archery on the history channel

[fast51]

I'm watching this on the history channel and it's pretty cool. A fella named Byron Ferguson is doing some pretty amazing stuff with a long bow. The trad bows are starting to look like alot of fun and i'm thinking about getting one. What are the do's and dont's of buying a trad bow?

[smj]

Jan 25, 2009 22:33:42 GMT -5 fast51 said:

I'm watching this on the history channel and it's pretty cool. A fella named Byron Ferguson is doing some pretty amazing stuff with a long bow. The trad bows are starting to look like alot of fun and i'm thinking about getting one. What are the do's and dont's of buying a trad bow?

As to Byron Ferguson - the man is a master! His book "Become the Arrow" is more than a classic, the guy knows what he is talking about and can actually teach the material, too! A pal of mine went to one of his Shooting Schools - and is now trying to make the next Olympic team... He actually won some FITA shoot with a home made longbow after having been to the shooing school.

Do's and don'ts -

I don't have a lot of time right now, but let me start the list and I'll trust others to jump in -

Over-all : pick a bow for comfort. It should feel good to draw, pull smooth, and not beat you up on release. Worry about getting an exotic bow, with an exotic price, after you figure out what you like.

1 - Don't over bow yourself. Pick a draw weight you can handle. This usually means shoot lighter rather than heavier bows. Most will suggest don't go over 45 to 50 pounds for a guy, 35 for the ladies. My pal who is going for the next Olympics, wants to shoot 50 pounds. He bought his bow with 40 pound limbs, and has been shooting trad for years, says that he would never get his form right if he started right out with the 50 pound limbs. Very strict form for what he is now after, very big change for him. If I can catch up with him for a while, I'll pick his brain and post a few things about it some other time.

2 - Stay away from short bows, tip to tip length. This will get rid of both finger pinch and any stacking.

3 - Don't worry so much about speed. Your first bow is about learning proper form, not flat arrow flight.

4 - Get help selecting an arrow that shoot well, favor heavier arrows and shorter shooting distances.

5 - Worry about form, try to repeat proper stance, draw, anchor, and so forth... But first and foremost: have fun with it! That first bow is about having fun, then learning form, last is where the arrow actually hits. Although almost everyone wants the arrow to hit perfect every time at all distances - more like a compound with sights. That will not happen until your form is correct, repeatable, and comfortable - and until you learn a few things about your bow and the arrow you shoot.

6 - Get a good book on form. Go to the library, they probably have Byron's book waiting for you! There are a lot of books out there, look a couple over. Usually one book will speak to one person, another will speak to someone else. Each is about the same topic, but presentation makes all the difference!

Sorry but I have got to get to work! (I have been on a push to make a delivery date for a new product, maybe one more week of being buried and then I get my normal life back.)

[BT]

I have the tape...BE THE ARROW and it is definitely worth getting.
I love to watch Byron!
SMJ pretty much nailed all the points to consider when looking at a stick bow