Long bow for 3d and Field competition?

[d from phx]

Thinking about shooting longbow in 3D and Field this coming year. Any advice or suggestions on a particular bow model? WOULD MAYBE LIKE TO TRY fita longbow class,

[Rob DiStefano]

first and foremost, remember this is a trad bowhunting forum and not at all about strict target events (such as fita).  3D events are rooted in hunting practice but even so, some folks are in trad archery for hitting marks and not critters.  the point being, most of us enjoy 3D and other such events, but always as a side game to the premier game - trad bowhunting.  i trust this is true for you, too.

all that said, first know what the event equipment rules are - this is important as some events (fita) have strict rules on longbows and arrows.

i play the event games with my hunting longbows.  any quality longbow (that meets the rules) is fine as far as i'm concerned.  in any case, the arrow is more important than the bow, as always.  some events require woodies and that really levels the playing field.

good luck.

[Van/TX]

Rob is correct of course.  The particular longbow that you choose is the least important thing.  They all shoot consistantly.  Arrows matched to themselves and matched to the bow and your shooting skill are the most important things in competitive shooting.  Good luck...Van

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Van/TX:
... Arrows matched to themselves and matched to the bow and your shooting skill are the most important things in competitive shooting ...

... and hunting, too!

[Van/TX]

Rob is correct again of course. Twice in one day.  He's on a roll  :p ...Van

[JRY309]

For me I always shot my hunting bows and arrows,but with a field point.

[LongStick64]

Look into a Sky TDX 15" ILF riser and try on a pair of Morrison or Sky Carbon/Foam ILF longbow limbs and you'll give those FITA guys something to chew on.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by LongStick64:
Look into a Sky TDX 15" ILF riser and try on a pair of Morrison or Sky Carbon/Foam ILF longbow limbs and you'll give those FITA guys something to chew on.

no, you won't, not if those limbs show braced r/d - not allowed for fita longbow.  the rules are quite clear that the braced bow must have limbs that form a classic "D" shape and show no reflex.  and be one piece, not t/d.  and have no significant marks on the limb riser/belly.

again, none of this fita stuff has anything to do with traditional bowhunting and so i fear this thread is headed in the wrong direction as trad gang is not about any kinda target archery.

[LongStick64]

Sorry,

What I really was trying to get at was that today's archer can get a real damn good target longbow rig with the new risers and limbs. And incidentally doesn't an archer who's hunting rig performs on the target range, perform in the field. I would assume many of us participate in 3D courses, is that not part of Traditional Bowhunting ?

[Sixby]

right now I build my bows for hunting. If I ever build a longbow for target shooting then I will begin to worry about whether or not it will meet their rules. For instance I personally like a centershot bow for hunting. So thats what I build. I also like a recurve style grip , So thats what I build. I like Bows that have a slight reflex when strung. Soooooo. LOL. I'm not sure what drives the rules but rules don't apply to hunting bows. I believe that may be what Rob is saying. God bless you all and have a wonderful day. Steve

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by LongStick64:
... I would assume many of us participate in 3D courses, is that not part of Traditional Bowhunting ?

absolutely!  however, there are those who don't hunt and just wanna compete with trad bows, and that's not what trad gang is all about, and that was the thrust of my comment.

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

Originally posted by d from phx:
Thinking about shooting longbow in 3D and Field this coming year. Any advice or suggestions on a particular bow model? WOULD MAYBE LIKE TO TRY fita longbow class,

I would look up a guy named Steve Morley. He goes by Steve M and Zetabow on various forums and is a former IFAA world longbow champion. When it comes to which longbow is best suited to field shooting (which, in the keeping of this forum, at least in the NFAA, has its roots in bowhunting), he would probably be your best source of info.

For 3D shooting, Rod Jenkins (former IBO world champion with a longbow) is your man. He hangs out here from time to time too.

[Rob DiStefano]

again, LOTS depends on the event type and shoot rules - they all can be very diverse.  steve and rod are top notch competitive trad archers, but do realize that 'serious' target trad archery is different, with a different approach, than trad bowhunting. as soon as point scoring enters into the picture, it will ALWAYS be different than casual roving or bowhunting.    

don, i'll send ya a link to the STAF forum where steve hangs out.  i created that site and turned the reins over to trad ganger and top event archer todd hathaway - he's another fellow to seek help for getting into the event game, and he's a muzzy longbow division as well as top muzzy event winner.  

in fact, imo the grueling muzzy event is my fave over 3d as it even more closely simulates hunting, and doesn't ascribe to the dumb fita longbow rules (meaning, most any longbow or arrow type is acceptable - as long as the bowstring loops only touch the limb nocks, it's considered a 'longbow').

now, to your opening question about bows for competitive events, consider this - a few years back i sold todd a martin savannah longbow, 62" and 45# ... todd won the muzzy with that longbow.