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    • Richie
        November 17, 2009 at 6:25 am
        Post count: 10
        #2290

        I’m just getting started in traditional bow hunting and I find myself attracted to the longbow and decided to concentrate on the longbow instead of the recurve. I like the longbow mainly because of the way it looks and feels. There’s something about the shape of it. I like the stream line look but at the same time, to me it’s more “old fashioned”.

        I would like to know what other people prefer…
        …Do you shoot the longbow or the recurve?
        …Why?
        …What are the pros and cons of each?
        …Do you shoot both?
        …Is the recurve more common?
        …What is your opinion?

      • Steve J
          November 17, 2009 at 10:33 pm
          Post count: 59
          #8649

          Richie , As a fellow green horn, From what Ive read and the bows Ive got to shoot. If I were getting a longbow ,, I would not buy one without some deflex, I believe its called.
          I had the opportunity to shoot a nice longbow with some deflex last wknd. It did not have the hand shock, that hurts my already messed up shoulder.
          But Im sure somebody with much more real world knowledge & experience will come along soon and give you more info than I can
          Steve

        • Richie
            November 18, 2009 at 5:27 am
            Post count: 10
            #8978

            Steve,
            Thanks for your reply. The longbow that I’ve been shooting for a few weeks now is a 50# Bear Montana Longbow. I am having a ball with it and plan on buying a more expensive bow this Spring or Summer. I thought the Montana was a good place to start. I’d like to get good enough with my Bear to at least shoot some rabbits with it.

          • Steve J
              November 18, 2009 at 6:37 pm
              Post count: 59
              #9621

              Richie, howis the Montana on hand shock? I think it has some deflex
              Steve

            • Patrick
              Member
                November 18, 2009 at 7:10 pm
                Post count: 1148
                #9657

                Yeah, I’m pretty much a rookie too…only two years in. I shoot a longbow because I liked the slimmer profile, feel, looks. I didn’t try a bunch out so I really don’t have a frame of reference to compare it to.

              • Daniel
                  November 18, 2009 at 7:47 pm
                  Post count: 247
                  #9689

                  I know you haven’t mentioned them in your question but I have to say I really like shooting my little flatbow, I love that feeling and appreciate its weight and size. If I would have to choose a second place bow, I have to go with the longbow. A close third has to be my recurve however if I am about to go hunting in winter time, in -30 degree C weather, my recurve is always my first choice because of how it was built and its flexibility in cold temperatures.

                  Nice tread !!!

                  SB

                • Richie
                    November 19, 2009 at 6:44 am
                    Post count: 10
                    #10218

                    Steve J wrote: Richie, howis the Montana on hand shock? I think it has some deflex
                    Steve

                    I don’t notice any hand shock. It feels pretty smooth to me. I ordered a new string for it and I’m going to add some string silencers and see if it makes any difference. Then again, I don’t have anything to compare to except my 45# recurve.
                    Richie

                  • Richie
                      November 19, 2009 at 6:59 am
                      Post count: 10
                      #10230

                      StandingBear wrote: I know you haven’t mentioned them in your question but I have to say I really like shooting my little flatbow, I love that feeling and appreciate its weight and size. If I would have to choose a second place bow, I have to go with the longbow. A close third has to be my recurve however if I am about to go hunting in winter time, in -30 degree C weather, my recurve is always my first choice because of how it was built and its flexibility in cold temperatures.

                      Nice tread !!!

                      SB

                      I have not tried a flatbow yet but I will when I get a chance. Also, I have not given any thought to the weather making a difference between different bows but it makes sense. However, I live in California and we don’t have extreme weather. We don’t have extreme bucks either.

                    • Bigbearclaw
                        November 29, 2009 at 12:56 pm
                        Post count: 32
                        #21565

                        I am 53,started with a Bear Grizzly when I was 16.Switched to a longbow about 15 years ago.First thing to cause the switch was physical weight,then took notice that longbows seemed a lot quieter to me.Have had Howard Hill bows as well as Stotler and several self bows.Shooting a Robertson that my son gave me and am happier with it ,and shoot it better than any I have ever owned.

                      • SteveMcD
                        Member
                          December 11, 2009 at 3:32 am
                          Post count: 870
                          #34551

                          I prefer longbows myself. My first bow was a longbow. My hunting buddies all shot longbows. This was in the early 70’s when Recurves were all the rage. For hunting purposes the longbow is better suited and more forgiving than a recurve. JMO.

                          Regarding handshock. As long as a bow is properly tuned with the right brace height, and arrow matched in spine and weight. Handshock should not be an issue.

                        • William Warren
                          Member
                            December 12, 2009 at 3:07 am
                            Post count: 1384
                            #35776

                            Richie,

                            I own and shoot both, however I don’t switch around during the season. I pick one and stay with it through the season. Makes the other bows so jealous. My recurves are all commercially made. 2 Vintage Bears, 1 Hoyt, and one Samick. I have one custom longbow, a JD Berry, and the rest of my longbows I made myself and are selfbows.

                            Duncan

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