Trad Gang

My wife has recently gotten the archery bug. She is on the fence as to whether or not she wants a compound or recurve(her brother shoots a compound)    So far I have found the Bodnik Kiowa recurve to my liking or possibly the bear supermag. She is a touch over 5ft but quite strong. Anyhow I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for short long bows and recurves?

http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=059091

  :D   just sayin'!

For a 'cheap' bow that shoots halfway decent for a lady newb with options to upgrade limb weights later for cheap to a max of 35#, October Mountain Products (OMP) makes a nice little takedown recurve I think called the Explorer or some such, that's around $95-110.  I got one for my wife who's 5'3", the bow is 24#@24" and 58", she draws around 26" and good for a couple # more, and I've pulled it and I'm pretty convinced the limbs pull 1#/ inch...I can easily pull it to 28-29" with no stack and it feels about that weight in pounds, which is hilarious and makes it very smooth and easy to shoot.  I'm pretty sure they just make a couple sets of limbs and just relabel them for whatever draw length.  Her's is 58" but they make em up to 62" I believe.  Good little bow for cheap.

Wow that Kanati is incredible! I would like to have that for myself  but it will never happen as I just bought a new bow     :banghead:  I will definitely check out OMP. Thanks guys!

Here in The Netherlands, lots of smaller woman shoot the Mingo from Bodnik. Yet it is small, low in weight and suitable for shorter drawlengths, this little bow performs amazingly well and is real fast!  
Here is more info:  http://www.kustomkingarchery.com/Mingo-Recurve/productinfo/4709/

If possible try and find away to test a few. use the test drive programs most bowyers offer. Find what is right and comfortable for her if she is not comfortable with it and successful she will not enjoy shooting and will quit. my .02 worth

I would start he off with an ILF system the limbs are inexpensive and the riser stays the same . That way you can change limbs as she needs.

I agree with the St Joe, Test a a bow if possible! I was lucky I got my wife (a new shooter) a real nice Bear Tigercat 62in 35@28 that she is shooting! Plan on a custom at some point, make sure the #age is right to develop good form.

Awesome thanks for the advice!

Victory- I stand corrected- my wife's OMP Explorer '2.0' is 54" and the limb weights go up in even increments to 36# in the 54" version.  One site had em for 115 but I've seen em cheaper.

My wife loves her 25# Martin Stick.  She really likes the grip and the fact its "like a Howard Hill bow".   :)

One of my favorite short recurves is a Bear Kodiak Magnum. They made a "Lady Kodiak" for a while in lighter weights measured at 26". I have a 25 pounder for rehabbing my shoulder and form work.

This is the season for going to shoots and trying new and used bows. She will find one she likes.
Killdeer

i have a skb horse bow 48" and 50# @28  they are awesome to shoot nice and light to carry and i can shoot it all day without getting tired you can get em in any poundage ya like and boy can they spit an arrow out.

I went the other way and just ordered her a custom from St. Joe. I thought about getting her something she could beat around like an OMP, but I kept thinking that if I really wanted her involved with something that is such a big part of my life...I should spend as much on her as I would myself.

I buy bows every year. I can buy her ONE really good one.

Plus my daughter has the same exact bow and I thought it would be neat for the two of them to match.

That is how it worked out for me. Not saying it will work out for you the same or that it is what you should do. I'm just giving you another side.

well if money is no object, I'd suggest a Dryad ACS RC, that way at her shorter draw length she will have more oomph, with the right riser limb length combo, you can get a dryad down to quite a short bow and man are they smooth and fast!

I did the same as LimbLover.  Bought my wife a bow from the same bowyer that makes mine.  I figured she would enjoy archery more with a nice custom than with a cheap intro level bow.