beginner here

[La. bowhunter]

OK I am new here and from what I see I think I like this place. I am new to traditional archery and I am looking for some advice like what do I need to get started. I read about longbows, recurves, carbon arrows, wood arrows, split fingers, 3 fingers under and all this good stuff but I dont know where to start. Traditional archery is not very prominant around here I only know a few who shoot traditional and need some help about where to start. I have an old Ben Pearson bow but I dont know if it is safe to shoot after about 15 years in the back of the closet how do I tell if it is good or not. Any help and advice you folks could give a beginner would be great. I hope to visit with everyone and look forward to sharing my experiences with all of you.  

[buckeye_hunter]

You will get a lot of good advice on here. I'm no expert, but I think there are a few pertinent questions.  

Was the bow left strung or unstrung?

While it was stored, was it laying down or standing on end?

Can you see any obvious cracks or delamination?

Was it stored in a place that was really hot for long periods of time?(high heat for longer periods of time is bad for laminate bows)

Laying down, unstrung and at a moderate temperature for storage is good, but not completely necessary.  I heard of guys shooting  bows with no ill effects after leaving them strung and hanging for 5 years.

If there are no obvious cracks or problems with the lamination, get a new string for the bow because it is way scary when an old string breaks. I would contact Three Rivers or Kustom King archery and ask them to get you the correct string for your bow.  You will probably need to have bow in hand when ordering to answer their questions.

Then get back on here and ask lots of questions as they arise.

Good luck,
-Charlie

[Big Dave]

Howdy Scott. To start with make sure the string is good and if it is string the bow (only with a bow stringer)and draw it back and let it down(do not release it) then look and see if the string falls in the grooves in the middle of the limb.If it is in the grooves the limbs are not twisted.If it falls to one side they are twisted and I would not shoot it. Make sure that there are no delaminations of the limbs. If you see cracks or delams. post a pic. and let some one advise you if you find anything that doesn't look right to you.Split finger or 3 under and type of shafts are personal preference. This may help to start.

[Blackhawk]

I believe there is one thing you can do on your own...and that is READ, READ, READ.  There are several excellent books available for the beginner archer that would be worth your investment.

1.  Traditional Bowhunter's Handbook by T.J. Conrads.

2.  Instinctive Shooting by G. Fred Asbell

3.  Become the Arrow by Byron Ferguson

There are definitely other great books on the subject, but these 3 would be my suggestion for someone wanting to learn the sport.

In addition, I would suggest getting 2-3 "classics" on trad bowhunting written by the pioneers.  These give you a real sense of how trad archery developed into what it is today. Here are a couple I love:

1.  Hunting with the Bow and Arrow by Saxton Pope

2.  Hunting the Hard Way by Howard Hill

3.  Witchery of Archery by Maurice Thompson

4.  Fred Bear's Field Notes

I know you will get other suggestions, but just about everyone agrees that these classics are "must reads".

...and continue to ask questions on forums like this since it is visited by many trad archery experts who know their stuff and most are more than willing to lend a hand.

[Mike Byrge@home]

Scott,
We have trad shooters all over the state that would help you out.  Reading books is a good place to start but nothing beats spending some time with an experienced trad guy.

Send me a message and I'll give you some contacts in your area.

Mike Byrge

[La. bowhunter]

Thanks guys I am going to find someone to look at the bow I have. It doesnt appear to have twisted limbs it was stored unstrung but it was leaning in a corner. I cant see any delaminations but the clearcoat or whatever it is, is flaking off. Im going to try it and see. I had a Dan Quillian Patriot but it was a 67# bow and 5 days after I got it I dislocated my shoulder and never was able to shoot it much after that so I sold it. From the little I shot it I really liked it and I wish I could find another in a lighter weight. Thanks again.