Help!!! I need your Insight!!

[Sticks&String]

Hello All,
   Well sometime last year I thought it would be a good idea to take up bow hunting, well... it sounded easy enough at the time, but I'm having problems on what bow to buy. As a novice archer, I am sure that its most likely a good idea to start out with a beginner bow, well that's the problem I am facing, I have found several bows namely Samick sage, herters sambar perfection, amongst a few others, but am leaning towards the sage or the sambar. I have been weighing out the pros and cons and ultimately I need some insight , from any tradgang members that have used either of these bows.
       As far as the samick sage, I have read and watched a lot of good reviews, but as for the Sambar, I haven't found any reviews, so I am at a stand still on my final dissision.
     I also have a question, on draw length. firstly, I am 5' 11" so I have fairly long arms so I am wondering if a 28" draw is going to be long enough for me? And is there a way to measure what draw length I need?
      I'm on a budget, so the samick looks like a really good deal, and its a takedown, which would be nice when traveling, but the sambar is a great looking bow that comes with a few extras. the herters is on **** item 321003760336. <   Or if anyone has a lh bow #50 draw at a reasonable price I'm all ears.
Thanks S&S

[khardrunner]

check the classifieds section. I just sold a LH pearson for $100. You kind find great bows to start with including sage's there. Post a wanted add.

As for draw length, you'll probably be somewhere around 28 inches give or take depending on your style. Trad bows are fairly forgiving of draw length differences. Just because a bow is marked 28" does not mean it will not shoot well up to 30".

[Hit-or-Miss]

The Samicks are hard to beat for a low cost, quality built bow.

[Terry Lightle]

Can get more bow for your money in the classifieds here.

[YORNOC]

The Herter's is not much for performance. I used to collect them. They are an awesome looking bow with plenty of history, but they just dont perform well. They are one of the few recurves that I have had trouble with hand shock also.
I've owned Herter's from 48 to 75" long, all recurves. Even the target models like the Utopian just didn't cut it back in the day.I still love the bows for collecting, and I'm sure there are die hard Herter's fans
out there, but this is my experienced opinion. Far better bows to start with out there.

[Jim Wright]

I suggest you start with a bow in the 40/45 lb. range. You will probably discover your draw length to be around 28". Stay out of Archery shops unless there is a traditional shooter there to help you. I would get a copy of "Shooting The Stickbow" by Anthony Camera, it is a wealth of information on every aspect of traditional archery with very good sections for beginners. You will be many miles ahead in this game if you start off with a bow you shoot easily, commiting proper shooting form to muscle memory. Tony's book is great at explaining that form.

[maineac]

I would say, set your budget limit.  If yo can go to a store that has some different draw weight bows to try and find what is comfortable to draw.  Most guys like to start in teh 45# range.  Depending on your fitness and strenght up to 50 might not be bad.  Better to start lowvand work up so you can develop good technique.  Once those decisions are made watch the classifieds here for the weight and price combo you want.  Not that Samik is not a good bow, but you can get some very nice bows on this site for the same price, just slightly used.

[Sticks&String]

Thank you everyone, I really appretiate the input expecially on the Herters bows YORNOC, your post has ultimately made my final dissision and will be going with the Samick Sage.
  My thoughts on a 50# draw was that 50#s wouldnt be enough draw weight for me, but I can understand the reasoning in getting a lower draw weight as a novice. Also is 40/45# enough to kill a deer or hog with?
   And seeing that I have plenty of free time to read your advice is duely noted and will be looking to get the download of Shooting the Stick Bow, thanks Jim.
   And thanks once again everyone for all the help!!

   S&S