Hello from a newbie (introduction and maybe a question or two)

[Rich in CO]

Welcome I'm not much of a poster either kinda like reading, ton's of good info to be had

[Friend]

Please come in and take a seat. We have plenty of wood to stoke the fire so that all may be warmed.


You may have enjoyed firearms more if you could view the bullet as it travels to the target. Be careful, the sight of an arrow in flight may come to own you.

Hi Kelly!  You're right, this is a "forum of family".

And like the Bruce the teacher said: " Ask and ye shall get... answers comments, lies, stories, and all the info you could ask for..."    

I had to chuckle about your comment regarding the release.  About 15 years ago I can remember distinctly muttering to myself, after having just launched an arrow from my finely tuned machine: "this is ridiculous".  

I gave the bow to a neighbor and one week later I had a nice used Bighorn recurve in my hands.  

As to your comments about what/when/how to buy
your longbow, don't be in a hurry!  Don't be shy about it...just ask and listen - you'll get a ton of information (some biased) and I'm sure you will eventually find your dream bow.  You gotta be careful though.  Seems we all get our hands on that beauty and soon after, our eyes wander only to fall in love with another 'un...

As Killdeer mentioned, try to attend trad expos if you can get away for a couple days..it is there you can get tons of valuable hands-on.  You really need to shoot a lot of bows to be able to build your own opinion on what you really want and need in a bow.

Good luck!    

[Cal bow]

Welcome and enjoy

[Ranger44]

Welcome.  I don't post much either but I read almost daily.  I'll be looking forward to reading the answers to all of your questions too!

[Kmurray]

Thanks again for the warm welcome from those I have missed while reading about that bloody tree sling (saddle) thing... what a contraption!!! And a new "Big Jim" Bow (what a sexy bow!!)

Im glad that I am not the only one who has been put off by pulling a trigger to launch an arrow... I honestly thought I was a little weird for my impression. I mean, I KNOW I am weird... but I thought I was at a new level of weird for that. Its all the rage and I just don't see the point?

Thanks again for the warm welcome and I am more excited than ever to embark on this new endeavor! My Win 94 in 356 Win. will have to stay in storage for 2011 and I am focused on this traditional archery thing...... wish me luck and hold my hand if your not too manly  

[straitera]

Appreciate your candor Kelly. You're here for the right reasons. Best of luck hunter.

[Steve Clandinin]

Welcome aboard and don't be afraid to ask or post,heck if no one posted what would there be to read! LOL.Best bunch of Ladies and Gents around.

[Richie]

Welcome , you are on the right track.

[S.C. Hunter]

Welcome!

Welcome, but a word of advise. These guys love to help people spend their money.  They honestly do it with the best of intentions and it may get confusing.  So then,.... what are you planning on buying?

[Ricker]

Hi    

[stick-um]

Welcome from Texas

[Flying Dutchman]

Welcome in the family Kelly!

[Pepper]

Welcome to the forum, and the trad community.
Look for local shoots, and talk to the trad shooters there.
I'm sure that they will be happy to share their knowledge, and allow you to inspect their equipment, and probobly let you shoot it.
Trad is not a jump and run type of archery, it's like all good things, it takes time and energy, and it only gets better with age.
Enjoy your journey, you will meet many friends along the way.

[Kmurray]

Originally posted by pavan:
Welcome, but a word of advise. These guys love to help people spend their money.  They honestly do it with the best of intentions and it may get confusing.  So then,.... what are you planning on buying?

I certainly don't need any help spending money, ha ha!
As for what I plan on buying, that's still very much open. I have my eye on a couple in the classifieds and a very pretty St. Joe River from another retail source.
I feel drawn to a tomahawk for some reason, it seems like it might be the Rem 700 of the bow world. I just have a hard time with the price. A little steep for my first bow I think, and when I see what I can get for $200 less from someone like 'Big Jim' it makes it even harder.  
I like a lot of what I've seen. But I think a well cared for second hand bow is the effective way to go.

if you ask for opinions on any given bow, you will answers from those who have first hand knowledge.  I always look at positive prejudice for something as a good sign that the product is good. The type of shooting style you use should reflect the kind of bow you are shooting to a degree. There is nothing wrong with used stuff.  I have a bunch of used bows myself.  A couple have killed a number of deer that I paid less than $50 for.  How to books and videos are a good place to start, it gives you an idea what styles and stuff is out there and puts a name or design examples out in plain view, so you can make clearer choices.  A good used moderately light recurve with good matching arrows and an instruction video or two can get you in the game without too much investment.

[TexasStick81]

I bought my first trad bow out of the bargain cave at cabelas to find out if it's something I would want to stick with.  I knew very quickly that I would.  Check out the classifieds.  I bought a couple till I figured out whether I liked the recurve or longbow, what grip, what style of riser, etc.  After having 3 and shooting others I knew exactly what I was looking for.  I've just got my first new bow and it's exactly what I wanted.  You can get some great used bows here from people that take care of them.  Best of luck to you.

[BlacktailBowhunter]

Welcome aboard.