Wahya

I'd second Stealthy's recommendation on buying used and going 40-45# in weight. No matter if you use sites (not my choice, it'll limit you) or not, you still need to be able to comfortably draw the bow. The worse thing you can do when picking up a stick is to overbow yourself. Bad habits will soon take over, stuff like short drawing the bow, not holding anchor and so on. When you first start shooting, you won't be wanting to strive for accuracy. Get close to the target butt and concentrate on your form, solid bow arm, smooth draw, solid anchor and smooth release. If any one of those things aren't consistent, even with sights, you won't be consistent in your shooting. Shoot often and develope consistent shooting techniques and you will do well with the bow. Buy some books on shooting a stick. It will help you to get the basics down and who better to learn from than those who have already made the mistakes. Most of all, lose the compound gotta hit the X mentality and have fun. X shooting will come later. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

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logs

VC, If you can find a used Martin Hatfield takedown or someother takedown bow you can start with a lower draw weight and as you improve or desire buy new limbs to increase weight. I have a Martin and two sets of limbs, 50 and 60 lbs. The draw weight is determined at 28 inches so the same set of limbs will vary from shooter to shooter based on thier draw lenght.
I have to agree that it is less complicated to shot instinctive than with sights when using either the long bow or recurve. You will amaze yourself on how fast you can pick up on your instinctive skills with a bow. Just don't try using logic or thinking about it if that's possible in your species.
Unlike your compound you need to cant your stick bows when shooting instinctive.The big thing for me is to always cant the bow the same amount to get consistent results.
You've got a lot of good advice already. Good luck.

Lilhunter

I would second the martin products but I dont like the hatfield in particular. A hunter or the mamba are a couple good bows albeit one pieces. They hold there value pretty good used (its hard to find one under 150 in good shape with no limb twists).

I would recommend a curve for sights. Also going to the lighter weight as Stealthy recommended, but I think 40 would be a little light for ya and 50 would be the tops you could handle. You will get comfortable with it over time but the dedication to shooting this style of bow is needed otherwise you will hit a plateau in time. I also agree that shooting instinctive is the way to go. That or learning to gap/split vision shoot. Once you learn it, its not very far off from a sight pin and with consistent practice you can get VERY good at it. Byron Ferguson's book talks about it (become the arrow). Carbons will work out of any of the bows, becarefully of the weight though. The bows will fly around like mad in your hands with a really light arra and you could end up tainted as to how trad shooting really isnt (hope that made sense <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>). Hope that helps some....

Lilhunter

ps....Dave, its progress not regress <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

moonge

I like recurves, nothing looks or feels like a good recurve. nothing against the longbow but the recurve to me just looks better, feels better, and shoots better.

vc1111

Wow. Thanks to all of you for the kind responses.

The only reason I had considered using sights is because my mission with the bow will be to hunt with it, and I do not wish to risk wounding a whitetail. I just thought that sights would be more consistent.

I can now see that with practice and patience it should be okay to hunt instinctively.

I guess its apparent that I have much to learn about all this stuff.

As usual, this is the place to learn it.

Thanks again guys.

Lilhunter

I would get a couple books. Fred Asbells instinctive shootin one and Byrons books are to good how to books. They are different however as Asbell is an instincter and Bryon is a 'sighter'. I know if I say gap someone will slam me for it LOL! Anwyays, as far as wounding goes, practice hard and have fun at it and you will do well. Limit your shots to only high percentage shots less then your max effective range bet it 5 yards or 50 yards and your stickbow will treat you good everytime!

vc1111

That's good advice Lilhunter. I enjoy reading about my hobbies (too much!)




Edited by - vc1111 on 01/20/2002 22:57:26

Edited by - vc1111 on 01/20/2002 23:00:11

beretta390

neither! i'm just joking! i think i would like to try both someday.