Hello All!

I am new to trad archery, new to archery, and new to hunting in general.  I have been an outdoorsman for most of my life, but have never made the jump into hunting. The lack of a mentor and a serious lack of funds have always been a deterrent.  I've decided to forgo the mentor and see what I can do with what little funds I have.

So my question to you all is: Where too start? I came to trad gang because I like the ethic and conservation ideals you all project. How do I break into hunting and traditional archery on a budget?

Thanks,
Paul

Welcome

Welcome and read this and then you can narrow your ?'s down.

http://tradgang.com/docs/trad.html

Welcome!
I just started out as well.
I began this traditional journey last June.
I still have not hunted yet, waiting to take my hunters Ed courses. I bought my first bow in November. I make a lot of my things and that helps with cost.
This site is a GREAT place to start. In fact you really don't need to go anywhere else.
There is so much knowledge and experience here on this site and everyone is so willing to help out. The best of it all is that everyone is treated here with respect. That really means a lot to me.
Good luck on your journey!
I have learned so much, and I am sure you will too.

A sincere welcome......Where to start....good question.  

Thinking back, I began without a mentor as well, I read many a book on Archery and expanded my reading to bowhunting. Much can be gained by reading and in this age there is many DVD on the subject as well.

If you happen to be left handed I will gladly send you a bow to get started with.

Archery truely is a sport to last a liftime.

Welcome     Take a look at the classifieds here once you have an idea of what you'd like.

Ask any questions you have here and they'll get answered.

Welcome and enjoy the journey!!!!

Thanks for the Kind words!

I know I need to start shooting before I start hunting.  

I've been patrolling the classifieds,it is still a very rich crowd here. As for bows, my heart wants a howard hill style longbow, but my budget probably allows for a Samick Sage recurve. Eventually!

More reading to do...

Onward and Upward!
Paul

What part of GA are you from?

You can email me if you like...

tarz@tradgang.com

Welcome aboard!  I too started out without any mentors, I found the book "The Traditional Bowhunters Handbook"  by TJ Conrads invaluable.  I've read it a number of times and I still go back to it often for information.  Good luck and enjoy your journey.

A good place to begin might be taking the Archery Hunting Course through your State wildlife Commission.

Welcome!

welcome aboard!!!  
you're in the right place now!!

Paul, you could do a LOT worse than starting with a Samick Sage.  Just don't start out trying to shoot a bow with a too heavy a draw weight.  Depending on your age and strength, you might want to consider something in the 35# range until you develop your form.  If you can draw and hold the bow at anchor for ten seconds, then you're good to go.  When you develop good form and improve your strength you can always get a heavier pair of limbs to hunt with.  A new pair is only about $75.00......and lots of Sage owners out there to trade with.

Also, find a local club or other traditional archers to shoot with.  That will help you shorten your learning curve substantially.....and be more fun too.  If you find some other folks to shoot with, some of them will likely be hunters too.

But most of all, be safe and have fun!

The bow doesn't make the man.   There are lots of inexpensive bows out there.  Check the classifieds.   Welcome!

I agree with Drewster on the Samick Sage.  

I recently acquired one through the Classifieds section here.  Just post there you are looking for a Sage.

Do some research here and other places and you'll find it is highly recommended by many trad archers.

Welcome.

As already recommended, don't spend a lot on a first bow, get something used in the classifieds and learn the basics.  Don't 'over bow' yourself early-on; start light, learn proper form and then work your way up in poundage.

See if you have a local archery range that has any kind of beginner's class (best $10 I ever spent a few years ago).

Then do a lot of reading and understand that this is a marathon, not a sprint; it will take time.  There are a lot of great threads on this forum and similar archery forums.  If you want a book on archery basics (form, selecting and tuning equipment, etc), I recommend "Shooting the Stickbow".