First question...

[Vabowman]

Ok so Im on a school teacher budget. I can only afford bow in the 250-300$ range..I have been looking at the Montana Bear Longbow, the Martin L-100 Longbow, and the Martin X- 150 recurve.. I like all of them as far as looks. I have yet to shoot any of them. I really like the looks of the X-150 recurve and the L-100 LB...I know these are not top end bows, but Im at the entry level on Trad equipment.. what do you guys think about these bows and are they appropriate for shooting and hunting for a guy like me that has not shot a bow without wheels in 20 yrs.

[ishiwannabe]

Unless you need new, you can get a really nice bow for that amount right here in the classifieds.

I would suggest trying as many as you possibly can before you buy, especially since it will be youf first trad bow. Go to a shoot, a club, something. Almost every traditional shooter I have met has no problems letting others shoot their bow. Also a great way to gleam valuable information on subjects such as tuning.

Another question you should be asking yourself is how much weight can I handle, WITHOUT compromising my form. The early stages can teach you valuable lessons, or very bad habits that are tough to break. A lighter bow will help you develop you form a bit easier than a bow you struggle with.

Good luck, and enjoy the journey...its a blast.

[camolaw]

VA, I live near you and have five different recurves you are welcome to try.  I am in Yorktown.  PM if you want to try a couple of different models.

[Killdeer]

Coming from a compound, I would assume that you are comfortable with a higher grip on the bow. Both recurves and longbows these days can be had with this type of grip.

While it may seem like a frivolous waste of money, I think the smartest thing you could do is to go to a trad shoot. Yes, even if you have no bow. There will be lots of people there, perhaps some vendors with used bows that you could try out to see what you like and don't like. If you have arrows in your weight range, bring them. Always better to stick your own arrows in the target frame.    :D  

Talk to people at the practice butts, many would be tickled to let you shoot their bows.

Many folks go to the shoots with more than one bow, often in the hope of unloading one or more at the swap meet, which some shoots support. Here may be found bargains which would make you the envy of professional yard salers.

I gotta go put a rest on a bow that I'm gonna drag to the next shoot. Maybe I can find some rube who will buy it!

BTW,there is a forum for Virginians here. Check it out and say howdy, see if there are TG members in your area, and a place to shoot.
Killdeer  

[larry]

I'm done lettin' people shoot my bows, next thing you know they are sweet talkin' me out of them    ........otherwise sound advice above

[Killdeer]

Glad I have a bunch of sealskin, the rest on this old Centaur sure is ratty!

Killdeer   :p

[30coupe]

I am a school teacher too, but I also officiate volleyball, so guess where that money goes! Anyway, I would start with a used bow of lower poundage and build good form. In the meantime, you can be trying other bows and looking around until you find the right one. I borrowed a 45# Grizzly from a cousin, shot that a while, then dug out my old 50# Herter's recurve. But I fell in love with longbows, so the adventure began. I have owned a bunch of used ones from the classifieds here. They were all great bows, but not the right one for me. I finally settled on the Kanati, which is made about 25 miles from me. I now have two of them, but the 52# is about the only bow I shoot. As you can tell from my signature, I do still have a few others, lol.

It is kind of like eating potato chips, you can't stop at one. That is why used is a good place to start. I have bought bows on the auction site with good results, but I tend to stick with the classified section here. Most are pretty honest. I usually just check to see if they have been here a while and that they post in other places besides classified.

You have found the best place on the internet to learn about traditional archery. The wealth of knowledge here is astounding and the folks are great. This is probably the only place on the net where folks can have differing opinions and still walk away friends (virtually of course). Not many places like this left on the net or elsewhere.

Welcome to the addictio...sport.    

[coyote1956]

Real nice Mohawk Longbow in the classifieds right now, great price too!

[Vabowman]

Thanks gents... Im looking hard...we have a few trad shoots around here and i have a guy who is willing to let me shoot several bows, so that's what i will do. My DL is only 25" so I was told to get a bow in 55# range and that I would pull around 41-45 # with it easily.. he said it would be a great weight to start with, so Im going to look into that.

[GMMAT]

That Mohawk was a STEAL!

[Apex Predator]

I definitely recommend buying a used bow in that price range.  Some great deals to be had right now.