How much bow?

[JDunlap]

You guys got me to wondering, so I just went out and shot my recurve which is about 60# at my draw. I was able to hold for 10 seconds the first time and then shoot accurately. whew! However, I was only able to do that a few times. How many times are we supposed to be able to do it? Also, I was shooting at night with a flashlight attached to my bow...which is very similar to blind bale shooting. I have trouble doing this same thing in the daytime because of target panic...
Joe

[legends1]

There is a saying we use around here."IF IT FEELS LIGHT,ITS PROBABLY RIGHT !" If you pull a bow and you have to say i can pull it but its  a little tough it will be to heavy.Never want to say ill work in to the weight.Think of stump shooting or shooting 3d's for a day and be able to enjoy it.

[Goshawkin]

I Think you need to try out some bows and see what weight is comfortable to you.Like someone said you shouldn't feel like your working at it to draw anchor and shoot,it should be comfortable.I don't think anyone can tell you a poundage to start with,without seeing you shoot different bows.Some guys are just way stronger than others.I just got back into shooting after about 7 years off,but I've been shooting a bow since I was about 9 years old,I'm 41 now. I used to be able to shoot a 100# longbow without much trouble,I know for sure I couldn't do that now.I used to shoot a 67# recurve at the 3-d shoots and alot of people told me that was way to heavy for 3-d.But I was very comfortable shooting it.One woman looked at my bow and said that's way to heavy for you,without even seeing me shoot it.She said to look at her husband(real big guy) and said he only shoots 50#. I asked her what his score was,she told me and I said nice shooting! Never told her I finished 40 points higher than him.Some people might need to start out at 35# while other guys can jump right in at 50# plus. Don't knpow until you actually try it.

[Bear Heart]

Another thing to be aware of is shooting a bow is a repetative motion.  All those English archers had shoulder damage.  There is a reason I have bows at 45,50,55, and 60 pounds.  I could shoot something in the 75-80 pound range just fine but the accumalitive effects on my joints would not be good.  Having a few inexpensive bows in lighter weights helps during injuries and working on form issues.

[KentuckyTJ]

I am going to go home and try to hold my bows for 10 seconds. I may have to sell them all and start over.      

But seriously, over the years I have also found that if a bow isn't heavy enough I don't shoot it as well. Almost like there is not enough weight to settle it into my body on full draw making a solid base and I am able to move it around too much while trying to be still upon release. Does that make any sense? There is a sweet spot for me. A bow that is too light I believe creates problems with form as well.

[Ulysseys]

10 seconds sounds awfully long to me...but he's the master - I can hold my 50# hoyt buff for about 5 seconds and still make an accurate shot - seems plenty to me.

[Goshawkin]

"A bow that is too light,I believe creates problems with form as well"

I agree with you on this for sure. My release isn't the greatest and with a real light bow it seems to magnify the problem.

[manitou1]

Don't over bow yourself.  I have a friend who has hunted with a 40# recurve for over 40 years and has killed more deer than I have time to sit down and count.  Fred Eichler (Easton Bowhunting T.V) has killed 27 elk and a grizzly with his 52.5# recurve and a 480 grain arrow. (125 tip)
Remember, a 190 fps arrow out of a 70# bow has the SAME kinetic energy as a 190 fps arrow out of a 45# bow... all other variables being the same.
You want to take care of your elbows and shoulders if you plan on doing this a while.  You WILL get old, like the rest of us some day! Hee!
Some folks can handle large poundage bows, but they are the exception.  I believe many, many trad archers are over-bowed.  If you over-bow you will suffer in the form department.  You will enjoy your range time a lot more if you don't wear down after 20 arrows. (And suffer much less frustration)
You can (and probably will if you are like the majority of us here)always buy more bows in the future. Personally, I'm just fine with my 44#-51# bows and don't feel under-gunned for anything I hunt.
Good luck and have fun... this is one great adventure!
Rick

[Archie]

Last season a doe moved in to see what I was while I was at full draw on her, in a ground blind.  She moved into an awful position and I did not want to shoot; however, I didn't want to move and scare her and her deer-buddies away.  I ended up stuck at full draw for probably 30 seconds, and just held at anchor, ready for the shot if it presented itself. This was with my 48# longbow.  

I know that there are guys who like to snap-shoot, and who don't hold long.  I also know that there are a lot of guys who can't shoot very far and are quite inconsistent.  I'm just a slightly above-average shooter, but have heard a lot of compound shooters at ranges say that I shoot pretty good for a "trad guy"... that most of the trad guys they see are very inaccurate.  I've never spent much time with other trad shooters, so can't really say what I think about that.  But I'm pretty dedicated to being as good as I can be, to have good repeatable form and to be able to hit what I want to hit, when I want to hit it.  I would tell anyone that if they can't hold their bow at full draw for at least 10 seconds and then make an "under-control" shot, they are over-bowed, or may have just settled for mediocrity.

[Aaron Proffitt 2]

If drawing your bow requires any thought in the shooting process,you're over bowed.

[gringol]

Wow! lot's of opinions here!  I am not qualified to argue with Mr Ferguson, but 10 seconds sounds like a LONG time.  I think we all agree with his thesis, which is you shouldn't be overbowed.  It doesn't sound like there is agreement on what exactly that means.  

If I could start my trad journey over I'd start really light say 35-40# and work up slowly.  Instead I started at 70# and have since dropped to 55#.  Light is better, brother.  Accuracy is everything and heavy bows are much harder to shoot accurately.

[Aaron Proffitt 2]

I like Byron Ferguson and think he's a great archery ambassador...but I also disagree very strongly with him on two areas; wood arrows and the validity of instinctive shooting.


And I doubt either one of us will change due to disagreement.

[Archie]

I came home tonight and shot a quick video.

   

I only had about 15-16 yards to shoot (in my basement), but you can see the product of shooting a weight that you can keep under control.  It's much better to go a little lighter and shoot good groups over and over instead of struggling with too much weight and settling for weak accuracy.

And 10 seconds really isn't that long.

[oxnam]

Not starting with a light weight bow is also acceptable.  If you are really just starting out, keep in mind that your capacity to draw and hold heavier weights will increase rapidly as you shoot.  If you are athletic, healthy, and build muscle quickly, I suggest considering some of the moderate hunting weights, around 45-50#'s.  

To start, your shooting sessions will have to be kept shorter, maybe only a few shots a day and inceasing as your muscles develop.  Your shots should be methodical with attention to the fundamentals, but that is the same with any weight bow.  If you choose this route, you can't push it and you will need to take days off for your growing muscles to recover.  

As others have mentioned, there is an increased chance for injury because you will be increaseing the strain on muscles and joints.  Just like any sport, warming up and stetching will go a long way in keeping you healthy.

[Dimondback]

Originally posted by Kingsnake:
I know that VA as a trad bow group, but I'm not sure about any local shoots.  I have shot my wheelie down at Ft. Belvoir, but I have not actively particpated in any group events, so I do not know what percentage of shooters are trad guys.  I'll will try to get hands on some trad bows to try before I buy...

There are several of us...Have not been down there this week due to family being in town and the fishing picking up but you are welcome to shoot my stuff while I am there. Paul Vogel is another regular (intructs as well) that may be able to help as well (he is the one who wears a circle bandaid on his nose while he shoots). There are a few more Trad guys that shoot the pin shoots and upcoming 3D shoots. Check the schedule and show up for one of the 3D shoots, you will meet several great folks!

[Kingsnake]

Thanks, all.  Killdeer let me shoot a bunch of bows and I finally ordered and received a Samick Sage 60 in, 45# recurve, 28 in draw.  Still not grouping like I would like, but I am also trying to get used to not having the crutches known as 'let off,' 'sights,' and 'a mechanical release.'  Will keep you posted on progress!

[jackdaw]

Orion and Bjorn hit it right on the head. Bows in the 35-45# range are great to start with, and in some cases are all the bow ever needed by the archer.I also feel if the bow can be held for 3 seconds then accuratly released...it's fine. Good info for the new archer on this thread.....john