THinking about getting into trad. Archery next year and want to start planning for next year. What is a good bow to start out with? Money isnt the real issue thinking the max I would want to spend is $500. Also what poundage and arrow type(Cedar,Carb. alum.) THanks alot look forward to spending some time on this forum.
scott

I would not start out with a short trad bow and definately would not go any higher in draw weight than 40 - 45lbs at your draw lenght.

Over bowing yourself will only lead to bad habbits that you will have a lot of trouble getting rid of.

As for arrows well thats really personal choice.

I wouldn't go new with my first trad bow. Way too many out there for sale. Trad shooters are notorious for buying and selling for no particular reason.

If you are 6' or over or have draw over 28", I suggest a longbow 62". If your drawing over 29", longbow over 64". For a recurve, you can drop those numbers by 4" depending on the curve.

IMO, a longbow is more forgiving, easier to shoot. But again, everything depends. Its kinda nice shooting a recurve with a long Brace hieght.

I have over 6 trad bows, and still have my first one, a martin savannah. Martin makes some dandy beginner bows that can be had used for half the price. Start out with a 45lb, and when you feel strong start moving up.

Its kinda funny, but i started out at 52lbs. It took me over year or more to figure out a form that would work for me. I started off snap shooting and that got me nowhere. Snap shooting I think works for a experienced archer. Anyway, I felt the need to move up, so I moved up to a 55lb bow, then a 60lb bow, and then a 66lb longbow. And after several years, I mostly hunt with my 50lb savannah, I started with. I still have a 60lb recurve and a 66lb longbow. But after shooting these monsters, shooting my savannah seems effortless.

As far as arrows, starting out, I would keep it simple and go with aluminums.

My advise is to look for a used Bear Recurve (60" Kodiak or Kodiak Mag, or something similar). Most of them are in the 45@28" range which is perfect for a beginner. THe nice thing about them is that they will keep their value and if you decide to go custom or something else, more then likely you can get your $$$ back. Make sure you ask if the bow has and stress cracks that meet (or that run perpendicular to the limbs) or if the bow has any twist to the limbs. Stress cracks that run parallel to the limbs are common and OK. Price should be around $200.00.

I would not advise to go with a high end $$$ bow for your first.

I suggest you buy a rh Shrew 52" and 50# at 28" dl then sell it to me at a substantial loss... I'd even trade you a martin x200 for it...

why not just go in the back yard and cut off a branch from the trusty ole oak tree tie a shoe lace to it and start shooting lol
but seriously bigcountry I think hit the nail right on the head dont start off new and the martin long probably would be the way to go. I started off shooting as a child when I could barely walk and my grandfather taught me instinct shooting before I ever knew what a compound was. the longbow suggestion would be my recommendation .happy shooting

Get one of these. Then spend your kids college fund on many more recurves and longbows of varying exotic woods.