archery

[Canine]

I usually take my bow and assorted paraphernalia with us when traveling.I don't hunt any more but still enjoy slinging a few arrows when in camp.If we are traveling in the western US I take a couple of rifles and my re-loading stuff.Lots of places to shoot in the NF out west.

 

[ramblingvanman]

I have been looking at crossbows. I think it would be both fun to shoot and a sporting way to hunt.

 

[highdesertranger]

funny this got brought up. I was just telling my buddy yesterday that I need to dig up my bow. mine is nothing fancy not a compound but I do enjoy shooting it. highdesertranger

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I messed about with a bow a bit when I was a kid.  When I went to college, they actually had archery as one of the sports, and I was able to sign up for that to fulfill my phys. ed. requirement.

There's a sportsman's group down the road from me in Hyde Park called Ti Yogi Bowmen that is nothing but archery, and they meet once a week to shoot.

Is there some kind of National Archery Association?  Maybe if you were a member, you'd be able to find affiliated clubs around the country where you'd be welcome to shoot as you travel around.  Might be a good way to meet locals with a shared interest.  Just a thought.

Regards
John

 

[ramblingvanman]

RVM, check your local regulations on using a crossbow for hunting.
http://www.cabelas.com/category/Crossbow-Hunting-Regulations-North-America/107361180.uts

Guy

I guess I am just spoiled here in Florida. I used to use my crossbow more than my guns, though I did carry a .357 for back up especially when hunting hogs.

 

[BigT]

I was just telling my buddy yesterday that I need to dig up my bow.  mine is nothing fancy not a compound but I do enjoy shooting it.

I have a compound bow I don't shoot much anymore.  It's fun, but I feel a compound makes it too easy to hit the target.  Something about having a pin-sight when shooting at a paper target seems silly to me (unless I'm lobbing the arrows 80+ yards).  
I'm going to take it to the local archery shop where I bought it in the next couple of weeks and look into trading-up on a decent recurve bow.  
My feeling is that a recurve will take actual skill to hit things with, and will have the added advantage of taking up a lot less room in the van.  

Now if only there were a way to shrink the size of my banjo.  Why do my hobbies all have to be so large?? 

 

[johnny b]

Here's a mini 4 string:


And 5 string:

http://www.banjomaker.net/

 

[akrvbob]

Let's stay on topic which is archery.

Small footprint hobbies would be an excellent topic, but it needs it's own thread.
Bob

 

[Nemo]

Big T, You might want to consider a "takedown" recurve to save even more space. The limbs are separate from the riser and are bolted in place. I have a couple that I have picked up at the flea market.

Guy

Another advantage of a Takedown is you can have multiple sets of limbs for it.. so shoot and work accuracy with a lower level, but when you want to kick up to hunt, use a limb thats strong enough to do the job.. I find a 55 lb draw a bit much for me to practice with, but once the habits got built on the lower draw, it's much easier to move up

 

[BigT]

My problem, and one that makes finding a used bow a tiny bit harder, is that I shoot left-handed.  
Getting a "takedown" recurve was my plan so I could store it in a smaller space, maybe a length of ABS pipe with a cap on the end and a shoulder strap.  

Unfortunately the shop didn't want to give me an acceptable price for my PSE Rally, so I decided to hang onto it and sell it locally on CL.  
If it doesn't sell for a reasonable price, I'll give it to my brother.  He needs a hobby. 

I went with a SF Archery "Premium+" recurve with an aluminum riser and removable wood/glass limbs.  
I put 20lb limbs on it, but it's too weak, so I'm going to go with 30lbs and see how that goes.  I don't hunt with it, so I won't need much more than that. 
I added a counterbalance, some extra carbon arrows and a glove, so the total was a "bit" more than $120 ($5.29 shy of $400), but you get 4 free lessons included for that price.

So far I'm liking it a lot, I just need to quiet it down a little.  It's much louder than my compound.  

Ignore the arrows in the background.  That was my first attempt at shooting from 40 yards with this new bow. 

 

[Canine]

Man,that's a nice looking setup.