New to traditional

[mpeck]

I’m new to traditional archery, I’ve shot compound for about 20 years. I’m pretty set on traditional hunting in the future. 2 years ago I got a early 70’s bear grizzly #50 as I planned on hunting with it, i shot it a fair amount the first year, but last year not much at all. I’ve set a goal this winter and summer to practice enough that I feel comfortable hunting with a recurve, so I started looking for a lightweight bow to get the fundamentals down and gain confidence in. Well I ended up getting a 57 #45 bear polar, not sure why, I think it was a good good price and I couldn’t help it for some reason. Anyway, I’m still searching for a #25-30 bow. I’m not looking to spend alot on it, and I think I found one I’m interested in, but it says it has some limb twist. It’s a #30 bow, and I’m just interested if there would be issues shooting it. Also if there is any other advice for newbie you might have. Am I going in the right direction with a #25-30 bow, or will the #45 polar be a good start, I haven’t received the bow yet, but it Will be here next week. Thanks.

[Roy from Pa]

TTT

[mec lineman]

welcome aboard!  I agree a light weight bow is great to work on form. With that said, I think you could do the same thing on that 45# bow. there are lots of guys on here that are great shots that learn to shoot on 45-55lb bows. good luck

[moebow]

I think you are thinking in the right direction.  20 to 30# is what you want to learn on.  By the way, the hashtag "#" before a numeral represents the word "number" but after a numeral stands for "pounds."  So #30 is read "number 30"  but 30# is "30 pounds".

Anyway, if you can, run up to the "Footed Shaft" in Rochester. A great archery shop and people.  They will likely have a light weight training bow (new) priced in the $130 plus or minus range.  That, in my thinking, would be better than gambling on a used bow at this point.

Arne

[McDave]

Good advice so far.  The main thing is to get a bow that you will enjoy shooting a lot of arrows from, because that’s what you need to do.  If you’re going to convert to traditional archery, gone are the days when you could tune up just before hunting season.  You need to shoot at least weekly, if not daily, and the only way you’re going to be able to do that is if you like shooting that often.

I really enjoy shooting, but frankly, I wouldn’t enjoy shooting a 20 or 25 pound bow every day.  I shoot them often enough so I don’t embarrass myself when I show a class how to shoot one, but that’s about the extent of it.  For me to enjoy shooting a bow every day, it would have to be 30# or more.  With a 30# bow and 800 spine arrows, I can have about the same trajectory as with my 45# bow with hunting arrows, so the practice I get in where to hold benefits me both ways.

Arne is right; if you can get a 20-25# bow just to learn form on, and then have a kid you can pass it on to, then that’s the best way.  But you’re probably not going to want to spend anymore time with it than you have to.

Don’t buy a bow with limb twist!  It would be the same thing as buying a car with uncontrollable steering alignment problems.  It would drive you crazy.

[YoungMarine]

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[mpeck]

Thanks for the advice everyone. When I was shooting the 50# bow I noticed changes in my shooting over the first few weeks. At first I was releasing very fast, and I think I was drawing very short, and over time I started setting an anchor on my face, and holding a second or two before release. And at the end I got a red/sore area on my cheek, and I believe finger pinch, the inside of my fingers that would rest near the arrow would get very sore and I couldn’t shoot anymore. From what I looked up it seems maybe I was over drawing the bow? I think I got the finger pinch figured out by just spacing my fingers more and leaving some space next to arrow while starting to draw. I haven’t shot now for several months, so I’m thinking with a lighter bow I can start over and get on the right track.

[Orion]

I think 20-25 is a bit light for an adult to learn on.  30-40# would be better.  Your finger pinch may be caused may a bow that is too short for your draw length.  If you have a long draw length, a longer bow would be better.  Switching to 3-under will also help reduce pinch if you're currently shooting split. Slightly twisted limbs are easily straightened.  Just string the bow and (over)bend the limb in the opposite direction.  If it doesn't hold, heat it some with a hair dryer and repeat.

Regardless, before you do anything, I agree with the recommendation to stop by and see Terry at the Footed Shaft.  He can evaluate your shooting form as well as bow length requirements. Might even have something on hand that will work for you. 

Good luck.

[Holm-Made]

Yes, drive over and see Terry at the Footed Shaft.  He is a great resource right in your back yard.  Chad

[Terry Green]

What weight was your compound you shot for 20 years?

I learned on a 30# bow when I was EIGHT years old.

[Garman]

Terry and his wife are great people, I am fairly new as well. Get to practicing and in the spring there are some great trad shoots at Rochester club and I believe Cedar River club over by you. I also have interest in doing one at a Byron sport club if I can get enough interest. /

[arrow30]

sounds like you are anchoring at the back of your jaw bone like you are shooting a release,       you probably are overdrawing the bow,    so you are puuling more weight than the bow is rated at @28",      you should learn to anchor at the corner of your mouth or near it...…………...( you said the string is hitting your cheek)... my 2 $.

[mpeck]

What weight was your compound you shot for 20 years?

I learned on a 30# bow when I was EIGHT years old.

My compound is around 63#. I always used to max it out at 70#. But My draw is much smoother backed off a bit. I never have to worry about struggling with it when’s it’s cold out or bulky clothes on.

It’s not that I can’t shoot a heavier bow, I just want to be successful at this. It’s been repeated on a lot of the research I have done that the biggest mistake for beginners Is starting with to much draw weight. I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking, I’d rather not buy another bow, especially a light weight that I might not have use for in the future, but if it’s going to help me, than that’s what I need to do.

[mpeck]

sounds like you are anchoring at the back of your jaw bone like you are shooting a release,       you probably are overdrawing the bow,    so you are puuling more weight than the bow is rated at @28",      you should learn to anchor at the corner of your mouth or near it...…………...( you said the string is hitting your cheek)... my 2 $.

I’m sorry, it wasn’t my cheek, it was the side of my chin below my lips. What I was doing for an anchor was split grip (one finger above arrow, two below), folding my pinky in and holding it down with my thumb, putting my thumb along the bottom of my jawline and getting my pointer  fingertip to the corner of my mouth. If that makes any sense?

[arrow30]

yep, makes sense. 

[Roy from Pa]

This link takes you to youtube.  Lot of information on shooting form there.

Arne Moe is a trad gang member, he has quite a few videos.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=arne+moe+archery