I’m looking for some insight and hopefully some pointers in the right direction.
Quick backstory… I’m looking to take up bow hunting in the future. I had purchased a bow earlier this year, only to get a rotator cuff injury a week later (unrelated to archery, and a total bummer). In any case, I’m hoping to finally get out this summer after mending it. I live in the Langley, and although I had been to Just Shooting Arrows in Surrey to discuss a few things, he’s now shut down for the time being after a building fire. I have reached out to Big Game Archery as well, but I’m not sure if he’s still active any more.
Is there anyone else in the Surrey/ Langley/ Abbotsford area who does things like tuning or building and possible lessons? I’m totally open to a private shooter as well who is willing to help build/ tune and/ or give a couple of lessons (Can pay of course).
I have signed up for a few lessons in July at a local range as I haven’t shot since I was a kid. So I’m essentially a newbie, but it’s traditional archery and compound is where I would like to go to after.
I know there’s Boormans in New West as well, but it’s a bit of a drive and with three youngsters at home, any time savings is huge for me.
Anyway, if anyone has any recommendations or tips, insight etc, I would really appreciate it.
Come out to Mission Rod and Gun on Wednesday nights. We are open to anyone, no membership required at the archery range 5:00-9:00. We can help you figure things out and we have gear your kids can use while you are there.
$10 for non members and an extra $10 (plus $5 arrow deposit) if you don’t have gear. Young kids are free. We have all the tools, press etc. and don’t mind helping.
I encourage you to either take KCB’s advice or find the time to make it in to Boormans.
But really, my insight is this:
Archery and bow hunting require time and patience, both in terms of dedication to practicing and while in the field, so if you are struggling to set aside the time to drive from Langley to New West, maybe now isn’t the right time for you to get in to it… there’s no shame in that!
Archery is more of a time sink than rifles/guns. You’ll need to go to the range somewhat regularly in the beginning to actually get good at it. After that, there’s checking broadhead flight, tuning, and form, all of which can and do change over time and require constant attention. Unless you’re an established archer, which you’ve said you aren’t, I’d say that you need to be shooting your bow at least once a week to gain the muscle memory and proficiency needed to not just be fumbling around with your bow in the wilds.
I’ll add this more encouraging/positive note: the archery community is overwhelmingly friendly. Bring your kids out with you; you certainly won’t be the only one with kids in tow. Go to range nights like KCB mentioned. Go to 3D shoots. It’s genuinely the best way to get into archery and archery hunting!
Come out to Mission Rod and Gun on Wednesday nights. We are open to anyone, no membership required at the archery range 5:00-9:00. We can help you figure things out and we have gear your kids can use while you are there.
$10 for non members and an extra $10 (plus $5 arrow deposit) if you don’t have gear. Young kids are free. We have all the tools, press etc. and don’t mind helping.
Might have to take you up on that, getting my kids involved is definitely something I want to do. My oldest is almost 7, and big for his age. So hopefully later this year or the next I can start to easing him into it. Thanks!
Originally Posted by Livewire322
I encourage you to either take KCB’s advice or find the time to make it in to Boormans.
But really, my insight is this:
Archery and bow hunting require time and patience, both in terms of dedication to practicing and while in the field, so if you are struggling to set aside the time to drive from Langley to New West, maybe now isn’t the right time for you to get in to it… there’s no shame in that!
Archery is more of a time sink than rifles/guns. You’ll need to go to the range somewhat regularly in the beginning to actually get good at it. After that, there’s checking broadhead flight, tuning, and form, all of which can and do change over time and require constant attention. Unless you’re an established archer, which you’ve said you aren’t, I’d say that you need to be shooting your bow at least once a week to gain the muscle memory and proficiency needed to not just be fumbling around with your bow in the wilds.
I’ll add this more encouraging/positive note: the archery community is overwhelmingly friendly. Bring your kids out with you; you certainly won’t be the only one with kids in tow. Go to range nights like KCB mentioned. Go to 3D shoots. It’s genuinely the best way to get into archery and archery hunting!
It's not so much of a struggle as it’s more like wanting to develop a relationship with someone/ some place that’s easier to access more frequently. But perhaps your right, and that will be the best option for me. I do want to go about things the ‘proper’ way, like hitting real ranges with instructors and putting in the time. And I do have the ability to shoot in my basement (Don’t tell anyone…) for the days I can’t get to the range, it may not be capable of 40 yards, but I figure I could at least work on form a few days a week.
I’ve certainly spent a fair bit of time over the last year or two learning about it. Watching clips, reading, learning terminology, about form, the parts of a bow, how cams and limbs operate etc etc etc. So I do feel like I’m ready to take the plunge. And one thing you noted and done, which I've noticed as well and find really encouraging, is that the community as a whole seems very close-knit and and helpful. Anyway, thanks for the taking the time to reply, that give me a couple of things to think about. Much appreciated!
What kind of bow do you currently have? I started with a recurve 40# limbs. My draw length is shorter than the standard so pulling less than 40 on it. It was/is a great bow to work on form, consistency & accuracy. I have a target set up in my back yard so can practice most any time I choose. Never had any instruction & have managed to get quite good shooting instinctive on my own.
For hunting I now have a take-down recurve with 50# limbs. At my draw length this puts me in the mid 40# range, legal for hunting. The advantage of a take-down is that you can get more than one set of limbs to experiment with. Lighter for practice & form, heavier for when it counts. I have no interest in compound bows, too complex for me.
With respect to hunting itself, I've been out for early bow season a number of years now without success. In fact it's taken me quite a while to bag my 1st deer with rifle. I know I'll need to get within 30 yards of an ungulate to take a shot with my bow. I rather doubt that will ever happen, but I'll keep getting out there since I simply enjoy the outdoors.
I know I'll need to get within 30 yards of an ungulate to take a shot with my bow. I rather doubt that will ever happen, but I'll keep getting out there since I simply enjoy the outdoors.
It will happen if you have patience and use a stand and/or blind. Bow hunting is all about practice, patience and perseverance.
Might have to take you up on that, getting my kids involved is definitely something I want to do. My oldest is almost 7, and big for his age. So hopefully later this year or the next I can start to easing him into it. Thanks!
It's not so much of a struggle as it’s more like wanting to develop a relationship with someone/ some place that’s easier to access more frequently. But perhaps your right, and that will be the best option for me. I do want to go about things the ‘proper’ way, like hitting real ranges with instructors and putting in the time. And I do have the ability to shoot in my basement (Don’t tell anyone…) for the days I can’t get to the range, it may not be capable of 40 yards, but I figure I could at least work on form a few days a week.
I’ve certainly spent a fair bit of time over the last year or two learning about it. Watching clips, reading, learning terminology, about form, the parts of a bow, how cams and limbs operate etc etc etc. So I do feel like I’m ready to take the plunge. And one thing you noted and done, which I've noticed as well and find really encouraging, is that the community as a whole seems very close-knit and and helpful. Anyway, thanks for the taking the time to reply, that give me a couple of things to think about. Much appreciated!
Don't underestimate the importance of just shooting in your basement. The key is getting some coaching (at a club, at a shop, or on youtube/online) so that you're practicing good form and technique and not just cementing bad habits! (it sounds like you already have been looking into this, so good on ya!)
Blind bale practicing is a very real thing and the most seasoned pros will tell you that it is exceptionally valuable.
If you go to any 3D shoots in the LML, I'm sure we'll cross paths.
There's one at Mission and District Rod and Gun on July 26/27 and another at Ridgedale on Aug 8/9th.
Last edited by Livewire322; 06-05-2025 at 12:47 PM.
It will happen if you have patience and use a stand and/or blind. Bow hunting is all about practice, patience and perseverance.
There's a stand at one of my favourite spots near a creek feeding an alpine lake. I have a hard time sitting still for hours. The only critters I've seen from the stand are moose. Couple seasons ago during early bow season I was hiking looking for deer when I stumbled upon an elk just off the trail. He was a sizeable fella but the bush was thick & I couldn't get a point count. Probably 20 yds away haha. Took a couple steps to get a better look but still couldn't get a count. I was almost a kilometer away from the FSR so even if it was a 6 point I wouldn't have taken a shot. Terrain fell off steeply below the trail, more thick timber. Being solo it would have been impossible to retrieve. Got my ticker ticking though & after I took one more step to get a closer look he busted me.