Why did I get into this

[jnordwell]

Pro shop will help a ton. With saying that I can shoot thru paper with all sorts of grips and get a different hole each time. I quit worrying over bullet holes.. shoot and get it close. Broadhead tune is way more important unless your shooting target only. Shoot a lot and then more.. it’s all on muscle memory. Hit 3D shoots they are fun and you might meet a new hunting partner.. enjoy the ride.. you will love soon enough.. PM if you want to b.s.

[luckyman]

Most of the time it seems to be grip and follow through that causes bad results. Draw length not set right.
Spine being too far off will have you going in circles to.
Like others have said a good shop or at least shoot with someone who been through the learning process.
3D shoots are a great.

[bracer40]

Finding the right arrows? Rocket science and everyone's got a different opinion. Same with broadheads.
Setting up a compound bow? Rocket science and everyone's got a different opinion. Hours upon hours and I still can't get a bullet-hole on paper. Arrow is traveling all over the place. Videos, guides, nothing's working.

The good news is that at this rate I'll be able to take an ethical shot at an animal in about 3-4 years.

Where do you live?


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University Place. I went to Great Northwest Archery a couple times but they didn't look at my bow either time. I thought that paper tuning would be easy. 40 sheets of paper later...

Call Denton at Rock Creek Archery in Enumclaw. Let him know what you're challenged with and ask for good time to bring it in. This is an ideal time of year to do this sort of work. I drive down from n Seattle for all my bowwork. I've read of guys driving over from the other side of the mountains as well.
He does great work and is tenacious in making sure his customers are set up. You could also schedule some basic shooting lessons there as he has a 20 yd indoor range. Recommend an appointment for that (after basic bow setup/tunings complete)
One of the benefits of getting your bow tuned in person is you can learn a lot about arrow flight, how setup changes affect point of impact, etc..as long as one asks the questions.
One of my favorite types of questions to pose when I'm with someone who's more knowledgeable is..."help me understand....or why this or how......"
Good luck!

[ljsommer]

I've got to say, I am touched and heartened by the many really nice comments and offers to help. I only have a few items on my bucket list. One of them was having a kid (success: born in September!) and another one is hunting a bull elk with archery. These are very early steps towards that goal.

Thanks again for the suggestions and I may be reaching out to some of you who have offered help.

[Iamyourhuckleberry]

Ljsommer, if I lived closer, I would be there to help. I started bow hunting back in '84 when rifle hunting failed to challenge me. I'd shoot both my deer and elk within a day's time...the season was over and I was sitting at home instead of hunting. That said, it took me four years of "trial and error" with archery gear before I successfully arrowed an elk. Now 33 years later, I have never looked back. Bow hunting is the blood which courses through my veins. I actually have used my bow to see and travel the world.

I love your goal approach. By the way, congrats on the new family member. Establishing goals is important in so many ways. The goals led to plans, saving for the plans, and then executing the plan. Do your best to keep things real, keep trying, keep learning, and be patient-no expectations. It is amazing how, all of a sudden, everything seems to come together. little steps start turning into giant leaps and bounds if you stay with it! trust me. seek and you will find...

[theleo]

You're probably just trying to bite off more than you can chew for just starting out. Get to a pro shop so they can get you lined out and just shoot field points for the time being. Start worrying about broadhead flight around May. By then, if you're consistent about practicing, you should be a consistent enough shooter that getting that last bit dialed in without any problems should be easy.

The thing with broadheads and arrows is there's dozens of both that work, just the archery community likes squabbling over which is the better mouse trap. Have the pro shop set you up the first year, then once you've got some real world experience, start modifying your setup.   

[ljsommer]

Well I'd love to get out into the woods next Wednesday but between my newly thrown-out back and my archery equipment challenges I think it's likely I'll be missing this season. I am still gonna try to get to a pro-shop tomorrow.

[eastsidemallard74]

My noks slid, and that threw it all out of whack.

[pianoman9701]

Pro shop, even get a couple of lessons. 

[NOCK NOCK]

As far as gear goes, don’t get all caught up in the this is the best, arrow, broadhead, bow, sight, rest, etc. mind set. It all works, some are just more expensive. Some will argue this, and to an extent it may be true, but remember folks kill critters with the cheap stuff too (self included) and shoot a good buck every year with cheap Cabelas arrows.

[ljsommer]

As far as gear goes, don’t get all caught up in the this is the best, arrow, broadhead, bow, sight, rest, etc. mind set. It all works, some are just more expensive. Some will argue this, and to an extent it may be true, but remember folks kill critters with the cheap stuff too (self included) and shoot a good buck every year with cheap Cabelas arrows.

Yeah at this point I just want to know that my bow is shooting correctly. I practice my form often and I am not looking for perfection. As long as I can shoot 20 yards accurately I feel good about going into the woods. I don't expect a kill for years, but I want to at least start participating and practicing.
I just need one bull before I die. That's all.

[ljsommer]

Does anyone have recommendations for bowshops on the south end *other* than Great Northwest Archery? Sean's amazing but I've asked 3 separate times to have my bow configured correctly and each time I am just sold a piece of equipment.
This sport is confusing as hell with a million variables and I need to be able to have someone properly setup my bow so that I can go practice and work on my form. Not adjusting my rest. Not adjusting my sight. I'm going through enough arrows to pay a months mortgage.

[scotsman]

Not being a wise guy here, but have you considered a traditional bow? One string, a bow needing minimal adjustments (nock height, brace height, easy to match arrows, no sights - just hand / eye coordination and muscle memory) Ah, simplicity. If you are serious about keeping your lethal range 20 yards and closer your instincts will get you there very quickly. They work.... people have been feeding their families and discouraging enemies with stickbows roughly  5000 years before compounds were invented. And this is the most natural way to get kids involved too.

[ljsommer]

Not being a wise guy here, but have you considered a traditional bow? One string, a bow needing minimal adjustments (nock height, brace height, easy to match arrows, no sights - just hand / eye coordination and muscle memory) Ah, simplicity. If you are serious about keeping your lethal range 20 yards and closer your instincts will get you there very quickly. They work.... people have been feeding their families and discouraging enemies with stickbows roughly  5000 years before compounds were invented. And this is the most natural way to get kids involved too.

I haven't but I may be soon. I am so discouraged with compound bows and bowhunting in general. I've been straight up told not to even bother trying, and that I am looking at a decade before I get a shot at an animal. I got into this sport with the idea of putting my own meat on the table, for moral reasons, but at this point I feel like I might as well just light my money on fire and continue buying farmed me at the store.

[scotsman]

Where are you located? I’m in Gig Harbor and have plenty of equipment and time. Be glad to show you options and a lesson or two.