The Sons and Daughters of Kate Bishop (archery)

[EdRalphRomero]

As with most great archers, I decided to take up the sport at the age of 48. I live in Connecticut, and my kids compete in the Nutmeg games (like a state Olympics only with a stupid name) in fencing. Well I decided I needed something for me so I went through the Nutmeg Game sports and landed on the one with the bow and arrow. I found a range not too far from me and I've been taking lessons for a couple of months now. Just once a week. One thing I was not prepared for is how confusing all the stuff you need to buy is. I bought a 20 lb Galaxy take-down recurve bow and put an Avalon Tec sight on it. I've been using range arrows, but this week I bought my own Easton 5 mm carbon arrows. I'm trying to figure out the size and other factors for the glue in points I need to buy. An instructor told me 100 grain, but the amount of contextless numbers listed on all these products is ridiculous. If anyone who knows this stuff wouldn't mind helping me understand what to buy, I sure would appreciate it.

I also bought myself a big target and am going to build a stand at my in-laws farm for practice. I am still shooting at 20 yards with the little kids, but today my instructor said I was on the verge of being able to shoot at the 30 yard target. To be able to compete I need to work myself up to 60 yards. It seems impossibly far away. I am working on strengthening my left shoulder as that seems to be my biggest limiting factor. I'm not a hunter so I'm going to stick with shooting at targets.

Anyone out there competing or working your way toward competing?

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

I got up to one of the Archer levels as a teen, using an old fashioned, pre-compound, bow. I don't even recognize the things folks use to shoot with anymore

 

[EdRalphRomero]

So... new archery season. I'm now shooting a 25 lb recurve, but need to up the weight. With my current limbs and sight I cannot shoot at 60 meters which is the distance for the "Masters" (over 50) event I am targeting. So I need to improve both myself and my equipment. With the Nutmeg Games so early in the summer, I don't think I will be able to get it together enough to do it this year. I need to find a new place to take lessons as the outdoor range I was going to has had some management issues and doesn't have an instructor beyond beginners. So, it looks like I am going to be doing the hour each way drive to Manchester for some lessons. Anyway, the Olympics are coming, if any of you all want to jump in to the sport and the thread....

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

So... new archery season. I'm now shooting a 25 lb recurve, but need to up the weight. With my current limbs and sight I cannot shoot at 60 meters which is the distance for the "Masters" (over 50) event I am targeting. So I need to improve both myself and my equipment. With the Nutmeg Games so early in the summer, I don't think I will be able to get it together enough to do it this year. I need to find a new place to take lessons as the outdoor range I was going to has had some management issues and doesn't have an instructor beyond beginners. So, it looks like I am going to be doing the hour each way drive to Manchester for some lessons. Anyway, the Olympics are coming, if any of you all want to jump in to the sport and the thread....

Make sure you have the right spine for your bow. Are you shooting 500s or 600s?

 

[EdRalphRomero]

I have been shooting 600s -- these big old 5mm Easton's that are appropriate for indoor but I shoot mostly outdoor. So new arrows are on the list as well as upgrading the bow and starting to add stabilizers. All the freaking numbers on these arrows confuse the hell out of me.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

I have been shooting 600s -- these big old 5mm Easton's that are appropriate for indoor but I shoot mostly outdoor. So new arrows are on the list as well as upgrading the bow and starting to add stabilizers. All the freaking numbers on these arrows confuse the hell out of me.

At 25lb, you may even consider 700 or 800s. I assume the 600s carries over with you from the 20lb bow?

How far are you shooting now?

 

[EdRalphRomero]

Yes, the 600s are the first arrows I purchased. I shoot at 40, 50, and 60. I can shoot fairly reliably at 50. At 60, I am not really there yet. And at 70, my sight is bottomed out.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Yes, the 600s are the first arrows I purchased. I shoot at 40, 50, and 60. I can shoot fairly reliably at 50. At 60, I am not really there yet. And at 70, my sight is bottomed out.

That's awesome man. Really good progress in only a year.

Are you shooting indoor or outdoor? Archery is such a forgotten art, but it's a great hobby to sink time into. Alot like golf, but replacing the agitation with calmness.

Sometimes.