i'll admit it.  i haven't practiced enough with my recurve, well, at least not as much as i put in with my compound.  i just don't feel comfortable enough with my groups past 15 yards.  i mean four out of six arrows might be tight enough but the other two could be in the ear or knee....i believe the game i chase deserves more respect than that.  if the season opened tomorrow i'd have to leave it at home. i mean, i could take it anyways but just limit myself to 15 yarders, or just keep practing at it and hope i'm ready later.  thoughts?

Hey bud, where you located, might be able to get together and help you some. I am located in S/Central KY, Monticello, by Lake Cumberland. HOller back. Sam Koger

bowling green.

Good for you and the choice to keep your ethics. Honestly, most of my shots are rarely over 15 yds and on average, 17yds is what I take deer at. I have taken a couple deer over 20yds, but it was one of those days when I knew I could make it.

Start out chasing small game until you get comfortable. Being such a small target, either you hit it and have a clean kill or completely miss. Bowfishing is another good one for building confidence.

Traditional gear is certainly a close encounter game. When I made the switch from a compound, it was hard to keep myself from trying those 25-30 yd shots that I would normally be able to take.  
Learning  to be patient and wait for those close shots will make for a heart racing experience unlike anything else!!! It will also make you a better hunter IMO, because your stealth has to be top notch.

Keep practicing, hopefully we get to see some critters on the Highlights section this fall!! You still have a few months to practice too and could be proficient if you stick with your recurve and put the wheels away for a season. Give it a try, you might be forever hooked.  

I would first mark the arrows that are fling off from your group.. It just might be the arrows.

Other then that why not just wait till they are within 10 yards?

well, it's all my fault.  i love tinkering and builing arrows.  built a set of carbons and now i'm convinced they are not right for this bow.  the ally's fly much better, flatter, but are significantly louder.  i'm just stubborn and really want the carbons to fly good. i'm heading to gander mountain in a few to get some of those sims limb dampening things.  i'm going to stick with the aluminums and hope that quiets it down.

Since I switched to tradtional tackle only bowhunting, I've killed 10 big game critters.  The longest two were 20 and 23 yards.  The other eight were 15 yards and under.  I say you are ready, if you limit your shots.

You may just not be able to make that many good shots.( can be a lot of reasons) What happens if you shoot just one arrow ?

if i miss my first arrow, it's usually dead low. my misses are usually perfect up and down or left or right, (or vice versa.)  rarely do i miss in both directions at the same time (horizontally and vertically)  lately, my windage was been suprisingly dead on, though my thirty yard shots may be a foot low.  i can usually walk them in but i do understand i'm not going to be able to do that with game and don't want to stick on in the guts.

when i picked it up last spring, i was pretty suprised at how quickly i got good groups. granted, i was closing my left eye.  i decided this was not the route i wanted to take and made myself start over by keeping both eyes open...talk about a set back!

How are you on the one "first" shot? That is what counts and not how tight your groups are. If you can put that one arrow where it needs to be consistently, I'd say you are ready...but the decision is yours to make.

well i just came in from a shooting session.  shot maybe 50 arrows.  i think the carbons are out the door... i'm burning the target up with the alluminums.

anywhoo, just finished up shooting 25 yards off the deck, very much like shooting out of a stand.  i think i might be ready, if i keep at it.  

my "first" shot is usually low, maybe 6 inches.