Traditional vs Modern

[JTeLarkin08]

Ok guys I'm having a dilema. I am kinda burnt out on shootting my compund at animals. It's to easy. I have killed all sorts of things with it. On the other hand I have only killed a doe with my recurve a long time ago. I really want to shoot my recurve and I'm good enough with my recurve to shoot 15 yards but I won't take a longer shot. I may just hunt with it for doe and pigs and shoot my buck with my compound. I don't want to wound a good deer

[redneck82]

I know several people that think that way. I say use what you feel comfortable shooting.

[Cameron]

I don't want to wound a good deer

I don't want to wound any deer...I'd keep shooting at foam until there is no question in your mind, shoot enough and you will know when it is time. Good luck!

[JTeLarkin08]

I don't want to wound any deer...I'd keep shooting at foam until there is no question in your mind, shoot enough and you will know when it is time. Good luck!

I can keep it in the 8 ring of a 3d target 95 percent of the time at 15 yards. Heck that better than some guys that hunt with a compound lol

[Cameron]

I can keep it in the 8 ring of a 3d target 95 percent of the time at 15 yards. Heck that better than some guys that hunt with a compound lol

True, but it's one thing to hit a target and another to hit an animal. A lot more comes into play. You need to know that you could shoot at a 170+ buck and never blink before you let it rip on a doe...in my opinion.

[stinkbelly]

That is the same reason I went to bow from a rifle. It was too easy.

I was doing the same thing last year. I hunted for the bucks with my compound with a 40 yard maximum and I hunted for does with my longbow with a 15 yard maximum. I never shot anything, because I was scared I would wound something even though I was very good on the target.

Go for it if you think you can. I have only taken a rabbit with my longbow. Possibly this year I will take a deer.

[JTeLarkin08]

True, but it's one thing to hit a target and another to hit an animal. A lot more comes into play. You need to know that you could shoot at a 170+ buck and never blink before you let it rip on a doe...in my opinion.

Shoot a 170 inch deer would be all mental game. Of I was hunting a place that I didn't think there were deer that big and one walked out I would probably get all worked up but if I'm on a place that I know has big deer I would be fine bc I would be ready for it. Size has nothing to do with your shooting ability! I don't get buck fever with my compound anymore that's why I'm wanting to switch

[Cameron]

Shoot a 170 inch deer would be all mental game. Of I was hunting a place that I didn't think there were deer that big and one walked out I would probably get all worked up but if I'm on a place that I know has big deer I would be fine bc I would be ready for it. Size has nothing to do with your shooting ability! I don't get buck fever with my compound anymore that's why I'm wanting to switch

I see...well hit 'em where it hurts!

[SaltwaterSlick]

I did the exact same thing and have come full circle. I switched to a recurve many years ago and only hunted with it for about 10 years. I shot almost every day and was very proficient with it out to even as far as 50 yards. I got my first elk with my recurve. As long as I practiced, I "knew" where that arra was goin' when I released it. Then work and other things started to take away from my practice time and I lost some of my proficiency. I eventually did exactly what you fear. I wounded a buck, a cull buck, but a buck none the less. Shortly (just a few minutes later) a 150 class 10 pointer came out and "dared" me to shoot. I just could not in my mind's eye see where that arra would go, so I put down the stick and just videoed him until he left. That next week, I got me a brand new wheelie bow, and have not shot anything else with my stick bows... Some day I do intend to go back to the 'curve as it is more fun to shoot, and I do like hunting with it. But it is just not fair to the game not to be proficient with any weapon you intend to kill with in my estimation. If you feel comfortable shooting it and can make the arras go where you're looking, I'd say give it a try. Just practice until you have the confidence necessary to make a clean kill shot. And that's true for any animal. Heck, I used to duck hunt with mine and actually got my limit twice... sure lost lots of arras...

[Mudslinger]

Good luck with whatever your choice may be. Most people have no idea the time, patience and practice it takes to become proficient with traditional equipment, way more than it does with compounds, at least in my eyes. I admire people that have that dedication, but just like a lot of compound shooters, there are traditional shooters that don't practice anymore with traditional equipment than they did with compounds.

[Bill]

I had a similar problem with going from compound to recurve, my groups and confidence out to about 20 yards were respectable for hunting and 3d, but beyond that I was all over the hay bales- if I even hit them. I spoke to the owner of the local archery shop, who is also an NAA Level 5 coach, and he taught me to do what is called gap-shooting. I also had a right handed/ left eye dominant problem.

What I learned was to shoot 3 fingers under, and move my anchor point up to the corner of my nose. That put the arrow directly under my right eye, and with my left eye closed I was looking down the shaft. Hence I had a left/right aiming 'system' beyond 20 yards. The I learned with my bow/arrows/drawlength/anchor point, the tip of both my field points and broadheads are directly on the bullseye (or animal) at 28 yards. Closer I needed to aim lower, further (but not much further realistically) aim higher. I 'cheated' and put an orange dot on my riser corresponding to where my bow needs to be at 20 yards.

If I practice with the recurve, now I can get decent groups at 20 yards and beyond.

The other thing I learned, is errors in shooting form that will not make a big difference in compound shooting are disastrous with traditional gear. Again, a decent archery coach can help you on those.

I'm an NAA Level 1 instructor, and I've learned that shooting archery and teaching archery are not exactly the same thing. Get some lessons from an archery instructor and you'll be amazed how much your trad shooting can and will improve.

I went 'back' to my compound since I have not been putting in the hours at the club needed to be proficient with my recurve.

[angrybroadhead]

Bill, I appreciate your walking those of us who don't shoot recurve a way to do some things. It is always interesting to learn how others do what they do....one of the many reasons I am on the GS.

[steve morton]

I quit shooting a compound years ago and went to a recurve. I loved it. No sights or pins to jack with. Think about it , does a quarterback need to have an aid to throw the football? It all comes natural. Killed a deer with it 5 years in row. Now im back to a wheel bow but, i blame that to all the money i've invested in lease, feed ect. I will eventually go back to my recurve when i can spend more time hunting.

[BmacBmac1]

VERY interesting post, I will keep an eye on this one...............

[Bill]

I shoot with instinctive trad archers, who it is a pull it back and let the arrow fly technique, and they outshoot me. I just can't do it. About 80% of the archery club I belong to are traditional archers, maybe more. To shoot trad well, I need to practice a few times every week- which I do not do right now.