Traditional vs Compound

[bearbait]

I realize I am in a minority, but I shoot a compound INSTINCTIVLY, just like I shoot my recurves.  I even cant the bow.....  The best of both worlds!
My 

[bowhuntin]

i always look at it like this.  rifle has sights and a trigger.  so does a compound bow.  rifle was invented to increase the distance from the target and still be lethal.  so was the compound bow.  if you're going to shoot a compound bow...you might as well shoot a rifle.

I couldn't disagree more. A rifle can shoot hundreds of yards, where as the compound can only shoot tens of yards. Then you have to compare the velocities of what is being shot and there is no comparison.

[boneaddict]

Interesting point Jake

I think its just one notch higher up on the challenge belt.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I realize I am in a minority, but I shoot a compound INSTINCTIVLY, just like I shoot my recurves.  I even cant the bow.....  The best of both worlds!
My 

                                          That is how I shot my first bow, a Glenn St.Charles Buckskin. It was a round wheel with a wooden riser. No sights with a plastic flipper style rest, and fingers. Then I went down to NW Archery and had them set me up with a Marten Lynx with Speedflight limbs and TM Hunter rest and Fineline sight and a Tru-flight release......wow what a difference at the range!!!! I was hitting the 3 1/2 inch circle out to 80 and 2 out of 5 in the black out to 100!!! I still only shot out to 40 in hunting situations (except for once from the road, but that is a different story) and eventually got tired of carrying around that heavy chunk of metal and expereiencing "equipment malfunctions" and went to using a recurve I bought at a garage sale. The whole experience changed for me and I get a lot more enjoyment out of Archery now, I am a Traditional Archer and I feel sorry for anyone who has not experienced the thrill of harvesting a big game animal with traditional equipment, it will change your whole outlook.

[Hornseeker]

You guys that shoot trad ought to consider shooting the "300 round" which is 12 ends of 5 arrows on a blue, 40 cm target at 20 yards. There are 5 scoring zones, 5/4/3/2/1 well...and zero of course... Total points possible is 300.. it is a good way to track your skeelz... can be very frustrating too!  Starting in December I shoot it about 1-2 times a week until spring hits and I can get outside and shoot 3d's or whatever....

[@RCHER]

I know where you're coming from Pacific. But yeah, that's a loaded question. Always will be. Not much to debate in my opinion. It's a bit like asking how to fly an airplane.

Just wheel down to a bow shop and try them out. Most folks can't golf worth a crap their first few times out either. But you can golf with an old alder stick or buy some fancy aluminium clubs at Kmart. Then tell us what fits you best.

But I do agree that although trad is a ton of fun, you may become more confident and productive, quicker with a compound setup. Start easy though. Probably don't need to jump in with the $1200, 70lb, pro target bow. Although sexy, they are also, like my wife, high...(had to look over my should quick) maintenance.

Congrats for diving into the archery pool. Let us know what you decide, for sure.   

[NWWABOWHNTR]

I started 30+ years ago with a recurve,  then a Bear Whitetail compound,  no release and totally instinctive.  Over the past many years since I have the fastest IBo speed bows,  best sights,  several releases..... and I have taken 40+ deer and several elk (eastern boy transplanted here and loving it 20 years ago)  Now I am looking at going in reverse,  maybe a longbow or maybe a recurve.  One of the guys I hunt with is strictly traditional.... "he says he doesn't need training wheels"  :-)  Well after shooting friends bows,  I am hooked.  Not ready to completely give up my Bowtechs,  but I can see  me switching over maybe just for the fun of shooting traditional at 3D tourneys and just for fun.  I figure when I do it will only be time before I'll have a few pretty new Bowtechs for sale.  :-)

[PacificNWhunter]

But I do agree that although trad is a ton of fun, you may become more confident and productive, quicker with a compound setup. Start easy though. Probably don't need to jump in with the $1200, 70lb, pro target bow. Although sexy, they are also, like my wife, high...(had to look over my should quick) maintenance.

Ha ha...That cracks me up.

I think I am going to get a used compound and get a year under of bow hunting under my belt and then possibly trade in for a trad. I'll keep you all posted.

[@RCHER]

Right on! You'll fall in love with it. I mentioned golf before. It's a lot like golf. The more you practice, the better you get, the more you like it, the more you practice...repeat...

No need to put down the wheel bow either. Just collect all kinds and enjoy them all.

I'm 40 now and my story reads a bit like NWWABOWHNTR's. I go through phases. Some of them seasonal. I'm a bit tech geeky and a nostalgic sort - if that says anything. So, I love the feeling of stalking through the wet timber with my BowTech (I call "The Sickness") just as much as point shooting fish, or birds with a stick bow. It's all about that magical flight of the arrow.

If it helps, give us a time frame and budget and maybe we can toss a few recommendations out there. Some of the old Martins, Brownings, Hoyts (others no doubt) are really nice, inexpensive and fast bows. Put some new goodies on em and you're off and runnin.

BTW, I've always wanted one of these, with the antler limb bolts:  http://www.schafersilvertipbows.com/

[PacificNWhunter]

Those are some sweet looking bows @rcher, I really like the look of trads.

[@RCHER]

No doubt, and we should all be so blessed to have such kind words written about us when we pass on. Paul Shafer musta been a helluva guy.

[Hornseeker]

Dave does make some great bows! And yeah, from all I've heard, Paul was one helluva guy! I have a couple friends that were friends with Paul and they have never had a bad thing to say about him...

Trad/Tech... I am totally Trad/Tech. I use carbon in my bows and shoot carbon arrows out of them... I am also working on an aluminum riser for my longbow right now!  Some info here.. more to come though!
www.sapphirearchery.com

By the way...there is a cool company called Trad Tech...I think its tradtech.com or something like that. They build some sweet, "techy" trad bow. Aluminum risers with interchageable ILF limbs... check it out.

E

[RyanD]

I enjoy archery no matter what type-I have enjoyed good success with my compound-I am slowly starting to hunt with traditional gear.  I have yet to get a traditional harvest but I am having a blast trying.  I can honestly say that I have had more fun shooting my recurve.  Here is my latest recurve.  Blacktail from Norm Johnson-he is a true craftsman and it shoots as good as it looks.  Would like to try one of Ernies bows someday too.. 

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

WOW ! That is a sweet looking bow!! , I like my old bear bows but the new customs sure are works of art!!

[Hornseeker]

Norms bows are at the top of the heap in craftsmanship... there is NO debate about that. Brandon Stahl of Rose Oak Creations www.roseoakcreations.com is a contender for beautifully crafted bows too... your own Washingtonian, Bill Howland of Brackenbury Bows is right up there also!
Here's one of Brandons...


Here's one of Bills


One of mine..


Ryan...good ta seeya around man... I am getting ready to get that old camera out again... Would it be easy to switch the cam out in there with a digital?