Never shot anything but a compound and not very often at that.  Got the bug for a recurve but no idea what I would be comfortable with, it seems pretty complicated.  Intention is hunting whitetail but don't want to get overpowered and loose interest.  I am 5'11" athletic build with a 29" draw (measured by a fellow at an archery shop).  If you have suggestions to get me started I would appreciate it.  Thanks and nice to see such a great website.

I would go to either a trad shop or a archery club and shoot a few recurves in different draw weights to see what weight you can shoot accurately.Traditional archers practice and practice often. I would definitely start out with a lighter weighter recurve and focus on shooting form.

remember that you dont need a heavy bow to take a deer, just shoot whats comfortable

Hey welcome to the gang    .  I agree with both shape shifter and ian.  Go visit some shops, find what you like, and most of all pick the brains of the folks on hear.  All of them are great people of immense skill and freely share advice.  You will find no better source of information.

Sorry, we goofed. It's not supposed to be complicated.

Try out as many as you can get your hands on, go for something inexpensive that is at least 40# at 28", get shafts to match and go shoot a lot. Low forties will not hurt you, and will take deer. We hope that it will be more fun than your compound, so you will shoot it more. If you have problems with hitting, go to the Shooters' forum and ask away. Next summer, check out the Trad Events forum to see what might be happening in your area. A trad rendezvous is a great place to try out yet more bows, and buy something else. You get to meet a lot of very nice people there, too.

Killdeer  

Wait'll ol' whittler finds out about MOJAM!!  

don't forget ETAR, ATAR, Comptons and Cloverdale, just to name a few!!!

Killdeer gave you some good advice, start with an inexpensive bow in the 40# range so you can make sure you will become addicted as well as start
with good habits.

welcome to the  

Thanks, I lost a bid on **** for a vintage Pearson Cougar LH 45@28 but am watching some similar auctions with my fingers crossed, bad timing on my part - I shoulda got the bug in Spring when demand is lower.  I am with the advice I received from tradgang, just instinctively feel that a used recurve or longbow weighted low to mid 40 weight bow would be the right start, if I am fortunate to bid well my next question will be arrow and string related.

Welcome to Trad.
Have you thought about what style you will be learning to shoot your new trad bow with?
Instinctive? POA? Gap? Sights? They all have different means and you can try them all and see which one suites you best,but I think its important to note the differences so you can sort the flood of information you will recieve. Good Shooting.

Order a Quinn recurve about 40lbs.If you feel you want more weight later one get a new set of limbs for it.If all you want to shoot is deer the 40lbs will kill them just fine and will not be too heavy to learn with or enjoy shooting.No reason spending a lot of money on a first bow just to get pretty wood.jmo

Whittler, If you are in the Waynesville / Ft Wood area, I have several bows that you can try, if you want to come help me look for my lost arrows.      

Seriously though, I have bows ranging from about 35 - 60 lbs both recurve and longbow.

Nick

5'11" athletic build with a 29" draw

 I think you can go a little heavier than 40# might want to take ArticArcher up on his offer.

I'm in the kansas city area and have quite a few bows in that weight range too.  Kinda lacking in arrows for the lighter weight ones.... but you can get an idea anyhow.

Thanks, ArcticArcher and Rico, I am in Hartsburg just north of Jef.  Not real close but close enough for a road trip some weekend.  I'd like to take you up on the offer.  Not sure how to go about exchanging particulars on this site.

Welcome you came to th right place.  

ubm is having there meeting in feb. in jeff. make sure you hit it. and welcome.  

So I picked up a bow for $43.30 including shipping.  Only numbers on it are 34 28 64 which must mean 34LBS@28", 64" long.  No idea on manufacturer.  I don't mind that it is light, I have patience and inclination to get comfortable and have some fun with a project bow, this won't be for hunting - stricty havin fun.  Any suggestions on re-finishing the wood (worn off - but appears that it is straight and in good condition otherwise), choosing the correct bowstring and aluminum arrows and fieldpoint weights?

Whittler contact me, I live in Ashland. Maybe I can help get you started.
God bless,Mudd

welcome to the family  

Eirc it was Great to get to meet someone who I think is gonna love shooting traditional gear. Your natural ablities show and they'll just get better with practice.
I hope we can get together again soon. I sure need the practice. If I can find my string I'll see if I still know how to make a flemish twist string for your new bow.
God bless,Mudd