skobie asked:
I am an experience hunter and archer – but with modern equipment. I want to get into traditional archery, but I’m having a difficult time deciding what I should be considering?
I am an experience hunter and archer – but with modern equipment. I want to get into traditional archery, but I’m having a difficult time deciding what I should be considering?
I’d like to get into a recurve and I’d like to eventually hunt with it. I think 45# would be in my range for a comfortable draw; however, now what?
What is a decent bow to get started with – or what should I be looking at for myself? There are so many options, I guess I just want someone with experience to tell me what to get, look at or consider getting…
I dont want to break the bank for my first, but I’d like something serious.
thanks !!!!
check ebay or craigslist
First I suggest that you find out what the minimum requirements for bow hunting in your state. That’s your minimum….Then find a archery shop and try out a few bows with various pull weights.
Get the weight that feels comfortable to you… And remember that afield you might have to hold the shooting position for a while so don’t go with too strong a pull.
Happy Hunting!!
Gary C is correct in directing you to your state game laws.
The lightest weight that is legal is the best starting point. Over time you will build the muscle set that is used for traditional shooting and you may want to increase the draw weight. But it really isn’t necessary. A 70 lb. bow doesn’t shoot that much faster than a 50 lb. bow. It’s kind of a diminishing return. Most people will shoot better with a lighter bow and that is the most important thing, as you well know.
Martin bow company makes a few nice recurves and long bows that are reasonably priced. Bear and PSE do too, but IMHO the Martin’s are a little nicer. There are many custom makers, but you will be waiting awhile and paying more.
Check the links below. The first one is to a traditional bow forum that has reviews and a classifieds section. You might find a deal on a used custom bow.
The second link is for Martin archery, just to give you an idea of what is out there.
Good Luck!
There are many brands of reasonably priced manufactured recurves on the market right now. PSE, W&W, Hoyt, Samick, Howard Hill, etc. All with varying options i.e., take downs, machined risers, carbon components, all the way to custom hewn wood laminates etc. From my experience, a first recurve that’s built with durable limbs and inexpensive riser section capable of being shot frequently; rates high because while learning to shoot instinctively is a big challenge to a new traditional shooter, warped limbs and stress fractures in older wood laminated limbs could end up disintegrating under the pressure of frequent practice. Older, used, wood laminated bows are susceptible to these issues. Most hard core traditionalist’s that I’ve hunted with usually end up contacting a bowyer who can custom build a bow based on specific needs and inputs of the shooter and game they intend to hunt. Hope this helps.