Archery Newbie

[ShirtGuy77]

Hello guys,

I have been a rifle guy for many years, and often think about trying archery.  I was given a reason this weekend to think harder about it.  My brother, who hasn't been much of an outdoor guy, went camping with me this weekend to listen to the elk their thing.  I wanted him to experience it and see what it does to him.  Well, it went much better than I would have thought.  He was bugging me to go glassing and trying to find elk, not the other way around   

He was so impressed, and enjoyed it so much, he asked me if I would archery hunt.  I have always wanted to, but given that my hunting season is in Idaho, and is a general rifle season with my other brother and our dad, I really had no reason to check into it.  I am crossing my fingers in hopes that I have brought my other brother on board, and look forward to having another hunting partner.  I couldn't be happier.

So, let the learning begin....I will be scouring these threads digging up information to get us pointed in the right direction.  And by all means, if you have any tips to help a couple of newbies out please share.  Eventhough we are both new to archery doesn't mean we are newbies to hunting and the outdoors.  Well, he is, but I have been hunting for quite a few years now.  It's just been with a rifle.

Can't wait to find out what this is all about....

[h20hunter]

I'll start off. I hunt with both, rifle and bow. Hell, I've got a slug gun as well for different areas. Each weapon offers different skill requirements, different oppurtunites, and different a differenent experierce from taking an animal. I may describe it as a bow is more intimate. Being that close is vastly different than being 150 yards out. However..I'm fascinated with the ballistics of rifle rounds and the terminal performance. I like taking my time at the range playing. Taking my bow out is more like flyfishing. Repetitive, calming, etc. Shooting 3d range targets is a lot more fun than punching paper. Punching paper at 500 yards with my AR is more fun than shooting 3d with my bow.

Maybe start in the classifieds. Find a bow for sale from a member. Buy it and bargain for some beginner lessons.

[Machias]

One of the first things is don't overdue the poundage at first until you get the mechanics of shooting down.  Get a bow with the proper draw length.  Know your limitations and no matter what game your after try and strive to never wound an animal and never shoot beyond your hunting range, which is different than your stationary target range.  Good luck and have fun!

[ShirtGuy77]

Thanks guys...Being that he is new to hunting overall, he really has a lot to learn.  But the good thing is so do I, so we can do it together.  I have hunted for years with our oldest brother and our dad, and I can't tell you what I get out of that every year, punching a tag or not.  And the thought that I may be able to bring my other brother into the fold is very exciting to me.

I take hunting very seriously, and understand the responsibilities we have as hunters, regardless of weapon we choose, to do it right and respect the animals we are hunting.  I told him if we are even thinking about hunting archery next year, the time is now to learn.  Learn not only what equipment we need, but practice, practice, practice....I love my rilfe, and really made sure I got what I wanted.  But archery appears to be much more involved.  So I look forward to that.  Being that he was really intrigued by this weekend, I want to make sure we do it the right way, and not discourage him in any way.  I am very excited that he is showing he wants to get involved, I want to capture that lightening in a bottle, sorta speak...

[pips4bucks]

Congrats on taking the first steps! 

Machias has a good point.  Some other things you may do is stop by a local archery shop for some lessons or hit up your local archery club for some shooting events.  You'll find most of the people you meet that are involved in archery are really nice people and eager to help a new person get started.

Here's a start for you to find a club or shop:  http://www.washingtonarchery.org/

[ShirtGuy77]

Thank you Pips4bucks...We'll check it out 

[uplandhunter870]

welcome to another addiction

you are correct that if you are thinking of bowhunting next season now is the time to start. i joined the archery ranks about 3 years ago and i can say that i dont think i was hunting ready until i had shot my bow for about a year on a regular basis. check out some local bow shops you can find some good used bows, sometimes only one season old. i know there are lots of guys out there that buy the newest bow every year and trade in their "old" one

pick up and shoot as many bows as you can before buying one, i shot close to 14 different bows before i found the one that "spoke" to me. you dont need to go crazy on the poundage either. everytime i go to a range i usually have to walk outside atleast once when i see someone looking like theyre having a seizure trying to pull back their 80# bow call me mean but its hilarious

[buckfvr]

Ill second the part about finding a club to hang out at, and a pro shop where they are  willing to show you stuff and answer questions, as well as give basic  lessons to get you started.

Then , remember .....dont believe anything you hear or read, and only half of what you see. 

Everyone has opinions, and  most guys think what ever they happen to be using is better than anything else.  Try and keep opinions in perspective and ultimately make your own decisions. 

When you do buy......remember, you get what you pay for.

[ShirtGuy77]

Thanks guys....We are fortunate in that we have some solid resources to steer us in the right direction.  My oldest brother has been an archery guy for around 15 years.  So I will definitely be prodding him and his hunting buddies on information.

As it turns out, I have a good buddy, and my soon to be brother in law that have been thinking of going the archery route as well.  So we could have a few of us learning together, which is always fun.  Now, I just need to get my upcoming season under my belt before I dig in too much.  Hunting non-res in Idaho for deer, elk, and possibly wolf can spread a guy thin...but it's once a year, and I wait all year for it 

Thanks again guys....

[Todd_ID]

My suggestion is to each pay for separate shooting lessons then come together and work on what you learned.  Two or three 1/2 hour lessons shouldn't be cost prohibitive, and what would be imparted by a good teacher would propel you far beyond where you'd be without them.

Proper fitting equipment is paramount to good form.  If you can't sit in a chair, lift your feet off the floor, and draw the bow straight out without extra movement, then the draw weight is too high.  Too long of a draw length will get you using the wrong muscles and throw any chance at good form out the window.

3D shoots are excellent practice for hunting.  Plus, the guys you meet are top notch.

Archery is not rocket science or witchery, but both will seem possible at times.  Once you get into it, then just keep asking questions on here.  The guys on here are good with advice.