Yah Matt I am just a bginer my self. I went from a 60lb compound with some letoff to a 45lb recurve, and now I am at at 60lb longbow. I have strugled alittle with the extra weight, it wasnt that bad. My first sestions were just getting my strenght up, now I am realy working on acuracy, and it is coming slow but sure.

This is my opinion you dont want to over bow your self to much but at the same time you dont want a bowthat you paied good money for to be to week for you after a few weeks of shooting. It sounds like you are on the young side and may still be growing, if that is the case I woulod look for a cheaper light bow to get your start with and then once youget were you want to be get a nice bow that will be with you for a long time.

I am in the same boat when it comes to money, I hade to work a few side jobs just so I could get my bow, and now I cant afored arrows.

As longbow said a 50 is a great waight to start at, from what I have read and been told it will bring down most animals in the woods. I know a lady who killed a 400lb black bear with a 45 lb at about 26in draw.

Good luckin finding a bow,and just so ya know these guys on here are real good guys and have tuns of great info to share.