burnie, I live about 45 minutes North of Alexandria in Grant Parish. I had no idea you had property around these parts. Where exactly do you live anyway?

By the way guys, thanks for all the info. I will be looking at bows soon and looking at getting some of the reading/viewing material mentioned here. I am sure I will have many questions and a lot of fun with the trad bow.

Thanks, LT

I live in North West Texas. I have not been on my property in Lousiana in over 10 years. My cousin lives in Turkey Creek and keeps up with it for me. I need to get back. I use to have a three bedroom A frame house on it. It burned down a few years back and I still have yet to go see how bad it was.

Sorry to here about the house burnie. Memories can not be taken but sentimental value can not be replaced. Been there and done that.

Now, about that land you have.Wouldn't be say enough area to bowhunt would it??

LT

I agree with sticking with 40# or so, at least starting out--more than enough to kill a whitetail. You have to be honest with yourself--you want a weight you are comfortably in control of so you aren't rushing the shot and developing bad habits. You may need less than that--gobs of folks will tell you "I wish I'd started out lighter", myself included. I learned the hard way that folks will be much more impressed with someone who can shoot 40# accurately than the guy shooting 80# but can't hit the broad side of a barn.

Shooting styles can vary a bunch, but the best I know hold and pause at anchor--Rod Jenkins (IBO World Champ) and Bill Leslie (IBO Southern Triple Crown winner) are two I know personally. Again, go with a weight you are fully and comfortably in control of--you'll do much better, improve faster, and be glad you did in the long run.

I don't know of any books or videos that really go in-depth. I like Byron Ferguson's "Become the Arrow" (book) and Ricky Welch's "Instinctive Archery Volume II" (video), but neither give enough information IMO. The Masters of the Barebow videos are entertaining and show a lot of styles, but they are not what I'd reccomend for someone just starting out--just bits and pieces of a whole lot of styles, but nothing in-depth on any of them.

A few basics to start with:

A draw weight you are comfortably in control of

Consistent draw, anchor, and follow-through

Work on form first, then accuracy

Don't worry so much about tuning at first--most likely your form will change quite a bit as you develop your own, your release will improve, your draw length will change, etc. You will drive yourself nuts trying to fine tune when everything is changing.

There is no shame in starting out close--better to be working on form than looking for arrows

Don't wear yourself out--shoot no more than 2-3 arrows at a time. If you feel yourself getting tired, start short-drawing, start rushing the shot, fingers start hurting, etc. take a break. It's better to shoot a dozen arrows 3-4 times a week than try to shoot 3 or 4 dozen arrows in one day.

Practice, practice, practice! See above. Try to maintain a routine--it will help you build up your archery muscles and keep your eye in tune.

Good luck, and welcome to our addiction!

Chad

Thanks LBR. I need all the help I can get here.

Thanks, and if anyone else wants to chime in, feel free.

LT

I can agree with Chad on Byron Ferguson's book and Ricky Welch's video, good but could be more. One book I will recommend is Al Henderson's "Understanding Winning Archery." Great book that goes into thepsych aspects as well as the mechanical aspects of good shooting. If you're curious about other shooting styles besides instinctive, Ty Pelfry's DVD, "Modern Traditional", is pretty good. As is " Dead-On Traditional" by Scott Antczak.