Need a little guidance.................

[bjg]

Been looking to get my first recurve. This is my first trad bow and frankly, I don't have any idea what to look for.

On my compound, I have a 25" draw and can comfortably pull 70#. From what little research I've done, I've gathered that in order to shoot accurately I should be at a draw weight that I can comfortably hold for 3 seconds or so once drawn. I'm thinking that would be 50-55 pds. but I've never shot one nor do I have anyone that I know who shoots trad bows.

Any advice for a beginner would be appreciated.

[Deb]

You need to meet some trad guys. There has got to be a club somewhere near. Go hang out and meet as many people as you can. Trad people are happy to talk archery and let you shoot their bows. If you have time for a little trip take a drive to Bob Sarrel's place. He knows about everything there is to know and you can shoot a bunch of different bows. The Samick Sage is a good starter bow at a good price. Do not over-bow yourself. You will develop some bad habits that are very, very hard to overcome. Start with something lighter and you will always have a bow to loan your buddies.

[RickBarbee]

You need to meet some trad guys.

Best advice you can get right there.

There's lots of Trad History down there in the Houston area. You should have no problem finding some Trad Folk to set you on the right path. I'm sure some of them will h chime in here soon to help you out.

[trad"Doc"53]

Hopfully someone in your area will tune in here pretty quick and offer to meet with you and help out, that's what tradders do best! Heck, I wish I was close enough, what is the nearest large city to you so I can get an idea?

[bjg]

Hopfully someone in your area will tune in here pretty quick and offer to meet with you and help out, that's what tradders do best! Heck, I wish I was close enough, what is the nearest large city to you so I can get an idea?

60 miles east of Houston, 30 miles west of Beaumont

[bjg]

You need to meet some trad guys. There has got to be a club somewhere near. Go hang out and meet as many people as you can. Trad people are happy to talk archery and let you shoot their bows. If you have time for a little trip take a drive to Bob Sarrel's place. He knows about everything there is to know and you can shoot a bunch of different bows. The Samick Sage is a good starter bow at a good price. Do not over-bow yourself. You will develop some bad habits that are very, very hard to overcome. Start with something lighter and you will always have a bow to loan your buddies.

Thanks for the info. Looked up the Samick Sage, it had good reviews for being a starter bow.

All of the bows I look at have poundage rated at 28" draw. I'm not sure what my draw would be with a trad bow (25" draw on compound). Any idea what these bows poundage would be at the decreased draw length? Should I be looking at getting a higher rated bow to overcome the decrease in draw length?

[RickBarbee]

Thanks for the info. Looked up the Samick Sage, it had good reviews for being a starter bow.

All of the bows I look at have poundage rated at 28" draw. I'm not sure what my draw would be with a trad bow (25" draw on compound). Any idea what these bows poundage would be at the decreased draw length? Should I be looking at getting a higher rated bow to overcome the decrease in draw length?

bjg - subtracting 2# for every inch under 28" is a good rule of thumb.

A 50# bow at 28" would be real close to 44# at your 25" draw.

[Chew]

I'm thinking of selling my 50# Hoyt Dorado. If you ever make it just north of Houston you're welcome to come by and shoot it.

[bjg]

I'm thinking of selling my 50# Hoyt Dorado. If you ever make it just north of Houston you're welcome to come by and shoot it.

Appreciate the offer. My work brings me that way every so often, I'll look you up next time I'm over that way.

[bjg]

bjg - subtracting 2# for every inch under 28" is a good rule of thumb.

A 50# bow at 28" would be real close to 44# at your 25" draw.

Thanks for the info.

Another question: I'm seeing bows from 56" to 62", pro's and con's of the various length bows? I'm 5'7" if that would be a factor in determining what lenth bow to get.

[Deb]

www.SarrelsArchery.com Length is a factor, but someone else will have to help you with that one. Here is Bob's web site if you just want have some fun looking.

[huntinpool]

Your shorter draw would allow you to shoot a 58"-60 " very easily. The shorter the bow the sharper the string angle , the result is finger pinch. Shorter bows are good for pop-ups. If you hunt from an elevated stand a longer bow will sometimes hit the chair or base of the stand. Your in for some really good times.

[bjg]

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.co...hlight=recurve


Ran across this in the classifieds. Do you guys think this would be too much bow for me as a beginner?

[equin]

First longbow I got is 45@28. So with my 28" draw, I'm pulling 45#. Even though 45# may be considered light, I struggled with it at first. I took it to my first 3d shoot earlier this year, and after 50 shots noticed how tired I got. When I first started, I could easily hold my draw for a few seconds, but repeated draws made it much harder.

After reading how a bow that's too heavy can make one develop bad form, I decided to get a dirt cheap 30# selfbow and a not-as-cheap-but-still cheap modern laminated 35# longbow (touted for beginners) and practiced more with them. I shoot much better with the 35# bow, which coincidentally is 4" longer than my 45# bow. I'm sure lighter weight and longer length contribute to that.

As for what length to go with, I thought I remember Cottonwood posting something about that on here. If I remember correctly, it was a chart that gave recommended bow lengths for both recurves and longbows based on one's height and draw length. I'm still a beginner and am no expert, but from what I understand, a longer bow is supposedly more "forgiving." I still don't know in what way it's more "forgiving" or what that even means, but I think it means that a longer bow is more stable and still allows the arrow to shoot slightly better despite a mistake or two when shot by the archer. However, a shorter bow is easier to carry around when ground hunting and easier to shoot when in a low-roofed blind, unless the blind is tall enough I suppose.

Anyway, if I had known what I know now, I would've started with the 35# modern laminated "starter" bow and practice with that, and then move up to a heavier custom bow like Bob Sarrels makes.

Hope this helps!

[Chunky]

You are welcome to come by my place and shoot all you want, I have bows from 40 up to 80 lbs. I am north of Houston up 59, just south of Cleveland.