The Toxophilite Clubhouse

[Sir C. M. Siervicül]

So, Dav, computer games aside, what kind of bow do you shoot? I had a bow for a few years when I was a kid, and the Dandelion's been asking, so I've been thinking about getting the whole family into archery.

[Audrada Rôibeardét]

I've got a few bows that I shoot. I inherited them from my parents, who were both archers and damn good ones. When I get down to the range these days (which isn't nearly as often as I'd like) I shoot a Ben Pearson recurve. I was shooting a Howard Hill longbow but I was having trouble drawing that one because of my lack of shooting. The Pearson is got a little lighter draw than the Hill.

If you've got any questions about archery, feel free to ask. I'll do my best to answer and if I don't have an answer...I'll make something up. ;D

[Sir C. M. Siervicül]

Nice. I've been thinking of a recurve or longbow. Definitely not a compound; I want something more traditional. Guess next I need to figure out how to select appropriate draw weights for myself and the rest of my family.

[Audrada Rôibeardét]

I think the best way to find a good draw weight is to try out some bows. If you're just shooting for fun, you don't need a really heavy draw weight. If you're going to use your bow for hunting there probably is a minimum draw weight. If you're going to shoot a traditional bow, don't test the draw weights on a compound. Compounds have something called 'let-off'. When the cams roll over, the draw weight drops.

[Béneditsch Ardpresteir, O.SPM.]

Wow I have been shooting with real archers and not doing bad ... deserve a pat on the back

[Sir C. M. Siervicül]

Nov 5, 2012 23:24:15 GMT -6 Audrada Rôibeardét said:

I think the best way to find a good draw weight is to try out some bows. If you're just shooting for fun, you don't need a really heavy draw weight. If you're going to use your bow for hunting there probably is a minimum draw weight. If you're going to shoot a traditional bow, don't test the draw weights on a compound. Compounds have something called 'let-off'. When the cams roll over, the draw weight drops.

I'll have to see if I can *find* a place around here that carries traditional bows. Seems like all I've seen is compounds, in the sporting goods stores that carry hunting stuff.

Nov 6, 2012 10:44:15 GMT -6 Béneditsch Ardpresteir, O.SPM. said:

Wow I have been shooting with real archers

Not me, not yet!

[Audrada Rôibeardét]

If I remember correctly, the draw weight isn't evenly distributed across the body. I had heard that the bow hand pushes about one third the weight while the draw hand pulls about two-thirds the weight. So, a 30 pound draw weight at 28 inches would mean you are pushing 10 pounds with the bow hand and pulling 20 with the draw hand. If you draw beyond 28 inches, the draw weight goes up slightly. If I were you, I'd start with a 30 or 35 pound bow. For your dandies, I'd go with a 25 or 30 pound draw weight.

[Sir C. M. Siervicül]

The dandelion's only 7 (and on the small side at that), so I'm sure 25 would be too heavy for him. Thinking of getting one of those super-cheap all-in-one youth bow packages at about 10# just to see how easy that is for him, and then something better-quality based on the results. But 35# for me and 25# for my wife to start sounds about right. Then if we stick with the sport, as the dandelion grows and if we feel like getting something more powerful, everyone can trade down and we could just buy one new bow maybe in the 45-50# range.

[Audrada Rôibeardét]

A lot of times, the manly men of the world want to shoot the heaviest longbow they can find their first time out. I highly suggest AGAINST that. It's better to start with something light, get the basics down and then get a heavier draw weight. Learning the basics on a heavy bow is a waste of your time.

In addition to bows, you will also need to get bracers (sometimes called arm guards) and gloves or tabs. The bracer protects your forearm and the glove or tab protects your fingers and helps you to get a smoother release. Of course, you'll also need some arrows. ;D

[Sir C. M. Siervicül]

Point well taken. Thanks for the tips! (Neither pun intended.)

[Audrada Rôibeardét]

I forgot to mention, you'll also want to get a bow stringer. While you can string a bow without one, I wouldn't suggest you try that right off the bat. Stringers are cheap...well, cheaper than a new bow.

[Sir C. M. Siervicül]

True. So, can I sign up for this here club thingy? I'm feeling a mite toxophilic. Wait, that doesn't sound right.

[Capt. Sir Mick Preston]

Nov 8, 2012 19:54:48 GMT -6 Sir C. M. Siervicül said:

True. So, can I sign up for this here club thingy? I'm feeling a mite toxophilic. Wait, that doesn't sound right.

"Hi! My name is Mick, and I'm a Toxophilic."

[Audrada Rôibeardét]

Oh, that's right. Mick, you're in the club, aren't you? ;D

Yeah, Siervicül you are more than welcome to join the club.

[Audrada Rôibeardét]

Noemvár score: 36553 (Lvl 21)

That miéidâ game froze on me at level 21. Hutschînd clock kept running but I couldn't shoot or look down range. Pëschetz, Little John's Archery!