Do you guys ever hunt with your compounds anymore??

WesternMdHardwoods · 09-03-2007, 11:04 PM

The post name says it all? I for some reason have been thinking of getting a recurve for the past two years after shootin a compound for ten years. I am planning on buying a NEW compound next year and definantely looking into buyinga USED recurve.

I am just wondering if i do get a recurve, how often do you think I would generally hunt with it? Is it gonna be an addiction or is it self preference?? Should i spend more money on an new recurve or am I safe to do what I am thinkin?? Thanks Guys!

txjourneyman · 09-04-2007, 05:10 AM

I bought a used recurve last year. I really enjoy shooting it and this will be the first season I deer hunt with it. I have taken it out hog hunting a couple of times and with 2 shots I have 2 misses. I have dedicated myself to larger amounts of practice time with it. I don't pick up the compound as much now although I try to shoot one of them every day. I will continue to hunt with my compound but the recurve will be with me on opening day. I may hunt with it until I make a kill. I haven't made up my mind yet.

Arthur P · 09-04-2007, 07:42 AM

Since I started out bowhunting before we had compounds, wheelbows have never really been a 'must have' item in my hunting arsenal. In fact, I opposed their legalization and refused to buy one for many years, until I got into tournament shooting. I use them nearly exclusively for target shooting, but have taken them to a trip in the woods a couple of times a year for the past 25 years.

I truly prefer recurves, longbows and selfbows for their simplicity and reliability. I've had compounds fail far too often on the tournament trail to really trust my hunting time to one.

Due to injuries and worn out shoulders, I have been hunting a compound more often over the past few years than ever before. But I do not use sights or releases for hunting. They are crutches I simply don't need and, frankly, I consider them both to be hindrances in the woods. They just don't fit my way of hunting.

So, even when I'm using a compound, it's practically the same as hunting traiditiional equipment. Only difference is the let-off... and the fact the compound weighs as much as 5 longbows.[&:]

I call my ProTec my 'orthopedic recurve.'[8D]

LBR · 09-04-2007, 08:53 AM

Seems that most folks stick with one or the other, but there's no "rule" thatsays you can't use both. For me, I got aggravated with the compound (always something getting loose, needed adjusting, etc.) and after I learned to shoot a tradtional bow half-way decent I haven't had any desire to shoot a compound again.

As for your first trad bow, I wouldn't go all-out (unless you just have plenty of extra cash). The reason is you won't know exactly what you like, what fits you, etc. until you have shot for a while. Starting out, you'll be changing things up quite a bit as you develop your form and learn to shoot. You will also build up muscles and what seems stiff starting out will feel light later on (pending you stick with it and practice regularly).

I waited 4 or 5 years to buy my first "custom" bow, and even then there were things I wished I'd done differently. 'Course some folks never seem to find "the" bow, but a lot of the fun is trying out different ones. I've been happy with one bow for quite a while now, but I still like to shoot others just to see what the fuss is about.

Chad

rybohunter · 09-04-2007, 10:00 AM

I'm newer to the trad thing and still in the process of transitioning. I plan(hope) to try and take at least one doe with trad gear, but the compound will come out at some point if I am having any issues "freezer filling" and it will certainly be there during the rut. I'd love to get to a point where I'd feel just as confident with trad gear as I do my compound, but until then I'll keep shooting both.

BobCo19-65 · 09-04-2007, 03:58 PM

To tell the truth, I think you are overthinking things. Just get the used recurve (I think that is a good idea) and see how you like it. Just go with the flow of things.

Personally, I only shoot traditional.

09-05-2007, 08:46 AM

I do both, depending on where I hunt. I prefer to stalk hunt before work with my longbow, and stand hunt on field edges with compound. I just love archery. fast, slow, big or tall.

AK in PA · 09-05-2007, 02:40 PM

I bought my first longbow about 9 years ago. I hunted with the longbow and my compound the same year I bought my longbow. But when I killed a deer with the compound towards the end of that season, it felt anticlimatic compared to even hunting with my longbow. I sold my compound shortly after and have hunted with longbows and selfbows since.

okietreedude · 09-05-2007, 07:36 PM

I just bought a recurve last yr and havnt shot my compound since. I only gave it up as to put the practice into the recurve. Ive taken into the stand about 10 times and have not had shooting opportunities. Im pumped for this yr to start. im hoping to get some shots.

will i ever hunt compound again??? probably, but not this yr.

I want that recurve kill..Ive got two compound shots, two compound kills (1 doe, 1 10pt).

SaskBushMan · 09-05-2007, 09:39 PM

Yep