Traditional Archery Discussions on the Leatherwall


How serious are you?

Messages posted to thread:
Sipsey River 07-Nov-18
Sam Dunham 07-Nov-18
jk 07-Nov-18
Supernaut 07-Nov-18
76aggie 07-Nov-18
Linecutter 07-Nov-18
skiffjunky 07-Nov-18
Sam Dunham 07-Nov-18
Viper 07-Nov-18
Rigs 07-Nov-18
George Tsoukalas 07-Nov-18
George D. Stout 07-Nov-18
Muddyboots 07-Nov-18
Draven 07-Nov-18
DanaC 07-Nov-18
Therifleman 07-Nov-18
GR8R8S 07-Nov-18
zetabow 07-Nov-18
2 bears 07-Nov-18
Jim 07-Nov-18
grizz 07-Nov-18
Rick Barbee 07-Nov-18
Trillium 07-Nov-18
David Mitchell 07-Nov-18
Rick 3 07-Nov-18
timex 07-Nov-18
Pa Steve 07-Nov-18
dean 07-Nov-18
GUTPILE PA 07-Nov-18
Missouribreaks 07-Nov-18
RymanCat 07-Nov-18
Tree 07-Nov-18
Adam Howard 07-Nov-18
Sipsey River 07-Nov-18
Sam Dunham 07-Nov-18
Andy Man 07-Nov-18
r-man 07-Nov-18
Sam Dunham 07-Nov-18
timex 07-Nov-18
Sam Dunham 07-Nov-18
r-man 07-Nov-18
Sam Dunham 07-Nov-18
Desperado 07-Nov-18
GF 07-Nov-18
Pointer 07-Nov-18
Sipsey River 07-Nov-18
Kwikdraw 07-Nov-18
Sam Dunham 07-Nov-18
Bryce 07-Nov-18
oscar11 07-Nov-18
Archer 07-Nov-18
dean 08-Nov-18
Jinkster 08-Nov-18
TrapperKayak 08-Nov-18
Mountain Man 08-Nov-18
babysaph 08-Nov-18
George D. Stout 08-Nov-18
todd 08-Nov-18
Zildjian51 08-Nov-18
Live2hunt 08-Nov-18
RonG 08-Nov-18
Jon Stewart 08-Nov-18
timex 08-Nov-18
Sam Dunham 08-Nov-18
Michael McCoy 08-Nov-18
dean 08-Nov-18
Sam Dunham 08-Nov-18
dean 08-Nov-18
dean 08-Nov-18
Jimmy Blackmon 08-Nov-18
Babbling Bob 09-Nov-18
George D. Stout 09-Nov-18
Bucbuster 09-Nov-18
crunch 09-Nov-18
David A. 09-Nov-18
Ken Williams 09-Nov-18
woodshavins 09-Nov-18
chazz847 09-Nov-18
camodave 09-Nov-18
NBK 09-Nov-18
mangonboat 10-Nov-18
nomo 10-Nov-18
trad47 10-Nov-18
Sam Dunham 10-Nov-18
badger 10-Nov-18
bowyer45 10-Nov-18
longbow1 11-Nov-18
KyPhil 11-Nov-18
Sunset Hill 11-Nov-18
dean 11-Nov-18
MStyles 11-Nov-18
Andy Man 11-Nov-18
Bassman 11-Nov-18
Red Beastmaster 12-Nov-18
From: Sipsey River
Date: 07-Nov-18




This is a question because of curiosity, not a question to judge anyone's style. How seriously do you take your shooting skills? Do you shoot just for fun or do you really honestly work at your shooting, form etc? Personally, I sometimes think I am taking it too seriously. I have a target butt set up with lights so I can shoot at night, I just recently finished setting up my own 3D range with about 50 targets (many homemade). I shoot a lot and seem to think that I should always be improving. We use to go out and just shoot arrows, now I find myself analyzing every shot. I shoot better now, it it does not seem to be as much fun as it was when all I did was "fling arrows." What about you?

From: Sam Dunham Professional Bowhunters Society - Associate Member
Date: 07-Nov-18




Just enjoy yourself and if you are out there like this beautiful day enjoying the fresh air, just enjoy the flight of the arrow and forget anything anybody says otherwise. Enjoy all the fellowship with nature and other posters.

From: jk
Date: 07-Nov-18




If it didn't seem as much fun as it once did, I'd quit.

Sipsy, maybe your doubts have to do with your physical fitness?

I'm 75, fairly fit, occasional pains from pulling 60#, and my main game is 3D in difficult terrain.

From: Supernaut
Date: 07-Nov-18




I always try to be the best shot I can be every time I shoot but it is not the be all end all for me. If this wasn't fun anymore I wouldn't do it. It's challenging and rewarding to get better with a trad bow but I will put the bow down immediately if I start to get frustrated with it and go do something else for awhile. I think everyone's destination and journey is different in trad and life and that is cool with me.

From: 76aggie
Date: 07-Nov-18




I shoot for fun but do take it seriously. I don't have a 3D range but just a couple of 3D targets and several other block and bag typer targets. I have and do shoot at night on occasion but not a whole lot.

From: Linecutter
Date: 07-Nov-18




I shoot for the fun of it. When I am taking the shot though, I am serious. If I screw up I "usually" know what I did wrong. I am trying/wanting to hit what I am looking at no matter how difficult the shot. If you could see some of the crap my buddies and I shoot through picking shots when we at out playing, you'd understand. I want to score/shoot well, but not really trying to win, if I do fine, if I don't fine. I am always trying to improve, but it is not about trying to win a competition. The only shot I take very seriously is the one at a live animal. Sipsey just remember shooting a bow is like a Baseball Player at bat, they have good streaks and then they have times when they wonder why did I get out of bed, but they just keep swing away. If you setup your own coarse take Fun Shots through thick crap, where you can JUST see the target, find a hole that will get you where you want the arrow to go, and see if you can sneak it through it. Doesn't always work but you have fun trying. What's a blown up arrow or two? Most of the shots we take NO WAY with a broadhead, field point Oh Yeah, when we are out playing. Trust me when you start doing that regularly shooting at a deer no problem. Shots like these you can't over analyze, other than saying: What the..... I know I can make that shot and try again. When it really gets bad is if you are doing this with friends. You pick the shot, mark the spot where you are standing, hit a limb or twig, they take the same shot you just picked, and they get through. Shooting can be as fun as you want to make it, shoot your best with the shots you pick, it does not always have to be serious. DANNY

From: skiffjunky
Date: 07-Nov-18




I take it very serious until it's no fun.

Relatively new to the trad thing and fortunate to have had a member from this site take me under his wing. Really helps with the learning curve and keeps the frustration level to a minimum.

Just coming to the realization that over 50# is not as much fun as the 40- 50# range for me so it's time to make a change.

My only goal is to be proficient enough to hunt and letting a few fly multiple times a week gives me an outlet for stress. But even hunting with a firearm, I demand sub MOA before I'll take it to the woods.

But if it becomes no longer fun, I'll hang it up.

From: Sam Dunham Professional Bowhunters Society - Associate Member
Date: 07-Nov-18




Heck just stuff some old clothes in a feed bag and shoot, or go stumping, game on without spending money is the best fun. No arguing with the wife over money that way.Teach your dog how to fetch and find arrows.

From: Viper
Date: 07-Nov-18




SR -

I take my shooting pretty seriously and it nothing to do with setting up a range and everything to do with where the arrows end up.

Viper out.

From: Rigs Compton's Traditional Bowhunters
Date: 07-Nov-18




Here's where I'm at...I take it seriously because I have target panic. I know the added stress of wanting to shoot well doesn't help my currant situation but right now, it's where I'm at. After this hunting season, I'm starting Jim Castro's program. I'm all in. I've tried the clickers and other psycho triggers and they do work for a bit...but I'm over them.

I'm hoping after Jim's program, it will again be as fun as when I was a kid...that's my goal.

Happy hunting, Jason

From: George Tsoukalas
Date: 07-Nov-18




When I was a boy growing up on a farm in the 50s and early 60s, I'd string up my Bear Fox, which I still have, and just shoot for fun. Those were great times and I'll never forget them. I've tried as an adult to have the same attitude now as I did then. Jawge

From: George D. Stout Compton's Traditional Bowhunters
Date: 07-Nov-18




Stop thinking about that $1000.00 prize at the Eagle Eye shoots and enjoy your shooting. I am fussy about hitting what I shoot at, but not to the extent that the fun stops. I think the more you worry and fuss, the more you have issues with hitting the target because your mind is way too busy.

From: Muddyboots
Date: 07-Nov-18




If it wasn't fun, I wouldn't do it. My goal is to limit my shooting at game to distances I feel comfortable with. Serious shooters would probably have longer distances they feel good about than me. But I enjoy shooting- not sure about the diehard shooters.

From: Draven
Date: 07-Nov-18




Pretty serious.

From: DanaC
Date: 07-Nov-18




I take it seriously enough to motivate myself, but not to the point of poor sportsmanship. In my younger days I was a bit more cut-throat, not proud of that.

From: Therifleman
Date: 07-Nov-18




I take form and accuracy improvement very seriously. But i am careful to back off i I'm getting to concerned with competition. Was once at the top in offhand rifle competition--- everything revolved around defending a title or living up to expectations-- mine and others--- being consumed i burnt out.

Don't want that to happen with this sport so i keep the competition in perspective.

From: GR8R8S
Date: 07-Nov-18




For me it's more fun when I'm hitting what I'm aiming at, so I really work at it.

From: zetabow
Date: 07-Nov-18




I shoot at highest tourney level (World Archery and IFAA) and take my shooting pretty seriously BUT try not to take myself too seriously, you still have to keep in the front of your mind, why you started shooting Archery in the first place.

From: 2 bears
Date: 07-Nov-18




I just want to have fun. It is no fun to miss. >>>----> Ken

From: Jim Compton's Traditional Bowhunters
Date: 07-Nov-18




I always try to shoot my best, but if I miss I try to ask myself why? I try to learn from my mistakes. Above all, I have fun!

From: grizz
Date: 07-Nov-18




My biggest concern is making a clean killing shot on the animals I hunt. So, yeah, I'm pretty serious about accuracy.

From: Rick Barbee
Date: 07-Nov-18




I'm serious about enjoying my archery, but I won't hunt unless I have a good handle on it, so I am serious about having fun, and shooting to the best of my ability.

Rick

From: Trillium
Date: 07-Nov-18




Very, very seriously....

From: David Mitchell
Date: 07-Nov-18




I have been dealing with TP and don't feel I ought to be shooting at animals at the present time, so I made a tough decision to call it a season and have started on Jim Casto's program. (By the way, there is no R in CASTO). He's not from Cuba. LOL

From: Rick 3
Date: 07-Nov-18




I was able to shoot my recurve for the first time in 2 years last Sunday. I hurt my shoulder in 2016 and I have missed it so badly that it kills me. While I am serious about being proficient my families favorite thing to donis walk around the archery range and shoot at crazy targets from wierd angles and stuff.

Compared to the frustration I would feel in a 3d tournament shooting a compound I love this stuff. Shooting a stick and string is my favorite thing to do i. The world and if I get frustrated I just put it away and watch my 6 year old fling arrows and have fun!

It is awesome and I am so happy that I am able to do it once again!

Shoot straight!

From: timex
Date: 07-Nov-18




I have never considered myself a great shot with a bow fortunately for me what I lack in shooting ability I make up for in woodsmanship iv always had a knack for getting close to critters. with daily practice over time (a few weeks)I can destroy a beer can @ 20 yds with my longbow in a few dozen shots. my problem is if I don't shoot for a while it's like starting over again

From: Pa Steve
Date: 07-Nov-18




Very serious. Anyone trying to kill an animal should be very serious. The animals we pursue deserve our respect. Anyone not serious shouldn't be in the woods!!!

From: dean
Date: 07-Nov-18




The other day, I seriously wanted to hit that cock pheasant, I missed. Nah, just kidding. i didn't have a chance, but it sure was fun getting as close as I did at that super long air shot. Plus, I may have converted a friendly young guy into the fun and adventure of traditional archery. I see a nice 60" recurve in his future.

From: GUTPILE PA
Date: 07-Nov-18




Serious about hunting fun at 3D courses

From: Missouribreaks
Date: 07-Nov-18




Serious, but fun. Never experienced target panic, never will.

From: RymanCat
Date: 07-Nov-18




If the arrow don't fly the deer don't die! How serious. There's the shot so take it John.

Can't science out fun then it don't be fun it could become target panic.

Keep things simple as ya can to keep head clear.

Hope you never do experience it too because it sux. Bad habits and lay offs and illness and weakness can cause a lot of variables that you aren't aware of until it happens to you.

From: Tree
Date: 07-Nov-18




My wife says I’m obsessed, I love to shoot and work on form. It’s fun for me when I hit where I’m looking.

From: Adam Howard
Date: 07-Nov-18




Not much anymore, 31 years has taken its toll .....

From: Sipsey River
Date: 07-Nov-18




I do not hunt anymore, just shoot the foam. I'm not saying I don't have any fun, I enjoy the heck out of shooting and watching the arrow fly. It's just that I sometimes question if I am taking my efforts to get better too seriously. Shooting will never not be fun for me.

From: Sam Dunham Professional Bowhunters Society - Associate Member
Date: 07-Nov-18




I just have so much trouble hitting anything with a so-called "trad Bow" and have just been lucky when I kill a deer and the Elk I have killed. have no idea how I did it? I think I took it way too serious going up there in Colr=oradoand solo hunting and killing Elk with a onestring and could have been doing it much easier if I had just used a compound and a guide.Just lucky, not much skill, just stumbled on them and let it rip!

From: Andy Man
Date: 07-Nov-18




Just fun relaxed shooting

its when I try to get intense thats when problems occur for me Trying too hard is when I mess up

sorta relaxed fun concentration

I won't win any tournaments , and could care less

happy hitting what I'm aiming at more than I miss

From: r-man
Date: 07-Nov-18




Used to shoot dimes at 40yrds, a little head trama in 2009, and now I am happy to hit tennis ball at 10yrds. All I strive for now is getting some deer meat in the freezer.

From: Sam Dunham Professional Bowhunters Society - Associate Member
Date: 07-Nov-18




I dang,,I could not agree more Andy Man,,,I mean heck, how many of us are gonna win anything? We should forget all this 3D and competition BS. Just have fun! I mean, ask yourself, did I want to get into Trad archery to be nervous and freak out and get that T thing these guys talk about all the time? Nooooo,,we picked up a Bow to have fun!

Get rid of that mess and forget getting the latest greatest high dollar Bows. You just need one good Bow, preferably a good ole proven Bear archery product. You do not need FF, just a good ole quiet dacron string and it is still under 10 bucks a spool.

The more you worry, the worst you will get, not better! Chillout and besides, a good 52 inch bow is easier to snake through all the brush and just looks more trad.

Chill out and stay trad.

From: timex
Date: 07-Nov-18




serious...... I'm not a numbers guy ......I'm humble .....& very much dislike braggerts.... that said I take my hunting deadly serious ...never taken a shot at a big game animal with a trad bow past 20 yards & out of close to 200 deer killed with a wheel bow only 2 at 50 yards & maybe 30 past 30 yards. j.m.o. way to much emphasis on the shooting aspect of hunting on this forum & not enough on the hunting aspects of actually getting with your deadly effective range

From: Sam Dunham Professional Bowhunters Society - Associate Member
Date: 07-Nov-18




rman, I wish I could have shot with you and spent some of your money!lol Take care and hope you get a deer this season, good hunting>>>>>>>>------------------> Sammo

From: r-man
Date: 07-Nov-18




thanks

From: Sam Dunham Professional Bowhunters Society - Associate Member
Date: 07-Nov-18




Take care rman,,let me know if I can do anything for you in a pm anytime.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>----------------->Sammo

From: Desperado
Date: 07-Nov-18




Pa Steve...You are 100% correct !!!!!! I feel exactly the same way. If you do not hunt I don't care how serious you are...But...If you are out there to take an animals life, that animal deserves your very best. You should continually try to improve to give them that! Trying to kill an animal quickly and humanely is not a joke and should never be taken lightly. Those bow hunters not willing to be serious about their shooting capability prove the saying..."There is a lot more trash in the woods than bottles, paper and cans...a lot of it is 2 legged ".

From: GF
Date: 07-Nov-18




“ j.m.o. way to much emphasis on the shooting aspect of hunting on this forum & not enough on the hunting aspects of actually getting with your deadly effective range”

Start a thread, then!

The only thing better than being a crack shot is being a crack shot who’s so good in the woods that his shooting doesn’t matter.

Me, I’m never happy if I’m not pushing myself to get better at whatever it is. JMO, the satisfaction comes from the progress, so I take my shooting seriously.

Trick is to learn how to take having FUN seriously... without letting that take any of the FUN out of it.

From: Pointer
Date: 07-Nov-18




I take it seriously enough for hunting but I always find it fun. If it stops being enjoyable I'll hang it up. I was never a big tournament shooter..of any kind. When I went to places like Whittingham or some other 3D shoot I never keep score anymore.

I doubt I'd shoot if I didn't hunt. I work at it and it bothers me when I'm not shooting well.

But all in all, I think as I have aged...and dealt with this thing we call "life" I really appreciate my time in the autumn woods more than anything else and I can enjoy that time with a bow or a rifle or a cap and ball revolver or shotgun..makes me no never mind which.

Over the years I've carried a bow much more than anything else and I suspect that's the way it will always be. I want to be able to cleanly kill whatever it is I decide to shoot at and toward that end I take my shooting seriously. But it has to be enjoyable or why bother ;)

From: Sipsey River
Date: 07-Nov-18




GF- well said.

From: Kwikdraw
Date: 07-Nov-18




Archery is tons of fun and relaxing entertainment for me, while at the same time a very serious pursuit for accuracy! To hunt game is to be as serious and determined as one can be at his choice of weapon, whatever it may be. Just as in golf, I am always striving to improve, and have not stopped learning and improving. Once I loose 1st shot proficiency, I will stop hunting game, but not golf! Haven't wounded anyone playing golf, yet!;^)

From: Sam Dunham Professional Bowhunters Society - Associate Member
Date: 07-Nov-18




SR-well said >>>>>>>---------------->sammo

From: Bryce Compton's Traditional Bowhunters
Date: 07-Nov-18




I take it serious but it remains fun cuz I am always striving to improve. I record notes on every session, each arrow shot... distance, accuracy, total number of shots, percentage of kill shots ... time of session, temperature, ect.... it’s definitely a lot of information to review and learn how I can improve. It’s my favorite part of my day. I shoot 5-7 days a week.

From: oscar11
Date: 07-Nov-18




Hitting what I'm shooting at is just like a junky getting a fix. After over 40 years I still love that feeling. Problem for me is that we don't have a place to shoot indoors around here in the winter. We're already in the teens with snow on the ground. Hard to practice for a 300 round when it's sub zero and you have to do it outside in the wind. Of course I'll hunt in it though.

From: Archer
Date: 07-Nov-18




I work at improving all I can but when it becomes laborious I need to chill a bit and find That thing that keeps me loving this great sport.

From: dean
Date: 08-Nov-18




Seriously, I cannot believe how serious I am. I am seriously sleeping in tomorrow. There is just way too much news going on tonight to take hunting serious. Priorities. On a more serious note, I discovered that if you can tell where you've been because you can smell that you have been there before, it's time to see if the ole shower still works. I have been working at things way too hard this week.

From: Jinkster
Date: 08-Nov-18




If I get too serious?...It makes me uneasy...If I'm uneasy?...I can't relax...and if I'm not relaxed?...I'm not comfortable...and if I'm not comfortable?...

Then confidence in my shot does not exist.

From: TrapperKayak
Date: 08-Nov-18




Seriously, I shoot for fun.

From: Mountain Man
Date: 08-Nov-18




I’ve never half assed anything in my life

From: babysaph Professional Bowhunters Society - Associate Member
Date: 08-Nov-18




I don't take it too seriously. I don't care about competing. I just want to be able to hunt and kill animals at 15 yards. That is not too hard.

From: George D. Stout Compton's Traditional Bowhunters
Date: 08-Nov-18




JR, I know much of your stuff is tongue-in-cheek, but I also know you are a better shot than you would like others to believe. Being accurate is not jus competing...you know that, other than with your last shot. 99% of the time, my only competition is "Schultz"....that little guy in my head that tries his best to second guess things.

To all you guys just getting into this, or struggling to be consistent, at the very least..go to youtube and look for "how to shoot" videos, and/or read some books by Al Henderson and Dave Keaggy...and Rick McKinney. Accuracy doesn't come with wishing and hoping, it comes with learning what accurate archers have known for centuries..function follows form. Always has, always will and you never stop learning. And that has nothing to do with whether it's fun or not.

From: todd Compton's Traditional Bowhunters
Date: 08-Nov-18




I have fun, I try and make 3d shoots, practice at home, go stump shooting and bowhunt as much as I can. This is my therapy, I enjoy it. I realized years ago I don't have the time to develop my skill to shoot asprin in the air. How serious about hunting, my two nephews and I pick at least one day of the season a year, and stalk the deer. As we do, we take a garbage bag each, and collect the target trash we shoot as we move through. To all anti-hunters out there YOUR WELCOME!!

From: Zildjian51
Date: 08-Nov-18




My father always taught me anything worth doing is worth doing well. So do the best you can. I've always thought, however, if it's not fun...don't do it...but if you do, be the best you can.

From: Live2hunt
Date: 08-Nov-18




I get obsessed with it to the point of I want everything right when I shoot. The problem I have is shooting too long. If I'm hitting good I don't want to quit shooting because it is so fun hitting everything your looking at. When I'm off I can't quit because I have to know why and fix the issue.

From: RonG
Date: 08-Nov-18




I take everything serious, but I don't let it bother me. I learn and apply as much as I can learn to the subject. To me this is fun and interesting, the more the challenge the more probability you will see me engaged in it.

From: Jon Stewart
Date: 08-Nov-18




Anymore, not much. My shot are 10 yards or closer anyway. I am at the point where I don't care if I shoot another deer or not. If I do, good for me and if I don't good for the deer.

From: timex
Date: 08-Nov-18




gf I have & so have others & threads on hunting get very little interest on this forum compared to shooting or controversial topics... all I was implying is knowing your efectiv range is easy. getting within that range of critters not so much for a lot of hunters. bowHUNTING is about getting close to your quarry and not how far you can hit a target

From: Sam Dunham Professional Bowhunters Society - Associate Member
Date: 08-Nov-18




Timex, agree with you and tired of all people getting nad over how they shoot and it turning into a see how far you can peee contest.

We all know bowhunting is a close up sport and to answer your question as an experienced bowhunter who has devoted his time off and every waking moment on the subject since 1988 I can tell you that 0-30 yards is what all my killing shots were made with either a compound or a trad bow.

Just for me speaking from experience, get good at 10 to 25 with a trad bow and go afield with confidence and enjoy yourself and forget the worry if you know you have done your best to get your skill level up to snuff. Forget all the 3D and all the competition BS and shoot how you want and when you are shooting, if you are having an off day, just quit and go do something else.

Come back and shoot a good session and when you start getting tired just stop. You do not need to shoot more than 12 good shots with one arrow and walk up and get it between shots.

Go have some fun shooting stumps and cans or squirrels or rabbits and have fun and forget everything else.

You do not need to be like anyone but yourself.

From: Michael McCoy
Date: 08-Nov-18




I have a Bear Kodiak Special around 54# and a paul bunyan scount fiber glass scout 40#, my bear has lost part of the tip and I was referred to this site to get input on whether the bow is repairable. I was referred by Bear Archery. They said I could go to Leather wall and submit pictures of my bow and get feed back on whether it is repairable or not. I would like to get into shooting. I am 75 years old and live in Oregon. I would enjoy hunting wild turkeys and dear to start with. I would like to set up an range in my crawl space. I have a area of about 20 by20 ft that is 8 fit high. the crawl space narrow down to around 2 1/2 feet close to 50 ft . Any thought on how to get feed back on reparing the bow would be appreciated. MY email address is [email protected] and my cell is 971 218 6012. Thanks for reading.

Michael

From: dean
Date: 08-Nov-18




Speaking of how far one can pee. A few years back i took a kid spring turkey hunting. I called in turkeys three times. I wished I had a camera, I had two toms within four feet behind him gobbling lie crazy, sat faze to the ground and didn't get off a shot, worst case of repeated turkey fever that i have ever seen. Anyway, dead serious here. That kid could pee over his dad's pickup and he proved it.

From: Sam Dunham Professional Bowhunters Society - Associate Member
Date: 08-Nov-18




Let's just see how far we can hit a coke bottle dean? It's on man!lol>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>------------------------>sammo

From: dean
Date: 08-Nov-18




I don't shoot at Coke bottles, I shoot at RC Cola bottle caps.

From: dean
Date: 08-Nov-18




While airborne.

From: Jimmy Blackmon
Date: 08-Nov-18




I am serious, my wife says obsessive, about hunting. I really do enjoy hunting. I stood for 7 hours yesterday, bow in hand. I saw a lot of deer but no shots. Today, I was right back at it. Saw 3 does and 3 bucks this morning and I get high on the adrenaline of the hunt.

I also like to be as accurate as I can. I have an open mind with it comes to archery, yet I'm hunting with a self bow right now. I like to win and I feel I understand archery and can shoot with the best of them when I have time to really practice.

My current profession prevents me from doing the work I need to shoot my best. I can't get consistency, so I have relaxed a bit. I am passionately serious about archery and hunting. I dream about it.

From: Babbling Bob Compton's Traditional Bowhunters
Date: 09-Nov-18




Used to be serious about making good fried chicken and a good bisquit (when I was young and skinny). Not so much anymore 'cause the chicken hurts me and the bisquits aren't good without a good gravy. So I wised up and now spend more time working on how to make that good gravy. Same with my archery. Now I spend time just trying to get out with my bow more and make it a priority which was not the case when I was skinny. Thanks LW with helping with that. Think I got my serious about archery in the right place now....like my bisquits.

From: George D. Stout Compton's Traditional Bowhunters
Date: 09-Nov-18




I like biscuits and gravy before going bowhunting. ;) If I want to shoot an arrow, I want it to hit where I'm looking to hit..most times it does, but some it doesn't because my body isn't being as tough and steady as it was years ago. Killing game is way down the list now, but I love being in the woods hunting. We've only ever been able to kill one buck a year here in Pa., and does on permit which usually means only one of them as well; unless you live in the eastern metro areas where doe permits are divvied out by the handful.

I actually look forward to late season hunting when we have snow to track rabbits.

From: Bucbuster
Date: 09-Nov-18




What Grizz said..

From: crunch
Date: 09-Nov-18




I used to be a way to serious shooter. A few years ago I actually quit. I recently started up again, mostly because my youngest son wanted to go. Now I value the time we spend wandering the woods shooting 3D’s and chatting. Some days I don’t even bring my bow and just hang out, throwing out the occasional coaching tip. It’s our time. It’s okay to take it seriously, but when the enjoyment is gone, why bother?

From: David A.
Date: 09-Nov-18




"when the enjoyment is gone, why bother?" I'm willing to suffer for achievement. Whatever the price, whatever it takes, whatever sacrifice in time, health, money, criticsim...

From: Ken Williams
Date: 09-Nov-18




((“ I like biscuits and gravy before going bowhunting. ;). “))

Redeye, white sausage gravy or bacon gravy,George.

Just curious how folks roll in Pa.

From: woodshavins
Date: 09-Nov-18




There's a line in a song I like, "The upper echelons of mediocrity". I feel like that pretty well describes my shooting;-) I do enjoy trying to improve. We have a group that shoots 3d all summer. We have a lot of fun, but also push each other a bit.

From: chazz847
Date: 09-Nov-18




Always looking to improve my shooting skills. Really enjoy all Traditional archery from making wooden arrows to string making for my bows and anything else,

From: camodave
Date: 09-Nov-18




Still all the fun I need or want.

DDave

From: NBK
Date: 09-Nov-18




"Perfect" is the enemy of very, very good. I no longer strive to be perfect.

From: mangonboat
Date: 10-Nov-18




I am unimpressive at scouting, uninspiring about putting up stands or blinds, sort of good at sitting quiet, pathetic at stalking , really good at listening, middling at shooting but I can do it left and right handed, pretty good at field dressing, "shows initiative" on getting game back to the house, real good at skinning and butchering, average at knife sharpening, "statisfactory" at fletching arrows, lousy at stringmaking, legendary good at cooking. My skill level reflects the amount of focused practice I've put into those activities. Overall seriousness rating somewhere between "average" and "more-or-less" ;-)

From: nomo
Date: 10-Nov-18




HH, Congrats on a Herculian effort to find a deer you shot...ya done good!

From: trad47
Date: 10-Nov-18




I wish I could get out into the woods more like I used to. You iron out all the bs in your mind and let it happen. Had so much fun with the stumps and often accidentally flushed a deer that I wasn’t aware that was near me. Target shooting is what I am doing nowadays and through that learning more about form issues . Fun also but sometimes breed negative self talk. Old saying from one those cigarette ads from long time ago “ are you smoking more now and enjoying it less?” Keep it simple .

From: Sam Dunham Professional Bowhunters Society - Associate Member
Date: 10-Nov-18

Sam Dunham's embedded Photo



That ole Hedge is a hammer,,he can throw a tomahawk or a knife like fess Parker in Danol Boone and Mingo is his sidekick.

Hedge has thrown tomahawks in the foreign sand and has served the Nation with good Kentuck roots and has satisfied the requirement.

We all have taken many things tooooooooooo serious and that is life.

Huntin is only serious enough to get the job done but if you mess up, follow up your query and if you have done your best, move on to another story.

From: badger
Date: 10-Nov-18




I have an interest in building bows but only a minimal interest in target shooting. If I am going on a hunt I practice for about a week. If I can't put 6 arrows in a 5" target at 15 yards I feel like I am good to go. I seldom get to take a shot at anything anyway.

From: bowyer45
Date: 10-Nov-18




When it comes to hunting I don't think it matters, however after bow hunting and practicing for almost 50 years, It all comes together when it has to!! To me shooting a bow is like throwing a ball, too much thinking and it doesn't work.

From: longbow1
Date: 11-Nov-18




I was extremely serious about shooting back in the 80's and very early 90's. I was getting into shooting heavy bows, upwards of 90-95lbs of draw at 27". So I'd shoot everyday after dinner in the basement of our house, on my knees for up to an hour and usually no less than 40 mins. or so, and just practice on form shooting into hay bails I had brought down to the cellar. Another thing I'd do is carry my bow all over the house. Weird but true.

Watching TV I'd draw and hold the bow over and over to build up strength and it worked maybe more so than the actual shooting. I started posting scores from 3D shoots and eventually started getting invited to out of town shoots, like the Muzzy Invitational Stump shoot and I think I came in 2nd the first time I shot it. I quit doing those though cause I had young kids and frankly had a hard time defraying the expense of going to all of them and staying in hotels etc.etc. Then my best friend who I hunted with quit hunting, and took up golf and I did the same for a good number of years and got decent at that but not great, my friend became a scratch golfer though. Then he got cancer and died so I quit golf and started salmon fishing on Lake Ontario. Now I've taken up the longbow again but frankly will never be as good as I used to be cause I am much older and do it for enjoyment now and to get me out of the house by stump shooting. I started to hunt again too but don't know if I could actually kill anything as odd as that sounds. So there ya go.

From: KyPhil
Date: 11-Nov-18




I think if you are going to hunt a person should take it serious enough to be able to consistently hit a deer in the chest at whatever range they can handle then stick to that range in the woods. If you are not hunting then i guess its up to you.

From: Sunset Hill
Date: 11-Nov-18




I shoot a lot of arrows, it's therapeutic to me, and I shoot for form at very close range. But I do not "work" at it. I also shoot lots of long range arrows because I like to see arrows fly. Shooting is fun, hunting is fun, and I shoot each arrow the best I can at that moment, realizing that there are multiple outside factors that can affect a perfectly shot arrow, resulting in less than desired results. So now, I shoot with no worry or stress and actually, I shoot better than I ever have.

From: dean
Date: 11-Nov-18




I have not been able to hunt for over a week. I heard a newbie compound kid put up a tree stand where i had my natural blind and shot the wide old 8 pointer that I was after the about, 45 after sundown. My wife's brother has stage 4 cancer, so she has been in Michigan. He was clean laced Christian School teacher that had health issues his entire adult life. I think the side affects of Humera caught up with him. My bowhunting farmer friend that also had stage 4 cancer, possibly round up exposure, and was given a very short time, note I said 'had'. His last blood tests came back clean. He will need to stay on his homeopathic protocol for a while, but he is ready to do some serious hunting. I need to loosen up so I can get serious and join him.

From: MStyles
Date: 11-Nov-18




I just enjoy being out in the woods, shooting my bow with arrows I made(and “ assembled”) and strive to maintain MY form, I also make mental notes along the way, of things I can change to be consistent. I’d say I’m as serious as I need to be so I can feel and good, and confident about my shooting.

From: Andy Man
Date: 11-Nov-18




Ditto: what Sunset Hill said

From: Bassman Professional Bowhunters Society - Qualified Member
Date: 11-Nov-18




When I get into a sport I am as serious as a heart attack.Want to be best I can be. Does not take the fun out of it for me. Just makes me work harder ,and have more fun. I under stand that a lot of people don,t see it that way, but we are all different.

From: Red Beastmaster
Date: 12-Nov-18




I don't know anyone who shoots for fun that has target panic.

With each arrow I shoot I get the same thrill I got when I launched that very first one as a kid!





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