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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: 2Blade on December 15, 2007, 11:07:00 PM

Title: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: 2Blade on December 15, 2007, 11:07:00 PM
What do you guys prefer for you hunting? As much as I love my recurve ive really taken a liking to my longbow. I like the thin grip and its a little lighter and much more quite. I feel I could get a more quicker shot off with my longbow if need be. So for me if im stalking or ground hunting id take the longbow for a tree id use the recurve. Anyone else have a reason why they like one more then the other?
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: laddy on December 15, 2007, 11:14:00 PM
I have always found that i could get a Hill style longbow into accurate action with less thought and in more varied situations than my Super Kodiak.  Although most people use a more target friendly form with recurves, they find that same form is not compatible with low wrist longbows.
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: mike g on December 16, 2007, 12:25:00 AM
Me and my HH Longbow bow love those Beaver on the move....
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: Chris Wilson on December 16, 2007, 12:38:00 AM
Choose which ever you shoot the best and feel most confident with.  Many an animal has fallen to each in the past and more will in the future.  Personally, I gravitate more towards a recurve.  I shoot pretty decent with a longbow, but I get better overall results with a recurve.
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: Holm-Made on December 16, 2007, 12:58:00 AM
A hybrid longbow is pretty tough to beat for hunting in my opinion.  Recurve like speed, longbow quite, light weight, etc.  60-62" is a nice length as well.  They sure have gotten popular in the last 10 years.  Chad
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: heydeerman on December 16, 2007, 02:07:00 AM
I prefer the longbow...but I killed 3 deer this year with recurves. I just like shootin arras. Doesnt really matter to me....but I like the longbow....and recurves sometimes. Longbows rule! So do recurves.  :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: John 4 on December 16, 2007, 02:54:00 AM
I like take down recurves,I'm more accurate with them and can change the limbs for different wheights an lengths while still shooting the same familar riser.
I do also hunt with my longbow as well,but the recurve gets the slight edge.
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: NorthShoreLB on December 16, 2007, 05:21:00 AM
Stay away from longbows, they're no good !
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: DEERSLAYER1961 on December 16, 2007, 06:39:00 AM
I flip flop between the two, and have good results with both.  I could never choose one over the other, I just love to shoot both.

>DEERSLAYER---->
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: bentpole on December 16, 2007, 08:12:00 AM
The tuffest choice for me is which longbow. The Super Shrew or the Horne's Traditionalist.I guess it's what you feel most confident with.  Accuracy and confidence in a particular bow = success.
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: killinstuff on December 16, 2007, 08:21:00 AM
Not hard a hard choice for me. A Hill style longbow and back quiver with a wood arrows.
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: Curveman on December 16, 2007, 09:14:00 AM
Recurve: I have a high wrist grip that "forces" a consistant hand position. Greater striking power or greater speed for the same striking power as the LB. (not talking hybrids here).  More physical weight in the riser for better control during the shot (that's why I like long risers-I think shorter risers are just trendy).  


Pre-horse the Indians used long longbows- 6 ft, no? Once the horse came into it the need for shorter bows drove bow design into short, highly reflexed, even recurved designs. Recurving is the only real solution to short bows (short relative to long draw-lengths). I know I am going to get flak for this!  :biglaugh:
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: GingivitisKahn on December 16, 2007, 09:23:00 AM
The only bow I own is a DH Hunter recurve so by golly, I hunt with it.  :-D  

One of these days I'll replace it and I have no idea what to change to.  Longbows are beautiful and are supposed to be quieter and lighter and all but recurves are shorter (more maneuverable) and I like them quite a lot.  Maybe by then, the great debate over which is better will have been settled.  Heh.
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: Guru on December 16, 2007, 09:29:00 AM
Since I read here somewhere that you're still struggling with your shooting. I would get the thought of a "quicker shot" out of your head.

For the most part the heavier mass wt. of most recurves makes them a little "easier" to shoot accurately. And as mentioned earlier, a more positive grip. I would stick with a recurve and shoot the living heck out of it! No need to switch back and forth. Just makes it harder to "groove your shot".

After 22yrs behind a trad bow I still only own 3 recurves. On the last 2('97 KS,'07 KS), the grips were made as close as humanly possible to the first('86 Silvertip). That gives me the ability to shoot any of these bows any given day. I go sometimes as long as a few years without shooting the 'Tip, but because the grip is the same, can just put it together and hit what I want.....

Just my thoughts....good luck!
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: bowmofo on December 16, 2007, 09:53:00 AM
I'm with curt on the Idea of shooting the heck out of the same bow. I own three hills all are very similar in design and weight during hunting season I only use the one and shoot every day! I Love the Hill style grip!
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: mcgroundstalker on December 16, 2007, 10:16:00 AM
You are right on target Curt. Should stick with one style/type bow to be the best ya can be with it. That dosen't mean you shouldn't own lots bows. I started out with Martin then BW recurves but now have "this thing" for Griffin/Shrew/Vortex style longbows. And I shoot them well.

Sooooo.... My two cents is: I like the fact that a longbow is QUIET when shot. Great for close in hunting on the ground.

... mike ...  :)  ...
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: NorthShoreLB on December 16, 2007, 01:06:00 PM
Yep, Guru is right   :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: Labs4me on December 16, 2007, 03:50:00 PM
2blade:

After shooting a recurve exclusively for the past twenty years, I purchased a longbow this past year and I'm absolutely addicted. It's light, manueverable, quiet, and can be shot accurately from very unorthodox positions (due to less sting torque). It's a JOY to carry in the woods and a pleasure to shoot. It also seems to be a little kinder to my bow arm elbow.
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: laddy on December 16, 2007, 05:45:00 PM
the one thing I have noticed is that the recurve grip is easier on some folk's wrist.  While the Hill form is quite often easier on the shoulders and dorsal cervical joint, providing the low wrist grip is used.
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: Gene Roberts on December 16, 2007, 06:12:00 PM
Whichever is most comfortable.
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: JL on December 16, 2007, 06:38:00 PM
I shoot high wrist recurves better then anything so that is what I hunt with but everyone is different. I have shot LB's with recurve grips and do OK but I'm a curve man at heart. You have to figure out what works best for you and shoot that bow untill your arm falls off-then shoot it some more.

JL
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: 2Blade on December 16, 2007, 08:20:00 PM
Ive always wanted a longbow like ive said in the past im real in to the Indians so thats why ive always liked them. Im so glad I got one.
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: 30coupe on December 16, 2007, 08:51:00 PM
I like both...see my signature  :rolleyes:  

I'm thinking the Katani will be my bow of choice from now on though. The grip design allows me to use a low wrist, yet still locate exactly the same every time. It is also fast, quiet, shock free and short enough for any application. Hmmm, sounds like the perfect bow!
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: String Cutter on December 17, 2007, 05:40:00 AM
I enjoy shooting my longbow the most.  But I shoot tighter groups with a recurve????
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: Deadsmple on December 17, 2007, 11:41:00 AM
I used to be a recurve guy but got bit by the longbow bug. Still use a recurve for fish though(it's the only bow I own that lets me mount a reel to it).
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: James Wrenn on December 17, 2007, 12:16:00 PM
I like both but when it comes down to hunting for me the longbow is king.:)Quiet is what I like and I have not seen a recurve yet that was quiet enough for me.
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: Jason R. Wesbrock on December 17, 2007, 01:11:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Chris Wilson:
Choose which ever you shoot the best and feel most confident with.  Many an animal has fallen to each in the past and more will in the future.  
That pretty much sums it up. I've seen far too many people run into problems trying to change what they do based on what works best for someone else.
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: George D. Stout on December 17, 2007, 02:08:00 PM
There's no reason why you can't shoot both well.
I have several bows with different grips and different lengths/styles.  It only takes a few arrows to get used to each one of them, and at times I feel like shooting a longbow rather than the recurve...and vice, versa.

Curveman....short risers are not just trendy; they allow for longer working limbs to get the same length bow as a long riser and are much smoother in that aspect.   The Kodiak Mag and the Kodiak Hunter are short risers that have been around for decades, for good reason.  For hunting purposes, the short riser makes a lot of sense.

Here's some of my forty-plus year old short riser bows:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/oldearcher46/08300001.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/oldearcher46/01010001aa.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/oldearcher46/01010008.jpg)

 :knothead:
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: Curveman on December 17, 2007, 09:01:00 PM
Currently trendy like many things that swing back and forth.

Trade-off at best George. I stand by what I said. I know bowyers who make both who would too: "The benefit of a long riser is that it shortens the length of the working limb, which makes the bow very dead in the hand upon release; and also makes the bow very fast, stable and quiet. We have taken an already outstanding performing bow to the next step. We believe the Thunder Stick III to be the ultimate in performance in a longbow design."
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: George D. Stout on December 17, 2007, 09:37:00 PM
To each his own, Curveman, but since archery is such a personal sport, there will never be one best.  There will always be a line of diminishing returns, heavy/light...long/short, everywhere we look 8^).
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: SOS on December 17, 2007, 09:50:00 PM
Whatever your preference.  I made a hybrid TD longbow that I love @ 64" but has cost me a couple of shots in a treestand that I could have made with my 56" ChekMate Hunter I that I used last season.  That extra length does impact the shots back to my left (I'm a righty).  That said, the two standing shots I've taken were picture perfect and best I can tell, the deer didn't flinch until the arrow hit home.  The longbow does seem quieter.  Like someone said earlier, with a hybrid type R/D bow, you can have the best of both worlds - especially in a TD.  Little longer, heavier riser for stability with a recurve type locator grip, but the quiet shooting of the longbow.  Only problem now is do I try to make a 60" TD R/D longbow this year?  Hmmmmm....  Good luck on your choice.
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: ks_stickbow on December 17, 2007, 09:59:00 PM
Either a longbow or a recurve
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: Curveman on December 18, 2007, 04:31:00 AM
Agreed George!  :D
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: Guru on December 18, 2007, 05:20:00 AM
I still think that if you want to be the best you can be.....you cannot keep switching back and forth between bows.......
Title: Re: Longbow or recurve for hunting?
Post by: BRITTMAN on December 18, 2007, 05:33:00 PM
I shoot the recurve more consistant than I do a longbow but with that said Ive killed Deer with both . I do love the design of the hybrid longbows and love to shoot them but I have to say I shoot the Recurve better .

Britt