Hey guys, just wanted to ring in with a Happy New Year! and a question. I'm looking to get into traditional archery such as target and hunting and was wondering if there was a good bow maker company etc. to start out with. All of my buddies that hunt keep suggesting martin and bear, but was wondering if y'all new of any other reputable makers that make bows of the same or better quality in the same price range. I know there are a ton of different makers of tons of items that seem to be under the radar. So any advice or input is welcome and if you have any suggestion on arrows and tips for them. Thanks as always.
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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
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Good traditional bow for a beginner
- Thread starter Thor1986
- Start date
I would say this thread would best be suited in the hunting sub forum, honestly you will not get many replies placing it here.(it may get moved anyway.)
Bob Lee Archery makes some exceptional bows.
You can see a list of makers by going to this sight:
www.huntingsociety.org/traditionalbows.html
hope this helps!
Bob Lee Archery makes some exceptional bows.
You can see a list of makers by going to this sight:
www.huntingsociety.org/traditionalbows.html
hope this helps!
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Better quality in the same price range - good luck. Bear bows set the standard for production recurves and the Martin Hunter is an outstanding weapon. If you want something custom for not too much check out the Chek-Mate Falcon.
Listen to your hunting buddies though. If I were ever to switch back to recurves from my longbow, it would be to a nice Bear Grizzly (or perhaps Bear Takedown).
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Beckerhead #42
Listen to your hunting buddies though. If I were ever to switch back to recurves from my longbow, it would be to a nice Bear Grizzly (or perhaps Bear Takedown).
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Beckerhead #42
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There are a lot of great custom bowyers out there, and to be honest, many of their bows are available for around the same price as the Bears or Martins.
If you live anywhere near a Barnes & Noble, I suggest picking up copies of "Traditional Bowhunter" and "Primitive Archer" magazines, and looking through the ads. Then check out some of the makers websites, email them, call them, etc.
From there, you can order a new bow, or try to purchase a used one from the Leatherwall at stickbow.com.
That said, I personally would like to get a Hoyt Dorado at some point, and it would be a good choice for yourself, if you don't mind a metal riser. You can see it in action on youtube, and it's a nice bow. Whatever you get, you'll want to start out lighter than you shoot a compund at, and you'll probably lose a bit of draw length. I draw a compound at around 30.5-31", but a trad bow at 27". However, this is mostly influenced by my shooting style, which is heavily influenced by Fred Asbell's books.
It will take a bit more effort to learn shooting a trad bow well, but it's well worth it.
If you live anywhere near a Barnes & Noble, I suggest picking up copies of "Traditional Bowhunter" and "Primitive Archer" magazines, and looking through the ads. Then check out some of the makers websites, email them, call them, etc.
From there, you can order a new bow, or try to purchase a used one from the Leatherwall at stickbow.com.
That said, I personally would like to get a Hoyt Dorado at some point, and it would be a good choice for yourself, if you don't mind a metal riser. You can see it in action on youtube, and it's a nice bow. Whatever you get, you'll want to start out lighter than you shoot a compund at, and you'll probably lose a bit of draw length. I draw a compound at around 30.5-31", but a trad bow at 27". However, this is mostly influenced by my shooting style, which is heavily influenced by Fred Asbell's books.
It will take a bit more effort to learn shooting a trad bow well, but it's well worth it.
I use a Bear Black Bear I got used off ebay for $49 and it shoots very very well. Look for a Kodiak Hunter, Grizzly etc that can be had in very good condition for 100 bucks. But stay away from the shorter magnums, as they are less forgiving for new shooters, and more importantly, don't overbow in weight as it will impede your progress and form.
3Rivers archery also has a nice takedown called Sage that gets very good review for just a little over 100 bucks. DPKnives here has one and has posted positive results to date.
3Rivers archery also has a nice takedown called Sage that gets very good review for just a little over 100 bucks. DPKnives here has one and has posted positive results to date.
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Out of curiosity - do you just not like Bear bows?
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Beckerhead #42
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Beckerhead #42
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Ah fair enough. I love my longbow and if you have never shot bows before then you might just as well learn on a longbow as a recurve. When people talk about them being more forgiving, they are typically (I believe) referring to the fact that if you torque the string on a longbow, it makes little difference whereas the same flaw in form can cause difficulties with a recurve.
Not sure that matters much - just don't torque the string and you should be fine with either. One of the best archers in the history of the planet (Howard Hill) was a longbowman. He tried recurves and couldn't get the hang of them. Conversely, tons of other outstanding and well-known archers (Fred Bear, not the least) shot recurves well but not longbows.
I will say that if you have experience with a recurve or a compound bow, then shooting a straight-handled long bow will take LOTS of getting used to. It's worth it, or was to me but others may certainly disagree.
If you are up in the air on the choice, then I'd say select what you like and learn to use that (just like with knives). Otherwise, you'll eventually end up getting both anyway - heh.
For me, I bought a compound first because that's what was available. Didn't enjoy it and never had it set up for me so I never really practiced much with it. Traded that for a used Damon Howatt (Martin) Hunter and shot the *heck* out of it. Loved that bow but was always infatuated with longbows. I saved my pennies and bought a Howard Hill Halfbreed custom made for me (a bit over $500) and have never looked back.
p.s. This thread needs more pics.
Here I am looking devilishly sophisticated in my wool gear and drawing my Howard Hill...
... and this is my son, imitating a bush while drawing his Bear Kodiak Magnum...
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Beckerhead #42
Not sure that matters much - just don't torque the string and you should be fine with either. One of the best archers in the history of the planet (Howard Hill) was a longbowman. He tried recurves and couldn't get the hang of them. Conversely, tons of other outstanding and well-known archers (Fred Bear, not the least) shot recurves well but not longbows.
I will say that if you have experience with a recurve or a compound bow, then shooting a straight-handled long bow will take LOTS of getting used to. It's worth it, or was to me but others may certainly disagree.
If you are up in the air on the choice, then I'd say select what you like and learn to use that (just like with knives). Otherwise, you'll eventually end up getting both anyway - heh.
For me, I bought a compound first because that's what was available. Didn't enjoy it and never had it set up for me so I never really practiced much with it. Traded that for a used Damon Howatt (Martin) Hunter and shot the *heck* out of it. Loved that bow but was always infatuated with longbows. I saved my pennies and bought a Howard Hill Halfbreed custom made for me (a bit over $500) and have never looked back.
p.s. This thread needs more pics.
Here I am looking devilishly sophisticated in my wool gear and drawing my Howard Hill...
... and this is my son, imitating a bush while drawing his Bear Kodiak Magnum...
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Beckerhead #42
Hey Thor1986
Where are you in Alabama? I only ask because I have a few different trad bows you could try out if you are in driving distance.Give me a call 205-486-7479 if you like or email.I also talk a lot faster than I type if you want to talk about equipment.
Lots of good trad bows out there.Just starting out,I would suggest shooting some if you can and not spending too much because what you think you like now and what you decide you like after some shooting experience may be totally different.
The main thing is to not get too heavy a bow.I suggest 40-45 lbs draw weight max no matter how strong you are.Being over bowed can cause a lot of bad shooting form habits when you are just starting out.
There are a few 3D shoots over the summer in Alabama where you can try out a lot of trad bows for sale.Save your money and pick out something you can try out would be my best advice.
Where are you in Alabama? I only ask because I have a few different trad bows you could try out if you are in driving distance.Give me a call 205-486-7479 if you like or email.I also talk a lot faster than I type if you want to talk about equipment.
Lots of good trad bows out there.Just starting out,I would suggest shooting some if you can and not spending too much because what you think you like now and what you decide you like after some shooting experience may be totally different.
The main thing is to not get too heavy a bow.I suggest 40-45 lbs draw weight max no matter how strong you are.Being over bowed can cause a lot of bad shooting form habits when you are just starting out.
There are a few 3D shoots over the summer in Alabama where you can try out a lot of trad bows for sale.Save your money and pick out something you can try out would be my best advice.
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I have both a Bear Grizzly (45#) and Old Bear Ranger (50#) - Both great bows. One thing that I did learn is that you really need to do your research when choosing arrow shafts and points (spine, grain, and all these other terms that I did not know existed until I got into traditional archery.) Arrow choice is just as important as bow choice!
I also have a Montana longbow, but I'm having to re-learn how to shoot with it since I mostly use the recurves.
I also have a Montana longbow, but I'm having to re-learn how to shoot with it since I mostly use the recurves.
mshambone
Gold Member
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I just recently picked up a Bear Grizzly and have been enjoying it immensely. I wish I would have done a little research prior to buying one in regards to the eye dominance thing as I found out I am left eye dominant but shoot right--guns, bow. I have read about it a little and wish I would've known about it prior to buying--reason I am mentioning it here. I never realized it before; now that I am aware of it, my shooting has improved a little--obviously there's tons of other factors too!
I went the recurve route because my Dad, brothers, BIL, and most others that I know shoot compound or crossbow. I wanted to be different plus be as simple as possible. I feel comfortable enough with arrow placement that I recently spent some time in the woods this weekend with my Dad hunting the "elusive whitetail" What a blast!
Whatever you get..."consistancy is the key" from what I am told! Enjoy and have fun.
Matt
I went the recurve route because my Dad, brothers, BIL, and most others that I know shoot compound or crossbow. I wanted to be different plus be as simple as possible. I feel comfortable enough with arrow placement that I recently spent some time in the woods this weekend with my Dad hunting the "elusive whitetail" What a blast!
Whatever you get..."consistancy is the key" from what I am told! Enjoy and have fun.
Matt
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Thanks for all the great info guys. I'm definitely going to try and get my hands on some bows and shoot them if i can. Hopefully my boss lady want hurt me to bad when i tell her of my next purchase to come since i just got my new 1911. But what's the point of putting back money if you cant buy stuff that you enjoy?