good beginer longbow

[superdown]

I have been interested in archery for a long time and have had a few bows over the years but never anything serious . never really could get into the modern side of archery, to many gadget's and attachment's and a really good point brought up in another thread is they loose major value virtually overnight . have been looking at some longbows on-line and saw this left-handed Montana longbow http://www.beararcheryproducts.com/bows/traditional/tradbows/?b=5 seems to be a reasonable price . I don't know when exactly i will be purchasing a bow but i would like to here what you guy's can tell me about quality vs price ?

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Although I think that is a nice bow...
I want to point out that once you take up Trad Archery things will never be the same...
That said, I would suggest attempting to acquire a used one on an auction site for less than new price.
Practice, and see what your comfortable with.
some guys (like me) are cross dominate, meaning I am right handed, and should be using a left hand bow because my left eye is stronger...
But old habits die hard.
If you are able to make it to Packwood on Memorial Day weekend, We will be having the "Western States Traditional Rendezvous" and with 400+ registered shooters, I am sure that you can find someone there that will let you try out their bow.

[Ratdog68]

Bear are fine bows.  I've got a number of their bows... mostly their older recurves.  I doubt you'd be going wrong with the Montana... or that Byron Ferguson either.  Nice price range on that Montana too.  

[Ratdog68]

Although I think that is a nice bow...
I want to point out that once you take up Trad Archery things will never be the same...
That said, I would suggest attempting to acquire a used one on an auction site for less than new price.
Practice, and see what your comfortable with.
some guys (like me) are cross dominate, meaning I am right handed, and should be using a left hand bow because my left eye is stronger...
But old habits die hard.
If you are able to make it to Packwood on Memorial Day weekend, We will be having the "Western States Traditional Rendezvous" and with 400+ registered shooters, I am sure that you can find someone there that will let you try out their bow.

Additional to this suggestion... if you do decide to give one of the older bows a try... if you go back a number of years... some of the Bear bows were ambidextrous... I've got a couple of them (just 'cause).   

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Yes, I got a Bear "Cub" 45# that is ambi...

[superdown]

yeah i am "cross dominate" but i shoot rifles lefty.

[Ratdog68]

yeah i am "cross dominate" but i shoot rifles lefty.

LOL  If I "think about it" while shooting... my eyes can switch dominance on me.  I hate it when that happens !! 

[superdown]

what poundage do you guy shoot for hunting?

[boneaddict]

85 and 70 at 30 inches, depending which one I am using.

[Ray]

The Montana looks like a decent bow for that price. I've drawn one back but never shot them. If you're tentative you could find used longbows on craigslist. They are on there fairly regularly.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/spo/1719280426.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/spo/1719283718.html

[carpsniperg2]

pse has a long bow that is not to spendy and is a decent bow. think the name is sequwa "spelling" for a beginner i would do a bit lower poundage like 45-55 pounds nothing is gained by shooting to heavy of draw if you can't  handle it, it forms bad habbits. same in the rifle world to big of gun and you can't shoot it well there is no sense to use it. my trad bows range from 45-65lbs i know a lot of people that hunt deer and elk with 45-50lb trad bows and do well just good shot placement as with all bows but very much with the trad bows stay away from that front shoulder and i like a very sharp 2 blade broadhead for penitration as well like the deadhead or buzz cut or zephyr.

[boneaddict]

ABSOLUTELY good advice about poundage.  I wouldn't recommend what I am shooting for anyone unless they could handle it.

[Ratdog68]

what poundage do you guy shoot for hunting?

It's good to start shooting a traditional bow with a lighter poundage draw... once you're developing good form... then work up to hunting weight bows.  If I remember correctly... State minimum for draw weight on a bow for deer hunting is at least 40lbs of draw.

I haven't shot my bows in a while, I'll have to start over with about a 35lbs bow to get my groove back on (got some shoulder issues nowadays), then I'll get back to drawing my 65lbs. longbow that I made.  Probably my favorite bow to shoot is my Martin Mountaineer in 45lbs.