compound or recurve or long

XMP said:
Hope I can piggyback on this thread: My five year old daughter has expressed an interest in learning to shoot a bow. What did you start your son on? Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Doc, your gear is awesome. Useful and inspiring. Those are skills I'd love to master.
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Thank you, XMP, and as a reward :) , check this out.

Doc
 
 
RescueRiley said:
looking to possibly pick up a bow...it'll mostly be used for target shooting, and small game hunting...and to pack along with the rest of my gear for fun in the woods...I used to have take down recurve...but I gave it to my nephew when I moved...I have some of the basics down, but am still a bit of a neophyte...in regards to this (for what it's worth i prefer to shoot without a sight) any suggestions (ability is also a factor)
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IMHO
Find a convenient archery shop, one that has an indoor range meaning they are serious about their business. The shop should have an assortment of equipment and will be invaluable in helping with a proper fit for draw weight, length, and matching arrows for material, length, spine and tip weight. Professional help to get you started will be well worth the price (they may also have used equip. to keep you in budget). My shop has saved me endless aggravation and goes above and beyond to help me get it right.
Recurve or compound? My suggestion is to go with a recurve bow for now. A recurve is going to be much lighter, easier to pack and carry for a distance, and a lot less complicated than a compound. You will not be as accurate, but for small game and just plain fun it's more likely you will take the recurve with you and keep taking it with you. The 45# will work out just fine.


http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/hunting.html
 
RR: There may be some flak from this, but it's from actual experience.

Unless you have extensive prior experience with a recurve, you must try a compound with sights before your decision is made. Recurves are elegant and capable, simple, and easy to carry. Compounds are popular because you can begin actually hitting without a long learning curve. I've seen a lot of people who were interested in archery only to have their interest wane when accuracy seemed too elusive.

Compounds are about four pounds and somewhat complicated to look at, but they are simple in use and the weight helps accuracy just as it does in a firearm. A 50# compound can be held at full draw easily for 10-15 seconds and aimed through sights just like a firearm. Unless you are either quite strong or are willing to put in a lot of shooting time just to build strength, the compound is your friend. The draw weight is more than just power, it's the only key to a flat trajectory making shots of varying distances much more accurate. Even small game shooting benefits from initial arrow velocity in the vicinity of 280 fps or more. Shoot a tuned compound at a shop or range, then a recurve to decide. Afterward, you can be confident of your $200+ decision.

Equipment cost follows the law of diminishing returns just like any other pursuit, doubling to get 25% more then rapidly rising to get just a little more. $200 for a bow is a fair starting point (look at the Martin Jaguar or equivalent) and use carbon arrows. Also use a mechanical release (starting at about $20) if early accuracy is your goal. You may be surprised at how soon you can begin to hit and group. Using traditional equipment is satisfying, but so is hitting from the very start. Good shooting, ss.
 
I don't know that you'll get any flack from your post. At least not from me: factually, you're right on the money.

I hope that archery isn't a passing fad for anyone (yet it often is), and you're right: a recurve has a much longer learning "curve" of its own. If you're really interested, a recurve is a great way to go.

If you want to start hitting targets right away, a compound is the better choice.

Of course, there's a good argument to owning both!
 
OsageBow004.jpg

Every thing in this pic is made by me. This is a complete survival kit in it self. More importantly the skills learned to make this gear are the real value in survival.
It may take a Little longer to learn to shoot a traditional bow, BUT its only a Little longer! If you learn to shoot a traditional bow you can shoot a compound, but it doesn't work the other way. In 30 years of teaching people to shoot, the hardest ones are people with a lot of experience with compounds.
 
bikermikearchery said:
Every thing in this pic is made by me. This is a complete survival kit in it self. More importantly the skills learned to make this gear are the real value in survival.
It may take a Little longer to learn to shoot a traditional bow, BUT its only a Little longer! If you learn to shoot a traditional bow you can shoot a compound, but it doesn't work the other way. In 30 years of teaching people to shoot, the hardest ones are people with a lot of experience with compounds.
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You make some beautiful things, Mr. archery.

Doc
 
bikermikearchery said:
OsageBow004.jpg

Every thing in this pic is made by me. This is a complete survival kit in it self. More importantly the skills learned to make this gear are the real value in survival.
It may take a Little longer to learn to shoot a traditional bow, BUT its only a Little longer! If you learn to shoot a traditional bow you can shoot a compound, but it doesn't work the other way. In 30 years of teaching people to shoot, the hardest ones are people with a lot of experience with compounds.
Click to expand...

I like it; what's that all the way to the left? And how did you learn your bladesmithing?
 
TemplarKnight21c said:
I like it; what's that all the way to the left? And how did you learn your bladesmithing?
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Far left is a Gorgett (spelling ?) once a piece of armor for the neck, became a trade item/jewelry on the American fronter.
Blade smithing has been an on-going learning process for 35 years. My stepfather taught me to stock remove old files and springs as a kid. From there I have just kept adding to the knowledge from village smiths in the Philippines, and art blacksmiths in Calif. and every place any one will let me look over there shoulder. Most importantly books.
 
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