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Getting started bow hunting...

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pookie

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Can you guys point me to some good books or websites on getting started bow hunting? Heck, even compound bow shooting?

I shot a plastic recurve with wooden arrows as a kid, that's the only time I have pulled the string on a bow. I know that is nothing like shooting a compound, I'm just saying that is all my bow experience.

I have two buddies that LOVE it, and I'm interested, but I'd like to learn a lot more before I go jumping in and buying a setup.

Thanks
 
If you have an archery club around you, that would be a good place to go and learn first hand by talking to fellow archers and looking at their equipment, or a quality pro-shop as well�this time of year they can get pretty slow and will have the time to talk to you.

Be careful about Archery Talk though,it is true that you can/will pick up some good information, but that place is also loaded with some really bad advice/attitudes from people that think they know what they are talking about�the same could be said about any website though.

You can also ask any question you have here, there is alot of us that has been around the block a time or three.

This is link is called "The Nuts and Bolts of Archery" and it contains alot of information that you may find useful and interesting. http://archeryhistory.com/archerytalk/T ... rchery.pdf
 
Thanks guys. I did just some looking around after I posted yesterday. I'll definitley give the links a look and get back with any questions.

How about books? Can you guys recommend any good archery books?
 
one thing is don't get all caught up in the technical stuff that people will push on you. It helps to some degree but unless you want to hit a golf ball every time at 45 yards then don't worry about it... I have gone the "poor man's" route, using an older bow with cheap Carbon Express arrows from walmart. Bow has a single pin sight, peep sight on the string, nock points w/ release loop, it is a basic setup, pulls in the 60 lb range, and I only shoot deer out to 20 yards or so. So far I have killed 2 with a bow this year and it is my first year taking it seriously. I guess if you buy a compound then take it to an archery shop to have them tune it up to fit you, they shouldn't charge too much, and get arrows that fit your draw length and weight, and remember that even the cheap stuff will still kill deer and you have to decide if you want to be simple and take closer shots or get all technical and have a killing machine out to 40+ yards. I can't offer much more advice because as I said, i just recently got into bowhunting too so I am still learning. This is just what I have gathered so far.
 
pookie said:
Thanks guys. I did just some looking around after I posted yesterday. I'll definitley give the links a look and get back with any questions.

How about books? Can you guys recommend any good archery books?
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I can't recommend anything because I have never read a single book on archery�I believe most fall into this category. Everything I know, has been picked up from either personal experience or knowledge gained from talking to others and just tinkering around over the years soaking up information from a vast amount of resources�like links we posted as an example.

As previously stated, don't get to involved in the technical aspects of it right now�there is a something to be said about to much information. Just read the first little bit of that "nuts and bolts" that talks about basic shooting form and the entry level stuff and find a bow and someone that knows what they are doing and start shooting. If you where closer I would help you out, but I'm sure someone up your way could help you out and get you started in the right direction.
 
I'm with these guys. I would find a used bow on the cheap and get it to fit you right, then spend your time shooting it. Don't worry so much about the books, I believe better information will come from the forums. My biggest recommendation would be to find a good public range to practice at, it will provide good practice at different yardages and angles.
 
Urban_Hunter said:
I'm with these guys. I would find a used bow on the cheap and get it to fit you right, then spend your time shooting it. Don't worry so much about the books, I believe better information will come from the forums. My biggest recommendation would be to find a good public range to practice at, it will provide good practice at different yardages and angles.
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X2.

I got my whole setup for $150 bucks on craigslist. Spent 50 more bucks on a tru glo sight because I wanted an extra pin. I can tell you right now that was a mistake because I have never used that pin shooting at a deer.

Good luck to you! Hopefully you got a nice big back yard where you can practice there.
 
The archers bible by Fred Bear

Gain all the knowldge you can from personal experience and forums like this one even the tech stuff it all will help you put it all together form and function
 
Stick around here and you will learn.

Find a good local shop and learn from them.

Hang out with bow hunters and learn from them.

#1....learn proper shooting form and get a bow with the proper draw length and get arrows that spine match your set up.
 
Google Randy Ulmer and go to his website. He has (or at least used to) several articles on shooting and hunting setups. I find him to be VERY knowledeable, and his info has always been on the money. It might shorten the learning curve a little.

The key to successfully shooting a bow is consistency and repeatability. You need a good anchor point on your face that you pull exactly to EVERY time, and a good, relaxed, "open-handed" grip. Spending a few minutes with someone that knows what they are doing and can make minor form corrections for you can shave off a lot of the learning curve.

It also really helps to have a bow that fits. Most archers tend to shoot a bow with too long of a draw length. So, before you buy, you need to be properly measured, or do it yourself. If you google measuring for bow draw length, it should take you to a way to measure using outstretched arms and a conversion formula.
I'd do that before trying to buy a bow to know what you need to be looking for.
 
scn said:
Google Randy Ulmer and go to his website. He has (or at least used to) several articles on shooting and hunting setups. I find him to be VERY knowledeable, and his info has always been on the money. It might shorten the learning curve a little.

The key to successfully shooting a bow is consistency and repeatability. You need a good anchor point on your face that you pull exactly to EVERY time, and a good, relaxed, "open-handed" grip. Spending a few minutes with someone that knows what they are doing and can make minor form corrections for you can shave off a lot of the learning curve.

It also really helps to have a bow that fits. Most archers tend to shoot a bow with too long of a draw length. So, before you buy, you need to be properly measured, or do it yourself. If you google measuring for bow draw length, it should take you to a way to measure using outstretched arms and a conversion formula.
I'd do that before trying to buy a bow to know what you need to be looking for.
Click to expand...

"golf clap"

Well said and good info here.
 
TNDeerGuy said:
If you have an archery club around you, that would be a good place to go and learn first hand by talking to fellow archers and looking at their equipment, or a quality pro-shop as well�this time of year they can get pretty slow and will have the time to talk to you.

Be careful about Archery Talk though,it is true that you can/will pick up some good information, but that place is also loaded with some really bad advice/attitudes from people that think they know what they are talking about�the same could be said about any website though.

You can also ask any question you have here, there is alot of us that has been around the block a time or three.

This is link is called "The Nuts and Bolts of Archery" and it contains alot of information that you may find useful and interesting. http://archeryhistory.com/archerytalk/T ... rchery.pdf
Click to expand...

Ditto , I'd stay away from Achery talk . Tndeer is a good place to learn about bowhunting right here on this forum . It's also a good place to meet fellow Bowhunters who may help you along the way .
I would suggest going to a proshop and get setup properly with a bow that fits you and find a good mentor . It's not something you can jump right into , it takes plenty of practice to become proficient with a bow , so prepare now for next season and you will be more successful .
 
Very good advise. I would also add take all advise with a grain of salt and not gospel. There are a lot of options out there. Listen to all advise and then learn from it.You will start to figure out what's good and what's bad. the key though is to start out with the proper draw length. that needs to be done at a bow shop that knows what they are doing. Its a great year round sport.
 
StalkingWolf said:
Are you familiar with deer hunting at all, or just not the archery part?
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I am. But I've only ever sat in a stand during rifle season. I've not done any stalk hunts, and never bow hunted. Even my rifle hunting has not been as often as I would like lately.

A little back story, we moved from SC to Murfreesboro about 5 years ago, and moved to Knoxville about 2 years ago. Since the move we've started our family and my free time has been spent at home, or fishing. (I love to fish, and so does mini-me) Where I hunted in SC had one of the longest rifle seasons ever, August 15-Jan 1. But since the move I've not gone like I used to. I am going back to meet up with some buddies in the coming weeks so I'm stoked about that.

Which is where the interest in bow hunting comes in. First, I'm interested in it as what I've seen on tv and the stories I hear it sounds awesome. Second, I'd like an option that gives me a longer window to get in the woods here in TN. Third, I have another buddy who lives in North Wisconsin and has invited me up to deer hunt. Rifle season in his area only comes in the Sat before Thanksgiving, and goes out the Sun after. That's a bad week to try and travel to WS for a hunt. But bow season is much longer out there so again it gives me a longer window to go up. Hunting in WS would be a dream hunt. Fourth, I think our current house gives me a perfect place to practice, and I'm looking it as something I can use to relax during the work week. Other people play golf or whatever, I work on cars, and would like to shoot archery in my back yard.

I've been on forums before and know the old rule of not believing anything on the internet. So, I was looking for some good books or links to get my knowledge started.

I hope that helps explain a little more, and thanks again for the help.

Also, can anyone recommend a good shop to get measured in the Knoxville area.
 
The best advice I can give is to shoot your bow until you are very comfortable with it. And then shoot some more. There is no way you can have all the answers without some experience. Shooting at deer is the best way to solve that. It would also be good if you could find a bowhunting partner who already hsa some experience.
 
I'd have to disagree with the statement "you can't believe anything on the Internet" . These forums are a great place to shorten the learning curve , you just have to know how to sort out the BS from good advise .
Look for unbiased advice from experienced Bowhunters . You will figure out who to learn from .
The best place to start is your pro shop during the offseason . This is a time when business may be a little slow , and they are able to spend more time with you . Archery is not a hobby you can pick up within a week or two and become proficient at . It takes some dedication to a practice routine with a bow that is correctly setup .
Bowhunting is different than rifle hunting as well . Stand placement is more critical . Setting up stands in bottlenecks in cover and terrain within bow range of deer travel routes is the key to success .
My first bowhunt was in 1980 , I have been hooked every since . I no longer put my bow down during rifle season .
 
Find a friend that bowhunts or shoots a bow and let him guide you. Start will all used stuff, save as much as possible.
 

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