How to find a bow that is right for me.

[Going4BnC]

First off hello! I'm an avid deer hunter, that has had some good success. I see a pattern of people my age(mid 20's) going in the direction of easier. I want to go the other way! For about three years I have told my self im going to get a stick bow. I always us my lack of knowledge as an excuse. So I could use some(ok ALOT) help getting pointed in the right direction. How do I know what size bow will fit me? I'm 6'5 so I would think I need a bigger bow? I will be using it for targets this year, and deer next year after I get used to it. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

[Mike Vines]

Go to a trad only shoot where there are vendors at, and any of them will be able to size up a bow for you, and more than willing to let you shoot one of theirs.  That way you can try out lots of different kinds, not to mention, pert near everyone at a trad event will allow you to shoot their bow.  To me, it's an honor if someone asks to shoot mine.  I see your in Ohio, next weekend, we are having the Great Lakes Longbow Invitational (GLLI) in Hasting, MI and there will be plenty of vendors there, and I'm sure a few used bows will be floating around too.  If you are going to come along, look me up.  I'll get you aquainted with the place and people.

[bolong]

shoot as many as you can and then decide. It's all a personal thing. With your height though, I would say you will need a fairly long bow.

[Jerry Jeffer]

Go to a trad shoot and shoot many, many, many bows until you start to get an idea of what feels right for you. And don't shoot bows you can't afford because you will want one.        

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

Originally posted by Grapes:
Go to a trad only shoot where there are vendors at, and any of them will be able to size up a bow for you, and more than willing to let you shoot one of theirs.  That way you can try out lots of different kinds, not to mention, pert near everyone at a trad event will allow you to shoot their bow.  To me, it's an honor if someone asks to shoot mine.  I see your in Ohio, next weekend, we are having the Great Lakes Longbow Invitational (GLLI) in Hasting, MI and there will be plenty of vendors there, and I'm sure a few used bows will be floating around too.  If you are going to come along, look me up.  I'll get you aquainted with the place and people.

What he said.  There is also an OSTA shoot in Chillicothe this weekend you may want to check out.  There may not be many vendors there though.  If you don't have a new bow by Labor Day the OSTA state shoot is in Jackson and there will probably be several vendors there.  I've seen vendors there from Firefly, Rick Welch from Striker, Steve Wagener of Wagener Bows, Don Assenheimer is usually there and you can guarantee Bill an Tracy Dunn of Zipper bows will be there.

[Shaun]

Sponsor Ghost Dog has a bow matching service

 http://www.mynextbow.blogspot.com/

much cheaper and better than trial and error.

[COLongbow]

Welcome to TG!

To find that one right bow for you, buy one through the mail that you've never shot , shoot it for a while, then decide you need a different one that you saw on here. It'll be a good bow but then you will decide that you need a really pretty big name bow. It will shoot awesome, but then you'll decide that you need a takedown just in case.  During this time whine and apologize to your wife over and over. It's workin' for me....

[GREATBROWNKNOCKEMDOWN]

Like everyone is saying you have to shoot as many as you can and see what feels good to you. There are plenty to choose from recurves to longbows, if you shoot enough you will find what is right for you, then when you get one you will want another then another then.......... well you get the the point now. Welcome to TG.

[Salty Gnome]

I started with an old classic bear recurve and shot my first deer with it.  From there I knew what I liked and disliked about it...I then starting finding bows in the range that I prefered (length, mass weight, draw weight, style/design, shock, smoothness, etc etc)

If you dont have the option to shoot many bows first get something to start and if you dont like it trade it here for a different style bow.

[Going4BnC]

Thanks everyone for all the great tips! Is there a thread with events? I won't be able to make one this weekend, but I like to have an event schedule for when I am free. Thanks again

[Bowwild]

My first move back to traditional was to attend two traditional classic (KY and Cloverdale). I held several bows and shot a few. Some companies have "loaner or Test drive offers where for the cost of shipping and insurance you can spend 3-5 days testing. Not all bowyers advertise this so you have to ask. At this very time I have one of Dave's personal Schafer Silvertips (lh) trying it out.

Many bowyer websites have draw length and bow length recommendations.

You can look at the bottom of posts on these threads and find folks with long draws like 30-31 ". These folks are freakishly tall like you (kidding here as I am only 5'6") and could give experienced advice.

If you check out some of the profiles on posts here you can find some folks who are feakishly tall like

[KentuckyTJ]

First off, Welcome from Kentucky. I'd invite you down to shoot my bows but I'm afraid you would break them in half since I'm a 5'10" midget with arms like a T-Rex. Haha. Good luck on your journey.