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.

 

[EdRalphRomero]

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.

Thanks!

I shoot outdoor other than the one lesson I took in Manchester. I am hoping to incorporate more indoor going forward, but I built a whole set-up at my in-laws farm and last year I got over there usually 2-3 days per week. It is awesome and I really appreciate the isolation of it. I can do it on my own. Honestly the only part I don't like about it is all the confusion around equipment. But I am figuring that out.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Thanks!

I shoot outdoor other than the one lesson I took in Manchester. I am hoping to incorporate more indoor going forward, but I built a whole set-up at my in-laws farm and last year I got over there usually 2-3 days per week. It is awesome and I really appreciate the isolation of it. I can do it on my own. Honestly the only part I don't like about it is all the confusion around equipment. But I am figuring that out.

Its nice to have a setup like that, but dont forget that theres nothing wrong with just setting up something in your yard (safety permitting) or in your basement. Repeating the mechanics is such an important aspect to archery, so its not like you need to be "training" every time you shoot. Like, I have a shooting lane I cut out in my woods where I setup a tree stand, a few animal targets, etc...but sometimes I don't even head out there. I sit in my basement with a beer and fire some shots into a bag.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Also, are you considering taking up hunting? Ever thinking about a compound bow, or you sticking with the recurve?

I SUCK with the recurve, but my father in law has won his share of club tournaments with it. If you have questions for him or want some insight, will gladly play middleman.

 

[EdRalphRomero]

Not planning on hunting. Just hunting the paper plates. I would really like to get to the point where I can do the local/state competitions.

And, yeah, definitely sticking with the recurve. I definitely see the value of the compound for hunting, and when I shoot on a range next to the compound guys, it is cool how fast the arrow comes off their bows. But I like the simplicity of the recurve.

Thanks for the offer for your father-in-law. I may take you up on that. I motivated to carve out a big chunk of time on Friday to head up to Hall's Arrow on Friday. Gonna do a lesson and have some equipment discussions.

Thanks!