Anyone here into Archery?

BoidKeeper · 02-13-05, 08:36 AM

I picked up a bow last night for the first time at a display at the mall and I am hooked! I think Robin and I must be related. I seem to have some sort of natural ability for it. After just three arrows I was hitting all the ballons they had set up.
If anyone can help I'm trying to learn as much as I can about the sport before I commit to joining the club and buying gear. I want to know where I can find info and tips about getting into the sport.
Thanks,
Trevor
PS
Oh and by the way when I get into something I get in big and hard. Just look at snakes. I only bought my first snake Nov. 1st 2001. So with archery it will probably be the same I'll be wanting to buy the best gear and practice day and night.

DragnDrop · 02-13-05, 08:44 AM

Ahhhh..... our BoidKeeper is now turning into Cupid on us

I've often thought it would be interesting to try it, but never got past the thinking stage. Sounds like you're going to have a great time with the new hobby.

BoidKeeper · 02-13-05, 09:01 AM

Thanks Hilde! This is how seriouse I am about it. I'm going to be selling all of my small boids. If I'm going to do this I need two things, time and money. So I think BoidKeeper will soon be with out his Rosy Boas, Sand Boas and Children's pythons.
Cheers,
Trevor

aaron · 02-13-05, 09:04 AM

Me at a 3d shoot

Aaron

CarlC · 02-13-05, 09:05 AM

I have been shooting archery for about 20 years now. I find shooting a great way to relax after a rough day at work.

I shoot a Matthews SQ2. The choices of bows and equipment are endless. If you do get into shooting just make sure you visit a high quality dealer who can properly fit a bow to you.

Carl

REH · 02-13-05, 09:05 AM

Well you have picked a great sport and pastime. I have been shooting for about 30 years. I would suggest you find out if there is an indoor shooting facility nearby, you can ask dealers in your area. Then take lessons so you learn the proper form. If you develop the correct shooting form from the begining it is better than trying to fix poor form. I was a level 2 instructor for many years and that was the main problem people came to me with.
What did you buy for a bow?

Richard

BoidKeeper · 02-13-05, 09:30 AM

Nice pic Aaron!
I haven't bought anything yet. The group at the mall were the local club and the person who was coaching me owns the local archery supply store.
I was shooting a Victory recurve with a sight and I loved it. The owners wife told me that people normally can't even hit the target when they first pick up a bow. She said I hit everything I aimed at.
The guy coaching me taught me to pull the string back so that my finger was in the corner of my mouth. He found out that I'm left eye dominant so I had to close it and only use my right eye. He also made sure I was standing 90 degrees to the target. I was lining up the string and the sight on the ballon and pop!
How do I know a bow is right for me? You said the dealer should fit me with a bow. What will he be doing in order to do that?
Thanks guys,
Trevor

REH · 02-13-05, 09:40 AM

The dealer will ask you a bunch of questions about what you hope to do with the bow. Olympic type shooting with recurve, hunting with a compound, target shooting with a compound or a combination. He will then find a bow that fits that criteria and fits you for draw length and draw weight. He will help pick you the correct arrows for your draw weight and draw length. The flex of the arrow changes has it gets longer and the draw weight gets heavier.

What do you want to do?

Richard

aaron · 02-13-05, 09:41 AM

If your left eye dominant that means you should use a left hand bow even if your right handed otherwise you'll have to cross your head over the string to use the proper eye. What is meant by fitting you with a bow is that you'll need sometihing that is the proper draw length and draw weight for you. If your using a recurve then you most likely just have to worry about draw weight. You can also get a bow for hunting or one for target shooting the choce really is which do you want to do?

Aaron

REH · 02-13-05, 09:47 AM

Check your mail for some links

samurai · 02-13-05, 10:34 AM

youre really into it, i went on my first bowhunt this fall and i loved it i was shooting a compound but i mess around with a longbow, just that much harder.

BoidKeeper · 02-13-05, 12:01 PM

I got the links thanks.
I want to Olympic type shooting with recurve. If your right handed do you hold the bow with your right hand or the string with your right hand?
Thanks,
Trevor

BOAS_N_PYTHONS · 02-13-05, 12:07 PM

AARON:

Nice photo and bow gear.

Now to hit a target shouldn' t you be a few feet away from the target tree, joking

Tony

Leviathan · 02-13-05, 12:07 PM

I used to do archery quite a bit a few years ago. Had a nice fiber compound bow, nothing too fancy. It was fun beating all the boys in our competitions when they thought I wouldn't do good at all. Mwahahaha. Something I'd like to get back into for sure along with all the mountain climbing, rapelling and caving I haven't done for three years either... hmmmmm.

Alecia

Gary D. · 02-13-05, 12:18 PM

I shoot a PSE Thunderbolt compound bow. Not the newest or fanciest toy on the market, but solid fairly forgiving and fast.

So what was it you were shooting a compound, or traditional bow? My son has a recurve and my wife has a long bow.

GD