a bad idea with trad bows either.

[nwwanderer]

Have you watched Archer's Creek youtube?  Custom string might be good