Hello guys, I recently decided that this year I was going to pick up traditional archey. I have been bow hunting several years and have done very well for myself. traditional has always been something that interested me but I never knew anyone that I could take my questions and concerns to about it so I have to this point stuck to what I was familiar with. I did start out in my early days shooting instinctive with a compound, and was able to take my first every bow kill, a black bear at 13 years old that way. From there as my skills increased so did gear to the point where I am today. However I would like to get back to the simplicity of instictive shooting and using a "bare bow".
I was wonder if someone could tell me the pros and cons of recurves over longbows, and what you prefer along with possible makes and models to look into (I am left handed by the way.) Also I recently read the book "Whitetail Magic" by Roger Rothhaar and loved. It in part tipped me over the edge to finally make the decision. Can anyone else recommend and good books written by Tradional guys? I was told to look at In Pursuit of trophy whitetails but cant find it for anything under an arm and a leg.lol I was also told to look into anything by Gene Wensel as well.
All information is welcome, thanks and im looking forward to picking up all the info I can from the sight.
Welcome Chad, where in MI are you?
I am not from MI so I don't know details on where and when, but go to a 3D shoot that is geared towards trad, such as http://www.comptontraditionalbowhunters.com/, and start asking questions. There will be vendors there selling bows, but I would also be willing to bet that there are people that would love to help you learn.
Oh yeah welcome, and have fun.
Chad, go to Black Dog Outfitters in Cedar Springs. Tom Hackbart is a trad guy that really knows his stuff. He has bows you can try and a wealth of info. Fred Asbel has some good books and is a fellow Michigander. As far as the pros and cons of longbows and recurves goes, that is a mighty long list. You just need to try them both and find what you like. I think it's like a blond, brunette, redhead thing. And oh yea, WELCOME.
I am wedged between Detroit and Toledo on the Wayne county/Monroe county boarder. Rockwood to be exact. I know of a few shoots as mentioned and plan to attend a couple this summer. I just thought I'd try and get a jump on my learning curve here first. Lol
:thumbsup:
Well, I think you came to the right place. There is a ton of information here and a bunch of great people to go with it. I'll second the advice to try both types and see what you like best. Also, I would suggest to find a local trad club and attend their next shoot. Most people will not have a problem letting you try out their bow when asked. Welcome to TG.
Welcome. another thing...the search engine on this site is your friend. Almost any question you can come up with has been discussed here a bunch. Use it and I garentee you will find months if not years of great reading and learning.
Chad, I use to shoot instintive with a compound years ago so I know where your coming from. All the advice above is good. My first bow was a recurve and cost about $150. Still got that bow. I got a custom bow after going to a shoot just like Chester said and ended up at Bob Lee's factory in Texas. Bought that bow in 1997 and its what I shoot today. It is worth it to put some different bows in your hands and try. You will know what you need to shoot.
For just getting you fired up on traditional bow hunting and also some great info call Traditional Bowhunter Magazine and buy as many back issues as you can afford. You will read them over and over throughout the years. For books on shooting, I have read all of Fred Asbells stuff. The shooting forum on this site is fantastic. Check it out and ask questions. They have some guys that could save you some serious frustration if you are having an issue with form.
Welcome to traditional archery. You won't regret it.
Hi Chad. welcome
Put me in the longbow group. Light, quiet, simple,
good looking, deadly historic, near magical.. I like them.....
Welcome Chad! I shot a compound bare and fingers for 20 or so years. Came back to trad about five years ago. I learn something every day on this site. I started with a takedown recurve. The heavier riser felt a lot like my compound (which was actually an old Browning with a wood riser). My first longbows were also more modern longbows with shaped grips. I found them easy to shoot as well. I have not been able to get used to the straight grip style longbows, that is me and many love them. I love a light longbow, quite and fast (reflex/deflex, a more modern limb design). That said the old bear recurves are super light and great to shoot. You have so many choices and trails to explore in this new adventure of yours. Try as many as you can, but don't overlook an old used bow off the classifieds here as a starter. Then go to the shoots and try as many styles of bow as you can. Most trad guys are willing if not happy to let someone else try their bow.
Welcome. I too started shooting a compound instinctively. But beware... this trad thing is addictive!
Have fun.
Check this out, it's got to be really close to you:
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=89;t=000218
Welcome to the gang!
Thom
Welcome, and the only relation we have is Brothers of the bow. You have the coolest last name. :biglaugh:
Welcome to the Gang.
Been wating for Mike to chime in.
Welcome!! Some suggestions for books on shooting instinctively, check out G. Fred Asbell's books. As for Bowhunting books, there are many but "Bows On The Little Delta" by Glenn StCharles is a must read. Shoot every bow that you can get your hands on and then decide what you like. Recurve or longbow? you won't go wrong with either one. Shoot often and have fun!
Thanks guys for some good info, and Mike aside from my immediate family and some extended relatives in Alabama, I think your the only other Vines I ever met! I can already tell this is gonna be a great forum! Lol
Welcome. The best piece of advice I can give is to go to the shoots like mentioned above, and meet a few guys in your area who can mentor you. It will greatly lessen that learning curve you mentioned in your earlier post.
BTW, I'm a longbow guy because I don't like the twangy sound of a recurve and I HATE stringers!
Bisch
Welcome aboard, Chad. I picked up my first trad bow in late December of 2011 (a Christmas present to myself) and I haven't turned back!
A word of warning - traditional shootes and bowyers include some of the best knife makers and leather workers out there - two things that I also really enjoy!
Have fun - get some lessons early, and enjoy the ride!!
Do yourself the biggest favor right off the bat and order the G. Fred Asbell books on instinctive shooting (he is a sponsor on this site). The first one is THE BEST because the last few chapters are hunting stories. Those tales flat get you fired up! I read it about 21-22 years ago and still vividly recall the stories. The most recent version of the book is great as well. DO GOOD YOUNG MAN. THIS SPORT NEEDS MORE LIKE YOU. As far as bow preference goes...if you can pick up either longbow or recurve and shoot each equally well, then you will know that you are where you want to be. I shoot either and enjoy both. That is the joy...a couple years from now you will own or will have owned at least one of each. That is one of the great pleasures of this sport.
Welcome!
Welcome to our wonderful world! Good folks here for sure.
Welcome Chad there's alot of great knowledge and people on this forum to help you along.
Chad,
Look up Dave Pagel here. He is close to you and a good guy. If you want to take a bit of a ride up US-23, the first weekend of May at Exit77 the Michigan Longbow Association has its spring shoot and is free to members. lOTS of longbows to shoot there.
Steve is correct Chad. The Michigan Longbow Association is having our annual Spring Shoot the 1st weekend in May (Friday-Sunday) in Fenton, Michigan. The entire event is free to members only. All memberships are a Family membership.
Gates open at Noon, shoot Rinehart 3D course, judo course, kids course, and last year we had a Zombie course too.
Friday night there is a chili cookoff contest. Admittance is to bring some chili to add to the communal pot or a side dish to pass.
Saturday brings novelty shoots, American Round and all the shooting you can possibly do. For dinner, we have the best pot luck dinner I have ever had the pleasure of being involved in.
Sunday brings once again more archery shooting.
The only stipulations are that you are a member ($15 yearly) and you shoot a longbow. Choice of arrow material is up to you.
I can guarantee when you leave this shoot, you will be looking forward to the next one.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. By the way, my Dad's roots come from Arkansas.
Welcome to the trad life. I think you will like it. I used to shoot recurves but have been shooting longbows almost exclusively since about 1990. There is something special about them that just grabs some us in an inexplicable way. They are smooth, light, and easy to draw. I think they are a bit more forgiving of an imperfect release. But the main thing is they are way cool and just a bit magical.
On the other hand, some of the recurves have all these desirable characteristics as well, and I know some guys who can cold shoot them! Hopefully, you will be able to shoot a large number of bows, both recurves and longbows before you totally settle in. Like many, you may find you like them both. Eventually, you will probably want to own both types. That is not indecision, it is variety. I still shoot my recurves, just not as much as my Hill longbows.
You will get a lot of sound advice and hear many solid opinions on this site. Ultiamtely, the choice of which bow you prefer will be yours alone, but you will be pleased at the amount of information you can glean from the folks on Trad Gang. As issues in shooting come up, spend a lot of time on the FORM forum. Welcome aboard!
As my Tae Kwon Do grand master used to say, the only way to excel is PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! That applies here as well.
Welcome to the gang!! I started out shooting recurves but now I'm shooting my longbows more. I don't know why they just seem a little more forgiving to me. Don
Howard hills hunting the hard way is a great read.