longbow for backyard plinking and possibly deer

[elkboy]

Dear HuntWA- Hope you all are doing well, and getting ready for fall.

For you traditional archery experts, I want to pick your brain.  I'm thinking of picking up an Apache longbow from Three Rivers, but getting a 40 pound draw so I can focus on good shooting habits and accuracy.  I am mostly getting it for backyard recreational purposes.  However, if I can group arrows well enough after a few years, do you think it would be a reasonable bow for whitetails?  Or, is it reasonable to pick up a 45# or even 50# bow as a starter? Thanks all.

[pianoman9701]

I'd pick the highest weight you're comfortable with, my friend. With the intention of hunting down the road, if you can pull 45 or 50 and hold an anchor briefly with no discomfort, get the bigger bow. I had a great longbow but had a slight tear in my L shoulder, so had to get rid of it. Don't go overboard with the weight or wait until you're 60!

[boneaddict]

I wouldn't do 40 if you have any  intentions of hunting with it.   

[carpsniperg2]

  Find some place with some trad bows and get whatever draw weight you can bring back and anchor good. I would say 50lbs on a read bow would be the lighter end of what I would hunt with. I have a king bow and 4 recurves from 48-60lbs. You are typically going to be shooting a heavier arrow then with a compound in the same weight so to get enough speed to move that mass to get good penetration I would say 50 and I always shoot 2 blade heads with trad bows. Less drag and splits bones easier 

[elkboy]

Thank you for the insights, gentlemen. I appreciate it a lot!

Best of luck on your hunts this fall!

[KFhunter]

Find some place with some trad bows and get whatever draw weight you can bring back and anchor good. I would say 50lbs on a read bow would be the lighter end of what I would hunt with. I have a king bow and 4 recurves from 48-60lbs. You are typically going to be shooting a heavier arrow then with a compound in the same weight so to get enough speed to move that mass to get good penetration I would say 50 and I always shoot 2 blade heads with trad bows. Less drag and splits bones easier 

Is there a trad bow place anywhere around the NE corner? I sure don't know of any 


I've been binge watching Alone season 8 and now I want a dang trad bow         

[carpsniperg2]

Not sure I’d have to look. There is a few trad only shops around here.
Makes it real handy to try and buy if shopping for a trad bow.

[KFhunter]

what's a good online source for trad archery, from blanks to broadheads?

[hughjorgan]

3riversarchery

https://www.3riversarchery.com/

[copasj]

Personally I started with a Samick Sage with 30# limbs.  After I got comfortable there I bought a Samick Discovery (ILF) riser and 35# limbs.  I have a set of 40# limbs coming now, and will likely pick up a longer riser soon to house the lower poundage limbs so I will have a nice 30'ish pound bow for practice form.  I'm glad I started low because it's really easy to build bad habits if you are over bowed with traditional gear.  Trad gear doesn't have any of the crutches we are used to with modern bows, no sights, peeps, let-off etc.  It's all form and concentration, if your mind wonders and your draw collapses a bit it doesn't give you any feedback.  Your arrow ends up left of center, and you are left wondering why. 

Call 3 rivers and talk to them before you purchase.  Their staff is pretty smart and helpful in my experience.