Moose, I can't help you with any shops in NY. Never been east of Lexington, KY, myself.
I'd really recommend a recurve for someone new to traditional. They're a little easier to shoot well, at least for most people. There are a few oddballs that shoot longbows better (and I use the term 'oddballs' in a good way[&:]) but they're the exception to the rule. A recurve generally has more mass in the riser and is more centershot than most longbows which gives you better stability, less recoil and a wider range of arrow spines that will shoot well from the bow....
Except there are some straight limbed bows with recurve style risers on the market and, come to think of it, there are recurves with longbow style risers.
Better quit there because I'm even confusing myself!
Seriously though, there is something for everybody out there.
Most folks these days shoot with fingers and don't use sights. Back before the compound came along though, sights were pretty popular on recurves. You see a lot of old recurves from the 60's that have screw holes in them where sights had been mounted. There were also a few people back then that used non-mechanical release aids, like bowlocks and ledges, though there aren't many oldtimers left that remember them. Elevated rests were also widely used. Bottom line, sights, rests and releases ARE traditional, if your definition includes all things that are 'pre-compound.'
If you want to shoot sights and release, then be my guest. The only problem you'll have is with tournament rules. Such accessories would put you shooting in one of the compound classes. Elevated rests are legal, within certain parameters.
The real draw to traditional is simplicity and foregoing all those things to get back to basics. Give it a try without sights and use a finger release. You'll find it's a challenge to shoot well, but not nearly as difficult as most people think it is.
I hope you enjoy shooting a stickbow. Good luck!
ready to try it
