Need Info
 

Not any Longbow, Recurve pros that I know around here, so I need info. I am around 5' 9" tall and have a compound draw weight of 60 lbs (80% letoff). I am just needing to know what poundage and length longbow or recurve could you recommend for someone at my size/strength. This bow will be used treestand hunting only. Many more questions to follow.

Thanks, LT

RE: Need Info
 

I suggest 40lbs and something over 60 inches.........

Right now, you are holding 12lbs at full draw.... So, even at 40lbs, you will be holding over 3x as much... That takes time to develop the right muscles.

RE: Need Info
 

It didn't surprise me seeing your thread in here about Traditional shooting after the threads that you were making in the (bow hunting forum), you had some good points so welcome aboard!! Like Double Creek said, keep it in that 40lb to 45lb area when starting out. This lets you learn proper form and proper anchoring without over working yourself so much being your not use to holding 100% of the draw weight. Heavy set ups when starting out will likely cause you many bad habits that are mighty tough to get rid of down the road. Perfect example of what I did wrong when I started out. Good luck!!

RE: Need Info
 

Thanks for the replies guys. I kinda figured around 40 pounds to start. How long does one normally hold on an animal with this type bow? I've watched some people shoot and it seems awfully quick. Is that what instinctive shooting is all about? Finding the spot and releasing quick and accurately? Are there any good reads that would get me started in the right direction?

Thanks, LT

RE: Need Info
 

LT,

There are tons of ways to shoot a trad bow and everyone is different. Most of the really good shots I know do pause at anchor for a second or two. That may not seem long, but when holding the full weight, a few seconds can be an enternity.

As for books, there are tons out there. But I've personally learned more by spending hours reading forums like the leatherwall, tradgang and tradtalk. Every aspect of shooting has been covered on those forums more than once and are there to be read..

A lot of guys love Become the Arrow from Byron Ferguson. I thought it was a good read and definitely worth the money. I loved Rick Welch's Instinctive Shooting Volume 2, on VHS. Very good video by one of the best shooters in the world. The Master's of the Barebow series is also worth the money IMO.

Man just get a bow and start shooting and applying yourself. Don't get discouraged. You have to REALLY want to shoot well in order to improve...

RE: Need Info
 

Good advice given! I'm agreeing with 40-45 pounds at your draw. Keep in mind you will more then likely loose some when moving from Compound to Trad., some people don't, but most do. Most bows are measured at 28", so if you shoot 27" you won't be pulling as much.

Along with Become the Arrow (vieo and book), check out Hittem Like Howard - John Schulz, and maybe Masters of the Barebow volume I and II.

RE: Need Info
 

I am new to the trad thing. Shot a 75# compund with 15% let off for twenty years. I shot it finger and no sights so the transition has not been that bad. That said, even thoug I was holding arond 60# on the compound the 55# recurve seems to work the muscles in a different way. I can feel it in my back and neck if I shoot too many arrows. It has become increasingly easy to hold back long enough anchor and focus on the target before my release. over the last couple of weeks. It certainly takes me less time to loose and arrow than my compound shooting buds. I would not try to draw when a deer was behind something and wait until it walked out and into a shooting lane like compund shooters are advised to do.

RE: Need Info
 

You wont draw and hold like a compound, it will be more of a one motion thing. If you hold too long, you will get wore out. There are lots of good books. A great site, with lots of info is Tradgang.com. Check them out and you will find all kinds of good stuff as well as links.

RE: Need Info
 

One thing to be aware of, that I fell into, is getting overwhelmed and too deep into the technical side that it confuses you and drives you nuts. Honestly, do not worry about hitting anything to start out, focus on a grip, draw, anchor, release that you can repeat everytime. Jumping to some of the real fine detail tuning, while you are unable to actually repeat each shot exactly will drive you nuts.

Otherwise, lots of good info here, what really helped me were the Masters of the Barebows vids, especially #2.

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By the way Tomcat, what part of Louisiana are you from? I have land in Turkey Creek. Between Alexandria andVille Platte

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burnie, I live about 45 minutes North of Alexandria in Grant Parish. I had no idea you had property around these parts. Where exactly do you live anyway?

By the way guys, thanks for all the info. I will be looking at bows soon and looking at getting some of the reading/viewing material mentioned here. I am sure I will have many questions and a lot of fun with the trad bow.

Thanks, LT

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I live in North West Texas. I have not been on my property in Lousiana in over 10 years. My cousin lives in Turkey Creek and keeps up with it for me. I need to get back. I use to have a three bedroom A frame house on it. It burned down a few years back and I still have yet to go see how bad it was.

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Sorry to here about the house burnie. Memories can not be taken but sentimental value can not be replaced. Been there and done that.

Now, about that land you have.;)Wouldn't be say enough area to bowhunt would it??;);)

LT

RE: Need Info
 

I agree with sticking with 40# or so, at least starting out--more than enough to kill a whitetail. You have to be honest with yourself--you want a weight you are comfortably in control of so you aren't rushing the shot and developing bad habits. You may need less than that--gobs of folks will tell you "I wish I'd started out lighter", myself included. I learned the hard way that folks will be much more impressed with someone who can shoot 40# accurately than the guy shooting 80# but can't hit the broad side of a barn.

Shooting styles can vary a bunch, but the best I know hold and pause at anchor--Rod Jenkins (IBO World Champ) and Bill Leslie (IBO Southern Triple Crown winner) are two I know personally. Again, go with a weight you are fully and comfortably in control of--you'll do much better, improve faster, and be glad you did in the long run.

I don't know of any books or videos that really go in-depth. I like Byron Ferguson's "Become the Arrow" (book) and Ricky Welch's "Instinctive Archery Volume II" (video), but neither give enough information IMO. The Masters of the Barebow videos are entertaining and show a lot of styles, but they are not what I'd reccomend for someone just starting out--just bits and pieces of a whole lot of styles, but nothing in-depth on any of them.

A few basics to start with:

A draw weight you are comfortably in control of

Consistent draw, anchor, and follow-through

Work on form first, then accuracy

Don't worry so much about tuning at first--most likely your form will change quite a bit as you develop your own, your release will improve, your draw length will change, etc. You will drive yourself nuts trying to fine tune when everything is changing.

There is no shame in starting out close--better to be working on form than looking for arrows

Don't wear yourself out--shoot no more than 2-3 arrows at a time. If you feel yourself getting tired, start short-drawing, start rushing the shot, fingers start hurting, etc. take a break. It's better to shoot a dozen arrows 3-4 times a week than try to shoot 3 or 4 dozen arrows in one day.

Practice, practice, practice! See above. Try to maintain a routine--it will help you build up your archery muscles and keep your eye in tune.

Good luck, and welcome to our addiction!

Chad

RE: Need Info
 

Thanks LBR. I need all the help I can get here.

Thanks, and if anyone else wants to chime in, feel free.

LT

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I can agree with Chad on Byron Ferguson's book and Ricky Welch's video, good but could be more. One book I will recommend is Al Henderson's "Understanding Winning Archery." Great book that goes into thepsych aspects as well as the mechanical aspects of good shooting. If you're curious about other shooting styles besides instinctive, Ty Pelfry's DVD, "Modern Traditional", is pretty good. As is " Dead-On Traditional" by Scott Antczak.