Trad hunting ?'s from newbie

tking308 · March 03, 2012, 02:16:00 AM

Hi, my name is Todd. I'm new to the trad-gang and traditional bow hunting. I've been shooting compound bows for about 12 years but have very little experience with traditional gear. I'm looking at buying a recurve but am concerned about the "reality",for lack of a better word, of traditional bow hunting. I just can't picture sitting in a tree stand trying to maneuver a recurve and I'm too clumsy to try spot and stalk though the woods of western KY. What methods work best for you? What doesn't work? btw...I'm mostly talking about whitetail hunting in midwest woodlots.

DGF · March 03, 2012, 02:35:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by tking308:
I just can't picture sitting in a tree stand trying to maneuver a recurve and I'm too clumsy to try spot and stalk though the woods of western KY.

Recurves are much lighter than compounds, and despite the longer length I find them much easier to bring into the woods. You do have to think of limb clearance when selecting stands, but keep in mind you won't be limited to holding your bow verticle if you choose to shoot bare bow.

Welcome to traditional hunting and trad gang. I transitioned last fall from the wheels and am hooked. Give traditional hunting a chance, accept it's challenges, and get ready to enjoy the great outdoors in a way you haven't before!

Dan

koops4 · March 03, 2012, 07:20:00 AM

My son and I spend all of our time sitting on the ground while whitetail hunting. We either make a ground blind or use what is already there for cover. Give it a try and you will wonder why you did not make the switch earlier.

STICKBENDER98 · March 03, 2012, 07:24:00 AM

Welcome to the traditional world!!! Your going to love it. I have used a 64" recurve for the last few years with no problems, you just have to be aware of your surroundings in the tree.

Bishop · March 03, 2012, 07:24:00 AM

After you start hunting with a stickbow it will become second nature. The extra length is no problem at all.

Bowwild · March 03, 2012, 07:28:00 AM

Back when I started in 1970 we hunted from trees with recurves. Mine was a 62" Ben Pearon Cougar.

I went to compounds in 1975 and stayed in the trees with those until 2009.

In 2009 I switched to recurves for hunting and I'm still in the trees.

I hunt from the same stands in the same trees. I check for upper limb clearance and usually don't have to make any adjustments. This is a non-issue for me.

I love the feel of the recurve on my haul line as I begin tugging it up into the tree.

Welcome!

mountaineer2 · March 03, 2012, 07:42:00 AM

I had the same concerns as you have. I spent more time trying to find a recurve that was as short as a compound thinking I would be able to adapt easier. I had alot of trouble shooting the shorter bows. I was givin a longbow and it just worked for me. I hunt the eastern hardwoods of West Virginia with a 66" long bow in trees and on the ground and wouldn't change it for anything. good luck in your switch over and find what feels right for you. You will love the simplicity!

Night Wing · March 03, 2012, 07:46:00 AM

I prefer ground blind hunting.

The only animal I can spot and stalk is a javelina because of their poor eyesight.

Possum Head · March 03, 2012, 08:12:00 AM

The biggest concern I and others I've talked with have had to face is lower limb to tree stand contact. Many hunters as I do, use stands where the seat portion wraps around the front. When practicing I've learned to keep my seat down low so when I stand I have more limb clearance. You may decide to use a model that is just a small seat with nothing else out front to hinder. As far as upper limb contact just trim as mentioned by others. Best wishes and have fun!

maineac · March 03, 2012, 08:40:00 AM

What the rest have said. I shoot bows from 62" to 56" from a summit viper, I tend to stand and lean against the tree and set the seat portion of the climber as low as I can. No problems.

Roger Norris · March 03, 2012, 08:51:00 AM

Todd-one of the great secrets about traditional bows, in my opinion, is that they are easier....handier...more efficient than modern archery gear.

Huntingnut · March 03, 2012, 10:04:00 AM

I've not found a recurve to be more unweildly in a stand than a compound.In fact, a recurve is more "usable" in most cases.You have to stay vertical with a compound, but have much more freedom to lean at odd angles with a stickbow.I shoot a 60" bow out of a Summit Viper with no problems, unless a deer is almost straight behind me.I've also spent more time hunting out of natural blinds in the past few years, and I have to say that is quickly becoming one of my favorite methods.

Wiley Coyote · March 03, 2012, 10:12:00 AM

I usually use longbows from 58" to 64" and I hunt mostly in trees. No problem. When you put up your stands trim what you need for clearance and practice drawing your bow from the stand and you should be good to go!!

Good luck!!

straitera · March 03, 2012, 10:14:00 AM

Shoot lb's only & prefer longer lengths 68"-70" ntn. At 6'2", have no problems from a treestand or on the ground. If it's fun, you're doing it right.

tking308 · March 03, 2012, 02:57:00 PM

thanks everyone for the help, now it's time to get a bow

JamesKerr · March 03, 2012, 04:11:00 PM

I agree once you start shooting you will see it is easier to manuver a trad bow than a compound through the woods.

Shakes.602 · March 03, 2012, 04:22:00 PM

Welcome to the Family we call TradGang!!

Welcome to the Challenge of Traditional Hunting as well!!

Pick a Spot, Gotta' Get CLOSER than Youre used to getting, and Good Luck To YOU!! You have come to the Right Place to ask Questions, these Fine Folks will Help you in ANY way they can!!

THAT is what makes TradGang the Great Site it is!!

DannyBows · March 03, 2012, 07:30:00 PM

Welcome! When you get a bow and start shooting, try to add stump shooting to your practice. Besides the fun it's great practice and you'll soon get used to moving thru the woods and shooting the new bow in tight spots. It'll be second nature in no time and will make the transition to treestands easy.

Stump73 · March 03, 2012, 09:12:00 PM

Welcome!

March 03, 2012, 09:46:00 PM

I mostly hunt out of ground blinds or tree stands. You have to set things up right but hunting from a tree stand is really no problem.

Bisch