Newbie here.  I off-handedly mentioned that I would like a longbow a few years back...following Christmas my wife surprised me with a Fred Bear Montana LB.  I was pleasantly surprised.  I have shot it maybe 100 times, outside and indoors with cheap aluminum arrows and target points.

I know N O T H I N G about archery.  Ok, that's a lie...I know about draw length and.....that's about it. LOL!  So I have a few questions.

1. IS the bow mentioned above a good bow to begin with?  Your opinion of it?
2. How do I go about choosing the correct arrow and head? (I do plan to hunt with it)
3. What is a good distance to practice for hunting?
4. What size "group" is considered 'fair', 'good' , 'great' and 'robin hood'??

Any advice will be appreciated really.  What would you tell a newbie like myself who is wanting to hunt with the bow?

Thanks and I look forward to reading your comments.

Welcome to the Tradgang family.

The Montana is an excellent bow, beginner or other wise. I have owned a few of them and think they shoot well.

I would start at a close distant and master my bow at that range before moving back. I think that a good distant to work toward achieving excellence is 20 yds.(that's my maximum range for a kill shot)

You didn't mention the draw weight on your bow so helping with arrow spine isn't possible.

God bless,Mudd

Apologies...it's 55#

I have owned a few Bears and like them all. I would suggest going to a range and talking with the other shooters. I have never spoke with any trad people who where not willing to help. This will also allow you to see different styles which will help you decide which is good for you. Welcome and have fun.

Bear Montana is a great bow in my opinion.Bought one for my son its 45lb. and has a dacron flemish string. Super quiet and no handshock a real value in my book. Like Mudd said have to know bow weight to talk about arrows. Work on a good group @20 yards into a pie plate. And enjoy yourself good luck!

Welcome to the camp fire.
We need to know draw length. What weight head you want to use. What type of arrow, wood aluminum or carbon arrows. Also what you plan on hunting. There are a lot of good sponsores here that can help with a phone call. All that I have dealt with will take the  time to answer all your questions. Enjoy the new path you are on. It can be life changing!
Magnus

Welcome!  

The "search" is a great option for learning on this forum.  

1)  A 55# bow is not ideal to start out with.  Generally you would want a light weight bow.  With less poundage you can concentrate on your form more so than drawing your bow.  Form is key for accuarcy.  I just bought "Instinctive shooting" by Asbell, it is a good read.  I wish I would have gotten this book in the beginning, it would made the learning curve alot easier on me.

2)     http://www.bowmaker.net/index2.htm  

Check this site out for tuning infomation.

Hunting weight arrows should be around 10grains/pound of bow.

3)  Practice distance.  Starts close 10yrs and work your way out. Practice, practice, practice.  Let your proficeintcy be the judge at what distance you feel comftable with.  I shoot out to 35yrds but I am limiting myself to 25yrs for hunting because that is where my confidence levels starts to drop.

4)For me: Fair=hitting the target without any grouping whatso ever,  Good= a 10"group, Great=4" group, Robin Hood= stacking'm on top of each other.

Just my $.02.

Tuning is easy if you know the proccess.  Just inform yourself and stay at it.  Good luck to you.  

Practice alot.  don't try to practice too much too soon you will get sore or injure yourself.  If you practice when you are sore or tired you will develope bad form or bad habits.  

Welcome and Good Shooting.

God Bless

Welcome to Trad Gang! The most impotant thing to remember is to be diligent with practice, but never let it not be fun.

welcome aboard,you will have fun here.be careful,longbows and recurves can be addicting.listen to these guys,they won't steer you wrong.

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