Quantum Archers CWAA Indoor Championships 2014

In a previous post, I mentioned about bow tuning and what a difference it has made.  Here are my very bad scores to date and then my new score at the "Portsmouth" Indoor Championships!

386, 389, 400, 428 - then I tuned my bow - 340 and then I took the shelf off my finger tab, replaced the brass nocks on my string (which had ripped my chin to shreds) and put on some glasses that don't slip down my nose. Last Sunday I got 470- well I have only been shooting for 6 months! I won the women's recurve handicap, even though I don't understand anything about handicaps. Will have to look that one up.  Happy times … wonder if I get something for that.

Been told that my handicap adjusted score is 1512???

Bow Tuning for Beginners

This isn't going to be a lengthy post as there is so much information on the Internet, instead, I'm posting some really useful links for bow tuning. I can't believe how much of a difference this had made to my shooting.

From the Coach's Manual at World Archery GB - this is definitely useful!
http://www.worldarchery.org/UserFiles/Document/FITA%20website/07%20Publications/02_downloads/Coaches_Manual_Lev2/11_Recurve_Equipment.pdf

Merlin Archery Part 1 Review - shows adjusting Tiller and Brace Height etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGxI1KkA_Mw

Merlin Archery Part 2 - Twisting bow string, upping the poundage on your bow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4ana2Mn9Us

As I hadn't done any bow tuning at all, I did all of it in one go, starting with brace height, shooting bare shaft arrows and adjusting the plunger.  All seems good at the moment, so just going to shoot and then review once I know a bit more.

Ps. I've now pushed my bow to 26 lbs (don't laugh!) and re-checked all my tuning - life is sweet.

Creating a Target Stand

As my kitchen is a little small for shooting, occasionally we get to shoot in a warehouse. I'm not very good at making things, but my partner is pretty good so he made us a stand for our new bosses. The hard foam targets are sooo much better. We bought 2 and put one behind the other.

3 pieces of wood

Saw off 2 pieces at an angle

This is the top of the stand

Saw off 2 of the pieces at an angle to sit on the floor
the other piece needs to be cut off also and will be for the back

It should look like this

Mark out where you want the bottom of your boss to sit

Drill and screw 2 pieces to the outside front legs

Screw the tops together

Drill holes and thread rope through to strengthen

Target Stand Up and Ready

Basic Guide to Arrow Fletching

I think I must be doing something wrong as my fletchings just keep coming off. It's either me, or the arrows are not clearing the arrow rest. I did a 5 hour session in a cold warehouse and ended up with a handful coming off. Anyway, here is a beginner's guide to replacing fletchings with a fletching jig.

Basic Setup

First you need to clean off your arrow, so remove any glue with a penknife and then clean off the arrow with acetone or alcohol etc.

Set up your fletching jig and measure the distance from the notch. Mine is 1.1cm to the bottom of the remaining fletchings. I also marked my jig with a "Sharpie" so that I always start with the cock feather.


Put the nock into the jig at the bottom.
Put the cock feather in the big
magnetic clip, with the big end
nearest the "1".

Cock Feather

Glue along the edge with proper fletching glue and put the cap back on the glue - quick.
Put the big clip back onto the jig and push it onto the arrow shaft.
Leave it for a while and then remove the big clip carefully. Turn the knob at the bottom ready for the next one.

I hope this helps other "newbies" like myself.

Last Fletching

Ps.  I've since found out that if you think you have clearance problems you can dust your arrows with spray talc to see if it comes off after you've shot your arrows and you can move the nock point slightly round to rectify this.

Back with a Vengeance

Side view of boss.

Decided to use every spare inch of my boss and (after shooting a hole in the kitchen cupboard) tried to save it a bit more with insulation and wooden boards behind.

Arrows straight through the boss
and insulation foam.

Arrows are still going through where the target is getting worn, but it's certainly a lot better now and hopefully I won't keep hitting the wood behind and have to keep replacing the nocks that seem to be shattering.

Target face pinned to scrap foamboard.

Grouping is definitely getting better and I've now fitted a clicker to my bow - one that attaches just behind the sight as I haven't got a recess for an extension plate. Even though this is a Hoyt Excel, I gather it's because this is a 23" riser (my choice as it is perfect for my small hands). Another small grumble is that the handle grip is really uncomfortable and I have had to tape it up! Had a bit of trouble with the clicker at first as the allen key didn't fit and it kept moving about. Visited Bowsports in Wolverhampton and they very kindly found one that fit for me. Result!

Grouping getting better.

My beautiful bow.

Target Testing

Home Archery Range

I set up a small archery range at home by putting up the boss in my kitchen with a piece of plywood behind and also a square piece of wood. I also hung up an old decorating blanket on top of my kitchen units. The distance from the lounge to the kitchen was about 10 yards. I started to use my paper targets with my training bow which is just 15 to 18 lbs. After a few sessions the boss started to wear away in the middle but I carried on moving the target around so that it wasn't that close. Shooting over the couch and through doorways is certainly different - just in case you're wondering I was alone in the house. My first session using my targets was very good and I was pleased at how well the paper targets lasted.

However, I decided to mount the paper targets onto foam board with spray adhesive.  These lasted a lot longer and also saved my boss a bit more.

I also mounted a FITA target onto foamboard and tested that out too, but it didn't last half as long as my own as there is only one centre target.

Then I  bought my new Intermediate bow which is 24 lbs. All the targets took a new hammering and, in less than 2 weeks (at only an hour or so a day) my boss was useless. 

The arrows went straight through the boss, my plywood, and stuck into the wood. Really disappointed at the boss, will definitely not buy another one like this.

End of testing - for now.

Back of boss

New Designs Coming Soon

Rough Design

After receiving my prints and making them a bit brighter, I'm very happy with how they came out. All set now to 'target' some companies. Hopefully these will be popular. In the meantime I'm working on some new designs and have added a page to my website specially for these targets. They look a little lighter on my site, they actually print a bit darker. www.mariaforrester.co.uk