I've been shooting bows for over 50 years now. I am going to give the Hill method a serious try. I have tried it in the past but only for a few shots and then gave up on it. So what do you think? Can this old dog learn a new trick?
Hmmm. I didn't think about these old shoulders. Years of throwing around 100 pound sheets of drywall did take a toll on my shoulders. We'll see how that part goes.
All good points. I think that you are right David about the three weeks of just bale work. I just started dabbling with this method today and right now I keep locking in at anchor. It feels weird to try and keep everything flowing. Also I am not use to aiming as I draw. I usually lock in at anchor BEFORE I aim. Already there are things that I did not think about. It sure looks easy when you see the guys that have it nailed down shooting. I will just have to give it a good try and see what happens.
I'm happy I took the time to learn and it works well for me. A few years ago Nate S. posted on a thread and mentioned it's not too unlike wing shooting which helped me understand it a little better. Also I turned the sound off when watching Shultz shoot, believe it or not that helps. The loud sound of the arrow hitting the target is a distraction, for me anyway.
My biggest concern or so I thought was how can I judge the distance so quickly, it all happens so fast:) That's why Shultz says to start slowly, you have to develop a Tempo. That is most important.
I didn't use a bale, I started out in the backyard shooting dandy lions with Judos. 20-25 shots twice a day until I got used to what the site picture looked like. After that I took a broken arrow put it in the ground sticking up 3-4 inches and shot at the nock for a few days. After that I gradually raised my arrows a few inches at a time at varying distances this worked well for my confidence, missing a 5/16 nock by an inch or two was not a problem as the more I shot the more I hit the tiny target. Eventually I had tomato stakes at 3' high, a few days of that and it was time to stump shoot in the woods where the take it slow approach paid off, never had so much fun. Finding the distance was not a problem.
No one is going to confuse me with Hill, Shultz or the Wilhelm brothers, but giving this style of shooting a fair and honest effort and starting slow and developing a tempo you too can have heck of lot of fun shooting an ASL.
Oh,, one more thing. By starting with a slow tempo you'll find out if you're overbowed or not, short drawing and having your anchor off to the side away from your face. Good Luck,,Have Fun.......
I just got back from my annual elk hunt and two close up scenarios come to mind with this method. I had elk coming in looking for me the closest this year was 18 yds. I’m not sure I could have got away with all that swing movement. Fast swing and draw or not. An animal on alert looking for me doesn’t tolerate a human standing in front of them swinging a bow up from the hip.
My bow was pointed already in the spot I anticipated an opening. and all I had to do is slowly, smoothly get to anchor. Maybe Howard and John were hunting less pressured animals than I do. Not knocking either of them to be clear. They could outshoot me in their sleep. Blindfolded, with a broken arm
That's the way I did it Lawrence. The first thing I learned was that I needed to take the small button off of the top of my baseball cap. I was in really good shape for the years that I was doing it but it caught up with me many years later. I have dropped down in draw weight and they don't bother me now. Thanks for the advise.
This method is a bit RUFF! All joking aside there is more going on here then I thought. I am having trouble with the timing and anchor. Sometimes not getting to anchor and sometimes getting stuck at anchor.
I posted that video as an example. Hill was, and still is #1 in my book, and I've spent most of my archery adventure (50+ years) trying to learn from him.
The one thing I learned "real quick" was: Pay more attention to what you "see him doing", and not so much attention to what "they say he is doing".
He was a showman, and even he was given (dare I say prone) to twisting the reality of his methods some in order to excite the audience.
Like I said, he does not pause much at anchor. I'll even concede, that many perceive there is no pause, but that's not really what this topic is about.
This topic was/is about swing draw, which he does not do in any of those last three shots on the video. He clearly places "some tension" on the string, raises the bow to aim, then comes straight back to anchor, and looses. That is not by any stretch of a definition a swing draw.
Phillipshunt...LDB said he cut 1/2" off 3 of his arrows, then pulled too far and the head hit his finger. Where in the world are you coming up with him pulling 3" further? huh? I don't think you read it correctly. Pretty easy to pull 1/2" extra if your attention is on the animal and you expand more than usual
And Schulz said to install broadheads vertically so they will tap the finger as a reminder to keep from overdrawing in excitement.
Just the other day, after the longest run in with a light bow before I ramped up my shooting (it's seasonal for me), I pulled out the 55 pounder, and did a bunch of swing draws. It felt great, the bow felt great, though I noticed a little burning on the outside of the elbow. 2 days later my arm was blown and I needed help for some daily tasks (im 62). After a week I could pull back my daughter's 20 pound bow. I seem to be on the mend. Wow, I have only had 2 other archery injuries in 40+ years. So be careful.
I do try new things all the time, but this was an old thing for me that got me, and I often shoot 70+ pound bows. No guarantee that it will be the new thing. Or you can call it "cross training".
Not running to any defense or I'd be there defending Rick too, (didn't want to jump in there). Just reading and trying to follow trains of thinking and your post sounded like a confusing response to LDB.
Also, to infer Howard invented the swing draw is grossly exaggerated.. He certainly made it his trademark, but when the shot Really counted, you see a more deliberate method.. That aside, I agree with George, you don't have to make big changes in your shooting style to shoot a longbow..
My 9 year old lab mix always found water interesting but would not swim. I tried to coax into swimming but he would never go in above his chest. Two weeks ago I had him down to a small river near home and I threw stick in the the river and he jump in and retrieved . That went on a hour or so I didn’t he wanted to ever stop. I was amazed . Yes old dogs and old people can learn new tricks. My dog Big Vern just debunked that old saying
Well, the common sense of all this is just this.. Everyone isn't Howard Hill, swing draw is great for your arsenal, maybe small game etc. Try that crap on a wound up Michigan white tail and you will end up with a wounded animal.. There is common sense and there is reality.. Howard didn't have to lock in like you say is so damaging, which in itself is ludicrous, Howard was a brute in his prime.. You bring all this up like it's news. A lot of us have already been there done that, but your mind is clearly made up, so it's pointless to discuss it.. Please provide a link to all the archery swing draw world champions.. Most of us that lack common sense have a more deliberate method, such as Howard did when it counted..
You keep talking about Howard, please provide the link of all the others, thanks, so you're saying Louisiana deer are less so? Not trying to stop anyone from anything, have at it. Good luck to you this season..
Okay David, I think I have it now.. So when shooting at deer You would use a slower, deliberate method.. Just like Howard did when it counted.. Sounds familiar.. Still waiting on the link..Take care..
I apologize for getting this thread off track.. Also to Phillipshunt , sorry, I was having a little fun at your expense.. Not cool.. I am prescribing myself some time in the woods to get my head straight...:) Shoot however you like, have fun and be deadly..
An old dog must continue to lick his privates the old way because he can not make a fist............But I say go for it, have fun at it! Never too old to try something new.