Ready to get the granddaughter a bow, want something cheap and tough! What's out there, seen some offerings from Bear, but I don't know what is appropriate for a little ones draw weight Wise.
I started my granddaughter at 4, one of those kid's bows from 3Rivers with suction cups. It was very disappointing as the arrows wouldn't stay nocked and flew every which way. We then got her a Bear which was marginally better but had very little power. It wasn't until she won her Maddog Pup this year that she started launching arrows with authority that flew well. That would be my suggestion...Maddog Pup in as light a draw weight as you can get and work from there.
The lightest maddog pup Mike can make.
David, at age 3 she might have some difficulty with anything over 6 or 8 lb draw weight. There may not be anything out there in a commercial offering that will work for her.
I made bows for all my grandkids starting them out with simple pyramid bows made with straight grained oak slats from the big box stores. Simple to make and they can be dressed up with rattle can paint jobs. I usually backed them with paper but with straight grain none ever broke backed or not.
They especially like to be able to "help" build it and pick out the colors.
These will work for that age. They are in every way just like a grown-up's bow except the computer scaled them down.
http://dryadbows.com/Youth%20Bows/youthbows.htm
Bear 1st shot but if you buy the kit throw the arrows that came with it away and buy wood ones with feathers or you will be dissatisfied. It's the 1st thing the grandkids ask for when they get to grandpa's house.
I bought my grandson a Mini Mokelumi from Three Rivers. Great little bow for the money. The rest of the grandkids will all end up shooting it. Very good quality.
Mike at Maddog Archery! Mike make all the bows for the TGMM kids bow give-aways.
Check this out!
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=154199
I would suggest you look to Elk Ridge Archery. They have a variety of youth bows and can guide you in the right direction. They are very knowledgeable, and are wonderful people.
Murray
Make one! Its great fun! Here is an example I put together for my nephew when he turned 4. It pulled like 8 lbs at 12 inches. made little dowel arrows with blunts and goose fletching too. he got a kick out of it. It was made out of a sledge handle.
Materials before beginning: (http://i.imgur.com/yjx7Rly.jpg)
Finished product: (http://i.imgur.com/0j0T95T.jpg)
Kids bows are real fun and pretty easy to make. Good luck in your search!
Msturm
Very nice Msturm:
I am looking for a USED Left handed recurve for my 5 year old grandson
My Daughter has been shooting a St Joe River Youth bow since she was 2.5yo. She's just turned 5. She'll be getting a new one soon and hers will be handed down to my youngest...she's not quite 2 yet.
We've discovered that my 5yo is left-eye dominant...so we're going to get her shooting left handed now while she still seems to have the ability to go back and forth from righty to lefty.
David,
I have bows in stock that start at 35" long and 9#@18" draw. I can make a lighter one if you want to wait a couple weeks. The M-35 is $75 and available in right or left hand and in an archery set, with arrows, quiver, armguard, and targets. Most get the No-Glov on the string.
I also offer a trade-in program, when a bigger bow is needed. I allow 75% of the original purchase price of the bow, when trading for a new Black Rhino bow.
Chuck
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4186/34207178541_5a82468238_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/U7LJqn) Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/U7LJqn) by okawbow (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20524843@N03/) , on Flickr
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4164/33954085540_e985347644_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/TJpyFW) Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/TJpyFW) by okawbow (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20524843@N03/) , on Flickr
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2851/34179771992_f5b92b64ba_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/U5mgpE) Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/U5mgpE) by okawbow (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20524843@N03/) , on Flickr
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4175/34207177321_03f70f36b6_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/U7LJ4k) Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/U7LJ4k) by okawbow (https://www.flickr.com/photos/20524843@N03/) , on Flickr
My boys started with the bear first shot they are cheap and easy to shoot has a dual shelf until they figure out eye domince etc. plus they can drag them on the pavement and drophem with out you cringing. I have since upgraded them to Mad Dog pups but there are allot of good ones out there.
I was gonna suggest a Black Rhino, but Chuck beat me to it.
At that age or older NO DOUBT I suggest a simple PVC bow. A Google search will show you can make for a couple dollars. I made one for a buddy, his boy who's into T ball would rather shoot the ball of the T with his bow than hit it! He's a great natural with a bow!
We have owned the big 3 ha ha big 3 in kids bows, that's funny....Elk Ridge if you want a looker, Black Rhino for price, and Maddog is high quality too....not to forget St Joe River....have not owned one of theirs but have handled one....
All three that we have owned have been fine kids bows...kept the first Pigmy Squirt set bought but have traded up or will sell as kids grow out of them....
Hard to beat the Black Rhino bows for kids that age. When they get a bit bigger then you can go with one of ours.
Mike
QuoteOriginally posted by Chad Orde:
My boys started with the bear first shot they are cheap and easy to shoot has a dual shelf until they figure out eye domince etc. plus they can drag them on the pavement and drophem with out you cringing. I have since upgraded them to Mad Dog pups but there are allot of good ones out there.
X2, that's what my girl is using. We have a blast!
I'll add that she is 4 as well
I have the exact bow chuck has in the pictures, M-35 9# @ 18" My 6 yr old daughter has grown out of it. Send me your address and I will send it out.
QuoteOriginally posted by Mamba:
I have the exact bow chuck has in the pictures, M-35 9# @ 18" My 6 yr old daughter has grown out of it. Send me your address and I will send it out.
Very generous offer! PM sent! Thank You!
MAMBA for the win! that is what this site is all about! Love this kind of stuff. Way to go guys!
Msturm
Finally made it out today with the sweet bow Mamba sent out for my granddaughter, she didn't shoot but a couple times, but hopefully the seed is firmly planted.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/wachatz/Mobile%20Uploads/0516171538_zpsovlkcfj8.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/wachatz/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0516171538_zpsovlkcfj8.jpg.html)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/wachatz/Mobile%20Uploads/0516171539_zpssd9cpylk.jpg) (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/wachatz/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0516171539_zpssd9cpylk.jpg.html)
My two year old loves his Mini Mokelumne from 3rivers. He still needs help with it but it looks just like Dad's Bear Montana.
(http://i.imgur.com/GUx1bZp.jpg)