I will be shooting my new longbow some this weekend...and I have a question.

Is there anything to be learned from shooting at longer distances, starting out? I'm talking 30-40 yds.

I don't know "why".....but in my mind.....I think I could learn more....the longer I saw the arrow in flight.

Is this totally wrong?

I think that yes that would work to see the arrow and see how it reacts at longer ranges, but I think most people practice at longer distances so that those 20 - 30 yard shots are easier.

Just standing back and wildly flinging at long targets won't help at all. But...

If you can determine your 'point on' distance, then there is certainly a lot that can be learned. When you practice at your point on, and reach the point where you are starting to group, you will have begun to acquire a consistent draw length. Arrows just won't group otherwise.

Back when I was competing in field archery a lot, I used to practice shooting at least 20 arrows a day at my point on, which was 60 yards with the setup I had then. I could keep them all in a paper plate at that distance. Naturally, my shooting at closer distances benefitted from that kind of practice.

It helps to have target butts that won't destroy your arrows when you hit the frame though. At my old club, the target frames were wood. Left a lot of points buried in the wood, but it rarely hurt my arrows. The club I belong to now has metal frames and a solid hit on the frame totally craters an arrow. So I haven't practiced long range shooting in a long time. And my shooting has suffered for it.

I'm just trying to learn the "feel" of my bow/arrows. I just thought (and I read or heard this nowhere)....the more I could learn this by "feel"......the better off I'd be. I've got a place I can shoot unlimited (100 yds or more..) distances. Assuming I'm doing everything (form-wise) sound.......would it hurt to start "back" and move "up"?

Don't ask me why I feel this way.

One of the first that has to be learned is form. It'll take a while. Then, I really believe the next thing is getting the right/left impacts correct. This will be easier said then done and will still have a lot to do with form. Then learn the trajectory of the arrow.

Of course in the beginning use gap shooting and know the point on spot. Once you know the point on,you usually will not have to aim much more then about 20 inches below that at targets below that point. For me usingmy recurve the point on is about 60 yards, at about 30 yards I have to aim about 18 inches below the target I want tohit. If I shoot over 60 yards, I have to aim above the target.

Bob Wesley has a pretty good system for gap shooting in his book. I'd sugest getting it. He's still alive I believe so maybe ask to have it signed.

Listen to Bob. He tried to give me advise when I started and I couldn't help but to wildly wing arrows 100's of times until I hurt my shoulder at 20-30 yards. And didn't learn anything at all except to move back up and start with the basics. Get a form down that works for you. Try to find someone to watch your release and coach you. It is so helpful. Buy some good books like "becoming the arrow", or "trad archery" by Brian Sorrells or some Fred Ashby books.Sorrells has an excellent, but tedious approach to learning. I am convinced if someone follows his routine they will advance quicker than any other method. If you can stick with it. Everybody wants to move out quickly

He wants you to start close, like 3-5 yards and work on form and placement. When you are able to put your arrows within 1" group over and over, move backa few yards. But spending a huge amount of your time with your eyes closed, and working on good release before each session.

Also try not to shoot more than 20-30 arrows a session.

I think it will help you learn how to look for errant arrows. Don't ask me how I know! LOL! It was fun!

With my compound....I had NO desie to "move out quickly". I still don't with the longbow.

2 totally different animals. I just (in my head) think I can "feel" the shot better.....if I can see the flight of the arrow a little longer.

Has no one ever done this? Heard of this?

I absolutely love to find a freshly plowed field and just launch arrows as far as I can, just so I can watch 'em fly. Few things can compare with the beauty of an arrow arcing away into the distance.

practice long shooting, and the close shots will be EASY in comparison

practice 50-60-70 yards and beyond