Beginner confused with Compound Bow

Hanno, you have me a little worried. The PSE Nova is a good bit of kit idealy suited to the new compound archer. You mention you don't use an arrow rest? How the h%ll are you shooting arrows with it? As Geoff says, the bow may not be setup correctly. if it's rated at 30lb's it won't shoot arrows that quickly, some Jelly bows are quite powerfull, I remember shooting a 40lb one at my old club, it was evil, It took many layers of skin of my bow arm. I am also wondering what arrows you are shooting from it? Compounds are not as complex as some people think, they just need a little bit of understanding and time to master. They need to be setup correctly to be safe, and so do you.

Please be patient, put the bow back in it's case, wait until you can get some hands on help. As long as the draw length you need is within the range of the bow, it will be fine, and a good choice for you needs.

[Murray]

Please be careful when shooting in your back garden! Where is the nearest habited area behind your targets? To give you an idea, GNAS does not allow you to shoot unless you have 150 yards clear ground from your shooting line to the back of your range!

If you're not a member of any association, you will not be insured for any accidents, and even if you ARE a member, shooting alone in your garden may invalidate any insurance. Please also check your local bye-laws.

Beyond that, I echo what the others say, find a club and someone who knows what they're doing.

[Jerry Tee]

Why do people assume that you have to use a release aid? The PSE Nova should have enough lenght to shoot off fingers at that poundage without any trouble.You need advice you are entering a class of archery in which arrows can go a long way, where 40 yds is reguarded as close range and where arrows can do a lot of damage to people if you miss the target in your back garden and the arrow goes over the fence. The Nova is not a bad bow (There are no bad bows just reasonable, good and great bows) it is capable of shooting well in the hands of a competent archer. If you ask about shooting off fingers and get blank looks at the club then do not be supprised, learn with a release aid .As I found out shooting compound off fingers is very different.
PS have a look through www.quicks.com the online shop and catalogue to find out what arrow rests etc is out there and find out what they look like.

[Barebow]

Don't be so quick to stick all the bells and whistles on the bow, I shoot compound with no sights, or release aid, just a very small sabilizer and an arrow rest. It's called barebow and is great fun. I have a tri-ax sight to give limited a go but haven't got round to setting it up just yet, I am still enjoying barebow to much.

Originally Posted by Barebow

Don't be so quick to stick all the bells and whistles on the bow, I shoot compound with no sights, or release aid, just a very small sabilizer and an arrow rest. It's called barebow and is great fun. I have a tri-ax sight to give limited a go but haven't got round to setting it up just yet, I am still enjoying barebow to much.

To some point I agree, however, Compound unlimited is, well, limited. I have yet to see anyone shoot compound unlimited indoors or out, as a target bow, let alone shoot off the fingers. It can be very isolating to be unconventional. I appreciate field shooters do this, as do a lot of hunters in the USA. Target shooters generally don't, as they would end up shooting alone.

It all depend on what type of archery people want to persue. Field, Target, or even just for fun. The Choice will depend heavily on the availability of a club in Hanno's area.