Learning to bow hunt with compound vs. traditional archery

[HRH2K]

It seems lots of guys get into traditional archery after consistent success with a compound. I’ve hunted some with a compound but haven't been able to spend much time bow hunting and have not yet taken a big game animal with a bow. I picked up a recurve for fun a few years ago and found I enjoy shooting traditional much more than modern archery. I sold my old compound bow, figuring I would upgrade or else commit to the recurve.

I would like to start hunting with traditional archery and am looking for advice on the best path forward. Since I have a long way to go in becoming a proficient bow hunter, would it be more efficient to spend a few years with a compound to get my feet under me, and switch down the road? Or will it be better to start with traditional equipment even though I will have a lower initial success rate?

 

[nevadabugle]

What type of hunting? Back east or out west? How much effort had you put into compound hunting with no success yet?

 

[North Idaho Stickbow]

If you are enjoying traditional archery, then stick with it and just do that. I don’t see a need to hunt with a compound first. I had a compound for one season and didn’t take a single thing with it, then switched over to trad. I don’t ever look back and think “if I only had a compound”, even to this day. I just worked at getting comfortable enough with my trad bows and went after it. Thats just my 2 cents.

 

[HRH2K]

What type of hunting? Back east or out west? How much effort had you put into compound hunting with no success yet?

All my bow hunting has been in Montana, I moved to Southeast Alaska about two years ago. I’ve ambush hunted white tails and done archery elk, wasn’t able to put much time into either due to school and time of life. I’ve got more time now and have some archery specific opportunities that I’d like to try, I mostly expect to hunt spot and stalk. I hope to be able to hunt back in Montana again someday as well.

 

[nevadabugle]

All my bow hunting has been in Montana, I moved to Southeast Alaska about two years ago. I’ve ambush hunted white tails and done archery elk, wasn’t able to put much time into either due to school and time of life. I’ve got more time now and have some archery specific opportunities that I’d like to try, I mostly expect to hunt spot and stalk. I hope to be able to hunt back in Montana again someday as well.

I'll say this. Plenty of people have killed plenty of animals in alskasa with trad bows. Hell, i killed a blacktail there myself
Getting close is the challenge. So if it's something that interests you, go for it. Just know that where most weapons stalks end, yours is just beginning.

With that said If killing an animal/trophy every hunt is how you measure success (and there is nothing wrong with that), then tradhunting may not be where to start. If you measure the success of the hunt by other means, shots, any animal, or amount of effort put in, then give it a try.

Oddly for me in years where I was still switching back and forth between a compound and stickbow, I killed very little with my recurve. When I sold my compound and went full Trad my success rate shot through the roof with a trad bow.

 

[dlee56]

If you like the trad bow then stick to it. I did a similar thing, got into compound and didn’t have much success then switched to trad and loved it. It’s not like I’m killing stuff left and right but I don’t think I’m “less successful” with the longbow. Plus I’m having way more fun, and carrying a 3lb bow instead of a 15lb compound is nice haha

 

[Austink47]

I was in the same boat and ended up killing my first big game animal with a trad bow. Judo tips and whatever small game is abundant is a great way to start. A kill is a kill, get some reps. A grouse is about the same size as a moose heart.

 

[mtnbound]

It seems lots of guys get into traditional archery after consistent success with a compound. I’ve hunted some with a compound but haven't been able to spend much time bow hunting and have not yet taken a big game animal with a bow. I picked up a recurve for fun a few years ago and found I enjoy shooting traditional much more than modern archery. I sold my old compound bow, figuring I would upgrade or else commit to the recurve.

I would like to start hunting with traditional archery and am looking for advice on the best path forward. Since I have a long way to go in becoming a proficient bow hunter, would it be more efficient to spend a few years with a compound to get my feet under me, and switch down the road? Or will it be better to start with traditional equipment even though I will have a lower initial success rate?

I have gone back and forth between the two. I prefer the traditional bow, but I switched to a compound to get more distance as I hunt in the general season, and with the increase of hunters, I was finding that elk, specifically, were being more cautious and would frequently hold up outside my comfortable traditional bow range. Compounds are nice, especially for the increased distance they can give you, but it's easy to get sucked into adding the next new something to the bow or thinking you need a new bow every year. It's just more straightforward with a trad bow; the only drawback is the shorter range. You can be spotty with your compound bow practice, but you need to be more focused with a trad bow. For some of us, a trad bow just feels right, and if that's you, then follow that path and enjoy the days in the field.

 

[webhak]

I was in the same boat and ended up killing my first big game animal with a trad bow. Judo tips and whatever small game is abundant is a great way to start. A kill is a kill, get some reps. A grouse is about the same size as a moose heart.

That size comparison makes an excellent point!

 

[HRH2K]

Thanks for the helpful replies. I’m hoping to be starting back into regular practice soon and can start on grouse this spring if everything is going well. I’ll try to keep up with this sub forum and will probably be back with more questions and hopefully some critter pictures as I go. Thanks again!

 

[Beendare]

Best path forward? It's different for everyone.

I can tell you this from knowing a lot of bowhunters.....if you don't kill critters, you get discouraged.

Most guys can master a compound quickly, many never master a trad bow. Essentially a lot of guys take up trad shooting and never develop the skills and mindset necessary to kill animals regularly.

It takes a lot more skill to shoot trad....AND to compound that trad is a much shorter range weapon which limits opportunity in many cases. It's a double whammy and many guys quit trad after a couple years.

Trad also limits your options....for example, stalking animals in wide open terrain like the Arizona desert or wide open tundra makes the reality of getting 20-30y on a critter tough.

A relatively inexperienced guy can be accurate with a compound out to 50y pretty quick = more dead animals.

I love trad hunting but in some Locations/situations, I know I'm severely limiting my chance at killing an animal.

To sum it up, I would say shoot your Trad bow for fun but also shoot and hunt with your Compound for awhile to have a better shot at killing a few critters.

 

[HRH2K]

Best path forward? It's different for everyone.

I can tell you this from knowing a lot of bowhunters.....if you don't kill critters, you get discouraged.

Most guys can master a compound quickly, many never master a trad bow. Essentially a lot of guys take up trad shooting and never develop the skills and mindset necessary to kill animals regularly.

It takes a lot more skill to shoot trad....AND to compound that trad is a much shorter range weapon which limits opportunity in many cases. It's a double whammy and many guys quit trad after a couple years.

Trad also limits your options....for example, stalking animals in wide open terrain like the Arizona desert or wide open tundra makes the reality of getting 20-30y on a critter tough.

A relatively inexperienced guy can be accurate with a compound out to 50y pretty quick = more dead animals.

I love trad hunting but in some Locations/situations, I know I'm severely limiting my chance at killing an animal.

To sum it up, I would say shoot your Trad bow for fun but also shoot and hunt with your Compound for awhile to have a better shot at killing a few critters.

Thanks, some good perspective. I sold my starter compound a few years ago and haven’t been bow hunting in three seasons due to time and a move. I’d need to get back into a compound setup if I decide to go that route. At this point I am still primarily a rifle hunter, but have been missing getting out with the bow and would like to look at a few archery specific hunts soon. I am considering archery moose, black bear, or black tail deer as goals for next year, in part based on terrain and conditions like you mentioned.

The range limitation of trad gear is sobering, but also being that close is what I’ve enjoyed the most about bow hunting and I would like to hone those skills more. I still plan on rifle hunting, so I am okay with lower success for archery specific hunts with either trad or compound.

 

[Wrench]

Be aware that the first few seasons will be frustrating, humbling and some of the best learning experiences you'll have.

I tend to hunt areas that play into my bow. North Idaho gets hammered by hunters and is jungle thick....perfect for a longbow.

If making meat is your objective, the trad bow will be a serious handicap. If wanting to force yourself to improve your stalking game and frustrate yourself with blown 40 yard almosts.....you came to the right place.

I have been at this for decades and have killed 30 grouse and then stuffed a tree on a stud buck. You are the reason for your success and failure.

The other trad guys will probably agree that there's something stress reliving in sinking some well placed arrows into a target at 30 yards. It's what I do to unwind.

 

[Beendare]

Thanks, some good perspective.

Anytime.
Compound is pretty easy to master...with that you just have to learn with the right release so you don't get target panic later.

Trad bows not only need more skill to master...but then you have to shoot regularly to keep it up.

Wrench had a great comment.
You have to think differently with a trad bow, due to the short range aspect. Sure you can still spot and stalk animals like wild hogs....thats some of the most fun a guy can have with any weapon. Being 13y from a hog rooting is awesome....but then the wind is a lot more of a factor....a tiny whiff and he is gone. The best part, IMO is when you shoot a critter at very close range and they look up thinking, "what was that?" and then you see the recognition in their eyes..... "how the heck did that guy get that close?"

Personally, I went years elk hunting with a recurve having many encounters and not capitalizing either due to them being just out of range....or trying to draw on them when coming to a call.

I wasted a lot of opportunities on stalks with a recurve in the wide open desert on big mule deer getting 50y pretty easy but not being able to get another 20-30y closer. There are usually a lot of eyes in that late deer season.

But then there was a 2 1/2 year time frame where I practiced and hunted hard with one specific recurve and killed 12 critters without a miss...10 were pass thru.

I'm rambling here...but personally I have gone around in a circle and changed my mind on being 'Strictly' Trad and going to do some hunts with a compound. Blasphemy!
Yes, I love shooting and hunting with a Recurve....but on some hunts, the odds are so stacked against me it just becomes frustrating and probably will end up having more fun with a compound. I will kill more critters for sure....beentherdonethat.

That attitude is going to get arrogant guffaws from the "Trad Only" training wheels crowd but even the hardest of the hard core know they will have to pass on some darn good opportunities and come home empty handed on many hunts with trad gear.

 

[North Idaho Stickbow]

I’ll even admit that even though I hunt almost exclusively with a trad bow in the fall, I fall back on my muzzleloader in the winter when it’s crunch time to fill the freezer. I’ll be doing that this year in fact for my elk tag. I don’t shame myself for it in the slightest. I do what makes me happy.

Shoot, I’ll even crack out the rifle once in a while. Why not?

 

[Wrench]

I’ll even admit that even though I hunt almost exclusively with a trad bow in the fall, I fall back on my muzzleloader in the winter when it’s crunch time to fill the freezer. I’ll be doing that this year in fact for my elk tag. I don’t shame myself for it in the slightest. I do what makes me happy.

Shoot, I’ll even crack out the rifle once in a while. Why not?

I'm taking my hawken out tomorrow to try and kill a Washington mule deer myself.

 

[AlphaK9]

Most of these guys hit it already- I found much more enjoyment with the longbow and recurve- but the kills came easier with the compound simply because of the range option. That being said- if you commit to hunting and shooting the trad stuff, your comfort will increase exponentially. I just keep a 20yd real world shot distance with the longbow and can say most kills are 12 yards or less. Go where the game is and you will get a shot- hunt the wind and you will be amazed how close you can get. Best of luck to you, sir!

 

[GLB]

Yep stick with the Trad bows if you enjoy shooting them. Lots of good small game hunting in AK. Grouse in particular are one of my favorites. That will help you build confidence and get you ready for the big game.

 

[Btaylor]

My mind set is the weapon is never the limitation. The limitation is my commitment to getting close and developing the skills to do so. If the hunt you desire is an up close and personal shot opportunity, a trad bow is not a limiting factor. If not filling a tag while you learn to consistently get close is not a deal breaker, a trad bow is not a limitation. The hunt you desire is the only consideration that really matters.

The advice above to take advantage of chasing small game to develop skills in stalking and killing are spot on. The only way to get good at killing is by killing. Small game is awesome for that and good eating.