what type of bow is better for hunting; recurve bows or compound bows?
Calvin C asked:
personally, i like both but i need to know which one is better
Tags: compound bows, Hunting Bows, Recurve Bows
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A compound bow is easier to use because it takes less effort to hold tension on the string. There is nothing wrong with a recurve bow. The native americans of 400 years ago would have thought a recurve bow was the ultimate hunting weapon. I am into primitive weapons and am going to hunt with a homemade flat bow this year.
Genrally a compound
A recurve bow is akin to hunting with a muzzleloader. It will do a fine job, and the deer certainly isn’t going to know the difference, but you have a choice between doing the work yourself or letting technology do it for you.
A compound bow is more powerful, and by a decent margin. That means a little farther effective range, arguably more accuracy (faster arrow = flatter trajectory, etc), and it will hit a little harder. If killing a deer is the goal, I’d take the compound.
The recurve is simpler. It is usually lighter, and as I said it will propel an arrow at a fearsome enough speed to drop a buck. There is a great deal of charm that comes from using one of the most primitive weapons in man’s arsenal. No pulleys, no 21st Century composites and polymers, just a string and a dead tree.
The compound bow is better for killing, but the “hunt” is more than that alone. It’s up to you, and what you like in a hunt.
the compound bow is easier if that’s what your wanting to know, if your just starting out i would suggest using a compound, then later after you’ve gotten good with it you can challenge yourself again by using a longbow or recurve.
If all you want is to be able to hold at full-draw while you spend a few minutes nudging your aim and compensating for inconsistent “form”, use a compound. That’s what the let-off is for: So you will have to hold only a fraction of the rated draw-weight at full-draw.
If you want to improve your over-all archery/bowhunting skills (and keep them honed), use a recurve bow. Because you will be holding the full rated draw-weight at full-draw, your skills need to be at their sharpest (just like your broadhead points).
It is not the bow which determines where the arrow goes, but the person who happens to be using it. But no matter which kind of bow you choose to use, make sure your arrows are up to the job of killing the animal you intend to eat…sacrificing deep penetration for the sake of a “super-fast, flat-trajectory arrow” is like using a 50 grain bullet in a .30-06 — because the 50 grain bullet has “a flatter trajectory” than a 150 grain bullet. Please see the reports on arrow momentum/KE/penetration by Dr. Ed Ashby at
I am not saying that a heavy arrow is “always better”, just that accuracy and penetration, combined, are more important than a “flat trajectory” alone. (besides, at 350 fps, it only means you miss faster, LOL)
Deciding which bow is “best”, the recurve or the compound, is ultimately up to the person who is going to use them. The deer/elk/antelope/bear/sheep/etc won’t know the difference, nor will they really care. Dead is dead, whether from a recurve, compound — or simple sharpened stick.
One last thing: With modern mechanical technology comes the ever-present need for maintenance. One loose screw, one squeeky axle, and and you can kiss that trophy buck goodbye….
I have used both and I would have to tell you from personal experience the compound bow is much better. Flatter shooting, more accurate shots, as well as all the modern technology they have installed on them, such as “let-off” to allow you to hold the string back for a longer period of time while you are waiting for that buck to finally walk out from behind the tree and expose his chest. One thing the compound bow will not do is shoot through brush. Neither a compound or recurve bow will. I have messed up many of shots all because of one 1/4 inch thick twig that my arrow hit. I missed an 8 point the season before last with this problem. Hit the twig and it shot my arrow towards the ground 5 in front of the deer and into a rock wall shattering my arrow. The compound bow has come a long way since the early 90′s and 80′s. Mathews Bows is the leading provider of top of the line lightweight compound bows. They also incorporate limbsaver vibration dampeners into their bows to reduce noise as well as extend the life of your bow. Good luck, and I hope this helps.
Here is your best answer in an answer, What are you going to be hunting with it? because if you are hunting big game like deer, turkey, hogs or rams you may want a compound because of the ease of holding it back due to the cam let off. and the speed and power are greater with the compounds, so you get faster cleaner shot through the animal witch makes for a faster kill and easier to follow blood trail.
But thats not ot say you cant kill just as many or just as big animals with the recurve or long bow.
recurve bow are very handy when your a snap shooter whitch means you look down the arrow to judge your distance and pinpoint your shot. This come in handy when your targets are moving and hunters use them when bird hunting using Flu-Flu arrows that have big feathers on them to keep them straighter when flying in the air. I have seen some awsome shots on some really fast moving phesants and grouse.
What it all come down to is personal preferance. try out a few shots on not just one compound or one recurve but try out as many diferent kinds of both styles of bows untill you find one that feels right
I started out with a recurve but i have since moved on to a compound. I shoot a hoyt vipertec, its a shorter bow but its really fast and accurate, hoyt makes some really good recurves to. but try a few of the bowtech and diamond brands also