Starting out.

[Mr.Pants]

I am thinking about getting into traditional bowhunting. I am going to pick up a used longbow or even a recurve and start practicing for next season. Any tips for a beginner you might want to pass along concerning equipment or bows to keep an eye out for?

Thanks a bunch.

[Arthur P]

If you're not a member of an archery club, try and find one that's got a contingent of trads and join it. Hanging out and shooting with other trads will get you going a lot quicker than trying to muddle along on your own, or getting advice here, because they can watch you shoot and help you correct any problems you're having. A LOT easier than we can over this internet contraption. [&:]

Check out 'Become the Arrow', a book by Byron Ferguson. VERY good instruction manual.

Everybody is different. Some folks shoot longbows better than recurves, but far more people do better with the 'curve than the longbow. (It's best to have one of each, of course.)

But the one, single piece of advice that is way over and above everything else: HAVE FUN!

[PineLander]

Another important note - don't let frustration get you down if you're not shooting as accurately as you may have expected right at first (that is if you decide to shoot 'instinctively'). It takes practice, some people have the feel for hand/eye coordination a bit more than others, but it WILL come together...

Have fun, you won't regret it! ..... yuck, I hate these new smilies. [:'(]

[seymour]

Shoot close starting out and don't be afraid to use a prealignment method. I recommend this in preference to sights for developing an instinctive method because it forces you to maintain the alignment at full draw without further reference to the arrow.

Don't overbow yourself. You can't develop good technique if you can't reliably find your anchor under your dominant eye. Also pay attention to keeping the bowarm firm and pushing at the target so you can get a good consistent stretch on each shot.

Take your time. Rome wasn't plundered in a day. And don't give up. Plenty have but quite a few manage to get there no matter what. The difference is persistence.

Also, remember, once the bow's tuned to the arrows, whatever's wrong ain't the bow and whatever's right is you so work on tuning you whenever possible and leave the tinkering to the compounders.

[PineLander]

I normally unstring after each use in the off-hunting season. But during November, my hunting bow does not get unstrung for as a long as a month, as I hunt nearly every day. Would rather leave it strung, than be taking it up and down every day.

Ok, I will embarrassingly admit... I have twisted a limb during the stringing process. It was a Martin Dreamcatcher, the upper limb of course. Must've been paying more attention to that gal walking up the practice range, than the string orientation when I let down. []