ARCHERY/3D's

ELKMANOR

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ARCHERY/3D's

THE BOW AND ARROW

When someone hears the word "archery", they think of bowhunting. Wrong. Archery has been around since before the Roman Empire days. Its been in use before the Chinese invented gunpowder. Most of us can remember movies and books about the indians using the bow to hunt the buffalo and to fight the cavalry.

There are as many different types of bows and arrows to choose from today as there are guns and bullets. If someone is interested in starting archery, I suggest you go to a local archery shop where the dealer will be glad to assist in setting you up with the right equipment to FIT you.

I bought my first bow in 1969 from a fellow that had bought it 2 months prior. He decided that it wasn't for him, so I purchased the bow, 1 doz. cedar shafts, a quiver, armguard, shooting glove and a tab for $20.00.

I still have and shoot that bow today. I have also accummilated 3 compound bows and 2 other recurves. I try to shoot in 3-4 3-D tournaments a month. I purchased my first compound in 1972 and have since changed to shooting compounds more than the recurves.

It took me 3 years of trial and error to finnaly get everything right and get my first deer, a nice 7 point buck. Since that time, I have killed 46 more deer, 2 elk, 1 bear, 5 bobcat, and numerous small game. I've hunted here in AR,OR,CA,GA,TN,SC,NC,OK,CO,NM and TX.

I started out shooting what we call barebow. I shot barebow until about the late 80's when I started looking at the sights, and releases. I have shot barebow against sights and won about as many as I lost. But I still wanted to improve so I eventually went all the way and begin shooting freestyle unlimited, which is moveable sights and release.

Many members of MY family have followed in my footsteps into archery. I have tried to always help them and anyone else for that matter that needs help. I have gotten many friends into the bow while I was in the service.

The equipment I use may differ from yours but will basically be the same.

Next, you must learn how to use it. Sighting in is always fun.

When you are zeroed in you are ready to put your skills to the test. I find that shooting in 3-D tournaments prepares me for the hunting season. Animals are not as cooperative as targets at a known distance. Have fun.

PAPER TUNING YOUR BOW

Paper tuning your arrows, shows how they fly. You may need to make some adjustments as described below. First, you need to set up your paper to shoot through about 7-10 yards out.

Tail Left: (Often indicates a weak spined arrow)
1. Decrease draw weight. Back out both limb bolts a quarter turn at a time. Make certain to adjust both limbs equally to avoid changing the tiller and nock point position on the string. Also make certain to avoid backing the limb bolts out too far to avoid injury to the archer and damage to the bow.
2. Decrease point weight. A lighter point will have some effect on increasing shaft stiffness. Too light of a point however, may result in unstable arrow flight.
3. If steps 1 and 2 don't reduce the length of the tear to your satisfaction, you may need to change to a stiffer shaft.

Tail Right: (Often indicates an arrow that is too stiff)
1. Increase draw weight. Tighten both limb bolts a quarter turn at a time. Make certain to adjust both limbs equally to avoid changing the tiller and nock point position on the string.
2. Increase point weight. A heavier point will have some effect on decreasing shaft stiffness. Arrow speed may be reduced.
3. If steps 1 and 2 don't reduce the length of the tear to your satisfaction, you may need to change to a weaker shaft.

To correct a Tail high:
1. Move the nocking point down in small increments.
2. If using a launcher or shoot-thru type arrowrest, move the arrow support arm up. Increasing spring tension can also be helpful.
3. Check for fletching interference and adjust rest position as needed.

To correct a Tail low:
1. Move the nocking point up in small increments.
2. If using a launcher or shoot-thru type arrowrest, move the arrow support arm down. Reduced spring tension can also be helpful for even finer adjustments.

ARCHERY LINKS:

IBO

Pope and Young

The North American Archery Group,LLC