Mentor needed

[Awoodchuck]

Hey all,

I've recently got interested in hunting last season, mind you, I've never been hunting and I did not grow up in a family that hunts.  I've been reading through articles, books and trying to apply everything I've read in the field and scouting.  I'm probably going about this the hardest way possible but, since I already have a recurved bow, that is what I'm starting with.  It is a 58" recurve with a 50lb draw weight and it was made by my father.  He took up archery and building bow and arrows in his retirement.  I haven't found anyone in my profession that hunts, thus why I'm turning to the online forums for assistance.  In short, I'm looking for someone to show me the ropes.  

In exchange I can offer my culinary experience as trade.  I am a chef and part time butcher with experience sausage making and charcuterie.  

Thanks, 

Sean 

[Fantail]

Welcome, I don't know about recurves but perhaps there's a club-range in your area that would welcome you.

[grampy]

Welcome to the forum! What area of the state are you located? Are you looking for help shooting your recurve or help actually hunting? Or both? There are a few good traditional archers on here. And a bunch of very experienced hunters too. So perhaps someone my be able to help, but time is getting short to the start of the season.

[Dinsdale]

There's a 3D target shoot at the Wallkill Rod and Gun Club coming up near you.....

Good course and friendly folks there.

 

You have a license?

Been practicing regular?

You're right, starting off with recurve is ambitious; but it'll be a reward when you get a deer!

I'd be using connections to find good places to hunt; lots of deer and tags near by for you. Access to some private property would be nice to have.

[ATbuckhunter]

Try joining this site as well http://www.hudsonvalleysportsman.com/index.php?action=forum. They can really help you to find some good spots close to home. I actually hunt a property very close to you in Marlboro and there are plenty of deer. If you can find some land out there you'd be in good shape. 

[Awoodchuck]

I found a local rod and gun club, in hopewell junction, that I'll be checking out later this week.  Coincidentally I'm going to be signing my daughter up for the 4-H shooting program there.  I live in New windsor and started going to Stewart state forest last year.  I just started scouting fahnestock state forest recently.  Since I don't have any connections in the hunting community State land is my only option for now.  I have my license and practice as much as I can.  I really need to get a block target to practice with my broadheads.  All though every aspect of hunting is important and I enjoy it all,  especially being in the woods, my skills to actually locate deer are the ones that need the most help.  Identifying scrapes, rubs, and trails as well as where to set up a blind or tree stand.  So the best way to do that is to actually go with an experienced hunter.  I think the club idea will be a great resource for finding like minded hunters that would be willing to help.

 

Thanks All,      

[Awoodchuck]

The two bows on the left were built by my father.  He's currently building a long bow for my brother in law and had plans to build a recurve cross bow.   It outta be interesting. 

[Jaeger]

Gorgeous bows, from the construction it's obvious he really understood instinctive shooting and shooting off the shelf.

As far as shooting, if the draw weight is not too much for you to practice your form, your off to a great start!

Get some matched arrows and G. Fred Asbell's book and/or video "Instinctive Shooting", a wealth of instinctive shooting info there.

If you can throw a football, shoot a basketball or just plain throw a rock and hit what your aiming for, you can succeed at instinctive shooting, it's the same thing.  Forget gap shooting, sight shooting,etc. concentrate on your target and exclude everything else.

Don't let anyone talk you into an accessory overloaded compound if you want to shoot your recurve.  It's a great way to start bowhunting and don't let any one tell you different.  I'm going from stick bows, long and recurves (temporarily), to try a compound for the extra gadget fun if it, but believe a stick bow is a better hunting tool.

Get a good glove or tab, an arm guard and most importantly matched arrows and your off.  Stay away from wood arrows at first, they warp too easily.  With aluminum or carbon, you can fine tune the spine by changing tip weight.

As far as hunting, the other guys/gals her are going to get you off to a great start!

 

Welcome to a whole new life of fun and adventure.