Practice Practice Practice....

[MaDsHafTeR]

Well guys I finally got to take the new bow out for a practice yesterday and today. As im new to all this, its going to be a steep learning curve, I really dont know what I should be hitting at what distances. So I set up a empty Tooheys carton loaded with rags and went out to a mates place and let them fly. It took a little time about 10 arrows to get the understanding of the sight and how it works. But after 20 mins or so and at 30 full paces away from the beer box was getting 11 out of 12 arrows hitting the box, and the 12th one just didnt want to play the game always missing by a few inches. There was no real "grouping" of arrows, I was just happy to hit the target that many times. Now some questions.

I must be holding the bow wrong cause every 2nd or third shoot, I got wacked on the inside of my left forearm and its bruised to buggery. I ended up using a old shin pad from soccor and that worked, obviosly I need a armguard, but what I was needing to know was does everyone use them, or is it more about holding the bow correctly?

I also found that i shoot quite comfortably without the release aid, just using my fingers, Does evryone use release aids??? If I do I really need to shorten the draw of the bow anyways, but Im happy to use my fingers until I get it sorted. what do u think?

Im using a "out of the box" PSE Stinger 2 package I REALLY dont know what its set at, 70# I was thinking, well its being used out of the bow, so what ever there factory set at.

[RazorX]

The Stinger is too short axle to axle to shoot accurately with fingers. You will get "finger pinch" because the angle of the string is too steep at full draw, which puts strain on your fingers. This will cause you to throw the odd shot.

If you are hitting your inside left arm, you need to bend it slightly when at full draw or roll your wrist slightly to the right when gripping the bow. It could also be that your drawlength is too long, causing you to over extend your left arm.

I'm glad that you had fun with it over the weekend. Give me a buzz at the shop tomorrow and I will go through it with you and we will see if we can't get you grouping a lil tighter ;)

Jase 02 6239 2899

[special]

Dont hold the bow tight...let it sit between your thumb and fingers and draw..only loosely putting 1 or 2 fingers around grip to prevent dropping after the shot...practice with a loose grip till you find what suits....checkout pics of target archers in action.

[Jason1]

I would get an arm guard. If you are hitting your arm just make sure your knuckle at 45 degrees and have loose grip on the bow.

[johnno]

You may also want to drop the lbs down until your shooting improves..;)

[DavidJHardy]

Dont hold the bow tight...let it sit between your thumb and fingers and draw..only loosely putting 1 or 2 fingers around grip to prevent dropping after the shot...practice with a loose grip till you find what suits....checkout pics of target archers in action.

not that what special left out anything i just thought this might help on top... when you grip your bow what i do is push the ball of my thumb into the back of the grip and fold my pinky and the finger above it over and point at the target with my pointer and middle finger (like putting your hand in a pistol shape) and then i grip the bow lightly with my thumb i find this holds the bow enough to hold it but also let it take its own kick...

You may also want to drop the lbs down until your shooting improves..;)

it helps to learn on a lighter poundage... learning at 70lbs can make it ezy to form bad habbits because your having to hold the bow at high poundage (witch as a beginner you will not be used to) as well as learn proper form.

[spiderbait24]

another thing mate, try to only shoot about 3 arrows per round as you can get tired after 12 shots continuously and you can lean your head or hand with you noticing.

[Perry2007]

so you dont 'Strangle' the bow (holding the handle tight enough so that the bow cant pivot in your hand) use a bow sling. the purpose of the sling is so that u hardly have to hold the bow, the pull of the bows draw should hold the bow into your palm.

Give this a read, it has tought me alot about archery, well the technical side of it. http://www.huntersfriend.com/ up in the right hand corner of the sight, click technical help and u can go from there.

Good luck

[Duane]

Get a mate to take some pics of your grip and post 'em up here if you really want to cop it:D lol.
Join a club and get some coaching.