tips for a beginner bowhunter

[Recurve-Elk]

Lol what I just posted was thinking you were still in the market for a bow...  

How are you liking the bow?

[wabearhunter]

it's great, lightweight, looks cool, shoots fast, lol.

[Recurve-Elk]

Nice!  Did you end up shooting cedar arrows, how do you like them? 

[wabearhunter]

no, shooting carbon arrows,. i haven't tried cedar yet, it was a matter of convenience since my dad had already bought some carbon arrows. they work good.

[Recurve-Elk]

Cool, I think thats a good choice.  Carbon is more consistent anyways.  I shoot gold tip carbons with weight tubes.

[wabearhunter]

yeah, i don't think cedar arrows last as long either and will warp in wet weather. shot about 100 arrows today, and am developing a lot better form and am more consistent with my accuracy. several times the groups i shot were so close the arrows were touching!!(from 20 feet away) the form i have developed is i face the target, move my feet 90 degrees clockwise, look where i'm aiming with both eyes open, breathe in, pull back to cheek, and release. i'm not using a release or anything just a 3 fingered glove(don't know what its called) fro some reason the string is not snapping my left arm, even when i pull it back all the way, so i don't need a guard.

[Recurve-Elk]

yeah, i don't think cedar arrows last as long either and will warp in wet weather. shot about 100 arrows today, and am developing a lot better form and am more consistent with my accuracy. several times the groups i shot were so close the arrows were touching!!(from 20 feet away) the form i have developed is i face the target, move my feet 90 degrees clockwise, look where i'm aiming with both eyes open, breathe in, pull back to cheek, and release. i'm not using a release or anything just a 3 fingered glove(don't know what its called) fro some reason the string is not snapping my left arm, even when i pull it back all the way, so i don't need a guard.

That's very similar to how I shoot.  split finger with a glove.  Man you are lucky not needing a guard.  I always have had to use one.  If I don't, I get what looks like huge mosquito bites  

[wabearhunter]

That's very similar to how I shoot.  split finger with a glove.  Man you are lucky not needing a guard.  I always have had to use one.  If I don't, I get what looks like huge mosquito bites  :rockin

haha, i guess i am i didn't even know about them but glad i don't have to use one. must be how i hold it.

[Todd_ID]

You might want to contact aneoakleaf on here.  We're doing a Bowhunter Education class July 24-25 at the Waitsburg Gun Club.  May be the only chance you get to take the class before season starts.  I can assure you that you'll be immersed in a wealth of information (probably 180 years combined experience bowhunting between the 6 instructors).  You may even be able to bum a ride to and from the class from one of the instructors coming from the Westside, since you're probably not driving quite yet.  They'd be coming through Friday and back on Sunday, if you can sweet-talk one of them into it.  However, having your parents there would be a major help in your education, because they would be absorbing the information also, and you could talk with them after the class about the topics and to help you remember what was said.  I can promise it'll be the best $15 and 2 days you'll ever spend in your bowhunting career!

Here's the link to the upcoming classes:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/huntered/classes/bowhunting.php

[Aneoakleaf]

Hi WABEARHUNTER, Todd is right about the class, It will give you a ten year jumpstart into bowhunting. Dan Martain from Martain Archery will be teaching, Smokey Crews will be teaching calling elk ,deer and preditors, There will be blood trailing, compus reading, shot placement field judging animals,tree stand safty, survival  and much more! 2 days of training!
you gota be there! Annette

[wabearhunter]

sounds good. what times will the class be?

[Todd_ID]

Plan on 8:30-4:30 Saturday and Sunday.

[wabearhunter]

thanks, but I don't think i'm going to make it. I really appreciate how you guys do it and its volunteer and everything, but i hated going through hunters ed and don't think i'll go.

[Todd_ID]

thanks, but I don't think i'm going to make it. I really appreciate how you guys do it and its volunteer and everything, but i hated going through hunters ed and don't think i'll go.

Think of this class as informative instead of required, and you may change your mind.  There's over an hour of elk calling instruction scheduled!  That's on top of blood-trailing, treestand use, range estimation, shot placement for different animals, etc.  This isn't simply boring stuff that's required.

[Recurve-Elk]

Hmm that sounds like a good idea.  Its a trek for me though I live on whidbey, so I have to take the ferry... 

Hey wabear,

One thing you might try to continue to get better, is go stump shooting.  Get an arrow that is old and beat up, hike out in the woods, and just shoot old stumps/ferns etc.  You can shoot at all different ranges, so it helps with you yard estimating or instinctive shooting.  I would recommend using a rubber blunt tip.  Less chance of breaking your arrow, and easier removal.