Advice on Deer Hunting Recurve badly needed!

[Mount Sweetness]

I wouldn't want to spend more than $600 max

[ron w]

Go try all you can. If you get a good idea of what you want hit the classifieds, for alot less than $600 you can get a real nice bow. But my offer is still there if you want to borrow a bow to try.

[Ben Maher]

predator w/ 62" limbs ...smooth, accurate and sweet to shoot..... @ 45 or 50 # you can't go wrong and replacement/spare/light /heavy limbs are always available without sending the riser back

ben

[Mount Sweetness]

Went to BassPro today, spent well over one hour shooting.

Shot 200 arrows from each of the following bows:
- Bear Super Kodiak 60in 50#
- Martin Hunter 62in 55#

I can handle 55lbs without a problem, I am more comfortable with the 50lber.

The Martin is supposed to be 2in longer than the Bear, layed side by side they are literally the exact same length....the Martin might have a 1/2in over the Bear.

Martin was smooth right through to 31in, Bear gave me no issues either at full draw but signs of stacking past.

Preferred the grip on the Bear, I was more accurate with the Bear, was able to aim and shoot naturally/instinctively with the Bear, and the Bear was much quieter..........

Martin was slightly faster but much much louder and it didn't feel as natural to point and shoot at the tilt that felt comfortable...

Just thought I'd pass that on, Bear Super Kodiak felt right in my hands, I'm no expert but I was happy with the way it shot.

[Dave Bulla]

One tip,

Don't count a store bow out just because it was loud or twangy unless they let you try to adjust the brace height.  It can make a BIG difference.  Also, I expect that both bows had endless loop strings on them.  SOMETIMES a flemish string will shoot quieter.  Sometimes a lot quieter but I think a lot of it is due to being more adjustable rather than actual design.  That adjustment range allows you more freedom to find the "sweet spot".  Also, make sure the store can provide you with properly matched arrows.  If you were shooting the same arrows through both bows, the 5# difference might have been enough to make the arrows shoot good in one and not quite as good in the other.  Tuning is everything and face it, most store bows are neither tuned by string length nor are the arrows they loan you always matched to the bow.

Did you try the Savannah or Montana longbows?  One pet peeve of mine if you compare the build quality of the Martin to the Bear, look at the tip overlays.  The Bears look like they were just slapped on and nobody finished shaping them.  Big ol' clunky tips!  However, they still shoot well and they are easy to shape yourself it it bothers you.  Plus, the Bear (At least the Montana, not sure about the 'curves.) are quite a bit less expensive than the Martins.  I still like the Savanah but it's about $400+ compared to $200 something for the Montana.

As for the length difference or non-difference I guess, the length of a recurve is measured along the curve of the limb starting at a nock groove all the way to the riser fade then in a straight line to the fade on the other limb and follow that limb to it's nock groove.

The design of the riser and amount of curve in the limbs can make two different length bows seem real similar.  Or, two same length bows of different design seem different.  The amount of tip sticking past the string groove can throw off your eye too but is totally irrelevant to the measured length.  The big tips on the Bear might have made it seem longer to you.

[J-dog]

Put out an APB to any tradganger close by your area maybe and get your hands on some different bows - maybe a bow shop close by has some trad.
I started out with wheels and had a 29 inch draw. Shooting the curve dropped me down a an inich and for some it will drop even more.
Just hard to give advice when thsi is a really hands on deal.

Can't go wrong witha marttin hunter though - the one I shot shot really well.

Good Luck!

J

[Mount Sweetness]

Dave Bulla, thanks again for the great info, I am learning this as I go...

One thing is for sure though, I love the power behind these trad bows, I love being more involved physically in the arrow and the skill involved to shoot instinctively.  Will make for a thrilling hunting season even if no meat in the freezer.

I want to get a bow within the next week or two, practice for a couple months and try hunting with it this fall.  Yesterday was pretty much my first time ever shooting recurve, I was hitting the pie plate from 23 yards, 70% of the time, with practice I feel that I am capable.

I have be bombarded with so many recurve options that it is blowing my mind, I need to buy one that feels right to me and shoot.

Thanks again
Greg

[FrozenFew]

Where are you located bud?  If you went to basspro I assume you are within 2 hours of me. I can point you at a couple of proshops that have a little better selection for trad than basspro.  And like most have already mentioned I shoot a 55lb recurve and the other day tried to pull back a 70# wheelie bow and just about blew a nut!  IMO I would start with 55lbs for a guy of your size. Also as you just said, be prepared for no meat in the freezer for a while, it can be a really tough adjustment, at least it was for me, and I would have considered myself a seasoned hunter before shooting trad...

[Mount Sweetness]

I'm in Essex Ontario, down near Windsor.  BassPro in Auburn Hills Michigan is 50 minutes from me.

Looks like you are in Guelph, who has Trad bows around here?

[Tilbilly]

"I am starting to think that I will be drawing a recurve at 30in."

After having met Greg recently, I wouldn't be surprised if he's pulling closer to 30". Good thing he's real friendly.  

Congrats on the new bow purchase and getting into hunting with the recurve, Greg! It's addictive. No doubt you'll be ready this season. Keep it close with some tuned-up arrows.