I think everyone is just to enthralled with speed and pulleys of the compound. The grace of the traditional bow loses it's glory. The speed of the compound is to enticing to the person who is in love with technology . I shot a compound for years. The first time I shot a longbow I fell in love. It is a challenge and I have to shoot a lot to keep my accuracy up. I haven't shot a compound for 8 months now and can probably pic it up and hit bulls at 60 yards within my first few shots. The compound is to easy. With the sights and releases it's like shooting a gun. There is now challenge. The traditional bow has proved itself for thousands of years. Putting game on the table. The compound has only bean around for 50 or so years and has just got rediculess. Well thanks for hearing me vent. I'm going to go shoot my longbow now.
I see Artemis vs. the Terminator.
Killdeer
I just took up the recurve. I started on a compound, and I really had very seasons with it before realizing it was just getting boring. I just held a recurve for the first time two months ago, and I put up the compound. This coming weekend I'm trying to take my first trad. kill with a cheapo Samick Sage. I have been working with it everyday for the last two months, and I feel that I am ready to kill with it. It has made me a better shot and allowed me to understand more about archery in general.
For me, I love the "simplicity" of traditional. No sights, no cables, no cams, etc.
I shot compounds for 20 years.But hadn't shot it but once in the last two years.Just got bored with it.Sold it and got a long bow and its like starting over can't get enough of it and can't wait to hunt with it.
I've found that when you become proficient with trad gear the "handicap" of it, when compared to a compound, becomes smaller and smaller. I shot on 3-Ds today for about 3 hours and didn't put one arrow out of the kill zone. At around 30 yards and under I think there are few advantages to a compound - lots of people don't realize that, they think you're nuts for choosing a recurve or longbow -- we know better though, right? :archer: :goldtooth:
Welcome to the dark side, it gets better! ;)
Frank
I love the simplicity of traditional as well.
Men have been hunting with longbows for thousands of years... I like to think that we are naturally drawn to them...
... mike ...
Enjoy the journey!
It put the excitement back into it again for me. Just have fun with it, as has been said, It only gets better!!
Yep, I made the switch from a compound to a recurve a few months ago. I could'nt be happier.
Going Trad has rekindled my fire for bowhunting.
All my best!!
Welcome to the bright side you have found the light.
It's a blast,enjoy the ride, you won't get bored!
Been using a recurve since 1965, never was taken with a compound. I just enjoy the simplicity of them.
be patient. the price of a greater sense of accomplishment can sometimes be frustration. stick with it and above all enjoy.
welcome- :campfire:
taking to the woods and fields with a stick, string and a quiver full of arrows is such a nice way to spend a afternoon, i always carry my bow where ever i go, if i go shopping or visiting with my Fiance i always have the option of stump shooting or finding room to shoot,
I started out 40 years ago with a recurve. Never saw it as a handi cap
http://buffsblackwidow.com/oldvideos/2007review0003.wmv
Good for you and enjoy!
I absolutely LOVE shooting my recurve, though I still hunt with both (goal for 2012 is to be all trad). When I shoot my compound it's basically to just 'get ready' for the upcoming season. I still enjoy shooting it, just not nearly as much as my recurve.
The transition of shooting dead accurate at long distances using sights, to using "the force" if you will, can be the most humbling thing you'll ever do.
I made this transition late in life at a time when i needed to be humbled too. a different perspective, with different goals in mind perhaps?
Challenging?.... most definitely...but learning to focus in a different capacity builds a self confidence that is very worth while.IMO
This sport is one that you only harvest the bounty of the seeds you sew, in direct proportion to the time, care, and heart you put into it.
I am very happy with my progress I have become a much better hunter with trad gear.I dont even 2nd guess myself any more Its just the way I do it now.every time I take a deer with trad equ.I just chuckel inside.I am proud of myself for sticking with it.It is also neet to see what you can acomplish.
I think it's always important to know where you came from and to know where your going, but to not let the vanity of the transition close your mind to all the possibilities.
Case and point. Shot our local club shoot this last weekend and there was a guy in his mid to upper fifties that showed up. He pulled out of his case an old PSE Laser II, which of course is an older eccentric wheeled compound from the early 80's. The guy was absolutely deadly with this bow and he shot it with no sights and finger release. It was quite impressive and gave me a glimpse into a shooting style that I truely had not seen before.
Love this journey and the folks you meet on the trail.
:campfire:
yeah its addicting, i find myself thinking "should i de-scope my guns"..just for the sake of being more "traditional"! past two muzzleloader seasons here in va. ive carried either my longbow or recurve,ive struck out but im having fun swinging....ENJOY!
I've noticed that at the 3Ds the Compound guys shoot the required targets then set down or just wonder off. the trad guys shot the targets then turn in their cards and keep right on shooting often until it is too dark to shoot any more. why? Cuz its fun to shoot a trad bow that's why.
>>-----> they do let us sneak up on our targets though.!
Archery and bowhunting is a personal journey that never ends.
We had a club spot shoot last Saturday, poor turnout and it ended up being two compounds vs traditional. We held our own breaking ballons.
We were shooting off of our bellies, backs, awkward angles getting ready for turkey season.
We were having an absolute blast. The really neat thing is that since I have started showing up with with my lighter poundage bows, I have had multiple guys ask to shoot them.
I am pretty sure a couple have been infected will be completely diseased before too long.
Guys, I want to bring some balance to this:
I see way to many times, "Us Trad Guys" get an elite-ss attitude and diss on guys who choose to shoot otherwise...
I love trad and have found it to be a great hobby and discipline and way of life... I've found my closest friends from this hobby, but we should not talk negatively about others who are compound shooters...
It makes us look ignorant and jealous.
There are some great athletes / great shots that shoot compounds as well as trad... It is a choice not a war...
I've had compounds, may get anther one day, but just because I throw a sight on the bow doesn't mean I can go to 3D shoots and beat everybody...
There are different skills needed in the compound sport... Judging yardage etc..
Not trying to be a ninny , just bringing balance...
Again guys, not calling anyone out, just bringing balance..
I'm in love with traditional archery... I shot a compound for most of my life and made the switch a couple years ago.
I have not found traditional archery to be that simple; BH, GPI, FOC, GPP, BOP, LOL!!!
The never ending puzzle for me, I love puzzles!!!
I'm with you Caughtandhobble!
I am drawn back to recurves by the challenge (mostlY) and grace of recurve shooting.
After a half-dozen years with curves and then 34 years with compounds, I think recurve shooting is far more complicated than shooting a sighted compound with a release aid. I've been "back" since 2010.
I had to figure something out for myself and curve shooting this weekend -- head alignment. I know, I know...some will think I'm thinking too much about it. I just can't tolerate off-line groups. Without a group I'm not shooting.
I am with Joe Ashton on this one,shooting trad is just plain ole fun. Seldom if ever you won't find me without a bow in my truck. I have 2 compound shooting friends, one of which is my best friend. Other than practicing for the up coming deer season, they don't shoot their bows and they don't have the fun I do just going through the woods stump shooting and having fun. When I am out scouting and looking for shed antlers, I always have my Longbow or recuve with me. Just yesterday evening, I had to go to the church for a meeting, and I left a little earlier than usual and my Wife said to me, you are leaving this early, I said yes because I had to make a stop, and that stop was by one of the farms I hunt just to shoot around a bit before I went to the church meeting, and I almost had to force my self to leave so that I would not be late for the meeting(LOL).. Again, shooting trad is just great fun, even when not hunting. It keeps the eye sharp and muscle toned.
Tony
I was shooting compounds and stick bows together till 1992 and from 1992 to 2007 stick bows only.From 2007 till 2012 compounds only and now waiting for a new recurve.
I like both ways of shooting and both have their pros and cons.I completely disagree with some that shooting compounds is easier,it´s with all kinds of shooting,easy or difficult is always a matter of standards set high or low.Have seen to many trad shooters in hunting camps who shouldn´t use a stick bow cause they had no clue about how to use it,other than playing Fred Bear or Howard Hill.
To me it doesn´t matters which bow you choose as long as you know your trade.