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Tim Johnson

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My son and I are going to attempt to bowhunt this year for the 1st time ever. It has been at least 25 years since I have shot a bow and I am not certain that my son has ever shot one. My question is, how should I go about training for this? Do I need to start off with 15 yard shots, 20 yard shots or longer?

Also, I am going to attempt to build my own target by taking several 2' square pieces of 1" pinkboard insulation and glue them together. I figure it needs to be at least 12"-15" thick to be effective. Any ideas on that?

Thanks in advance,
Tim
 
That pinkboard will most likeley break apart after just a few shots. I think it's too brittle. You can get a nice redhead foam target for about $39 and it's worth it IMO.
A better solution than the pinkboard is to get a big woven plastic feed sack and stuff it full of old plastic bags and other feed sacks as tight as you can stuff them in there and then seal up the end somehow. I hang those between two posts and they usually last about a year.
 
How old is your son? The fiberboard insulation may not stop the arrows from a hunting bow. Keep you shots close. You also have a publc range to shoot field tips only in Hendersonville. Take advantage of that. It is fun and you two can enjoy the adventure of riding down and shooting.
 
Tim, Have you and your son gotten your bows yet? If I can help you contact me. I could meet you at the archery range in Hendersonville or I am in Gallatin a lot. So we could hook up if that would help.
 
My advice is to meet Hoss at the archery shop if you haven't got the bows yet. I don't know him but he appears to be an experienced archer. On the target Hogbear hit it on the head. If you haven't started shooting it would be a good idea to get started immediately and like you said work your way back from 15 to 25 yards...since you haven't shot a bow in 25 years I wouldn't worry too much about a shot farther than that. Good luck Tim, I think it's great that you and your son are going to spend some bow time together!! My youngest and I tear it up every year!
 
Hoss,

We are supposed to be getting our bows this Saturday, they are being loaned to us by a guy I work with. Then of course I have to get arrows, practice tips and broadheads.

Where is the archery range in Hendersonville? I may very well take you up on your offer of meeting us.

Thanks to everyone for the advice!
Tim
 
Try to Avoid a pink foam target. When the arrow penetrates the foam if causes friction and heats up causing the foam to melt to the arrow shaft.Not real fun to scrape off after each shot, if you dont your grouping will suffer. Its a MESS!!! Oh..Dont ask how I know Please!!!
 
Tim Johnson said:
Hoss,

We are supposed to be getting our bows this Saturday, they are being loaned to us by a guy I work with. Then of course I have to get arrows, practice tips and broadheads.

Where is the archery range in Hendersonville? I may very well take you up on your offer of meeting us.

Thanks to everyone for the advice!
Tim
Click to expand...

Do the loaned bows fit you ? What is your draw length and comfortable draw weight ? I would recommend practicing now for next year . It's a little close to season to become proficient with a bow if you haven't shot in years .
 
Make sure the bow fits the shooter. DO NOT try to make yourself shoot a bow that does not fit you . The only homemade target I have ever had any luck with is a feed sack stuffed with rags and start out at 10-15 yds work back from there.

Sorry Radar wasn't trying to copy your post we where typing at same time I guess.
 
Hoss said:
Tim, Have you and your son gotten your bows yet? If I can help you contact me. I could meet you at the archery range in Hendersonville or I am in Gallatin a lot. So we could hook up if that would help.
Click to expand...

Take advantage of that offer. As a new archer it will help you tons to have an experienced archer to mentor you and you son.
There are two aspects to bowhunting, the archer, and the hunter. Both need lots of productive practice and experience to be efficient and successful.

It's the best sport on earth IMO.
Good luck and enjoy.
 
The archery range is at the dam, in the Rockland Recreation Area. Contact me and I can help you determine if the bows fit both of you. If they are given to you, this is important. I can help you before you go and buy a bunch of stuff.
 
Radar,

The guy I am borrowing the bows from is going to fit them to us. He has been bow hunting for probably 30 years of more. He will give us some pointers but I was trying to get some other peoples opinions on this.

Thanks again to everyone that has helped.
 
Tim Johnson said:
Radar,

The guy I am borrowing the bows from is going to fit them to us. He has been bow hunting for probably 30 years of more. He will give us some pointers but I was trying to get some other peoples opinions on this.

Thanks again to everyone that has helped.
Click to expand...

It might not appear that way , but making sure you were getting a bow of proper draw length was being helpful . ;)
 
Radar,

I completely understood what you were saying about the draw length. My son and I went through the hunter safety course a couple years ago and one of the instructors was telling us about people buying used bows and then bringing them to him and asking him to fit it to them. He said that does not always work. I forget his name but he was a big guy that really seemed to know his stuff when it came to archery.
 
Definitely wanna make sure the bow fits you. If not, you'll start off with more bad habits! It's good to hear about a father and son wanting to share the woods together!
 
Tim Johnson said:
Radar,

I completely understood what you were saying about the draw length. My son and I went through the hunter safety course a couple years ago and one of the instructors was telling us about people buying used bows and then bringing them to him and asking him to fit it to them. He said that does not always work. I forget his name but he was a big guy that really seemed to know his stuff when it came to archery.
Click to expand...


I know that guy. :grin: If I can help I PM'd my info. Good luck and happy hunting.
 

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