Post by: PNW1 on March 20, 2022, 09:42:13 PM
I went on my first deer hunt last year on the last weekend of modern. I’m planning to get a bow and start practicing here soon. Since I am brand new and haven’t formed any bad habitats/made any mistakes…I want to hear from the experienced, what things you would have done differently when you started. - Shooting form, things to buy, things not to buy, etc.
Also - I’m a simple guy and don’t need the fanciest compound bow with all the bells and whistles…so what’s the best value bow out there that won’t leave me feeling like I need an upgrade the following year.
Thanks in advance!
Post by: huntnnw on March 21, 2022, 06:04:14 AM
Post by: Iveexcaped3 on March 21, 2022, 07:06:26 AM
“If you have it you need to master it, if you don’t have it you better learn it quickly and learn to master it, it is called patience.” That’s be best advice I could give you.
Post by: carlyoungs on March 21, 2022, 08:15:55 AM
I'm sure you have read it several times but practice and more practice. Shoot 20 - 30 arrows a day and you will be surprised how accurate you can get. If you are shooting bad one day and are all over the place on the target just stop for the day and start fresh the next day. Also the aim small miss small slogan is really accurate. One day I switched it up and placed an apple propped up in front of my target. I was surprisingly accurate even at long distances hitting an apple.
The last thing that helped me is to try and shoot with someone every once in a while who is a lot better than you are. You can pick their brain and they can teach you little tweaks that will help you improve your shooting.
Post by: 92xj on March 21, 2022, 08:27:07 AM
Figured out how to beat it.
I’d suggest using a back tension style release.
When you tell yourself and maybe others that you don’t have target panic, that is when you do. Accept it and beat the mental game. It’s fun and frustrating.
Back tension releases do wonders for shooters.
Post by: PNW1 on March 21, 2022, 11:36:23 PM
Post by: KFhunter on March 22, 2022, 07:13:31 AM
Target panic comes at heavier weights, like flinch with magnum rifles
Post by: Wolfdog2314 on March 22, 2022, 07:27:59 AM
I chased myself over and over when I first taught myself to shoot a bow. I was so excited to shoot beyond 20 and get my pins set up, so I did. And I would shoot great for the session.
The very next day id go to shoot and my “site was way off”. So I’d adjust my pins to be accurate again.
Little did I know I was adjusting to my ever changing anchor point.
Find a comfortable anchor point that works for you. Everyone is a little different. String to nose and corner of the mouth. My first knuckle rests where the lobe of my ear attaches to my head. However it is for you, do it the same every time.
Post by: elkchaser54 on April 17, 2022, 05:52:12 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on April 17, 2022, 06:37:35 PM
Post by: h20hunter on April 17, 2022, 07:04:32 PM
Go slow
Then go slower.
Imo focus on the last hour of light. Put yourself in a doe legal area. Go slower still.
Listen then go slower.
Badda Bing there she is. Draw, breathe, release....whoosh thwack hit. Stop. Assess, wait then wait some more. Track.
Post by: NorseNW on April 17, 2022, 07:15:39 PM
Good to hear you don't need the newest bow and all the bells and whistles. I chased that for the first five years I got back into archery. As was already mentioned most bows are more accurate than I am. That didn't stop me from trying to buy my way into accuracy for a few years.
Get the basics down and practice them. Enjoy the journey.
Post by: pianoman9701 on April 18, 2022, 07:24:08 AM
When I first started shooting a bow I took lessons at my local archery shop. I think I did 5 or 6 of them. It is a little bit of money up front but tought me a lot right at the beginning. I didn't start with any bad habits and that is a big plus.
I'm sure you have read it several times but practice and more practice. Shoot 20 - 30 arrows a day and you will be surprised how accurate you can get. If you are shooting bad one day and are all over the place on the target just stop for the day and start fresh the next day. Also the aim small miss small slogan is really accurate. One day I switched it up and placed an apple propped up in front of my target. I was surprisingly accurate even at long distances hitting an apple.
The last thing that helped me is to try and shoot with someone every once in a while who is a lot better than you are. You can pick their brain and they can teach you little tweaks that will help you improve your shooting.
All great advice, especially the proshop and lessons. Form and strength (which maintains form) can be established by a good teacher. I highly recommend Archery World.
Post by: MIKEXRAY on April 18, 2022, 08:21:28 AM
Post by: haus on July 23, 2022, 04:58:43 AM
Post by: highside74 on July 23, 2022, 05:50:54 AM
Post by: GWP on July 23, 2022, 06:57:58 AM
Since so much has been covered well here I will toss this out there.
I switched from a 'facial anchor point' to an 'Anchor Point' sight, and never regretted it. Once you set it, you glance up at it and verify the bow is in the proper position, so 'out of position' shots were much easier to do accurately. It works like a peep sight basically, except you do not look through it, and it is not attached to the string.
There are MANY good used compounds and bows in general out there. I would suggest hitting some shops to check for used bows. Most 'should' have a range on site and will let you shoot to try it out.
Keep your shooting range short until you get a bunch of shooting under your belt. Get good arrows. I had 'play' arrows, that were cheaper for 'plinking', and hunting arrows that were high quality.
Try using fingers, even on a compound, depending on the length. While a release can be nice, there were times I did not like having more crap to deal with, and preferred fingers. There are rubbers you can put on the string to make it roll off easier, and eliminate using a shooting glove.
If you use the same arrow for both hunting and target/practice, get field points that are the same weight as the broadheads to practice with, then switch and shoot a few broadheads to verify the accuracy stays the same before you hit the field.
Get as big a target as you can afford, and comfortably store/get it out to shoot.
There will ALWAYS be someone that insists you need a 'high power' bow. Ignore them. Shoot what you are accurate, comfortable with and enjoy shooting. That in itself will make you want to get it out more.
Have fun!
Addendum:
Try bowfishing if you get a chance. It is, addictive. Different animal than regular bow shooting, but crazy fun.
Post by: buckfvr on July 23, 2022, 08:51:21 AM
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on July 23, 2022, 10:44:13 AM
It was happening at the time of release and before the arrow had completely cleared the bow at times, which would send the arrow low, very low depending on target distance.
I had to force myself to remain frozen in the shooting position after release and until the arrow hit, and it was struggle to overcome the habit I had formed.
Post by: fishngamereaper on July 23, 2022, 12:57:43 PM
As for habit's...
Anchor point consistentancy and breathing.
Post by: Caveman123 on July 23, 2022, 06:43:05 PM