Howdy, folks.
Several years ago I acquired a 46# recurve that was made for me by Jeffrey archery. I practiced shooting at targets and roving, but didn't get out and hunt. After retiring from the USAF, moving, and getting a new job the bow sat in the closet. A couple weeks ago I picked up a Traditional Bowhunter magazine and the itch came back. I strung my bow and pulled it a couple times, thinking I need to pick up a target. I'm also now thinking of finally getting out and attempting a harvest with it this year.
However, I have to confess a lack of confidence. Oh, with practice I know I'll be able to hit what I'm aiming at. The question is my ability to get a deer (or hog or whatever) to step within range, then draw and release without spooking it.
This past season I spent many hours in a treestand 60 yards from a corn pile with a rifle in my lap (just an incidental reference to gun hunting!
). There was sign and I'd hear them before the sun came up, but I came out of the season skunked.
The thought of hunting with this recurve is intimidating. However, I see the pictures in magazines and online of successful traditional hunters, plus, the Indians did it with far less sophisticated bows. In my head I know it's possible, the challenge will be walking it out.
Thus, I'm here to learn.
A little bit about why I chose a traditional bow:
When I first got interested in a bow I went to a 3D shoot to see what I could learn. I saw significant differences between the compound and traditional shooters.
I watched a compound shooter fully draw his bow and hold it while he sighted the target. While holding, he reached up with his thumb and scratched his ear. When his technology lined up he hit his trigger release. He had lots of gadgets helping him.
Then I watched the traditional shooters. Draw and release. Simple and fluid. It came down to the man, not the gadgets.
Also, there was a big difference in personalities between the two groups. The compound shooters were more "serious", while the traditional guys were having a lot more fun.
In the end, I decided that I wanted to keep things simple, and since Jeffrey is just up the road, I visited them and ordered a bow.
I've babbled long enough. I'll close this and stop back from time to time. Looking forward to browsing the forums.