Compound AND traditional
 

Well folks, I wanted to share something that I was told today. This could go in either forum, so I'll put it here.

I took my Drenalin in to the shop today and mentioned to the owner than I was getting a longbow. The owner told me that no-one can do both well. He said that sure, you can shoot both, but if you do, you'll never be 100 percent in either one. According to him, it has something to do with the different release styles, and after shooting a traditional bow, you'll have a tendency to want to snap shoot your compound. I just can't see it. Looks like to me it would be a mental discipline matter. So, I guess my question is, for those of you who do both, do you do both well?

RE: Compound AND traditional
 

Fred Eichler doesn't seem to do too bad. ;)

I shoot both compounds and recurves. I shoot far more arrows without a release and sights than I do with with them.

I do agree that if you want to excel at one, then you have to pick one. You can 'do well' with both if you put enough time in. The reasons you shop owner brings up are true. The form is a bit different. (or in my case, very different) Because I started with trad equipment I do have to be careful to not ignore my sights or snap shoot my bowtech. It is mental, but a big part of shooting is mental. :)

RE: Compound AND traditional
 

I think my trad release is the beneficiary of my compound release.......or vice cersa.

I see NO reason why they shouldn't compliment one another. In many ways.....they're two different games.

TO ME......being athletic and having good hand/eye coordination is a BIG bonus in trad shooting. In compounds.....I don't see that as a great advantage.

RE: Compound AND traditional
 

I'll have to assume that's what he was trying to say, but his actual words were, "don't do that, you'll mess yourself up". He and I don't see eye to eye on a lot of things, but I suppose the world would be a boring place if everyone agreed on everything.

Exactly my line of thought. It seems to me that the techniques are so different that it wouldn't be too difficult to train the mind and body to do each the right way.

RE: Compound AND traditional
 

Both views make sense, and probably hold a little truth to each side, the more you practice each I'm sure the more you can figure the 2 out, but I see his point, I'd figure out which I liked more and stick to it just because I don't see the point in having 2 bows like that, personally just knowing myself I'd get into one or the other more, and stick to that one.

RE: Compound AND traditional
 

Some people aren't going to agree with me on this but this is the way I am. I was brought up and told do one or the other, not both consistently. Too many things are different, releases instead of fingers, anchor points, the style of shooting, etc. People ask me my opinion and I tell them its up to you but if it were me I would do one or the other. I've talked with guys who've been shooting traditional for 30 years and they still catch themselves using there old compound anchor point here and there from there compound days. Mental or not its 2 completely different ways of shooting. I'm sure people who do both won't admit it either that they catch themselves once in a while doing stuff there not suppose to be doing with that particular bow that they can do with the other one or vice versa. The advice he gave you is better then no advice at all, at least you now know in your head to keep on top of what your doing when switching up bows. Don't take it for granted.

RE: Compound AND traditional
 

When I took up Trad I hung up my compound and didn't shoot it for years. I shoot pretty good with a trad bow if its a recurve longbow or selfbow. I can be pretty consistant out to 30-40 yards but limit myself with my slefbow to 15 yards in the woods. Recurves if I have been practicing with them I can stretch out to 20. I am no expert trad shooter but I'm not too bad either.

Now back to my compound I hung up. After several years of never shooting the compound I decided to try it out again. I picked it up and was shooting 3 inch groups at 40 yards in ten minutes. Can't do both well... I don't think so. Sure it may be better for you to shoot just one alone. But after you've shot enough it doesn't take long to "get back on the horse" as they say.

Also I don't shoot my trad bows enough either.

Now if you want to shoot like Byron Furguson you may want to put some more time in than I do. That guy can shoot!!

RE: Compound AND traditional
 

That's bull!!! Great post by the way....

When I grab my stick bow its like throwing a baseball...The first couple throws are rusty and then it all comes back home....Longbows and stick bows are instinctive...and once you develop that instinct you will always have it...you just have to throw a few arrows to find out where you left off...

Although...even at 33 years old now...I tend to be a little sore after I shoot my osage stick or my longbow...:(

RE: Compound AND traditional
 

I seem to be doing just fine. LOL :)

Now don't get me wrong I'm no Byron Furgeson with the longbow YET, but I feel confident enough to hunt with traditional gear , and am an honest nationally competitve 3D shooter with the compound.

Tell him to be quiet, you're having fun. ;)

RE: Compound AND traditional
 

You probably won't be able to win national competitions with both at the same time but you can shoot both extremely well,just look at what matt/pa is able to do.;)


There again,I doubt you are trying to win any national competitions with either so shoot and have fun.

RE: Compound AND traditional
 

If Im not mistaken, Rod Jenkins won the IBO world champshionship in 2001 with a compound and then won it with hislongbow in 2004.

It can be done.

RE: Compound AND traditional
 

I don't think there is any merit to what your shop owner says. They are 2 completely different things and if your brain wants to cross them up, you have a MUCH bigger problem on your hands. The only thing I could see is having a limited amount of practice time to try and be proficient with both. But if you have the time, it should be no issue. Shooting a compound isn't that difficult.

RE: Compound AND traditional
 

I try to make it a point never to take advise from behind the counter sales people. Unless he has the creditials to back it up. Has he won any sanctioned titles of any sorts in either discipline?