Recurve shooters , why ?

[Dave Lay]

Why do you hunt with a recurve rather than a longbow ? I’ve heard so many say that it is because they are more consistent with it , but that questions why as well.
 Personally I’m really drawn to a longbow, a one piece rather than a 3 piece takedown heavy riser “ longbow” and I’ve spent a lot of time shooting and hunting with them taking quite a few animals. But over alot of time and many different longbows ,I can look at my overall shot placement and the vast majority of perfect or close to it shots are with a recurve, for me I think it’s a matter of grip placement being consistent on the recurve vs the longbow but I’m curious if I’m alone on this. As much as I love shooting and hunting with my longbows I feel I should hunt with the bow i shoot the best and for the record I’m currently shooting a standard grip widow PL longbow and a PSA widow recurve. Thanks Dave

[Wilderlife]

I regularly hunt with a Black Widow PCH with a Marksman Quiver on it, and I also regularly hunt with ASL's.

The recurve is definitely easier in some ways.
- Much easier to grip it consistently.
- Much heavier in the hand so it holds steady better. The extra weight also makes it more dead in the hand at the shot.
- Shoots an arrow faster than my longbows.
- Shorter N-N so I can get through brush with it in some ways much easier.
- Suits a bow quiver so I don't have a back quiver or side quiver dangling off my body.
- Despite not being as quiet as my longbows, it's definitely a quiet bow (62# draw and a 600gn arrow).
- I can shoot it accurately a little bit further than my longbows.

I do love the longbows for other reasons.
- Despite being harder to shoot for this reason, I love how light they are in my hands.
- Quieter.
- Even though they're long, sometimes they're better in thick brush because the profile is skinner.
- I'm actually happier, or I 'feel cooler' when I carry my longbows.  I'm a history teacher so I love thinking about English longbows and things like Agincourt.


When I say I hunt regularly, I mean I walk around regularly. We can hunt 365 days a year here but I'm still new to traditional archery so I'm enjoying both kinds of bows equally. I also don't hunt from a treestand so anything I hunt is taken from the ground, usually in a spot and stalk situation.

I find myself grabbing my black Widow when things seem more critical and I need to be more confident I can shoot out a little further if need be, but I take my longbows when I'm a bit more relaxed and I'm not as fussed with taking game as I am with having a good time in the bush, either by myself or with friends.

The same can be said for the target stuff I've been trying lately. Longbows and wood arrows for fun and shooting closer distances, and recurve with carbons when I'm really trying to push myself.

Just my take on it.

[Bisch]

The only reason I could see myself having a recurve as my main hunting bow would be for the extra umph. As I am getting older, I am having to drop draw weight to keep the same level of accuracy. As this happens I want all the umph I can get. That is the reason I am now looking at supercurves. Have not bought one yet, and would surely rather have a superlongbow if there was such a thing!!!!

Bisch

[Terry Green]

Not trying to start a debate or argue, but things I have learned over the last 47 years....

Accuracy is all up to the shooter and their form.


""""The recurve is definitely easier in some ways.
- Much easier to grip it consistently.
No, not nessesarily.

- Much heavier in the hand so it holds steady better. The extra weight also makes it more dead in the hand at the shot.
Nope, dead in the hand is all up to the design. Holding steady is up to the shooter

- Shoots an arrow faster than my longbows.
I own longbows that shoot faster than many recurves

- Shorter N-N so I can get through brush with it in some ways much easier.
Again, not necessarily

- Suits a bow quiver so I don't have a back quiver or side quiver dangling off my body.
I hunt with a bow quiver on ALL my longbows

- Despite not being as quiet as my longbows, it's definitely a quiet bow (62# draw and a 600gn arrow).
You want a 'longbow quiet recuver', easy, B50 and Bowhush wrap

- I can shoot it accurately a little bit further than my longbows.
I shoot both the same, and have made many of my 'best shots' with both. Longest shot with a recurve, longest moving shot with a longbow. All my pheasants were with longbows. 80% of all my kills where with longbows and distance was never a concern of whether I needed a recuve for 'that shot'. I did however go back to the truck once to trade my 60# longbow for a 70#er after I saw the saddle bags on the 'Beast of Paradise'. That was a good move.

I do love the longbows for other reasons.
- Despite being harder to shoot for this reason, I love how light they are in my hands.
- Quieter.
Yes, I agree for the most part, some recurves have longbow type risers and grips

- Even though they're long, sometimes they're better in thick brush because the profile is skinner.
Yes, I have found it about equal, but longbows always seem easier to navigate through really this stuff

I'm not dissing recurves, but I do not have one at the moment as I didn't like keeping up with a stringer and as I said in the other thread, longbows are a little more 'bruteish' in the woods.  I'm actually strongly considering buying a take down at the moment, a 2 piece.

Please remember, my comments were not to start an argument, just to say that 'one size doesn't fit all'. 

[PrimitivePete]

I believe what complicates the age old argument of recurve vs longbow is the addition of the hybrid longbow in the mix and toss in the selfbows. The variance among longbows is very diverse so it really is hard to make a general comparison. I shoot both and hunt with both but prefer the longbow because that is what I feel most confident in.

[GCook]

I have liked recurves better in 3D shoots for the reasons of I tend to shoot them better overall and especially at longer distances.  And that is with one that the limb sets use the same riser.
I kill with both recurve and longbows.  Terry is the second person to suggest the B50 so I need to order one and try it.  I already use bowhush style string end silencer.  Quiet but not longbow quiet.
I prefer my longbows for overall shooting enjoyment and hunting in general.  And this year I've been able to step up my accuracy and increase my range.
That said range is an issue.  Longbows of equal poundage to recurve bows generally not near as much zip so I have to give the recurve the thumb up on that. 
But I hunt close.

[McDave]

Along with the things already mentioned, I would like to add the force-draw curve. The force draw curve on a longbow is steeper for most longbows at a normal draw length than for most recurves. Much steeper than for super-curve recurves. This means that the effect of any error one makes in coming to full draw with a longbow will be greater than the same error with a recurve.

Obviously, the solution is to always draw to a consistent draw length, but that is easier said than done, even with a clicker.

If the recurve does not have any inherent advantages, then there is no need to have a separate longbow category in competitions.

Theory aside, the only real solution is to shoot both, and see which one works better for you.  There are longbow shooters out there who can shoot better than all but a handful of recurve shooters.  So if you're not among those elite few, it really comes down to your own personal preference.

[Terry Green]

I hear ya Dave, I don't know about target archery unless the target is breathing.

[Wilderlife]

Not trying to start a debate or argue, but things I have learned over the last 47 years....

Accuracy is all up to the shooter and their form.


Please remember, my comments were not to start an argument, just to say that 'one size doesn't fit all'. 

Absolutely mate, in the same way that my post is directly related to my experiences with my bows and I can't speak for anyone else.

[woodchucker]

WELL......

I just seem to shoot my recurves better?
I have a Howard Hill "Mountain Man" longbow that I just LOVE!!!
I get that bow, put my Hill back quiver on, at a 3-D shoot.... Dang I look COOL!!!!!

BUT, I honestly can't hit a bull in the a$$ with that bow!!
I really think it's the dished grip. I just can't seem to "heel" it like I should?

I have a couple hybrid longbows with recurve style grips, and I shoot them just fine.

[dnovo]

I have a number of recurves. Aside from one that is set up for bowfishing, I never shoot them.  I've been shooting and hunting with a longbow for the last 42 years.  I don't seem to notice any of the supposed cons of a longbow as listed above.  I love them and they are what I like to shoot.  Since I shoot them as well or better than most of my friends who use recurves, I figure I'm doing ok.
 A longbow is lighter, easier, and it's simple form is more appealing to me.  Also a 3 piece longbow with a recurve style handle is not a longbow.  Now that should generate some comments. 

[woodchucker]

Agreed, Dan!!!

Like I said, I LOVE my Hill longbow!!! Just can't seem to shoot it good, LMAO
(and the hybrids collect dust, lol)

[Tedd]

I go back and forth. I have hammered  4-6 shots down range in a better group w a rfdf longbow than any other. But I have also had frustrating flyers with that same bow. I shoot the Black Widow recurve first shot best. So that is what I'm using now. It could change tomorrow.  I'd like a Toelke longbow and a big jim thunder child. Use both!
Tedd

[Dave Lay]

Thanks guys , I think my biggest issue is a proper repeatable grip with this particular bow right now. And I don’t want to worry about that hunting. My PSA is as quiet as about any longbow I have had. I’m a real stickler for that and have sold several nice bows that I couldn’t get quiet. So B50 is unnecessary plus I don’t like the feel of it.  I’m not saying a heavy riser recurve style straight limb bow isn’t a longbow, but it’s just not for me, I’ll just shoot a recurve.
     Keep em coming, I appreciate it

[Steelhead]

Pretty well said by Terry above.

I have shot longbows and recurves about the same amount for hunting.No clear favorite for me.My longbows are both hybrid types and more traditional.I like the variety of both types and they both look good as Art pieces on the wall where thier at most the time.

I have not really found recurves noisy personally.Some are as quiet as any longbow.I have been shooting B-55 alot in a 12 strand more recently.Prior to that almost all FF type strings.These are well made strings in the perfect length without much silencer.Very Small puffs.Anyway all the recurves I have are really quiet and the shooting qualities are just fine for me with B-55.I like it.I would definatly try it if you find a curve is on the noisy side and see if it quiets down.

A guy may shoot one better than another because thats what thier dialed in with,prefer and shoot much more overtime and really get the feel of a particular style bow really ingrained because of that.Some guys can shoot anything about equally well.

[Sam McMichael]

I still have several recurves but very seldom shoot them. I am just less accurate with them, possibly because I don't practice with them. To me the longbow is "just more funner". Some of my friends who shoot curves are mighty fine archers, so I know they are a good platform. Just as I can't do as well with the recurve, I guess they can't feel as comfortable with the longbow. Lucky is the man who does well with both. The funny thing is that I loved the recurve before I tried the longbow.

[Orion]

I shoot and hunt with both.  Never really paid attention as to which I killed more critters with or whether I made better shots with one vs the other.  However, I do tend to be able to shoot the recurve accurately at a little farther distances than my longbows.  My comparison is to ASLs though.  I think a lot of the "longbows" folks are talking about in this comparison are really hybrids with severe r/d and pistol grip risers.  Those are much closer to a recurve than a longbow IMO, and the differences would be slight if any at all.

[GraniteStater]

I appreciate everyone’s perspective on the subject.  One thing that is great about traditional archery/bow hunting is the experience is very personal.  Each of us will have our own preferences based on what we personally enjoy and find a measure of satisfaction/success with.  I’ve found that to be the strength of this community, no one person has it all right.  You learn from a wide variety of people from different areas and backgrounds, and you grow in knowledge and skill over time by trying out different things.  (Like different styles of bow.)

Terry, I appreciate all of the work you have done over the years on this site and your willingness to share your insights.  And I want to convey this in a kind way, no disrespect intended.  On this post earlier you had a member take the time to share his own perspective and experience.  You then went point - counterpoint with him.  I don’t see how that encourages people to feel comfortable with posting or sharing if the person that runs the site will pick apart their views. I know if someone did that to my post I would feel bad and that my thoughts aren’t valued. 

To answer the OP.  I shoot a recurve because it has more zip than my ELB.  It’s super short and maneuverable too.  (Recurve is 50” and ELB 70”) I love longbows too though, I just use what I’m in the mood for that day.  Variety is the spice of life.

[Terry Green]

Granite,

So sorry I challenged anything with my 47 years of experience.  My appologies.  What  was I thinking? 

[MnFn]

I generally agree that grip placement maybe one of the reasons people struggle shooting longbows well. I tried about seven longbows and struggled with that.  Locator grips may help.

But then I found a straight gripped longbow that just plain works for me. It is a gem.

I also shoot recurves as well, I suppose because I grew up shooting recurves.