Learning archery

[bearlady]

Hello all!
After seeing a whole lot of moose and deer close to where I live, in archery-only areas, plus the early seasons!!-I am planning on taking archery lessons this winter and I wanted to ask the ladies out there who bow hunt some questions.
*Is it difficult getting the draw strength right? I find that my upper arm strength is not great-will I still be able to bow hunt big game? are there any good ladies bows out there? How long does it take to get decent with a bow? do you have to practise all the time? (watch out rabbits and squirrels!)
My husband-a non-hunter, thinks I will have trouble beacuse I don't have great arm strength. Allthough I can haul a shotgun several miles through the bush:) maybe he just wants me not to go out stand hunting all season-hehe!
opinions? advice?
thanks!!
Bearlady B)

In college I took Archery to satisfy a Phys Ed requirement. Could/can you take a course from your college or community? And however you learn the fundamentals, does Canada have Archery and Bow Hunting clubs like we do here in the US? Good luck to ya! :)

Howdy bearlady,

As far as strength goes, I pull 50 lbs. The legal minimum here is 45 lbs, so ya need to check yer local game laws.
I'm 5 ft @ 105lbs, so I think you'll be able to pull 50 lbs fairly easy. This will take some gittin used to, will give your shoulder a workout fer sure. Yes ma'am, it takes alot of practice, to gain shoulder/arm strength, and to to be able to sling an arrow and hit yer mark every time.

My draw length is 26". A local bow shop can fix you up with proper draw length, but maybe that can give you a general idea. I shoot an XI progidy bow, which they don't make anymore :mad:
It's been an awesome bow, gits me riled LOL

Golden Eagle makes a bow called the Sparrowhawk. It's kinda "big" (36 1/2"), but it's light, and max lbs is 50. That might do ya good, you can check around huntin store websites and take a peek at some. As far as the name on the side of the bow...you'll hear big arguments over which bow is better.

In my opinion, the BETTER bow is the bow you feel comfortable with, and "fits" you. Like a gun just sometimes "fits" yer shoulder, alot of folks don't take that into account with a bow cause they're too busy lookin at overdraw, letoff and that name on the side.

Don't let em carry ya away with all that fancy stuff, make sure that bow is comfortable, that it "fits" you, and have some fun, if my "scrawny" self can pull it, you can too!

Bearlady-

I started archery this last spring. My pro-shop set me up right with the brand name I requested. My initial draw weight was 30 pounds. I practiced every day for 15 minutes and gradually increased the wieght. In no time I was maxed out for the bow at 50 pounds. I am now waiting for the new 2002 bows to come in so I can purchase my "last" bow (yeah, right). I intend to increase my draw weight to at least 60 pounds, if not 70.

I would take the lessons first, before buying a bow. You may decide you don't like it. My husband doesn't, but I like it so much I almost gave up my rifle.

Brantbuster or some of the other archers may disagree with me, but I think the minimum weight to hunt moose would be 60 pounds. It is not for the speed of the arrow, but the velocity at impact for penetration.

You will find that most bow manufacturers make bows with shot draw lengths and axel to axel lengths so take you time at the pro shop and shoot a variety of bows.

Your pro-shop will also be able to give you shooting lessons, but the thing to keep in mind is to practice. Archery is a physical sport. You can't give it up for several months and go back to it in the same shape as when you left it. Also, consider joining an archery club, if available. It will keep you interest up during the off season and you can practice on 3-D targets.

Have fun with it. I chuckle almost every time I shoot my bow. And good luck with your next hunt.

[bearlady]

Hello,
Thanks for the input, I'm still very keen on the idea. I've found a pro shop here that offers lessons and equipment rentals-so I don't need to buy a bow before I am ready, and just in case it turns out I am not into archery. The law here has a minimum draw of 40, but I'd like to get 50/60 after my muscles get stronger. As for my first game I'd start with rabbit and see how it went-there's no closed season on them here.
I'd hope to spend a lot of pre season practise-and then have 3 months of deer/moose season instead of 3 weeks. There is also a lot of archery only zones near where I live.
It's good to know you ladies can draw 50 pounds or more!gives me hope.
Jen

[NYARCHER]

Hello, I am not a female but I do teach archery to new hunters and many of them are female. I think it was very wise of you to take a full year to get the kinks worked out before you hunt big game. The first thing I would is a buy a release that you like if you are going to hunt with one (which by the way recommend) and then purchase an item called bow fit. It is an adjustable training aid that helps build the muscles the used in archery. That will give you a good idea how much weight you can pull and also let you know how fast you are progressing. Since you expressed interest in hunting moose I would suggest that you pull about 60-70 lbs using a heavy arrow and broadhead. If you were interested in deer only you could get away with less. When it comes to a bow, I don't know your body size or they type of hunting you plan to do ie. from a stand or hunt and stalk. As a general rule I would suggest a short bow about 33 in. axel to axel with a good brace height about 7 in. The longer the brace height the more forgiving the bow will be to imperfections with your shooting form. Once you are set up with your equipment just practice practice practice. You seem very committed so I don't think you will have any problem at all. This is the way that I usually start new shooters out when they have a goal of hunting large species like moose or buffalo. Good luck and let me know if I can help with anything.

NYARCHER-
Are you sure about the 33 inches axel to axel? That is not a very forgiving length. I have a 34 1/2 and I'm thinking of moving to a 36.


Tracey
Cowboy Logic:
What we see mainly depends on what we look for.

[NYARCHER]

I’m very sure, axle-to-axle distance has noting to do with the "forgiveness" of a bow. The brace height on the other hand is crucial to how a bow responds to torque and less than perfect hand placement and form. The shorter axle will make for a more maneuverable bow but not effect the arrow flight.