NDR: Trad bow shooting...

Nate Grace

Nate Grace

Well-known member
Hey there,

I know there are a few bow shooters here, and one or two trad bow shooters. I picked up a vintage Bear Alaskan recurve and have been shooting it every day for the last week or so. Arms hurt, forearm is bruised up, but I love it! Was curious what other bows you guys are shooting. I inherited a Bear static recurve from my grandad after he passed. At 62" and 57#s, I think it will be awhile before I can shoot more than one or two arrows with it.

Anyone shooting a Black Widow, Bob Lee, Acadian Woods, or Dakota Pro? Would love to get your feedback or thoughts on any of these boys. Thinking a Black Widow or Dakota Pro Hunter Longbow may be on the list next. Loving this traditional bow thing.


Cheers!


Nate
 
Nate,

I've been shooting trad exclusively for the past 4 years. I had a HH Big Five, a Toelke Whip, a Northern Mist Shelton, and four Big Rivers. I still have the Northern Mist Shelton and 3 Big Rivers - sold the rest. The Big River R/D's are my ultimate favorite. I have two of the Big River R/D's and a D style Big River. All are shooters. I leave for Colorado on the 28th with my 60# Big River R/D for my 19th year chasing elk with a bow, the 4th with a long bow. Sorry I can't help with your other selections as I haven't shot any of them.

It's a blast isn't it? I'll never go back to wheels.
 
Pete, I do love it! The Bear I'm shooting is 45# at 28". I messed up my right elbow this past year and have had trouble getting my 50# Martin Hatfield to full draw. Going to take it easy this fall and see if I can stick a deer or two. I'll have to look into the bows you mentioned. I would love something a bit more "custom" to shoot next year. I shot a Black Widow two years ago and couldn't get over how smooth it was. To me, a recurve or longbow is a piece of art as well as a functional tool. I think one becomes a better shooter and hunter over time with the trad bow. I'm looking forward to getting into the woods this year.

Hey, good luck with the elk hunt this fall. That sounds like a blast. Hope you stick a big 6x6!


Best,
Nate
 
Thanks Nate, good luck to you also. I might decide that the first cow that comes by is my trophy this year - and it will be. Though I have shot several elk with a bow, they were all with a compound. I have yet to harvest my first elk with a longbow but I have a real good feeling about this year.

Take your time with your shoulder, easy does it. There is alot of stress on your shoulders with trad and you need to go slow. I usually shoot a 48#er for winter league and then come April transition to my 60#. It takes at least a month before I feel comfortable with it again. Only a few, maybe 20 arrows a day at first and gradually build up your strength and tolerance.

There are literally hundreds of custom bowyers out there, you can go broke buying everything that looks nice - and they all do. Try to figure out what you like by going to trad shoots and trying a bunch of different styles - it's cheaper that way, trust me :)
 
Lots of guys have been making the switch. It is whole lot more fun and when you do score with it hunting it just proves your a better hunter sportsman. Make the trip to our Comptons shoot next year in MI. All the top traditional suppliers are there and our club (Berrien County Sportsman) puts on a hell of a 3D shoot.
 
Nate and Pete
I too share the love of bow hunting. Sadly having started helping my dad making long bows, going to re curves, compounds, then wheels, I'm down to cocking a "Draw--Loc" on a Pearson compound with both feet and both hands but I'll be in the woods again this year for there is always the magic of bow hunting. Just had to throw a comment in there :-)
wis boz
 
I'll second what Tom said about Comptons. It's a great shoot and tons of fun. Four 3D courses, camping, traditional vendors, camp fires, etc. Very family and kid friendly. I missed it this past June due to other commitments but I'll be there next year. The main shoot is on Father's Day weekend in SW Michigan.
 
Nate,

This is my hunting bow 60#@28 66" R/D Big River longbow. Cocobolo riser and Myrtle veneers over bamboo cored limbs. Don't bother Googling Big River as he doesn't have a web site or email. My bowyer is 84 years old and not into the new fangled communication stuff - but he does have a cell phone (I think).






 
Nate,
Get an arm guard. :) I shoot like crap without one. I shoot an old Pearson recurve when I do shoot trad so not much help with those bows.


Pete that is a pretty longbow. R/D bows have a cool profile. I've never shot a longbow, not sure I'd like them since I like the feel of the higher wrist grip on my recurve. Good luck with the elk.

Tim
 
I know what you're saying Tim, I'm just the opposite and can't shoot a high wrist and never could. Even in my compound days I needed to heel the bow to get any consistancy. I've sold a couple longbows just because the grips were locator instead of straight. I am really looking forward to elk season this year and think that this year it's my turn.
 
I have been looking at getting into traditional archery for the purposes of hunting, but also as a family activity. My wife is even interested in shooting. I I have picked out basic takedown recurve bows for the family, but I am looking at getting a longbow for myself.

I have made a couple of longbows for my kids using plans from Bingham projects. They turned out pretty nice and the kids have had fun with them. I would eventually like to make a full size longbow for myself and hunt with it, but in the mean time, I would like to pick up a well made longbow from one of these small companies.

The problem is, I am still learning about longbows and recurve bows. I am 6'2" tall with an unreasonably long arm length of 38". I have been to a couple of local archery clubs to shoot various traditional bows. Most of the guys recommend a longbow for me due to my arm length and the fear of a recure stacking.

Would any of you be able to recommend a proper length longbow for my longer draw length (somewhere around 33")?

I am also not looking for some heavy draw weight of 60lbs, considering that is measured at 28". I am thinking somewhere around 43-47lbs would be more than plenty. Does that sound right?
 
A couple of comments. Is your draw length 33" as measured shooting a compound or a traditional bow? The reason I ask is that many times a person's draw length will end up being shorter - sometimes significantly when shooting a traditional bow. Myself, I always had a draw length of 30.5" when shooting my compounds, now with my longbows my draw length is 27.5-28. Alot of that is due to the mechanics of shooting a traditional bow, and using fingers over a release.

It sound like you are aware of the increase in poundage but just to refresh - most traditional bows will gain in the neighborhood of 2.5-3lbs per inch of draw over 28". So if you had a bow that was 46#@28" by the time you got to even 30" the weight would increase to 56-58#s. In my opinion, if you are just starting with traditional bows - start light, 56-58#s is a lot of weight to begin with and it will be very difficult to develop proper form while struggling with the weight.

Back to your original question, for long draw lengths longer bows are necessary in order to minimize finger pinch at full draw. I shoot longbows that are 66" long and I would think that you might be comfortable with a 68 or even 70" bow. You will figure that out after shooting a few. If you can find a traditional only shoot in your area you will likely run into some hands-on experience. I haven't met a traditional archer yet that doesn't love to help a new guy. Getting your family involved is a fantastic experience - the "flight of the arrow" is awesome at any age.

Good luck
 
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