Hi folks,
   
    I've been trolling around the forums for a while, soaking in everything that I've been able to find. I actually found this place while doing a little research on making a knife. I live in the Middle Tennessee area, about an hour south of Nashville. I'm a Firefighter, married, just a few years shy of 30, and no kids.

    Anyhow, I think I've been bitten by the archery bug, but before I jump in headfirst, I had a few questions to ask.

    Is it possible for me to learn this by doing it without someone experienced with me? Most everyone I know shoots compound (if they shoot at all) and I don't have anyone that I know of that could teach me.

    Also, I am really wanting to try making a (board) bow. Would that be a total disaster to give it a shot having no experience shooting? I understand that it will be much much harder this way, but to me the challenge is the thing.

    Anyhow, I'm looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks all, nice to meet you!

I'm in a similar boat, having shot compounds for a long time and now jumping in to recurve shooting w/o much guidance other than the 'net. I'd recommend you get Anthony Camera's book "Shooting The Stickbow". I've been reading it for about a week and find it to be full of good info. The guys here will set you straight. Good luck!

Thanks Varden, I'll look into it.

You don't need anyone to be there with you. If you get say a 45# recurve, some proper arrows and a glove or tab and start shooting. Just get the basics of form from asking on here and reading and it will come to you. I didn't have anyone to help me. I like Asbells books, Instinctive shooting I & II. Not everything in there applies to how I shoot but there is alot of good information in them. Asbell has a video that is helpful and Masters of the Barebow is a great reference to different shooting styles and how each shooter does his own style of shooting. There are alot of ways to shoot and aim, over time you will develope your own style. Good luck.

If you want to make bows, then I highly recommend the Traditional Bowyers Bibles, volumes I thru IV. They are the best, with volume I being enough to get you schooled with the basics.

As far as learning how-to-shoot books, I recommend Byron Ferguson's book, "Become the Arrow". His methods will save you lots of time in learning how to shoot barebow.

To begin with, if I were you, I would acquire a used, inexpensive, recurve or longbow bow and just go out and shoot some arrows and enjoy archery in it's simplest form, just a stick and string. Then, build you a bow in the near future. Just stick close to this website and you'll find some of the best people and info that you'll ever find anywhere.

Good luck in your new journey into trad archery. It's a very enjoyable one, I'm sure you will agree.

Doug    

Hey thanks for the info Doug. So far everyone I've run across here has been really helpful.

As far as shooting goes, I feel this is the best shooting info I could give a "newbie". Your beginning, in my opinion, is the most critical, very best time to start off in the best direction possible. It's certainly changed everything  about my shooting to levels I've never experienced before.You'll get alot of great, useful info on this site, welcome.    

 http://shop.dakotabows.com/product.sc?categoryId=2&productId=8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVeKKtdqHM8&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5TcPR2Lz78&feature=channel

My personal experience
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWAnc3FjUvw&feature=channel_page

For some advice.. start off with a lower poundage bow. 42# through 50#. good luck!
And Welcome!      

Sure you can do it...learn to shoot and make bows right here on this site.

Lots of folks have posted video clips of themselves shooting and have greatly improved their shooting.  There is a wealth of information right here on this forum....and there's also a bow building forum.

I learned to do both without anyone being right by my side....and I used books, videos as well.

If you ever get a little south of Chattanooga, I'll be glad to help ya with your shooting.

Best to ya on your new journey!

Welcome Shore08,
I spent time in Giles county (Pulaski) My dad raised cattle there. I went by a shoot, near lawrenceburg I think, and was able to talk to some shooters there. 300 archers and 6 were trad shooters. But that was years ago. Find a shoot within traveling distance and hook up with some trad shooters. I learned a lot from just walkin, talkin and listenin. Good luck and God's peace.