I agree that the bow should be examined to make sure that it's sound. However, unless this new bowshop has experience with recurves/longbows, on a personal level, they won't be much help to you. If there is a range near you where other traiditional archers/hunters hang out and shoot, you may want to take the bow to them and let them examine it for you. They at least wouldn't have an ulterior motive, that is unless they collect bear bows, then beware the low offer price lol.

What is your draw with the bow? What condition is the string in? First thing I'd do after determining if the bow is a shooter is I'd get a new string for it and I'd get my draw measured. The string is easy. LBR makes a powerful nice string and he moderates this board. Getting your draw measured isn't all that hard either. Take a yardstick, put your back up against a wall with your shoulders touching the wall, place the yardstick with the 1" mark against the center of your chest and reach forward with both arms towards the other end of the yardstick which should look like it's stuck in your chest. With your fingers extended and arms fully extended, put your hands together on the yardstick and look to see where your fingertips touch it. That will be very close to your draw. Make sure your shoulders are flat against the wall or you'll get a false reading.

Now that you have a close idea of what your draw is, you can determine the real weight of the bow at your draw length. If it reads 43#@28" and your draw is 30", you can add an additional 2 1/2# per inch of excess draw, making the bow 48#. However, if you only draw it 26", then you'd subtract 2 1/2# per inch of draw you are short of 28", which would make the bow approximately 38# at your draw length. Or, you could have the bowshop measure your draw length and then weigh the bow at your draw for exact figures.

Unless your draw length is over 28", I don't know if the bow will stack much or pinch your fingers all that bad. Stack means that the bow will add weight unevenly and the further you draw it, the worse it will stack and add more weight than the 2 1/2# average per inch of draw. Finger pinch will cause release problems, which will affect accuracy in an adverse way.

The weight of the bow is perfect for learning. Not too heavy, but like was said, you'll need properly spined arrows for proper arrow flight. The spine of the arrow determines how much bend the arrow has as it goes around the riser of the bow, as well as how well/quickly it stabilizes after leaving the bow.

Once you got a shooter and a few arrows that are spined for the bow, then you'll need to start the practice sessions to become consistently accurate with it. Best thing to do is practice, but get yourself a book or two on traditional archery and go from there. Lots of good books on the market. Once you can hit what you're looking at consistently and have your hunting techniques down, as well as your tracking skills, you're ready to hunt with it. BTW, turkey are one tough critter with a curve/longbow. You get yourself one with a stick and you've accomplished something in my book. Have fun, it's a great sport and an even better lifestyle.