SHOOTING TIPS
Long before the advent of the compound bow the recurve reigned supreme in all genres of archery. Whether hunting, target shooting or bow fishing you were likely to find a recurve bow in someone's hands if it was anywhere before 1966. Today there are still traditional archers that much prefer the fit, feel and action of a recurve compared to that of it's more modern counterpart. Recurve bows have a feel all of their own and shooting them accurately can be a bit of a a challenge for the novice but here are some hints to get you on your way.
*Put on arm guard and finger tab. This will keep the bow string from hurting either your forearm upon release or your fingers on the draw.
*Starting at the target take 10 paces in the opposite direction, this will be about 10 yards, which is a good starting point for a novice archer.
*Turn to face the target and nock an arrow, cock feather facing out. This means, to place an arrow on the string with the odd-colored feather facing at a 90 degree angle away from the bow.
*Stand with your feet turned away from the target so that the side of your body that holds the bow is now facing the target.
*Extend the bow with your holding arm and grasp the string with your fingers at the first knuckle with the index finger above the arrow and the middle and ring below the arrow.
*Pull the bow string and arrow back to your cheek, looking down the arrow shaft.
*Using the arrow as a guide aim the arrow directly at the desired mark on the target.
*Release the arrow.
*Walk to the target to find where the arrow has hit. Use this first shot to make adjustments to your next until you get a good feel for aiming down the shaft of the arrow.
*Move further from the target as you get more comfortable and progress.
*Starting at the target take 10 paces in the opposite direction, this will be about 10 yards, which is a good starting point for a novice archer.
*Turn to face the target and nock an arrow, cock feather facing out. This means, to place an arrow on the string with the odd-colored feather facing at a 90 degree angle away from the bow.
*Stand with your feet turned away from the target so that the side of your body that holds the bow is now facing the target.
*Extend the bow with your holding arm and grasp the string with your fingers at the first knuckle with the index finger above the arrow and the middle and ring below the arrow.
*Pull the bow string and arrow back to your cheek, looking down the arrow shaft.
*Using the arrow as a guide aim the arrow directly at the desired mark on the target.
*Release the arrow.
*Walk to the target to find where the arrow has hit. Use this first shot to make adjustments to your next until you get a good feel for aiming down the shaft of the arrow.
*Move further from the target as you get more comfortable and progress.
Repetition is the key to accurate archery no matter what kind of bow is used. Once your form is to the point that you are making accurate shot placement, remember what you did to get there and tune in on this every time.
How to store a recurve.
1. Never stand in a corner, always store laying down (somewhere where it won't get damaged) or hang on a bow rack.
2. Never store your bow strung, always unstring the bow to relieve the tension before storing.
3. Never string the bow backwards. This will warp or twist the limbs. If you do not know how the string goes on the bow properly, the best thing to do is leave the string off completely.
4. Never store in direct sunlight either.
2. Never store your bow strung, always unstring the bow to relieve the tension before storing.
3. Never string the bow backwards. This will warp or twist the limbs. If you do not know how the string goes on the bow properly, the best thing to do is leave the string off completely.
4. Never store in direct sunlight either.