Missing always tells us as much as hitting. Being able to read misses tells us if we have a problem with draw, stability, etc. Thanks for making a video that shows all the aspects of shooting, and not just the super-awesome shots.
An excellent and timely topic that I cogitate on frequently. When having an off day of shooting it is important examine yourself deeply as to why you are missing the target. With patience you will begin to understand that most of the time the problem is not the equipment or the target that is the issue.
I've noticed when I haven't been eating right I have more trouble with accuracy...both on the vision side, and muscle dexterity/stability. When I'm getting proper nutrition, focusing on orange veggies, zinc, and magnesium intake, it almost feels like I'm seeing farther and clearer and my bow feels noticeably more stable. Obviously having good nutrition helps for extending practice sessions for more shots, if through nothing more than available calories to burn...but as I've practiced more and more, I'm starting to notice some subtleties in how my marksmanship reacts to the foods I choose to consume. There's just so much to think about in archery...yet it clearly works better with a clear mind...how perfectly challenging :)
+ Jimmy Ray Beagle......How could you hate Jeff and his daughter ? You have to be jealous of how accomplished they are. Jeff is a rare master instinctive shot that takes his time to try and help the rest of us traditional archers out ....without pay ! Turn the dial if you don't like Jeff's channel..... Oh by the way did you see the video of Lucy shooting a life saver out of the air ?? That's what Jeff's teaching leads to.... I hope I can do that someday. Maybe you can show us how you shoot ?
I share the same feeling with you. There are days I can hit a quarter from 20 yards away within reason as well as have a fist sized grouping. Other days I'm just absolutely shooting over and under the target and my grouping is outside the size of a dinner plate.
Jeff - Great video, as always! I honestly feel the real appeal of traditional archery is the fact that even when you try your best, it doesn't always ensure a hit. There is always the opportunity to get better, and it is all that much more rewarding when the stars align and have a great day.
Hi Jeff. I'm new to archery. The term "by your own devices" is why I've decided to shoot using the instinctive shooting method. There is a great sense of accomplishment when I hit the target or even get close to the target without the use of sights, clickers, etc. It is also really fun. Thanks for all your videos. They have really inspired me to be a great a shooter like you.
Two dislikes...obviously non-instinctive shooters. I could take that shot for a year and never snuff that candle. You are missing by a hair's breadth every time. Astounding.
And I thought it was just me. Don't know I'm a lefty and some days I shoot about 8 inches to right of my mark yet in a very tight group and other days Im right on. It mainly happens when I'm shooting my 50 pound recurve not as much with the 35. Hey its Great to see you back Jeff I love your videos. Your a great inspiration. God Bless!
Hi Jeff i am from South Africa and love your videos all make sense. I have build myself a Montana longbow it shoots grate very accurate and smooth will post shortly a video of my shooting. My father taught me never stop trying always try your best. Love your ice ring.
Amen to that, Jeff. I've always said that part of the fun of traditional, instinctive archery is not hitting the 10spot from the first shot, but the challenge to practice find that sweet spot. Shooting bullseys with a 'wheelybow' with sights, etc., what is the point? I don't shoot like Byron, Trophybow, or you, but I keep on shooting and enjoying it. Keep up the good work.
Jeff, I know just what you mean about some days you're on; some not. I find the same in my other sporting interests, such as cycling and trail running. Some days I can seem to float down the trail, with every foot placement almost a poem of movement in accounting for every tree root and rock. Some days, I face plant on roots that I did see and somehow couldn't get my foot over them.
It's the end of July 2019. Yup, still watching it. Great insights and assessments. Bow is 48 inch...but a draw of 29 inches... don't you have pitching problems while drawing? The brace is kinda of huge, too....I see.
Jeff, I have always heard that small bows stack and can make your fingers pinch. I have a 31" draw. However, my question is about brace height. I've read that it should be in the 7'' range, but your bow seems much greater. Can you possibly do a video explaining brace height? Thank you, your videos are all awesome! I love watching you shoot. BTW, I think you'd five Byron a run for his money.
I do have a video on my CZcams channel where I discuss brace height. I hope it answers your questions. Yes some bows will stack. It depends a lot on the bow but also there is a greater chance of a bow stacking the shorter it is. It's just physics. A 31" draw is a long draw length. With a draw length that long it would always be best to be able to test a bow out if you can before getting it.
Jeff, when the arrow hits the object holding the moving arrow, you slow down the video for effect. What did you use to do that? I've seen this before and really want to learn how to slow it down in an area of a film and not the whole film. Thanks. Good subject lesson.
Greetings Jeff I see you have shot a number of different bows. My draw length would be very close to yours at about 29 1/2" or possibly 30". Can you provide any details about shooting a recurve bow of similar design and poundage at 58", 60", 62". 64" and possibly 66".
Watched most of your vids so far and they are great! I have two nice bows, Great Plains Rio Bravo and Kota Prairie Fire that are 65 and 70 pounds. I am currently shopping for something in the 45# range to extend my shooting sessions. I get around 150-200 arrows away before I get tired and sloppy depending on the day. Could you tell us what your average practice session runs when your out and at it? Just curious as to how many arrows a guy should fling for practice? Thanks much and thanks for posting.
There are no rules for how much someone should practice. It is a personal thing and depends on the enjoyment of it all. Since Christmas I am getting out much more again, about a half an hour a day. It is easy to see what non-practice does though. My job and guiding and other commitments really allowed me very little time to shoot this past fall. Maybe only about a dozen times. Before that I had my illness to content with and recovery. It feels nice to get back to shooting again is all I can say. I need the practice! lol It is the quality of arrows one shoots and not the quantity.
Hey jeff thanks for sharing your expertise. Just wondering which bear recurve is the fastest fps of there designs? And if you shoot fast flight type on your grizzly? And would it be faster compared to the super grizzly, with ff since it has lighter tips?
Hi Micah. I think the new 59' Kodiak which Bear reintroduced is the fastest, but that is just my view by feel. I have never tested any of my bows with a chronograph. I actually just got heavier arrows to slow it down a bit. I think people, (especially compound guys) are way to caught up on speed. I have Flemish strings on all of my bows except for my Super Kodiak which I think has a Dacron, if my memory serves me right.
I think it's personal preference. I don't like a tab because I can't "feel" the string with a tab. Some people don't like to be able to feel the string. Also I find a tab to be to cumbersome.
that is the exact reason why I quit shooting compound and went back to traditional archery. I have a question though which do you prefer straight Fletch helical Fletch. and in your opinion which would you prefer to use as an all around arrow for hunting and target shooting carbon or aluminum
+Jeff Kavanagh thank you very much Jeff I was also wondering if there was a particular reason why you choose aluminum over carbon. I'm switching back to traditional archery shot compound for years got tired of being able to shoot bottle caps right now I'm currently shooting in a Montana longbow bear 58 pounds at 28 inch draw
How many takes did you require to miss like this? Most of us would need a zillion takes to hit such a target just once. I suspect your problem is quite the opposite! ;-) Cheers and thanks for sharing - Dave, Sydney
Jeff Kavanagh Makes sense. Trad archery is not easy at all. For me one of the appeal is seeing what can be done by amazing archers like you and trying to improve my own shooting all the time.
missing should motivate, not discourage. I totally agree
I tried shooting out a flame but didn't have a candle so I used a propane torch. Long story short, I need new arrows now..
At $10 or $15 per arrow, too!
You just gave 'Listening to Shania Twain by candle light' a whole new meaning.
Valentines day won't suck after all.
Missing always tells us as much as hitting. Being able to read misses tells us if we have a problem with draw, stability, etc.
Thanks for making a video that shows all the aspects of shooting, and not just the super-awesome shots.
An excellent and timely topic that I cogitate on frequently. When having an off day of shooting it is important examine yourself deeply as to why you are missing the target. With patience you will begin to understand that most of the time the problem is not the equipment or the target that is the issue.
I've noticed when I haven't been eating right I have more trouble with accuracy...both on the vision side, and muscle dexterity/stability. When I'm getting proper nutrition, focusing on orange veggies, zinc, and magnesium intake, it almost feels like I'm seeing farther and clearer and my bow feels noticeably more stable. Obviously having good nutrition helps for extending practice sessions for more shots, if through nothing more than available calories to burn...but as I've practiced more and more, I'm starting to notice some subtleties in how my marksmanship reacts to the foods I choose to consume. There's just so much to think about in archery...yet it clearly works better with a clear mind...how perfectly challenging :)
+ Jimmy Ray Beagle......How could you hate Jeff and his daughter ? You have to be jealous of how accomplished they are. Jeff is a rare master instinctive shot that takes his time to try and help the rest of us traditional archers out ....without pay ! Turn the dial if you don't like Jeff's channel..... Oh by the way did you see the video of Lucy shooting a life saver out of the air ?? That's what Jeff's teaching leads to.... I hope I can do that someday. Maybe you can show us how you shoot ?
I share the same feeling with you. There are days I can hit a quarter from 20 yards away within reason as well as have a fist sized grouping. Other days I'm just absolutely shooting over and under the target and my grouping is outside the size of a dinner plate.
Jeff - Great video, as always! I honestly feel the real appeal of traditional archery is the fact that even when you try your best, it doesn't always ensure a hit. There is always the opportunity to get better, and it is all that much more rewarding when the stars align and have a great day.
Thanks Jeff. Your the Traditional "Professor"!
Hope you're well Jeff! Thanks for the inspiration and sharing your passion
Hi Jeff. I'm new to archery. The term "by your own devices" is why I've decided to shoot using the instinctive shooting method. There is a great sense of accomplishment when I hit the target or even get close to the target without the use of sights, clickers, etc. It is also really fun. Thanks for all your videos. They have really inspired me to be a great a shooter like you.
Two dislikes...obviously non-instinctive shooters. I could take that shot for a year and never snuff that candle. You are missing by a hair's breadth every time. Astounding.
And I thought it was just me. Don't know I'm a lefty and some days I shoot about 8 inches to right of my mark yet in a very tight group and other days Im right on. It mainly happens when I'm shooting my 50 pound recurve not as much with the 35.
Hey its Great to see you back Jeff I love your videos. Your a great inspiration. God Bless!
love your videos Jeff-traditional is much more intense than shooting those bow machines-nothing like the real thing
Hi Jeff i am from South Africa and love your videos all make sense. I have build myself a Montana longbow it shoots grate very accurate and smooth will post shortly a video of my shooting. My father taught me never stop trying always try your best. Love your ice ring.
So true....
Great video, as usual Jeff :)
I couldn't agree more. Great stuff!
Amen to that, Jeff. I've always said that part of the fun of traditional, instinctive archery is not hitting the 10spot from the first shot, but the challenge to practice find that sweet spot. Shooting bullseys with a 'wheelybow' with sights, etc., what is the point? I don't shoot like Byron, Trophybow, or you, but I keep on shooting and enjoying it. Keep up the good work.
You're a great archer and a wonderful human being. Your humility is outstanding--and you also offer some very fine insights here.
A great video and a great shooting range.
Those arrows were pretty close for a miss my friend lol! I get the message though, it appeals to me and that's all that matters. Great shooting.
Jeff,
I know just what you mean about some days you're on; some not. I find the same in my other sporting interests, such as cycling and trail running. Some days I can seem to float down the trail, with every foot placement almost a poem of movement in accounting for every tree root and rock. Some days, I face plant on roots that I did see and somehow couldn't get my foot over them.
nice philosophy on missing cheers yep we all have those days nice video
So well stated. Thank you.
Keep it up bro
Nice Video! Keep it up!
Uh oh sounds like somebody's fishing for a bow
You would get closer the longer you held at full draw. It was a subtle change but different from first round.
Missing makes you to keep practicing. Makining good shots make you want to keep practicing.
hi mate. your shooting at lighted candles with a massive heap of dry straw behid you lol. great shooting though
He is also standing on an ice rink... If a candle can keep flame after an arrow flys through it at 160+fps, it's probably a molotov, not a candle.
Very True Jeff. There are days when I find myself staring at a Deer Butt for over 3 minutes and...Oh wait :) . Don't slip on that Ice Sir :)
your bad days are better than 99.9% of us, lol thanks yet again for great video
Ain't that the truth. I'd gladly take a few of his bad days in exchange for my good ones!
Looking good Jeff :-)
You got some bear paws brother! That bow looks tiny in your hand lol
It's the end of July 2019. Yup, still watching it. Great insights and assessments. Bow is 48 inch...but a draw of 29 inches... don't you have pitching problems while drawing? The brace is kinda of huge, too....I see.
Nice rink!!
Hi from Paris !
Jeff, I have always heard that small bows stack and can make your fingers pinch. I have a 31" draw. However, my question is about brace height. I've read that it should be in the 7'' range, but your bow seems much greater. Can you possibly do a video explaining brace height? Thank you, your videos are all awesome! I love watching you shoot. BTW, I think you'd five Byron a run for his money.
I do have a video on my CZcams channel where I discuss brace height. I hope it answers your questions. Yes some bows will stack. It depends a lot on the bow but also there is a greater chance of a bow stacking the shorter it is. It's just physics. A 31" draw is a long draw length. With a draw length that long it would always be best to be able to test a bow out if you can before getting it.
Jeff, when the arrow hits the object holding the moving arrow, you slow down the video for effect. What did you use to do that? I've seen this before and really want to learn how to slow it down in an area of a film and not the whole film. Thanks. Good subject lesson.
Good topic
Greetings Jeff I see you have shot a number of different bows. My draw length would be very close to yours at about 29 1/2" or possibly 30". Can you provide any details about shooting a recurve bow of similar design and poundage at 58", 60", 62". 64" and possibly 66".
From what I heared it takes a lot of shooting to be able to hit from the first draw
Watched most of your vids so far and they are great! I have two nice bows, Great Plains Rio Bravo and Kota Prairie Fire that are 65 and 70 pounds. I am currently shopping for something in the 45# range to extend my shooting sessions. I get around 150-200 arrows away before I get tired and sloppy depending on the day. Could you tell us what your average practice session runs when your out and at it? Just curious as to how many arrows a guy should fling for practice? Thanks much and thanks for posting.
There are no rules for how much someone should practice. It is a personal thing and depends on the enjoyment of it all. Since Christmas I am getting out much more again, about a half an hour a day. It is easy to see what non-practice does though. My job and guiding and other commitments really allowed me very little time to shoot this past fall. Maybe only about a dozen times. Before that I had my illness to content with and recovery. It feels nice to get back to shooting again is all I can say. I need the practice! lol It is the quality of arrows one shoots and not the quantity.
yes indeed.some days it stinks.
Hey jeff thanks for sharing your expertise. Just wondering which bear recurve is the fastest fps of there designs? And if you shoot fast flight type on your grizzly? And would it be faster compared to the super grizzly, with ff since it has lighter tips?
Hi Micah. I think the new 59' Kodiak which Bear reintroduced is the fastest, but that is just my view by feel. I have never tested any of my bows with a chronograph. I actually just got heavier arrows to slow it down a bit. I think people, (especially compound guys) are way to caught up on speed. I have Flemish strings on all of my bows except for my Super Kodiak which I think has a Dacron, if my memory serves me right.
Glove vs. Tab? I only have a tab should I get a glove? Love the videos, helping me a lot!
I think it's personal preference. I don't like a tab because I can't "feel" the string with a tab. Some people don't like to be able to feel the string. Also I find a tab to be to cumbersome.
that is the exact reason why I quit shooting compound and went back to traditional archery. I have a question though which do you prefer straight Fletch helical Fletch. and in your opinion which would you prefer to use as an all around arrow for hunting and target shooting carbon or aluminum
+Joseph Petty I like aluminum arrows and shoot Easton XX75's and also like helical fletching.
+Jeff Kavanagh
thank you very much Jeff I was also wondering if there was a particular reason why you choose aluminum over carbon. I'm switching back to traditional archery shot compound for years got tired of being able to shoot bottle caps right now I'm currently shooting in a Montana longbow bear 58 pounds at 28 inch draw
Hi Jeff, another great video! Just wondering what that is you are shooting your arrows into, would work great in my basement, thanks.
Two 2" thick sheets of Styrofoam (4 x 8) which I bought at the hardware store for about $20 bucks. I bolted them together to make for a 4" back stop.
Thanks Jeff!
I wish I could shoot as good as you do on your worse day :)
+Bicloptic Then go and shoot with that goal in mind. And then, after hundreds or thousands of shots, someone else will say that regarding you
Nice floor!
Thats a huge brace height
How many takes did you require to miss like this? Most of us would need a zillion takes to hit such a target just once. I suspect your problem is quite the opposite! ;-)
Cheers and thanks for sharing - Dave, Sydney
nice vids, but please turn off the radio while recording...
nice clip. enjoyed it. would love to see someone throw golf balls up in the air and you shoot them from say 10-12 yards. :)
Is that a Kodiak Magnum?
Posted before I finished the video.
Is not missing aiming beside the target?... ;-)
The appeal of failing?
No, the appeal of it not being too easy all the time.
Jeff Kavanagh Makes sense. Trad archery is not easy at all. For me one of the appeal is seeing what can be done by amazing archers like you and trying to improve my own shooting all the time.