I've been in the U.S. Army for the past 8 years, unable to persue my passion for the great outdoors.  I will be leaving the Army this November and am very excited to be moving back to New York.  I have recently purchased a Bear Kodiak Hunter that is 40#28 and am looking for a decent set-up ie. arrows and point wieghts.  I have never used tradional archery, grew up using compounds and the like.  I am looking forward to beginning this new adventure but am a little intimidated with all this arrow selection hoobla.  Any and all help would be appreciated.  

Oh and by the way I'll be moving back to the Oneonta area if their are any local trad. guys that could mentor a young like myself.

Do you know your actual draw length? Do you want to wood, aluminum, or carbon?

If it is under 28" and you want some carbon arrows I would recommend buying some vapor 2000's and 125 grain field points from Sipsey River. They are a sponsor here and can be located in the sponsors list.

Once you give some more info the group will give you plenty of options and dealers.

My draw length is 28, I will probably be using the three under as my release choice.  I'm looking to shoot aluminum for now; thats what I've shot in the past and once I get my form down I am looking to go to wooden.  I also would like to know your guys take on using gloves, tabs, and armguards and if so what you have found to be good products.  Like I said new and looking to start a wonderful hobby.

Oh I almost forgot I wanted to thank everyone on here for your help in keeping my spirits up through these past years during deployements and not being able to persue my passion.  The great forums, hunting stories, and pictures have been a great motivator and has kept me excited and pumped.  Thank you again for all your great help and inspiration.

No thank you Sir for helping protect our nation!!
God Bless You and all you future outings.
Matt

Thank you for your service!! And welcome to my relatively new found addiction.  TRAD ARCHERY  I, like you, grew up on compounds. Past couple of years have been playing around with a longbow and now starting to take it more serious.  Guys on here are great!!  Very knowlegable and willing to help out!!

I also have a Bear Kodiak Hunter 45# @ 28".  I in the process of getting it set up as well.  I just order a string from a sponser on this site.  Once I get it strung up I will be in the arrow selection myself.

I cant recommend any arrows sizes or point but I'm sure someone will chime in soon.

Good shootn!

SirRobin thx for the blessing, it was my honor and priviledge to serve.

From one old 'Tropic Lightning' troop to another, thanks for your service and enjoy shooting your recurve. Give some wood shafts a try; good ones shoot as well as aluminum, and smell a whole lot better!
I don't know much about three under, but I have always shot with a glove; others swear by tabs. That is probably more of a personal choice, so you might try both and see what suits you. The only time I use an armguard is when I have on heavy clothing that would interfere with the string, but I shoot a longbow, so my grip will be different from yours with a recurve.
Again, a sincere thank you for serving in this dangerous time in our history.

Thanks for your service.
Those old Bear Hunter recurves are great bows. You would have to search long and hard to find a bow that is tougher or smoother. Make some memories with that bow and hang on to it even if you decide to get more bows. That first recurve will always be special to you.
When you make the switch to wood arrows, 3 Rivers Archery has a wood arrow test kit with two arrows in each of several spines. The kit will help you dial in on just what wood spine will work best for you and your bow.
Have fun. Trad archery is great.
Joe

Thanks for your service.. Be warned traditional bowhunting becomes a way of life.... Yeah.

This link will help you get the correct spined arrows for your setup...

http://www.arrowsbykelly.com/Spine_Charts.html

John III

I'm guessing some 2016's will fly just fine from that bow. Start a with them cut to 30" back of point and the same weight field point at you plan to use for a broad head, 125 or 145grn would work. 125 for a screw in BH and 145 if you plan glue 125 heads on a screw in adapter.

Cut the arrow off 1/4" at a time until it flies straight to the target.

Welcome back, good hunting and thanks for your service.

Thank you everyone for the great info.  I'm looking forward to getting started.  Good luck this season.

Edward, First of all- Thank you for serving your/our country, Second-welcome to the world of Trad archery. I think you found a home.