New to bowhunting

[ECman83]

I'm going to start bowhunting this year and I need some tips on buying a recurve bow. I have about a 29-30 inch draw length and I'm 6ft tall 190lbs. What bow should I start with and what should I spend on getting started?
                                 
                              Help Apprecitated

[ishiwannabe]

I would check out the classifieds here or look for a used bow somewhere. Maybe hit a archery shop and see what weights feel comfortable to shoot. It is better to start off light, and build your form than to start off being over-bowed and develop bad habits that are hard to break.
Weight would also depend on the game you are hunting. Deer size, 45# and up is plenty...
Hopefully, there are some 'gangers near you and will offer some more advice and help....if not, ask here, no such thing as a dumb question.

[Shakes.602]

WELCOME  to This  "FAMILY"  We Call  "TRADGANG"!!!        Glad To Have Ya!!

[kadbow]

It is best if you can shoot a few to see what feels best in make, draw wt., and bow length.  Is that an option?  If not I wouldn't spend a fortune on your first one because it will not be your last.  Or maybe buy a good used one that you could sell for pretty much what you pay for it.  The classifieds here are a great place to start if you don't have a shop nearby where you can shoot some.  Just a word of warning, you will be hooked.

[SOS]

EC,

Welcome to the campfire.  If you can find someone local to help it would be a good start.  Couple of things, start with a longer bow for stability and to accommodate your draw length smoothly.  Even for a big guy, start no more than 45# or even a 40# bow.  If measured at 28", it will be about 5 lbs heavier at your draw length.  And besides target shooting, get some judo points that allow you to wander the woods shooting at leaves and pinecones at unknown distances - probably the best practice around once you get the basics.

I don't mean to squelch your enthusiasm, but unless you turn out to be incredibly talented, I would not plan on hunting this season with a traditional bow since you are starting from scratch - your goal should be to take some time to find the right gear that fits, get it tuned well and practice, and be ready for the 2008 season.  This really isn't something you can pick up today and hunt in 2 weeks.  But even the learning process is addictive.

Keep asking questions here, a lot of good info.  Steve

[Onestringer]

Welcome, bowhunting is a blast.  Listen to everyone here, they are great.  Start light and don't overbow yourself.  I shoot a 45lb recurve and it will kill anything I want to shoot at.

Scott

[kevin braun]

If you are new to archery you really should get a bow and learn to shoot before hunting with it.  I would think that you should just plan on preparing to hunt next season.  I think that you will find that traditional archery is way more than trying to go kill a deer, its a process.  Spend this season learning to shoot and go out and practice getting really close to deer, then next year you'll be ready.

good luck,
kb

[ECman83]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate all of the help. I found a bow thats 45# 60". I am gonna be practicing every time I get a chance but I don't know if I can keep myself from going out and trying to get one this year. I have practiced a little bit with a friends bow and it came pretty naturaly to me so I'm pretty excited to see how I progress. His name is OKJake on here and his uncle is Joe Jon Jones, he's actually the one that reffered me to this site. I'll let you all know how it's coming along.

[Big Dave]

 Welcome you will enjoy it  

[deertraks]

Welcome to the  

[mike70]

EC, Go out and do like SOS said, Go out in the woods and shoot at leaves, pine cones and stumps. Or take it out and do a little squirrel hunting. The ones on the ground. It is very good practice.If you are just starting, You will get hooked.It is fun! Good luck

[JEFF B]

welcome to the family      

[ECman83]

License to kill gophers by the government of the United Nations. Man, free to kill gophers at will. To kill, you must know your enemy, and in this case my enemy is a varmint. And a varmint will never quit - ever. They're like the Viet Cong - Varmint Cong. So you have to fall back on superior intelligence and superior firepower. And that's all she wrote.

[Slasher]

RUN!!!! DON'T DO IT!!!       as they uncase heir scoped crossbow...    :eek:   I used to shoot compounds, did well with em... but didn't enjoy shooting them as I was always adjusting or tweaking em... now I have fun   :D   and fling some arras... 40 -45 lbs is plenty for most deer at normal ranges of 20-25 yds as long as you use a heavy arra  with a real sharp 2 bladed broadhead...

welcome to the fold...