Help with first time recurve user

[Sheddingskin]

I had this over in the Shooters Forum but was told that I might get a better response here, so here it is.

Hi I've been into archery for...I think 5 years, but I haven't been able to shoot my compound for maybe a year and a half to two years because of me growing out of my youth bow and then having an old PSE Polaris Express that has/had too long of a draw length for me. I still have and shoot a crossbow though.

Recently my dad found a job that will allow us to go hunting again, so I want to start up with archery again, only this time I want to go traditional. I've always loved doing things the old ways when things were more simple (cars, tube stereos, mechanical watches, etc), so a recurve seems like it would fit the bill.

I really have no idea what to look for though. I'm not sure about my draw length, but I'm sure that will only take a few minutes to find out. As far as pull weight, my Polaris express has a 70 lb pull and I can handle it fine, so I don't really know what that equates to for a non-let off bow.

I want to try to go pretty much as bare as possible, no sights (I've always used sights with my compounds, so this will be an interesting experience), and just the "bear fur" or something as the rest. Wood arrows are also interesting to me, but I can't seem to find much info online on what weight arrows are right for specific recurves.

Also, I kinda have a liking to Bear because of the Fred Bear thing (thanks to Ted Nugent for getting me interested), and am not at all against buying vintage off ****.

Finally (sorry for the wall of text), I found a Ben Pearson Junior Jet No. 331 at my new house, and am curious to find out more about it. Any help would be appreciated.

Oh and as far as my budget, I'd like to spend not too much over $300, at least for now.

[woodslinger]

I would realy suggest hooking up with some local traditional shooters either at a local club or local shop.

There are plenty of nice used Bear recurves in that price range that would probably suit you just fine. Give us some more information like what your age and your draw length. With that information we can give some better advice on bow selection.

[Killdeer]

You are very young to have an interest in mechanical watches! I carry a Hamilton 992B every day, and a 1918 Howard for dress-up.  :D  

There are likely to be Trad Gang members in your area to hook up with, and nothing accelerates the learning curve like shooting with buddies. For an inexpensive combo, I would recommend a Bear Grizzly (good shooter, no stack and plentiful) at 45 pounds at your draw, some aluminums (repeatable, durable and cheap) or some woodies spined for the bow. Once we know your draw length, more specific suggestions can be made about your arrows.

Have fun, it's a long strange trip we're on!
Killdeer  

[Deff]

When I was a teenager, I had one of those solid fiberglass Ben Pearson Jet bows. They were dang near indistructable. A lot of people got started in archery with them-- Made for a dandy bowfishing setup. I think mine had about a 35lb. draw weight.  Killed a whitetail fawn with it (I think it was back in 1968 or 69).

My best advice in getting started in "traditional archery", is to find a club or group of shooters to network with so you can try out different bows.  If thats not possible, buy a cheap used recurve. A good all around draw wt. would be in the 45 to 50 pound range, bow length about 62 inches. Many people find that their draw length is about 2" less and they can handle 2/3 as  much draw wt. with traditional bows than  with wheel bows but that does vary alot. After you have used it some -- you might well decide you would prefer more or less draw wt. a shorter or longer bow  etc. It depends on your physical build, the game hunted, terrain and hunting style -- but this would be a good starting point for most people. You should buy a bow stringer, and cheap used bows  almost always need a new string. You will also need some matching feather fletched arrows, a tab or glove and arm guard--- but the best money spent, would be on some  good books or videos on setting up and shooting recurves  -- available from some of our Trad Gang sponsers.

[Sheddingskin]

Thanks everyone. I'm 16 and 5'11, if height matters. I have to go get my draw length measured still.

I'm trying to find an archery shop around here but am having a hard time finding anything other than Dick's and Gander Mountain. The one that I knew of and liked, which had an indoor range as well, is now closed. There is a public range in the metroparks near me, and an archery club shoots there, I'll have to go to one of the meets to see if any trad guys attend.

Killdeer, haha yeah a lot of my friends think its strange that I like mechanical watches, even my dad, but that's probably because it's what he grew up with and a battery is just easier for him. I don't have much in the way of mechanical watches, my every day wear is a Seiko 5 diver, but it's actually very accurate. My first mechanical was my Grandpa's Elgin from 1918, and it has been maintained perfectly.

Deff, this little bow seems kinda cool, I want to pick up a string for it and maybe introduce my cousin to archery.

[onemississipp]

Your draw length, can be measured this way.

Take the recurve and an arrow, get a buddy with a sharpie.

Now draw the bow, notice I said draw not jerk the bow as most compound shooters do. So with the arrow on the nock point draw the bow as you were going to shoot it. When you hit anchor, let your buddy who is stand to the side know and he will mark the shaft at the back of the bow.

That's one way to do it.

Or better yet shoot it awhile and learn to not lock your elbow, string slap hurts!

Then do the above....