Is anyone here into archery?

[OregonNative]

I used to do archery years ago, when I was at school. Target shooting, rather than hunting (given that hunting in the UK involves toffs on horses and foxes ). Learned on a recurve, and after a couple of years got a compound bow. The compound was awesome.

Haven't shot in years, with the exception of a camping weekend a few years ago when the weather was so bad we all went to a nearby archery centre to kill a wet afternoon. Didn't take long to get the hang of it again.

Can't remember the specifics of the equipment I used to use, but I was a proper little Robin Hood for a while.

I know you said you did archery in school, but can you own a hunting bow in the UK without a special kind of permit? Please excuse my ignorance, I don't know UK laws. I was thinking maybe learning for sport at school was a special exception possibly. If you guys can own bows, that's awesome though!

[muddyfunkstar]

I know you said you did archery in school, but can you own a hunting bow in the UK without a special kind of permit? Please excuse my ignorance, I don't know UK laws. I was thinking maybe learning for sport at school was a special exception possibly. If you guys can own bows, that's awesome though!

Is a hunting bow different from a recurve or compound?

When I was doing archery, 25 years ago, there was no need for permits or anything like that. Just went to the archery shop and bought it.

Without checking, I have a feeling there may be restrictions for crossbows these days, but not sure about other types.

Edit - nope, no restrictive laws on crossbows - only that they cannot be sold to under 13s, and under 13s must use them with adult supervision. Common sense really. Same for regular bows, I believe.

[OregonNative]

Is a hunting bow different from a recurve or compound?

When I was doing archery, 25 years ago, there was no need for permits or anything like that. Just went to the archery shop and bought it.

Without checking, I have a feeling there may be restrictions for crossbows these days, but not sure about other types.

Edit - nope, no restrictive laws on crossbows - only that they cannot be sold to under 13s, and under 13s must use them with adult supervision. Common sense really. Same for regular bows, I believe.

That's fantastic news! Also, no sir, you can bow hunt with a recurve or compound bow. I wasn't sure if you guys could only use them at the range, etc. I'm not trying to be ignorant, I just know the UK is semi-strict on "weapons".

[GoVegan]

The only problem I am having now is the severe shortage of arrows. The store either has the wrong size or limits you to only buying 3 of them per visit.n

[muddyfunkstar]

That's fantastic news! Also, no sir, you can bow hunt with a recurve or compound bow. I wasn't sure if you guys could only use them at the range, etc. I'm not trying to be ignorant, I just know the UK is semi-strict on "weapons".

Mostly it's target shooting, indoor or outdoor, but there's also something called Field Archery, where you follow a course, usually in woodland, and there are markers where you stop and have to locate the target and hit it from there - the targets tend to be smaller than point shooting targets and can be in awkward places to hit - sort of giving you the feel of hunting, I guess.

I don't think people tend to hunt animals with bows. Most hunting here, like wild birds, is done with shotguns. Be kind of cool to turn up at a Grouse or Pheasant shoot with a bow, though. That's the other thing, it's not really hunting, as they have people out in the field called beaters who cause a stir to make the birds fly up in the air so the shooters can hit 'em. Like clay shooting but with live targets.

[GoVegan]

I am excited. I actually won an Intrepid recurve on ebay and it is on the way!

[GoVegan]

OK I got my Fuse Intrepid today. It looks absolutely beautiful. The only thing I found strange is that the seller did not unstring and break down the bow before shipping it. I was expecting a package about the size of a long shoebox but instead in came in a huge box packed with foam. The limbs appear to be OK and I can feel about 40lbs of pull even though the bow may have been strung for a while. My only issue is that it came with a arrow shelf hair rest. I tried a few shots and ended up with some strange flight patterns along with 3 foot drops in the flight paths of my arrows. A quick search on google revealed that arrows with plastic vanes should never be shot off the shelf so I think that is my issue. I shoot aluminum arrows with a 400 spine. I will go to the archery store later this week and pick up a plastic arrow rest to see if that will help. Last time I was at the store I pick up an Angel Majesty arrow string and I can say that this makes a huge difference. There is no stretch in the string whatsoever and it felt like it added quite a bit of speed to my arrows. Well worth the $20. My teenage son also got a bow so archery is quickly becoming a family event.

[GoVegan]

Amazing! This guy is shooting a 123lb warbow.

[OregonNative]

Amazing! This guy is shooting a 123lb warbow.

That's wild! I'm 6'3" 205 lbs and I start feeling my 75# bow after a while of practice. I'm not saying I'm some tough guy, I'm just saying 123# draw is pretty damn impressive. I think I'll keep my 75#!

[GoVegan]

I just got back from my first traditional 3D tournament and it kicked my arse. There were 3 rounds over 2 days with 20 targets for each round. The targets were placed up and downhill, in dry creek beds and just about anywhere else you can think of. Some of the targets were par 2 archery golf targets that were a good 100-125 yards away from the starting position. Believe it or not, a 40 lb bow will easily go past that mark but not with much accuracy. I believe I lost a few pounds with all of the walking I had to do. Anyway, my score was dismal but I had lots of fun, got to see some beautiful bows, spend a fun weekend with my son and will definitely go back next year.