I have an old ben pearson long bowthat i got from my dad when i was 12, its been about 8 years since i have shot it and now im wanting to shelf my compound and pick up the long bow what is the easiest rule of thumb in accuracy that will help me bag a buck this next season? also should i change the arrows I use, or can i interchange my compound arrows.(i shoot easton XX75-2216 aluminum arrows with 100gr 3blade broadheads)

A lot of people say keeping all your arrows on a paper plate and whatever distance is good for hunting. I saythat's balderdash. That's standing flat-footedin front of a target. No adrenaline flowing,no heart racing, no panting, no sweaty palms, no shaky knees...

I'm more of the opinion that paper plate needs to be replaced with a saucer. Practice from now until hunting season. Don't just stand in front of a target and thump arrow after arrow into it. Get out in the woods with a few judo points and do some stump shooting. Any target of opportunity... litter (cans, plastic bottles, pieces of paper), a dried up cow pie, an odd colored leaf on a bush... anything that catches your eye. Shooting in the woods is the best way to learn how to shoot in the woods.

Just before season starts, figure out what distance you can hit that saucer every time. Then, be that distance 10 yards or30 yards,work your tail off to get within that distance before you shoot your buck.

About the 2216's,with what we've been told, there is no way to tell if they'll work or not. Mygut reaction is they'll be way too stiff.If you can tell us something about the bow (I've never heard of a Benson), what poundage it pulls and what your draw length is, we can get you close on arrow selection.

Arthur, my bow wieght is 45 lbs at 30in

Art has some great advice. I'll add to to some 3-D shoots. You don't have to compete, and if you aren't competeing you won't have to shoot from a stake if you aren't comfortable with the range. This is another way to get used to shooting in the woods, and judging distance on deer-sized targets. Practice under the same conditions you plan to hunt in--if you from a stand, practice from a stand; if you hunt from a blind, shoot from a blind; if you have to wear a heavy coat and face mask, well........you get the idea.

Unless your bow is very much out of the ordinary, the 2216's are going to be way too stiff, especially with 100 grain points. I'm not up to date on aluminum spines, so I can't tell you what would work--sorry.

Chad