Traditional Archery

[Dutch Dog]

I spoke somewhere before of getting into the traditional part of archery. I have always condidered myself an ok shot when shooting instinctive. There is more to it than simply pulling a bow back and shooting it. I have shot enough competitive archery and had some good coaching along the way to be able to hold my own with a compound. What are some of the big differences between the two that some of you converts have noticed. (no training wheel jokes please ). I know you generally shoot a heavier arrow, and some big broadheads, usually feathered arrows fletched helical. Just any information will be helpful.
Thanks.

[duck_nutt]

sounds like aq good question for mr womack..

[Warren H. Womack]

John, For me it's just plain & simple and more fun, shooting with traditional equipment. Besides I'm able to shoot an arrow much faster than I could with a compound. Nothing to check on, nothing to line up, no guessing distances. Just point the bow, draw the string to anchor and release. Most of the time it's all done in one quick motion.

As far as arrows and broadheads go. I shoot the arrow that shoots the best out of my bow and always shoot feathers with helical fletching. Any broadhead will work, as long as it's sharp. I like the challenge of using hand / eye coordination for shooting instead of sight pins.

I never have like to fool with gadgets and worry about tuning. With just a stick and string I appreciate my kills a lot more than I did with a wheel bow and I have a greater sense of accomplishment.

When I switched back to a recurve in 1993 I made a commitment to hunt the entire season with it, good or bad. I was ready to accept it if I didn't kill a deer. Well as it worked out I managed to take 9 deer, the fist year back with it. Since then I have never even considered going back to a compound. Actually, in a lot of situations I feel it's an advantage for me to be hunting with a stickbow instead of a compound. It's certainly more fun to practice with.

For someone just starting out, they shouldn't expect to much, too soon. It takes time and a lot of shots to work into a groove that works for them. Everyone has their own way and it's best not to copy form from another shooter. Just find a way of shooting that feels natural and practice that until it all starts clicking. Don't get in a hurry to take long shots. That's not what it's all about. Shoot close and as you develop form and confidence, slowly, work your way into longer shots.

I have no problem with compound bows or hunters that use them. Hey, I killed 175 deer with a compound bow. Some of my best hunting partners use a compound. I respect their choice and I think they do the same for mine.

[Dutch Dog]

If I wanted to toy with it a bit what would be a good starter bow? I know some bows I have seen like black widow's and such can cost upwards of $1000 and I don't have that much to plunk down on a bow just to see if its even something I want to do.

[Warren H. Womack]

Here's a link from Tradgang.com for all kinds of Traditional bows, that are for sale.

http://tradgang.com//noncgi/ultimatebb. ... &submit=Go

You can also find good starter bows at E-Bay.

I would never recommend anyone buying a high dollar custom made stickbow before they were certain that they really wanted one.

[driveby]

I think a Bear would be a good starter bow. You can buy a used one for just a little and they shoot really well. You don't want to make the mistake I made and start with too heavy of a draw. I think a lot of people do this. It's a lot different than the compound. I shoot 42 pounds with my longbow but I'm shooting it mostly in tournaments. In comparison I was shooting a Mathews maxed out at 70. I picked up another bow yesterday to hunt with. An old Browning Cobra I in 45 pound. I like it because it's only a 50 inch bow and is real manuverable.

[GordonGekko]

Well, here is what I know...the extent of it. I've never owned a recurve, but I've got a bad hankerin' for one.... I have shot one quite a lot however. One of my best friends got into traditional archery a while back and whenever we'd get together to shoot (every afternoon after work), we'd shoot our compounds (50 arrows) and then shoot his recurve's. I got to the point that I was ready to buy one of my own, then I decided to go back to school...so long story short, I'm still waiting to get my first. However, I did run across a fellow just outside of Tupelo, named Chad that sells Chekmate bows...from what I saw these bows were phenomenal values. check him out at http://www.recurves.com

[mfalkner]

John,

I switched to traditional a couple of years ago. Work has kept me from hunting much during bow season (I promise to do better this year), but to me 15-20 yards is effective hunting range with a stickbow and it makes you hunt just a little sharper to get those shots.

You can get a nice used Pearson or Shakespeare stickbow on ebay for less than $100, or watch the classifieds on Tradgang. For a step up, it's hard to beat a Martin Hunter - they usually have one or two at Bass Pro, but you can get them for less other places. Don't get too hung up on name brands just yet, and don't buy too much bow. Rule of thumb is drop 15-20 lbs off your compound weight. 50 lbs is plenty of draw weight on a recurve. I shoot cedar arrows with Zwickey Eskimos, but aluminum or carbon works just as well (never mind the traditional police).

Get hooked up with some trad shooters in your area; they can work wonders on your form and speed up the learning curve. We have a group near New Albany that shoots every month, and one of the guys lives in Holly Springs. Several Mississippi guys on the Leatherwall, too.

It's fun and addictive, and I love stump shooting. Frankly, practice with a compound gets boring quick, but I can wander around the woods with my Labs, kids, whatever and shoot stumps all day. You can make up contests with your buddies, it's better than golf.

PM if you have other questions.

Mike

[mfalkner]

One other thing, to reiterate something Warren said; shooting a stickbow is a fluid movement as opposed to a static pull-hold-release. It's a lot more like throwing a baseball than shooting a gun, and there are some basic mechanics that make your more consistent.

Mike

[4-EYED GADWALL]

Dutch Dog I got a Black Widow and a Alasken Stomper I'll sell at a good price.

the BW is 80# so you better eat your wheaties

the Alasken is a bow I had cutom made for me about 8 years ago. Its a nice bow 70#s 29" draw.

Now I shoot another Alasken Stomper riser with some limbs Bobby Lofton made me years ago 80#

[Dutch Dog]

tooooo much bow for me. I'm looking in the lower 50's or so...maybe even in the mid to upper 40's...from what I have been told that's a good poundage to start with.

[mfalkner]

45 #'s will do passthroughs on deer all day with heavy arrows (~10 grains/pound of draw wt is a good rule of thumb) and scary-sharp 2 blade broadheads. If you shoot aluminums, something like 2016's for draw lenght under 29" and 2018's for longer draws are a good place to start w/ 125 grain heads. You probably won't draw quite as long with a stickbow, either.

Some people use a rule of thumb for being overbowed - if you can come to full draw aiming straight at the ground you can handle the bow.

Mike