Best setup for new to traditional archery?

[beetlespin]

Hi guys,

I got bored with the compound and borrowed a buddies recurve for a few weeks. I love shooting it but it needs some tlc for hunting and I would rather buy my own setup of some sort. I don't have a ton of cash and a simple setup is fine for me to start hunting. Would you rather buy a cheaper new bow or a used recurve. I live in Wisconsin and there is a surprising amount of old recurves on Craigslist. Just not sure about damage to look for or other bad things that can be done to an old bow.

Thanks!

 

[go4thegusto]

There are certainly a lot of shootable old bows out there but in my opinion unless nostalgia is what you are after, I would go with newer models. It can be like cars. The old ones can run but the new ones are so advanced you rarely have issues. With the new adhesives, wood techniques and general knowledge I would want one good reliable bow that won't fail you when it is needed.
As recent as yesterday CamoFire had a smoking deal on a PSE recurve (40 and 45 pound I believe). Also check ebay. Lots of great serviceable bows out there under $250.00.

 

[Shawn Hultquist]

go to a trad shoot or competition and shoot as many bows that you can get your hands on to see what you like best and what fits you. then you can narrow down the choices from there. also at the trad shoot theres always lots for sale. hope this helps

 

[Beendare]

The archery talk classifieds have some smoking deals on sammick sages and such

 

[amp713]

There are certainly a lot of shootable old bows out there but in my opinion unless nostalgia is what you are after, I would go with newer models. It can be like cars. The old ones can run but the new ones are so advanced you rarely have issues. With the new adhesives, wood techniques and general knowledge I would want one good reliable bow that won't fail you when it is needed.
As recent as yesterday CamoFire had a smoking deal on a PSE recurve (40 and 45 pound I believe). Also check ebay. Lots of great serviceable bows out there under $250.00.

A while back Camofire had a sell with multiple bows and I had been wanting to get one, sadly (but not really) i was on the mountain when the sale came up and so i missed the sales. Ive waited weeks for another one to come up and when the one you mentioned did i jumped on it. The bow should be here tomorrow.Ive got lots of family that was traditional at one point so I have access to alot of goodies from them. Im really excited myself!

 

[beetlespin]

Hey guys, thanks for the responses. Most appreciated. I will have to start watching camofire closely and watching for deals. Thanks!!

 

[Ryan K Sanpei]

The good guys at RMS have a selection of used bows as well.

http://www.rmsgear.com/bowshop_inventory.html

 

[6mm Remington]

I shoot traditional and wanted to get a recurve. I shot quite a few bows and one that "everyone" who knew anything about traditional would tell me was to try the Martin Damon Howatt Hunter bow. Believe they just call it the Martin Hunter now. I tried it and love it! You need to get what feels right for you, but I think this is a very fine bow. Another think I heard over and over is that I would have to pay a lot of money for a very special custom bow that would feel as good and shoot as good as this one. Best of luck as there are so many choices out there. The suggestion to shoot a lot of different bows is a very fine suggestion.
David

 

[husky390]

I fell in love with the Hoyt Buffalo after shooting it at Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear. If you're not in CO, I'd at least give them a call. Great guys and they'll help you out.

 

[smoke]

I've bought and sold many bows off of Bowsite's "Leatherwall" classifieds. If you hunt around, you can get some really good deals. If you are new, I'd recommend a bow 60 inches in length or longer with about a 50# pull at 28 inches. I recently bought a Martin Savannah off of the classifieds for $150 that looked like new - an excellent bow.

 

[zman]

Hi guys,

I got bored with the compound and borrowed a buddies recurve for a few weeks. I love shooting it but it needs some tlc for hunting and I would rather buy my own setup of some sort. I don't have a ton of cash and a simple setup is fine for me to start hunting. Would you rather buy a cheaper new bow or a used recurve. I live in Wisconsin and there is a surprising amount of old recurves on Craigslist. Just not sure about damage to look for or other bad things that can be done to an old bow.

Thanks!

Bear montana is a solid longbow that shoots pretty well and is pretty popular so you can usually find one used on ebay without having to look too hard.

 

[milunchbox]

I got something that I could change the limbs depending on what I needed. I shoot a hoyt aerotech with samik limbs. Shoots smooth and fast. My one buddy shoots a hoyt buffalo with quattro limbs. It is scary fast. My only advice buy the best you can the first time that way you keep it longer.

 

[LostArra]

Look no further than Holmen, Wisconsin. Dwyer longbows.

 

[Kevin Dill]

Assuming you're talking about getting a recurve, there are many good ones out there. The advice to get to a traditional archery shoot (if possible) is good. Nothing beats a hands-on comparison; otherwise you're forced to make a best guess decision. TradGang is an excellent source for traditional bowhunting knowledge and their classifieds constantly have a collection of fine bows. If I was starting anew into traditional bowhunting...wanting a good bow...I'd be looking for a used high-quality recurve in great condition. There's little upside to buying a brand-new bow for learning and starting, given the odds you'll probably be shooting something different in a year or two. Bows which tend to run $600-$1,000 new can be found for $250 and up in classifieds or on auction sites. DON'T buy for nostalgia, and stay away from old vintage stuff. Get a serious weapon which is under 20 years old and free of defects. Having no knowledge of your build or abilities, it's tough to recommend bow length or poundage. Many guys overestimate their needs and abilities, or their ego gets involved and they buy too much bow. Most guys starting with a recurve would be well served to go with about 50 pounds at their draw length (not compound draw incidentally) and a bow from 60-64 inches. A recurve riser which is cut PAST center will be easier to match arrows with and shoot with better results typically. Grip is very important, but difficult to assess unless you have multiple bows/styles to try at one time. If the grip looks weird or difficult...it probably is. Avoid it. Budget as much as you can comfortably spend on a decent bow and then shoot the heck out of it. But be careful...this stuff has a way of affecting your thinking....

 

[mathews8pt]

Hey guys, thanks for the responses. Most appreciated. I will have to start watching camofire closely and watching for deals. Thanks!!

Not to be nosy, but what is your budget?

Although the "cheap" manufactured bows will certainly work, there are much better options IMO. Buying used is a good option and a few places to do that has already been listed. Tradgang(have to pay to see classifieds) and archery talk are 2 great options to check out used bows.

Ive shot a bunch of bows, which is part of the fun, and found recurves with a high grip fit me best. That is something you will have to figure out for yourself as i think it is one of the most important parts of picking a bow.

 

[RedRidge]

I agree with all the above posts. I was in the same boat and picked up a 40lb Samick Sage off of Archery Talk for cheap to practice form then upgraded to a 50lb Bear Montana longbow. You can usually find someone trying to sale one on all of the sites mentioned. It just depends on how much time you want to wait on finding a great deal. As far as what to look for, I am sure some more experienced traditional guys will chime in, but for basics look for the same defects on a compound. Cracks in the limbs, grip, string condition, and limb tips are few things to examine. Good luck, hope you find something.

 

[Warren1726]

I just bought my first trad bow off Archerytalk, a like new Samick Sage #55 for $100. The guy even had upgraded to a brand new flemish twist D10 string. I really like it. I'm sure I'll upgrade in the future but the rule is, I have to kill a deer with it first and I'm a lot of practice away from that.

 

[marc]

Depending on your budget check out Whippenstick bows. Ken is just outside of Green Bay and you could try them out. Otherwise check out the Wisconsin Traditiona Archers web site for dates of Traditional shoots.

 

[stevenm2]

Depending on your budget check out Whippenstick bows. Ken is just outside of Green Bay and you could try them out. Otherwise check out the Wisconsin Traditiona Archers web site for dates of Traditional shoots.

I traded into a Whippenstick 65" longbow and I just could not be happier. Ken is a great guy and a real craftsman.

 

[Kebler]

http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3430242

I got this for sale great starter bow, it blows a samick sage out of the water, I started with a sage myself. I wanted to try a recurve, but love my longbows.