Archery

[Yooper]

I'm a bow hunter. The weather has been weird- too warm last week (75+ degrees) and too windy right now. But I try to get out whenever I can. I've only been bow hunting for a few years after rifle hunting forever. I love it, though!

 

[bwats]

I've been a bowhunter for about 17 - 18 years. It get in your blood once you try iy.

 

[iaefebs]

My best shot hunting was a Ruffed Grouse (partridge) in flight. I never did a lot of deer hunting but the one and only shot I ever had I came down with buck fever so bad I missed from 15 feet. My worst shot ever.

 

[jtkratzer]

My wife and I shoot, well it's been about 3 years for my wife, but I finally got the bow back out after the same three year hiatus. The Marine Corps and my 19 month old have kept me busy. I got it out a few weeks ago and started shooting again to get ready for archery season.

I picked up a Carter Just B-Cuz release over the weekend and I'm going to get to shoot it tomorrow for the first time and I can't wait.

I have Friday off and plan to be in the woods for the morning and evening and maybe Saturday if I don't stick one Friday.

 

[jtkratzer]

Just ordered a dozen Carbon Express Maxima Hunter 350s with wraps from Lancaster Archery! They'll be ready tomorrow. Had the bow tuned and the draw weight upped by 10 lbs. Can't wait to shoot tomorrow night.

The Carter release was definitely different, but I like it. Just need some more time with it.

 

[iaefebs]

The Carter release was definitely different, but I like it. Just need some more time with it.

When I got back into Archery 20 years ago the thing I found that improved accuracy the most was using a release. With a single contact point on the string instead of three fingers trying to be consistent makes a huge difference. The compound bow speed was also a great improvement over the recurves. I still have a few prototype releases from the early 70's ( late 60's) when the release was being developed. The one I started using in early 90's was amazing. Technology I'm sure has advanced even more since then.

 

[jtkratzer]

When I got back into Archery 20 years ago the thing I found that improved accuracy the most was using a release. With a single contact point on the string instead of three fingers trying to be consistent makes a huge difference. The compound bow speed was also a great improvement over the recurves. I still have a few prototype releases from the early 70's ( late 60's) when the release was being developed. The one I started using in early 90's was amazing. Technology I'm sure has advanced even more since then.

The Carter release is really nice. Just a different feel at first compared to the Scott wrist strap trigger style. The Just B-Cuz is a thumb trigger that you can shoot by squeezing or like a back tension release.

I honestly can't remember the last time I shot a bow without a release.

 

[iaefebs]

I honestly can't remember the last time I shot a bow without a release.

When I started shooting we didn't use sights. We looked down at the people that used them and called them pinheads because the sights were simple pins, or even match heads taped to the bow. I learned to adopt the technology to stay competitive. I stopped shooting just before releases took off. As soon as I got back into it I used a release and would never go back to fingers. I wouldn't recommend trying to shoot without one unless you want to practice everyday for years.

 

[jgln]

When I started shooting we didn't use sights. We looked down at the people that used them and called them pinheads because the sights were simple pins, or even match heads taped to the bow. I learned to adopt the technology to stay competitive. I stopped shooting just before releases took off. As soon as I got back into it I used a release and would never go back to fingers. I wouldn't recommend trying to shoot without one unless you want to practice everyday for years.

GF and I both got recurve bows for fun and target practice. A friend of mine bow hunts for deer and brought over his compound bow with a release and sights. Aside from the speed the accuracy was incredible. If you can just stay still and aim and release smoothly you are going to hit your target. In just a few shots my aim improved 1000%. He on his first demonstartion, not intentionally, shot his second arrow right into the back of the first, splitting the nock (?) and perfectly entering the first arrow. It was like one double long arrow in the target. He didn't believe it himself at first, but I know now it is not a myth, can be done. Ok, well it was a hollow arrow I am sure doing that with a solid wooden arrow is probably near impossible.

 

[iaefebs]

He on his first demonstartion, not intentionally, shot his second arrow right into the back of the first, splitting the nock (?) and perfectly entering the first arrow. It was like one double long arrow in the target. He didn't believe it himself at first, but I know now it is not a myth, can be done.

You bet it can be done, I've been there. The worst part is when an arrow glances off the nock and deflects out of the bulls eye. I ended up shooting what is called a 5 spot target. You shoot 1 arrow into 1 target the second arrow into another target and so on . 5 different targets to avoid this. Before the 5 spot targets you just carried extra nocks in your pocket to replace the ones you hit. In the rare instance you did a Robin Hood you took it home and hung it up on the wall,

 

[jgln]

You bet it can be done, I've been there. The worst part is when an arrow glances off the nock and deflects out of the bulls eye. I ended up shooting what is called a 5 spot target. You shoot 1 arrow into 5 different targets to avoid this. Before the 5 spot targets you just carried extra nocks in your pocket to replace the ones you hit. In the rare instance you did a Robin Hood you took it home and hung it up on the wall,

Ah, that explains it. When I was his boss he and the others bought me a target "box" with targets on all sides for my birthday, several of which have the 5 targets on them. I was wondering why 5 targets, now I know. Using a recurve and not being that good it never occoured to me.

 

[jgln]

You bet it can be done, I've been there. The worst part is when an arrow glances off the nock and deflects out of the bulls eye. I ended up shooting what is called a 5 spot target. You shoot 1 arrow into 1 target the second arrow into another target and so on . 5 different targets to avoid this. Before the 5 spot targets you just carried extra nocks in your pocket to replace the ones you hit. In the rare instance you did a Robin Hood you took it home and hung it up on the wall,

He was just telling me not long ago how excited he was about being invited to hunt on private land that rarely got hunted instead of the crowded state lands. When I asked him later how his trip was he said ok, but was bumbed out the guy went out early the morning before he showed up and shot a deer. He said he spent that day helping him drag his out of the woods and butchering it. Kind of a dick move I think to invite him then go out and do that before he got there. This guy was not his friend directly, he was invited through the guys friend who also went.

 

[DeNomad]

I used to shoot a 60# longbow in high school. The hobby has died off since university for lack of spare time. I do miss it. My club used to have traditional nights where we would chase each others arrows, I robin hooded/split quite a few back in the day.

 

[neohistory]

Very interesting reads guys. I have never really hunted persay, but I think hunting with a recurve would be awesome, however the amount of time required to be be a good enough shot seems a bit ridiculous, since I'm in college I'm pretty busy as it is with 18 hours this semester. I'm eyeing my bow up in the closet and thinking about pulling it out sometime soon to throw a few shots.

 

[Tnoodle]

I'd say its just because most people I know look at me like I have 3 heads when I mention that. I wouldnt expect many people had similar situations due to said reaction.

But then again most people I know dont brew beer

We had trap shooting offered as a sport in my high school

 

[jtkratzer]

Very interesting reads guys. I have never really hunted persay, but I think hunting with a recurve would be awesome, however the amount of time required to be be a good enough shot seems a bit ridiculous, since I'm in college I'm pretty busy as it is with 18 hours this semester. I'm eyeing my bow up in the closet and thinking about pulling it out sometime soon to throw a few shots.

Doesn't take long to shoot 60 arrows.

 

[jtkratzer]

New arrows are awesome, along with the Norway string silencer and tuning job.

 

[Tnoodle]

I just bought a 1960's wooden compound bow made by darton with 4 carbon arrows for $40. That it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a new bow but it will stick an arrow through a deer. The only problem with it is there is no break so you have to be ready to shoot when you draw it.

 

[wildwest450]

The only "big buck" I ever got hunting was with a bow. I always preferred bow to gun, more rewarding imo. Of course I cheated and used a compound bow.

 

[jtkratzer]

I just bought a 1960's wooden compound bow made by darton with 4 carbon arrows for $40. That it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a new bow but it will stick an arrow through a deer. The only problem with it is there is no break so you have to be ready to shoot when you draw it.

Pics please. I think I'm done messing with my bow until after the deer season is over. I added a B Stinger stabilizer and changed my peep following PRK surgery this summer.

 

[iaefebs]

I just bought a 1960's wooden compound bow made by darton with 4 carbon arrows for $40. That it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a new bow but it will stick an arrow through a deer. The only problem with it is there is no break so you have to be ready to shoot when you draw it.

I don't think Darton made a compound till the 70's can you post a picture? Or is there a model name on the bow?

 

[Tnoodle]

The only "big buck" I ever got hunting was with a bow. I always preferred bow to gun, more rewarding imo. Of course I cheated and used a compound bow.

That's a nice deer. It's not cheating using a compound bow, it's just adaptation at it's finest. Though I am hoping to take a deer with a spear this year, once the rut starts here I think that will be my best chance. As for rifles you just have to find new ways to challenge yourself, like shooting long distances or hunting from the ground without a blind or some type of a stand.

 

[Tnoodle]

Here she is

 

[jtkratzer]

My dad's old bow is a Darton, no idea what year though.

 

[wildwest450]

As for rifles you just have to find new ways to challenge yourself, like shooting long distances or hunting from the ground without a blind or some type of a stand.

We weren't allowed to use rifles in Michigan, shotgun only. Even with a rifled barrel and scope, 125 yards max.


_

 

[jtkratzer]

We weren't allowed to use rifles in Michigan, shotgun only. Even with a rifled barrel and scope, 125 yards max.


_

Same when I lived in Minnesota about two hours west of the cities.

 

[jtkratzer]

I have everything including the climber stand out in the wind overnight and I'm hoping to get out this afternoon into the evening for a bit after getting the grass mowed and a batch of beer brewed. Gotta run!

 

[Tnoodle]

I hunted for 5 years here in Oklahoma with a shotgun, it was a smooth bore with rifled slugs. It was tough because where I was hunting it was wide open plains so I had to sit near their trails and get them in close. The thing I love about archery is that you can practice in your backyard.

 

[neohistory]

Hey noodle. I'm in OK as well. Outer okc. Last I was on hunting land was in ardmore and I was a kid (27 now)

 

[Tnoodle]

Hey noodle. I'm in OK as well. Outer okc. Last I was on hunting land was in ardmore and I was a kid (27 now)

I hunted out by Enid and Covington.