[myrons nephew]

I cant seem to shoot my recurve accurately. Ive been shooting trad bows since last December. At first i was improving, but after i sold my compound and bought a good recurve, it seems like im getting worse. No, i dont think its form since im comfortable when im shooting and i do the same thing every shot. Im not overbowed. i started at 30 pounds, went to 40, then 45, and now im at 50 pounds and it is a comfortable weight for me. I have no idea why i cant shoot good groups. Ive been trying to shoot instinctively, but have tried gap for a while with terrible results. I cant look down the arrow sinse i have glasses. Before each shot, I get comfortable, concentrate on the spot i want to hit, draw, anchor, and release. I do everything the same each shot but the arrows fly everywhere.
i practice at about 8 yards all the time. Deer season is only a month and a half away and my shooting really sucks. Anybody have some tips, pointers, suggestions etc. at why im not a good shot? Thanks, any help is greatly appreciated

 

[Dad]

When did your groups get bigger? Anotherwords at what poundage? You listed 40,45,50. Did you change arrows to match 40,45,50?

 

[BLACK WOLF]

Slap a sight on there and see what the results are. Just because an archer wants to learn to shoot instinctively DOES NOT mean they HAVE to shoot bent over with their bow at an angle.

If you are still getting poor groups, than it IS caused by poor form. You can still be comfortable and not overbowed AND still be doing something wrong in regards to form.

If you had decent accuracy before and you are now losing it, it is most likely caused by lack of confidence or doubt entering into your mind causing a certain amount of target panic, which will affect your form.

Ray

 

[grapplemonkey]

what dad said. check your set-up to see if everything is matched,,,arrow spine since you did mention that you moved up in weight. what was the last poundage you shot well at? ray,,,nothing was mentioned about what defines a traditional form,,,help the guy,,,don't get all gospel.

 

[BLACK WOLF]

Grapple,

You're right...nothing was mentioned about what defines a traditional form...AND NEITHER DID I

I didn't even use the word 'traditional' ANYWHERE in my post.

The MOST common way to shoot a bow instinctively is bent over with the bow tilted...AND SIGHTS DON'T WORK VERY WELL THAT WAY...unless you disagree

I did NOTHING but TRY to help the guy...You're preachin' to the wrong choir dude

Ray

 

[sunaj]

It takes a long time to shoot a recurve well instinctively. If your arrows are flying well, and you feel comfortable at your bow weight, then try relaxing, and not worrying about your group. Stop trying so hard, and let your brain do the work. 5 cents please sunaj

 

[grapplemonkey]

roger that ray,,,didn't mean to sound offensive bro. i just get irked when i see someone state what one does or doesn't have to do to shoot a specific style,,,especialy when it come to trad/instinctive.

 

[BLACK WOLF]

No prob Grapple

I kinda get the same way when someone says you HAVE to shoot this or that to be traditional...that's why I was trying to say you DO NOT HAVE to shoot bent over or have your bow tilted to shoot instinctively

Ray

 

[grapplemonkey]

i've read your stuff on LW and dug up some old stuff on TT,,,i know you know your "stuff" bro. since i got you here,,,i always wondered what you shot,,,what bows do you shoot ray?

 

[grapplemonkey]

nephew,,,don't try to gap at 8yrds,,,point and shoot should work if your set-up is correct.

 

[Thumper1]

Become a head hunter.

Fix up two or three arrows with judos and start head hunting. Stalk the woods and fields for dangerous wasps/bees, when they land give them a good judo shot and then put just their heads in a small plastic bottle. To make sure you can even find their heads you will learn you have to keep your eyes on where it lands/flops. Form doesn't matter all that matters is putting 100 heads into your little plastic bottle.After you have done this then start stump shooting and small game hunting out to 20-25yrds. When the time is right you will know when to start hunting deer.

Its hard to learn to shoot instinctive on a flat target, a 3D target helps a good deal but nothing works better than stump shooting to find your own instinctive shooting form. The worst thing you can do is try to read good instinctive shooting form out of a book. You will find that confidence is the greatest ally for the instinctive shooter.

Another issue is what is a good instinctive group? Some will say its keeping them inside the bulls-eye, they are target shooters and the scorn of the earth.......do not listen to them. Keeping your arrows inside the kill zone on a deer size target is bowhunting. The best group a bowhunter can shoot is where the first arrow runs about 30yrds wobbles and then falls over sticking out of a dead deer.

Keep'em sharp!

 

[don s]

nephew. the only info you give in regards to your bow is that it's 50#. what is the length of your recurve? what arrows are you shooting? what length arrows? what point weight? what is your draw? i have a 60" recurve. it is 50#@28". i shoot a 29" 1916 arrow with a 125 gr. head. there are a few more arrows that will work with a 50# recurve but that is what works for me in my bow. also, is your bow setup correct. assuming you have the right arrow. is your brace height correct? is your nock set at the right position? give us more info so we can try to help you before you get so disgusted you give up. or god forbid you go and do something crazy like go back to a compound.
(compound guys, don't get your knickers in a twist i'm just busting your tomatos). anyway, nephew. we need more info.
don

 

[dgf41]

Try picking up a copy of Byron Fergasons book or video (Become The Arrow)
There is some good information. And target shooting is important to hunting it helps improve form and keep bows tuned, A hunter should strive to shoot the tightest group possible.

 

[myrons nephew]

Thanks for all the replies. My groups got worse when i bought a 50 pound bow. The bow im shooting is a hoyt gamemaster 50 pounds at 28". I use a NAP flipper rest. I draw just over 27". Im shooting cabelas outfitter carbons cut at 29". With 140 grain tips, they fly good, but i havent tried other tip weights. My nock point is right on. How do I know what the right brace height is? Thanks

 

[CLASSICHUNTER]

Tune The Bow

JUST a thought I think you said your draw is 27 in , on the game master brace height is 71/4 to 8 in and their web site gives exact heights, I have had two of these bows and they coffee cup group out to 30 or more yds when set up this bow is cut way past centre so spend some time there as well , this bow loves nock high on the string as well for some reason. I don`t know what spine these cabelas arrows are so try 1916 with a 100 grain tip to start I have gone as low as 1716 with 50 grain insert for paper shooting with 3 inch feathers. again this is what I use , you be your own judge..... Tune the bow first and groups will happen with form, This is a hyper bow and form must be spot on especially the release, no plucking allowed as it really shows.. goood luck great boe to shoot.....:darkbeer:

 

[Farley]

Thanks for all the replies. My groups got worse when i bought a 50 pound bow. The bow im shooting is a hoyt gamemaster 50 pounds at 28". I use a NAP flipper rest. I draw just over 27". Im shooting cabelas outfitter carbons cut at 29". With 140 grain tips, they fly good, but i havent tried other tip weights. My nock point is right on. How do I know what the right brace height is? Thanks

Nephew if your shooting went down hill after you got the 50# bow, try shooting one of the lighter ones again. The GM is a twitchy bow and if your form isn't spot on, neither is the bow. You mentioned that your nock point is "right on", what do you mean by this? I have found that the GM needs more nock height than other bows and this has been comfirmed by other GM/tiburon owners. Again, go back to a lighter weight bow and see what happens.

PS, Brace height rec is 7.5-8.25"

 

[vermonster13]

If you're shooting at 8yds and spraying the arrows two things jump out. Form and to much draw weight. Being able to draw a weight isn't the same as being able to shoot that weight. The arrows should still give you some grouping at that range even if they are wrong for your bow. Nock height and brace height should still allow for grouping and the groups should reflect where you need adjustment. You haven't been shooting recurve all that long from what you say. I would move back down in weight if I were you and work hard on form and tuning what I have for the best groups I can get. Also before hunting any recurve I would work on getting groups out there a bit farther than 8 yards. You owe the game you hunt and yourself the ability to make a clean kill at a reasonable hunting distance. Don't be in a rush, you're young and have a lot of hunting ahead of you. Do what you can to be as prepared and confident as possible and your enjoyment and success will increase too. Good-luck and let us know what you decide to do.

 

[Okie1bow]

Good grouping is a result of "consistant, correct, form" especially with instinctive re curve or long bow shooting. Two items usually are the basis for most problems; [1] your anchor point consistant and firm and [2] locking your bow arm into a repeatable lenght. [locking your elbow]. Sinse you're an experienced shooter you know that. However you may not be aware of the importance for those 2 items when it comes to your new style. Locking your elbow is self explanitory. A firm and consistant anchor is a little more complicated. If it's loose or not firm, you have a tendency to let off a little before you release. That leads to low shots, "plucking the string" [left and right shots] ect. Maintain a firm, consistant anchor and continue to contract your muscles between your shoulders just a little. That way when you release it will always be back, not sideways and with no let off. Hope this helps. Bill W.

 

[target killer]

Hello Everyone

Old Archer thinking to start again!

 

[DwayneR]

Hello myrons,

I cant seem to shoot my recurve accurately. Ive been shooting trad bows since last December. At first i was improving, but after i sold my compound and bought a good recurve, it seems like im getting worse. No, i dont think its form since im comfortable when im shooting and i do the same thing every shot. Im not overbowed. i started at 30 pounds, went to 40, then 45, and now im at 50 pounds and it is a comfortable weight for me. I have no idea why i cant shoot good groups. Ive been trying to shoot instinctively, but have tried gap for a while with terrible results.

Call it what you want, but it is called form....

If you were shooting good earlier on your lighter bow, and moved up... and now shooting bad...

FORM!!!!! Stick a toothpick on there and try shooting...

My suggestion????

go back to your 30 pound limbs... and start shooting. You must relearn your form. You must relearn what a shot feels like.

My guess is (whether you like it or not), you are overbowed. Though I have not seen you shoot, folks who usually advance up as such, and lose it, usually get themselves overbowed. then they start "Snap shooting", because they cannot hold that bow as long as they could with a 30 pound bow. There concentration goes from form and shot placement on the target, to "how quickly can I aim and let go of this string".

It doesn't matter how many times you can pull back the bow... That is not a measure of overbowness. ITs a matter of keeping your form and concentration on your shot placement, instead of the thinking about the bow itself.

Dwayne