Santa brought a child's archery set... What have I gotten myself into?

[v35]

So my daughter found a youth bow and arrow set under the tree this morning, the $20 set from Dick's. perhaps you've seen it. Simple 15# draw bow sized for little hands and a collection of blunt metal tipped arrows. We set up a target stand consisting of corrugated cardboard boxes with some hay bales for a backstop.

She loves it. It's her favorite present. She's been outside with it for a good four or five hours now. She's very good.

She's seven years old.

The family compound is a good ten acres or so, therefore no need to worry about errant arrows (yet). The problem is that I'm fairly knowledgeable about firearms and range safety, but I know less than zero about archery in general. Since Dad must possess God-like knowledge of all things, where to I go to make sure she's doing everything the right way, the first time? Law of primacy and all that.

What have I done???

 

[RecoilRob]

Sounds like ya done good!

 

[HOLYROLLER]

Check out some how-to videos on you-tube, that should help. God bless, HR.

 

[Geno]

Hahaha. My 13-year-old bought me 3 archery-hunting DVDs. Should I be taking that as I hint? Oh yeah. She loves archery.

 

[JTW Jr.]

I think ya done good !!

Gave my son his first bow this year at age 14 , Hoyt Game Master II recurve takedown.... and a Hoyt Avenger Compound for myself

we just got into archery 5-6 months ago... and we just cant get enuff ! Hitting the indoor range 3-4 times a week Soon there will be a big ol practice taget in the back yard.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Watch the weatherman starring Nick Cage.

But, seriously.
Get her some lessons if she looks like she's going to stick with it.
Young women do exceedingly well at archery and tend to outshoot the chest thumping older men by having a much more zen-like "beginner's mind" about it.

Don't sweat it if she can out shoot you or you don't know something.

 

[Pax Jordana]

It sounds like you got yourself into archery, my friend.


Boy, that was simple. But I do love sharing of my vast knowledge, it's why I came to THR in the first place!



RE: law of primacy - take some lessons.. oh, and get into it yourself! Practice together, even. To start, remember the four rules still apply, if perhaps slightly altered. But knowing what's beyond your target is going to be different with a shorter-range, high-arc projectile like an arrow.

 

[cedjunior]

I got my first compound bow, a Hoyt, when I was 6. Out back yard was the "neighborhood" shooting range, with bales of cardboard set up about 6'x4' against the concrete foundation. My first shot, ever, went directly through the basement window 10 feet to the left and into the hot water heater.

 

[Baba Louie]

http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/resources/32215/mb/mb-ARCH.html

Buy yourself a bow that you can use and she can grow into (perhaps?). who knows... You might have a future Olympian in the family.

 

[JTW Jr.]

check and see if there are any jr olympian programs at any of the ranges/clubs in the area.

That's how my kid got into it , the local place , Pacific Archery , has a JOAD program , Mon , Wed and Fri nights , price is $9.00 and you can use your own gear or use the rental stuff , included in the price of $9.00

There is about 5-8 rounds of practice and then 10 scoring rounds.

If the place isnt busy , they let the JOAD shooters continue shooting after scoring. Wed night is parent / child night , where both can shoot for one price $9.00

Gotta say it got me hooked , after watching him shoot for a few months of Monday and Fridays , we went on a Wednesday and shortly after dropped $600 on a bow for myself.

I find it more relaxing than shooting my guns...and doing it side by side with my oldest makes it that much more enjoyable.

The smile on his face Christmas morning when he unwrapped his new bow , made it worth it every penny I spent on it.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

She loves it. It's her favorite present. She's been outside with it for a good four or five hours now. She's very good.

Outstanding. Hunter in the making. Santa is a smart dude.