So tell me about bows and archery...

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I think it would be fun to take up archery as a backyard diversion and a quiet alternative to firearms marksmanship. However, I have zero experience. What should I look for in an inexpensive, simple bow and related essentials?
 
I just saw your post and I’m no expert on the subject, but I can give you some insight. As a child around 11 yrs. My uncle started my brother and I on some simple fiberglass recurve bows I think in the 25 lb. range. We did pretty well with those in my grandparents back yard. Then about a year later my uncle again gave us bows, but this time they were dark green matching recurve bows that didn’t have any markings on them, but we were told that they were 45 lb. draw. My uncle set my brother and I up with 6 arrows each that he had epoxied empty .357 Magnum cartridges over the ends, making them blunt target practice arrows. I remember missing the hay bale stack target and the arrow hitting the “wavy tin” metal fence, it was probably .050 thick and the arrow pierced it and skidded accost the neighbors backyard, luckily no livestock were injured.

We grew up along a river and a farming community where the farming runoff ditches ran alongside the river and woods as we called the patch of them that ran alongside the river, just a ditch bank away. My brother and I ended up bow fishing along those ditch banks, and had a lot of fun, especially when we found out a local hardware store sold target (pointed) tipped arrows for .69c each. Since then and after we grew up, my brother perused the sport and now shoots a Hoyt compound, setup to draw with a release rather than just finger pull.

I have had my eye on these PSE Kingfisher recurve bows for the past decade, I think I’ll eventually get one. Everyone is different though, you may want to start by trying some bows at your local archery shop/range. In a recurve, 45lbs seems about right to shoot repeatedly

(as kids, we were just pulling those 45lb. bows back short or for limited times, but if you get something with too heavy of a weight -like some people do- it’s too hard to shoot multiple times and the arrows fly differently. keep in mind that the draw weight for a compound bow for an adult is around 70 lbs, but you’re not holding all the weight either).

PSE Kingfisher
http://www.pse-archery.com/products/category/Kingfisher+-+Bow/445.5.1.1.5882.46091.87667.0.0
 
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The simplest bows are recurves or long bows. The most durable are fiberglass laminates. If you are good with wood you can make your own (primitive) out of hemlock, sycamore, or a large number of different woods. The bow should be long enough for your draw length. The limbs shouldn't be warped. You need at least a 45# draw weight for hunting. Make sure you get arrows with the right spine weight for your bow. Check out archery clubs in your area. Used to be you could pick up a used recurve for $50 with accessories, but that was 30 years ago. I'd figure on $200 now for a good used bow, stringer, quiver, glove,and arrows. Maybe more depending on the market conditions in your area.
 
I spent 200 on a Martin Howatt Hunter for the brother for Christmas, and 35 dollars of a set of built-up Easton gamegetters with feathers and 125 grain target points. I'm taking my own Hunter home to get some range time in over Christmas. Recurves are so light and easy, I don't think I'll ever waste time on a compound bow again. I have an old Lynx Magnum that doesn't see much range time anymore.
 
Join this site- www.tradgang.com You will find a ton of good info and folks more than willing to give you guidance. There are many members of Bladeforums over there as well.
 
Tadgang.com and the "Masters of the Barebow" DVD series for the longbow/recurve. I wish I had watched the "MOBB" DVD's 25 years ago (They're relatively new).....MANY of my bad habits would have never happened.

It's like getting professional firearms instruction from some of best shooters in the country vs. watching a couple "Lethal Weapon" movies.

Three Rivers and a few smaller mail order shops have what you'll need to get started. Just don't "overbow" yourself by starting out with a heavy bow. You'd be much better off with starting with an inexpensive 35# bow to learn proper form and technique, then gradually work your way up to the heavier bows. I started with a 55# bow and almost immediately went right up to 77#. I should have started MUCH lighter to prevent some of the bad habits I fight to this day. I recently bought a 38#er to "train" with and try to break bad habits".

It's great fun and can be almost like a mini-mental-vacation when you're out in the yard and everything is in sync. I have to say, the traditional Archery community is comprised of the finest group of people "as a whole" I have ever met in my life.

If you want to get into archery and have almost instant success with accuracy, jump into the compound scene. They are fun too and the biggest benefit is that if you don't have the time to dedicate to learning "instinctive" shooting, you can usually pick up a compound and be shooting groups right away. The sights and release aid allow for a huge "consistancy" advantage over the longbow or recurve.

I hope you can find the time to get into archery (either trad or modern) becasue it is a LOT of fun.

Best of Luck to Ya!!!

Stump



PS - Here's a link to a good video of an outstanding instictive shooter from Greenland...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSDdWWPgbcw&feature=channel
 
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Trad. is alot of fun but I really like my Compound, the speed & accuracy of today's compounds is unreal ! Archery is something that takes alot of practice but is alot of fun ! Most archery shops will be more than glad to let you try out a few different bows if you tell them you are in the market for a new bow. Go out & try several different makes & models.
 
My wife uses a boy sized\rated compound bow. I'll see if I can get to chase fluffy bunnies with it, not likely though. :D
 
If you just want a nice diversion, a compound bow with sights gets you good results quickly. I got frustrated with recurves since I didn't have the time and patience to do instinctive properly. There are plenty of good priced compound starter bows out there - no need for super hard cams and really short bows.

Shoot fingers, with a sight and smooth drawing wheels with 75% let off and you'll be whacking targets in no time.... and if you really like it, get in to traditional.
 
Stick with traditional archery. It's simple, like throwing a baseball. All hand eye coordination, no fiddling with sights, straps, couterweights, wheels, arrow rests, etc. Just put an arrow on your string and shoot.

As someone already mentioned, check out tradgang.com They also have a classifieds section you may want to keep your eye on.

I'd look for a cheap recurve, you should be able to completely outfit yourself for less than $200. I think I got my wife her bow + 6 carbon arrows + glove for ~$150.

Number one Tip - Don't over estimate your strength! Archery uses muscles you don't use anywhere else, even at the gym. Stick to about 25 - 45lb. draw weight, or whatever is comfortable to shoot 30 arrows in a row. If you want to hunt, 40lb. is the minimum in your state(CT). Some states are as low as 35lb. and in CA there is no minimum. If you stick with it, you'll get stronger and you can upgrade later, but there's no reason to get bad form because you're using too strong of a bow.

Look for a local archery club/range in your area. Talk to them. Look for a local archery shop and go test shoot some bows. Most shops also offer lessons. My wife got 6 free lessons with her purchase.

Here's a good example of something that will get you into the sport without dropping a lot of cash, and that will serve you well until you decide you love archery so much you want to spend $800! Another great thing about trad, is that you don't have to spend thousands to be good. A good trad archer will win a tournament whether he's shooting a $100 or a $900 bow.

20-35lb. - http://www.pse-archery.com/products/category/445.5.1.1.16352.74370.0.0.0

35-50lb. - http://www.pse-archery.com/products/category/Stalker/445.5.1.1.16352.7365.0.0.0


Cheap Target: Stuff a burlap sack, or 40lb. dogfood bag full of plastic grocery bags, and stitch the top closed with cord, wire, etc.
 
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Go to tradgang.com or archerytalk.com and start reading. :thumbup: Chris

EDIT: If your interested in trad take a look at the Samik line, I bought my wife a Samik Sage a couple of years ago and have been very happy with it. The fit and finish is not as good as more expensive bows but it shoots very well and is holding up well.
 
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