New to Trad

[huntingcop]

I've been shooting compounds for years and have very little experience with a recurve or long bow. I wanted to see what would be a good begginers bow to start on that's not going to break me up real bad. Thanks

[goingoldskool]

My best advice is to start with a light draw...... it doesn't matter how much weight you draw with compounds, traditional archery is a different animal.  Let the macho go and find something in the 30's to low 40's and give it a whirl.  You can find used bows just about anywhere. .... even on here if want to become a contributing member.
Good luck and welcome!

[OkKeith]

Welcome to the obsession...

Good advice above. You might look for a bow that meets the minimum draw weight you can hunt with in your state. Like was said, used bows abound but BE CAREFUL! If you are not sure what to look for on a pawn shop or garage sale bow you could get a non-shooter. There are MANY good new bows for under two-hundred dollars (yes, almost all of them are imports... so what?). Either a take down or a one -piece bow. You will get A LOT more help from the good folks here on TradGang! My small input would be to find a bow with as similar a grip to your compound as you can find... as far as being able to shoot with a straight wrist. My thought is don't start your Traditional Archery adventure by having to dump EVERYTHING that is familiar. You will have enough fun trying to learn a good release and "sighting system" (GAP, string/face walking, Instinctive).

Welcome to the site!

OkKeith

[Otis55]

Casey, if you have time next weekend the 7th, 8th, and 9th at Cloverdale Indiana we are having the traditional nationals and there will be plenty of vendors and you could try out bows.  There will be new and used bows there and you can test drive them to see what you like.

                        David

[Roy from Pa]

I would purchase a used takedown with a light set of limbs say around 30 to 35. Then as you work into it, you can purchase a heavier set of limbs for it later on.

New Samick or Galaxy bows  are under $150.00 and shoot very well.

[David Mitchell]

I have owned many top name custom bows, but in the last few months I have discovered the Galaxy bows from Lancaster Archery in Pennsylvania.  I needed a light draw weight bow to work on some shooting issues and didn't want to spend a lot on one, so I ordered the Galaxy Ember longbow from Lancaster and have absolutely fallen in love with it--in fact I now have two and three sets of limbs--all for less than many if not most customs, and Lancaster stands behind their bows.  Twig Archery in Ohio also sells the same bow under the name Black Hunter and will set the bow up for you and be sure everything is right.  You can get one a bit cheaper on line but probably won't have the good customer service a traditional dealer will give you.  The Galaxy/Black Hunter can be had with either recurve or longbow limbs and the price allows you to start out with lighter weight limbs to get used to a different shooting experience and then move up to heavier limbs when you feel ready. This bow has become my go-to bow--quite a surprise for me.

[The Whittler]

Very good advice on the 30#-35# low costs bows. You will enjoy it and be able to shoot longer and learn how to shoot properly without tiring and getting bad habits.

[Pat B]

Go to trad shoots and try out as many different bows and weights as you can. Try recurves and longbows. I found longbows a lot easier to shoot than recurves but this wasn't until after I bought a recurve. Others say recurves are easier to shoot. That's why you should try as many different bows as you can. Be sure the weight isn't too much for you but, like said above, go with one that is legal hunting weight where you plan to hunt. If you practice all summer you will develop the muscles you'll need to shoot comfortably and accurately. Archery muscles are different from other normally developed muscles. Most of all, have fun. If it's not fun you won't continue with it.

[huntingcop]

Casey, if you have time next weekend the 7th, 8th, and 9th at Cloverdale Indiana we are having the traditional nationals and there will be plenty of vendors and you could try out bows.  There will be new and used bows there and you can test drive them to see what you like.

                        David

thanks for the info David

[Friend]

Where in KY are you located?

[David Mitchell]

Yes, Cloverdale is a great shoot.  One I know you would enjoy.  Great vendors with all sorts of trad archery gear to try.  The best 3D ranges you'll find any where.  I have been going for over 30 years. 

[huntingcop]

Where in KY are you located?

     Glasgow

[Otis55]

You're welcome Casey.  Hope you make it next weekend.

              David

[Friend]

Sent you a PM.

[Terry Green]

Just because you shoot heavy doesn't make you macho.....if so, shooting light must make you a sissy????

 I will never understand why people can't give in to the fact that some people are stronger than others..... And they must be labeled as macho.... Must be some kind of inferiority complex.

 I do believe you need to come down  10 to 15 pounds..... But I'm not going label you macho.

 Am I a Sissy because I shoot 70 pound longbows and Denny Sturgis Jr shoots 90 pound longbows???

 Is Denny Sturgis Jr a sissy because  Ron Le Clair shot a 101 pound longbow to win the world's?

 My daughter's shot 30 pound recurves as early teenagers.... Does that make adult males sissys for shooting 30 pound recurves?

[luvnlongbow]

As stated above, start with a bow somewhere in the 30 to low 40's range. Soon you will have developed form and strength to move up in poundage. There are some excellent used bows and low cost new bows to be had out there. Good luck. And remember to always have fun with this Trad journey we all have chosen to travel.

[BAK]

Find a local range and see if there are any trad guys around.  You could use a mentor.

[trad_bowhunter1965]

Just because you shoot heavy doesn't make you macho.....if so, shooting light must make you a sissy????

 I will never understand why people can't give in to the fact that some people are stronger than others..... And they must be labeled as macho.... Must be some kind of inferiority complex.

 I do believe you need to come down  10 to 15 pounds..... But I'm not going label you macho.

 Am I a Sissy because I shoot 70 pound longbows and Denny Sturgis Jr shoots 90 pound longbows???

 Is Denny Sturgis Jr a sissy because  Ron Le Clair shot a 101 pound longbow to win the world's?

 My daughter's shot 30 pound recurves as early teenagers.... Does that make adult males sissys for shooting 30 pound recurves?

This is why Tradgang is the best place to start out with.