All the years I spent looking at compounds and buying a new one every few years I always thought the engineering was impressive and the technology was cool, but looking at these Black Widows, Bob Lee's and others really has opened my eyes to some beautiful craftsmanship. These bows truly are a piece of art. One day I will have one of my own. Just last Jan I dumped 1200$ on an Elite Energy 32, and it is a very nice rig, but it's collecting dust now.Got me thinking of putting it on the market. I guess the fact the someone took many hours/days/months to craft something like a custom recurve or longbow is just mind boggling
I've spent my life outside. Hunting, fishing, trapping. I don't know how how many animals I've harvested with a gun...couldn't even venture a guess. I devoted myself to traditional bowhunting totally 3 years ago. In that time I have taken 1 animal, a whitetail doe. I've left a lot of empty tags, and I have never been more fulfilled.
At this point there is no doubt that bowhunting with traditional equipment is my life's passion. I love it. Your enthusiasm reminds me of when I first started out. Guess what brother, it only gets worse (or better).
Jake
Put that elite up for trade. I'm sure someone dumped a lot of money into a custom that would rather have a wheel bow now!
I need to do it before it loses even more value. At this point, I don't want to walk in the woods with wheels. But I have to make sure Im as proficient with the recurve as I can be. I have come a long ways in just 2 weeks. I went from not hitting the target at all at 10 yds to hitting the vitals quite often at 15 yds. I still miss a lot, but I also hit where I am looking a lot. Practice almost daily. I have taken two days off in two weeks. I just have so much fun shooting it, even when i miss! If I do sell the wheels, I will look hard at an upgrade not too far down the road. I can buy a really nice set up for what I have in the wheel bow.
I see you did't mention Robertson Stykbow....Have you seen a Robertson? ;)
yes I have seen them, very nice bows. So many good one out there!
Or a Whippenstick??
A Stewart?
A Java Man?
A Centaur?
A Schafer?
A Toelke?
A Sarrels?
LOL.
There are soooo many talented bowyers out there. Along with the hunting its a passion of mine to try them all once in this lifetime...likely not gonna happen but its fun to try.
Stay the course, Nine. I'd say you can try them all!!
Jake
Yea...yea...yea...shootem' all man. Only way to know. Shot a lot at Denton,Baltimore before I bought my Stewart Slammer.
So many bows, so little time !
I switched over a few years ago from the wheels, and like you, I wanted to make sure I was completely comfortable taking my recurve into the woods knowing I could kill something with it.
I held onto the wheels for a while just in case, but eventually told myself I would put in the time and practice enough to hunt with it the following season or not at all. I ended up trading the bow and never looked back.
I personally think not even having that option to fall back on the wheels will make you focus that much more on becoming proficient with the stick and really give you extra motivation. Just what worked for me though!
I took the dive over to traditional archery about twelve years ago... Something I read back then helped me along... Can't remember who wrote it or where but it was kinda like this:
"So you are new to hunting with a recurve or longbow. If you can hit a pie plate at five yards with a broadhead arrow, fine. Go hunting! Just Keep Your Shots To Five Yards And Under! Same said about ten yards. Hunt the cover and limit your shot distance, not hunting time."
That was an eye opener! Keep up with your practice. It has to be fun, not like work. Look forward to the next hunting season with your trad bow without worry. Now get out there and break some arrows! :D
... mike ... :archer2: ...
10.4! My personality is one of OCD...I do nothing in moderation. When I make up my mind, it's done. Not bragging, it's just the only way I get anything done, all or nothing. I think I am going to put that bow on the market. Anybody want to buy a compound? LOL
Starting on a good road to follow.
This is my fourth year shooting trad. I've killed a bear, four deer, a pig, and various small game in that time. I went from a 1963 Damon Howatt Monterey to a Samick Red Stag, to a Black Widow PAII, and now to a zipper nitro longbow. Aside from the red stag, all my bows get shot and I can't imagine selling any of them. Welcome to the fire. I promise you that traditional archery is no a handicap. I'm considerably more successful now than I was with training wheels.
"OCD"?..... That's my middle name! :dunno: Kinda get's ya thinking, don't it? Might just be a great (persona) for trad archery after all......... :rolleyes:
Ha! Yeh well I have been able to channel it into positive avenues for myself.
I'm an all or nothing kinda guy with OCD tendencies. I wonder if that's a common trait amongst trad hunters.
I'm getting ready to put my wheelie bow up for sale. I wasn't confident enough last fall with my newly acquired Montana but already feel much more confident that I can get a clean kill. By the time the fall rolls around, I should be consistent at 20-25 yards. I've never killed a deer with a bow much beyond that anyway. My last two were both within 12 yards.
Yes, sell the compound before it's antiquated. At this point it's safe to conclude you're never looking back. When I was introduced to traditional my wheelie bow was over ten years old; already a mastodon at that point with no real value. It's been in storage since 2010 where I keep the Christmas lights. My wife says I'm OCD as well. I correct her that I'm a type O personality; it's not a disorder...
I really didn't believe you guys a month ago before I owned a recurve. you all warned me, but I see it first hand now. I find myself running out in the dark at like 8:30 at night under the flood lights at 25 deg out taking 5 or 6 shots....I come back in and wife says, "what are you doing?" I say oh just messing with the bow and what not...hoping just doesn't cue in to my new sickness...
In 1977 my (brand new) wife told me in no uncertain terms I could not bring my bow along on our honeymoon. Ooops
ChuckC
She knows Im ocd about bowhunting so it will come as no surprise.
I sold my compound 2 years ago and have not looked back. My proficiency with my recurves and longbows has increased so much I don't even think about owning a wheel bow. I went from shots around 20 yards a few years ago for hunting to now 35 being not out of the question if it all falls into place.
Been at it for a few years now, had a couple recurves before I bought my current Bob Lee. I run into a lot of hunters during the season, all compound guys, and everyone of them comment on my bow, and trad hunting in general. Its to the point that I activley avoid people when Im moving around, the conversation just takes up to much time. I have noticed a couple guys last year, that I have shown my bow to, shooting recurves in camp, but not hunting with em.
I love the simplicity and beauty of trad bows, and will never go back to compounds.
Mark
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3864/14451902789_e7ac855bd0_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/o24McK) 001 (https://flic.kr/p/o24McK) by Lonehowl (https://www.flickr.com/people/31777870@N04/) , on Flickr
that's a beauty!! My plan is to get about 700-800$ for my compound fully loaded with release,case, sight, rest etc... it's a 2014, should be able to get that or at least 60 for a bare bow. I have my eye on a few bows, one that really stands out for some reason is Grayling Green Bear Super Kodiak in 60"...Man that bow is pretty and it's a very popular bow the line up and has been for many years. Plus, it's in my price range!!
Landon, check out Hummingbird Bows. They are located in North Carolina. It might be worth your time to take a trip down to meet Ben and Linda. I believe there are quite a few people from Virginia shooting their bows. They also have a nice web site. God bless, Scott.
I will look at today. Thanks
Gave my wheelie bow to my son-in-law,sold my competition bow 4 years ago and have not had the desire to shoot one since. I totally enjoy every second behind my bows.
I shoot in a winter league. My son and I are the only traditional bow shooters. I flat out do not understand the appeal of the modern compound. Such a technology race.
Well I had many good years of hunting with a compound, killed some good bucks and a lot of deer. I came to this point last week of December this year when I killed my 57th deer with a compound. As I watched my arrow fly perfectly and hit its mark and she ran and dropped in sight, I thought to myself, there has to be more to this. Not that it was too easy or i have mastered this game, but I could no longer fight the feelings in m y soul for something with deeper meaning and a pure feeling of what archery really is.
That budget will get you a very nice bow from the classifieds on this site. You can probably save 30-40%.
I've bought 75% of my recurves from the folks here on the classifieds. Zero difference from new except you save months or a year or more of wait time and lots of money. Of course some times you can't find exactly what you want and the new route is the only way to go.
Also checking the "in-stock" or "inventory" on a bowyer's website is worth the trip. I've bought 2-3 that way with no wait.