New TOY!!

[huntman]

I am the new owner of a Parker BlackHawk XP compond bow. I have always wanted to shoot compound. I figured I'm 32 years old if i dont do it now i probably never will. I will still hold onto my Vortex and Exomag but i will be hunting with the Parker staring next Oct. I dont have the confidence to hunt with it for the remaining three weeks. I have been shooting and been grouping well but I will not chance it on a buck.

Any pointers from the veteran bow hunters to a rookie compound shooter?

[maple]

Yup. Shoot straight and good luck.

Maple

[huntman]

Yup. Shoot straight and good luck.

Maple

Thanks i guess those arrows that are bent like a hockey stick wont be good to use?

[Limbs and Sticks]

practice practice practice then practice some more


WES

[Grizzly Adam]

Any pointers from the veteran bow hunters to a rookie compound shooter?

As with all disciplines that depend on consistency, form is everything.

I recommend a session of shooting for form every day, without attempting to shoot a specific spot ... just shoot your rig and feel that "sweet spot" response to a proper release.

We're not talking Zen here, but you really should try to feel your shot.

If you can master form, and learn setup, good groups will be a given.

[raydaughety]

I used to have a large 4'x4' target that I would stand about 5 yards away from, draw, close my eyes and go through my aiming routine. Like Grizz said, you can "feel" when your form is just right. Also, go to a couple of 3-D tournaments over the summer but don't winning too seriously, have fun and learn. I used to love just shooting the course on the weekends before the season opens. Good luck and enjoy that new bow .

[hunter7558]

YEAH STOP SHAKING WHEN YOU SHOOT AND YOU WONT MISS.....LOL!!! I HOPE YOU KILL MANY MONSTERS WITH IT, I CANT WAIT TO SHOOT IT AND THEN LIKE IT AND HAVE TO GO BUY ONE!!! DAM I HATE WHEN YOU BUY STUFF!!!

[Mike P]

We're not talking Zen here

The Hell You Say!

Zen is the only way I know how to putt, errrr, I mean shoot!

[Boo]

What weight and accessories(shafts, broadheads, rests, release etc) do you plan on? Are you going to be releasing off the string or use a loop?

[beretta96D]

for best accuracy, turn it horizontally and install a trigger!

Just kidding of course,... but when I shot a Matthews compound, I found a ton of practice supercedes any and all toys and accessories. I found I had a "cool" and "flashy" bow, but groups sucked. Shed the weight of some accessories and practice made the difference.

[GA.crossbowhunt]

breath,pratice,pratice and keep all fingers out of the way of the string.

[Sandman]

Looking forward to hearing about your progress and your first harvest with the "New Toy" HM~!

[sipsey]

Get a copy (I'll loan you my old one if you cant find it) "Zen and the Art of Archery" --Best simple advice i ever gave or got is, proper form produces accuracy--hold the bow up-on target--till after the arrow strikes the target (follow through)

[crazyfarmer]

I can shoot my Hoyt far better from freehand than I can my xbow. But nothing touches the xbow on a rest. Compounds have some a long ways and arent slouches in the FPS department anymore. My hoyt shoots 320fps at 70 pounds, but Im only hitting 290's with my setup.

the best tip is your form. Make sure you keep the bow up after the shot, good follow through. Always make sure you anchor in the same spot. If you like slapping the release, well make sure you do that every shot. But just dont try to aim the bow at one spot. You want it to float around the area and squeeze the trigger.

I actaully shoot better with both eyes open since it allows me to see the arrow and target better. Im still looking through the peep sight though with one eye. But if you anchor the same everyshot, you are always inline no matter with 1 eye or 2 are open