I bought an older used recurve bow over 15 years ago at a gun show and over the years I will go through cycles of consistency practicing with it. I recently got a long bow (insanely cheap at a craft show..I think they guy is under pricing his products) and another recurve bow. My son is old enough to get a bow to practice with (20# recurve) and so we have been shooting at least 100 arrows a week for the past few weeks. In any event, I am trying to get good at bare bow natural archery, so I have not bothered with getting sights, trigger releases, stabilizers, etc. I wanted to cultivate a skill over time and improve at the techniques in and of themselves.
Anyway, anyone else have an archery interest? I do not know that I will ever hunt with a recurve bow (honestly not good enough to do so ethically now), but I do enjoy the challenge of trying to get good at something, though it can be a bit frustrating at times. Also, if there are archers here, any tips?
I dabbled with archery when I was younger. Mostly, compound bows. Aluminum and Carbon arrows. Always fun for a little while, but not fun enough for me.
It has become expensive, if you chase speed and accuracy.
Quote from: Jam The MF on August 25, 2021, 10:37:48 PM
I dabbled with archery when I was younger. Mostly, compound bows. Aluminum and Carbon arrows. Always fun for a little while, but not fun enough for me.
It has become expensive, if you chase speed and accuracy.
Yeah, upper end compound and recurve bows can get a little crazy. I suppose if we just chase flight speed and accuracy, a crossbow is the quickest answer there, but that honestly is no so different from shooting a rifle (modern crossbows anyway). I considered a compound bow with all the bells and whistles, but I enjoy the discomfort of trying to master something "new". New being relative, I have just never set the disciplined time aside to make sure I was consistent. I am doing that now, and want to see what a year of consistent 5 days a week shooting does for me.
Crossbow target shooting. Including pistol crossbow. No hunting, though.
Quote from: GriswaldTerrastone on August 30, 2021, 06:38:20 PM
Crossbow target shooting. Including pistol crossbow. No hunting, though.
I have considered a decent crossbow, I do not hunt, but in the near future (next year or so), if I did hunt a crossbow is the only way I could see doing so ethically.
Actually it would be more ethical to use a gun. It's a better, quicker way to kill.
Quote from: GriswaldTerrastone on August 30, 2021, 06:47:04 PM
Actually it would be more ethical to use a gun. It's a better, quicker way to kill.
A crossbow is pretty close within 40 yards. Gun, is relative to what you take. If we are talking kill or go hungry, I will take the rifle. If I am hunting to make deer sausage, I do not mind giving the deer an honest chance. I would also say a broadhead through the heart/lungs is going to kill a deer just as well (and possibly better) than a 30-06, and there is about zero chance the bullet keeps going and hits anything else in case I am either off or take a bad shot (which I wouldnt, but...you never know).
There is a free range near my home that I've tried and enjoyed, though I am not good. I've been thinking on and off about getting a bow.
Quote from: Mistwell on August 31, 2021, 08:21:45 PM
There is a free range near my home that I've tried and enjoyed, though I am not good. I've been thinking on and off about getting a bow.
The good thing about a bow, is if you at least have a backyard (well I guess in your case backyard might be relative in L.A.) you can have a backstop that is completely safe to shoot a bit in the back yard (even 10 yards is good to practice release, holding and aiming) so you would not have to limit all shooting to the range. I have enjoyed getting back into it, and I think positive for anyone who gets into it.
Quote from: oggsmash on August 31, 2021, 09:13:08 PM
Quote from: Mistwell on August 31, 2021, 08:21:45 PM
There is a free range near my home that I've tried and enjoyed, though I am not good. I've been thinking on and off about getting a bow.
The good thing about a bow, is if you at least have a backyard (well I guess in your case backyard might be relative in L.A.) you can have a backstop that is completely safe to shoot a bit in the back yard (even 10 yards is good to practice release, holding and aiming) so you would not have to limit all shooting to the range. I have enjoyed getting back into it, and I think positive for anyone who gets into it.
I actually have an unusually large backyard by LA standards. That's an interesting thought I hadn't considered.
It's up to you, but with all these details you're doxing yourself.
Quote from: Mistwell on September 01, 2021, 12:34:22 AM
Quote from: oggsmash on August 31, 2021, 09:13:08 PM
Quote from: Mistwell on August 31, 2021, 08:21:45 PM
There is a free range near my home that I've tried and enjoyed, though I am not good. I've been thinking on and off about getting a bow.
The good thing about a bow, is if you at least have a backyard (well I guess in your case backyard might be relative in L.A.) you can have a backstop that is completely safe to shoot a bit in the back yard (even 10 yards is good to practice release, holding and aiming) so you would not have to limit all shooting to the range. I have enjoyed getting back into it, and I think positive for anyone who gets into it.
I actually have an unusually large backyard by LA standards. That's an interesting thought I hadn't considered. Though the archery range nearby is in walking distance. I think it was originally made for the 1984 olympics.
I would still set something up in the yard. The more convenient it is to shoot 20 or so, the more often you will do it.
Hunted (traditional and modern equipment) and competed (modern) with Archery equipment for around 20 years. Worked in the industry as a side job as well during that time.
I likely would have abandoned modern equipment entirely, especially for hunting, however I am left eye dominant and right handed, which causes me problems to no end with consistent accuracy using true instinctive or "barebow" (point of aim, gap shooting, etc) shooting methods with longbows and recurves. I taught myself to shoot left handed(modern and traditional) to help, but it was never natural which hurt me in competition.
At this point in my life my eyesight is failing rapidly, I've had multiple back surgeries and perm nerve damage in both hands related to powerlifting when I was younger and so I only shoot occasionally these days for fun, and with my 10yo Daughter who has taken interest due to summer camp the past few years.