I picked up my first bow.

[Tleek]

Archery and bowhunting is a wonderful hobby and like many of us it can soon become your passion and take you to many great locations.

I typically try to shoot at least one arrow per day, usually more but that keeps my muscles in shape. Even if it's in the garage a 2-4 yard shot trying to hit dime sized spots is making you improve. Don't allow yourself to continue shooting if you feel flinchy..that's a bad way to get target anticipation.

Check out Nock on archery (School of nock) it's free and watch the content in sections one and two. That will help you improve greatly. You don't need longer ranges to be a great archery shot, you need reps and a consistent shot routine and when you can shoot further do so. But remember it's supposed to be fun and make sure to keep us posted on your progress!

im really stoked to get into it. I started hunting as an adult and am really a small game guy. I love squirrel and rabbit hunting. Im hoping the early seasons will let me get just as into deer. Im really enjoying the bow so far.

I’m shooting around 7-10 yards in the garage. I have to use my 30 yard pin amd o feel like I’ve been shooting a bit right. I moved the sights left last time o took it out and don’t want to make any adjustments until I can shoot at around 20 again.

I’m pretty obsessive compulsive and want the sights to be just right, but im trying to emphasize form and release until I get some muscle memory.

I watched a few nock on videos. I didn’t realize they had a full course. I’ll check that out tonight.

Thanks guys.

 

[JasonWi]

Small game hunting is a ton of fun and I guarantee the first time you come to full draw on a blacktail your HR will be humming! It's such a humbling yet fulfilling hobby that you can do year round. Get to the central coast or valley and hunt hogs eventually..that will give you great big game reps.

 

[Tleek]

Small game hunting is a ton of fun and I guarantee the first time you come to full draw on a blacktail your HR will be humming! It's such a humbling yet fulfilling hobby that you can do year round. Get to the central coast or valley and hunt hogs eventually..that will give you great big game reps.

A family member just bought 40 acres on the central coast. I’m hoping I can hunt it. I grew up in Santa Barbara county.

 

[Tleek]

I brought it out again and wasn’t getting as good of groups as last time.

I noticed it felt weird when I was drawing and I tightened up some screws that were coming loose.

I’m not sure why I wasn’t shooting as well, even at 20 yards.

My left shoulder is really hurting and i wonder if my form is off or if I just need to rest it for a few days.

 

[Wyobohunter]

I brought it out again and wasn’t getting as good of groups as last time.

I noticed it felt weird when I was drawing and I tightened up some screws that were coming loose.

I’m not sure why I wasn’t shooting as well, even at 20 yards.

My left shoulder is really hurting and i wonder if my form is off or if I just need to rest it for a few days.

Probably a good idea. I think it’s better to shoot 6-12 arrows several times per week than to go out and shoot 60-90 once per week. Or even just shoot 3 arrows every day. I only bring 3 arrows to the range. This forces me to takes small breaks. I try to shoot 3 per day in the garage.

 

[Tleek]

Probably a good idea. I think it’s better to shoot 6-12 arrows several times per week than to go out and shoot 60-90 once per week. Or even just shoot 3 arrows every day. I only bring 3 arrows to the range. This forces me to takes small breaks. I try to shoot 3 per day in the garage.

I’ve been shooting a bit almost every day in the garage, but I think I tweaked it a few days ago and made it worse today. Probably just sore and I need to build up some muscle.

 

[307]

Just to clarify, it's John Dudley, not Chris that does Nock On archery on youtube. He has a "school of nock" series that's really good. He offers $100's worth of lessons for free all on youtube.

Build a string bow. You can get reps without much stress to shoulders or equipment.

Learn about a surprise release and back tension. Get a release you can learn to shoot with back tension.

Scott triggers are WAY too light IMO and will build a puncher/target panic.

Back tension is a technique to be used with any release. Many people confuse it with a style of release that's actually called a hinge. As far as I can tell, there are categories of release. Index trigger, thumb trigger/button, hinge, and tension activated. They all function somewhat different and it's good to be familiar with them. There are 1,000,000 versions of each category.

Learn the fundamentals (Nock on) before practicing a lot so that you're not grooving poor technique.

 

[Tleek]

Hey guys, I’ve been practicing a ton at home and with 3 weeks left in the school year, I’m about to hit the practice hard.

I have private land permission in A zone. It opens July 7. I’ll probably have a week or so to hunt it.

Then I’ll most likely be hunting public land up here in b zone. I’m excited to get out.


Reading about arrows is more confusing than reading about bows.

I don’t know what inserts etc I have. All I know is the tech who set me up said just to replace my field points with 100gr broadheads.

Im on the fence between mechanicals and fixed. Recommendations?

 

[Wyobohunter]

Hey guys, I’ve been practicing a ton at home and with 3 weeks left in the school year, I’m about to hit the practice hard.

I have private land permission in A zone. It opens July 7. I’ll probably have a week or so to hunt it.

Then I’ll most likely be hunting public land up here in b zone. I’m excited to get out.


Reading about arrows is more confusing than reading about bows.

I don’t know what inserts etc I have. All I know is the tech who set me up said just to replace my field points with 100gr broadheads.

Im on the fence between mechanicals and fixed. Recommendations?

If you are using 100 grain field tips then definitely stick with 100 grain broadheads.

With mechanicals you are more likely to have a failure to expand. With fixed you’ll need to re-sight in your bow and practice with them some. I choose fixed. I just can’t get myself to trust mechanicals. I’ve heard too many stories and I like a broadhead I can sharpen.

They aren’t high dollar by any means but I like the G5 Montecs because you can buy cheaper practice broadheads that are dull and identical in every other way. They seem to fly well, I don’t need to change my sights much.

I’m sure someone more knowledgeable will add to what I’ve said or even disagree with it. That’s just what I’ve been carrying. Unfortunately I can’t say how they perform. I got busted in the last seconds of a stalk on a nice bull last year.

You will not believe how exciting it is sneaking in close to a deer or elk with a bow. It can be tough to keep steady. Every critter taken with a bow is a trophy in my book.

 

[Sea Wolf]

The more you shoot, the more your muscles get used to it. I recommend making a visit to the "local" bow shop to get some advice on form and make sure your bow is at least set up for you. Around my area (NorCal coast as well) the closest reputable shop is 2 hours away, but it's worth it to spend an afternoon getting advice and pointers from someone that can teach and get you started off on the right foot.

I shoot every day for the practice, but also for the meditative aspect.

 

[JasonWi]

Hey guys, I’ve been practicing a ton at home and with 3 weeks left in the school year, I’m about to hit the practice hard.

I have private land permission in A zone. It opens July 7. I’ll probably have a week or so to hunt it.

Then I’ll most likely be hunting public land up here in b zone. I’m excited to get out.


Reading about arrows is more confusing than reading about bows.

I don’t know what inserts etc I have. All I know is the tech who set me up said just to replace my field points with 100gr broadheads.

Im on the fence between mechanicals and fixed. Recommendations?

Black tails are really pretty small in body size and I've seen them killed with both fixed and mechanical BHs. I don't think you'll make a bad decision either way as long as the arrows are flying properly you'll get a full pass through the majority of the time.

As Wyobohunter mentioned you may need to adjust/tune for the fixed heads, sometimes everything is perfect right off the bat and your field tips and BH's shoot together. The size of the fixed head has a lot to do with that as well. Certain heads are known to be extremely accurate (Exodus, Grim Reaper micro hades, Slick Tricks standards, shuttle T) just to name a few.

A few mechanicals that have been really good for us are the Grim reaper Pro 1 3/8" and the Sevr 1.5"

 

[Tleek]

Just picked these up at the local shop. The archery tech recommended them and montecs. I just bought one pack. If they fly funky I will try something else, otherwise I’ll buy a second pack before the season.

 

[Wyobohunter]

View attachment 414779
Just picked these up at the local shop. The archery tech recommended them and montecs. I just bought one pack. If they fly funky I will try something else, otherwise I’ll buy a second pack before the season.

Nice!

If they fly well I’d plan on buying some replacement blades. Then you can shoot them dull and swap out before hunting. Make sure your target is made for broadheads. Not all are.

Also, in case you haven’t thought of it. Be very conscious of the sharp end when handling them near your bow string… ask me how I know

 

[Tleek]

Nice!

If they fly well I’d plan on buying some replacement blades. Then you can shoot them dull and swap out before hunting. Make sure your target is made for broadheads. Not all are.

Also, in case you haven’t thought of it. Be very conscious of the sharp end when handling them near your bow string… ask me how I know

I only had a bag target so I picked up a new chunk as well.

Hoping to get out for some longer range practice and to sight in with the broadheads soon.

 

[Keptwalkin]

Think getting your draw length just right is probably most important, then you can sight in properly. Bow should be almost too easy for you to pull back, especially when starting out to make sure your form is on point.

 

[Abergman0404]

Congrats man!!!

 

[Tleek]

Well we are down south visiting family and I should be hunting some property I have access to, but my whole family caught Covid on like day 2 of our vacation, so instead I’m sick in bed. Hopefully I’ll get out for a few days up north.

What a bummer, been excited about this trip for months.

It’s even worse seeing my baby and toddler down and out though. They are starting to feel better thankfully.

 

[Tleek]

Well Covid definitely put a damper on my A zone plans, but I was able to get out for one evening with the property owner before having to head back up north. He owns about 60 acres on one hillside. We sat for a while near where several of game trails intersected, but we came in loud with the wind at our backs so I didn’t expect to see much. He was more just showing me around and said I could go out solo now that I’ve seen the property.

We saw a few does and a bear on the neighboring property.



I’ll get out on public land here in B zones soon! Hoping to make it happen!

 

[Aperventure]

Congrats on the new purchase. I just picked up the exact same bow package except in black. It shoots real nice.

Have you bought any brodheads yet?

Also where on north coast are you? there is an elk herd around pillsbury lake

Hey guys, I just picked up a Bowtech Carbon Zion DLX package. I’m stoked.

I’m mostly a small game hunter. I like hunting rabbits and birds, and squirrel hunting is probably my favorite thing in the world to do.

I have been trying to get into deer hunting for a few years, but I’m a teacher and the seasons around here start just as the school year does.

Getting into archery hunting will allow me to hunt much of my summer break here in CA.

It’s also fun and I’m excited to shoot targets as well.

I know there is a steep learning curve and is appreciate any tips and resources you all can recommend.
View attachment 404154

 

[Supranatural]

View attachment 414779
Just picked these up at the local shop. The archery tech recommended them and montecs. I just bought one pack. If they fly funky I will try something else, otherwise I’ll buy a second pack before the season.

If they fly funky I wouldn’t be quick to blame the broadheads till you check everything else. BHs tend to be more demanding of a good bow tune. See if the points spin true. Check your bow via paper and/or bareshaft tuning. When my bow shoots a bareshaft same as my fletched arrows my BHs fly true…when my bareshaft tune is off a bit my BHs are really off…the BHs tend to catch the air in a big way if they come off your bow crooked, they’re basically wings steering the front of your arrow. If they come off crooked they will catch the air and keep going the wrong way.