Newbie traditional archery bow question/help.

[Dakota Bays]

#126288

Hi, first off sorry for the long post, I have many questions to ask.
I have been bow hunting with a compound bow for 14 years now and I am ready to take the plunge into traditional archery. About 4 years ago  I bought a custom made 30# flat bow from kees longbows just to mess around with  but I didn’t shoot it much because I was shooting my compound for hunting season.

I don’t know where to begin but I want to get a better longbow to hunt with, something that is smooth drawing, quiet, fast , I am not a complete newbie with traditional style shooting, I have shot recurves before and I won My state NASP tournament 2 years in a row my junior and senior year of high school.

[B]my question is that I have been looking at the martin savannah stealth, the bear ausable, Howard hill bows and I Am open to any suggestions on custom longbows as well. I am really looking hard at the martin savannah stealth [/B]the bad thing is I do not have a traditional archery shop anywhere around me so I cant just go try different bows out to find one I like. I just want a really nice bow but my budget is kind of limited, I would like to keep it under $500 but would go to $800 for the right bow. I just don’t want to get to much money tied up into one bow and have to turn around and buy a different one.

Some info about me that may help with suggestions is that I am 6 Ft tall, I shoot 70# @ 29-30″ draw on my compound bow.

could someone give me some ideas or recommendations for a bow?
thanks

[Stephen Graf]

#126301

You will want to shoot a much lighter bow than you think.  The draw weight of your compound really has nothing to do with what bow weight you should start with.  For example, back in my pulley-gun days, I pulled an 80lb compound no problem.  When I switched to a recurve, I started at 60lbs.  That nearly did me in with shoulder pain.  Went to a 45lb bow and all was good.   These days I stick around 55lb.

As for bow style, recurve or longbow, nobody can help you decide what to do.  I would advise against dropping big money on your first bow.  Most people tend to go through a number of bows while finding themselves in the traditional world.  You can have your choice of many different used bows for $200 or less that will give you a taste.  Once you find yourself, you can drop some cash on an expensive bow if you want.

One of the virtue’s that traditional archery teaches us is patience.  While it is not uncommon to pick up a compound for the first time, shoot it a while, and then go hunting 3 hours later, that scenario will most often not work out well with traditional gear.

Some folks have stories of killing critters their first year with a trad bow.  For me, it took 3 years to finally get in the groove and start killing deer.

All the bows you mention are good bows.  There is also nothing wrong with your 30# bow either.  That would make a good bow to develop your form and shooting style with, before investing in another.  There is nothing more fun than stumping through the woods with a fellow toxophilite.  IMO, that is where you should start.  Find a friend that shoots, and have at it!  If that person has some experience, they will be your best source for what to do next…

[Ralph]

#126336

I agree with Steve on making sure you don’t over bow yourself.

You might want to to look at some Samick bows.  They’re really pretty nice and there are models like the Sage  that shoot quite well and won’t break the bank. I have a 45# Sage and enjoy it whenever I decide to shoot a recurve just for grins.  I be mostly a longbow guy.

With the take down models of recurves you can usually buy some higher weight limbs as you progress or if you get old like me you can get lesser weight limbs as you regress. :-))

Just don’t get flustered and just have fun.

Seems like a lot of advice any more complicates the fun of shooting stick and string.

Just shoot and remember to laugh at yourself.

 

[David Coulter]

#126358

All great advice here.  Check out the Bodnik bows. I bought one for my wife a few years ago and it’s very nice. Real smooth and was a good deal.

Prepare for the roller coaster ride and enjoy it. Often, as was the case for me, the first couple times out I couldn’t miss. Then I started paying attention to what I was doing and I couldn’t hit a thing. The good news is, as archers, we just love to shoot. Keep it fun. Like Steve said, find a buddy and go stumpin. Good medicine. Best, dwc

[Ralph]

#126429

And don’t worry about this stuff.  :>)

[David Coulter]

#126736

DB, how are you making out with you bow selection? dwc

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