Longbow quest

[BT]

I have had this L.D.Berry longbow for a couple of years and it's time that I took it seriously I think
I doubt that I could or need to go any further with the Recurve as things are now.
I had it down last year but lost it just before season and had to go to a line of sight method which I was semi comfortable with but did not like

Skipmaster has got me going again though
After watching him wack a hog with his stick I now know that I must catch him

Ordered some lighter 2016 shafts that I am going to cut to 28" and shoot with 100gr. heads
I draw it to 27" and at that draw it weights out at 54# so I should be good

My point of reference always seems to bring me 8" to the left so I would like to get the spine light enough to help me to correct for it without taking away from good flight.
We will see ....I think this should work well and I believe that the 2016's shot well for me out of my 50# recurve so a 54# longbow should be right there as well ..... I hope ;D

The cedar shafts were an idea but after busting the tip off one on a semi light hit to a plastic insert in a foam target , my senses returned and thats history
(my son will like these pretty shafts )

O.K. .... I can shoot a longbow pretty good but there is lots of room for improvement.
Biggest thing is that I don't want to freeze at the moment of truth
I can shoot pretty good on foam but the confidence thing kills me when a live target steps into view
That's probably the biggest obstacle to overcome .....probably

[Greg Krause]

If I can shoot a longbow, then anybody can. it may take some work and playing with you anchor point, but you will get it. The biggest thing that helped me was playing with my anchor. I finally found a point where everything just fell together.
when it comes to game, just have confidence. if you let doubt seep in, then the game is already over. If you KNOW you will make the shot, you will.

[smj]

BT - confidence is earned with archery. No matter what you shoot, there is no majic step that transforms you to that level of shooting where you are always certain of where your arrow is going to go. Mix up your shooting, go peg some stumps, shoot 3-D's, shoot paper, too, all at different distances. Focus, and keep a smooth release and form in general. Then put in the shots and learn the bow/arrow combination.

I like to close my eyes, draw the bow to where it just feels right. Open the eyes and see where you are at and what you need to modify. Usually you need to teach the body to go where the mind tells you to put it! I find that to be my most solid form and anchor, and when I forget, I just close my eyes and draw the bow - focus on what just feels right. This might not work as well for someone just starting out - but it should work well for you. Feel the grip, the pull on the limbs (check draw weight!) and look for stack, seek balance between your body and the bow. If there is no balance - get a different bow! Once it all comes together balance wise, you are ready to start. Don't believe me, give it a try on several bows and then see which one you shoot best with... It is OK to open your eyes once you start shooting...

[BT]

I hear you both and agree but I am not going to forget losing it last year and time soon.
I was shooting that longbow wonderfully and my confidence was way up there and then it just evaporated....skill and confidence

It was the weirdest thing and it wasn't like I got target panic or anything like that.
It was just something that vanished
I am sure it will come back if I just shoot everyday .... tings like this are not just lost

ARE THEY ?

;D

[CopperHead]

Good luck to ya BT! I have a Bear Montana long bow and I love to shoot it. I just don't have any consitency with it. One day I'm all over the kill zone on the target the next I couldn't hit a buffalo in the rear if it were standing on me. But I do so love the beautiful flight of an arrow out of the long bow, its almost spiritual. :-)

[smj]

Almost?

[CopperHead]

smj said:

Almost?

SMJ your right!! It is spiritual!!

[BT]

Well I fletched up some 2016 shafts today and shot the course exceptionally well and then I went back out and lost both arrows

I swear to god I am cursed

I'll get it back though

[BT]

The 150 heads worked great and although I am losing some significant ground in the elevation department....I can compensate easier for elevation then I can for vertical alignment.

Looks good on the whole and I think I will be ready for my first 3-D by next week if there is one

[Greg Krause]

I have been bitten by the bug. I decided that i also need to be able to shoot more than my shrew. I want to be able to shoot every bow i own. I went out with my Howatt "stick', longbow. It took me a few shots to find out how she liked to be shot, but now I have her shooting very well. I am also using 2016's, cut to 29" with a 125grain tip. They are a bit too stiff, but as long as i make a perfect release and follow through, it hits spot on. with ANY imperfection in form, it hits 4-8" left. i think with a 150grain head it will be more forgiving. as it is though, i am keeping all my shots in the 10 ring on my deer target out to 17yds.
Now off to see if i can shoot the recurve as well as my longbows.....