Some progress with the bow!

[A Guy Out West]

Got in a little practice today with my bow. It was a little breezy at the range today, but I did manage to hit a couple of things I was aiming at. I am definitely limiting myself to 30 yards. At 40 I’m just too erratic. Only way I’ll attempt 40 is if conditions are perfect. The accompanying photos are of targets shot at 40 yards. The elk target is really about the size of a blacktail deer. Also picked up my “heads” sharp as a razor. On the block target, I was shooting at the O. Naturally I only took a picture of my best shots.

 

[Overlay]

Awesome bit of kit
At that distance pretty incredible i don't think i would doing anything but scaring anything away i cant shoot a bow to anything accurate over 30 feet let alone yds

The Elk target is fantastic, wouldn't have thought anything like that target existed or we could get here in the uk

Thanks for sharing AGOW nice write up, very different to here


The heads do they break off inside on impact on live quarry
Cheers

Phil

 

[A Guy Out West]

The heads are not suppose to break off. I chose the Kudu points because they are extremely well built and are made right here in Oregon. Unless I hit heavy bone, I’m expecting that they will pass completely through the animal, especially at 30 yards or less. As a new bow shooter, I’m surprised at how easy the compound bow is to shoot. I did get some upgraded sights and a fantastic release so that is helping me shoot better. I’m really liking it!

 

[Overlay]

Certainly looks lethal enough going on arrow depth on the targets

 

[tusker]

When do you plan to go? Where? I did my first trip in Namibia and cant wait to get out again.
What is your set up? Bow, arrows, arrow weight. I practiced at 30 yrds and 40 but when I was hunting I found 40 too much and kept my shots to 30 or under.
Good luck, Tusker

 

[Smellydog]

The Elk target is fantastic, wouldn't have thought anything like that target existed or we could get here in the uk

3D Animal Targets - Targets | Merlin Archery

Merlin Archery

www.merlinarchery.co.uk

 

[A Guy Out West]

I’m really liking this bow shooting! Wish I had my old eye sight back. Attached are from todays practice, I’m getting better at 40 yards. The targets with the single arrow are 40 yards and the multi arrows are at 30 yards.

 

[A Guy Out West]

When do you plan to go? Where? I did my first trip in Namibia and cant wait to get out again.
What is your set up? Bow, arrows, arrow weight. I practiced at 30 yrds and 40 but when I was hunting I found 40 too much and kept my shots to 30 or under.
Good luck, Tusker

I’m going on Sep 6, hunting in the Oregon Cascades. That should be about the peak of the elk rut or at least close to it. If you want to Google Earth it, I’ll be North East if Detroit lake. I decided to go with a 100 gr. Broad head, I was going to use 125, but I think the 100s will do fine. Whole arrow weighs 385 gr. Thanks for the well wishes, I’m going to need all the luck I can get.

 

[Overlay]

AGOW
All sounds good, keep us in the loop as it pans out and good luck
Cheers
Phil

 

[Smellydog]

I’m really liking this bow shooting! Wish I had my old eye sight back. Attached are from todays practice, I’m getting better at 40 yards. The targets with the single arrow are 40 yards and the multi arrows are at 30 yards.

What the bales made of please?

 

[A Guy Out West]

What the bales made of please?

I think they are just straw. It’s hard to pull an arrow out if I sink one into it.

 

[sean]

Used to love shooting my bow, haven’t shot it in a year or so now. Really fancy bow hunting in the out back in Australia.

 

[A Guy Out West]

View attachment 380542Used to love shooting my bow, haven’t shot it in a year or so now. Really fancy bow hunting in the out back in Australia.

What is your draw weight? That’s a heck of a beast! Thinking of the pack out is making my back hurt. Guess you had trackers for that one though.

 

[sean]

80lb bow with a 750grain arrow. 200 grain single bevel Broad head. Got a pass through at 34 yards

 

[jthyttin]

I’m really liking this bow shooting!

You should also practice shooting odd angles, vertical and horizontal. You never get a perfect Natural Point of Aim shot at flat ground in the field. So practically you need to draw with perfect form (NPA and shoulder height), then keep everything from waist up perfectly still and bend from waist to get on the target. Do this sitting and standing.

Also practice keeping the bow under tension before shot. Take a kitchen timer (or smartphone), put the timer on minute or two and draw. When timer goes off, you need to shoot immediately. It's very rare that you can draw and shoot immediately in the field.

 

[Smellydog]

single bevel

I like single bevels I use to make my own.
I use to add cord to ally shafts to quiet them and add weight.

 

[tusker]

It's very rare that you can draw and shoot immediately in the field.

Having just come home from my first bow hunt I can confirm this is true!
Tusker

 

[A Guy Out West]

80lb bow with a 750grain arrow. 200 grain single bevel Broad head. Got a pass through at 34 yards

My broad heads are single bevel too.

 

[A Guy Out West]

You should also practice shooting odd angles, vertical and horizontal. You never get a perfect Natural Point of Aim shot at flat ground in the field. So practically you need to draw with perfect form (NPA and shoulder height), then keep everything from waist up perfectly still and bend from waist to get on the target. Do this sitting and standing.

Also practice keeping the bow under tension before shot. Take a kitchen timer (or smartphone), put the timer on minute or two and draw. When timer goes off, you need to shoot immediately. It's very rare that you can draw and shoot immediately in the field.

Thanks for the pointers, timing my draw is an excellent idea. Going to do it starting today.