Considering traditional archery

[Random 8]

I am considering taking up traditional archery. I'm not a serious bowhunter, but do take advantage of some warmer weather and the long season to spend some time in the stand watching squirrels. I do enjoy practice time in the back yard. What I do not enjoy is the arms race that is modern archery. I still shoot a 1990's Jennings single cam, and I still shoot fingers and aluminum arrows and cut on contact heads. The old Jennings is in need of replacement...losing glass on the limbs and the cams are worn. New bows look like space oddities compared to what I'm used to and there is a sticker shock aspect. I could go retro-modern and pick up a used bow in better condition than mine, but I figure it may be time to take the plunge.

Wondering what bows, draw weights, arrows, suppliers etc I should be looking at? Hunting wise my ranges are short and the cover tight and brushy, ranging from dense conifers to tag alder to cattails to cedar swamp. I like to hunt close. I'm a big boy, I draw 69 on the compound and shoot a 30" draw. I enjoy slinging arrows for practice in the backyard and my sportsman's club's 3D range from short to ridiculous ranges, and am not afraid to learn instinct shooting. I used to do it for years bowfishing with an ancient Bear compound. What are some others here who have taken up or perhaps never left traditional archery twanging away with? I'm pretty crafty, so would even consider a DIY or kit bow to dabble in the black arts of traditional archery with. Cross posting in hunting forum also.

 

[Kingcreek]

I would look for a good recurve 50-55# (at 28” so would pull more at your 30”). Lots of them out there, both factory and small shop.

 

[jmr40]

I've never used a longbow but have a couple of recurves that I shoot. When I started bow hunting/shooting here in GA in the 1970's compound bows were not legal for use during archery season. GA was the last state to allow compound bows in the early 1980's. And one of the last, to later legalize crossbows. Technically you could hunt with one during rifle season if you chose to, but I don't know anyone who did.

As a result I got a Ben Pearson 45# bow for Christmas one year and hunted with it well into the 1980's. Even after compounds became legal. I did eventually buy a compound, but have always enjoyed shooting the recurve better. In fact I later found an old 51# Browning Nomad in a pawn shop for $20. Back in the day many serious bow hunters set up their bows with pins and peep sights on the string. I had that done to the Browning. Many would not consider that a traditional bow, but I find it an acceptable compromise.

 

[theotherwaldo]

My recurve got overheated and delaminated, so I've dropped back to my 45# canvas-backed red oak longbow.
It's shockier than a recurve, but it works OK.

 

[MatrixReality]

Martin Jaguar Takedown Recurve. It’s nice to be able to change limbs if you want different draw weights. The riser is aluminum and the limbs laminated wood. I like mine

 

[sean m]

Look at the PSE Snake recurve. Academy sells them. Pretty inexpensive, solid one piece polymer design. It will get you started.


https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/ps...-Hunting||71700000057441091|58700005323928058