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

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.

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.

Welcome to the obscure world of dreams, comraderie and fulfillment. The more you commit..the greater the realization.

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 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

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.

welcome to the challenging fun side of bowhunting.  

trad bows are vastly different from all other bow types, this article should be of help ...

trad archery for bowhunters

Welcome, and good luck with the bows.
Will be looking forward to some updates.

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.

What Rob said!Very well put.
Welcome to the challenging fun side of bowhunting!
Maxx

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.

good luck you can do it

Welcome!    

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.

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.

QuoteOriginally 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.

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.

QuoteOriginally 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.

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