Howdy TradGang!

My name is Blair Yak and I hail from Ottawa, Canada.  I've been instinctive shooting recurves for 23 years with a gap of 10 years in the middle and I've been getting back into trad archery with a hunger.  I've taken a couple of target shooting courses but my goal in the next year or two is to start hunting ( deer, most likely ).  A lot to learn, but I think I've come to the right place  :D

I've recently upgraded most of my equipment and am at the point where I'm researching a new bow.  I currently shoot a 35# 62" one-piece recurve from the early 90s that I bought at a garage sale for $10.  It shoots well enough, but I'd like to take advantage of some of the modern advancements in bows since then ( also, legal draw weight for hunting in Ontario is 40# minimum ).  

I'm looking for a new 45# take-down recurve with offers the ability to mount a quiver.  My budget is about $600 - $1300 US.  I had been doing lots of reading on the Hoyt Buffalo and the Hoyt Tiberon, but recently found the site for Silvertip and BlackWidow.  I've also read about several folk who use risers with custom limbs.  So many options!      

Your thoughts?  While I'm sure I'll buy more bows some years from now, I'm looking for a amazing, reliable bow to be my prime for the next 4-5 years ( with an upgrade of limbs when I need the extra #'s ).

Many thanks for any help, advice, thoughts, and opinions you can share.

- Yak

( apologies if this is in the wrong channel of the forum, this is my first post )

Well Welcome, I shoot a Tall Tines and Brian's base bow is $750 ish.  I think it's a top notch bow and you can spend more but I don't think you can find a much better bow.  That's my 2 cents.

Bear Kodiak take-downs are still hard to beat. No tools required.  New ones come in at under $800, and there are lots of limbs around, new and old.  Good luck in your search.

Many excellent choices for you in a Take down bow. One thing you might want to consider is a ILF base bow. You buy a riser [many to choose] then a set of limbs that fit you needs. Maybe a set of 42# limbs to get used to it and still be able hunt, then a heavier set later on. The combos are endless and you can make bow fit your exact needs. Just something to think about and it might even save you a few dollars.......best of luck!! Also don't be afraid to buy a used bow, many good deals out there on some real nice custom bows.

A nice budget to be sure but, as Ron said, plenty of choices in the ILF department and will give you plenty left for accessories. I.E. arrows and quivers. Good luck and welcome to the Gang!  

First off, welcome!  Second, let me make a suggestion...

Before dropping the cash on a new bow, especially one you have never even held in your hands before...  Try a used bow...  They can be had for 1/2 to 2/3 the price of new and depending on what you get look like they just came from the shop.  Shoot it, find what YOU like and dislike about it...  As only you can know that!  If the first one you buy isn't what you're looking for, sell it and buy another...  Sooner or later you'll find what you like and run with it...  

There are a lot of great bows out there, and the ones you listed are great bows if they work for you...  Hard to accept the cost of a new one if it just doesn't fit you well...  Buy, sell, and trade your way through a bunch of bows and find out what you like, and enjoy the journey.

Thanks for all the recommendations, Gang!  Lots for me to consider and look into.

Quick newbie question - ILF - is that an archery standard? ( like "these are ILF standard limbs made by ____" ) or is it one company?  ( I assume the former since I'm seeing ******** limbs and Win&Win limbs under "ILF" ).  What does ILF stand for?

Thanks again!

I really like my Bear Take Down but many good choices to pick from.

There are a lot of great bowyes as Sponsors on here. Give us a look too.

ILF = International Limb Fitting. Its a interchangeable type of limb that goes into the riser. Three piece design.

Welcome from Kentucky and good luck on your bow search.

I'll also recommend the Bear Take Down.  The two tone model that I bought this spring-picture of handle below-is a great bow and complete is about $820. Don't be afraid to go used if you can find one (of course a vintage Fred Bear signed one will be well over your price range). Depending on your draw length you can go A handle 56-60 inch bow or B handle 60-64 inch bow.  The no tools required of this design is a great benefit.  A second set of new limbs is $340, so you could even get two sets of limbs and fall under your max budget or just wait.  Of course there's lots of great custom take-down bows out there.  I tried and didn't like the ILF route, but lots of guys swear by them.  Bowhunterforlife's comment about used market is certainly a good option to save some money if you see one in your specs that is on your final wish list.  I've done a good number of transactions here on Tradgang and have had great deals with all.  One of my favorite bows in my stable right now is my 2014 Bear A Handle takedown with #2 aftermarket limbs made by RER Bows ( I got on the limbs on the big auction site). It makes a 58" bow and it's very smooth and dead in the hand. With a Great Northern Side mount quiver it's a fantastic bow and takes down in a few seconds with no tools.

side view with RER Bubinga wood limb wedges   [/url] [/IMG]

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TJ is right on the ILF......many limbs to choose from. I have risers from Zipper, Morrison, and Samick and there many more. Some metal, some wood. You can also get longbow limbs and recurve limbs that will fit your hunting needs.

Thanks guys!

I hadn't really considered used ( even though that's mainly what I've used until now ) but I'll definitely consider it given the strong recommendations.  It makes sense so that I can "try-before-buy" - my local stores are more Olympic archery focused and the one hunting shoppe near me that recurves had a small stock.  "You get to fire two arrows with the bow" to help make the choice.  The used route makes more sense to cover some ground on what's out there and feels good for me.

Regarding ILF - am I mainly looking for what the riser feels like in my hand? Or is length, weight, mount-holes (I'm sure there's a better term for these?), and material all just as important?  I'll dig around for threads on the forums for more about ILF risers/limbs and how one would go about selecting one.

Thanks again, Gang!

I'm a takedown recurve guy, my take;

you don't have enough background and experience to make your choice. You really need to get out and shoot a bunch of bows as there is a big difference plus there is the "what am I happy with"

Some guys would never think of shooting a metal handled ILF riser bow even though the mass and solid feel improve just about anyones shooting. I think its worth shooting the ILF with really good limbs just to compare performance/feel with the other styles- so you have a reference point.

Then there are some all wood bows that come close to the performance of the ILF's- but have a better "Look" or identity

No right or wrong answer...lots of good choices in all of the different styles. I would agree with buying used and if you don't like it you can usually sell it for what you paid for it

Cannot beat a Schafer Silver Tip. you can even get the fast flight model and checkered grip for under your maximum budgeted figure. The highest quality bow made in my opinion.

Of course there are countless good options for a good take-down recurve.

Here's my view on the ideal of being able to try before you buy: I hope you can do just that, but for me, living in remote Outback Australia, it was impossible. So I researched on TradGang. I was looking for good reputations, good customer feedback, and bows that were aesthetically pleasing to me. I've had a great adventure buying and selling bows, hunting with them. And I have settled-down these days to having far fewer bows in the stable. Never met a good bow that I didn't like. I guess I'm a bit insensitive to some of the nuances of given similar bows. Actually, not quite true: I did have a beautiful bow that was amazing to shoot and hunt with; then I bought some lighter limbs from the same guy, and I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with that new combination, but I was just fine with my Black Widow take-down recurve of the same weight. So that is the only problem I've encountered - perhaps a tiller problem, I'm not clever enough to know for sure.

Stalker stick bows

Stalker stickbows

Hi Blair and Welcome! You may want to take advantage of bowyers that offer a try it before you but it program, maybe some of the other TGers can chime in. The only one I know about is Black Widow.

Give Kirk at Big Foot Bows a call, great bow and he will work with you and tell you exactly what info and pics he needs to fit you perfectly with a bow with a great grip that's gonna fit you, not to mention the static tip recurve is unbelievable, smoking fast and quiet. also like the others said, BW and Stalker offer try it before you buy it, you basically make a payment for the cost of the bow, they don't charge you, and you try it for a week, you like it they build one to your specs and you ship the loaner back. I would still give Kirk a call first