A little background on me, I'm 27 years old and grew up doing a bit of scouting/hunting with my father until I was about 12 or so. I never developed much of a shot or too much of an interest in hunting at that time. A few years go by and at 19 my father passes, and I still have no interest in hunting, archery. 8 years more and I land at 27 years old, almost 28 now and I moved out into the country and actually have the desire to develope a solid shot and maybe go out and scout/hunt. Unfortunately I don't have the direction of my father anymore, or any of his gear..but I do have the desire and I purchased myself a bow...
I'm hoping this is where you guys can help me, I'll probably have quite a few questions and seem clueless. My first will start with this, I now own a Martin Mamba 55@28 that is 58" I enjoy shooting it and the groups are coming bit by bit as I develope a measure of consistency. But I'm not quite satisfied with the bow, I've shot a howatt hunter that is 60# and I prefer the way it shoots to mine, just that it's a little heavy for my taste.
My long winded post/question is almost done! I just sold a Polaris Ranger that was collecting dust mostly. And I set aside about 1,000$ give or take for purchasing a bow that I can use for years to come, here is the question part...
What do you suggest for a smooth drawing, quiet recurve that can double for target/3d and also be taken hunting? I prefer recurve one pieces, but may look into takedowns. Any tips/suggestions will help me alot, I'm fairly clueless but trying to learn more.
I shoot longbows ,but I just got the Bear Kodiac special from the pass around and I am amazed at how smooth and accurate it is.I would suggest getting a not so expensive used bow from the TG classifieds after you have gotten your form down.It doesn't matter what bow you have or how smooth,heavy,fast,pretty,or expensive it is.If you do not have good shooting form you will not shoot for ****!Take what you have and get the arrows and heads matched rite and practice and become proficient with that then go to a few shoots and test some bows out.It's just my opinion
I would suggest you shoot as many bows as you can before dropping the cash on a new one.
You can check out the classifieds here and look for something to try. You can't post your bow for trade until you have established yourself here or would suggest you do some trading but if you join in the post and ask lots of questions and get all you can from here it won't take long.
I've only been a member a short while and have found this site to be THE BEST cyber campfire around. You won't find a better bunch of guys anywhere. They are always willing to help and give advice. I've been into trad for about five years and I have learned more here in the last year than the first several years combined.
Welcome to the Gang and enjoy the journey,
Stiks
If there is anyway you can shoot some other bows before buying that would be the route to go. $1000 will buy a whole lotta custom bow or several used ones.
i've owned a bunch of bows, and the ones i didn't like were either because they were too heavy for me (draw weight) or i didn't like the grip. i wouldn't put that kind of money into a bow until i knew what my preferences were. Good advice above.
Sounds good, is there a section here to find out about shoots? Or should I look at the local bow shop?
My advice is to look at RER bows. They are a sponsor here and make several different designs. Great bows and better people you won't find.
If your local bow shop caters to traditional that is where i would go. If not, i wouldn't ask for advice. Usually THEY can tell you if there are any other traditional guys around that could help you out. If the local shop has some traditional bows in stock, ask if you can shoot them.
I'll probably take more time, I've been trying to absorb as much information as I can for the last few weeks (as far as looking for a bow I'm satisfied with). I have been shooting the mamba for a bit over 2 months, but obviously still developing my shot.
Do you think the 'test drive a widow' would be worth trying? Or do you think I'm jumping the gun in trying something so expensive out?
And thanks for the warm welcome, Ben
My local shop caters almost totally to compound shooters (my father used to call them 'training wheels', not sure if that's offensive or not).
I'll have to ask em down there if there are any traditional clubs or gatherings.
GraniteStater,
First, welcome to the group. This is a place where you can find the help and mentoring you need. I am sorry to hear about the loss of your father.
The search for a perfectly matched bow, arrow, shooter combination can be long -- it will also be interesting, with many things to learn along the way.
My advice to you now is to stick with the 55# Mamba for now, and work on your arrows and your shooting.
If you are shooting wood arrows, you will be surprised by the change that 1/4 inch of arrow length, or 5# of spine difference, will give you. Experiment with shooting 3-under and split finger.
You will find your own way, as we all eventually do with traditional archery.
Little things, like working on your anchor, will make a big difference; and often big changes, like a different bow, will sometimes make very little difference.
I wish you the best. Stick with TradGang. There is a lot of good information here.
Joe
I wouldn't spend a bunch on a custom bow until you have been shooting quite a while. You won't be able to tell the difference. There are a lot of used bows that I think would work for you. The Martin (Howatt is the same bow)Hunter is a good one if you like one piece. I like the Hatfield a little better because the extra weight makes it a little easier for me to shoot. Pick a weight to shoot that you can hold back for 3-4 seconds without a big struggle. You will shoot better and it will be more fun. This isn't about trying to shoot heavier bows than the next guy. Your draw length will make a difference too. The Mamba is a good bow but if you have a real long draw you might be better served with a longer bow. Gary
All great advice, thanks. I'm going to head up to my local bow shop with my brother and see if there are any recurves collecting dust that I can test. And I'll focus on solidifying my shot before making a large purchase. Right now I draw about 28" and ancher on my canine tooth with my middle finger (split finger). But I find my stance/aiming method changing weekly, I only group out to about 15y, so my shot is'nt solid. Thanks for the welcome again!
Check out the Trad Events forum here for shoot information. Also, see if there is a trad archery club in your state that would have that info.
Killdeer
I don't think I can add anything new of value to you right now as you have received some solid advice. IMHO
I want to welcome you to tradgang. It's by most opinion the "Best" traditional archery site going.
Start slowly and enjoy the journey with the rest of us.
God bless,Mudd
If at all possible try to get down to Coudersport, PA in July for the Eastern Traditional Archery Rendezvous. You will see and get to try all sorts of bows at all sorts of prices and there is a huge blanket sale every evening with hundreds of used bows and other gear at good prices. I think you are starting a bit too heavy for one starting out. I would much rather see you shooting 45#. In fact, lots of guys who have been shooting a long time are dropping down in weight because it is easier to maintain good form and not wear yourself out and develop bad habits. Don't let anybody tell you should shoot Brand X bow--everybody has their favorite, but one's man's dream bow will not work for others. Try as many as possible and remember that there are a lot of fine bows that will not cost an arm and leg and will shoot right along with those that do :) .
How far from Rutland Vermont are you? We have some 3D shoots coming up, I have a cellar full of bows, arrows and everything else. I would be more than happy to help you with the learning curve, let you try a bunch of bows and even take you out for some hunting. PM me if you're interested.
WELCOME TO TRADGANG!! BETTER PEOPLE YOU WILL NEVER FIND, AND I BET YOU WILL CATCH ON FAST!! :readit: :goldtooth: :archer2:
I'm really new to this all, too. What I can tell you is what some others have already said-this site is full of amazingly giving people who truly want to just help however they can. If I were you, I'd take vermonster up on his offer!!! I'm starting to wish I lived over that direction :) . There's absolutely nothing like those who've 'been there done that' being willing to show you the way to go.
Welcome and have fun :campfire:
Jeremy
Thanks a ton for all the advice. I just finished up shooting. Got to shoot that howatt hunter again, wow does that bow shoot straight and smooth. It also has a quiver strapped to it, which makes it a bit heavier, but helped me to keep my shots straighter.
I do have some bad news though, a buddy of mine took a look at my mamba today, I told him my arrows were doing an odd up and down and kind of cork screw motion out at 20 yards and beyond. (I thought it was my release or something in my form). He shot it and then looked at the bow, turns out I have a twisted limb. I dropped my bow about a week ago, and it has progressively shot worse and I thought it was my form.
Anyway, I have to take my bow back to the Kittery Trading post and then they'll send it to Martin. There is no way I can be months without a bow. So I guess my hunt for a new bow may be happening sooner than I'd like.
Rutland is about 2 hr 45 min away, I'm in Southern NH. Maybe I'll try to make a trek out there sometime when things are'nt as busy. I think testing a few different types out would do me some good.
My suggestion is hold off on the bow a year, work on tuning your arrows to your bow first. This can be quite a headache but is a good skill to have. If you are without a bow search the local C****list for a Bear or Browning to get you bye. Buying a 700-1000 dollar bow is a rare chance and the more experience with archery the more you'll know and develop opinions on what you like and therefore get a better fit. Martins are nice but some of the customs are fantastic. It will take some time before the differences in bows will be very evident. You'll like the feeling of one over another but you need to know why.
If your hot and bothered for a new bow, Go to a big show with lots of vendors. Take someone along with a lot of custom bows in their collection to explain their thoughts to you on each bows merits. If you can drive to Comptons traditional shoot, flat out do it. Being at shows lets you see bows side to side, take test drives, and the cream really rises to the top. You'll make a better informed decision.
Personally I went from a martin, to a chek-mate and am now shooting a Rose Oak. Each bow has been an improvement over the last but there has been plenty of thought put into each choice. My biggest education on bowyers has been from going to Compton and the Kalamazoo shows for the past 5 years.
Also there are serial bowaholics on here that are well versed and can help you make the choice. In my mind there are maybe 10-12 really premier bowyers I'd love to do business with.
Good to have another guy in his 20's on here. Welcome to the forum.
Take vermonster13 up on his offer. There are very few guys with his knowledge and experience and probably very few that own as many bows as he does. I would do everything I could to make it possible to go and shoot with him. You will probably pick up as much knowledge in a day or two as you would in years of just reading and doing it on your own. You will not get a better offer. Just my 2 cents.
Welcome, you have picked the place to learn and get information from a great group of people.
Wow, thanks for all the awesome advice. I'll have to work something out to make my way to Rutland then.
I'm now putting the brakes on buying something real expensive. My brother has let me use his howatt hunter, until I sort out my bow business. I prob will just buy that for cheap and learn on it.
Ben, you have received a great offer and some wonderful advice; both are pretty typical for Tradgang. I'll second suggesting a trip to The Eastern Traditional Archery Rendezvous in July, you can camp on location and have a great time and learn a lot.
Welcome aboard, and enjoy the ride. :archer2:
You know that you like the Martin Hunter, so that or something similar would be a good bow to start with. Dropping down in draw weight would help a lot with developing your form, too. There's a Martin 200 in the TG classifieds. You could do a lot worse.
Try getting to a Traditional shoot in your area or better yet get to ETAR, (DENTON HILL) in july you will find answers to all your questions and more than enough bows to try out!!
Looks like I may try to make my way to Denton, I mentioned it to some of my fam and there is some interest so we'll see.
Ben: There are very few trad archeres/bowhuners here in NH. i happen to live in Epping and if I am nearby to you you are welcome to come by and I'll share what I have. The twised limb on your bow can be fixed...I've done a few over the years but it has been a while. It may also be that the arrows that you are shooting from the Mamba are not the right ones. On July 9, 10 and 11 there is a great trad archery shoot in Durham, Maine called the Poke and Hope. It's a shoot that people come to from all corners...as far away as NJ and last year we had a fellow show up from Iowa. I also have a personal friend, Craig Warren,who lives in southern Maine that makes custom bow...very good ones. I'de be happy to help all I can.
Welcome to TradGang. Sorry for your loss.
Excellent advice here so far and a heck of an offer from Vermonster. TAKE HIM UP ON IT!! I agree with the ones that said to wait on the bow purchase. After shooting several I've found there are just some bows, even with big names, that simply don't fit me. I've made the mistake of thinking a bigger name will make me a better shot. Not so. My Benelli Super Black Eagle II with Comfortec stock doesn't shoot ducks any better than my old beat up Remington 870. I still raise my head and stop my swing. Bad form is bad form no matter what the bow costs.
My advice would be to go to Vermonster's and the other shoots that you can make and shoot as many bows as possible. You will likely find a make/model that really works for you. I would wager to say that you could then buy 2 of them. One a lighter weight for fun shooting and one a little heavier for hunting.
Best of luck on the journey. It's addictive so beware. :goldtooth:
I shot a Mamba for many years and I think it's one of the best production bows you can shoot.
Just shoot the legs off it and hang out with as many Trad shooters as possible. Pratice will make you a better archer not a bow.
So, spend a little on arrows and go shoot!
and everytime your roving think of your dad.
Prarrie Dog
Granitestater,
You have received some terrific and consistent (mostly) advice here. Trying out lots of bows is terrific. I'm more concerned with you mastering the process of shooting than the equipment you use -- it is a rare bow, in proper condition, that won't shoot just fine. However, the process of shooting is infinitely more important and there aren't 50 best ways of doing it. If you are willing to spend $20 I recommend you go to wwww.archeryintheschools.org and purchase "Beyond NASP" DVD. This DVD was created for all archers, not just NASP kids, to provide advice on shooting form, coaching, mental aspects, and of course equipment and tuning. The authors are one Olympic Archery coach and terrific recurve hunter, Tim Strickland and the other author on the DVD is our country's youngest archery medalist, Denise Parker. They had ONE reason for making this DVD -- pass on advice for everyone to get the most out of archery. Some fellows who buy the DVD won't even tell their buddies about it because they don't want the "secrets" to get out. Good luck!
Bill: That Maine event is considerably closer to me, it will probably be a for sure thing. I think my bro/nephew/stepfather are interested in checking it out. So we'll probably make a day of it.
Powduck: Thanks for the advice, and yeah it's turning pretty addictive already. ^^
Prarrie: I've had problems with my mamba since I got it. Though it's in retrospect I realize it, because it was my first bow I did'nt know much better with my arrow flying horribly. I had it strung/nocked with my local pro shop, and it helped a bit..but it went back to shooting horribly. I'm taking it to the shop I bought it from to see what they can do. I have been shooting the #60 DH hunter, and it shoots arrows like bolts, very fast and accurate (in my limited experience). The issue I run into is keeping my form due to fatigue with the #60.
Bowwild: I'll check into that DvD, I purchased Masters of the Barebow set (vol 1-3). And tried to adapt some of the tips there.
Ya know, Life Just Doesnt Get Much Better Than This!! :notworthy: :notworthy: :archer2:
I am currently shooting White Wolf Bows, For the price they are real keepers. I am shooting one of the Legend series longbows and it is a real dream to shoot. For under $300 you cant find a bow that has as much quality as the Legend.I shoot target and 3D competitions and it is going to put me in the winners circle. THe Beowulf recurves are amazing bows and are fast and sweet to shoot.
Thank you once again for all the great advice, I put the brakes on purchasing a custom bow at the moment and have been trying as many bows as I can.
I had to bring up my Martin Mamba to KTP to have the bow sent to have the limb straightened (only 3 months old :/).
While up in Kittery I shot a Bear Super Kodiak and found the grip I like, it was a small moment of enlightenment. Also shot my first takedown bow, and much to my suprise it felt just like any other recurve lol. The takedown was a martin hatfield and even though the shooting lane is about 10ft it still put arrows on top of eachother, I am starting to like the idea of a takedown as opposed to a one piece.
My latest thoughts are leaning toword a Predator TD, with a Super Kodiak type grip. (It's neat seeing my tastes change over the short time I've been shooting. But I'm still not committing to anything yet.
And I should re-name this to 'My bow experience diary' haha
Keep your $ in your pocket! Go to a major shoot..like Compton..Cloverdale or one of the big shoots on the east coast and SHOOT as many of the bowmakers bows that you can get your hands on!!! You will know when you get the right one in your hands!!! This is the only way to find a bow that fits you and your style of shootin!! Good Luck!!!!
It's OK to spend a good chunk on a bow once you have figured out for sure what you like and don't like. Save some for good arrows, tho. The arrow is more important to good shooting than the bow is. :archer:
My opinion is to go to a trad event and test out many bows.Your mamba is a fine bow. You have plenty of time to find a new bow. Also, deeply consider the bow weight. I always felt that I needed a heavy weight bow. For me, I have now settled on a mid 40's weight bow. The easier it is to shoot, the more you will want to shoot.There are so many bows to choose from that are good.That might be your hardest part in picking a new bow.
go to a trad event in your area. If the people are anything like the ones here in Michigan (I'm sure they are), anyone of them will let you shoot their bow. We are all proud of what we own, and are glad someone has noticed it and want's to sling a few from it.
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Definitely! Doing this on your own is fraught with costly mistakes. I know. LOL. The guys here had to straighten me out numerous times.
First off, welcome to the gang! I strongly suggest you follow the excellent advice already given, especially about bow weight. I have a little 58" Kanati R/D longbow that is 46# and shoots through deer like paper targets. When I started shooting back in the 60s, a 50 pound bow was considered heavy. Check the auction sites and see how many 50s-70s vintage 45# bows there are. There is a reason for that...that's what most of us shot!
Also, as close as you are to Vermont, you'd better take Vermonster up on his offer! I don't think there is any place you could go and try as many different bow styles. Dave is kind of an eclectic bowahalic. :rolleyes:
The advantage of getting a TD bow is that you can add another (heavier) set of limbs later on and still maintain the same feel. A good used bow is a great idea, and you may just find "The One" that way. My Orion was used, and I don't think I'll ever part with it.
Welcome to the fun! Chances are, whatever you buy, it won't be your last, LOL!
A lot of us have that problem. :bigsmyl: