Anyone here in West Plains MO?

[DngrsDan]

As I've posted before I'm looking to pick up a Great Plains T/D longbow. The last bow I ever shot was a Jennings compound that, I think, was too short-a lot of finger pinch at full draw.
My concern is the riser of the GP seeing as how I was used to the type of grip on that Jennings. I am more drawn to the longbow than I am to a compound-don't like/want all the moving parts-but I would really hate to put out that much cash to find out I don't like/can't shoot with that style of riser. I was a fairly decent shot with the Jennings in spite of the finger pinch. I shot without sights and was was able to take rabbits @ 20-25 yds with it.
Seeing as how everyone in here are so friendly and willing to help each other I was wondering if there was anyone in my area, or close by, who has that style of riser would meet with me and let me try out their bow. Unfortunately the archery store I checked here only had compound bows-wasn't a traditional bow in the place-so I couldn't even handle one there.

Thanks.

Dan

[Onestringer]

The next time your are in springfield, go to nixa and shoot a black widow.

[DngrsDan]

Onestringer.....was about to ask ya who/what is nixa but went to BW's site and saw whatcha meant.
Of course when I tried to surf their site to see what they had their site is goofin' up. Once on their site the only pages that work is the Widow Wall and the Photo gallery. Figures.....
I know I've looked at bows in my search, just wanted to refresh my memory. Did a mapquest-they're 112 miles from me.

Thanks for the response and the idea.

[Curtis Haden]

Dan, there are about 6 of us around Houston who shoot longbows and recurves exclusively.  We're all in law enforcement or EMS, so our schedules make it kind of tough to get together, but we manage it every once in a while.  Between us, we have several different types of bows, so someone should have something you like the feel of.

The Big Piney Sportsmen's Club is hosting 3-D shoots (one weekend a month) starting in March.  It's located on B Hwy, just east of Houston.  Mostly compound shooters attend, but my friends and I will try to make some of the shoots.  They do have traditional stakes.

If you want to try to get together and shoot sometime, just send me a PM here, and we'll try to work something out.  I'll second the advice to go by Black Widow if you can get to Nixa.  The guys there are very friendly and helpful, and have all of their models available to try right in the shop.

[Lefty]

Dan,
  Widow had a server go down, but should be up soon.  It would also highly recommend them.  Excellent bows and customer service second to none.  If you are interested in a longbow, they can custom the grip to whatever you like.  I prefer the old LAG style grip, which is more of a recurve grip on my PLGA.  Good luck in your search!
Chris

[Missouri Bowman]

There's a gathering of the United Bowhunters of Mo. feb.6,7 and 8 in Jeff City.  On the 6th and 7th there will be vendors and other folks selling bows including Black Widow and you will be able to shoot the bows there. Used bows for sale too.  You may want to try it out.

[bowhunterfrompast]

Flatrock Traditional Bowhunters shoot at Bois D'Arc Conservation area just west of Willard. They are listed in Trad club forum.

Tried looking Willard up on map quest, no luck. All I know is that they are in the s.e. part of MO.

[BMOELLER]

Richard, You mean S.W. Missouri.