Will upgrading help?

MartinHunter · Apr 2, 2006

I am in a bit of a dilemma. I use to shoot my bow a lot, and was very confident in my shooting ability. I have always shot fingers, and though I was never able to shoot with the best of the release shooters I felt comfortable enough to shoot and hunt out to 50 yards. Now that I am doing the working man adult thing with kids I am unable to shoot as often and am therefore less confident in my abilities. I am hesitant about changing what I am used to. It seems as though everyone is upgrading their gear, my cousin switched to a release and it has improved his shooting a lot. He also just bought a drop away rest, which the experts tell him will do more. My question is basically will switching my style help my abilities and confidence? Is a new sight, drop away rest, and release going to help? Any thought will help.

Michael

elknut1 · Apr 3, 2006

http:www.elknut.com

If you're asking will will these accessories you mentioned restore your "confidence" --will they help you to group your arrows at all distances in a shorter amount of practice time--will you have more confidence in your abilities as a result of this new style & way of thinking, in my opinion, you bet they would!!!!

A few years back I was in a similar situation, I'd always shot fingers & no sight, killed a few critters that way too. THen I was talked into a sight. That was great! Man I couldn't believe the difference in accuracy! Then a dropaway, then a peep sight, then a release! Then a string-loop. Wow, what a difference this pakage made to sharpen my hunting skills & renew my passion for bowhunting, not to mention my new found "confidence" in my abilities & my equpment.

Take the plunge! Yes, you can achieve great results in a shorter period of time too! A good bow shop or knowledgeable friend can help you out immensely! ElkNut1

redrabbit · Apr 3, 2006

With limited range time and dwindling confidence, following your cousin would be good for accuracy necessary for on-game performance. You might want to try a bow set up for release at a pro shop before you make the plunge.

RR

MartinHunter · Apr 3, 2006

Thanx, I think I might try to shoot my cousins bow and if I like it save the money to buy some new stuff~

swbuckmaster · Apr 6, 2006

You will never look back when you take the plunge in today?s equipment. These new bows are capable of hitting paper plates at a hundred yards with practice. I wouldn't recommend shooting at animals that far. Just trying to make a point you cant go wrong with any of the new bows out their. Short story I used to shoot an old bow. I signed up for a 3d league a couple years ago. I used to think I was a good shooter. My first night at league I broke half my arrows and slapped my arm so hard with my string it almost broke the skin. My scores for the first several nights were at the bottom. I got the best bow I could afford and in a couple of weeks I went from the bottom of the pile to competing with the top. The equipment made the whole difference.

MartinHunter · Apr 6, 2006

I know the newer equipment will have an accuracy benefit, which will in turn help my confidence, but I am looking at the benefit in the field as opposed to competition. I use to shoot for the bragging rights, I always have shot fingers, but when I practiced like I did I could shoot with the best of the release shooters in the leagues here. I attribute this to a knowledge and confidence in my bow, new or not. Now that I am ?grown up? I look at shooting as a privilege, I have to pay the bills and hold down the fort first. I therefore enjoy it for what it is, not the glory. I can not always afford the new years models, so I am trying to do a cost/benefit analysis before I spend money that could be spent elsewhere. I want to have more accuracy, because I have less time to practice, but also want something (a set-up) that will tend to my ultimate goal of confidence and competence in the mule deer field.

swbuckmaster · Apr 7, 2006

If your bow is at least 5 to 6 years old it is fine. Any older than that I would upgrade. If you like fingers shoot fingers. One thing though don't buy a short axle bow if you ever plan on shooting with fingers. Last in my opinion if you cant practice very much use a rifle and shoot close shots it would be more ethical.

MartinHunter · Apr 9, 2006

My Martin is a 1998 and looks and feels as good as the day I bought it. I do not think age of my bow make a difference or not in being ethical or a good shot. My uncle shoots a 1985 Person and is in P and Y 3 times, all shot after the bow was 15 years old! Also, without a great deal of practice, I can shoot 40 yards in an ethical manner using fingers. Upgrading is more to improve my confidence and human error. I kind of find it insulting that someone would tell me that I would be unethical because I do not practice daily. I try to practice once a week, but am a college student, and work FT. I have also shot archery since I was 5 and have hunted since I was 12, so I am not new at this or ethical situations. I am just debating on making a change not my shooting and or ethical habits.

Michael

swbuckmaster · Apr 9, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Apr-10-06 AT 01:06AM (MST)[p] Sorry I wasn?t trying to be insulting. I didn't remember reading that you shoot once a week. If you shoot once a week then you are doing great keep it up. I just don't like it when people take their old or new gear out a week before the season and loose deer because they are not familiar enough with their setup. As for equipment you asked if upgrading would help out and increse your confidence. Why wouldn't getting a new bow help out. In my situation it was the ticket. As for building your confidence up in my opinion nothing will boost your confidence more than competing in spots or 3d tournaments. They have helped me out immensely. Good luck keep up the good work. Go get you a P and Y.
P.S. We are on the same side and still friends. I was in the same situation you are in 4 years ago finishing up school starting a family plus shooting a 15 year old PSE Thunder Flight express with fingers, I switched to a release with that bow a couple of years after buying it and never looked back. The best thing I ever did though was sign up with a local 3d league and get my but kicked hard. The first night my scores finished 3rd from last out of abut 50 shooters. I also got a welt from my bow on my arm that was so bad a local pro archer named Tim Gillingham said he had never seen any thing so bad. He also suggested sending a photo to an arm guard manufacture. The next week I took a tax return check and bought a brand new Mathews LX. My scores have kept improving every year and have made money or broke even in several shoots. My personal best being this year where I took first place in the bowhunter frestyle 3D, at the World Archery Festival in Vegas.
Here are also a few pictures of the deer I have killed DIY public land in the last three years since I made the switch from my favorite 15 year old bow.

swbuckmaster · Apr 9, 2006

swbuckmaster · Apr 9, 2006

swbuckmaster · Apr 9, 2006

MartinHunter
Good luck, scout hard, finish school, shoot straight and good things will happen.

MartinHunter · Apr 9, 2006

I used to shoot all day every day. I was a member of the local 4-H shooting team since I was 5, and then became a member of the local Lost Arrow 3D league. I shot Bowhunter Freestyle Limited, and was very competitive. I shot good with fingers so I was not worried about switching, back then I mostly wanted to WIN. I outgrew that, and the 3D league here for two reasons. One was time, I had a kid, got out of high school and started college and working when I was 17. Now I have another kid on the way and still have my nose to the grind. I have a ##### ton more going on then all my 3D buddies, but at the cost of less time to tinker with my toys. Second it became clear to me, that most all the people in the league were becoming more and more competitive, it was no longer about the fun of the sport, or good practice, but who could whip who's ars. If you did not have the ?new stuff? then you were out, score wise and friendship wise. People were only willing to help me if I were ?serious? meaning serious about spending more money. I have to pick and choose what I need and want, cuz? I have bills. It is cool that you were helping me, and if I could buy a new bow I would, lol, but I think my only option for now is to see what is out there to add.

adamsoa · Apr 10, 2006

Hmmmm, where to start. First of all confidence is an intangiable thing. Either you are confident in your equipment or you are not. For some people that means more and newer equipment. For others it means to practice with your own more. The new bows, rests, sights and other equipment are better than and usually easier to use than those of the past. But the "older" equipment still shoots much better than most hunters are capable of.
As for being busy and having little time to practice, join the club. I am in a graduate program, work full time, have a part time weekend thing, and have three small children. Finding time to practice is hard. It is not my priority in life right now. It is the priority of my very little free time. I still try to make time to shoot at least once a week, and now with the better weather I try to shoot 2-3 times a week out back. I can usually get my kids to step out back with dad for a half an hour so to shoot a few arrows.
As for 3-d, its fun to go shoot once in a while. I dont have a ton of free time so, I've only been a few times, but everyone was great and very nice. I even had a few give me some good shooting advice. You might need to give it a try again. Its excellent practive every once in a while.
The bottom line is to decide where your priorities are. If you want to have and build confidence in your ability you have to shoot. There is no magic piece of equipment that can overcome lack of practice. Good equipment can make it a little easier, but doesnt negate the need for practice.
If you are like me your free time is precious. But if I can I include my family or give up a little TV time and once in a while even get up early to chuck a few arrows I do. Once a week is great, just make sure that you can shoot what you have the best that you can.

Good Luck