New to recurve

[TexHunter]

I'm wanting to get into recurve shooting. What should I look for in a bow? There are a couple of guys locally that build some that are very nice. One of the guys and his group shot around mine during 3D this past season all using his recurves so I'm probably going to get him to build one. I would like some pointers first. Thanks in advance.

[xring]

Shoot a few different bows if you can and see what you like the best. There are a few companies that still make them one at a time by hand just like a customer builder. Martins and Black widows come up used fairly often and both are great bows to look at. The biggest thing is don;t start off with a poundage that is too heavy for you. Have fun and let us know what you decide.

[Big Country]

xring hit on one VERY important point!

I can draw an 80lb. hard cam compound on a cold day from a sitting position without blinking an eye.

I had a recurve built last winter. It is 50lb. @ 28" draw. It is all I need.

Any more would be uncomfortable to me.

Be very careful getting into trad. archery though...........it will flat out ruin you!

Just too much fun! :lol: Go out to a 3-d with a bunch of guys shooting stickbows, and you will carry on and giggle like a bunch of teenage girls! :D

[TexHunter]

Thanks, I won't go over 55#, maybe only 50. Have a buddy that brought a stick bow over and I could not draw all the way where it needed to be to shoot it. I want to take it slow and see what I can learn before I jump all the way in.

[Tejas Raz]

With todays bows, 50# is plenty and will be more enjoyable to shoot.

BC's right, we all have a blast out shooting. When hunting in a mixed tradtional/modern group, you'll notice the trad guys haul out the bows whenever in camp or when walking back in. The compound shooters just look at us like we're nuts. But one of them really commented a trueism after watching us one night. He missed a shot on a hog because it was at the stand when he walked up. He couldn't get everything unpacked, put on, and drawn before it was gone. His comment: "If I'd had one of your bows, I'd have had pork hanging right now!" And there ya have it.

Let me add something. I think you ought to go with the local maker you noted watching shoot. There's nothing like joining an established community and then there is the support of the maker who is more or less local. Definately something to think about!

[Kitsap]

Tex,
All of what has previously been said is good advice. I will attempt to improve on it with my own cheap advice . . . .

- Traditional archery is addictive . . . important point here is that most Traditional archery types eventually wind up with several bows. Reason why I bring this up now is because you need to get a bow that is good for TARGET practice - never mind what you'll need for hunting. You need to be able to draw the bow comfortably up to 200 times in one session - and be able to hold at full draw for several seconds each time. Remember that you'll be working muscle groups (back and shoulder muscles) that you haven't worked quite so hard before.

- Definitely try a few different bows out. If it comes down to a matter of economics, keep in mind that it is better to have an average quality bow and top quality arrows than the other way around.

- Your bowyer friend will be able to help you determine your draw length (it probably is NOT the same as it was with a compound bow).

- You will want to try using both tabs and gloves. Both do a good job but people develop strong preferences for one or the other.

- You will see Trad archers using a wide variety of styles . . . . some only wish they knew what they were doing lol some really do know. Point is that there are many different ways of shooting effectively and accurately. You will want to experiment some to find out what works for you.

- If you get a particularly nice looking bow, remember that we like to look at pictures!!!!!

[TexHunter]

I appreciate all the advise. I am going to get with the local bow builder and see what he recommends for me. I'm sure he has something to shoot as well. I'll keep y'all updated. Thanks.

[p8ntballnryan]

hey boss....raz and i both live in the same wonderful state as you! :lol:



...hope to see ya shooting some state tournies! especially the asa and ibo! :O maybe i'll try for that one too this year! :D


if you wanna get together and are ever in the area...holler at someone..we'll get out and shoot the breeze...


adn maybe enjoy trade a dollar of 20! :shock: :wink: :D

[TexHunter]

Yeh Ryan, I need to try to venture north this year. We'll see.

[max a2a]

I think it's great that you are thinking of going with a local guy.

If you decide to look elsewhere allow me to put in a plug for Chek-Mate. Chek-Mate makes a top quality bow with a nice selection of premium woods, and the prices are surprisingly reasonable.

[MarkH]

Since your first bow is nothing more than a training tool, I sugest that you go to Ebay and look for something in the 35-40 pound range with a length between 62-66 inches. You don't have to buy a great custom bow for this first one. Something like a Shakespeare Custer or Trident, a Pearson Colt or Javelina, and a Wing Falcon or Gull. When you have some consistancy in your form you can then get your money back out of it on Ebay and think about getting something in the 45-50 pound range. Have fun.