Hunting Washington Forum
Equipment & Gear => Archery Gear => Topic started by: seth30 on May 23, 2011, 06:37:34 PM
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Started shooting everyday with my new bow that a fellow HUNTWA member gave me(thanks again!) The distance to my target is 24 yards, and after 6 days of shooting, at 3 to 5 sets per day, I'm starting to get a bit of a grouping. Still get the occasional wild arrow, but havent broken any arrows since I went serious and hopefully it stays that way. I will be archery hunting for the first time in my life this upcoming season, and want to be great in my shooting. I plan on joining the Whidbey Bowmans club in late June or July. Until then any hints on how to tighten up my grouping, breathing stratiegies, caffene usage etc?? Thanks for reading the post! :hello:
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Study form. Take a lesson if you can. Look into everything form related (grip, release, bow arm, release arm, torso position, feet postition,ect.) There is a lot of stuff you can do to help your groups. Do google searches and search archerytalk.
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I will have my wife film me tomorrow and reveiw it. That should help me as well.
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May want to aim a little lower. I like your idea for the target. One thing to remember is aim small miss small. You target would be perfect for a little 1 inch red sticky dot. Put that baby dead center and it will make a great aiming point with the white background. Keep at it and good luck this season.
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If you can post the video here so we can see it and maybe give you some pointers.
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cool didnt think of that, I wiil try to post the vid tomorrow.
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May want to aim a little lower. I like your idea for the target. One thing to remember is aim small miss small. You target would be perfect for a little 1 inch red sticky dot. Put that baby dead center and it will make a great aiming point with the white background. Keep at it and good luck this season.
got those round orange labeling stickers, they should work great!
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You don't need taget practice, thats what coyotes are for. :IBCOOL:
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:chuckle: and yotes that stay put :chuckle:
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Yep put a small target on there. Like was mentioned red dot. Focus on that and your groups will get better. Even when you go to the range.
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dont try to hold your pin on the dot. focus on the dot and let the pin "float" around it. ;)
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I'd say 9 times out of 10 of my bad shots were due to not following through after the shot. That is when it comes to form. For example, dropping my bow arm just after the release. My follow though or lack there of shows when I'm being lazy and/or not focused. Think "statue" before the shot, during shot execution, and after after shot. Nothing moves until you hear that impact.
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seth we all start out there. It will come with some time and practice. I'll send you a pm with some contact info, I would be glad to meet you at the range and help you tighten that group up.
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Solid bow arm, solid anchor, when you get near full draw, pull your shoulder blades together, you aren't using your arms anymore...use your back muscles... FOLLOW THROUGH... be a statue till well after the arrow is sticking into the target!!!! And, dont put a death grip on the bow...maybe wrap your thumb and forefinger lightly around the grip so they touch at the front, then "statue" including your hand. Dont grab your bow when you release the arrow, let it settle or fall to wherever it wants to go, just with the two fingers keeping it from hitting the ground!
At 24 yards or thereabouts, in time, you oughtta be having to shoot at different spots on the target as to not damage arrows...
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You may want to number your arrows. If the same ones are "fliers" every time then it could be the arrow - not form. I know that this may be considered a "finer point" in shooting, but it sucks to chase a problem that you think is form related when it's really just a bad arrow/fletching/ etc.
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Ok guys here is the links to my vids. You can tell Im Uber camerashy :yike: The loud noises in the background are jets, sorry about the audio at times. I did pretty good until my wife went on the other side of me with the camera and I locked up a bit. This is my seventh day of shooting, and have a ways to go. Thanks for all the inputs so far guys, and looking for more after you view the vids.
00049.flv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7NOlE8j7nQ#)
00050.flv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjOjjKRvCsg#)
00051.flv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJonSyNKUlo#)
00052.flv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ5XLITZRCE#)
00053.flv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsWYMec9TM8#)
00054.flv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohhXYt8nI34#)
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00054.flv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohhXYt8nI34#)
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Once again sorry for the airplanes, and the weedwacker noise in the background :bash:
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Seth ,looks like you are shooting too fast,Maybe draw weight set too high ? Also draw length looks a little long or straighten out the left arm more And notice where you draw too the knock is up by your ear it should be closer to the corner of your mouth get a kisser it may help .Remember to resite after changing your form. The frustration of try and try again will pay off.
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Thanks I didnt notice how unstraight my left arm was. Looks like Im keeping it at a 45 degree angle :yike:
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I shoot my bow with the same form you have, I sight down the arrow and adjust the sight picture in reference to were the shot should be placed. In the video you have sights and a peep, i would take these off if that is the choice of how you want to shoot. If your wanting to use the sights, you should lower your anchor and try sighting through the peep. However you choose to shoot, those little changes will help your accuracy.
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I am going to put the arm as straight as I can and see how much of a difference it makes. The bow was previously owned by someone with longer arms, so a adjustment will problay be in the near future.
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dont know if its already been mentioned but it looks like you definetly need a solid anchor point that alone will tighten up your groups because you will be more consitent ... good luck and keep shooting it is a blast
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sorry to sound dumb but what would a solid anchor point be, an attacment on the bow, or something with my target? Thanks for the advice, and keep it coming guys.
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A solid anchor point is where you are always touching the same thing. One finger corner of mouth, one finger touching cheek, nose to string. It is a place you always go to every time so you are holding the same sight picture.
Joe
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Ah now I understand, yep been working on that. My grouping has been getting tighter, but still have a ways to go.
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I am no expert but to me your form looks un steady. I always used and worked with others on, Body Sideways, Bow arm locked and straight out, bow hand with a lose grip, not to tight, and the ancor poit to be the corner of your mouth (the arrow knock should be at the corner of your mouth at every pull).
And that stabaliser, it is the same kind I had years ago, is just dead weight. Throw it out and get a "limb saver" to obsorb the shock of the string. A sold piece of steel or lead don't obsorb shock, just adds weight, or ballance, wich ever it is there for.
again, just my non-expert :twocents:
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First thing, it looks like you have a death grip on that bow. That can have a tendency to torque the bow. This will likely worsen with fatigue. The second is the anchor point, which is also a function of your draw length. Your back hand is floating behind your head, which is a hard place to hold a bow consistently. If you go to an archery shop, you might be able to get the draw length adjusted so you can rest your hand in a more natural position next to some structure on your face. That is probably the first thing I would do. Agree with one of the above posts about your peep. For someone who wears glasses, you might look into the "Anchor Sight". I have one on my bow and shoot with glasses. Your current form would work well with it. I'll post a picture with this post. The bent arm is actually good form, you don't want your arm completely straight and you don't want to force it that way to extend your draw length. The shot is a little fast. If you are going through your checklist...and waiting for a deer or elk to present the best shot, you will be holding...at least a couple of seconds.
I'll walk through my checklist:
Draw
Settle into anchor point
(When I had a peep, would line up circle of my site with the circle of the peep)
With the "Anchor Sight", if you have the same anchor point, the anchor site would nearly be lined up (unless you are torquing the bow), so adjust anchor point up or down. Left or right is usually torque.
This reminds me to do my next step, relax my grip.
Then I put my pin on the target.
Then I glance at my anchor sight again.
Relax grip
Repeat until the shot presents itself.
As I am squeezing my scapulae toward each other, my trigger finger finds the trigger and slowly pull (like shooting a rifle)
The shot should be nearly a surprise.
Do not grab the bow
Continue to watch the target as if you were still holding your anchor.
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I will try that out tommorow and post a vid of this techinique.
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Yep, get with MAtt and get the draw length set right, it is way to long. He will get you started on the right path with your form. Welcome to the addiction!
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as mentioned SLOW down, Anchor point (the tip of my thumb goes in the little valley between my earlobe and jawbone EVERY TIME) ,GRIP;more like putting on a glove and Not chocking someone out
and it does look like your draw length could decrease by an inch or two
good luck and keep at it but don't get into habits before you and your bow are a good fit
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alot of this has already been said but heres my critique:
-set your feet, in the vid where you dropped the arrow you take a step forward and start your whole cycle without your feet set.
-shorten your draw, alot.
-your bow arm is not consistent, sometimes its bent more than it is other times.
-your punching the trigger. when you are getting ready to release the arrow load up the trigger until it is about to go and then start squeezing with uyour back muscles. bam, you have a suprise release. this really takes alot of work but will be a huge pay off in the long run. if you want to talk more about this shoot me a pm.
-slow down! draw back and find a comfortable anchor
-find a consistent anchor
-one good thing i did see is that even though your bow is too long your not leaning back!
get that draw shortened, when you get that coupled with a sight things will start getting alot easier alot quicker! good luck man! its addicting!
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Seth all I can say is.....we can only go up from here dude. :chuckle: Just kidding. Fear not we will have you shooting out to 40 yards with some confidence in no time.
Was that you that came out to the range with Johnson the other day and I was shooting my red target bow?
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no if were talking about the same johnson, he has invited me to tag along to the range. Just waiting for the time where we both can get together. I have yet to be at a bow range.
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Ok it was another guy. You Navy guys all look the same anyway. :tung:
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:chuckle: :chuckle:
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Got it out to the range on Whidbey Island with a friend. Found out Im great up to 30 yards. Went for the 40 yard target and lost two arrows :yike: One hit the wood, and another went into the woods :chuckle: I have decided to hang my bow up until next payday so I can get it adjusted to my length before I truly devolep bad habits with it. Thanks for all the advice guys in the previous posts!
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Adjusted the site with the help of a friend :tup: and have added a new arrow rest that is silent as I draw my arrow back. Hit the bulleyse everytime now up to 20 yards that is :chuckle: Have established a anchor point, and just keep getting better and better. Thanks for all the help, now all I have left is to get a new string. My bow string has started to frey.
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Wax your string
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I'm curious to see if your shooting form has improved. Should post more video.
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It has but I need a new string :'(
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Dropped my bow off at wilderness Archery in Bow Wa. Had to get new cables, and strings. Looking foward for the day they call me up :drool:
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I may have missed this, but are you using a wrist sling? If not, get one and shoot with an open hand. Solid anchor point every single time!! My anchor point has always been the fletching on my arrow in the corner of my mouth. I wouldn't worry or shoot out to 40 yards for a while. Don't forget, once you get your form worked out start shooting with all your hunting clothes on and practice from many different angles, sitting and kneeling as well. Don't forget uphill and downhill shots as well. Plus shoot a bunch without a target. Makes you practice picking out a spot and consentrating on the spot, not some bullseye. Seems very few of the deer out there walk around with those blullseyes on thier sides. ;)
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I have started using a anchor point, and my shooting range that I will be using this deer season doesnt stretch more than 53 yards. Once I get the bow back I will be shooting everyday, and will set my stand up at least once a week to pratice shooting off that.
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PIcked up my bow last night :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL: Its shooting really nice now!
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Okay here is a some new angles to my shooting. I have two arrows that I need to fix, and three that are shooting straight.
00063 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xokkeQIDFs#)
00064 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn_boobby1Q#)
00065.flv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt8DnFtWlxU#)
00067.flv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgZDf5GLPDk#)
00068.flv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFpTubOj_hM#)
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00069.flv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtQMS0xm-a8#)
00070.flv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM8XB8ojJxY#)
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Here is a few pics from another angle :tup:
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dont try to hold your pin on the dot. focus on the dot and let the pin "float" around it. ;)
Amen to this. Trying to "hold" your pin is the first step to punching the trigger, and an eventual case of target panic where you mentally cannot properly execute a proper shot sequence.
Groups look good. Have you numbered your arrows to pick out any flyers? If so, try changing the nock on the flyer arrows.
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I forgot to number them :bash: I will do that and give it another shot tomorrow. I know my black arrows are very sporadic in flight now. I have been focusing on the pin, and its a tough habit to break, hopefully tomorrow I see some improvment.
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Are the arrows all spined the same? Same length? Have you done any tuning on your bow yet, i.e. bareshaft tuning or walk back tuning?
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JLS, not sure what the tuning means, but only three of the arrows are the same, and I plan to buy 3 more next pay day.
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Seth,
Tuning just means that your arrow is coming off of your bow as straight as possible. If you are underspined (arrow not stiff enough) it will "whip" or flex in the air and your accuracy will suffer.
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yep that was done over at the shop where I dropped my bow off. They had me zero my bow in before I left.
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Going to start shooting broad heads tonight. :IBCOOL:
