Beginner Advice

[teamnelson]

My goal is to wind up hunting with a recurve. I have not drawn a bow in 25 years, and my 15 yo son wants to learn with me.

I had been looking at a 40# Samick Sage from 3 Rivers, per alot of the good stuff I've read here and elsewhere, and then I got sidetracked on a Genesis. A Genesis kit and a Samick Sage plus accessories are about the same in cost, and that's about what I have to spend right now.

For about the next year, all we'll be doing is shooting at the public park (they have an archery range) near our house. Is there any benefit to starting off with a Genesis (zero let off 10-25# compound) and then going to recurve later? Or is it best just to start with recurve since that's where I want to be anyway?

I know who I am asking, and I think the answer is pretty clear, but as someone who professes to know next to nothing about archery, I'd appreciate a sanity check from y'all.

Mahalo, Chaps

[deernhog]

Find someone with some know how , save yourself alot of time and cash trying to learn on your own . I personally would go with the recurve first and learn the ropes. Shoot a lot but do it right.

[Frank V]

TeamNelson,
  I'd find out when the trad fellows shoot on that range & watch them. Usually trad archers are all too willing to let you shoot their equipment to try it out.
  I'd really watch out I didn't over bow myself. Don't pick a heavy bow to start with, a 45lb bow is plenty to start with & you won't have any problem taking deer with a 45lb bow using correct arrows. A heavy bow will only cause real problems such as short drawing, snap shooting, target panic, & several others. Get a bow you can shoot in relative comfort from the start & the learning will go smoothly & BE FUN too.
  Good shooting.
Frank

[teamnelson]

Went to the range at the park near my house, watched for a bit then walked up to the old guys with the recurves. Learned a lot. Found out where the archery shop everyone trusts is located. Got to "feel" a couple bows, too short for me but now I know what that's like. Learned about instinctive vs gap shooting, arrow weights, tips, fletching, 3 finger vs split finger ... all in about 10 mins. Now it's off to the local shop!

[Frank V]

Went to the range at the park near my house, watched for a bit then walked up to the old guys with the recurves. Learned a lot. Found out where the archery shop everyone trusts is located. Got to "feel" a couple bows, too short for me but now I know what that's like. Learned about instinctive vs gap shooting, arrow weights, tips, fletching, 3 finger vs split finger ... all in about 10 mins. Now it's off to the local shop!

There you go! great first step, I knew the trad guys would be really willing to help an interested new shooter. Take their advise, try things for yourself, & you'll learn what works for you & what doesn't. Keep at it & you'll soon be shooting well.
Good luck, continue to let us know of your progress.
Frank

[centershot]

Spend your first $20 on a book called "Shooting the Stickbow". Excellent how too, best money I ever spent on trad archery.