A couple of questions (1 usual 1 I suspect less so)

Matblack · A couple of questions (1 usual 1 I suspect less so)

Hi

I'm completely new, fresh out of the box and know nothing so please forgive me asking questions you have heard a thousand times

Yesterday I shot a bow for what is pretty much the first time since the one my mother gave me one which came with arrows with little red suckers on the end and a cowboy hat (probably 30 years). It was at a training day for work and we had a chance to try archery, just a short talk and a few shots with a training bow at some relatively close targets but I am absolutely smitten! I loved the feel of the draw and the physicality of the action whilst still needing concentration and tiny adjustments to hit the target.

I've read a lot this afternoon and I am adamant that I want to give this a go as a potential long term hobby, I've never been very competitive but the idea of shooting to improve my own score and distance appeals very much.

Initially I'm thinking I'd be better off doing target, I'm more of a town than a country boy and I also think the consistency of target distance would enable me to establish a good technique and monitor my progress week on week. The idea of field does appeal too but I wonder if I would be better to get everything right at set distances and getting things instinctual before having to judge distance by eye, rather than doing both at the same time.

As for bow type I did very much like the power of the draw on the recurve trainer I used and for me I imagine it as the perfect balance between the simplicity of a traditional bow and the technology of a compound.

All that aside whilst doing my research I have become a little concerned about getting into a club, I live in Maidstone in Kent, a town which advertises 3 clubs; Allington Castle, Ferryfield and Crown but from what I read it seems to be that you have to wait for a training opportunity before you can join and the club which I am most impressed with as far as website and number of club days a week had theirs today and I missed it and there don't seem to be any more on the calender. Do these sort of clubs allow access with one to one tuition? I'd be willing to pay for one to one as I feel that there is little point in spending on equipment before learning if I have technique and what things I need, theres no point in having Sabatier and Le Cruset if you can't even cook an omelette! So whats the score with these clubs?

The other question I have is simple but did bother me yesterday. I'm a big guy and I have big hands, I found when I held the bow that the top of the bottom knuckle of my thumb rubbed against the top of the grip on the bow, after only a few shots I it was red and a little sore, despite being told that my grip and posture were good. I used to shoot an air pistol and had a wooden stock which I modified a little to make it comfortable, do bows come with different grip sizes? Or is this a issue with training bows being more suited to smaller hands? It maybe these were small anyway as the centre was mostly catering for young people 13-19?

Thanks for listening to me waffle, I've been really grabbed by the idea of taking this up and wanted to get started ASAP, hope I don't come across as an eager but stupid n00b.

Thanks

MB

Steve B

Matblack, you come across to me as a person that has thought long and hard about what you want to in regards to a sport that really appeals.... here on Archers Rest we believe that there is no such thing as a stupid question only unanswered questions and a quest for knowledge. Remeber that we do have a class room area with lots of questions answered already here

Being in Australia I can't answer your question on the frequency of training courses in your area, but the question on bow grips I can assist a little. You will find that there are a great variety of bows out there and most have different grips to some degrees, recurves if one piece will come in various lengths and that will in most cases give you a different grip most "trainer bows are one bow to fit all" and as they are to suit young through old they will more than likely not be comfortable in the grip area for large hands. Take down recurves have grips that you can replace or even modify to suit yourself. So with those things in mind I would think you shall have not many problems finding a bow that will feel comfortable in your hand.

So good luck with it all and I look forward to hearing of your exploits as you get into the sport, I was bitten with the archery bug 42 years ago and I still have it equally as bad

it is so good to be in the sport

Joe(thebow)M

Welcome to archery and Archers Rest, Matblack.

Great bunch of folks here that can help with your questions. I'm
affraid I can't be of any help however, as I live in the U.S., but this
place is like a second home with good folks willing to help answer
your questions.

Ratfighter

Hi and welcome,
I haven't had lots of dealings with many clubs. I was fortunate to know a coach from an archery club through work and he taught me to shoot, his word was accepted by the club and so I avoided the club coaching course route.
I know the majority of clubs pretty much stick to training courses, you have to understand that the outdoor season is beginning and many coaches are concentrating on their own technique and equipment issues.
I am aware that Merlin run courses and that as qualified GNAS coaches, they produce a certificate stating your proficiency and areas that need work, that is accepted by GNAS clubs. But this may not be acceptible to your club of choice. There may well be a similar proprietry route in your area.

I would recommend you contact the clubs in your locality, see if someone is prepared to give you the ad hoc training or if they are prepared to accept a third parties judgement on your ability (maybe with a quick check made by a club coach)

Good luck and enjoy

Ratty

Dawn

Hi MB and welcome to AR

As already said there is no such thing as a silly question, if you done know just ask, we all had to learn

The one thing I would say is dont buy until you have done some kind of training course, as SteveB has said there are so many different kinds of grips and even more different bows, you need to get a feel for what you want and know what draw length and weight is comfortable for you, its almost like buying a pair of shoes, they may be the right size but not necessarily comfortable enough to wear every day.

As said here do phone your local clubs and ask if they can arrange a course for you, at our club we take on beginners as they apply, either on a one to one or a small group, other clubs have their own system for this, always worth asking though.

There is a NFAS field archery club at Rochester Kent http://www.nfas.net/

Hope you find some help, do let us know how you get on

pafc1886

Hi Matblack,

If I can make a suggestion - it would be worth checking with the clubs if they have club equipment that you can use after you have completed the course. This will give you a chance to try different styles of archery and will save you spending money on equipment you later need to change. They should also be able to help you to purchase equipment, when you are ready, that is right for your style and specification ie bow poundage etc.

We found it quite daunting, after a four-week beginners course, to be told to go and buy all our equipment before being able to join the club. Hence a quick change of club to Toad Hollow.

Good Luck in whichever route you decide to take.
Feel free to ask any questions - we only took up the sport last September so are only just ahead of you in the beginners stakes !!

All the best,

Les

Mjollnir

I can only really echo what has been said b4.

Some clubs do set times for their training, usually more in winter time, in indoor premisis. Others like as take trainiees on an ad hoc basis. It is just a case of looking about.

As to the grip, as others have said there are plenty of different grips, it might also be that your skeletal structure may require you to shoot a low or high grip (different angle of handle), also I am sure there is likely to be improvements in your stance/grip to be made, but all these things will be sorted out by a good coach in a training session.

good luck

Matblack

Thanks everyone for your responses

I have definately taken on board the 'don't buy equipment' guideline, I have no wish to spend money on equipment which won't suit me and want to shoot as many different set ups as possible before I commit to buying and will definately go to a respected retailer with an experienced club member if I do.

Unfortunatly as has been suggested I have heard back from two clubs now both of which have run their beginners courses and don't have any more on the calender at the moment, which is a shame as I am really keen to start. I've suggested to both that I would be willing to pay extra for 1to1 tutition if thats acceptable and there is someone who can do it, we'll see what they say.

I wonder if I might have more luck (and possibly fun) with an NFAS club?

Do they tend to operate differently? I see that a lot of members here shoot field rather than target but as I said before I'm not sure about it as I think I would like to get my technique before I embark on woodland adventures

but if its the only way to get my hands on a bow before winter I might be pursuaded. I suspect this would also have an impact on my choice of bow as more field archers seem to shoot compound than recurve, is that right?

Maybe I'll drop a line to the field club in Rochester and see what they have to say

Thanks again for such enthusiastic reponces

MB

Dawn

Hello again MB pleased to hear you have had some useful information here

I shoot NFAS field archery, recurve bow no sights, I have not really shot target although I know many that do both.

Regards bow styles, in the NFAS there are quite a lot of compounds with and without sights, but I would think equally as many if not more recurves, as well as American Flat bows and Longbows which are also very popular.

I will try to describe the basic differences between target archery and field archery, maybe someone else here (such as a target archer

) will add more information for you.

The basic technique of shooting (as I undersatand it) is the same for target and field, the main difference is on a lot of target shoots the archers will know the distance the target is set at, the archer has to focus on the shot as each arrow needs to end up as near to the centre of the gold as possible. Due to the number of arrows shot in a competition great stamina and concentration is required.

NFAS field shoots the targets are set at random distances which are unknown to the archer, this is designed to simulate hunting (hunting with bow and arrow is illegal in England). In a competition we only generally shoot maximum 3 arrows per target and 36/40 targets in a day, we have a pleasant stroll around the woods, and have to judge the distance the target is set then hit it

As you can see there are quite different skills involved in both types of archery and its really up to personal preference which you shoot or even both

Hope this gives you a better idea and you can find a club to get you started, do let us know wont you

Matblack

Thanks Dawn

I've had a really good look on the net and field really does look like fun and certainly adds another element to archery, having to judge distance and choose a perfect place to shoot from would certainly do that against the relatively rigid distances and flat line in target shooting.

I think I've found a club who are doing a beginners course, the guy I spoke to seemed really friendly and they have another beginner starting too which would be good (thay also seem to have access to the bar at the rugby club which is on site

.) Won't be till the end of this month but thats OK because we're off to see Ospreys play rugby this saturday

I won't be buying any equipment yet but I do find myself eyeing up risers and working out which ones come in, you guessed it, mat black

.

I'll let you know how things go

MB

Desert Archer

Matblack, there is more than one kind of "field" archery. On my side of the pond (USA) we call shooting at rubber animals 3D archery. Here "field" is mostly NFAA (IFAA for you in GB) and some limited FITA Field. NFAA/IFAA field is all marked distances, from 20 feet to 80 yards. I am prejudice but I think it is the best game in archery. FITA Field is a close second and involves both unmarked targets (the first day of a 2 day competition) and marked distances.

Don't discount this kind of "field" archery in your pursuit of an archery activity/club.

Dave

AFB

Good luck matey . I used to shoot target but not only shoot field

Dawn

Nice to have some information about other societies shooting styles

I was hoping someone would let us know what else is available