Trad help

[Snapshot]

I suggest you contact the Wash-Ida Bowmen in the Medical Lake area. They consist of died-in-the-wool stickbow shooters (as are some here, of course), and have an occasional get together that would pay great dividends to someone new to traditional archery.

And you may as well plan on attending the Sun Basin Traditional 3-D near Moses Lake in April...

I am curious about the length of your old arrows: if you shot a compound with a release in an open stance, I would think that closing your stance and shooting with your fingers would shorten your draw length. Would someone who has shot both types of bows please weigh in on this?

[Whitpirate]

Just finished reading Ch 2 of "Hunting the Hard Way" to my 3 boys ages 10, 12 and 14 tonight. It's the one where he took a 185 yrs shot at the bull elk!  Ya, exciting stories albeit unethical shots for sure.  Just got long 3 bamboo backed longbow build kits for my boys from Tom Turgeon at Boise Bows and Arrows.  Only been shooting compound for the last 4 years, but excited to move into traditional with my boys.

I got a couple bamboo backed bows from Jay St. Charles... my 6 year old and I are going to learn to shoot together (I haven't shot trad since Boy Scouts).  I've got my eye on Jay's take-down recurve in a 55-65..... but I'm gonna make it myself in one of his 3 day classes in Fall City.

[BK]

WalMart usually has CarbonTech arrows for around $3.00 each, about the cheapest way to go starting out. You might want to start with a bow in the 30-35# range, If you're not fighting the bow your progression through the learning curve will be much faster. If you can find a knowledgeable coach to show you proper form, USE him, or her.

[NWWABOWHNTR]

I suggest you contact the Wash-Ida Bowmen in the Medical Lake area. They consist of died-in-the-wool stickbow shooters (as are some here, of course), and have an occasional get together that would pay great dividends to someone new to traditional archery.

And you may as well plan on attending the Sun Basin Traditional 3-D near Moses Lake in April...

I am curious about the length of your old arrows: if you shot a compound with a release in an open stance, I would think that closing your stance and shooting with your fingers would shorten your draw length. Would someone who has shot both types of bows please weigh in on this?

Normally you would lsoe a bit of DL, but I actually gained an inch when I switched.  I know my form got better and the loss of the D-loop and release may have added to that.  Moses Lake is the most fun shoot I have ever been to... wouldn't miss it for anything!

[quadrafire]

I just looked up the moses lake shoot. Here is the info if anyone is curious. I will have to get the family calender out and see about that.

http://www.tbwonline.org/Events%20Calendar/tbwevents.htm

I picked up some gold tip 5575's. I need to get a fletch jig and get to work tuning some up. Anybody got a used Bitz Left wing they want to get rid of let me know 

[carpsniperg2]

I run a j8 and it's been a great jig for me. 3 fletch 4 fletch and my trad 6 fletch I am sure you will like the goldtips I have shot 20+animals with them and they have always been good for me.

[NWWABOWHNTR]

Keep an eye on Archery Talk classifieds, I picked up extra clamps for my Bitz over there. 

[boneaddict]

Checking in to see if Quad has put one through his foot yet.   

[Hornseeker]

Totally missed this thread Quadra... sorry man.

You are getting good advice. Personally, I started shooting cheap carbons. Once I got decent, I started shooting expensive carbons. What weight is the bow and what is your approx. draw length? Maybe I missed it. But yeah, the 35/55's would most likely be the ticket. I shot 35/55's out of my hawk bow and it was a bout 55# and I drew 28 inches.

The best thing you can do is start flinging arrows. Stand CLOSE to your target...there is no need to back up and start breaking and losing arrows. Shoot, dont be shy about standing at 7 yards. Shoot, shoot, then shoot some more. Once it starts to feel good, then you can move back a bit and start watching how your arrows fly. They will likely be flying like crazy. Then you can start tuning some arrows to your bow.

Just remember... you need a strong, stiff bow arm... then you need to have a nice consistent anchor. As you get to a bit over half draw, realize that you need to be using your back to pull the bow, not your arm...as you get near full draw, near anchor... squeeze your shoulder blades together. Your draw arm elbow should be lined up nicely with your arrow, nice straight line from your elbow, on through your shoulders, out to your bow hand. Or reasonably straight anyhow...

When you get to full draw, take about 1 1/2 to 3 seconds taking in your sight picture and the tiny spot you are gonig to hit...then relax your fingers and pull through your string for the release... dont move anything till the arrow has struck the target....

Gotta run...I'll get with ya more if you want later.

[quadrafire]

Checking in to see if Quad has put one through his foot yet.   

Not yet, but I decided to shoot a couple before bed the other night. Pretty dark, but I could make out the target about 15 yds away.    Shot 2 arrows, saw sparks from each on the basalt rubble in the yard. Figured I had better stop at that point, before I put one through my neighbors window. LOL

[quadrafire]

Ernie that is great advice on shooting close, and I am not too proud to do it. I am a pretty good shot at 4-5 yrds. I get what you are saying about repitition. I need to work on my anchor point, and taking time to see the target.  I tend to snap shoot, and it has been working pretty well, but likely more difficult to be consistent.
I have not measured the wt, but figure it to be about mid 50's. I may be overspined with the 5575's,

Carp--- 6 feathers on an arrow? Got any pics? Do you need that for a big wide broadhead or just for the tuning?

[Hornseeker]

When you get your arrow spine set up tuned to your bow... you can get away with 3 small feathers. 3 bigger feathers or 4 smaller ones is a good way to ensure stability. Big broadhead or not. I shoot snuffers quite a bit and can shoot them great with 3 feathers at 2 inch length.

Definitely get yourself to hold at full draw for a bit. What happens is, your brain learns the sight picture...you end up being much more consistent, especially at various ranges. Your brain will subconsciously use your arrow, risers, hand, everything, as a sight... If you snap shoot you'll never really develop that and in general, it is much harder to shoot well consistently...especially past 15-20 yards. Out to 20 yards I can snap shoot and hit a vital zone every shot... try it at 30.... unless you are gifted, it wont happen. then go to 40 or 50.... Nope. There's a reason you see 99% of all top archers draw and hold.

Keep up the work!

[quadrafire]

How long can one leave a glass laminated long bow strung? any thoughts on 3 under or split finger? Geez I am having fun with this thing. Only trashed one arrow so far. Shooting in the dark after a "daddy drink" isn't very good for form or perfect practice. 

I was following Hornseekers advice today of using my back instead of my arms. Makes a big difference. Just takes lots of disipline.

Let met tell you---- a wheeled bow is much easier to master. (That statement should stir the pot). I had a double robinhood----- yes 3 arrows down the tube with a  PSE compound (at 30 yrds). Not that I am a sucessful hunter, but I am ready for the change to trad. My son or daughter will inhert my PSE.

[high country]

I shoot split with a tab. I can't shoot as well with a glove, and 3 under is a joke for me. Lots of debate on which is better. I just know what works for me.

[JBR]

Pianoman/Boneaddict:  Thanks guys.  I think the boys and I have enjoyed it equally well.

Sorry for the delay in responding about the bow making project, we've been...well...busy making bows.

We got the kits from Boise Bows and Arrows.  They are 72" yellowheart belly and riser, backed by bamboo.  The kit comes with the wood, glue, a flemish twist bow string, a metal string nock and instructions.  We went to my buddies house since his shop has sufficient number of clamps for the glue up.

[url
P1050856 by jbrodge, on Flickr][/url]

Here my middle son and I work on getting his pieces measured out for the glue up.  Prior to the glue up, each belly wood had to have the last 18-20" of the ends tapered down on a joiner.

Then came the glue up...


P1050872 by jbrodge, on Flickr

Set and clamp...


P1050877 by jbrodge, on Flickr

Once everything has dried and the clamps removed, the bellywood is trimmed on a bandsaw to follow the precut bamboo backing as well as trimming down the ends of the riser.


P1050853 by jbrodge, on Flickr

We brought the staves back home to our garage and began shaping them with the #50 Nicholson Rasp.   



P1050885 by jbrodge, on Flickr


P1050899 by jbrodge, on Flickr

During this time, the riser on my oldest son's stave began to come apart.  The glue that came in the kit dried quite fast and we had trouble keeping it all wet before the clamping, so we had to reglue the riser on his, using Titebond III woodglue.  After that it was fine.


DSC_0182 by jbrodge, on Flickr

The shaping with the rasp began in ernest


DSC_0166 by jbrodge, on Flickr


DSC_0165 by jbrodge, on Flickr

In the middle of our project, we drove out to meet Jay St. Charles and spent about 2-3 hrs with him inside his bow making barn.  Jay was extremely generous with his time and expertise, walking the boys through his shop and explaining the finer points of traditional archery and becoming a bowyer. 


DSC_0042 - Copy by jbrodge, on Flickr

Soon each of the boys were getting their first experience with a draw knife on a real yew billet. 



DSC_0037 - Copy by jbrodge, on Flickr


DSC_0039 - Copy by jbrodge, on Flickr

Learning about tillering from master bowyer Jay

 
DSC_0009 - Copy by jbrodge, on Flickr

Enough longbows to make us all start drooling


DSC_0002 - Copy by jbrodge, on Flickr

and finally they got the opportunity to shoot classic yew longbows for the very first time


DSC_0052 - Copy by jbrodge, on Flickr


It's been a great start into the world of traditional archery.  I'm looking to make my own take down yew long bow with Jay's assistance and have some billets that I'm looking at right now to see if they will work for it.  The boys have their bamboo backed longbows rough shaped now and we will be going back to see Jay next weekend to show him the bowstaves and observe one of his 1-day classes. 

This has kicked off several other related projects such as making our own leather arm guards by hand.  Handmade leather quivers will be next and we hope to be ready to hunt turkeys in April with our self-made longbows, if all goes well.

Here are the arm guards we made and some deer antler bottle openers the boys have been working on as well for making money to fund their growing passion for all things trad archery.


DSC_0116 by jbrodge, on Flickr