Awww, thank you, ya'll. Yes, the competitions are wonderfully exciting and exhausting. I will be using a new bow this competition season, which is stronger than my last one, so I need to build up my muscles and strength. However, my scores should improve, because my last bow was not a good fit for me (It was physically taller than me. I am just under 5" and my bow was like... 5'3" -.-)

I'll let you guys know how I am doing on here. ^.^

*Huggles.* Have a fun weekend, and I look forward to pictures! Good luck with finishing your cosplay, too. ^^

Can you show us photos of your bow?? It just sounds so incredible -- all of it!

From left to right:
My very first bow, the wooden bow on the left, was a PSE - Buckeye at 30 lbs.
I had to buy my second bow, the bow in the middle, because the first one was warped. The bow in the middle has a Matrix riser with Winact W&W limbs. It is 36 lbs.
The second bow was way too big for me, so I had to buy my current bow, the last one the right. It is a Hoyt bow with a GMX riser and Carbon 550 limbs. It is 38 lbs.
The pink and purple arrows are my practice arrows. The white and yellow arrows are my competition arrows. Both sets are Eclipse X7s.

I have a fourth bow not shown in the above picture, but I've never shot it before. It is a recurve (not a take-down recurve, however), too, but it is about 45 pounds. It is too strong for me. -.- I'm not sure if I will ever be able to shoot it, but I got it for free. I have about four different sets of arrows, also not shown in the above picture. My favorite arrows (my first set) were purple aluminum arrows with silver flecks. The fletching were neon yellow and green. I used to make a lot of archery paint T-shirts, so those arrows are covered in different colors of fabric paint.

Have fun! ^^

Have fun and happy halloween!

The second bow in particular looks pretty impressive. ^^

Have you ever shot an entirely wooden bow before? I'd be very interested in hearing about the feel of it if you have, and any preferences when using them. Also, does it take long to restring them? I know you're not supposed to just leave the drawstring attached, but since it can flay the meat off your arm, I am curious if it's difficult.

I used to be very proud of the 2nd bow, before I realized how problematic it was to be shooting too big a bow (the bow should be relatively proportional to the shooter). That bow in particular has a custom red/black wooden grip that I adore, but unfortunately doesn't fit my new bow. I need to order a new custom grip, because not having one is altering my shooting.

Yes, I have shot with an entirely wooden (non-takedown) bow. I started archery with those types of bows at an all-girl's summer camp in the United States. Non-take down and take down bows really don't shoot differently, from what I can tell. If anything, a take down bow is easier to transport.

It doesn't take too long to restring a recurve bow. I actually store my bows unstrung and in pieces, because of the case I have to transport my equipment. There are a couple of devices that aid the shooter in stringing his or her bow. I had difficulties stringing my 2nd bow, but only because the bow was too tall for me to string with the device that I had. Compound bows cannot be unstrung (except for repairs, really), because the string is worked into the complex gears of the bow.
Stringing the bow isn't dangerous, unless you do it wrong. If you are shooting and holding your arm wrong, the bowstring can hit you (and leave a nasty bruise). Most people either correct how they hold their arm or wear a protective piece called an arm guard.

My first competition of the season is this weekend (5/6 November), so I'll let you all know how I do! ^^ If you want to talk in-depth, feel free to ask me questions in the Chatbox.

What's the difference between "takedown" and "non-takedown" bows?

Could you describe stringing the bow, maybe? Without the devices, if you have. I'd like to have it as reference for my lead archer in my novel series. ^^ *Huggles Alister.*

Oh, I didn't mean "is stringing dangerous", XD. But I know the material for a string is very strong, and when in motion, sharp. I'm guessing that leather is always the best choice for a guard, but how skilled do you have to be to shoot without an archery-styled gauntlet?

Today was the first weekend of the indoor competition archery season. The weekend competitions are divided so that participants can shoot on Saturday or Sunday. I shot today (Saturday), so not all the results are in. Anyway, I shot a 235 (out of 300) with 6 Xs (out of 60). That's the 2nd highest score I've ever shot. ^.^

Oh, as strictly a purpose of scale, in my division the current state record (for indoor competitions) is approximately a 258.

EDIT: The results are in. No one else was in my category at that specific location, so I won by default. I did get a higher score than everyone else in the adult female traditional category that shot that weekend, if you look at all three locations. I even got a higher score than all but one of the adult male traditional shooters (when considering all locations). ^.^

Wow! Great job!

Thank you, Kyralih.

P.S. Edited my last post in order to tell the official results. As a bit of explanation, the weekend tournaments (SYWAT) are held in different locations across the state, but you are only competiting against whomever shot at your location in your category. This will be different for the State Championships and Southern Sectionals. And, just for ease, I'll keep scores located below.

1) November 5/6 - 235 and 6 Xs
2) November 12/13 - 198 and 1 Xs
3) November 19/20 - 231 and 12 Xs
4) December 3/4 - 218 and 7 Xs
5) December 10/11 - 236 and 1 X (The X count is wrong, but the official score-recorder screwed it up).

Good Luck!

Thanks, Yamichan. I'm doing good, so far, if I forget about the 2nd shoot.
Updated the list.

That's good to here!!

Ok, Giving my fellow Senshi a heads up on this one. (which is why i posted a bit early)

I will be on LOA from 11-24 till 11-28. I might be back early depending how I feel.

the 24th is thanksgiving and I go to many homes so I won't be able to be online much of that day except with my phone.

The 25th I am getting all 4 of my wisdom teeth out and will prob be high on the medications for the weekend and sore. Like i said, depending how I feel will determine if my LOA will be shortened or not.

Goodness, that sounds like quite the ordeal! I hope that you have a quick recovery!

And a wonderful time during the hols.

Yes. It will be my 3rd surgery this year. My 3rd surgery since June actually. Never had surgeries till this year! I dub it the year of surgery!

The reason why i say "high on med" is because pain medication strongly effect me. When I had my 13 vertebra fused I was crying every night due to the medication and was seeing people in my room at night.

So I might be able to be back tonight or tomorrow (depends on how tired the med makes me)


Chipmunk cheeks!

Best of luck, my beautiful darling!

Well at least the wisdom teeth torture will happen just once Good luck my dear!

Yea.. i am actually up and about now.. compared to my back surgery this was NOTHING. LOL

Good to hear

The swelling in my face has yet to reduce and with school and work tomorrow I will most likely just be resting while at home. Because of this I will be extending my LOA till either Weds or Thurs. So sorry about this, but my face is killing me.

Hello my dear Moonies,

I will be on a semi LOA until December 15th. This is my final week of exams and on top of my other graduate duties, I will not be able to frequent this place as often as I would like. You will still see me around, possibly. I will continue to check my Inbox every day, so I will certainly receive any PMs that you may send me, although there may be a slight delay in my response.

You may still contact me if you have any questions, need for Avatar changes, rank advancements, etc.


Best of luck to the rest of you who may also be braving through finals! I look forward to the holidays so I can once again get to chat with you all lovely people.

- Sailor Jupiter

Good luck with your exams!

Good luck Jup

Good luck with exams! I hope everything goes well. We will miss you but the 15th will be here soon enough and then you'll be done!

Is this why you haven't played me in words with friends?!

Just kidding! I wish you all the luck, Jupiter! You kill those finals!

I also have exams next week >_>

Good luck fellow Senshi