I am partial to recurves, but I do have a longbow. I can shoot my recurves much better than the longbow. However that being said, no one less than Byron Ferguson has said and gives good reason why longbows are more forgiving which we'll not get into here and now.

IMO, I would look into a low poundage(40-45 lbs)recurve like a Bear-Grizzly, Super Kodiak or Hunter, aWing-Red Wing Hunter or a Ben Pearson-Colt to name a fewas a starter bow. My reason for this is they are plentiful to find,relatively inexpensive, proven shootersand have stood the test of time. Stay away from shorter bows as they are more unstable to shoot for beginners as a general rule. I would recommend 58-62" AMO length.

As for reading material I recommend;
Instinctive
Shooting Vol 1
by G. Fred Asbell



Some of my bows



< Message edited by va bowbender -- 2/5/2009 4:32:07 PM >

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Traditional Archery, Bowhunting Without Training Wheels