Questions about longbow hunting

[Raider Power]

Picked up bowhunting about 5 years ago and I'm thinking about taking up hunting with a longbow. I literally don't know anything about it so, what kind should I think about buying? How hard is it to master? Do I need to change the way I go about hunting deer/hogs with it?
Any other tips would be awesome! New to TBH so anything would be great

[Hawg Slayer 4]

start with a light poundage bow like 40-45

[EnW]

As stated above, start with a low poundage to develop proper form. It is not difficult to master; just practice.

[gatorgar]

In most cases, it takes time to become proficient with trad gear. But, seeing as you are in San Antonio, it shouldn't be hard to find a seasoned trad guy in your area to show you the ropes. Give Bob, at Sarrel's Archery, a call and he can point you in the right direction as far as gear and who to talk to goes.
The hunting side of it is not much different from compound hunting. The main difference is the effective range. When I hunted with my Mathews, I liked to set my shots up for 20yrds. Now that I hunt with trad gear, my max range is maybe 25-30 where as with my compound I would have no problem reaching out there to about 60.
Good luck and welcome to the fun side

[MeatEater]

Get with some guys in your area that shoot Trad. It will speed up the learning curve and equipment questions immensely.

[thebowhunters]

Practice,Practice,Practice, and then Practice some more. Shoot daily to make it fun, and as far as hunting goes for me I have a 12 yard rule for whitetail, 20 yard rule for pigs and I'm trying to get out to 40 yards for Elk by this September. But never take a shot that is not just right, must be quarting away. Have fun, and yes Bob would be a great guy to talk to in south austin but if you need someone in the SA area let me know. Good luck

[bowtecmike]

if you're in Lubbock shoot me a Pm and I can let you try a few bows to see what you like

[Txnrog]

Read the 'stickies' at the top of this forum as a start. Then I would suggest setting up some time to shoot with one of the fellas on here to get a little lesson. IMO, the biggest difference is you don't have the help of gadgets to develop consistancy, so you have to do it with practice, patients, and it definately helps to have someone who knows what they are doing give you some lessons at the start.

[thebomb6_99]

Asked some things about them maybe some of this will help you.

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=215587

[Raider Power]

Great advice yall, keep it coming!

[Raider Power]

Whats the difference between longbow and a recurve?

[Txnrog]

String touches the limb at rest on a recurve - that's the simplest explination.

Any other differences are generalities.

[Bweger]

I can tell you from my recent experience"practice,practice,practice, and when you think you are proficient practice some more. Practice standing up, sitting down, from ground level and elevated. When you do harvest your first animal with it be prepared to experience a sensation like you have never experienced before. It isn't easy by any means but it is very addictive and the reward for all the hours spent practicing is very much worth it. It will be very difficult for me to leave my longbow at home and take one of my compounds hunting from now on. As a matter of fact I built a box blind that I can shoot my longbow out of and I will be sitting there with my longbow in hand opening morning of bow season.

[M-2]

Whats the difference between longbow and a recurve?

Longbow

[JEFFRO]

what everyone said above,
also start early, in the year, shooting, going to shoots. hook up with different group's and watch. learn. ask question's. read there's a lot of great advice on bowhunt'n out there, and have fun.
after awile you will come into your shooting style. you'll find that bow that fits. the arrow that hit's where your look'n. when that all comes together, you'll know why we love it so much.