Friend wants a longbow

[dbow]

Hello TG,  it's been a while thats for sure. 

Anyway i have a friend that wants to get into longbow hunting, i've been out of the loop for a while.  Any recommendations for cheaper longbows that would work for this young man?  Also what pound bow did most of you start with?  Curious if i'm different than most by starting at 50.   

[Possum Head]

The Maddog Prairie Predator is hard to beat for a fine introductory bow. That’s not to say they aren’t great for a final selection. I began at 45lbs. Lots of mint used bows available as well!


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[Bowguy67]

50 lbs is way to high imo for almost anyone especially if he’s not familiar w bows at all. Even if he’d shot compounds it’s still a lot for most people. He needs to learn proper form not fight a bow to full draw

[Wudstix]

Started at @40# at my 26' draw at age 13, moved up to 50# by 16, shooting 64-67# now at 60.  Taking a couple months off really makes it fun coming back.   

[jhk1]

Is he looking for a particular type of longbow? For example, he could prefer one of the following basic types, and maybe has a preference for a longer or shorter bow:
1) Hill-style longbow (ASL, or American Semi-Longbow). Most often 66"-70" in length, but sometimes as short as 62" or even 60".
2) Mild reflex-deflex longbow. There are longer and shorter models of this type out there. I'm aware of models as short as 60" and as long as 70".
3) Aggressive reflex-deflex, or hybrid longbow (generally shorter in length, usually around 56"-64", sometimes shorter or longer).
4) I'm sure I'm missing some other type(s).
I'm not an authority on longbow classifications by any stretch-- just my rough attempt at it.

[Longtoke]

I would get a black hunter with a set of 40 pound limbs.   These bows are a great bang for the buck, which will allow him to spend more on arrows and points.  and since they are 3 piece bows he can get heavier limbs as he progresses.

[Tom]

Agree with the above post-black hunter is available in longbow or recurve.

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

I have to respectfully disagreed with needing to learn with a compound bow..

I have helped more people than I can count learn to shoot a Trad bow. You can buy a Galaxy Ember longbow for $200 and extra limbs for $90 a set. Get a 40# and go to work if needed drop to 35# and get your form down.

,,,Sam,,

[Krex1010]

I have to respectfully disagreed with needing to learn with a compound bow..

I have helped more people than I can count learn to shoot a Trad bow. You can buy a Galaxy Ember longbow for $200 and extra limbs for $90 a set. Get a 40# and go to work if needed drop to 35# and get your form down.

,,,Sam,,

Sam, I completely agree. I mentioned compounds as a comparison, in that you can easily buy a reasonably priced bow to learn and hunt with. I brought compounds up because most people getting into trad archery come from compounds. Maybe my post was a little confusing, wouldn’t be the first time I failed to make sense lol. But in no way was I recommending that you need to learn with a compound. In my mind, if you want to shoot trad gear, experience with a compound is of little help and often muddies the water.

[76Aggie]

I am not a longbow guy.  Mostly I shoot recurves.  I do own one longbow and it is a Prairie Predator.  I believe a lot of folks would recommend one of these bows by Mike M.  This spring, I plan to start shooting my Prairie Predator a lot more than in the past.  I just seem to like a recurve better than a longbow.  Like others have said, if your friend is new to stickbows, it is strongly suggested he start with a bow of no more than 40lbs.  The Prairie Predator shoots better than I can for sure.  Reasonably priced as well with a short turnaround time if he elects to have Mike make one for him.  Personally, I believe he should start with a used bow as there are a lot on the market.  If he enjoys it as much as he probably will, he can explore other production or custom bows but the Prairie Predator is one fine bow especially for the cost.  It is not a cheap bow....just not as expensive as others.

[David Mitchell]

I agree with the suggestions regarding the Black Hunter.  I have the same bow sold by Lancaster Archery under the name Galaxy Ember.  I have spent a lot of money over the years on customs from some top makers.  I got the Galaxy to get a light weight bow to work on some form and TP issues.  I have come to love the bow.  It is not "a great bow for the money" as some may say--It is a great bow, period.  AND it won't break the bank. 

[mjh]

Prairie Predator from Maddog would be my choice, good balance of cost, durability, performance.  Made by someone you can email  or call up on the phone and get a direct response from the maker.  I like a 62inch bow but that's just me.  40# plenty to start will.  Of course age and physical conditioning taken into account.

[finkm1]

Newwoods, damn good bows for the money.

[J. Holden]

He isn't a lefty by chance is he?

-Jeremy

[TDHunter]

Black Hunter, got my wife one and my brother bought one because he loved the grip. Now he's sold off all his customs because the black hunter shoots better. Both came direct from the Mandarin Duck website for 130 bucks....unreal for the money, finishing is as good or better than many customs. My brothers is 50lbs@28 he draws to 29.5. 550 gr Carbon does 180 fps

[Sam McMichael]

I am a proponent of Hill style bows and would definitely recommend he look at them carefully. However, I also have several R/D bows that I like, so be sure he shoots several type bows before making a final choice. I would suggest he start out with a fairly low draw weight around 40# - not over 45# for sure. He may have a desire to pull a heavy draw weight, but he should become proficient at a draw weight he handles well. Actually, I would suggest he kill a few head of game at this weight before he buys a heavy bow, as he may decide he doesn't need the heavy bow. Oddly, though, I like a heavy pull and started out with a 58# longbow and have shot up to 78#. Now, due to age/health issues, I shoot a 53# NM Shelton (a wonderful bow). My progress would undoubtedly have been quicker if I had followed the previous advice I just passed along. After all, if he becomes a longbow addict like so many of us, he will own any number of them and can try heavier weight later when he is in a position to handle it effectively. Granted, I am an authority on NOTHING related to archery or bowhunting, but I have made enough errors along the way that I have actually learned a few things. The best thing for your buddy to do when bow shopping id to choose equipment that is FUN to shoot. However, I would not suggest he start with a compound - if he wants to become proficient with a longbow, he needs to shoot a longbow.

[BlacktailBowhunter]

My friends like their Maddog bows

[Terry Green]

45# used bow.