Traditional Archery help / advise

[IFunk]

All great advice.  I would reiterate that practicing with a low draw weight to work on your form is paramount.  Like 25#.  No reason to be He-Man or Rambo although that's sort of goes along with the culture here at times.  I would also recommend taking the time to meet with an archery instructor is a great idea.  I did and it helped me a lot.  It's beneficial to have someone who has been shooting for years watch you and point out little things like hand and shoulder positioning which can help you reach that consistency which is so key in trad archery.

If you have proper skeletal alignment at full draw it will help alleviate some of that draw weight.  This is a big deal once you take off the training wheels.  Good form, using back tension, and getting a consistent anchor in the same spot are all so important.

Predator, Wes Wallace, Schafer, Stalker, take your pick.  They all look good.  Except Black Widows.

Be careful with Trad archery.  There are many beautiful bows and you may have a collection before you know it.   

[spin05]

Gonna be buying a recurve bow and would like a little advice from the guys that shoot traditional.  I have played around with traditional (long time ago) but would like to get back into it. 

What are good brands / bows in todays market?
Is a takedown bow good, bad or indifferent? 
What is a good draw weight for hunting with traditional equipment?  I pull 70 lbs with no problem on my Mathews. 
Tell me about arrows....carbon vs wood vs ? 

Anything else a guy should know?

Thanks in advance. 

Jrebel

If you can pull 70lbs.  you could probly be ok up to 60lbs on a re-curve. Its better to error on the light side. I shoot 64lbs on compound and my recurve is a 54lb.  Its about right. I shoot a old Bear i got off ebay for $100. As far as arrows i recommend wood and going with Ash.  Tougher then cedar and weighs a little more

[scotsman]

I have been shooting stick bows since before compounds were invented. Also a bowyer, have built around 100 recurves and longbows. There is sooo much to learn - its wonderfully satisfying when it comes together.

If you can travel next weekend, go to the Moses Lake Traditional shoot. It’s put on by the Traditional Bowhunters of Washington and has huge turnout, (300 - 500 people, including lots of vendors). Very family oriented there will be of kids …. Also lots of individuals will bring bows / arrows / stuff to trade or sell.  They’ll let you take bows to the bales and try before buying. Trad equipment is a lot more personal than compound so trying before buying can prevent .a lot of issues. Or if you are near Gig Harbor I’ll be glad to spend some time chatting and coaching at my home range. Shoot me a pm for a phone chat. Dave