Limitations are within ones self

[tuffshot]

At a recent shoot, I was admiring a Savanna longbow that a gentleman was shooting in the group in front of me. He said he really like the bow and hasn't had it very long. A statement that he made and I have heard several times before was. The bow shoots a lot better than I am able to shoot it.


I have heard this remark before and have always wondered why would someone settle for that. To find the full potential of ones choice of equipment when experimentation and a quest for knowledge would seem to be the answer instead of just settling for. They know it is not the bow that is holding them back but rather the self limitations that they have set for themselves.

[Jeff Durnell]

So because he made that statement, you're assuming he's not trying to better himself as an archer? I don't believe that. You said yourself that he just got the bow. You really think he's already 'settled' with his current ability with it? I don't.

Perhaps he had an exceptional day or two with the bow and shot a better score than he ever had, and uses those incidents as examples of what he and the bow are capable of.... and meant "This bow shoots better than I can shoot it." to mean..... 'This bow shoots better than I can shoot it on a regular basis, but I'm practicing hard to make those 'best days' more and more frequent'.

Besides, ANY bow shoots better than any person can shoot it. Put it in a shooting machine, and what happens? So his statement is entirely accurate, not only in regard to him and his bow, but me and mine, and you and yours as well.

[tuffshot]

Not at all Jeff,

It is a statement which I have heard for a long time. Not trying to imply that this individual is not trying to shoot better but the thought is that the limitation IS within ones self not necessarily the equipment chosen to shoot.

There is performance to be found from about any bow. This is just an observation not an accusation. If this particular gentleman see's that there is more potential in his bow then he may look for it in himself. But I have heard this in the past and reinerated even now by the same shooters that choose not to change anything.

I myself am limited to my personal abilities not the bows, but am ever striving to get better even if includes change.

[Pinelander]

Cut 'em off at the pass, MEN!! :D

.... before somebody starts slammin' guys for not shooting their bows as good as a machine can!

Bugler!! Sound the CHARGE!! :shooting:

Hey Jeff... this is the "philosophical" forum, not the Lerlin Wall. :)

[James Wrenn]

Well I shoot better than all my bows.I guess that is why I keep buying them.Just looking one that can keep up with me. :)

[jdupre']

Tuffshot, some people don't have the burning desire to the absolute best they can be in every endeavor. That man might just like to shoot a good bow with good friends and enjoy the day. Personally, I know I could shoot better if I poured all of my energy into my shooting. I could shoot better scores, but the intense concentration required would drain much of the fun from sport.

I've seen these very competitive types at 3D shoots and they seem to get a certain kind of satisfaction from excellent shooting, but they just don't seem to be having FUN. I guess every man must decide what he wants from the sport.

Joey

[Desert Archer]

I deliberately buy the very best equipment (bows and arrows) I can afford. I don't want my equipment to be an excuse for not shooting well. My idea is that the bow, the arrows and their tune should be up to the task no matter how good I get.

The one that has to improve is me!
Dave

[Martin Farrent]

Tuffshot, some people don't have the burning desire to the absolute best they can be in every endeavor...

Joey,

I agree. As I've said elsewhere once or twice, this forum sometimes conveys the false impression that unambitious shooting is to be frowned upon.

But that's not the real point. The real point is that unambitious shooting should not clothe itself in doctrines masking that lack of ambition. That it should be unabashed and in no need of excuses. That way, all degrees of ambition or lack of it can coexist peacefully.

It's the unambitious who try to assert their superiority via the back door of phoney philosophies and unsporting rules who do the harm - not the unambitious per se.

Best,

Martin

[Martin Farrent]

I don't want my equipment to be an excuse for not shooting well.

Dave,

You and I are in the same boat in many respects. We both use the same limb model with long draws and over many shots. And we both know how much smoothness counts at the end of a long day. Given the same draw weight, I will shoot better on average with these limbs. My potential and best performance won't improve, but my real-life scores will. Less fatigue, less struggle - more accuracy.

Best,

Martin

[Grizzly]

Oh, I don't know if I'd be too hard on him. Seems like he's apolagysing for his spelling, no make that shooting. Someone could come on these boards and tell us to all keep still until we've mastered the English language: no excuses accepted.

I shoot with one fellow who constantly limits himself with negative attitudes. I'm constantly trying to counter them and urge him on. I enjoy his company at the shoots. I'm glad he participates. He trys. He just doesnt have a high confidence level yet. He's improving and must enjoy shooting. But he has excuses too. I overlook and try to help.

The fellow with the Savanna pays his money to shoot. Maybe he values shooting with the guys more than the perfection of shooting. Maybe his eyes are terrible. Maybe he can't remember or never learned a shot sequence. Maybe clubs never offer instruction. Maybe he read the wrong book. Maybe all his friends did too. :sorry: Oh, what the heck: maybe he cant see his arrow, maybe he can't throw a ball either, maybe his parents told him he'd never amount to anything.........maybe he should get a good recurve....