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

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.

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!!

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

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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