The everyman's guide to killing a deer with a trad bow???

[Patrick69]

this... not everyone can buy multiple limbs or bows to 'start low and work up'. This is dead on though if you get a bow at hunting weight (I am shooting 45#)... you want to shoot all day, but shoot more than 6-10 and you're gonna feel it. The progression should be in the amount of arrows shot with consistency, just like starting a regimen of sit-ups/push-ups, etc. the number you can shoot your first week will be lower than what you will be shooting comfortably in a month or two.

The problem is virtually no one stops shooting when they should. Most people suffer from the “Just one more shot” syndrome. (Kinda just like the old chip commercial, “ You can’t eat just one.”)

The next thing the person knows, he’s shorting his draw just a smidgen, and he’s not getting Good back tension. Then he wonders why he’s facing target panic in a few of years. Just my option, but I believe starting out at heavier weights and not perfecting form is a recipe for target panic down the road.

Also, having pulled and shot a hunting weight compound isn’t preparing you to shoot hunting weight trad bows. With a compound you draw straight back and then transfer to back tension, but with trad gear you need to learn to draw with that back tension. It’s harder to make that transfer when your holding all the weight.

 

[overspined]

I killed my first deer with a longbow in 1991. I was 15. My first deer period. Second in 1992, same, except a biggun. Killed most of my deer with a longbow actually, including big/small, doe etc. I’ve been a bit of a fanatic for over 30 years.

I’ll say some key things and most have been mentioned but they are truly key. I make longbows and teach folks to shoot often.

Shoot a bow that’s easy to shoot. Probably always. There’s no magic weight, but make sure you’ll be able to put arrows through it. Yeah hunting I’ve killed with 40-55#. All lethal. I’ve seen people kill easily with 32# LB. No issue.

Probably have someone who knows how to shoot show you how. I can get people shooting in a short session, they always walk away happy. What I’ve seen though, is frustration because if I’m not tweaking their form or concentration, they lose some details and start to have issues. I’m not a coach, but know enough to help with form. I think a coach of some sort is a good idea. But you have to listen and be open to criticism as an archer. There are actually archers who are very good with very different form, and that’s ok. But starting with a solid base is important.

I would never recommend carbon arrows until you’re experienced. Too stiff, too hard to tune, too fast of a recovery, too many issues. Aluminum are the easiest to replicate and are forgiving like wood. Major differences here vs carbon. I always get people started with aluminum, and then they can either expand to carbon on their own when they have the experience and confidence, or even go to wood where it’s super fun and just like aluminum but more work. I am a fan of carbon, but not generally with a Trad bow unless it’s very center shot or past center.
Some people don’t have a problem, but if you shoot well tuned aluminum vs carbon from non-centershot bows, aluminum will win for most. So, when you think you suck, switch to aluminum and make sure. Lol. I know this can be argued but I have seen it many times. And I’m partial to wood or aluminum. Carbons are TOUCHY. Not what I want. I’ve never shot an animal and thought “wish that was a carbon arrow”. Ever. Most carbon break if they’re sticking out of a deer just like any.

Get close to your critters. I kill normally at 10-18 yds. Maybe closer. Lol

Gain confidence and experience by killing animals and fish etc when available.

Be willing to pass shots and not whine about it. The kill makes great Instagr..photos but who really cares. Don’t whine about misses either. Just learn and get better. I’ve shot giant deer and missed giant deer..enjoy the hunt.

I think I’ve missed 18 elk with a longbow, bulls and cows. Hunting I have down…killing at 40+ yds I don’t… funny how I can return from missing elk and lace deer…

Dedicate time to Trad. Don’t keep going back to wheels. Stick with it. I mean you can go back and forth, but to get good you gotta do it.

Use simple easily sharpened COC 2 blade heads.

 

[Iron_llama]

The problem is virtually no one stops shooting when they should. Most people suffer from the “Just one more shot” syndrome. (Kinda just like the old chip commercial, “ You can’t eat just one.”)

The next thing the person knows, he’s shorting his draw just a smidgen, and he’s not getting Good back tension. Then he wonders why he’s facing target panic in a few of years. Just my option, but I believe starting out at heavier weights and not perfecting form is a recipe for target panic down the road.

Also, having pulled and shot a hunting weight compound isn’t preparing you to shoot hunting weight trad bows. With a compound you draw straight back and then transfer to back tension, but with trad gear you need to learn to draw with that back tension. It’s harder to make that transfer when your holding all the weight.

The advice I follow is, to stop shooting once I get shaky. I might do practice draws or let-downs after that, but once my shoulders are too tired to practice good form I won't release an arrow.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

I quit when I start losing mental focus. I just can't shoot a ton of arrows and keep my mental crap together. Very often, my 1st arrow is my best arrow. When my focus starts slipping then my form isn't far behind.

 

[JoyRyd]

Good form is important for both target and hunting accuracy but really imo is not important at all for killing stuff. Mastering the weapon is though. There are plenty of folks that do not have great form that are straight killers but they can put the first arrow on the spot at their hunting range every time.

^^^^^^^^^^this is the best, most truthful, statement I have read yet!! To add to it, if I may. No hunting situation is remotely the same as standing in your yard, perfect posture, head back, perpendicular to the target, and coming to “full draw” all while your heart rate is dead calm! New archers must develop their own shot sequence, timing, and physical triggers to execute a “good shot”! Great observation and statement @BTaylor

Have fun. Trad archery is a journey, not a destination.

 

[JoyRyd]

Big Jim explains posture issues better than I ever could! Watch to the end. Good advice, IMO.