WANT TO GO TRADITIONAL BOWHUNTING.

[Boss .300 winmag]

I have hunted with compound in the past shooting fingers, and have been successful ever year I did.

Went back to modern for the sake of hunting with all three of my kids, which was really cool seeing all them take multiple deer.

Now I want to get back into archery with that being traditional.

I will probably do this type of hunting in northern Idaho for whitals so I can still hunt modern in our area we like. Or try for multi season permit if I don't score a dink in the modern season.

Please help me with some does and don'ts in this area.

Thanks in advance.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Hmm anybody?

[Florida_Native]

No clue on this but my cousin is huge in it. He builds his own bows and arrows. His website has some good info.
http://www.twistedstave.com

[Boss .300 winmag]

 thanks

[dreamunelk]

Long Bow or Recurve?   
My first recommendation is to purchase an inexpensive bow and practice for a couple of months.  Make sure your arrow are tuned for you bow!  During the practice look at better bows.  you may find that your inexpensive bow works great.  Spend some time reading all the forums at tradgang.com.    Especially the form threads.  Lots of great info.  As for poundage go lite to start with.  For traditional archery it is all about form.  Practice with light bow to improve form.   I have many bows ( yew stick, recurve, and modern longbow and compounds), it is as bad as guns and fishing poles.  I choose to hunt elk with my 55# black Widow.  No special reason other than I really like it. 

Shooting traditional is a lot of fun. 

[Cap.Silver]

I think Ray had crafted his own bows and arrows .Contact him - I think he has new screen name though 

[MLBowhunting]

Shoot as much as you can.     

[scotsman]

You might check out the 'Traditional trophies ' thread in the Bow Hunting section. Then send me a PM and I can give you lots of good info.

[Tree Killer]

dreamunelk gave you lots of good info.   If possible, start with a light draw bow...40# at 28".   Work on your form, don't worry about getting perfect arrow flight until you move up to a hunting weight bow.  Although 40lbs is plenty for a deer sized animal, I prefer a heavier bow myself. 

I have selfbows, longbows, and recurves...for hunting I have always preferred a recurve.  They seem a little more smoother to draw and shoot then a longbow, but may not be quite as quiet as a longbow. 

Feel free to ask questions, if we put our collective heads together we should be able to come up with an answer.

Come on over from the Dark side, may the force be with you!   

[boneaddict]

Patience and perseverance are key.   Shoot lots as mentioned.   I don't think its typical to be able to just pick it up and shoot the eyes out without a lot of practice.   Its also not like a compound were you can hide it in the closet, pick it up a week before season. Start close and work your way back....

[RG]

The advice about starting out with a lighter weight bow is really good advice.  I've shot compounds and traditional since the early 70's.  It's really easy to over do the weight on traditional which leads to really bad shooting form and habits.  A 40  pound bow is legal.  Shoot a comfortable weight, probably start around 50 but no more.  I comfortably shoot 80 or more pound compounds but 60 on a recurve or longbow is tough because there is no letoff and holding it for even a few seconds sets up the shakes.

Recurves are easier to shoot well than longbows just because of the difference in hand shock during the shot.  Self bows are even tougher.  I'd start with a nice recurve and work into something else when you get good at it.  Wood arrows are cool too but start with aluminum because they are straight and available. Carbon is a little unforgiving. 

Find G. Fred Asbell's instinctive shooting books and memorize them.  Then shoot a lot, I mean a lot.  You have to train your brain, eye, and arm to work together.  Instinctive shooting is the same process as throwing a baseball.  You look at the target and your mind makes the adjustments to but the arrow or ball in the middle of the target.  You don't physically calculate holdover, etc.  You never see a good baseball pitcher who only practices a week before the season starts.  Same with a traditional archer.

It is very rewarding if you have the interest and commitment.

[Boss .300 winmag]

So with that said. What's a good recurve bow, and what's a good price point?

Thanks for all the info posted so far. 

[Special T]

I dont hunt with my re-curve but here is what i did. I went to Riverside Archery and told Gary I wanted to get a re-curve. They carry the inexpensive Samic Sage bows, Since i shoot LH i was able to take the LH riser and try out several different poundage's.If in the future i want a different LBS limbs they are inexpensive and easy to get. I normally shoot a compound with a release so and Apache style anchor and 45lbs limbs felt "normal" for me. There were other bows i liked better but being a LH shooter i was pretty limited as to what i could try out in the store. Ive just used it for 3d shoots and fun shooting but it does have enough poundage to shoot with. I think i spent $230 ish for a bow, stringer half doz arrows and shooting glove.

Hope that is what your looking for.

[scotsman]

You can't go wrong with a classic rwcurve  from Bear Archery. As matter of fact,  Fred Bears bows from  the 60's and 70s have been proven to be such fine shooters and have such high demand from collectors that Bear is now making them again. Probably the best bang for the buck is the new version of the Super Kodiak recurve.

The best place to buy one is from  Big Jim at Bigjimsbowcompany.com. In the traditional world Big Jim has a phenomenal reputation for knowledgeable service, prompt shipping and the best prices. Jim answers the phone himself and will ask questions to help him recommend the best  bow for your stature, experience etc., and then he can set you up with correctly matched arrows and accessories too. He currently is advertising Bear Super  Kodiak recurves brand new for $450 - $600 depending on the type of wood. Jim also makes his own custom line of bows which are very highly regarded.

If you want to stay relatively local and think a less expensive used bow might do the trick then call Ted Fry at Raptor Archery in a Hood River Oregon. Ted  usually has 50 -100 used bows in stock and its worth a trip there just to see Teds museum of archery history.

Dave

[hollymaster]

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