Well I was hoping to hear these words and last night after hunting with my youngest son he asked if he could have a longbow for Christmas.  He is 16 and just started hunting this year.  Currently borrowing his brothers compound but he wants a longbow....I'm excited.  So here's the question.  What do you recommend?  I know it's better to start light.  He's pulling 40 on the compound now.  I'll check his draw length tonight but I'm thinking a 30lb bow at his draw to start.  I also don't want to spend too much knowing he'll probably be ready to move up in weight rather quickly.  Minimum weight for hunting (next year) is 40 lbs.

Anybody have experience with this?

Most 16 yr olds can handle 40 lbs or so to start. YMMV

get a hold of elkridge archery.as your child out grows the bow you can trade up he offers a fair credit from your old bow towards your new one.you can also check out maddog archery.you will be pleased either way.good folks at both places.good luck.

Depends how much more you think he will grow and what draw length he has. May get lucky and get something say 45 lbs at 28 and he draws less and can grow with it. That said I would get him a bow he can handle well now and if he loves it sweet talk the wife into another next year. Of course you could get a 3 piece take down and just buy more limbs later. My 17 year old shoots 55 lbs he hunted with a 50 lb Kodiak hunter when he was 14-16 now he draws close to 28.

Never mind my comment do what Plummer says. Sounds like a great deal.

I would start out at 40lbs or so.  I've got a 14 yr. old daughter who loves to shoot, and she's currently shooting a Maddog longbow that is 33#@28.  She's drawing a hair under 27", and has absolutely no trouble pulling it back.

Joe,
      Where abouts do you live ? You can pm me if you like .

I checked his draw and would guess he should pull around 24 to 25".  I think a 40 @ 28" may be a good weight.  He can almost draw my 48 lb bow to his face but that's a struggle and about 1" - 2" short of full draw.

I'll check out the Maddog and Elkridge lines.
   
Harl, I'm in Amherstburg Ontario.

Thanks all,
Joe

Maddog for sure!

Hey Joe, If you would be interested in a recurve for your son I may have one that may interest you.  It is a Trad Tech Black Onyx ILF riser with TT long limbs  Pulls 42# @ 28" and is 60" AMO.  The great thing is you can upgrade limbs as needed to higher weight.  Can even put ILF longbow limbs.  I am actually down your way this weekend as I will be in Windsor if you are interested in it.

John

John, sounds like another good option but I think it's gonna be out of our price range.  I sent you a PM.

I have a longbow that my daughter used years ago that is still brand new.  37#@24 inches...64 inch bow..red elm veneers on limbs under clear glass.

To All, I'm going to try and get him to a club this week where they have several bows for the kids to shoot.  We should be able to figure out a weight better there.

Brock, I'll keep it in mind.  We'll see where the weight shakes out.

Joe

Good Luck and congrats on your son wanting to shoot longbows.

You may want to find a lower poundage recurve like a bear or Shakespeare.  If he loses interest you wont be out much and could always resell.

lots of good little vintage target weight bows he can start with until he builds some strength and determines what he really likes...then again a boy that wants a longbow out right is hard to say no to.  

I shot my first deer at 10 years old with a Damian howatt Bandidto 40 lb at 28 inches.  Then I drew 26 inches.  Today I draw 29.5 and shoot the same bow...it's 42 this year.  I shot 30 shafts out of it tonight into a new bag target.
Good luck with your so.