OK guys, what does it take?

Altiman94 · May 02, 2009, 10:20:00 PM

Hi Guys,

I have been shooting trad for about 2 years now. I am very proficient 20 yards and in and don't see any reason why I couldn't harvest game. My question is how do you just give up on the wheelie bows and go trad full-time?

It seems everytime i go out deer or turkey hunting I always grab my compound. How do you get over that mental leap in your mind?

WESTBROOK · May 02, 2009, 10:30:00 PM

Get the wheels out of reach, sell 'em, send them away.
Eric

reddogge · May 02, 2009, 10:32:00 PM

It's easy. Just tell yourself the kill isn't that important at all, it's the hunting experience and that will be enhanced many fold using a traditional bow and equipment even if you miss an animal. However you will not miss if you have a positive attitude.

Mel Amos · May 02, 2009, 10:34:00 PM

Which bow do you enjoy shooting more. That's what it came down to for me. I still have my older Bowtech. I have only shot it about 4 times in the last couple of years. It took me a long time to get my confidence up.

If I had to guess you're enjoying the traditional bow more. If so that's your answer!

Mel

daveycrockett · May 02, 2009, 10:40:00 PM

Shoot what makes you feel good on the inside. Literally, just follow your heart.

bigiron · May 02, 2009, 10:49:00 PM

which one is more fun to carry around in the woods? which one is lighter? which one doesn't break as many arrows when you miss? which one doesn't need all the wrenchs to tighten all the expensive crap you have to hang on it?...........thats how i made the switch back to fun.

Hattrick · May 02, 2009, 10:54:00 PM

Its easy if ur cerise.. I never had that problem

Zog · May 02, 2009, 10:58:00 PM

Just tell yourself it's gross to gut them and their feathers stink and you would rather buy one than shoot it.

Killdeer · May 02, 2009, 11:02:00 PM

I have overlapping seasons in Virginia, and your question is the same, yet different, as/than my own. Do I carry the bow, or the muzzleloader?

How anxious am I to fill the freezer?
Is this a better day for one over the other?
Which would be more fun?
Which would make me feel better?

If you have an overactive, global-type ever-circulating bowl of mush for a brain, as I have, the list of questions can grow longer all morning. I usually think better with bow in hand, so I take it into the woods for some thoughty time together.

Killdeer

JL · May 02, 2009, 11:05:00 PM

After I spent a lot of time with my recurve, I picked up my compound, shot one arrow and everything felt "wrong". It was very clear that "that" bow was shooting the arrow and not me. I sold it off shortly after knowing it wasn't for me and I decided the curve was my bow of choise. It's a personal thing but I'm diggin it...

JL

martin guy · May 03, 2009, 12:35:00 AM

Sell the compound, sold mine 3yrs ago, don't miss it a bit.

Andy

wihill · May 03, 2009, 01:02:00 AM

I can't understand or prove why it happens, but I swear the deer understand my limited range with my trad tackle and come out of the woodwork.

I think there's a ring leader with some binoc's scoping me out telling the rest of them "What? That thing? Oh heck, you're safe - that thing only hits trees..."

:D

sagebrush · May 03, 2009, 01:27:00 AM

You need more confidence in your trad. bow. My prescription is to take your bow out at least 3 times a week and stump shoot. Also take some really long shots for fun(150yards). Shoot it until you feel like you can hit small objects at 50 yards. Then you won't even care about the compound any more. Gary

DngrsDan · May 03, 2009, 02:15:00 AM

My biggest reason for going trad was I don't have to mess with 10,000 gizmos to shoot my bow. About the only thing I gotta adjust is the nocking point-everything else is up to me.
Went to a local archery shop-where ALL they carry is compounds-and the guy asked me why I didn't want a compound. Had my bow with me (GP TD LB)so I took it apart, put it back together, strung it up and shot an arrow. Challenged him to do the same thing with his wheelie.

Matty · May 03, 2009, 02:20:00 AM

I used to do the same thing and be the same way. You are lacking confidence in your current ability. I sold 3 compound bows.... I HAD TO then I bought MORE Longbows...And a recurve, with the funds from the sale...
Forced me to use it more and build my confidence..
Greatest thing I ever done..

**DONOTDELETE** · May 03, 2009, 07:12:00 AM

sell it....

Altiman94 · May 03, 2009, 07:27:00 AM

I think you all may be right. I have thought many times each and every way is to sell my compound and just hunt with the trad bow.

I am gettimng married in two weeks so I know we could use the money. Another motivator may be the fact that if I sell my wheelie bow, my wife would never allow me to buy another. It may be just what I need to do this.

I do enjoy shooting the recurve 10 times more. I will list it all up for sale in archery talk, just as soon as I get out of this darn turkey blind here in iowa!!

GMMAT · May 03, 2009, 07:30:00 AM

I did the same thing as Matty. Exactly.

Our very own Orion said (when I asked this question, several months ago)...

"When HOW you take animals becomes more important than HOW-BIG....or HOW-MANY, you'll make the switch. Good luck."

Powerful words, to me.

James Wrenn · May 03, 2009, 07:33:00 AM

All it takes is wanting to carry the stickbow.When you feel that way it will not matter if you still have the compound or not.It is up to you and getting rid of your other bow is not the answer. jmo

bawana bowman · May 03, 2009, 07:49:00 AM

Go out and shoot some aerial targets, foam discs,quail, pheasant, grouse, whatever... then ask yourself "can I do this with a compound?". I think you'll find the trad bows are much more versatile than a compound. Plus the way the machine feels when drawn just isn't natural!
I can only give suggestions for ways to make your decision, in 49 years I've never owned a wheelie, and have only shot one once. And they just don't feel right.