I'm a traditional fool
 

Today I received a recurve from a buddy in the mail. One of those try it, like it, buy it deals. A lot more bow for a lot less money than I'd pay for something of lesser quality. Well I'm here to tell you. I forgot how simple shooting a bow can be. I shot about 40 arrows from 10-20 yards. I am a dead eye of sorts(almost) at 10. I had a couple groups of 6 arrows I could wrap my hand around. 15 was spread a little more. 20... we'll talk about that another time.:eek:[:'(] I was surprised at how well I shot with it out of the rack. I was just using some old 2115s with 4 inch feathers I had laying around. They really shot well from this stick. It was nice to grab the string with my fingers again. It doesn't get any more simple than a bare stick, a string, an arrow and your fingers. My goal is to become proficient enough with it by July to beable to take in on some crop damage hunts. 10 yards is no problem. I'd really like to get the same confidence at 20 before I venture off.

RE: I'm a traditional fool
 

I've been shooting compounds for two years and just had a longbow made for me. I am the same way, 10 yards great, 15 great, 20 pretty good. I'm hooked now.

I now am having alot,alot,alot more fun than before. It's more rewarding now to hit the bullseye.

Keep having fun!

RE: I'm a traditional fool
 

Sometimes the simplest things in life are the most gratifying things.Congrats on the new bow-sounds like you're a natural.I'll tell you-wait til you tag your 1st deer with that bow!Now there's a memory you won't forget.Have fun with it and keep 'em close.

RE: I'm a traditional fool
 

Thats cool Dave. I've got 2 recurves hanging in my basement. I like to grab one every now and then and go fling a few. I'm about like you...pretty good at 10...but 20...look out! LOL

I guess it's kinda like riding a bike. Once you learn it, you know how. Someday I'd like to get back into hunting with the recurve totally. Kinda like the next step in the challenge for me. :)

RE: I'm a traditional fool
 

Dave, you reckon I'm not one of those guys that says 'I told you so'? The devil I'm not! I TOLD YOU SO! [8D][&:]:D Enjoy the ride.

RE: I'm a traditional fool
 

I know you know Arthur... and yes it's OK to be a pain in the butt and say I told you so.:D JimPic doesn't know. Jim Pic... I started with recurves 34 years ago and took several deer with them so it's not all new, just like a boil festering. When it finally comes to the surface you get relief.;) When I started we didn't have the population overloads and you did well to get one in a year. I got two a couple years and was thinkin' I was hot stuff. Now in a lot of areas if a guy gets two with a compound he feels like he's had a bad year.

RE: I'm a traditional fool
 

I'd say its been at least 30 years since I've shot a recurve. Wonder what kind of release I'd have with the 2 remaining fingers on my string hand? Would I go 1 over and 1 under? Or 2 under? I've been keeping an eye out for a deal like yours. Just haven't stumbled on one.

RE: I'm a traditional fool
 

I like to pick up the 45# Bear Kodiak from time to time and fling a few.It does get to be really habit forming after a few shots.I find myself not being nearly as picky when shooting the traditional stuff and just flinging and having fun.I am about the same as you with my accuracy.I have never shot big game with it but I have shot small game with a recurve.


Don't get me wrong,I still like the "fancy stuff" but I do like the "old way" from time to time also.That was for you Arthur.


Whatever it takes to keep it fun.

RE: I'm a traditional fool
 

Davidmil,

I'm starting to not like you. I'm in town and will be saying out at BWI Airport tonight. For those of you who don't know, 10 mins max from the largest BassPros that I have been in. I'm debateing how hard begging forgivness this time would be if I buy a new recurve or long bow.

RE: I'm a traditional fool
 

Dave: I'm NOT tracking a lot of wounded deer for you if you take that danged thing into the woods without a lot of practice. You're really not that good a shot with a compound. Why would you want to go and do a foolish thing like that?;)[&:] LMAOROTF Just kidding, Bud. I've been tempted on taking mine along with the compound. I might just do it this summer as well.

Fieldmouse: You're only 3 miles from me if you're staying at BWI. If it's before 4 PM, I'd be glad to pick you up and bring you by the store.

Len

RE: I'm a traditional fool
 

You don't have to worry. I know where and have transportation. I only have one more major purchase ahead of a new bow. I need Offshore tackle for the long range fishing trip I have booked at the end of the summer.

RE: I'm a traditional fool
 

Every year I take my recurves out to practice and do some hunting with them just to stay on top of my game.
I just enjoy the simplicity of them and the reminder of what got me started in this sport some 40 plus years ago.
I still make my own cedar arrows with turkey feather fletching and use melted resin to attach my field points or broadheads.
Im happy to say I still keep them on the kill zone out to 20 yards the old fashion way:D

RE: I'm a traditional fool
 

Last summer, a guy with an open class rig was shooting a money shoot at the club and I was wandering around the course with my longbow. The guy made a pinwheel on a 38 yard target. I stepped up to the stake and he said something like, "That's a little far for THAT kind of bow (sniff). You can get closer if you want too." So very condesending! Talk about waving a red flag in front of a bull!

I stood my ground, eyeballed in on that pretty little yaller nock of his and cut loose. My arrow trimmed a vane off his arrow. Turned back around to him, patted him on the shoulder and said, "It's not all THAT far for this kind of bow."

The look on his face was priceless! I'm just darn glad he didn't want to see me do it again. :D

RE: I'm a traditional fool
 

HEY LEN.... you're a long ways from having to worry about tracking any wounded deer with the recurve.[&:]

RE: I'm a traditional fool
 

Dave: I know you. You wouldn't take a shot at a deer unless your percentages are high. Let's do what I was planning together - take the compound and the recurve. That way we could keep the shorter, easier shots for the RC and the longer shots for the compound. ;)

If others can take multiple weapons into the woods like we can, this might be fun for you as well.

RE: I'm a traditional fool
 

Arthur, Len.... what are some good bow choices for someone interested in giving the traditional route a try ??

RE: I'm a traditional fool
 

If you want to get into the 'trad' scene without too much of an investment, a good production bow from a manufacturer like Martin wouldn't be bad. If you want to get into it in a deeper fashion, there are a lot of custom Bowyers.

I'd recommend talking to people like Arthur or going to the "Leather Wall" for more detailed information.

RE: I'm a traditional fool
 

David,

I wish you luck with it. You have alot more patience and skill than I if you are even close to being proficient with a traditional bow. Maybe someday someone will send me one as well and then I can get hooked...;)