Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: DXH on November 10, 2010, 04:43:00 PM
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What are some drawbacks if any you have noticed? Any regrets etc? How have you had to change your hunting style?
From reading harvest reports, most animals are taken within the same distances....
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The arrows move slower. I also don't shoot apple size balloons for a nickel kitty at 45 yards with my neighbor, anymore.
But then I have never missed a 20 yard shot on a buck because I picked the wrong pin with my bare-bow or spooked a deer by playing a violin note drawing back a tin arrow on a metal rest, either; because wood doesn't make any noise on leather.
Went from recurve to compound for a couple years and back to recurve and haven't looked back. (Though I did futz with a longbow for a while - still have it).
Not a single regret. Recurves and cedar arrows are my niche.
Compounds are heavier, uglier, have more failure points, require odd arrow materials and put more between you and the animal. But that's just my opinion. :archer:
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No regrets at all for me. Most of my shots with a compound were 20 yards and under so my stand placement and hunting style have been the same. I have been shooting a recurve for almost 3 years and I enjoy it so much more.
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Odd thing is all my shots have been real close the last two years with the longest probably not over 17 yd. so not much of a draw back on range. I have not had a calm still deer in the clear between 20 and 35 yd. in that time. Other than maybe it is a lot easier to mess up a release with a trad bow and get a bad shot, I am not finding a down side to the trad bow. Well there is the occasional shooting rut , and trouble tuning arrows, but those are getting fewer and farther between. I think they are caused more times than not by bow trading. I never had ruts shooting compound because I shot the same bow all the time and never got a new bow more than once every 4-5 years. With the compound I now have a hard time getting all lined up with the sites and quickly remembering what pin, where to hold and getting on target fast at close range. 15 yd. and in with the compound is harder to shoot fast and accurate for me now compared to the trad bow.
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I switched to a recurve in Jan 2010. Shot it for about a month, then one practice session I decided try a long bow. It was mesmerizing. Been shooting a longbow since and will probably never switch to anything else.
The only foreseeable drawback is the 'ethical hunting range'. For a compound, I was able to arrow a 6x5 bull in 2009 at 52 yards. This year, I shot a bull at 27 yards with my 52# Roberston. That was pushing the limits on my equipment and skill.
But the pro's far outweigh the cons: longbow is funner and more challenging to shoot, tuning is easier, there is far less things to go wrong as opposed to a compound. The biggest pro for me is that it forces me become a better hunter by having to limit my shots on 30 yards or less. Some might view this is a 'drawback' but I don't.
Just my two cents on the subject.
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I may get flamed for my opinion but that is what it is, my opinion. You will need to retrain yourself to a much shorter max distance shot, inside 20 yards, unless you have the gift. You will need to practice MUCH more to get proficient and stay that way. You will need to get away from the "speed kills" theory. Trad bows are great weapons but not fast.I have killed many deer with a compound and have never had one jump the string when shooting above 250 FPS. I realize the sound gets there before my arrow at 250 fps but I am just stating my personal experiance. This will be a consideration with a trad bow. You will need to practice MUCH more and practice MUCH more and did I mention practice MUCH more. I truly love shooting my selfbows and laminated bows, but I am no where near as efficient, as I am with my compound. I have excepted that and enjoy the trad bow world :D . Don
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Shot competition with compounds for years. Formed some habits that were hard to break. I always drew my compounds with a high elbow. When I draw a trad bow with a high elbow, the side of my hand rubs my jaw just under my eye and distorts my vision. Always had trouble on game until I realized that drawing with my elbow down lower, or at a different angle solves this problem. It also decreases torque on the string. I've had a great season this year. Truly feel more comfortable hunting with my longbow inside of 25 yards than with my compound. I didn't transition smoothly however. Struggled for two years with the longbow. Hunted some last year with my compound, but just didn't feel like that was what I wanted to hunt with. The switch just came on this year. Sorry for the long post.
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I switched a couple years ago from compound to longbow. I actually missed a couple of deer the 1st year and was haveing more fun than ever.
The only "con" that I can think of, and its already been mentioned, is the distance that I feel comfy taking an ethical shot. The farthest shot I ever took w/ compound was 32yrds. But 99% of my shot were 20yrds and under. Which is still in "my comfy zone" w/ my longbow. So with that said, I dont feel that distance is significant for me in switching over.
All I can say is dive into it feet first and have yourself some fun.
If its about killing everything that moves, then may not be for you. But, IF, it is about the journey, you are missing out for sure. Good luck with whatever you choose.
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I made the switch... hunted with a recurve three years ago... then switched to homemade longbows the year after. Switching to the recurve, I didn't notice much difference except that I wanted to stay less than 25 yards... and it REQUIRED CONSISTENT AND REGULAR PRACTICE!! As long as I had my strength built up, I rarely had to pick up the compound. Since switching to selfbows and cane arrows, I've noticed that the range shortens to 15 yards MAX (for me) and it requires CONSTANT TINKERING. With the centershot recurve and carbon arrows it was a little easier to troubleshoot problems. I've kept plenty of meat in the freezer (other than my first year with the selfbow)... and that's all I care to do. I don't know why it is, but I just couldn't see going back... wouldn't even consider it.
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This is my 5th season trad only I gave my compound a way the first year. I have no regrets what so ever, I killed my biggest bow deer ever this season. I always kept my shots close and do the same now, I might as well hunt with a gun if I'm unable to get under 20 yards for a bow kill. After all that's the whole idea to get close and to learn more about your quarry by observing them in their day to day routines. As far as hunting goes it's the best move I have ever made and I'm extremely thankful for the guidance and advise I have received from the members of this site, tips that would have taken years to learn from the school of hard knocks.
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I think that if anyone here had a regret of switching from a compound that we wouldn't be on here talking about trad bow hunting.
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Regrets? No, the way I hunt fits in real nice with a longbow!!! Up close and personal!!!!
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No regrets, it s a way of life for me and measuring what "I could have got with a compound" means nothing to me personally.
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I haven't been at this game very long and I am by no means any kind of expert. But...I just got my first deer without wheels and the way it went down I don't think a compound would have been ANY advantage. The buck came in so fast and close that I basically snap shot him. If I had to draw/aim with a compound he would have been gone. I guess I'm saying that sometimes traditional equipment is the more efficient tool in certain situations.
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I made the switch about 6-7 years ago and have not regreted once. Along with what everyone else has already said, one huge plus is that my sights never get knocked out of wack, nor does my rest. My manager just bought a new compound and he is always asking me questions about adjusting this and that. I tell him I do not have those problems since I do not use training wheels. One other plus are the people that you will come in contact with. Traditional shooters seem to be more laid back and welcome new comers with open arms. It's like going from walk down 5th Avenue in New York to walking down main street america, no comparison.
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Switched two years ago and haven't had one regret. I have passed a few longer shots and never missed a beat. I love getting close enough to hit them with a rock before I shoot em.
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I have no regrets and I like the fact that it's all me,not the mechanics of the wheels that makes the kill.The pin sight,mechanical release and the 80% let off,became un-fulfilling for me I like to know that its my fingers and instinctiveness that gets me that animal.
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Shot longbows and recurves for 15 yrs , unfortunatly the last 2 yrs with a compound due to a bum shoulder. I'm up to 50 arrows a session now and God willing next year I'll be back for good.
Dan
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This is my first year seriously hunting with a recurve since 1974. I had no problem shooting compounds and found the switch very easy since the form, shot execution and follow-through I use is identical. Of course my effective range on targets was cut by at least 50%. My effective range in the field was cut by only 33% because I wouldn't shoot past 30 yards with a compound on white-tails.
I've killed one doe this year. I've passed one very nice buck because he was 23 yards away and slightly quartering towards me. I was hoping for a bit closer and pure broadside. I'm very confident I would have killed this deer (nothing is a sure thing) with my compound. I'm also confident, based upon past experience I would have killed 3-4 does and the turkey I missed at 25 yards two evenings ago. From a "harvest" standpoint this would have likely been one of my very best years in bowhunting if I had still be using a compound.
However, I don't regret the switch. The thrill of the chase and the kill is higher for me with the recurve than with the compound and that's why I hunt.
I'm not finished with compounds. I will continue to target shoot with them. I can shoot both during the same sessions with no difficulty. I might even hunt with the compound again, especially on western or canada hunts where I might like to have an extra 10 yards of effective range or 10 more pounds of draw weight.
The beauty of recurves...I'm a sucker for exotic woods... put together by master bowyers can't be beat.
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I have much more fun shooting the trad bow than the compound. Honestly last year I lost a doe the first weekend and switched back to the compound. I shot the trad bow exclusively up to this hunting season and gave up the compound for good-it's sold now.
Though my range is less, I find myself enjoying the woods more. I spend more time looking around me and enjoying the walk in and out of the stand looking for small game and stumps to shoot at.
I've yet to harvest my first deer with my Bob Lee, but am working on it diligently.
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I switched 2 years ago as stated earlier pratice all the time and I love it. Won't be switching back any time. I have the addiction bad. I shoot both recurves and longbows.
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Originally posted by recurvericky:
One other plus are the people that you will come in contact with. Traditional shooters seem to be more laid back and welcome new comers with open arms. It's like going from walk down 5th Avenue in New York to walking down main street america, no comparison.
Very true, this was my first year at the Berrian Spring Comptons shoot, everyone was friendly and laid back, defiantly not like the wheelie shoots I've gone to in the past.
I enjoyed the atmosphere there.
Dan
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In the time it takes my friend to draw back and find his peep sight, I would have a dead deer. It takes a lot more talent to shoot a Trad bow and hit what your aiming at, but that's the whole point, it's fun to practice. Hunting with a wheeler was not challenging for me anymore, I might as well hunt with a rifle or shotgun, or muzzle loader, not that there is anything wrong with them. During bow season I want the challenge of the hunt. I find it more so with a Trad bow, and If I wanted to go easier I would buy a crossbow.
The one big regret I have is I left Trad in 1974 and only just came back in the last couple of years, but it's never too late.
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What are some drawbacks if any you have noticed? Any regrets etc? How have you had to change your hunting style?
From reading harvest reports, most animals are taken within the same distances....
Draw backs...Lack of quality trad archers in our area makes learning much more difficult. A few quality moments with a well versed competent archer may greatly benefit you over books and DVD's.. The TG web-site does provide me much incentive.
Regret... Shot traditonal from 1969-1975. Loved it however was anything but competent. Totally switched back several years ago w/o having shot a Trad Bow since 1975. I had taken several P&Y's and 31 turkeys yet yearned for something much more. Wish I would have sought out some proficient trad guys 25 years ago.
Hunting style... Dramatic change since my average effective range was reduced by over 50%. If I wanted to take a bird at 40 yards, I could take it with confidence(some critters out to 50 yards.). My effective range for turkeys now is `15 yards. My set-ups today require much more calculating. Sure I had in the past set-up for 20 yard shots and would reach out if need be and have on numerous occassions. Today I set-up for much closer shots and would consider 20 yards a reach for me in a typical hunting situation.
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Well it just seemed natural to me if I was gonna hunt in archery season that I use an actual bow.Anything else wouldn't be archery.
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The older I get the closer to traditional I get on a lot of levels. I have taken a lot of deer over the years with other means and I just dont feel the need to do that now. Plus the beauty of a hand crafted bow is more apealing to me than a machined conglomeration of parts. It just seems more honest to me. Lin
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With a longbow on the ground I feel like a hunter, like I am part of the fabric of life and death.
With a compound in a tree I felt like a shooter/sniper, and observer/interloper. Like a trespasser as if I was disrupting the natural flow.
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i switched from compound to longbow not too long ago.i had killed 6 or 7 deer with my compound but havent gotten any yet with my longbow.I dont regret the switch one tiny bit.the feeling i get shooting my longbow and becoming more and more comfortable with it,nothing compares to it.I love it.I have no problems with compounds at all,but just needed a change,more back to the basics.for me it will be hunting with traditional bow or no bow at all.Ross
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Originally posted by lpcjon2:
I have no regrets and I like the fact that it's all me,not the mechanics of the wheels that makes the kill.The pin sight,mechanical release and the 80% let off,became un-fulfilling for me I like to know that its my fingers and instinctiveness that gets me that animal.
I feel about the same. I have passed on shots on deer that I wouldn't have with my compound.
I most likely would have venison right now if I was shooting my wheels.
I guess my only real regret is not switching sooner. It definitely is more difficult for me to shoot trad as well as a compound. Wish I had more time under my belt.
In 3 years my only trad kill is a spot and stalk turkey. That made me feel like a shot my first buck! Looking forward to some trad venison one of these days.
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I switched to trad gear in '07. My only regret was buying the Bowtech in '06. Killed a buck with it that season & never saw the arrow @ 18yds. Then in January of 07 I joined a trad leauge and that was it for me. Killed a black bear that year and missed a dew deer. Nothing last two years but this spring bought a Lost Creek NAT longbow in may and got a turkey. Then got a black bear this fall. Hit a nice buck but never recovered it. That is my only regret about switching. Never had it happen with wheels but maybe I was just lucky. Tried to get my brother to switch but he hasn't killed enough animals yet to not realize that isn't what hunting is about. Good luck & enjoy the journey.
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Compounds are cold, lifeless contraptions. Everyone is always "tuning" them. Always bolting more crap on to them. It's always a good feeling when I slide the upper string loop onto the nock, and I'm ready to go.
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The biggest difference for me is my treestands are set lower. Shot angles from higher are very strange in my sight window with a trad bow. Also being lower makes it much easier to take out both lungs. The drawback is you can not hunt a low stand on any bad wind. I find myself getting out of stands after climbing in them much more often than I did back in the wheelie days.
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Shot compounds for years and arrived at the place of complete confidence in that what I shot at I was gonna hit. I think that mindset dulled my passion some. However, now that I am shooting trad, my passion is back, it's almost a "child-like" passion that I remember from when I began bird-hunting with my dad and walking into a covey trying to flush them up. Been a long time since I have been this excited about hunting! No Regrets here!
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I have not noticed any drawback to switching to traditional. Being closer to game is not a drawback IMO. The only regret that I have is not starting the journey sooner. My hunting style has change some. I tend to move around more now than I did before the switch. I have hunted 99%of the time from the ground but usually did not move except to leave and then it was always hurrying out. I spend more time leaving the woods now. Could not be happier with the switch.
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i'M NOT SURE TRAINING WHEELS IS THE WORDING WE SHOULD BE USING. I shot compound for years in the late 80 's but it's been recurve since the mid 190's. No regrets as I have no desire to go to that other method of bowhunting.
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Lot of great comments, but the one thing I find that is most amazing is that "perfect shot" with my recurve. I shot compounds very well and I suspect I shoot recurves well too (but have never competed with my recurve) but no matter how many times I make the "perfect" shot with a recurve, it feels like heaven. I never had that sense with a compound. I love to shoot and having that great excitement associated with making a perfect shot with a recurves is one reason I don't shoot compounds any more.
Regarding hunting, I never killed a deer over 22 yards with my compound anyways and frankly, sometime I didn't pick a spot very well with it either. The recurve forces me to do that so I don't see it as a lesser hunting tool at all.
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I made the switch from wheels to long bow just two months ago, so my opinion may not be very strong. But I have not had a single regret. I enjoy practice so much more do to the challenge. I am shooting instinctive an love the rush of a direct hit on a one inch target at 12 to 15 yards. With wheels a one inch target at 15 yards was standard. I have not and will not venture into the woods with my longbow for several more months but until then the rush of hitting a walnut at 12 yards is all I have to judge my excitement by.
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No regrets; many, many unforseen and unplanned advantages as well. I'm a much better hunter, and the trad/primitive is simply better equipment for the way I hunt (awkard positions, no need to range estimate, etc). Aside from that, I have gained much enjoyment and understanding of the world around me from the nature of the hobby/passion. All around, so much better.
That said, I have nothing against modern archery. I have friends and family who like it, and are plenty ethical, responsible, etc. I just think they are still missing out on some potential fun.