Hello to all!

I wasn't sure where to post this so forgive me if this is the wrong area.

 I'm a newbie here and to Traditional bows and I hope ya'll can shed a little light on what traditional bows and bow hunting can offer!

I've been shooting compounds for about 30 years and I'm getting a little tired of all the technical junk and want to try a more simplistic way of bowhunting. Everyone I know shoots a compound and MOST have only speed on their minds. My current compound bow is pretty fast but I'm more into accuracy instead of speed.
I was hunting years ago with a compound with sights and it was getting late in the afternoon and because of the low light I could not shoot at a deer no more than 10 yards from me because I could not see it thru the peepsight/pin sight. Had I a traditional bow, the meat would have been on the table!

I've shot about every brand out there and even shot a recurve for a while but was just goofing around. I got to shoot a Howard Hill longbow and that was pretty cool but the grip & hand shock took me a bit to get use to.

Now I have a question to ask everyone. What do you think is the best approach to getting into traditional bowhunting. I don't know a single person who shoots a recurve or longbow so I can't mess with one to see what I like and I don't know of any shops around that has any. I REALLY like the look & feel of a longbow but I don't want to commit to one or the other without trying one out to see what I like the best.
I hear that the best way to get into traditional bowhunting is to start with a recurve since I'm already shooting a compound bow.
 I would like to maybe get a good used one and try before maybe getting a custom built one.

Any suggestions, comments would be GREATLY appreciated!!!!!

THANX
LURP DOG

Welcome Dave.
I had the same problem with everyone shooting compounds and no Trad hunters. This site has been invaluable. If you can, get a lesson from someone even if you have to pay for it. It will save many headaches. Also don't be afraid to ask questions.

Welcome to the real world!
I would suggest finding a trad. bowshop and see what they have to offer.  Next to that I suggest going to one of the larger Traditional Shoots and check out the vendors.  The more vendors the better.  Most have bows that you can try out.  They'll be glad to help with any problems or questions.
I have a friend in Va. that shoots Trad.  I'll see if I can find out whwere he shoots and shops.  PM me and I'll get you in touch with him.
Wish I could be of more help.  If you lived closer, I've got several that you could try.
Later, Johnny/JAG

Welcome aboard. My suggestion to you is to find any trad shoot in driving distance from your home and go. Go to as many as you can. When you get there just smile and say hello. Talk to as many people as you can. You will find that the people are very open to helping out someone new to Trad. Here you will be able to try many different bows and make contact with other archers in your area. You will be suprised how many are around you.

So, you really like the look and feel of a longbow? hehehe me too! If you are willing to really have to relearn shooting all over again than I would say go with your heart and get a longbow. But the reality is that you will adjust better to a recurve with a similar grip to your compound. Either way it takes a lot more practice and more often to get your accuracy close to what it was with the compound.

Once again let me say welcome aboard and good luck. Keep us posted with your progress.

Happy to have you with us, Dave; welcome to the fun spot!  I know what you're saying, as I shot wheels for years, and finally got tired of lugging all that junk around!  I got back into it with a consignment recurve from my local pro shop.  

I shoot a Firehawk made by Rodney Wright up in Quebec.  It's technically a longbow, but with other design elements incorporated in the bow, it looks like something right out of Lord of the Rings, and shoots like a dream-you could do worse than one of those!  Mine's about 57lbs at 29.5 inches, really quick, hard hitting, light as a feather, and a beautiful thing to look at.

David,
I am over the Blue Ridge from you about 14 miles north of Waynesboro.I have a few curves and hybrid bows if you want to come over and check them out.
Fit of the riser is real important, as is not overbowing in #'s when you start. Even heavy compounds are not similar to sticks. Different game entirely.
PM me if you want to come over and I will give you directions. I'm not a great shot but am enthusiastic as anyone.

Tom

David,   Tom is a Diamond in the Ruff.!! There are many Trad shooters in VA and I think all of em would be willing to help you out.  If you can make it to the S.T.A.R. Shoot in June there will be plenty of opportunties to try different equipment and make new freinds!!!

hey David!   Tom is a super nice guy that can (reguardless of what he says) shoot a stick pretty darn well.
 

S.T.A.R. shoot  

Here is a link to the STAR shoot thread. Oh, and Tom is aces with me, I have seen nothing but good from that guy.

Baltimore Bowmen have a shoot coming up on the weekend of the 17th of this month, and ATAR is in July.

Killdeer  

Lurp Dog,

Welcome to the site. It looks like you are on your way to getting the answers and help that you want.

Way to step up to the line and put one in the bulls eye Tom.

I am sorta new too, been shooting 1 1/2 years. I shot a compound for along time and now want more of a challenge. I like shooting tradish gear now that I have switched over. I am getting good. I thought it would be harder to shoot, but its not.Anyways for me its not. But it is diffrent but very fun. later

This website is one of the best bunch of folks you will ever find. Everyone here is very helpful and full of information that they will gladly pass on to you.

I just recently started into trad shooting and the help I recieved was invaluable. A couple of weeks ago I went to my first trad only shoot and met some really awesome people. Just walking around talking to folks I had the opportunity to shoot many different kinds of bows, I shot so many bows that my right arm was sore for a week. Trad shooters are a different type of people and most are more than willing to help in any way possible.

Hey David, Good to see you got on the forum.  The offer still stands to join the Cool Springs gang some Monday night.  We can get you pointed in the right direction.  Jeff

welcome to the family   .
wolfman jeff  

Being new to the sport I'm ALWAYS looking for advice but last week I not only got some advice but got to shoot with Tom over in Grottoes! Man that was SWEET!  

Not only was Tom gracious in inviting me over to his house to shoot but because I had the wrong size arrows let me shoot some of his arrows and then gave them to me! He also looked over my bow to see if it was in good enough shape to shoot (1969 BEAR POLAR) Now that is 1st class!!!!!!!
Tom had a GREAT line up of bows and I even got to shoot one of his long bows! It don't get much better! Now if only my shooting would! HA! HA!
I'm starting to see what folks say about Trad shooting and the GREAT people who LOVE the sport!
I learned a few good tips from Tom and hopefully I can use his tips to improve my shooting!
THANX AGAIN TOM and everyone on the board!!!!!!

DAVID