Archery Blog

Posted by Glen on July 9, 2012, 1:16 a.m.

Today I went to the Archery range at my local Bass Pro Shop's Outdoor World and shot with my traditional recurve bow for the first time. I spent about an hour shooting targets. Didn't do too bad for my first time. For the most part, my shots were within 6-8 inches apart with an occasional shot that was way off. I hit four right on the bullseye.

It surprised me that I was the only person not using a compact bow. No one seems to like traditional bows. I feel the compact bow makes it too easy. I was struggling trying to keep my string pulled back. The compact bows give you a relief of pressure after you pull it back far enough. My traditional recurve bow maintains a constant force of 45 lbs. when pulled back. I was shaking all over the place trying to keep it steady. It got difficult aiming for more than three seconds. It was fun though.

For $5, you can't beat their indoor range. All the private ranges and memberships elsewhere want like $200 a year and $30-$50 a lesson. This "Outdoor World" place charges $10 for a lesson and I can go to the range anytime I want for $5 an hour. It's great. One thing I regret not doing today was suggesting that my girlfriend take pictures or a video of me shooting the arrows. Instead, she just watched and realized this after the fact as well. lol. Maybe next time I'll have some media content.

Comments

Toast 12 years, 4 months ago

@Juju For the impending apocalypse

Juju 12 years, 4 months ago

Nah mate, this is for the impending apocalypse.

Glen 12 years, 4 months ago

lol, if I wanted a relief of pressure, I wouldn't have bought the most difficult bow to use.

Rolf_Soldaat 12 years, 4 months ago

That comment was not aimed at you, but rather at those people with their fancy carbon fiber bows or whatever.

Cesque 12 years, 4 months ago

Props for the attitude of preferring a traditional bow :)

Compact bows are one of those things that are yeah-probably-better but take out all dignity and style of what they're meant to represent.

Kamira 12 years, 4 months ago

I've used recurve and I liked it (I don't think I've ever used a compact). Though, I much prefer the only crossbow I've ever used; 75lb. string, red dot sight. Lot of fun.

Sheppard 12 years, 4 months ago

Hey you realize they invented guns a couple years back, right?

haha jk I used to shoot a lot of bow myself. I've always done a lot of hunting and I've got an old High Country compound I used to shoot a lot, but I kinda quit. Mainly because I got a long time ago, and my arms and drawlength are longer now, and any slight change in my posture makes the bow shoot differently, and adjusting sites is a pain. So I decided to just stick to guns, mostly because I'm too lazy to worry about sighting in my bow again :P

But hey, the best advice I can give is that there are several different ways to shoot a bow and you will shoot it differently than anybody else because it is impossible to have the exact posture as another person.

colseed 12 years, 4 months ago

Quote:
My traditional recurve bow maintains a constant force of 45 lbs. when pulled back. I was shaking all over the place trying to keep it steady.
Sounds like your bow is too strong for you, lol

The ratio of compound bow users to recurve bow users is similar at the archery place I go to, yeah - apparently because the compound bow people tend to like going hunting, and hunting is pretty popular.

Also the people who like going hunting aren't always in the best of shape. Thus guns and compound bows with fancy sights. :p

Toast 12 years, 4 months ago

Quote:
Hey you realize they invented guns a couple years back, right?
Highly regulated in most of the UK. I think people here would argue that you'd have more fun with bows. Not that I'm familiar with either. Interested in starting though.

JuurianChi 12 years, 4 months ago

Bows? Guns?

Pfft.

I'm taking up Knife throwing soon, son.