Don't worry Dan, you'll tuck tail and be back.... this is where we lay it all out, the good the bad and the ugly with how the hunts go.Lol. /\ Probably as good as description of it as I've ever heard. I WILL kill an elk with mine this year...
(or never come back on here out of shame).
WARNING-----It's addictive!! Looked on my bow rack and I have about 15 recurves hanging there. I gave up the compound bow in the late 80's and other than 1 year due to a shoulder injury all I shot for 30 years of serious bow hunting was a recurve. Now with some back and shoulder problems (somewhat caused by shooting to heavy of stickbows) I'm forced to go back to the wheels.How many of you are shooting stick bows? I have started down this rabbit hole and had no idea have picky things are with arrow selection and shooting form.
Thanks for the info.WARNING-----It's addictive!! Looked on my bow rack and I have about 15 recurves hanging there. I gave up the compound bow in the late 80's and other than 1 year due to a shoulder injury all I shot for 30 years of serious bow hunting was a recurve. Now with some back and shoulder problems (somewhat caused by shooting to heavy of stickbows) I'm forced to go back to the wheels.
I will echo what others have said. Start out at a light poundage till you establish a solid draw length and anchor and move up in poundage only when you can keep your established form and anchor.
Don't get caught up in the "cool" looking barred feathers and such as I did for a season. The arrows look nice but your brain needs to learn the flight path of you arrow. Bright feathers like Chartreuse or Pink and bright knocks really help.
I think I bought every book on how to accurately shoot a trad bow but the one that help the most is called " Instinctive Archery Insights" by Jay Kidwell. I see them on ebay now and again for 20 bucks or so. Well worth it.
One book you need to buy for sure is called " Shooting the Stickbow" 2nd edition by Anthony Camera. I wished I had this book 30 years ago because everything I had to learn by trial and error is covered in here. Plus way more. It's more of an encyclopedia on stick bows and there is nothing it doesn't cover. It will save you lots of time and I'd say even some frustration on things you'll encounter. It will be the best 15 or 20 bucks you'll ever spend when it comes to all aspects of Recurves and Longbows.
Hope this helps-- Good luck
I will second on Tom. I Bought my longbow from him long time ago! he had me just shoot every bow in my price range and basically gave me lessons the entire time as I had never shot one.Where do you live?
Tom Clum has been a huge help to me. He has an online course (solid archery mechanics) but if you're anywhere near Denver it's worth stopping into RMS gear and getting some coaching.
Even if you're not near Denver call RMS gear and talk to them. They have some entry level recurves that they sell and when you want to upgrade limbs they will trade them in for you for a nominal fee.
Definitely start w/ a lightweight draw and a fairly inexpensive bow until you figure out what you like though. I went into it thinking it'd be simpler than a compound (and in some ways it is) but there are a ton of options on how to shoot still.