Monday, July 9, 2012

My First Archery Experience

I was lucky. A good friend of mine is an avid and experienced archer and his enthusiasm is contagious to say at least. I never liked shooting anything or hunting. I am (was?) against guns (weapons) and a right to keep and bear arms. I am (was? lol!) against hunting and killing animals for a purpose other than survival of self. "Unlucky" for me to have ended up in Wisconsin for many other reasons, I had to also embrace its love for outdoors sports. But archery is more than that. It's truly an art and not an average skill or not a skill for an average (engagement).

First bow I ever shot (in my friend's basement) was a cross bow. It wowed me with it's power and precision, but I had not felt any desire to shoot, yet. He as I mentioned is an avid archer an owns multiple bows: from stick bows to cross bows, including those that I've noticed are most common - compound bows. The first time I was intrigued and compelled to at least hold a bow in my hand, was when I accompanied him shooting a league at an archery club (Winnebago Archers; www.winnebagoarchersinc.com or on facebook: Winnebago Archers) he belongs to. I only kept the score, but I already wanted to try myself.

When we were done I said I wanted to try and I liked it. I liked it, didn't love it, yet. I just wanted to shoot, lol! After that first practice my fingers hurt, my eye sight was off (not really) and I got a nasty forearm string bite, but I learned something... It will take some pain first to get some satisfaction and it will take doing things right instead doing them my way. It all just happened about a month ago, so it may be a fascination, not a true love, but if I don't try I won't know. What I do know is that I WANT TO SHOOT BOW and as of now I am shopping for one. I already have gone to Sheels, but I didn't have a good experience. I'll be getting my bow (as well as an arm guard ;) either second hand or a new one through my friend's connection at a Wisconsin's local archery shop - Advanced Archery in Hilbert (www.advancedarcheryhilbert.com).

Last weekend I shot my first non-comp 3D tournament at the archery club, to which I now, too, as of two weeks ago belong. I am still in the very first beginner phases or maybe even "pre-beginner" and shooting a club bow which very light poundage and unmatched set of arrows, but I love it and I dare to hope I have the love coming back to me.

My first "string kiss"

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