Any bow hunters?

[scudrunner]

Santa brought me a new bow for Christmas (WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO!!!):D I don't know the first thing about rigging a bow. I have never hunted and have shot a total of two arrows (one straight up.... big mistake; second missed the target and lost the arrow...). I hope to hunt moose, caribou and birds until I gain some experience and skill.

How would you accessorize? What do I need vs. what would I want?

[Chinook SSSF]

Congrats on the new Bow! Alaska would be a good place to get started. I really learned alot from watching Ted Nugent and Fred Bear and a host of other old school hunting videos. I can recommend some good ones.

[scudrunner]

Santa also brought a satellite dish and the Outdoor channel... Jim Shockey is my favorite so far...

[Chinook SSSF]

wish I had that.....VS is kind of bunk...

[williesteal17]

Congrats on breaking in to archery It is a comittment type sport. What type of bow is it ?? If it is a compound bow say 60 to 70 lb draw I would being your new to it I would use a triger release - Scott or -Cobra-zero gap all make good ones. For a arrow rest a Wisker Bisket it holds your arrow all the way around that is a good rest for someone new to the sport , Two peice Quiver . And the best advise I could give is practice get to know your bow shoot with confidence . Go to some 3D trail shoots if they have some in Alaska.

[scudrunner]

Congrats on breaking in to archery It is a comittment type sport. What type of bow is it ?? If it is a compound bow say 60 to 70 lb draw I would being your new to it I would use a triger release - Scott or -Cobra-zero gap all make good ones. For a arrow rest a Wisker Bisket it holds your arrow all the way around that is a good rest for someone new to the sport , Two peice Quiver . And the best advise I could give is practice get to know your bow shoot with confidence . Go to some 3D trail shoots if they have some in Alaska.

Thanks for the suggestions. We do have a local Archer's Club who hosts 3D shoots during the summer. They also have an indoor 20 yard range (went this morning).

I got a PSE Stinger 50-60#. I ordered a release, wisker biskuit and pin sights. I'll order the quiver later after I get the basics down.... I understand that I should practice with the quiver if I plan to hunt with the quiver... so much to learn, so little time...

I'm rather excited to get all of the stuff so that I can begin to shoot my bow. I shot a loaner today for a couple of hours, until my shoulder reminded me of its age and recent history of inactivity...

Thanks again

[williesteal17]

Any time I have Helped many people get into Archery and helped finetune them both my kids as well . Startout shooting at like ten yards and focuss on just your shooting form don't worry about wear the arrow hits the target at first. Any other ??s just post it good luck...

[Chinook SSSF]

That nuscle will build fast Ed, it gets way easyer, to were you can draw without raising the bow.....IM currently only shooting 52.2 lbs with a bowtech EQ. I also have a whisker...I dont think they are training wheels because they hold at any angle, up and down....cant fail unless you put to much pressure on an arrow.

The old timers tell us we need to learn to shoot with and without a release, incase the unthinkable happens in the field...the release breaks or is lost...for what its worth I always pack an archery glove in my pack.

[williesteal17]

That nuscle will build fast Ed, it gets way easyer, to were you can draw without raising the bow.....IM currently only shooting 52.2 lbs with a bowtech EQ. I also have a whisker...I dont think they are training wheels because they hold at any angle, up and down....cant fail unless you put to much pressure on an arrow.

The old timers tell us we need to learn to shoot with and without a release, incase the unthinkable happens in the field...the release breaks or is lost...for what its worth I always pack an archery glove in my pack.

Good points Matt. But couple things to keep in mind alot of the rests made today are made for release shooters. The string can twiek to one side when you shoot with fingers and the arrow might not make it through the rest. Whiskers are made for the arrow to pass through very strait off the string I'm not saying they can't be shot with fingers in a pinch just not realy made for that style of releasing an arrow.

[williesteal17]

A couple of things I like to do on my bows is a peep sight one that turns to your eye every time. If it is one that uses sergical tubing carry extra in your pack. A D loop or relese loop is good it takes the tork off the string. It holds and releases the shot from directly behind the arrow . It also prevents the whare on your serving and the string to. Most newer bows now are useing fast flite for there servings insted of nylon, nylon protects you string better than fast flite but can break without very much sign of whare. A D loop prevents all of that. Something you can do to help if you were to ever break a D loop is rig your string with a string noc between the nots on your D loop That way if the D loop broke the noc is there to mark your arrow and you can shoot from the string. I also have a couple of cushon buttons on the string to you just slide them down out of the way and slide one up between your release and your arrow if that D loop ever was to break. So on your string from top to bottom put a string silencer like limesaver then a peep - Dloop if you want -string noc-cushon button - and the other silencer . Silencers help keep the animals from jumping the string.

[Chinook SSSF]

Mind if I see your bow set up like that willie? Thanks for the advice

[williesteal17]

Sure Matthew, I would just have to figure out how to put a picture on here so you could see . I'll have to get the wife to help with that , or maybe you might want to do a trail shoot sometime this summer with us. Wish I was as knowledgable about computer and fishing stuff as I am on Archery Stuff.

[williesteal17]

Ed Hope Im not telling you to much, Just thought I would give you those points to cosider on your string. The way your string is set up affects your anchor point and that has 90% to do with where the arrow ends up. If your dealing with an archery shop or pro shop they should have advise to give on alot of stuff .I hope its a pro archery shop !!:D . When it come to arrows they should have charts to go by so you get the right spined arrow you need. As you shoot more and crank up the poundage on the bow that spine or stiffness might change keep that in mind. My hunting arrows I like them crested back where the vanes or fletches are white is my fave. In the moment of truth a crested arrow whatever the color puts a memorable streak thought the air and can help you know if you had a good or bad hit or no hit. Kind of Like Matt does the big Corky above his bober floats its a visual thing. Any way I could go on for days I should be out fishing but thought these things could be helpful someone new to archery and plans on hunting in a state where big BEARS live... Stuart

[Chinook SSSF]

If you want to send a pic of the setup to me I would be happy to post it in your post here for you.....Not a trouble at all.....

[scudrunner]

Ed Hope Im not telling you to much, Just thought I would give you those points to cosider on your string. The way your string is set up affects your anchor point and that has 90% to do with where the arrow ends up. If your dealing with an archery shop or pro shop they should have advise to give on alot of stuff .I hope its a pro archery shop !!:D . When it come to arrows they should have charts to go by so you get the right spined arrow you need. As you shoot more and crank up the poundage on the bow that spine or stiffness might change keep that in mind. My hunting arrows I like them crested back where the vanes or fletches are white is my fave. In the moment of truth a crested arrow whatever the color puts a memorable streak thought the air and can help you know if you had a good or bad hit or no hit. Kind of Like Matt does the big Corky above his bober floats its a visual thing. Any way I could go on for days I should be out fishing but thought these things could be helpful someone new to archery and plans on hunting in a state where big BEARS live... Stuart

Thanks Stuart. I'm not too worried about the bears... they are way more afraid of me than I am of them. Our local pro shop leaves a bit to be desired, however the local club has been a great help. Through the advice on this forum and the advice from club members, I think I am off to a great start. I have the necessary accessories ordered and just waiting for the dog sleds to deliver the mail (not really but it seems that slow when I am really waiting for something,..).

I went with aluminum shafts, ranger fletching, and cresting (I hope), with 3D field points (I used the Easton chart, I am shooting at 54# now and the particular arrow I ordered is good up to 58#, so I should be able to hunt with it). I bit the bisquit (more for than against, however a strong argument for the fall away rest was made) and a 5 pin Tru-Glow site. We did tie on a d-loop at the club meeting, however without the other accessories, we decided to wait on shooting until it is set up.

I am stoked. I have a moose and caribou hunt already in the works, so I have a bit of practice and a qualifying exam to go this summer....

Do you visit any novice friendly archery forums? (please send via pm). I have found a couple, one in Alaska and another that at first glance seems to be open to the new guys like me.



Thanks again for your help.

[williesteal17]

I have never been on a internet Forum for archery but I have heard of Archerytalk.com . Some of the guys I hunt and shoot with go on there. Eastmans Bow Hunting Journal or EBJ is a good magazine to look at also lot of info in there. Will give you the Archery fever.

[williesteal17]

If you get the drive and stick with it you will get better very quickly. Lots of novices out there. I would like to see some pics if you get any moose or caribo.

[scudrunner]

Thanks again for your encouragement Stuart. I am certainly driven at this point!!! Looks like about 1 1/2 weeks to get the stuff here to start building and tuning the bow. So, all I can do now is drool over the catalog:eek:

I'll definitely post some pics with a successful hunt...

cheers

[Chinook SSSF]

You might find info at 24 hour campfire also, a good hunting forum I have a friend on...they have a bow hunting forum http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php





Here is 4 photos that Stuart sent me showing some of how he has his set up. Thanks for the pics :D

Williesteal17's bow setup

http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssfimages/hostedimages08/bow1.jpg

http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssfimages/hostedimages08/bow2.jpg

http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssfimages/hostedimages08/bow3.jpg

http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssfimages/hostedimages08/bow4.jpg


Very nicely setup for sure, I like the arrow knock setup with the loop outside the brass rings.....I had often wondered about this because I see my arrow angle change when I draw back. I am using a metal loop now that works good but IM not sure I like how it can turn any direction while neutral........because I have to fish for it with my release to find it while looking afield....

[scudrunner]

Presently, I have the pronghorn rest, but I have trouble keeping the arrow on board while drawing back. I also have a d-loop tied as in the pics. It was suggested to me that the metal d-loops add additional weight to the string, thus slowing the arrow a bit (maybe 5-10 fps).

Stuart, what are you using for a sight? I see the peep, I have the same, though I may look at the self-centering if the string cooperates. Also, there seems to be quite a diversity of opinions regarding quiver... It looks like you have a 6 arrow quiver, others recommend a 4... what do you think?

[Chinook SSSF]

Yes Ed, infact the whisker also slows the arrow a bit and so if several things make it slower is going to be alot slower but....I had not been into bows and so I needed training wheels :p I put on all the easyest stuff to shoot that slows the thing...

[williesteal17]

Well the more you practice the better shot you'll be thus the less arrows you need. Most Quivers now don't hold more than 6 I would go no less than 4. I like 6.The weight of your arrows will also help stabilize the bow. The 2 peice Quiver is the way to go PSE makes affew. Their mounted more solid to the bow and they hold the arrows futher down on the shafts thus makeing alot less wigle and woble and noise when you shoot. Make sure you put a stabilizer on there to.One that is anywhere fom 8'' to 10'' long, also helps with tork on the bow and makes a handle to hold over your shoulder when hiking out. This is something that not many archers know about those cushon buttons on the string if you put some on your string an inch or 2 down from the cams or wheels top and bottom you can gain FPS . 2 to 5 of those is all you would need to do this, solo cam just one end.If you do to many you can slow the FPS down. That PSE should be plenty quick though. When I started hunting with a bow 150 FPS 80lbs was fast now its easy to get 250FPS or more at 50 to 60 lbs. I shoot at 71lbs 400grian arrow 293FPS.

[williesteal17]

The Sight that I have is a Cobra 5 pin sight with micro ajustment. I like the micro ajust for windage and going from field tips to broadheads alot of times the arrows fly diferent. I realy like the G5 with floating pin and micro ajust though. Might change to that next season.

[williesteal17]

Ed I like a peep that uses the tubeing to turn it to the eye. Its much easier to fix in the feild if it breaks. The type that go in string without the tubeing rely on the twist in the string and the way it is instaled to be just right. If it is allined with the Dloop it will stay in position longer but with shooting more and more the weather and rain is hard on a string . The string streches and will move thap peep . Theirs nothing worse than coming to full draw on a animal and that peep is not in position. Wax your string.