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    • WyoStillhunter
        May 31, 2013 at 3:59 pm
        Post count: 87
        #7546

        I have been getting back into traditional archery after several years away from it. Bypass surgery 15 months ago means I have been on the slow road to success.

        I have four bows: Bear Montana 35# longbow (bought recently to start slowly), Browning Explorer I 45# recurve (from early 1970s), Howatt Hunter 55# recurve, and Sky Rogue D/R longbow 55#.

        45# is legal in Wyoming for everything up to & including deer/antelope but not elk. 50# or more is legal for elk, moose, bear, etc.

        I have been shooting the 35# longbow a lot and the other three some. I really prefer the longbow style but am afraid getting proficient with the 55# may be a little out of reach for this year. So I am thinking I need to put the 35# and 55# longbows away and concentrate all my practice on the two recurves to get ready for deer and elk this Fall.

        Everything I read suggests that the different shooting styles required by longbow and recurve are a challenge, especially to a developing shooter. My form is coming along and I still need to get arrows/bow set up dialed in.

        Any thoughts from those with more experience?

      • wahoo
        Member
          May 31, 2013 at 7:38 pm
          Post count: 420
          #63290

          I’m a longbow guy but don’t seem to have problems switching back and forth to curves. I would try and work into that 55 Damon Howatt and shoot the heck out of it. Have fun and hope for a great recovery

        • WyoStillhunter
            July 14, 2013 at 11:34 pm
            Post count: 87
            #57104

            UPDATE

            I’m happy to report that progress is better than I thought it might be. I am shooting either, or both, my 50# recurve and 55# longbow every day. It’s been two or three weeks since I even strung the lighter bows.

            Some days I shoot two or three times in short sessions. While home for a quick lunch I will take 12 – 15 shots in the back yard at ranges of 10 – 20-ish yards. About once a week I get out to stump shoot. Today I spent about an hour roaming around in the timber at 8200+ feet elevation.

            Happy to say that “it’s beginning to come together.”

          • Col Mike
            Member
              July 15, 2013 at 1:35 am
              Post count: 911
              #57204

              Wyo

              Well I’m back into with a 42 year lay off thanks to Dave P. I can tell you that the most important thing is–Have Fun:D

              Mike

            • WyoStillhunter
                July 16, 2013 at 3:15 am
                Post count: 87
                #58328

                You are right about the fun. I am just getting into the zone where I have a few arrows each session that arch gracefully straight to the spot I have chosen. I love it when a shot comes together! The simple pleasures are the best.

              • James Harvey
                Member
                  July 16, 2013 at 5:12 am
                  Post count: 1130
                  #58415

                  But which one are you going to choose? 😀 Say the longbow! I bought my first longbow this year and I am in love 😀

                • Etter1
                    July 16, 2013 at 1:24 pm
                    Post count: 831
                    #58815

                    The Howatt Hunter would be my choice but you’ve said you prefer longbows so go with what you shoot best. I doubt there’s a bow made that is more forgiving than that Howatt. Love those bows.

                  • WyoStillhunter
                      July 16, 2013 at 3:41 pm
                      Post count: 87
                      #58914

                      I haven’t made a choice yet. As my form continues to improve and my arrow tuning progresses I am waiting to choose based on consistent performance/accuracy. This Saturday I will shoot the Howatt Hunter in a local 3D match.

                      The one I shoot the best by the end of this month will get the call for hunting beginning Sept. 1. Then all the others will be hung up until the season is over. I will take the month of August to tune broadheads to the chosen bow.

                    • Bruce Smithhammer
                        July 18, 2013 at 5:39 pm
                        Post count: 2514
                        #61401

                        Good luck with the process – sounds like you’ve got it pared down to two solid choices.

                        It’s been an interesting process for me this summer deciding what bow I plan to hunt with in the upcoming season. Rather than starting with choosing the bow, I started with choosing the arrow. Or rather, the minimum weight and FOC that I wanted in an arrow, and then it was a matter of figuring out which of my bows shot that arrow the most accurately and consistently (with a little further fine-tuning, of course). I think I’ve finally settled on my Robertson #54 recurve.

                        Now I’m deciding whether to continue shooting with a glove, or go back to a tab. Leaning toward the latter, as I feel that I get a noticeably cleaner and quieter release, and a little more speed when shooting with a tab. Plus, I like the versatility of a tab for different weather conditions – being able to wear it over a glove if its cold out, etc.

                        I still have 5 weeks to make the final decision/s, but I’m feeling pretty good about it right now…

                      • WyoStillhunter
                          July 18, 2013 at 8:48 pm
                          Post count: 87
                          #61558

                          For me elk and deer season opens on September 1. Pronghorns are legal a little earlier but I won’t chase them with a bow.

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