Recurve selection help

[slayerrd]

I've been shooting compounds since I was 5 and I've been itching to start shooting recurves. I'm looking for a starter bow something to mainly hunt turkeys and deer with in the future. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help.

[lpcjon2]

It will depend on the amount of $ you wish to spend.And why not a longbow? You can check this out.Just click it

 http://tradgang.com/docs/newbies.html

[mrpenguin]

Best advice is go shoot as many as you can.  Shoot different weights and lengths, different grips, different models and designs, shoot as much as possible.  You will find one that works for you.  Also, subtract about 25% of your peak compound weight as a 'ballpark' for recurve weight according to the boys at Black Widow Bows.  You will be surprised how heavy a 70# bow is!!

Good luck and enjoy!  Trad shooting is just a joy!

[mahantango]

2nd mrpenguin's advice. If you can, get to one of the bigger trad shoots, one that has lots of bowyers and vendors set up. You can check out and shoot a wider variety of stickbows, new and used, than any other way I know of. Absolutely shoot before you buy. Stickbow fit is a very personal thing.

[Whip]

Start with a low draw weight to begin with.  45# or so is a good place to start.  You want to be able to learn proper form and techniques without struggling to pull and hold a bow back.

A used bow is a great place to start out, with the thought that you will learn what you like as you go and eventually will move on to something else.  I think it is very hard for someone just getting into it to know what they like until they have shot for awhile.  Almost everyone goes through that - don't know of many who bought one bow and never bought another.  

The classifieds here are a great place to find a used bow, and you will likely be able to recover most or all of your money if you do decide to sell it.

[acadian archer]

check all the sponsor ads, try to shoot one if possible.  

I'm a fan of Chek mates but decide for yourself, forget the hype as you're the one that's going to be shooting it.

[Michael Arnette]

It's really a personal preference. I have tried and liked most of them. Bob lee, Zipper, Bearpaw my favorite brands of the ones I have tried were Schafer and Talltines. I would start out with a low draw weight and look around at some used bows here on tradgang.

[Raging Water]

I have a suggestion. Here in Texas we don't have a lot of Trad Shoots where sponsors have bows to try.

So, if you buy a bow from a member, ask if, you don't like it you can send it back and get a refund. You should pay for the return shipping and the bow has to be returned in the same condition that you bought it.

Okay, well if they return it to me in the same "as new" condition I sent it. I would, in good faith, refund their money. Especially, if the buyer is new to Trad.

I have tried many bows since getting into Trad. I have bought and sold. Right now, I think I am only out of pocket $100. Why, because the Trad Gang members sell quality bows at the market price. You won't get taken by any of these members.

So, I have bought and re-sold for what I paid. The delta has been the shipping costs. Again, I think I am upside down only about $100.

That's my 2 cents.

Matt

NO BUY, SELL, TRADE OR ATTEMPT BUY SELL OR TRADE ON POW WOW.

[Rodd Szmania]

Whip is right. You want about 45lbs. You don't want to have to heavy a bow. you can go up if you want after. It is easy to sell a low poundage bow rather than a heavy one.

Good Luck!

[GMMAT]

Check the classifieds.  Plenty of good choices, there.

Good luck.

[richbat]

well some of the advice up top is good,sometimes folks just don't have the option of trying out different bows,maybe due to not having any shops around that cater to trad.or just maybe the distance to one. now i will agree that is your best option, but do some research on the bows that catch your eye,go to flea markets,yard sales and the many places on this thing we call the computer. ask lots of questions there are many who would be pleased to help you along your way in search of the bow your trying to find.

[mrpenguin]

I've done several trades through the classifieds... most guys are pretty willing to trade bows.  I've been able to shoot Robertson's, Cascades, Bear, White Wolf, Black Widow (a favorite), Howatt, and a few others buy buying and trading.  But going to swaps and meets is the best place to try out bows.

[Soilarch]

I'll echo what's been said: look for something in the mid to high 40#.  I went from a 74# compound to a 55-ish# longbow and it was too heavy.  I could, and did, shoot and learn on it but it was a mistake.

I also wish I had started the transition with a recurve instead of a longbow.  The grips on most recurves are similar to that on a compound. This is a personal preference thing so DEFINATELY try a longbow too to see if you prefer it.

The last thing I'd suggest is the classifieds here at tradgang.   You won't find better people, and you'll be very hard pressed to find better deals.

I'm one of those guys richbat is talking about.  Trying them out one by one wasn't an option for me.  

If it matters to you at all, I bought a RH Bear Grizzly in 45# even though I'm LH.  It's sole purpose in my stable is to be a bow I can hand to a buddy that might be interested in trad.  They can be had for good prices and (in my opinion) are a great place to start if you can't try different bows in person.

[Spectre]

I just found me an old Browning Wasp(pretty darn good shooter BTW)50lb bow for cheap at the big site who's name we don't mention. It was a pretty good bow, so it stayed fun to shoot for me.
 Like was already stated, one really doesn't need to blow a ton of money right out of the gate---although matching arrows can be a bit pricey. Get one of those tuning kits from 3 Rivers or Kustom King that has a few different spine weights and go to tuning, thats the cheapest way.

[jackdaw]

alot of good advise being administered here. I also agree with the 45# advice..or something in that area..as SUPER sound advice. Many of my trad buddys started in the low to middle 50's with their recurve/longbow weights and most everyone of them has regressed to the 45-50# draw weight class for both course and hunting purposes.And, as mentioned previously here, not a darn thing wrong with starting with a used bow in sound shape...they're are PLENTY of them out there in the $150.00 to $250.00 class....good luck!!

[MJB]

http://tradgang.com/docs/newbies.html

[slayerrd]

Thanks for all the advice. Does anyone know of a good shop I could visit in Northern Missouri?

[thunder1]

There are a lot of good bows in the classified adds. Do a search in powwow for favorite recurves or bows. That might get you an ideal what some people are shooting. Your still need to shoot as many as you can.

[legends1]

It cant be said enough,shoot as many styles and designs as you can.Dont get over bowed.You want to find a weight that is easy to shoot.Think about finding a bow weight that you could shoot all day at a 3D shoot without killing yourself.Also feel free to ask questions.
Getting started right will make it fun and not cost a arm and a leg switching bow to bow tring to find something you like.

[slayerrd]

Thanks for the help