Well I'm normally a straight compound shooter. However, my dad has been building longbows since I could walk so I dabble in that as well. We have a traditional shoot coming up around the first of May so I have been "practicing" for it. My long bow at 57# was giving me fits, as I haven't shot in a while, so I decided to shoot the lighter poundage Hun Horse Bow. This bow is a great shooter with light arrows, fast and fun. However i'm having severe inconsistency issues. I normally have a short draw issue, generally like 2-3''. Mostly from snap shooting. I have been concentrating on holding the bow a moment after I reach full draw to combat this. It has helped. Here's where my problem is. I have been practicing at around 10-15 yrds and can do all-rite. Some groups all of the arrows will be touching, or within a 3'' radius, and the next can be a 24'' group My grip is always the same, anchor is the same as well. Is it just the jitters of getting back into it? Do I need to shoot more, shoot less? or will it just come after many arrows? I know I can't expect awesome results for a shoot a mere few weeks away, and it's all just for fun, but knowing I can hit some of the targets will increase the pleasure for me. Please help, I'm ready to burn this thing! lol
Just keep shooting. To me all of your concentration right now Is all on you not short drawing. You get that down and your mind can then concentrate on other aspects. One thing about this traditional stuff, It all has to come together as one. Nothing works unless everything Is In tune or close In tune with each other and shooter. Keep practicing and when you get frustrated, set It down for a while. Jump back on the horse though when your head Is cleared. It won't fix Itself. Best of luck!!
I find when I have nights like that it's all about focus. Best thing to do is put it down and walk away until you can come back to it with a clear and focused mind. Blind bailing for a few shots before you start might help too. Then you can focus on working your form without the frustration of trying to hit the target.
That's good advice...blind bailing. I would get about 5 yards from the target. Dont think about where you're hitting at this point. Just think about your form...release, but mainly your bow-arm. If you get the form down, the other will follow. I've been shooting since 1974 and there are times I'm just off, so I have to re-group and correct what's wrong. You'l get it.....dont quit.
