Looking into traditional bows... Need help!

[rhine16]

I've been seriously contemplating into getting a traditional bow. It would mainly be for shooting and trying to harvest a doe or so a year. My compound would still be my primary bow, but I think having a traditional bow would be fun.

For any of you traditional guys, I have no clue where to start. I don't even know whether to go with a recurve or longbow, what brand, what arrows, etc...

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[njbowhntr]

Traditional archery is addicting, becareful. I picked it up 4 years ago. It brought back the kid in me about archery hunting.

Everyone has their own opinion on whether to shoot longbow or recurve. I use to shoot recurves when I was younger, great shooting bows. When I decided to go all traditional I picked up a longbow and never looked back. For me I liked the way it felt in the hand better. That is the big thing with traditional, as with a compound. You really need a bow that fits your hand. Usually the risers are cut different from one bow style to the next.

Choicing a draw weight. You want to start light. Most will recommend in the 40-45# range. The lighter the better. This will ensure that when you are first learning to shoot the bow you are keeping with proper form. Form is everything when shooting traditional. If the bow is too heavy for you, then you will not get to full anchor before releasing arrow. This will affect your accuracy in a major way, and make you get discouraged with shooting.

As for arrows. A good aluminum or carbon that matches the bow is great. For just learning to shoot you will miss the target from time to time, this happens. And as you know arrows can run you mild to wild.

Ask as many questions as you want. I will be happy to help you out in any way. I am not real good at just putting out information, but good at answering questions. You may also want to check out Tradgang.com. Great group of people that just shoot traditional. And very friendly.

[bghunter777]

If you can afford it Black widow is the Mathews of Recurve/longbows. they are awesome in every way. if your not a Mathews fan then they are the ........ insert your fav company of Recurve / longbows....Match a black widow with a good Gold tip shaft fletched with feather. I would also recomend a 2 blade fixed blade head steelforce are the only fixed blade heads i have expierience with and they penetrate great!

[Rhino]

You may want to get Byron Ferguson's book "Become the Arrow" before you purchase a traditional bow. His book will answer a lot of questions you have and many you never thought about too. It won't tell you which bow to buy but it will give you some great insight on traditional archery shooting.

I haven't looked yet but you may be able to find it at Three Rivers Archery or just google up Byron Ferguson.

Checking with the guys at Tradgang.com is good advice too.

BTW, the last trad bow I bought was a custom bow built by Bob Morrison. Here's his web site if you want to check out his work. Both Gene and Barry Wensel hunt with Morrison custom recurves too.

http://www.morrisonarchery.com/

Edited December 3, 2008 by Rhino

[JimPic]

Most people that go trad usually pick up faster with a recurve.The riser,grip,mass weight is more comparable to the compound so it makes the learning curve a little faster.

The best thing to do is to shoot as many bows-both longbows and recurves-to find what suits you best.When you find somethng that fits you,buy used.I've literally saved thousands in the last 3 yrs or so buying used-and I go thru alot of bows!

Like nj said-40-45# will be a good starting weight.Get properly spined arrows for the bow and start up close and just work on maintaning proper form.Check out 3Rivers.com--there's alot of videos and books that will help the beginning archer.Some things will work for you,other things won't but that's the fun of it--developing your own style