These days there are more good tackle options open and better equipment available too bowhunters than ever before. By this, I don't mean gear that reaches out to longer ranges or that supposedly make the bow and arrow something different than it has ever been. I talking about quality. Equipment that stays in one piece, stays in tune and allows bowhunters more than ever to focus on what is most important - the actual hunting.
One of those good options is the simplest tackle-wise, the most basic styles of bows and the arrows that fit them, the longbow and recurve. They are different than the more modern compound bow in many ways. While all bowhuntin, done right, is a close range proposition, wit the longbow or recurve, effective ranges will be closer yet. They are a different challenge to shoot than the compound bow.
The compound is an excellent hunting tool in fairly controled situations, such as when hunting from a blind or stand, where shooting lanes can be pre-identified and groomed or in a set situation such as one calling, where you may be bringing an animal in with time to become set and ready for your shooting opportunity. This style of bow can be a little less handy in a still hunting or stalk to ambush situation, where tend to happen, and change fast.
It is in this dynamic circumstance that the simple longbow or recurve can really shine. Here, having the archer and his bow become truly "one" can be a real advantage. To be able to simply look and shoot with confidence opens up its own new possibilities over other effective but more complex shooting systems.
The key to a successful dynamic shooting is in the confidence. And the confidence comes from the right kind of practice and training. And the right kind of training is to take your longbow out in the woods, woods similar to what you'll be hunting in, and have fun shooting arrows. You can get down your form and the basic mechanics at close range in a back yard, but to really set sail and gain the confidence you'll need to be an effective hunter with the longbow or recurve, you really need to go and play in the woods.
To be effective, and have your most fun shooting the longbow or recurve, the bow must "disappear". Then it becomes just you, projecting the arrow downrange towards your point of focus. You look, visualize the shot, focus acutely on the tiny point that is your "mark", draw and release. But instead of a sequence of events, it is executed as one single, fluid rythmic action.
And I look forward to writing more about reaching this level of confidence, or nearly any other related topic anyone what to bring up or add.
Fire away!
