?s for Vash and other archers

[tevake]

I did end up getting a nice recurved bow through ebay. Its a bit more draw weight than I wanted, so after a dozen or more shots my fingers feel quite sore.
This does limit the practice times and is keeping me from building up to the heavy draw weight.
This has me thinking of getting a release to ease the wear on the fingers.

So hoping for opinions on the best for me to get.

Here is the bow, a martin X200, 45 lbs draw ( i was think 35 lbs would be good, the listing said it was 40lbs. Ended up being 45lbs)
And the release I'm thinking of getting. Thoughts?



Cabela's: T.R.U. BallŪ Max Hunter 3 Caliper Release
Will keeping the bow with the string in place cause the draw to lighten up or cause damage?

Funny the only arrows to be found here are carbon express camo hunting arrows, so I have painted some high vis orange on them to aid in finding them in the bush where we target shoot.

Thanks for any help
Richard

[vash]

you have a good set of finger tabs or gloves?

nice bow!! i dont know of many (if any) people that shoot a mechanical release with recurve. i think finger pain is a function of string friction and not the draw weight. but like anything..you will get stronger.

Aigel shoots a recurve. hopefully he chimes in.

[genrex]

> Thoughts?

The previous owner probably sold it because of the same problem, and the bow didn't get used. My uncle had a 50-pound, and it was beautiful also... but he never used it and ended up selling it. Sorry to say, but I think you should consider doing the same, and getting the draw strength you want.

_

[tevake]

Genrex, you may well be right, It could end up being too much. But I'm hoping that with some regular practice the strength will come up to the task.
The hard part is getting the reps.

Vash, gloves may be the way to go. the pain does seem to be the chafe of the string sliding off the finger pads. I was surprised to see the loop on the string when it arrived. Why is it, do you think that releases are not used with this type of bow?

I was watching a show the other day with an older guy doing trick shots with a recurve bow that was said to be a 70 lbs draw bow, and the guy was whipping off shots left and right. The first shot he was making was at a still target, and he was drawing and holding to aim for quite a moment.

That is the problem I'm having, staying steady while aiming. Tend to get the shakes fairly quickly. I'm thinking this should improve as posture and this set of muscles get developed with practice.

Both of my boys are enjoying doing target shooting now and I want to get the accuracy up to the point of being really fun before the novelty wears off.
Right now we are having a blast.

Thanks for the input.
Richard

[Jim Bremner]

Tevake, push the bow away from you instead of pulling the string to you might help some

[vash]

oh..you need finger protection for sure. they have these leather finger tabs i see all the guys using. i also see guys using these gloves that only cover your first 3 fingers.. get them for sure. i bet you are just abusing the skin on your fingers.

i dont know why primitive bow shooter dont use a release. you shoot much faster without one for sure. you simply draw back and release. us compound guys hold at full draw for longer periods. a compound, being much faster would remove your fingerprints..

[zipinitaly]

Look up a product called 'finger savers' might be exactly what you are looking for.

[fanaudical]

45# is can be pretty heavy as a first recurve for young archers. You might put that one aside and find a lighter bow until you've had some practice.

If you can't do that, then I definitely recommend finding a tab (or you can make your own). Look for something similar to these:

Tab or Glove Recurve

You can also put "archery finger tab" into Google Image Search and get lots of ideas.

Some info on sizing bows:

The recurve bow – what you need to know

One of my favorite sites for technique:

KSL International Archery

Enjoy!

[aigel]

I shoot a 55 pound long bow. I am tall, but all legs. So you should be able to shoot 45 unless you are a shrimp. Of course you need a glove.

Like this:


And with that, and a little more practice you get this! (I shoot 55 pounds because I want to penetrate porkers).



And of course you also need an arm guard while you are at it, unless you want to bruise the cr@p out of your forearm.

Have fun!

George

[tevake]

Thanks all for the great info and especially the links. I'm sure to be referring back to the KSL site. Loved the very detailed description of shooting techniques and philosophy, especially the spiritual, meditative considerations.

Those Finger savers are interesting Zipinitaly, have you used them to good effect?

Aigel, you certainly did get some penetration on that porker, I would imagine that helped to fill the freezer nicely.
Is your long bow also a Martin? Looks like the same kind of wood/ glass layup combination as mine.

Cheers Richard

[aigel]

+1 on the tab for practise. Switch over to a glove for hunting though, as you don't want to have to fumble with the tab if something steps out in front of you!

My bow is a Bear Montana. Great bang for the buck. Looks very traditional but of course is a fiberglass + wood deal.

Real hardcore guys keep a piece of osage in their basement for abotut 10 years and then start carving. It is an amazing sport, and people really get into the traditional stuff.

Personally, I have switched to a training wheels bow (compound) for hunting, if it is on public land. On private land pig deals that promise close stalks, I still take the long bow to make it a little more sporting!

G

[zipinitaly]

Richard,

I have used to the finger savers before and liked my results. I don't shoot traditional anymore, I shoot a crazy compound w/a release.

Good luck

[gtc]

Are you taking lessons? Posture is everything... even what you do with your hands after you release the string is important.

[tevake]

Sounds like even guys with an appreciation for the traditional gear can't resist the advantages of the compound bows. The ease of long hold time at full draw looks useful in the field, what are other benefits? Speed, power, range?

I'm working in something of a vacuum here, although there are a few bow hunters on island. I did run into a guy that is new to the sport while shopping for arrows at wall mart. He said he was getting nice groups at 50 yards right off. WOW I'm thinking he must be a natural. Is there that much difference?

I'm kind of divided about the finger savers vs the tab but got to get something soon.

No range or coaching that I've heard of here yet. Its a small island.

Cheers Richard

[gtc]

I like the tabs... never really had any finger issues with them. They usually have a little plastic spacer that sits between your index and middle fingers, so they stay in place and fit the arrow naturally. I kinda think they would also give a more consistent release than gloves would. I personally wouldn't expect to hit much if I were playing Quickdraw McGraw with a bow and arrow.

Armguards are good insurance, but it's better (and proper) to rotate your elbow outwards. If you do that, there's little chance of the string hitting your arm.

[aigel]

Richard,

A compound is a whole different animal. Shooting a trad. bow is like throwing a dart or a ball into a target. You know exactly when you let go of the string and you don't aim, you just hold it so it will go in the right spot. Through practice you get better at hitting the target.
Shooting a compound is like shooting a gun - range your target - line up the appropriate sight pin with your peep hole on the string, squeeze the trigger, let it surprise you, follow through by holding it steady. A lot of skill from a gun will transfer to a compound. This is why many do very well with it out of the box. Shooting a traditional bow into a pie plate target at 50 yards is only something masters can do reliably after years of practice, while an average guy with the compound can get there in a few months.
The only reason I switched to the compound for public land hunting is to increase my already very limited chances and because a buddy gave me his compound. If I had to buy one, I'd probably still shoot only traditional.

Compound: Holding the bow back for longer can be a big advantage in a hunting situation. Speed is high, but the arrow is light. A beefy long bow will kill just fine IMHO, especially with a blade broad-head, which tends to find its way.

G

Originally Posted by tevake

Sounds like even guys with an appreciation for the traditional gear can't resist the advantages of the compound bows. The ease of long hold time at full draw looks useful in the field, what are other benefits? Speed, power, range?

I'm working in something of a vacuum here, although there are a few bow hunters on island. I did run into a guy that is new to the sport while shopping for arrows at wall mart. He said he was getting nice groups at 50 yards right off. WOW I'm thinking he must be a natural. Is there that much difference?

I'm kind of divided about the finger savers vs the tab but got to get something soon.

No range or coaching that I've heard of here yet. Its a small island.

Cheers Richard