newbie with questions

[Pistolero45]

I am a newbie bow bender, with some very basic questions.

The bow in question belonged by my mom.  It is a recurve, almost 50 years old, and if I remember correctly, it is 35 or 45 lbs of pull.  She had it set up for bow fishing, which is mainly how I intend to use it.

But the string needs to be replaced and I have no idea what to get for practice arrows.  The ones I have for it are very old and looking rough.

Also, do the experts on here think this bow will humanely take a javelina?  I've killed them before, but always with a gun.  They are not very big (35 to 60 lbs), but tough as nails.

Any advice?

[huntswithdogs]

Take the bow to a bow shop and have them get the proper string for it. While there, ask them about what arrows you should get. Practicing with field points is gonna be okay but broadheads are gonna fly differently.

The bow shop guys should be ablr to tell ya if it's gonna be a useful tool for the little pigs.

[hunt-m-up]

My recommendation FWIW is to take it to the bow shop and get it inspected and put a new string on it. Start shooting and you will know whether it is something you want to continue to do and hunt with it.
There are a lot of bows setting around gathering dust because someone talked them into it. I have a friend who practiced and went to one bow shoot with us and never shot after that.
If you like it you will want to get a new or good used bow to hunt with, compound bows change every year so there are a lot of good 2-5 year old bows out there at good prices and good priced entry level recurves also.
Good luck, it's as addictive as the other shooting sports.

[rex6666]

very addictive, be very carful.

[Dixie Dude]

I use a recurve.  I have a compound, but like the recurve better.  It is lighter to carry.  I learned to shoot by reading about Fred Bear.  He said to draw the bow back to your ear while looking at the target and release immediately.  Don't hold the recurve shot.  Compounds on the other hand have the let off to allow you to hold your aim.  Recurves require you to shoot quickly.  Kind of like shooting a shotgun vs a rifle.  Yes a bow shop will have the correct string length.  Always get two.  Carry a spare.  Also handy is a bow stringer which allows you to string the bow quickly and easily.  Otherwise the over your foot under your leg method works, but not as easy.  My recurve is an old two-piece takedown and can easily fit into a tube quiver with several arrows with field points.  I put 5 broadheads on 5 arrows on a snap on quiver for hunting.