Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Inspector12 on October 05, 2011, 01:37:00 PM
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To All from the Newbie,
I have been a compound shooter/hunter for about 25 years. I just love the challenge of harvesting an animal with a bow. However, the last couple of years the appeal of the traditional bug has been haunting me. So I have decided to make the transition. My intent is to begin by building a pyramid bow or two and re-learn my shooting method. I am preparing to launch a red oak board pyramid build this weekend. I have purchased a book and read/watched several videos relative to the build process. I am really excited to see what happens. Unfortunately I really doubt I can achieve the proficiency needed to harvest this season, but I figure this is the place to start. I look forward to this new phase in my hunting career. Please feel free to offer advice, suggestions or your experiences makeing this jump.
Thank you in advance
Inspector12
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Welcome, and just about anybody can answer you bow building questions on the Bowyer's Bench of this website. Those guys amaze me when I visit there.
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Welcome from Kentucky.
My story is similar to yours (although I bought my trad bows). You will once again have fun shooting and hunting. Good luck and do have a great time with it.
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Welcome to the obscure world of dreams, comraderie and fulfillment. The more you commit..the greater the realization.
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Inspector12, whereabouts are you in Missouri? We might be able to get you some help with those first few bows or suggest a shooting partner or two.
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i got really into trad around x mas time. had a recurve and long bow for years but never took it serious. Now im hooked and loving it alot, way more fun then compounds.
mmake sure to post up the bow when your done. i really wwant to build one someday but i dont have any of the tools needed
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I'd suggest you buy a couple of vintage (bear, wing, browning etc.) recurves to get you shooting. It may take awhile to get your self bows built. Not trying to discourage you, it would just be good to have a solid shooter so you can start practicing in case it takes you a few tries to build a self bow.
I think you could hunt this year if you got at least one bow tuned with properly spined arrows, practice often, stick to the basics and be realistic about hunting shot distance.
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welcome to the challenging fun side of bowhunting. :wavey:
trad bows are vastly different from all other bow types, this article should be of help ...
trad archery for bowhunters (http://www.tradgang.com/docs/trad.html)
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Welcome, and good luck with the bows.
Will be looking forward to some updates.
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Welcome to a new voyage! This is a great place to help you develop. Might I suggest you also buy or borrow a bow in the meantime to practice your shooting skills with? You may be taking on too many learning curves and you could get discouraged-just a thought.
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What Rob said!Very well put.
Welcome to the challenging fun side of bowhunting!
Maxx
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I was in the same boat at one point. After shooting wheel bows for 25+ years I needed a change so I switched to traditional. A few years later I realized that I was a technophile at heart and switched back to wheel bows. After a several more flip flops I realized that I need to do both to satisfy my appetite for all things archery and be happy.
Follow your heart and enjoy your new found traditional journey.
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good luck you can do it
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Welcome! :campfire:
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Welcome aboard. I would echo what others have said, buy a good used bow to get you started, preferably a low poundage one so that you can work on form. Your first few attempts, if you are anything like me, will be learning experiences but may not be shooting experiences...at least not for very long.
I would not call them failures, although they did fail to produce a working bow or at least one that lasted long. Each one taught me something about the bowyer's art. I haven't attempted one lately, but may do so in the near future. Right now I am planning on a quiver build, along with building some furniture in my workshop, so no time for a bow at the moment.
I would encourage you to build your bow(s), but don't wait until they are done to begin enjoying traditional archery.
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MI Bowhunter hit it on the head. There is no reason to be restrict yourself to one style or the other. I shoot both recurves and compounds and enjoy the challenges that each offer. You will defintely be expanding your horizons. Above all have a great time.
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Originally posted by Jeff Strubberg:
Inspector12, whereabouts are you in Missouri? We might be able to get you some help with those first few bows or suggest a shooting partner or two.
I live in Excelsior Springs near KC. I thought I would give a red oak board build a try while I hunt for Osage or hickory. Just trying to cut my teeth on this first one. Another challenge I have is I work crazy hours. I figure the first bow or three make take me a while to complete. Cant wait to get started.
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I live in Excelsior Springs near KC. I thought I would give a red oak board build a try while I hunt for Osage or hickory. Just trying to cut my teeth on this first one. Another challenge I have is I work crazy hours. I figure the first bow or three make take me a while to complete. Cant wait to get started.
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Originally posted by SportHunter:
I'd suggest you buy a couple of vintage (bear, wing, browning etc.) recurves to get you shooting. It may take awhile to get your self bows built. Not trying to discourage you, it would just be good to have a solid shooter so you can start practicing in case it takes you a few tries to build a self bow.
I think you could hunt this year if you got at least one bow tuned with properly spined arrows, practice often, stick to the basics and be realistic about hunting shot distance.
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I agree, I have been watching craigslist for a starter bow. I shoot 72 lbs on my compound so I would think I should be able to handle a 45lb bow. If I cant shoot a factory trad bow correctly it wont help me on a self bow.
Any advice on shooting styles/aiming. I used to shoot fingers, one over two under. I look forward to learning a form of instinctive. I plan to bow masters of the bow DVD to get started. Thanks
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I plan to start my first red oak pyramid this weekend. I may share the pictures as a build along. I gotta say I am nervous about the tillering process. I just hope to minimize my mistakes and learn from them. As long as the thing does not blow up in my face I will call that a successful first build. Thanks to all for the support!
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You do have the bowyer's bible vol1, right?
If you can make time for it, we do a get together the first weekend in Feburary here in Jefferson City. Lots of trad guys, vendors, more than a few selfbow guys wandering around, too. Drop me a PM if you need details. It's a great chance to talk over ideas and pitfalls, and we usually have some great speakers as well.
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If you're near the St Charles area I can put you in touch with some guys who know how it's done.
They've made some beautiful killer of bows.
God bless,Mudd
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WELCOME!!!...shooting styles are a personal thing...do what comes natural for you as it will keep the thinking part to a minimul...start up close and slowly work your way back...you might even try carbon arrows instead of wood just to take one variable out of the mix to start with...this is an adventure not a race...ive been at it for 48 years now and still try new things from time to time...it keeps it interesting for me.
wish you the best on your adventure!!!
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I just converted a little over a month ago. I still shoot my compound and just took a deer with it a few days ago. I've been flip flopping on what I take out but I've been shooting more traditional, its more fun.
Several people here told me to sell my compound bow but I don't want to, I do like it as it is a precision machine that I actually enjoy shooting... but not nearly as much as my recurve.
I would suggest getting a Samick Sage as a first bow. That's what I shoot, it was 129$ and will get you used to shooting traditional. How do you know how you want to build a bow if you've never shot before? Then yo can keep the Samick as a backup, it breaks down nice and small and fits in a case. 3Rivers archery supply has a good price on a package and the cartel case is decent for the money. And they're a sponsor here....
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One thing, Inspector. Keep in mind that shooting a traditional bow and building a traditional bow have almost nothing to do with each other. Don't get frustrated over the building side of things and decide to give up on traditional. Wanting to build a bow is a noble effort, but it's not easy and you won't build a 200+ FPS shooting machine on your first, second or tenth try.
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Originally posted by Mudd:
If you're near the St Charles area I can put you in touch with some guys who know how it's done.
They've made some beautiful killer of bows.
God bless,Mudd
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Unfortunately I am on the other side of the state. Any links or pics you can share is appreciated.
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Originally posted by gonzoso:
I just converted a little over a month ago. I still shoot my compound and just took a deer with it a few days ago. I've been flip flopping on what I take out but I've been shooting more traditional, its more fun.
Several people here told me to sell my compound bow but I don't want to, I do like it as it is a precision machine that I actually enjoy shooting... but not nearly as much as my recurve.
I would suggest getting a Samick Sage as a first bow. That's what I shoot, it was 129$ and will get you used to shooting traditional. How do you know how you want to build a bow if you've never shot before? Then yo can keep the Samick as a backup, it breaks down nice and small and fits in a case. 3Rivers archery supply has a good price on a package and the cartel case is decent for the money. And they're a sponsor here....
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I agree regarding your compound. I will have to hunt with it the rest of the season. Cant argue with the precision. Funny you mentioned the Sage, I have been looking at that very bow to get started with. I will probably have to wait for Christmas as it has been an expensive fall deer season so far!!
Thanks for the feedback
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Originally posted by Jeff Strubberg:
One thing, Inspector. Keep in mind that shooting a traditional bow and building a traditional bow have almost nothing to do with each other. Don't get frustrated over the building side of things and decide to give up on traditional. Wanting to build a bow is a noble effort, but it's not easy and you won't build a 200+ FPS shooting machine on your first, second or tenth try.
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Oh I will, my expectations are pretty low for this first build. I look at this as a way to keep the fire burning through the winters. I figure it will take much practice. To me this is not so much about performance as connecting with the past. Rather skill and self reliance in terms of hunting. I have been a bow hunter for 25 years, for me this is a logical progression. Thanks for the advice.
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I'm right there with some of you. I gave up compounds a few years back, got frustrated with traditional, went back to compounds, and now have been bitten by the trade bug again. I don"t know when if ever I will go trad only, but I definitely can't wait to get back into it. If it weren't Columbus day, I'd have been shooting a new-to-me Whisperstik recurve tonight.
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Ok guys, here we go. I started the build today. I have decided to name this bow "A Wing and a Prayer". I have the bow rough in started. Just finished the glue up using Tight bond II, can’t wait for it to dry. The specs are as follows:
Red Oak 3”x 1”x8’, Lowes
2 1/2"W x 70"L
Handle walnut, reclaimed hardwood
4" with 2 1/2" fades
Goal 40 to 50 lb draw @ 28"
See the build at photo bucket
http://s1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd452/Inspector12_MO/Wing%20and%20a%20Prayer/
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Ok guys, here we go. I started the build today. I have decided to name this bow "A Wing and a Prayer". I have the bow rough in started. Just finished the glue up using Tight bond II, can’t wait for it to dry. The specs are as follows:
Red Oak 3”x 1”x8’, Lowes
2 1/2"W x 70"L
Handle walnut, reclaimed hardwood
4" with 2 1/2" fades
Goal 40 to 50 lb draw @ 28"
See the build at photo bucket
http://s1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd452/Inspector12_MO/Wing%20and%20a%20Prayer/
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Ok guys, here we go. I started the build today. I have decided to name this bow "A Wing and a Prayer". I have the bow rough in started. Just finished the glue up using Tight bond II, can’t wait for it to dry. The specs are as follows:
Red Oak 3”x 1”x8’, Lowes
2 1/2"W x 70"L
Handle walnut, reclaimed hardwood
4" with 2 1/2" fades
Goal 40 to 50 lb draw @ 28"
See the build at photo bucket
http://s1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd452/Inspector12_MO/Wing%20and%20a%20Prayer/
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Inspector, like Jeff mentionedlots of help here in MOif you let us know what part your from, Got some osage just sitting here waiting to be split.I'm in Lee's Summit,mo
John
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Originally posted by kctreeman:
Inspector, like Jeff mentionedlots of help here in MOif you let us know what part your from, Got some osage just sitting here waiting to be split.I'm in Lee's Summit,mo
John
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Treeman,
I reside in Exclesior Springs. I am looking to forward to doing a Osage bow just not ready for the challenge as of yet. I figure cutting my teeth on a board build or two will better prepare me for a stiffer challenge. Take a look at my photo bucket pics. You will see what I mean.
Thanks
Chuck
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It's about time you came around, you'll never regret it.Get ready for an addiction that wil not quit. :clapper:
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Good luck with the red oak. I've had better luck with maple myself, but it all comes down to the grain structure of the board and how picky you are about your tapers.