new to traditional.. please help!

[South MS Bowhunter]

X2 on Mike "Mad Dog Archery" May even call and talk with him to get some more advice on the proper bow.  He deal a lot in Women and kids bows and should be able to lead you straight!

[MikeW]

Yes on the Maddog, I bought my wife a mid size recurve 30# @ 25" and although she is pretty tuff and strong when we are wrestling around she can't hit anchor with it. Am going to have to have her go to a bow shop and see what her real draw length is or do it with a tape measure and have a new one built that she actually shoot properly.

Not in my wildest dreams did I think this was to heavy  for her.

My advice to you is to get to a trad shop and pull some bows to see what is comfortable for you. You can't compare compounds to trad bows.
Most the shops will have a very weak fiber glass bow to check your draw length then go find some bows in that range and see what you can pull comfortably.

Maddog is one of the best bangs for the buck out there, it will be my wife's next bow and maybe one for me.

[slowbowjoe]

My wife shoots, she's 5'6", 125#, kinda athletic... she just started this year, shoots 40# @ 28, and a 26" draw length... so she's pulling about 34#. She holds it pretty well, but is maxxed shooting my 45# bow ( we're identical in size).
Your draw length is not yet established shooting trad, try this: place a yardstick ( or any stick, tape measure, etc.) just above your sternum, about the center of your breast bone. Extend both arms straight out, and note where your fingertips reach. Consider that your draw length.
A "reflex/deflex" longbow will be very satisfying, and you'll probably want a "locator" grip - something ergonomically shaped.Hope this helps. from folks who are just a step ahead on the trad path.