young shooters 12-8

[shooter135]

My sons, ages 12 and 8 want to shoot bows more, thinking of buying them recurves from three rivers archery, you think I should get them recurves, or a small compound. Want them to enjoy bowhunting, the 8 year oild already has small long bow loves shoting it.

[vermonster13]

Recurves are a lot more fun in my book.

[shooter135]

I'm thinking recurves also, 12 year old into video games trying to get him outside. 8 year old loves his longbow, so i think a recurve will be just fine. plus they are more fun to shoot.

[twosheds]

I was taught to shoot both recurve,and compound instinctive when I was about twelve. So when I decided to shoot nothing but traditional later on, It wasn't as hard for me to pick up.

[Mark Baker]

They should shoot whatever Dad shoots.   You are their hero, at that age, and they want to be like you...let them.  Besides,  if they grow up shooting  trad, there is no "transition"  to worry about.  They will already have the muscle structure and the "instincts" will come naturally.

[CEW]

Both my boys now 12 and 16 started out with compounds, we all switched to longbows/recurves 4 yrs ago. They think recurves/longbows are way more fun.

[Rooselk]

Our kids have a longbow and a Mathews Genesis, which is used in the National Archery in the Schools Program. To be honest, my kids seem to prefer the Genesis to the longbow. However, the Genesis is not a true compound since there is no letoff.

[LEOPARD]

Recurve!  

[BobW]

no gadgets - no gadgets - no gadgets
Show then bells and whistles, they will want it.  Keep it simple, and show them the fun you and they will have with a simple stick and string, and they are in it for life.

Like Mark Baker said, they start there, they are all set.

Good luck.

BobW

[longbowben]

LONGBOW  

[Stone Knife]

Both my kids started out at a young age shooting a small recurve that I bought at a garage sale. I paid $5.00 for it and I'm thinking that it was the best $5.00 I have ever spent. At the time i bought it I didn't even shoot trad myself, it's funny how things fall into place like that, because now all I shoot is trad. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get them started, and stay away from the compounds let them enjoy archery the way it is supposed to be enjoyed, simple and fun.

[Leo L.]

Originally posted by Stone Knife:
Let them enjoy archery the way it is supposed to be enjoyed, simple and fun.

[Huntrdfk]

I'm with Mark on this one......when I started my kids I started them with longbows, my son is 11 and has switched to a recurve, he wants nothing to do with compounds right now.......I have given him the option to shoot a compound, but it's a no go as far as he is concerned.


David

[Bowspirit]

I'm probably going to be the odd one in this post, but I don't think the choice should be up to anyone but the child. What do they want to shoot?
When I was there age, I wanted to shoot traditional bows. I knew that's all I was ever going to enjoy shooting. When my dad gave me a bow for my birthday, it was a compound. I believe his explaination was that compounds were the way to go, and that no "sane" person would settle for traditional tackle in this day and age. I don't even want to know how many kids are turned away from trad just because there family/friends shoot compounds and believe that same idea.
Don't get me wrong, I still shot it since it was a great gift/gesture on my father's part. But it just wasn't me. Explain both to your kids. Tell them that they'll be more accurate with the compound, and that they'll be more satisfied with the recurve. Go over the pros and cons of both and let them choose which one they really want.
If they're shooting the bow that makes them happy, then I'm sure archery/bowhunting will become a much bigger part of they're lives...

[Gene Roberts]

I think that Bowsririt is correct.

[gregg dudley]

I agree with Bowspirit...and Mark Baker.  Sounds conflicting, but if you give the kids the choice, they will probably choose to shoot what you do.  You really are their hero now.  The most important thing is that they have fun and enjoy their time with you.

[BUFF]

a buddy of mine made my grandson a Longbow. He would not shoot it until I drew a Spiderman (BW) logo on it so it would be just like grandpa's  

[longbowben]

I do not agree ,If you go to a trad shoot you need a trad bow,I always take my son who is 6 this week.He loves his longbow,I wouldnt go without him.Sometimes you have to guide them in the right direction.Kids love to stump shoot.Carry on the tradition.

[longbowben]

Thats a great pick Buff.

[Bowspirit]

A fine pic indeed, Buff...