Anybody have any insight into the bows being used by the top Trad shooters? I realize the difference between hunting and target/3D but it is insightful anyway.

its not so much the bows--- its more the nut on the string..........

I have my own favorites just like everyone else but there is still something to be said for what the top folks are shooting. Also, despite that old saying I have not seen any top folks with a bargain barn recurve as of yet!

Rick Welch shoots his own line of bows, he's about as good as it gets in my opinion.

I agree. I saw Rod Jenkins with his Adcock on the MOB dvd also.

QuoteOriginally posted by jmc334:
Anybody have any insight into the bows being used by the top Trad shooters? I realize the difference between hunting and target/3D but it is insightful anyway.

Pretty much whatever they feel like, particularly the target guys.

Again I'm sure I'll come off as a heretic (I'm not particularly, but I do take an objective view toward Trad) but go do a bit of internet research and look at the bows the countries who school America year in & out in international & Olympic competition shoot...

The Masters Of The Barebow DVD's are a very good reference for what the Names You Know in Trad hunt with and how they set them up...

Some of the best shots I`ve seen beat most folks with anything.That almost rhymes...RC

I shoot a Bear Montana

"Top trad shooters" is kind of vague. Do you mean "top bare bow shooters"?

There is too much commercial interest involved to think that the best shooters are all shooting the best bows.

More often then not they are shooting the bow they can sell the best.

its the shooter not the bow, everyone has what shoots best for them

Additionally the whole concept of "traditional" is a bit at odds with using the most accurate bow. So often peoples bow choices have little to do with what shoots bet beyond being comfortable for them.

I'm just a little dog but the A&H ACS bows are hard to beat.  Certainly worth anyones consideration!

It's kind of like putting an old yard sale set of golf clubs in the hands of Jack Nickalus or Tiger Woods...they will still beat most that use the finest built clubs. It's more the person and their abilities than it is the tool.

QuoteAnybody have any insight into the bows being used by the top Trad shooters?

Well I shoot an Osage selfbow  

RC has it right. A good shooter will beat you with a whittled broom stick.

Don't buy into hype and gimmick. For one thing what they are shooting doesn't have much to do with you and your body and how it needs to correlate to your bow. Get a bow set for you, not based on someone else.

For instance I'm 5'6. Rod Jenkins looks like a big guy. His bow probably won't shoot similar at all for me. Besides people get payed to shoot specific bows. It's no better than thinking Bill Dance wouldn't use any other line than "Stren". He'll use whoever is paying him.

Agreed that a top shooter could beat you with just about anything.

But it is a good question, chances are top shooters are not shooting poor performing bows.

The biggest shoot I attend is in McKalester OK( probably not spelled right),I consistently see Bob lee's, Widows, and DAS in the finals.

Why hasn't anyone mentioned matched arrows. I am sure Rod,Terry Green who is very good by the way,Curt and lots of others will tell ya the arrow is as important or more important than the bow. I myself can shoot most bows pretty good as long as the arrows are matched to it. Shawn

QuoteOriginally posted by jmc334:
Anybody have any insight into the bows being used by the top Trad shooters? I realize the difference between hunting and target/3D but it is insightful anyway.

MANY Olympic shooters use Hoyt recurves. I can't say why, but they do.

QuoteOriginally posted by buckeye_hunter:
MANY Olympic shooters use Hoyt recurves. I can't say why, but they do.

Funny thing about that... as a parallel, the wife of a good friend of mine was an Olympic caliber XC-Skier.  Her skis were "name brand", but every one was custom made for her.  That being said, you aren't going to be shooting what they are....... even if the label looks the same.