Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer Bow Talk Back to shooting

Well today was the first time I have shoot a bow since I was about 16 0r 17 years old. I soon found out I am quite rusty. Already feeling a little sore in the upper body area from working muscles that don't get worked alot. I sent about 20 arrows downrange. As a result of my outing today I have a few questions to ask someone who knows more than I do.

#1 How do you know if your draw lenght is to long?
#2 What is a good sight for a beginner. The sights that are on the market today were not even thought about the last time I shot a bow. I have a 3 pin sight on now but I really don't like it. I have been looking on the internet at sights and like the single pin sights. Has anybody used them and how do you like them.

I have a long ways to go before I feel like I will be able to go sit in a treestand. But I will be in the backyard letting them loose every evening.

#1...... when you pull the bow to its maximum draw with your bow arm extended ( not a lot of bend in te elbow) your knock should come to rest somewhere around the corner of your mouth....

if you do this an cannot feel the "back wall" of your draw then the draw is to long..

#2 i personally would recommend an eXtreme sight...built well and at a reasonable price

#1 Your bowarm should have a slight bend at the elbow and you should be able to anchor without bending the back or neck. And the bow should be in the letoff valley or on the wall (whichever you prefer) when in the position of holding at full draw. Meaning: standing straight up, head, neck and back in a straight vertical line. Folks with too long of draw show symptons of:

- locked elbow on the bow arm
- head swerved farther back causing a curve in the spine
- string slapping the arm
- archer has a problem holding on the wall when aiming and the bow starts to let down.

You can shoot with a locked arm or bad form, but good form is easier to repeat.

If you are tired after 20 shots, go ahead and lower the poundage some. You can build bad habits if you think more about holding steady, than form and aiming. The season is a ways away and you have plenty of time to build up those unused muscles.

#2 So many choices, but I like sights with .019 pins and fiber optics for viewing in low light.

Start now. Initially, do not shoot more than one group per session and only a few sessions per day. Practice with two arrows for two weeks. Then move up to three for a week or so. Then five. the trick is to not over do it and injure yourself early due to your enthusiasm.