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Offline shootercochran

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Looking for a bow...
« on: May 29, 2009, 07:43:58 AM »
Hello,

 
I"m going to be moving to Alaska in about 2 years and I need a good bow.
 
I'm a survivealist you could say, along with a traditionalist.
 
I need a good bow that will work well for general all around hunting from bear, to snowshoe hare.
 
For the regulations it needs to have at least 50 pounds draw weight.
 
I'm relativly new to bows so your help is apprciate.
 
I"m thinking of a recuve type bow.  TRADITIONAL BOW!
 
Budget is between 400-700 dollars.
 
I'm 5' 9"  and 130 pounds.
 
Thank you very much for your help.

I"ve emailed a few custom bowmakers with this.
Any one's you could suggest?

How about Bear archry bows?

This bow needs to be dependable and last a long time.
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Offline skarke

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Re: Looking for a bow...
« Reply #1 on: May 29, 2009, 07:59:10 AM »
I bought my bow here, and was very pleased.

http://www.huntersfriend.com

They have a GREAT set of pages on what makes a bow tick, how to shoot, what to look for, etc.

There are lots of good bows with full accessory sets in your price range.  I was ready to shoot directly from the box I received, sighted in and everything.

Hope this helps, Dan
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Offline skarke

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Re: Looking for a bow...
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2009, 08:02:08 AM »
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Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.  Ronaldus Maximus

Offline skarke

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Re: Looking for a bow...
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2009, 08:12:04 AM »
BTW, I started with a recurve, but given your size, you might do better with a compound, because the length and pull weight of a recurve powerful enough to kill larger game would be challenging to use in a blind or tree stand.  Plus, I'm 6'2", 250 lbs and plenty strong, but my recurve was VERY hard to hold on target long enough to get a good shot.

Recurves are great for linebacker traditionalists, but, I bought a compound the FIRST time I borrowed my lefty nephew's bow.  You might save the traditional hunting technology to a good flintlock, FWIW.
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Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.  Ronaldus Maximus

Offline Jacko

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Re: Looking for a bow...
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2009, 11:36:41 AM »
http://www.rerbows.com/

I bought a RER Arroyo a couple of years ago and it is the sweetest one piece recurve I have ever shot but his takedowns recurves are of the finest order as well . May I suggest a takedown so that you can purchase a lighter set of limbs first up [ 40# to 45# ] , work yourself into some good form and at a latter date get a set of heavier limbs . 2 years is plenty of time to work your back and shoulders into a stouter bow , best to develop good form first up . Seek out a local archery club , find the resident trad bow expert and get good coaching on all aspects of shooting and maintenance for your bow .

Traditional bows do not require you to be a knuckle dragging caveman , just prepared to put in a bit of work a few days a week to stay in trim and work up to the 50# plus bow carefully . Archery may not be the sport it is today without the compound and for millions they suit their needs perfectly but they have a few drawbacks . In my veiw a compound is to complex to carry out routine maintenance on due to the array of tools required to change a string for instance and as folks generally shoot them with sights release aids etc they add more traps for the unwarry in the scrub , one mechanical failure a long way from a dealer with a bow press and you don't have a bow .

regards Jacko

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Offline okielectrician

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Re: Looking for a bow...
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2009, 12:15:18 PM »
I have both compound and recurve,hunt with both just depends on my mood.
But given your situation a take down recurve,I believe would do you best.
You can break it down so you can pack it in,just have some extra strings if you are going to be away from town awhile. ;)
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Offline skarke

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Re: Looking for a bow...
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2009, 03:21:00 AM »
http://www.rerbows.com/

These are a little pricey, but with a two year lead time, set aside a cup of coffee per day, and you are there with a beautiful piece of art, and a fine performer by all descriptions (though I've personally never had the pleasure)
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Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.  Ronaldus Maximus

Offline mjh

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Re: Looking for a bow...
« Reply #7 on: May 31, 2009, 03:37:18 AM »
I sugguest you find some local traditional archery shoots or a shop in your area and shoot some bows, get some on the ground experience and help from face to face folks.  You'll get alot of advice from folks here, elsewhere and everywhere.  Do your homework like you are doing now.  You might look at a use bow to get you started, if you like it keep it, or develop your skills and look for a bow more to your likeing.  You can get a brand new Martin Hunter for 500+, while I shot a Hunter for many years and it is a good bow that has stood the test of time for the price today I would buy a used Hunter or go with a custom maker.  Some of that depends on your draw lenght and other personal factors.  Fit is very important as is draw.  Some bows will just "feel right" and shoot well for you while others will not.  A take down model is nice for travel and the fact that you can get a new set of limbs in a different weight.  Different weight limbs may required new arrows depending upon the change in lenght or weight.   Try tradgang.com or stickbow.com for more info.

The RER bows are very nice!  I've shot just about all of the models at one time or another and really like the takedown longbow model!  Its is on my list of next possible bows.
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Offline theoldarcher

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Re: Looking for a bow...
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2009, 03:45:33 AM »
Left you suggestions on the other bowhunting thread.

Comment: Don't pay attention to someone suggesting a compound beause of your size for killing larger animals or using a tree stand or blind: that is simply not true.  Some of my friends are your size, and a couple are female, who kill animals regularly in Alaska and Africa with traditional longbows and recurve bows.  In order to hold on target you need to spend time with your equipment building up the correct muscles and muscle memory.  There usually are no short cuts--at least in 55+ years with trad bows, I haven't found any.   :)

Best of luck, Arch
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Offline shootercochran

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Re: Looking for a bow...
« Reply #9 on: June 05, 2009, 04:22:09 AM »
Thankyou for all the help!!!

I really do not want a compound bow.
As some of you said, they may be more accurate maybe, and far easier to pull, but they have to many complicated  parts and pulleys that need adjustment.
I just don't like seeing a compound bow myself.

Thanks for all the help, and I'll check the links that you have.
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Offline skarke

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Re: Looking for a bow...
« Reply #10 on: June 08, 2009, 10:15:00 AM »
shootercochran,

You'll have a great bow, and a whole lot of fun, with a traditional bow.  Theoldarcher is completely correct in that, if you practice, they'll do a great job.  Compounds definitely need to be serviced, and frankly, they just aren't as cool.

I'm pretty lazy regarding my archery, and surely a non-traditionalist.  I like to be able to get to deer season, practice for a few days, hold the green pin on the kill zone, and go drink adult beverages.  When I tried a nice compound, and had previously rarely shot much (too lazy to practice with the longbow), I was blown away with 2 inch groups at 25 yards, and 4 inches at 40 with the compound.  It got my attention, and thus, my money.

Good luck in God's country.  I wish that I were joining you.

Dan
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Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.  Ronaldus Maximus

Offline GeorgiaDave

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Re: Looking for a bow...
« Reply #11 on: June 13, 2009, 03:14:17 PM »
Hello from Georgia,

    First I applaud your interest in traditional equipment !!  In these modern times it is very easy to fall into the hype of the latest and greatest fads in bows, yet it takes a dedicated soul to put forth the effort to make "sticks and strings" effective. I may suggest that you look into a Bear takedown recurve. They are not as fancy as some other bows, but they are tough, and I have always found them easy to master. Since you are going to be in Alaska, you may think about getting two sets of matching limbs in case something happens to one of them. You can also get a heavy set for hunting and a lighter set for keeping form in the off season, but I have always shot the same setup year round. Another thought is that you might want to stock up on arrows. It is not a good feeling to find an awesome arow setup only to loose a few and break a few and find that you have scarcely enough to hunt with. Choosing a readily available shaft helps, but nothing beats having SEVERAL dozen in reserve.

    I wish you much success in finding a good bow. There are many choices and surely you can find one you like. Ask around and see if there are people near you shooting traditional gear in clubs and ask to shoot theirs. Most folks are willing to help anyone who shares their interest. In closing I must say that after my affairs with wheel bows, I miss none of the widgets. Cams, cables, releases, sights, drop rests, limb savers and such are cool, and mostly helpful, but as my ancestors can attest, these things are NOT REQUIRED !!!! Native peoples have been successfully taking game for thousands of years without them. Good Luck and God Bless.

Dave
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Offline kinslayer1965

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Re: Looking for a bow...
« Reply #12 on: September 23, 2009, 03:43:27 PM »

I got my first traditional bow from Jim Belcher. I absolutely love it. It is a piece of art and incredibly fun to shoot. I did not give up on my wheel bow. I just wanted to give traditional a try. I started talking to some custom bow people at the Expo in Madison Wisconsin two years ago and met Jim Belcher who is the owner. Great guy and will make a bow to order or you can pick from some of his in stock bows. I had him make one of his "Longhorn" models for me and could not be happier. He has a fairly inexpensive line of bows for hunters on a budget as well.


http://www.belcherbows.com/
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