Post by: zackmioli on December 07, 2010, 03:55:05 AM
So if you are willing to share anything I would love to hear it and I would really appreciate it. Oh and I will be able to set up a shooting area at my grandfathers house so Ill be able to get lots of practice.
Thanks!
Post by: DBZona on December 07, 2010, 04:35:23 AM
Other things I have learned this week: Set your poundage to a weight you can comfortably and quietly pull back without making noise, Have a decent sight (when in a blind it gets darker quicker than outside need to be able to see. I reccommend the tru glo 5 pin progressive sight. Love that thing.), Don't use a whisker bisquit (I have drawn back on 5 bucks this week, and 3 of them heard me pull back as my arrow slid across my whisker bisquit. A good quiet fall away should do just fine.), and lastly, be patient and don't give up. (an hour before I shot my buck yesterday I had another nice buck at 20 yards, pulled back, placed my pin perfectly, and let fly. I have never seen a buck drop so fast so quickly. I dropped just enough for me to see my arrow fly right over his back. Told myself I was done with this crap and thought about leaving. Good thing I stayed.) So be Patient! This is a very rewarding sport!
Post by: D-Rock425 on December 07, 2010, 05:41:47 AM
Post by: 724wd on December 07, 2010, 12:51:39 PM
oh, and as for fit, make SURE to get fitted to the bow! too long or too short draw length will give you hell.
i'm hunting with a 60lb Martin MOAB. walla walla made bow, great customer service, good shooting bow! i like my tru-glo 5 pin and QAD drop away. I'm a bit backwards from most guys, as i still shoot aluminums. i like the idea of never worrying about an arrow splintering and gigging my hand! :yike: they're heavy, but fly nice and slide right through a deer!
enjoy the sport! it's a blast!
heath
Post by: lilswab on December 07, 2010, 01:37:16 PM
Good luck. In my opinion every bow should have LimbSaver vibration equipment. I shot a loud and slow Alpine for a few years and even managed to take an elk with it. It shot great and I had LimbSavers on the limbs with a modular stabilizer, they were key in helping me shoot and taking my first archery kill. Don't take my word for it...go try them at your nearest pro-shop.
my first elk, bow. Only a $200 bow!
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi127.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp125%2Flilswab%2FCowElk025.jpg&hash=1c3ab526c11791850211033ff40799542f34094d)
Post by: zackmioli on December 07, 2010, 02:07:50 PM
what are some good archery stores in western washington? rainier archery?
Post by: Angus on December 07, 2010, 05:01:28 PM
I'm a bit backwards from most guys, as i still shoot aluminums. i like the idea of never worrying about an arrow splintering and gigging my hand! :yike:
Though I've heard of this happening, between myself and 7 bow shooting friends who have thousands of shots with carbon arrows under our belts, none have had anything remotely close to this happen. If I'm going to worry about something like that, I might as well stay home so I don't get in a car wreck on the way, which is alot more likely to happen, IMO!
Rainier Archery is an OK store, I've been to 4 or 5 shops in western Wa. and like a couple others better. XXX Archery across the bridge in Rainier Or. is a good store and I also really liked the archery store I bought my 1st bow from between Burien and Des Moines, can't remember the name but they were very helpful to someone new to archery, didn't have the arrogant attitude some stores seem to have when dealing with new customers to the sport. :twocents:
Post by: danrabe on December 07, 2010, 05:14:36 PM
I'm a bit backwards from most guys, as i still shoot aluminums. i like the idea of never worrying about an arrow splintering and gigging my hand!
I shoot Easton Full Metal Jackets, I get the best of both worlds, the straightness and flexibility of carbon, but the slickness of carbon and not having to worry about splintering. Sure, you pay for them, and they are heavy....but the weight helps to slow down the arrow out of my X-Force.
Post by: ThunderChicken66 on December 07, 2010, 10:24:35 PM
Good hunting.
TC66
Post by: sdwwaverider on December 08, 2010, 01:28:46 PM
Post by: 724wd on December 08, 2010, 04:10:04 PM
Though I've heard of this happening, between myself and 7 bow shooting friends who have thousands of shots with carbon arrows under our belts, none have had anything remotely close to this happen.
of course you're correct... i've never seen it happen in person, but carbons just kinda leave a bad taste in my mouth. plus, XX75's are cheap! :P
Post by: bak2huntn on December 08, 2010, 09:07:12 PM
Post by: 724wd on December 08, 2010, 09:23:07 PM
Post by: carver52 on December 08, 2010, 09:28:06 PM
You may want to try a longbow or recurve also. They have a long pedigree in the sport. Howard Hill, Fred Bear, Ben Pearson, Byrun Ferguson.
Just a thought.
Post by: DBZona on December 09, 2010, 07:49:53 AM
DB they realy heard you draw thru the wisker biscuit?
Ya. Couldn't freakin believe it. Been shooting it for 4 years now and this is the first time I actually had a deer bust from pulling back. Not sure why, but it was kind of a scraping noise, real light, but enough to scare the hell out of a deer at 20 yards. Getting a new bow this spring and will not be shooting a whisker biscuit on the new one.
Post by: NWWABOWHNTR on December 09, 2010, 08:05:15 AM
Post by: Huntboy on December 09, 2010, 08:21:55 AM
Post by: McCascades on December 09, 2010, 08:34:12 AM
Good Luck. Archery hunting is a blast.
Post by: seansfire on December 09, 2010, 10:12:52 AM
If you are looking for good shops there is Kitsap Archery out in Belfair. A guy named Charlie owns the place and i willing to share his knowledge with you. Also in fife is Sportco.
Shop Ebay for arrows and accessories as they are way cheaper than the stores but stay away from online bows unless they are new in the box as you never know how a used bow has been treated. Also i just got a good Buckmaster target block from Wal-Mart for about $40.00. Good luck and i hope you enjoy the sport.
Post by: zackmioli on December 09, 2010, 02:34:57 PM
Post by: elkbuster on December 23, 2010, 09:12:35 AM
Post by: bow4elk on December 23, 2010, 09:22:41 AM
Hey guys, I have always rifle hunted but after going to Montana this fall to call for my cousin who was bow hunting elk I am pretty sold on giving it a try. I am hoping to get a bow for christmas, if that doesnt happen I will be purchasing one shortly after the holidays are over. I am just looking for any kind of tips and advice, brand of bow, draw weight, arrows, different gear I might need, new strategies I might need to be aware of, etc.
So if you are willing to share anything I would love to hear it and I would really appreciate it. Oh and I will be able to set up a shooting area at my grandfathers house so Ill be able to get lots of practice.
Thanks!
If you want to come over sometime I'd be happy to spend some time with you on shooting form, shot routine, bow set up, etc. I can get you going on elk vocalizations at the same time. No charge or anything, just glad to help you get started right.
Post by: throttlejocky20 on December 23, 2010, 11:01:30 PM
Post by: stickslinger on December 24, 2010, 08:20:35 AM
Post by: elkslayer99 on December 25, 2010, 04:12:23 PM
Scott
Post by: gjbruny on December 25, 2010, 11:28:30 PM
like i said before, the bow is not nearly as important as learning how to get within bow range of game. it is amazing how many guys i know and have met over the years that have the latest and greatest equipment, spend every second of free time at the range (and some are phenominal shots) but very rarely put game on the ground, let alone mature animals. scouting and learning about your quary is the key.... spend 90% of your time scouting and 10% shooting your bow and you will be deadly.
Post by: bow4elk on December 25, 2010, 11:36:03 PM
too many guys get caught up on the bow itself. when bowhunting and learning to bowhunt, the bow itself is the least of your worries........... but......... don't get hung up on speed. just about any 50lb@28" compound on the planet these days will blow through critters with absolutely no problem. heck, i blew clear through a big wisconsin buck this year (2 ribs total) and as the arrow came out, it filleted the off side rear leg between the knee and hock before the broadhead burried into a fallen branch. the buck i killed here got two ribs busted and an off side leg busted (no passthrough). both of these were with a RECURVE PULLING 43@28"!!!!! i've burried arrows up to the fletch with 50lb recurves and longbows on big bulls. make sure you find the most forgiving bow possible vs. the fastest. with bows, you always give up something to get something. it's too bad nobody makes the good old truly forgiving compounds anymore. regardless, arrow placement is MUCH more important than draw weight or arrow speed..... you hit the thick part of a shoulder plate on an elk, moose, or hog, and it is game over nearly every single time...... doesn't matter how fast your bow is. practice with whatever you have and be honest with yourself as to what your max effective shooting range is..... if that means you are proficient at 15 yards, hold off on a 20 yard shot. ;)
like i said before, the bow is not nearly as important as learning how to get within bow range of game. scouting is the key.... spend 90% of your time scouting and 10% shooting your bow and you will be deadly.
Excellent stuff! To your point about FPS, I always say that fast bows just miss faster. Shot placement and razor sharp broadheads are the keys to quick, humane kills, period. Welcome to the site, by the way!
Post by: lilswab on December 27, 2010, 09:59:42 AM
too many guys get caught up on the bow itself. when bowhunting and learning to bowhunt, the bow itself is the least of your worries........... but......... don't get hung up on speed. just about any 50lb@28" compound on the planet these days will blow through critters with absolutely no problem. heck, i blew clear through a big wisconsin buck this year (2 ribs total) and as the arrow came out, it filleted the off side rear leg between the knee and hock before the broadhead burried into a fallen branch. the buck i killed here got two ribs busted and an off side leg busted (no passthrough). both of these were with a RECURVE PULLING 43@28"!!!!! i've burried arrows up to the fletch with 50lb recurves and longbows on big bulls. make sure you find the most forgiving bow possible vs. the fastest. with bows, you always give up something to get something. it's too bad nobody makes the good old truly forgiving compounds anymore. regardless, arrow placement is MUCH more important than draw weight or arrow speed..... you hit the thick part of a shoulder plate on an elk, moose, or hog, and it is game over nearly every single time...... doesn't matter how fast your bow is. practice with whatever you have and be honest with yourself as to what your max effective shooting range is..... if that means you are proficient at 15 yards, hold off on a 20 yard shot. ;)
like i said before, the bow is not nearly as important as learning how to get within bow range of game. scouting is the key.... spend 90% of your time scouting and 10% shooting your bow and you will be deadly.
Excellent stuff! To your point about FPS, I always say that fast bows just miss faster. Shot placement and razor sharp broadheads are the keys to quick, humane kills, period. Welcome to the site, by the way!
Great points guys. Effective shooting range. Just because you have pins does not mean you can KILL out that distance effectively. I ran into many hunters that gamble on questionable shots because they don't try to get closer. :puke: It just doesn't make sense to wound an animal! Know yourself, Know your prey, Know your equipment!
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on December 27, 2010, 11:08:27 AM
Archery hunting is far different from rifle and can be frustrating depending on the tactics you have perfected in your rifle hunting years. Example: If you have primarily hunted deer from treestands, ground blinds, or are an excellent still hunter, the transition to archery hunting may require only moderate tweaking to your tactics. If you have hunted spot and stalk on the other hand, drastic changes in technique are sure to follow.
For elk a six point bull at 300 yards feeding will pump u up, the same bull at 20 yards, slobbering, bugling, and thrashing may cause you to have a heart attack, much less hold your composure through a shot sequence and follow through.
Pay attention to an animals posture. Body angle, and level of alertness. IMHO this is priorty number one prior to taking a shot. I may get razzed for this but here goes; in my experience your better off taking the first shot you KNOW you can make at an undisturbed animal, than a closer or clearer one at game ALERTED to your presence.
Post by: halflife65 on December 27, 2010, 11:12:49 AM
Now that I've unfairly blasted Blackvelt, the advice is actually really good.
Post by: Special T on December 27, 2010, 11:13:59 AM
Find a club near you or a good shop... nothing like making some friends to help with the shooting skills and someone to practice with... :twocents:
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on December 27, 2010, 12:16:16 PM
Blackvelt, you're unethical. I would only shoot at XX yards (pick a number) and you don't have the ability to shoot that far, so you shouldn't. There, took care of that.
Now that I've unfairly blasted Blackvelt, the advice is actually really good.
:chuckle:
Post by: zackmioli on December 28, 2010, 08:53:43 AM
thanks a lot! i will definitely be in contact with you once i get my bow set up and ready to shoot! im going to start looking at different bows in the coming weeks and will be at the sportsmans show looking at stuff as well. i already have a range finder so that is at least 1 thing taken care of. haha.Hey guys, I have always rifle hunted but after going to Montana this fall to call for my cousin who was bow hunting elk I am pretty sold on giving it a try. I am hoping to get a bow for christmas, if that doesnt happen I will be purchasing one shortly after the holidays are over. I am just looking for any kind of tips and advice, brand of bow, draw weight, arrows, different gear I might need, new strategies I might need to be aware of, etc.If you want to come over sometime I'd be happy to spend some time with you on shooting form, shot routine, bow set up, etc. I can get you going on elk vocalizations at the same time. No charge or anything, just glad to help you get started right.
So if you are willing to share anything I would love to hear it and I would really appreciate it. Oh and I will be able to set up a shooting area at my grandfathers house so Ill be able to get lots of practice.
Thanks!