If you like things "the hard way" you might enjoy the book "Hunting the Hardway" by Howard Hill. BTW, I have never owned a compound bow. Only traditional since day one. Over the last 15 years or so I would say Fred Asbell's propagandy of "romancing the bow" I call it of snap shooting has destroyed far more archers than it has helped...although many of his "snap shooter" followers are happy being very poor shots. He compares his style of shooting to that of a football quarterback throwing a football. The problem here though is quarterbacks don't have 6" accuracy. They have recievers that RUN to the ball and reach out and grab it. Our deer and our targets don't make us look good by helping us in such a way. VERY VERY FEW professional quarterbacks even have consistent 6-8" accuracy at 20 yards, much less kill zone accuracy at 30 yards...and forget about 40 yards. VERY FEW. And WE are not even professionals that shot for a living. So, we must accept reality and work with a foundation of good technique. I have never heard of any Asbell follower doing very well in any major competition...although there are many Hill style shooters that consistently place in the top. Both methods are able to shoot quick when they NEED TO, but shooting quick shouldn't be a habit or done all the time. VARIABLES, just as with hunting, need to be added into the practice routine so you are always mentally in charge even when this happens natually. Remember, practice DOES NOT make perfect. Practice only makes a habit. You have to practice RIGHT to make "perfect." On that note, let me quote Bob Wesley..."Perfect practice makes perfect." You want to shoot good? Practice right, and when you are no longer able to then it is time to put down the bow until you are able to get it right again.
Just this year at our hunting camp, a fellow young archer had a deer at about 50 yards from his location. He took a shot and missed. When he came back to camp to share his story, one of the more competent archers (the one I mentioned that wins most of our state shoots) corrected the young lad for even considering taking the shot describing all the possibilities of what could have gone wrong if the animal was wounded. The lad got defensive and said but you take shots like this all the time. Of course, the older fellow said something along the lines of, "I only take a shot when I know I am capable of making the shot. I have made some pretty long shots, but I have also passed up many at 30 yards when things were not right"
The young fellow didn't really understand and thought distance was the only factor and therefore remained defensive. So...the older fellow said he would show him what he was talking about. They went out to a turkey sized 3d target that they keep at the camp. He asked the boy to walk back and away from the target to about the distance he was from the deer when he missed his shot. The boy walked back to about 50 yards. He asked the boy to shoot at the turkey. The boy replied, "A deer is a lot bigger than a turkey." He asked the boy to take the shot anyway and the boy complied. The boys arrow hit the dirt about 20 yards in front of the turkey. Totally off and the boy didn't know where to shoot. The boy then asked the man to shoot and the man asked the boy if he wanted to wager on it. The "boy" was about 20 years old and was old enough to really learn the lesson so this was done to emphasize KNOWING your limitations. The boy didn't have any money to spare...so the man said, "I will give you one FREE LESSON, but learn it." The man took the shot and centered the turkey on his first shot. The man then took another arrow and shot again and placed an arrow inches away from the first arrow. The boy was amazed, but he accepted the lesson and learned what he needed to know. The man further explained how practice is important, form is important, and most importantly...a man needs to know his limitations. This man is a much better shooter than I am, but he and I share the same style of shooting of indirect aiming...he just practices more than I do as I have a hard time getting out to shoot as much as I should...but I too know my limitations. With more practice and good fundamentals, I am certain I could improve my shooting.
Before I recommend a given spine of arrow...I have a few questions.
1. Even though your "bow has a 28 draw" how far do YOU draw it? Also, how long are your arrows going to be cut? Both of these things need to be considered for the best match.
2. What type of bowstring material are you using? Dacron, fastflight, dynaflight, 450+?
3. What weight tip do you prefer?
