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Offline Cottonwood

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I want to get a traditional bow
« on: March 01, 2009, 01:56:33 PM »
Let me start off by saying that last Nov 17th, 08 I had left shoulder surgery. 1" of collar bone, collar bone joint, bursa and R/C tear repair. Thanks to two great physical therapist and weight training they had me just drawing taunt on my bow string while raising my bow up. Then exactly 3 mo to the day I hit the indoor range at Spirit Quest Archery after dropping my draw weight on my Mathews Drenalin down to about 64# It feels like it could go down some more.

But, sometime soon I would like to get a Recurve or LB to shoot wooden arrow shafts. I've been looking over 3Rivers Archery website and will have them send me a catalog.

Right now I'm pretty fortunet to have 80% let off on my Mathews bow, but I would like to get a traditional bow to work with. So I'm wondering what poundage I should start off with.

Thanks
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Offline Slufoot

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Re: I want to get a traditional bow
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2009, 02:18:38 AM »
Hey Montanan, Glad to hear the doctors have got you back in action.

When I first got into Traditional archery I had been shooting a compound bow at 78#. My first trad. bow was a Bear Grizzly recurve 45# at 28" draw. This was a very awkward adjustment, going from compound with all the bells and whistles to traditional. It took me a few weeks of practice just to start getting comfortable with the recurve. I'm glad my first bow wasn't any heavier than 45# and I always recommend this poundage for guys that are switching over from compounds, wanting to loose their training wheels. ;D
Remember that most Trad bows have there draw weight measured at a 28" draw. Most bows will gain or loose about 3# per inch above or below this. I'd be willing to bet that what ever your drawlength is with your compound, it's going to be shorter with a Trad bow. I shot compounds for several years and had a 31" draw, Now that I'm into Trad archery my draw length is about 29.25".
Your draw length should also be a consideration as to how long a bow you should get. Black Widows web site shows their recommendation for bow lengths at different draw lengths.
I suggest you get a bow no more than 45# with an AMO length suitable for your  drawlength. I like bows on the long side for there smoothness and less finger pinch.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot
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Offline Foxxtrot

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Re: I want to get a traditional bow
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2009, 03:03:22 AM »
tradgang.com

primitive archer.com

both have forums. The choices for RC and LB are numerous with customs, or you could get a Fred Bear or Kota. Whisperstiks are very popular as well.

I shoot a strikerbow, but they ain't cheap and I have been shooting trad for about twenty years so I had a want vs need to have a high end bow.
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Offline Cottonwood

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Re: I want to get a traditional bow
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2009, 03:32:15 AM »
Slufoot

Those Black Widow bows sure do look nice and simple.  I like the PSR II, III and V short recurve models the best.

I think I will find a used one that will work at first and then order one of these or one like it.  Back when I was 12 yrs old I started off with a recurve, and then moved up in quality with a Bear laminated recurve in my teens.  ::)
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Offline Cottonwood

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Re: I want to get a traditional bow
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2009, 04:20:25 AM »
Quote from: Foxxtrot on March 02, 2009, 03:03:22 AM
tradgang.com

primitive archer.com

both have forums. The choices for RC and LB are numerous with customs, or you could get a Fred Bear or Kota. Whisperstiks are very popular as well.

I shoot a strikerbow, but they ain't cheap and I have been shooting trad for about twenty years so I had a want vs need to have a high end bow.

Thanks Foxxtrot I reg on both those as JBinMontana
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Offline squirrellluck

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Re: I want to get a traditional bow
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2009, 03:37:01 PM »
Montanan, For what it's worth I would recommend a longer bow, 58-62 inch to start with they tend to be more forgiving and usually don't stack much. 45 lb is ideal to start on. Less struggle with draw = more attention to form. Again, just my opinion. Scott 
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Offline Rustyinfla

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Re: I want to get a traditional bow
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2009, 07:21:13 PM »


  Glad your shoulder is on the mend. Don't rush it too much and be careful. A 45# bow would do you fine for anything you needed to do.

  there seems to be a trend lately of people going to higher and higher poundages in their bows. Personally I don't think it's needed. I have a 50# and a 60#, both are Martin Vision longbows. I bought the 60# used because it shot so well for me. I got the 50# because it's more comfortable to shoot. I really don't need the 60# and might sell it some day.
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Offline JonD.

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Re: I want to get a traditional bow
« Reply #7 on: March 03, 2009, 03:17:06 AM »
40lbs with a good, sharp, cut-on-contact brodhead should be fine. ;)

Quote from: Rustyinfla on March 02, 2009, 07:21:13 PM
there seems to be a trend lately of people going to higher and higher poundages in their bows. Personally I don't think it's needed.

I agree. I used to shoot 84lbs. out of an old York compound in 3d tournaments, and used the same bow to hunt with. While at the time I thought all that power was needed, I found out later that it's not. The same goes with recurves. A well placed shot with a 40lb bow will do the job, and theres no need to strain oneself with higher weights. I shoot a 65lb recurve, but I'm completely comfortable at that weight, and most peolple would not be, but I really don't feel that I need that much draw weight.
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Offline Winter Hawk

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Re: I want to get a traditional bow
« Reply #8 on: March 05, 2009, 04:14:09 PM »
You may also want to check on the minimum draw weight your state requires for hunting.  When I moved to Wyoming many years ago, my 45# recurve was five pounds shy of meeting their minimums. Here in Ohio I am good to go.

Having said that, back in the 60s (before compounds were available) it was quite common to have a 35# or less bow for every day use, and a 55#+ bow for big game hunting.  The idea was that with the lower power you could concentrate on your form, then practice with the bigger bow a few weeks before the season you needed it.

Good luck!
-WH-
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Offline Cottonwood

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Re: I want to get a traditional bow
« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2009, 04:37:09 AM »
Quote from: Winter Hawk on March 05, 2009, 04:14:09 PM
You may also want to check on the minimum draw weight your state requires for hunting.  When I moved to Wyoming many years ago, my 45# recurve was five pounds shy of meeting their minimums. Here in Ohio I am good to go.

Having said that, back in the 60s (before compounds were available) it was quite common to have a 35# or less bow for every day use, and a 55#+ bow for big game hunting.  The idea was that with the lower power you could concentrate on your form, then practice with the bigger bow a few weeks before the season you needed it.

Good luck!
-WH-

Actually being a bowhunters ed instructor I have asked this question before, and our regulation http://fwp.mt.gov/content/getItem.aspx?id=32378 PDF page 18 and 19 state just what the bowhunting equipment regs are.  It covers minum length and let off for compound bows but not draw weight.  Arrow weight has to be over 300 grains.

I will pull on some traditional bows to see what I like but I probably will get some where in the 40# or 45# range.

Thanks though.
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Offline Cottonwood

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Re: I want to get a traditional bow
« Reply #10 on: March 14, 2009, 06:07:38 PM »
I just picked up a new copy of Traditional Bowhunter magazine Apr/May 09 and there is an artical in there about Dan Tuelke who lives south of me about 60 miles in Ronan, Mt.  He I believe is my best place to start, as he makes real good bows and has specialized with guys like me with problem shoulders.  I'm looking forward to meeting with Dan, and see where we go from there with a bow for me.
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Offline Slufoot

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Re: I want to get a traditional bow
« Reply #11 on: March 14, 2009, 11:38:38 PM »
That sounds great! Please keep us updated!
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Offline farrerhaven

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Re: I want to get a traditional bow
« Reply #12 on: March 15, 2009, 04:31:04 PM »
Try Rudderbows.com they have alot of longbows.
Brian.
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Offline Cottonwood

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Re: I want to get a traditional bow
« Reply #13 on: May 10, 2009, 05:19:48 PM »
Well I don't know the name of it yet, but will have a traditional recurve in my hands tomorrow morning at 8am.  I will tell you all about it later.  ;D
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Offline theoldarcher

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Re: I want to get a traditional bow
« Reply #14 on: May 11, 2009, 03:15:09 AM »
I've killed animals with self, long, and recurve bows over the last 56 years, so they all work.  Just a little tidbit: Howard Hill said the reason he used a longbow was that he never got good enough to shoot a recurve.  Hum-m-m-... ::)  My favorite day in and day out is a long bow, although I can only dream of being as good a shot as Mr. Hill.  Best of luck in your search.

Arch
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Offline Cottonwood

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Re: I want to get a traditional bow
« Reply #15 on: May 11, 2009, 08:37:06 AM »
Well, I don't know but it looks like the Ben Pearson Renegade 7260 45# @ 28" but the paint is gone that is usually painted on the side of the riser.

Now this is a real switch over for me, as I learned on these type bows a long time ago.  I have some Easton 2016 LITE Gamegetter II that are fletched with 5" feather fleatching.

Took them out, and used my Morrels bag target at 5 yards, with nice groups hitting my spots as well.  Got to work at it slowly but will stetch out the yardage tomorrow at the indoor range.
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Offline reloading_rich

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Re: I want to get a traditional bow
« Reply #16 on: June 23, 2009, 09:16:08 AM »
I would start with a recurve that is 40-45 pounds.  As you build better back muscles (and you will) you may want to increase your bow weight.  You dont generally see many traditional bowhunters using bows over 55/60 pounds.  Plenty of whitetails have been slain with a 45# recurve.  I have a collection of 40+/-vintage Bear bows that I am starting to sell off.  I also have about 8 longbows, some are custom made that I may thin down.  PM me if you are interested.
Good shooting
Rich
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Offline recondoc

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Re: I want to get a traditional bow
« Reply #17 on: August 05, 2009, 07:15:13 AM »
I just put my last two Trad Bows up in the Classifieds.  I love traditional archery but work offshore every other month and can't stay proficient with them as easily as I can with a compound.  Traditional takes a certain level of dedication but the reward is amazing.  I just find that I shoot for a month and then am gone for work only to end up right back a the beginning when I get home.  I don't feel ethically comfortable taking a shot at game animals when I'm not at my absolute best.
Hope you find the bows you are looking for.   You will absolutely love shooting and hunting traditional.
Happy trails with the wind in your favor,
Doc
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