It's a GOOD crazy! Really. It is.

Its fun being crazy.  

Seriously though, what spine wood shafts for a 53# Red Wing Hunter?  And what longbow to start with?  I'm thinking a R/D in about 56-60" length and high 40s-low 50s.  There're a lot I like the looks of but right now I'm thinking the little mid size Prairie Predator from Mike over at Maddog would be hard to beat for the price.  I'm already settled on 2 blade and right helical so don't bother with answering those.

Matt

Sounds liked your hooked on the stick and string.  Well done!

the Doc says take a little Moon shine and it will be all clear in the morning  . but it has to be peach  

Matt, it's like Déjà Vu to me! Haha your not alone.

Tim

Practically anyone can kill a deer with a compound, but put a trad. bow in their hands and the story changes! Its not for everyone but if its for you then you will know by the crazy things you do and the excitement you feel doing them! Welcome to the brotherhood we all recognize your symptoms.LOL  

Matt,

You might want to talk to some bowyers about your first longbow.  Many will tell you that your first one should be longer than shorter, i.e., longer bows are more forgiving and easier to shoot, less likely to torque.  I would think 60-62" (maybe even 64") would be better that 56-60".

I'd start with 55-60 out of your Red Wing, maybe even 60-65.  It's hard to say what will work for you.  Depends on BH weight, length, your release, etc.

Thanks Selfbow.  I currently shoot a 58" recurve and was wanting to stay around that length to fit my style of hunting.  The Maddog mid size I mentioned is available from up to 60" so I might could handle that little extra length.  I shoot 31" 6070 CX wolverines with about 165gr up front including insert off the RWH right now. Draw to about 26-27" and they fly like lasers. Just think woodies would be fun.  If I get a longbow I'll probably try to get some wood shafts for it and keep what I have for the recurve instead of having to buy and setup two full sets of arrows. I wish there were more trad shooters in N Louisiana so I could possibly have a chance to try a couple of styles and sizes of longbows.

You just need to find a good therapist that's also a trad hunter...I know a couple of them:)

I know what you're saying, but I have taken a slightly different tack. I'm so used to the short-range challenge of bowhunting the past 30 years that I've taken to hunting the first week of rifle season with a handgun - to satisfy my other passion. Go about it pretty much the same way I would with a bow. Tree stand or ground blind ambush, none of those silly deer drives and running shots.

yes, life is over as you knew it.... sorry.

Alas, my little spike horned friend didn't show up this evening.  And so the descent into madness continues.  I did see two does and a yearling feeding on acorns about 40 yds out but they didn't come within bow range.  Shame too, they were looking exceptionally delicious this evening.

You are amongst the sane people now. Knowing the real joy of trad hunting.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with you. A spike horn with a trad bow is always a trophy. a spike with a gun........not so much.