Hi there, Hello, and Help.

[Hallofo]

Howdy Ya'll, I'm just another New Guy (tm) with the same questions that most New Guys have. However, I have read quite a few of the existing posts so now I have a better idea of what to ask.

First, the obligatory "who are you, and what are you doing on my forum?" blurb:

I am a Marine currently stationed in Iraq, but far enough away from any shooty-fighty action that I have the time to pursue traditional archery. I have been doubly blessed with not only time, but also the green light from my command to ship in a bow and related equipment.

Now, I am not planning any hunting when I get back, nor do I entertain any Robin Hood delusions of arrow-launching grandeur, all I want to do for now is invest in a fairly inexpensive (NOT "cheap") kit that I can practice with to gain proficiency. I understand that the road to successful bow hunting is a long one, and I have nothing but time to get going. I also like the idea of "primitive" hunting, so all I really want to do is hunt with a minimal amount of gear.

Anyhoo, here are those questions I promised:

1. Bow. I plan on making use of the classified section here, but what bow is good for ME? I am about 6'4" with long ape-like arms, so I am figuring a fairly long bow would be the best for me. I was thinking somewhere in the 45-60# range for practice. I do not intend to hunt from a stand when I do get around to hunting, so length is not much of an issue.

2. Other stuff. I guess that's a pretty broad description, but I really don't know what I need. I can see just by looking around the forums and the 'net that there is no end to the gizmos, bells and whistles that one can use to chuck sharp pointy sticks at things, but what do I really NEED to get started? I can see Arrows (um, duh?), maybe a glove/arm guard set and a quiver but beyond that, what else is necessary?

Thank you for your patience and advice in this matter, and I look forward to having a good ride with you guys (and girls).

[cdworks]

Thanks for your service!

45-50# bow should be fine. i owuld go with a recurve.
You will need a quiver probably a hip quiver for now. i use a back quiver made out of a drafting paper tube and a super soaker shoulder strap and duct tape.
glove or tab is personal preference i like the damascus glove or a tab.
arm guard is a must when learning or youll end up with 2" diameter bruises from the string.
arrows depend on bow and shooter so that goin to be tough.

keep asking questions on here and you will learn alot!

you can go to 3riversarchery.com and look at stuff to get an idea of what is out there.

God bless! And thanks again!

[frassettor]

Welcome to the gang! I would start at a lower poundage bow to get your form down, and get comfortable.  What about the  gizmos ? There are none. The simplier the better. I shoot alluminums out of my recurve, and will be shooting woodies out of my longbow. Thats all personal preference though. Im sure being where you are at its difficult to try out any bows.e arer so many knowledgable people here that will chime in as well.. Good luck to you, and if you ever have any questions shoot me a PM and I will help you out the best I am able.. Thank You    for serving our great country!

[pronghorn23]

Pete,
Hello, welcome and thank you for your service!

Just like the others said this is all you really need:
bow
arrows
bow stringer
tab or glove
armguard
quiver is nice but I dont think totally necessary if you're just shooting at a range..can just carry your arrows there or keep em in a box or something (a cheap bucket works to put them in while youre shooting at a range...keeps em standing up and right by your side)

string keeper is nice

target or backstop of course too


As far as arrows I would go with aluminum. Wooden arrows are fun to make and shoot but they're more fragile. Being over there you don't want to have to worry about waiting to get more arrows.

[p1choco]

Hello from one fellow devil to another.  What the other guys have said is good to go.  Who are you with and what base are you on?  I sent you a pm.

[Orion]

45-50# (At Your Draw Length) is a good start weight.  At 6'4", you'll probably have a draw length that's close to 30 inches.  That means a bow marked about 40#@28 inches.  In longbows, I'd recommend 66 or 68 inches.  In a recurve, 64 inches, though 62 inches would probably also work.  Good luck.

[Hallofo]

Thanks all for the advice, now I have a MUCH better idea of what to look for in a bow. In my ignorance I never fully realized exactly how much variation existed in the the wide, wide world of archery. I thought there were only 3 real types (longbow, curvy bow and sci-fi bow) with cool colors to choose from, but now I'm quite a bit more prepared.

I look forward to entering this sport...er... obsession with a good group of people with a wide range of advice and experience.


(By the way, I know it's "longbow, recurve and compound bow", I sought only to inject some humor into the post while making fun on my own inexperience!)

[Peter Arthur]

Hallofo-
Thanks for your Service!
Lots of great advice here so I'm sure you'll end up with what you need.
I'd chime in to recommend a Recurve to start. A Martin Hunter is a good choice for a starting bow. Not "cheap", but not $$$ either.
Beware that they pull harder than they're marked though (IMHO).

[Brian Krebs]

I think you will enjoy traditional bow shooting and hunting; and I am glad your starting by asking questions.

 When you get back; if you can find a trad shootin group; go there and you will not only find yourself in a great element people wise; but they will be handing you bows and in short time you will find many perfect matches and as well: see different wood types and such- it will be just plain FUN.

 I am thankful to you with all my heart for your service to your country. I can honestly say that I have never heard a bad word about our troops there - ever- in any conversation. You have our total support and graditude.
 
                 

[Paul Mattson]

Hallofo,
   Welcome to Trad and Trad Archery.  Once you get that bow of yours let me know.  I will get you set up with a dozen arrows.  FREE of charge of course.

[owlbait]

Check out the Quinn bows. A takedown recurvearound 50# would be great. Easy to ship and move from duty statio to duty station. They are reasonbly priced and made in U.S.A. Let me know when you get some stuff set-up and I'll ship you some of my extra gear to play with, even though you are a Marine.
owlbait   ex Naval Aviation Guy  

[JSimon]

Thanks for your service! I also recommend the Quinn bows, particularly the Quinn Stallion. It's tough to find a better performing new bow for the price. As mentioned the bows are take-downs so they ship in a nice small fully padded box that you can re-use. You also have the option of getting higher poundage limbs later. It has a powder coated aluminum riser, so it may also be a little more durable and you don't have to worry so much about scratching it up. Being new, without the opportunity to test out many bows, you won't really know what you prefer. In other words you won't know what you are missing anyway. But, if you decide later that you like other bows better, you won't have any problems selling the Quinn bow for nearly what you paid for it.

[Can Hahaka]

Hallofo,

I've got a 62" Martin Hunter 60#@28", probably pulls a little more than that - IT IS YOURS!

I live a few miles from Badger Arrow and I can drop it off there for a single shipment!

ANYONE WANT TO CONTRIBUTE STRINGS, TABS OR GLOVES FOR THIS MAN?

Thanks for your service!

[Paul Mattson]

ttt

[owlbait]

I have an armguard and glove. Let me know when it is needed.
owlbait

[bowhunterfrompast]

Hallofo,

Thank you for your service.

Again, what an outstanding bunch of Tradgangers  

[Indie]

If you´re going to buy a bow I would check out tje length carefully.
I´m 193cm, that´s 6foot 3", and I pull 31,5".
A bow that´s 40lb @ 28" will turn out at about 50lb @ 31,5".
For a draw length like that you get a lot of finger pinch with a shor bow and that can cause a bad release.
I would recomend a 64" recurve bow or a 64" or 66" hybrid.
Good luck in Iraq!
And get home healthy.