Hunt For Us Online!!
archery tips and safety
Archery Tips
----------------
When you go to buy a bow try as many bows at the shop as possible. There are many different styles of bows and one style may suit you more than another.
When you purchase your bow make sure fitted specifically for you.
To find your draw length hold your arms out from your body as far apart as possible and measure from finger tip to finger tip (measurement in inches.) Use the number that you get divide it by 2.5.
Should look like this ( X/2.5= draw length) where 'X' is the tip to tip measurement
A normal draw weight will be between 30-70 pounds on most bows. Have your bow set to a draw weight at which you can shoot for long periods of time. Do not set the weight so high that you are uncomfortable.
If you are using a compound bow you should always use a release. This will improve the grouping of your shots.
Also use a arm guard to protect your arm as the bow string can hurt your arm.It will also help stop the string from catching in lose clothing.(thanks Christopher Paddock for reminding me)
Picking an arrow is just as important as picking the right bow. You can find the right arrow buy looking at the manufacturers web sites. You should use more then one arrow type until you find a arrow that meets your needs.
There are a lot of different types of arrowheads, the different heads are designed for different targets. In Newfoundland you need a cutting diameter of at least 1 inch for fixed blades and mechanical
blades. Practice with many different types of arrowheads, they all have their uses. There are also field points which you will want to start practicing with first.
Body form is very important. It will help your shot placement proper form makes you use the right muscles in your back. Do not grip your bow too tightly, a grip that is too tight will torque the bow to the left (when gripping with your left hand) and your shots will not be level. Your grip hand and the hip on the same side as your grip hand should be parallel and pointed at your target.
The release is something that you should get used to very quick. If you are using a trigger release do not slap the trigger. Just pull on it like you would with a gun it works the same way. If you find that it is to sensitive you can adjust most releases to your desired level of sensitivity . When pulling back do not have your finger on the release trigger as you could damage you bow.
Safety is the most important thing as is with any hunting tool a bow is no different. Follow these rules and you will have a safe and run time.
NEVER point a bow and arrow at another person.
NEVER shoot an arrow straight up into the air. You can end up hitting another person or yourself.
NEVER shoot an arrow off into the distance where you cannot see where it will land.
Only use archery equipment in places that are especially set up for target practice - such as indoor and outdoor target ranges. Targets should be set up to insure that no one can be accidentally hit by a stray arrow. Allow at least 20 yards behind the targets and a 30 degree 'cone of safety' on each side of the shooting lane. Try to place targets against a hill or rising terrain as a safety measure.
If you are looking for a lost arrow behind a target, always leave your bow leaning against the target face so that it will be seen by other archers coming up. If possible, have one archer from your group stand in front of the target to prevent anyone from shooting.
On Field Archery or 3-D courses, be sure to stay on the marked path and travel only in the direction in which the targets are laid out while shooting is in progress. Going backwards on the trail or across an unmarked area could place you in the path of a flying arrow, resulting in serious injury.
DO NOT shoot arrows with broad-heads at standard targets. Set up broad-head pits for such practice.
If you are shooting wooden arrows, check them regularly for cracks. If one is found cracked, break it immediately to insure that it will not be accidentally used. Shooting a cracked arrow can result in its breaking and causing painful injury to the shooter.
Always use a bow-stringer for longbows and re-curve bows. This will reduce the possibility of damage to the bow and injury to the person.
Check your bow regularly for cracks or twisting. If in doubt, have it checked by a professional before shooting it any more.
Check the condition of your bowstring regularly. It's cheaper to install a new string than to replace the bow.
Don't draw a bowstring back further than the length of the arrow for which it is intended.
Overdrawing can break the bow and injure the shooter in the process. There is an old saying that a fully drawn bow is 7/8 broken!
Don't draw the string back except with an arrow on it and, especially, don't release the bowstring with no arrow on it. Doing so is called dry firing and can damage the bow.
At practice ranges, the only safe place is behind the shooting line.
Never shoot an arrow until you are positive that no one is in front of you or behind the targets.
Conversely, don't stand in front of a bow while it is being shot, even if you are to one side of the shooter.
Arrows should only be nocked on the shooting line and pointed in the direction of the targets.
After you are done shooting, wait for the word: CLEAR from the Range Captain or his designee before going toward the targets to retrieve your arrows.
WALK, don't run toward the targets. Remember that the arrows are sticking out and can injure you.
When pulling arrows out of a target, stand to one side and make sure that no one is directly behind you.
If archers will be shooting concurrently at varying distances, stagger the targets, not the people. This goes back to the previous rule about having one shooting line and staying behind it.
If you are using broad-heads, be sure that they are adequately covered when not in use.
Treat a broad-head with the same caution that you would a razor blade.
----------------
When you go to buy a bow try as many bows at the shop as possible. There are many different styles of bows and one style may suit you more than another.
When you purchase your bow make sure fitted specifically for you.
To find your draw length hold your arms out from your body as far apart as possible and measure from finger tip to finger tip (measurement in inches.) Use the number that you get divide it by 2.5.
Should look like this ( X/2.5= draw length) where 'X' is the tip to tip measurement
A normal draw weight will be between 30-70 pounds on most bows. Have your bow set to a draw weight at which you can shoot for long periods of time. Do not set the weight so high that you are uncomfortable.
If you are using a compound bow you should always use a release. This will improve the grouping of your shots.
Also use a arm guard to protect your arm as the bow string can hurt your arm.It will also help stop the string from catching in lose clothing.(thanks Christopher Paddock for reminding me)
Picking an arrow is just as important as picking the right bow. You can find the right arrow buy looking at the manufacturers web sites. You should use more then one arrow type until you find a arrow that meets your needs.
There are a lot of different types of arrowheads, the different heads are designed for different targets. In Newfoundland you need a cutting diameter of at least 1 inch for fixed blades and mechanical
blades. Practice with many different types of arrowheads, they all have their uses. There are also field points which you will want to start practicing with first.
Body form is very important. It will help your shot placement proper form makes you use the right muscles in your back. Do not grip your bow too tightly, a grip that is too tight will torque the bow to the left (when gripping with your left hand) and your shots will not be level. Your grip hand and the hip on the same side as your grip hand should be parallel and pointed at your target.
The release is something that you should get used to very quick. If you are using a trigger release do not slap the trigger. Just pull on it like you would with a gun it works the same way. If you find that it is to sensitive you can adjust most releases to your desired level of sensitivity . When pulling back do not have your finger on the release trigger as you could damage you bow.
Safety is the most important thing as is with any hunting tool a bow is no different. Follow these rules and you will have a safe and run time.
NEVER point a bow and arrow at another person.
NEVER shoot an arrow straight up into the air. You can end up hitting another person or yourself.
NEVER shoot an arrow off into the distance where you cannot see where it will land.
Only use archery equipment in places that are especially set up for target practice - such as indoor and outdoor target ranges. Targets should be set up to insure that no one can be accidentally hit by a stray arrow. Allow at least 20 yards behind the targets and a 30 degree 'cone of safety' on each side of the shooting lane. Try to place targets against a hill or rising terrain as a safety measure.
If you are looking for a lost arrow behind a target, always leave your bow leaning against the target face so that it will be seen by other archers coming up. If possible, have one archer from your group stand in front of the target to prevent anyone from shooting.
On Field Archery or 3-D courses, be sure to stay on the marked path and travel only in the direction in which the targets are laid out while shooting is in progress. Going backwards on the trail or across an unmarked area could place you in the path of a flying arrow, resulting in serious injury.
DO NOT shoot arrows with broad-heads at standard targets. Set up broad-head pits for such practice.
If you are shooting wooden arrows, check them regularly for cracks. If one is found cracked, break it immediately to insure that it will not be accidentally used. Shooting a cracked arrow can result in its breaking and causing painful injury to the shooter.
Always use a bow-stringer for longbows and re-curve bows. This will reduce the possibility of damage to the bow and injury to the person.
Check your bow regularly for cracks or twisting. If in doubt, have it checked by a professional before shooting it any more.
Check the condition of your bowstring regularly. It's cheaper to install a new string than to replace the bow.
Don't draw a bowstring back further than the length of the arrow for which it is intended.
Overdrawing can break the bow and injure the shooter in the process. There is an old saying that a fully drawn bow is 7/8 broken!
Don't draw the string back except with an arrow on it and, especially, don't release the bowstring with no arrow on it. Doing so is called dry firing and can damage the bow.
At practice ranges, the only safe place is behind the shooting line.
Never shoot an arrow until you are positive that no one is in front of you or behind the targets.
Conversely, don't stand in front of a bow while it is being shot, even if you are to one side of the shooter.
Arrows should only be nocked on the shooting line and pointed in the direction of the targets.
After you are done shooting, wait for the word: CLEAR from the Range Captain or his designee before going toward the targets to retrieve your arrows.
WALK, don't run toward the targets. Remember that the arrows are sticking out and can injure you.
When pulling arrows out of a target, stand to one side and make sure that no one is directly behind you.
If archers will be shooting concurrently at varying distances, stagger the targets, not the people. This goes back to the previous rule about having one shooting line and staying behind it.
If you are using broad-heads, be sure that they are adequately covered when not in use.
Treat a broad-head with the same caution that you would a razor blade.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Christopher Paddock on
-
ALWAYS remember to wear an armguard when shooting a bow. Learned this lesson the hard (and painful) way with my compound.
About
Atlantic Recreaction
17 Corey King Drive
Mount Pearl, NL
A0A 2A0
Phone:709.739.6662
Blue Water Marine & Equipment Ltd.
16 Allston Street
Kenmount Road Business Park
Mount Pearl, NL A1N 0A4
Tel: (709) 782-3200
© 2024 Created by Edward Smith.
Powered by
