Hello all, I have been shooting a compound for several years.  I have recently become interested in traditional archery.  I have been reading these forums and it has only fueled my curiosity.  Before I purchase a bow I would like anyones help concerning type, weight, form, etc.  Please remember I am a BEGINNER.  I don't want to get started out wrong and end up giving up.  Your insight is greatly appreciated.

Jeremy,
You've come to the right place, many years of experience in these pages.
Check out the shooters forum and do some research on form, style etc.

Welcome, Jeremy...

You've got a PM.


Gene

Jeremy

Draw weight should be as heavy as you can comfortably shoot. I like bows in the 50-65# Range. My wife doesn't shoot anything heavier than 40#.

Type is dependant on your taste and how primitive you want to get. Some folks argue that recurve bows are more forgiving, or long bows are slower.....frankly at the speeds we are talking about it's a matter of preference and what you plan on doing with the bow. I hunt thick brush for big critters like moose and bear, my choice is a short dramatically curved recurve that provides high arrow speeds in a compact bow....and tons of stacking and hand shock that a longer bow wouldn't have. If I lived in more open territory I would have probably chosen a long bow or a longer recurve.

Get a good used bow to start and have fun.

40-45# recurve to start.  length of the bow will depend on your size and physicality.  shoot instinctive and let things evolve from there.  you do not have to spend a ton of $ to get started.  many good bows out there for under 500$

Jeremy,

Know one has asked about your size, and physical abilities.  We're assuming your a normal kind of guy!

Hi jeremy and welcome to the gang!!  There is tons of years of trad  experience in here,the best of the best!! listen close and ask lots of questions!! Good luck! Jim

Thanks everyone. You guys are great.

Gene thanks for the PM and I will check with those folks.

A couple of you mention stature.  5'8, 185lbs Is there another factor I don't know about?

I would suggest you look for a used recurve of at least minimum draw weight legal to hunt in your state. A normal man should have no problem drawing 50# or more. Check the classified section on this site.

If you don't go too low in draw wt. you may be able to use the arrows that you used with your c-pound with heavier heads, but don't count on it.

As for learning to shoot trad, look into info from G.Fred Asbell or Byron Furgeson.

If your a healthy active guy you can probably shoot a 50lb. in your correct draw length. It would probably be nice if you could shoot a 40lb for a few weeks to get loosened up, but youll most likely quickly be ready for a 50lb.

Id probably look for an affordable bow in the 45-50 range. I would go with a recurve only because in general they have significantly better performance  when you compare affordable entry level bows.

Personally I would not get anything over 40lbs.Sure you can probably pull back a heavier bow but a lighter one will be more fun,easier to shoot and speed up the learning cycle 10 fold.No one has just one bow so getting a heavier one later on if you decide you want one is no problem. :)Starting with a heavy bow however creats lots of problems that are hard to get rid of later on.Leave the "heavy as you can shoot" stuff for after you learn to shoot. jmho

Jeremy,
You might try to find some local archers and some one might have a light bow you can pull and shoot. Nothing like hands on.
Prarrie Dog

I agree 100% with James Wrenn.Starting too heavy will mean less accuracy later.Once you learn what a good shot with good form feels like you can apply that to a heavier bow.Start too heavy and you will be short drawing,snap shooting and droping your bow arm just to quickly get rid of the weight.

Lots of great bows to choose from.If you don't mind a metal riser the Quinn Stallion is my top pick.It's a great inexpensive bow and being a take down means you can start with light limbs and get heavier limbs later.

Ditto James, good advice.  Wish I'd had that starting out.  

Jedimaster I wish someone would have told ne that as well.  

Jedimaster I wish someone would have told me that as well.    I wasted the first year as far as learning to shoot was concerned because I went for the more is better thing.  :(  

I second the Quinn Stallion suggestion.If you are not hung up on exotic woods a Quinn recurve is a perfect bow to learn with.With it being a td heavier limbs can be bought at any time for a lot lower price than most.I wish I had started with one of those as well.