Recurves and Longbows

[countyroad320]

I've been interested in shooting longbow or recurve. I shoot compound now but for the past 2 years have been interested in getting a longbow or recurve. Right now I don't have the funds for either but sometime in the future I plan on getting one. After reading through the thread on arrows I though I could gather some input from fellow sportsman. Thank you.

[Buckrun]

I bought my first bow a compound back in 1978. I loved shooting that bow. A couple years later I traded it for another compound. Then around 1990 don’t remember exactly when I had bought a Traditional Archer magazine That lit the fire, I wanted to see what it was all about. I love it. I gave my compound bow away. Since then I have made my own arrows. I have made a couple laminated long bows. I made a hickory flat bow. I made a machine to make my own shafts. I have a very large traditional archery library. I never harvested a deer until I switched to traditional.

I haven’t shot much in the last 5 years or so. I have been busy raising a family and other interests. I also hurt my shoulder at work and it really bothered it to shoot. I started shooting a little last year. I didn’t notice any trouble with my shoulder so I really would love to get started in it again. I you would like to see pictures of some of my stuff I’ll try to get my web page set up again.

Steve

[Thunderflight]

Before you go out and blow the money on a high $$$ bow buy one on ebay.

You can also get a cheap long bow made from a guy named Jim Boswell. His website ishttp://www.rudderbows.com/

Jim makes some very nice bows for a very affordable price.

When you do make the step be sure to get a lower weight bow. 45 to 50 pounds is plenty. You can practice with it and not wear yourself out and legally hunt with it too.

If you've never shot one before I would HIGHLY recommend going to an OSTA shoot or get a trad guy to show you how. You'll learn much quicker this way rather than learning by your own mistakes.

TF

[countyroad320]

A few years back when I was in high school a buddy and I would go shoot our bows after baseball lifting in the fall and I shot his recurve a few times before he switched to compound. It was different, but I always felt I had good instincts when i shot it.

Buckrun-
I'd love to see what you have. I have been on a couple websited of people that build bows and I have quite a bit of experience with woodwork. I did some research on building my own, but put things on hold because being away at college that type of project is not possible unitl I return home this fall. I think it would be a great accomplishment to make my own bow and arrows and then harvest a deer. Even though I'm 22 I like the traditional and handmade mystique. I'd also like to construct a muzzleloader too in the future, but that is another thread for another day.

TF-
I'll keep that in mind. I'll definitely do my researc b4 spending some $$$.

[strut-n-rut]

Just my little input.
before I bought my Mathew's I goofed around with a recurve in my basement, ( its big ) that my dad had as a kid. a 45 pound "stemmler"
I learned the hard way that you will shoot a recurves arrow right where you look.
Basement window still has duct tape on it. :D

[Turkeyfoot]

Right on, Tf......Get an OSTA shoot schedule and plan on going, you'll find mant vendors there and you can get some hands on instruction at the practice butts! A lot of good people who are eager to help a novice get started right......TF

[george tinkham]

good info from others ,main thing is dont git too heavy bow .this will only discourage you,because it makes it harder to learn and you wont have fun.some of the larger trad shoots have 100s of bows to try from all kinds of vendors an bowyers.and there will be a lot there willing to help.the local osta shoots are great too as mentioned.just be careful they dont trick you.like letting you shoot at a cocrete target or somethig...B^}

[lawless]

i sent you a private message . email me if you want .. hoot

[george tinkham]

put the word out to relatives,freinds,co workers,or in idle conversation to anybuddy,be surprised who knows whos got one of those old bows,get a bow 10-30$ that may cost 150$ from a vendor.also yardsales,auctions flea markets,in order,cheapes deals to most xpensive,good luck

[snydley]

Welcome to the tradidtional world! If ou can get to a OSTA shoot I will leave a link our site you will find most willing people to let you try a bow or TWO and LAWLESS has more bows then all of us put together! HEs always at the shoots (just watch your arrows he collects other peoples arrows). Look us up at http://www.tradarchers.org/



ED

[snydley]

oh yeah one more thing finding a tradidtional bow is like finding a wife you date alot of them and you will fall in love with one! Some guys like red heads and others blonds so go date some bows before you buy.

[george tinkham]

many have more than one wife...

[Beentown]

How much should a Navajo ....mmmm...the model starts with a "C"....please fill in the name if you know... Can't remember. I believe 60" 28 draw and 55#. In excellent condition.

Anywho...how much should this go for?

Beentown

[george tinkham]

i dont know beentown but i would like to see it.

[snydley]

George that is true i have divorced acouple of bows but wtill have the same wife for 29 years also still have my first custom Assenhimer or my son does. Guess that makes me a Mormon (SP) in the bow department!

[george tinkham]

i guess i like em older,i had a couple young,rich gals an sold em!

[Beentown]

Bow morman LMAO....Paligomy PSE...

I am really itching to get a new recurve. Hay George...I'll take a 60" 55# 28 draw straight shooter...a kodiak would be just fine...Send that to Beentown in care of......:D

[george tinkham]

well i picked up a couple more,one a decent 62" browning at 46#...an another i will refer to as the fuzzy critter bow.its prolly 40 pounds or slightly more.

[countyroad320]

You're gonna have to let me try some out!!

[george tinkham]

well i wanted tuh try em this eve. but the strings were in poor cond...git some new strings for em tomorrow,an wam bam thank yuh mam!

[Beentown]

George we are going to have to haul some of those bows to camp. You never know you may convert some people!:D

[george tinkham]

i am plannin on it!

[Buckrun]

George you ever try a Flemish twist string? I learnt to make them and love to make my own strings. It is easy to do. I have all different colors of string. When you first put one on your bow it will stretch for a while but after it sets in I never had a problem. All you have to do is give it a couple more twists to shorten it up. How long do you need your strings? What color do you want them? Colors I have are black, red, blue, brown, yellow and white. I think I have all those colors of serving also. I would like to make you a couple. I haven’t made any for a long time like 5 or 6 years. It will take a while to get it figured out again. My mind seems to have went some where and it hasn’t informed me where it is went. :(

Steve

[george tinkham]

i have been makin flemish twist for years,as long as osta has benn around anyway.i make all mine 16 strand for huntin bows 40# an up to 60#.there is not much stretch in the 40-50# bows which most muh huntin bows are since they require a 14 strand.too many try to use too small a string,i believe like fred bear,over kill on the strands,like ol fred sed,shoot i break a couple strands,accidently an i still got enough string tuh keep huntin...an i have never broke a string.

[COB]

What the hell has OSTA got to do with you making strings george? Why don't you just drop dropping OSTA's name. Yes you were there in the beginning but so were a lot of other people. And just where have you been for all the years OSTA been around? I was at the first meeting at Meniks where I joined and sure don't remember seeing you any where or hearing your mouth! I've been to about every OSTA shoot since and I never seen you out in the hot open field working the novilty shoots like Earl Ross and I used to do. I've never seen you as an officer. I've never seem you at the registration table or picking up targets after a shoot. How about giving it a rest mr. tinknham and stay off OSTA's case!

My apologies to every one else on the Ohio site but I've got a belly full of tinkham!

[Thunderflight]

Dang Ted, you and George just need to arm wrestle and get over it.

So you knew Charlie Minnich? He was a close family friend.

TF

[george tinkham]

HEY THN FLT I got a couple more bows,one a nice 46# browning an a fuzzy bow.i should be gittin another browning,low poundage tomorrow,suppose tuh be in good shape.auction begins at 10...

[COB]

TF I met Charlie Minnich at the first OSTA meeting held at his complex. What a nice gentleman and ambassador for archery and bowhunting. Love to help anyone learn to shoot better and could he ever shoot a bow! In later years had many dealings with Charlie at OBA functions where he had many possitive inputs. Great man. Not like some on this site, he walked the walk as well as talked the talk.

As for me and you-know-who arm wrestling. Never happen as I would not waste time doing it. As a person I have no problem with g. As for spouting "look at me, look at me look at me", ugh. Tired of the arm twisting to beat ones self on the back. I've been around as long as many and I still say he is not as active as he would like his groupies to believe. What you are doing is speaking way to loud to hear what you are saying.

TF we have got to meet some where down the trail in Ohio. Maybe at an OSTA shoot some where this year and we can bend ears about Charlie, OSTA, OBA, bowhunting deer and pigs, sore shoulders and back, and red @sses! :) :p :D ;)

[Thunderflight]

Charlie went to our church in Johnstown. He use to have Sunday shoots at the Johnstown recreation center. I really looked forward to going. My brothers used to mow the grass at Timber Run and we used to camp back in his woods. When I was in high school I used to drive out every day and shoot. Charlie would let me shoot for free after we talked about life for an hour or so.:) Shoot after my Dad passed away in 87, Charlie even proposed to my mother. :) I still give her crap about it because she could have inherited Timber Run....:) I heard he left it to Northridge High school, but they sold it.

Yes, Charlie walked the walk and talked the talk. However,,,,, Charlie didn't slam the crossbow. I never once heard him say a bad thing about it. Infact he'd let me test shoot the new PSE crossbows he'd get. When I made a crossbow in shop class he made me a dozen bolts for it too. He even tweeked it a bit too. Now I don't recall him ever embracing the x-bow, but I never once heard him say a bad thing about it.

Yeah, I'd like to meet too. Bad thing is that it's going to be a while before I return home. As of now I'm not planning on coming home until November.

TF

[george tinkham]

picked up 2 more bows tuhday.a herters an a browning.but they are both kids bow,the herters a lil laminated an the browning all fiberglas.i got them down in wayne country,GLOUSTER.

[Thunderflight]

I alkmost bo3tht a kid bow fu my daughter at the mecccqa baut i wass owworried about eggintting it on the aipr plane..

I jss guo t back fro a going away party (cvne though I don leave fu six mur weeks_) and i got a kids bow as a gag gift. It's oly a toy muy dwaguther will like geit though.

TF

[george tinkham]

well tuhday for the benefit shoot i decided at the last min.to take my 1971 bear 48" kodiak super mag. at 50#.muh son pulled a 35# bear cub off the wall tuh use.both of us a lil overbowed but bout half way thru the course our arrahs were startin tuh penetrate farther in the rubber animals.that 48"er sure took some gittin used too,butt yuh know i never even noticed its short length as compared to my 62 " i normally shoot.except for maybe overhangin limbs an brush that is,this shorty was nice then.muh sons bow was 60" an i had tuh remind him a couple times to watch the overhangin limbs.yup these simple bows are fun tuh shoot,thats for sure.an the 48" super mag. is a good one in the heavy stuff.

[Thunderflight]

There's a PSE Starfire crossbow on ebay right now.

The auction closes in 3 hours. I'm tempted to bid on it, but my wife would KILL me....

TF

[george tinkham]

my ol lady has me locked outta there.boy thats bad cause i just made some easy roofin money i'm dyin to spend!

[Thunderflight]

Holy cow!!!

That sucker went for $126.00!!!!

I think brand new they used to cost about $225.00 and that was 15 years ago.

TF

[george tinkham]

i just learned yesterday my brother has one.

[Thunderflight]

Is he selling it?

TF

[george tinkham]

i dont know,i can ask him...i have seen a few nice ones at flea markets for bout 125$ that looked purty new but i dont really know diddly squat about them.i kinda wanted to see if muh brother might let me test his,for my own peace of mind,and hands on knowlege of them.

[Thunderflight]

Naw don't worry about it. Hopefully I'll be good to go by then. If I ever came a cross a really sweet deal then I might pick one up though.

TF

[george tinkham]

ok

[Beentown]

I know a guy who is selling a high dollar Horton for cheap (comparitively). It is like a Hunter mag orig $700 but is selling for $350...New last year...Going through divorce and needs the cash.

Beentown

[Thunderflight]

If he goes down to $150 then let me know....:)

TF

[george tinkham]

HOLY COW !Made up a purty yellah an white string,with bl. serving an a nock for that 46 #,62" browning prep,went out to shoot the string in an was i in for a delight.that lil sucker is smooth,accurate,an quiet with no string silencers.only one problem the limbs are white,why would anyone in there right mind do that.white limbs,geez,an this is the best shootin bow in muh arsenal!!!

[Beentown]

Some of the most effective camo has white in it George I wouldn't worry about it.

[george tinkham]

well i got a camo sock i can slip over em white limbs,man if this keeps up i gotta pack this puppy in the deer huntin woods,of course i can keep muh eyes peeled for a more appropriate colored browning.

[COB]

Yo georgir porgy, saw this add on another site and just knew you have to have it. Sic em!

"I have a Bear Kodiak from the early 90's. It is 60"s and 65#s at 28", but is 63#s. It is RH and is in VGC. $135 plus $10 to ship, no dickering and a Ben Pearson Hunter 58"s Zebrawood riser. It has 2 small holes that have been filled. It is in good shape. It is a 1967 and 50#s at 28"s it scales 48#s. $75 plus $10 S+H. I will take $200 for both and pay the shipping!

Of course you'll just have to guess where!

[Thunderflight]

COB, you selling off your collection?

Man, 65 pounds.... Good lord that's alot of bow.

TF

[COB]

LOL, not mine TF. Saw this add on another site knew g would be slobbering at the bit.

[Thunderflight]

This reminds me.

I need to call my buddy to see how my long bow is coming. Not like it's a big hurry or anything...

TF

[george tinkham]

well i aint ritch an knowing muh luck they are white too.i got a shakespeare lined up butt its 2 wks off. an thats all i know shakespeare...oh if i could only git on ebay...things are gittin tough round here since muh ol lady left.me an muh son is gittin low on food.

[Beentown]

Too many bows so she left:eek: :D I will have to post some Ebay bows to make you miss it a bit more.

Beentown

[Thunderflight]

You ole lady left.

CONGRADS!!!!!;)

TF

[george tinkham]

yes she left me,glad i got that browning before she left.

[Thunderflight]

Well looks like you'll have un-limited hunting this Fall. :)

TF

[george tinkham]

oh she'll prolly be back,again, by then...

[george tinkham]

she back,i have been beggin for one more bow, a browning,i would like one 62" at 50-55#...so i will look

[Beentown]

Yeah George just what you need another recurve.

[Thunderflight]

You can never have enough recurves.

TF

[george tinkham]

just one more...thats all i'm askin

[Thunderflight]

Don't ask. Be a man. Tell her your getting this bow and if she don't like it then don't let the door hit her in the butt on her way out!!!!! :)

TF

[george tinkham]

i did an look what happened ...b^{...

[Thunderflight]

OOPs, I forgot to mention duck when she threw the frying pan at you....:p

TF

[Turkeyfoot]

Just picked up a real nice Herter's Sambar hunter at 64" and 52#s ....'72 model with nice rosewood. Got it thru www.women-outdoors, a good site if you're lookin for recurves;) The guy picked it up at Cloverdale couple yrs ago and saw my wanted add. $150 shipped and ins. Nice dude from Tenn. that's heavy into recurves. He's got a Super Kodiak with phelonic handle section if anyone's interested!.....TF

[george tinkham]

i bet thats a smooth shooter...that sambar

[Turkeyfoot]

Geo......I'll let you know as I should have it by the weekend! Man said it's almost mint condition....have always liked the longer curves for their smooth draw;) My '72 Herter's catalog has a $47.50 price for the bow.....same price I paid for the '68 original model I once owned......TF

[rjolenic]

Could I pick a decent recurve up for around $75.00? I don't want to spend too much, but I also don't want to buy junk. Any info. would be good here.

rjo

[george tinkham]

yes you can,according to where you git it...especially if you want it just for huntin...some bows with a few scratches or couple drilled holes are still great shooters/hunters an can be had lots cheaper than if it was near mint

[Thunderflight]

If your just starting out then buy a cheap bow.

Shoot most trad guys would probably loan you a bow to try out for a while.

TF

[rjolenic]

Had that offer on the other site when I was considering it. It the trad scene some kind of cult????

[Turkeyfoot]

RJO......Yep, as Tf would say, the "force" is strong on the stickbow side with a growing of followers each day:cool: .....TF

[Thunderflight]

You know I never really thought of it as a cult, but your right!!!!!:)

TF

[george tinkham]

a cult !!!you mean like jim jones!

[rjolenic]

I will need your help on this George. I have been looking at bows all day on ebay and I feel lost. The one that caught my eye was by Wingarchery. I think I'm gonna join the cult.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20839&item=3679831863&rd=1 (http://)

rjo

[Thunderflight]

Yes, but this cult won't make you drink cyanide. They just flame each other to death....:) ;)

rjo,

That would be a great starter bow.

TF

[george tinkham]

for hunting i would possibly git it but not as collector,most my cheap buys are hunters.that bow will go for over 100$.are you 6" or over...i seen that bow already,hundreds of redwing hunters come on ebay...45# is a good startin wt. but personally i would git an indian,ben pearson or shakespeare.you can git a decent bow 45-55# at a price under 100$ an if you are 6' i would go with 60",better yet 62"...i got my eye on one now...it fits me for a huntin bow an i will git it for bout 70-75$ an its a higher poundage.IN order of expense of bows brand from cheap to more xpense.,vintage of course...indian,shakespeare/root,ben pearson,blackhawk,wing,browning ,hoyt ,bear.

[george tinkham]

for instance,ben pearson cougar or hunter,usually can be had cheap...45#,58" or62"...great shooter,great huntin bow for a beginner,or an xperienced hunter for that matter.my main bow,a 62" indian at 50# i got for bout 50$...on ebay.i'm tickled pink with it.

[rjolenic]

I'm 5' and 11 3/4" . Maybe that will help you guide me through the process. I would like a bear, but want to be sure that I like the trad scene first.

rjo

[george tinkham]

i would go with a 60" or better yet 62".at 45# these would be a dream to shoot an be lots easier to learn with.bears will generally cost 125$-175$ for a decent huntin bow.the mint bears can go much higher.

[rjolenic]

Good tips George! Keep em coming.

ray

[george tinkham]

i just watched a good battle for that browning,good snipering in the last seconds,i think it went for 122$...tip,dont bid til last few min.,if you bid early it just runs the price up.i seen a few nice ones there for you,a 62 " shakespeare on first page they say is 45# but it looked like 25 on the bow,i'd be sure its 45 but it should go under 75$ i'd think including s&h...also a wing slimline either 60" or62" i forget at 44# but they tend to go high but might be worth a shot.

[george tinkham]

the slimline is a beautiful bow an goes in 10 hours...its 44# at 62"...its at 112$ now butt its going to go much higher with a big battle in the last min.,also there is a wing falcon at 62" an 42# that goes in bout 24 hrs. but will be in the 100$ range.

[Beentown]

George I about picked up a Pearson today but didn't because of my lack of knowledge on recurves. It was 60" 28 draw and 50#. Looked ok but had some serious scuffs and a junk sight on it. $40. Didn't get because I didn't know.

Beentown

Should I have got it?

[george tinkham]

be a good huntin bow...i wouldnt worry bout twisted limbs for that price,50# 60" would be a great hunter.as long as nothin is busted,thats a great price.but try to git it for 30$ b^}

[Thunderflight]

How do you fix twisted limbs?

TF

[Thunderflight]

Just sniped a youth bow with six arrows, a finger tab and an arm guard.

I got it for my daughter.

TF

[george tinkham]

just twist it back opposite of the twist in the limb.til the string lines up in the grooves after drawin it.

[Thunderflight]

Do you need a jig or something to hold it in place?

TF

[george tinkham]

just hold it in your hand an twist out the twisted limb with the other handholding back a few inches from the tip an eyeballl it lookin over the center area of the bow toward the bad limb tip...you will see it getting closer an closer til it lines up.of course you can string it an check to...it can be moved stringed or unstringed.ol fred bear by nuge is playin.

[rjolenic]

Just put a bid in on the Wing, "Red Wing Hunter". I think it would be a good starter hunting bow. Hope to get it, but if I don't, I know more of these will be out there.

rjo

[george tinkham]

the one i seen said "DEERKILLER" as top bid but this bow gots a ways to go yet.

[rjolenic]

GT:

The one I bid on is a Red Wing hunter that is RH, 45# @ 28", 58".

[george tinkham]

hmmm,i didnt see it...

[rjolenic]

Here's the link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20839&item=3679831863&rd=1

[george tinkham]

not bad,i think it will go over 100$...there will be a sniper contest will be my guess,it does have the 2 holes ...if i really wanted it,i'd punch 140 at the last second...prolly round 125$ but you never know with a redwing hunter100-130$

[george tinkham]

i'm out on a limb,watch me crash

[george tinkham]

git ready for the last min.

[rjolenic]

I'm watching! I think I want that bow!

[george tinkham]

i use the automatic bid an pop it my max. if i really want yje bow bad i go higher than i xpect,i believe 140$ shoulg git this with change,if you git the bid in with seconds to go,have it ready,than punch at bout 5 seconds or 10

[rjolenic]

Someone's waiting to snipe aren't they????

[george tinkham]

well if its your first 25 -30 sec. them punch it

[rjolenic]

I won it ! Holy shiot!!!!!!!!! I won it !

[george tinkham]

you got a steal,i forgot it is late,this is a good time for that

[george tinkham]

did you have the auto bid in?

[rjolenic]

Cool !!! It totaled 76.00 ! I like it and can wait to get it! Thanks George for the support !!!!!

rjo

[george tinkham]

that is cheap for a red wing hunter

[rjolenic]

Can you tell I am pumped!????

[george tinkham]

i was in there,same feeling i git when i'm after one...

[rjolenic]

Paid for by pay pal ! It should be on it's way tomorrow (hopefully). Now I need help learning a new style of archery. PUMPED!

rjo

[george tinkham]

yup thats usually purty fast...now you ought to git a bowstringer,if you cant git one local...3rivers archery.com an they are fast.

[rjolenic]

Do you think I could get a bow stringer at Gander Mountain?? If not I could probably make the 17 minute drive to Cabela's. :p

[Thunderflight]

Now you need to get some arrows. :)

TF

[rjolenic]

Recommendations would be good on the arrows. Length, fletchings, field points and dare I say broadheads .......

rjo

[Thunderflight]

Buy some cheap stump shooters first. Your going to loose a few...:)

I'd get them in the 45 to 50 pound range. You can always add wieght to the tip to soften the spine.

TF

[Turkeyfoot]

Sounds like a good buy at $76.00 for the Red Wing. Ole BV is an experienced sniper at this game....hehehe.....TF

[MUZZY MAN]

Never owend a long bow got a question, would draw length be same as my compound or does it change?:confused:

[Thunderflight]

Yes it does.

If your compound draw is 29 to 30 inchs then a 28 inch draw on a recurve will probably be good. It also depends on shooting styles too.

TF

[george tinkham]

are yuh talkin bout the cabelas in mich.,cause you prolly aint far from 3 rivers.

[rjolenic]

Yep, Dundee Michigan. Where's 3 rivers?

[MUZZY MAN]

So I have a 30 inch draw using the corner of my mouth as an anchor Id be all right with a 28 or 29 inch?

[george tinkham]

its in indianna near ohio,mich border

[george tinkham]

ASHLEY IND.

[Thunderflight]

Yes your draw is shorter because your form is different for trad archery.

TF

[george tinkham]

and you will be holdin 45# at full draw at 28" instead of 15 or 20,that tends tuh shorten stuff up too,for me too much as i am a good 1" from full draw with many shots,but i am gittin cured

[COB]

Going from compound to stick and string will lower you draw length by at least an inch and probably closer to two inches. It is just a different form of shooting. Some folks shoot the bow stright up and down but must kant to get a better sight picture. If you can get to an OSTA shoot there are some really good stick and sting shooters and they will be more than willing to pass on knowledge!

[Turkeyfoot]

The straight wrist position for a longbow will definitely shorten your draw length as opposed to a high wrist grip of a compound. Poundage will also be a factor as well;) ......TF

[george tinkham]

i use a limp wrist or low wrist,i mean

[MUZZY MAN]

I see, think Ill pick up a cheap bow when I decide to try stick and string and see what kind shooting style i develope Thanks

[george tinkham]

looks like the trad. archery has another bite...

[rjolenic]

Redwing Hunter was shipped yesterday morning, should have it by Saturday. Can't wait!

[Turkeyfoot]

Looks like two on the hook:cool: Luv to see new people get started in the trad circle.....TF

[Thunderflight]

The elitest would be proud.

TF

[rjolenic]

The guys that I have been shooting with are calling me an elitest now. :(

rjo

[Thunderflight]

They are no longer your friends.... ;)

TF

[rjolenic]

I didn't think that buying a recurve to "dabble" with it would go over so poorly with my firends. :confused:

[Thunderflight]

They are just jealous. People tend to hide their fear and ignorance by making fun of others.

TF

[rjolenic]

I hope you're right. I am going to a shoot this weekend with them and they are going to be riding me hard with this new "elitest thing". I can hear it now all the way through the course.

[Thunderflight]

So play along with it.

When they make fun of you then you play into it and turn it around.

However, once you enter phase II of elitest training then your going to have to sever all ties to them. ;)

TF

[rjolenic]

I will have fun with it. I am just a young Jedi.

[shotgun]

I would like to get into traditional archery. I took a look at one of the sites yall talked about and all i have to say about some of the prices is wow. Im only 20 and most all my money goes to college, so I guess some of those bows are out of the question. where would yall suggest getting a decent cheap bow at. Also is there any groups or orginizations that have shoots in the very southern part of the state. in other words lawrence county , jackson, gallia, or maybe into vinton. Also are longbows or recurves easier for a beginner. I was kinda looking towards the longbows but could be swayed either way

[rjolenic]

Shotgun:

Jump on ebay and do some looking on there. There are some good deals to be had. As for longbows vs. recurves, you better ask someone like George or TF.

rjo

[Thunderflight]

I'd recommend asking the other TF (aka: Turkeyfoot).

I failed elitest training. ;)

TF

[rjolenic]

So when are you going to sell all of your trad stuff then???

[Turkeyfoot]

RJO....let your buddies shoot first from far stakes first! Shows you right were the kill is at and gives you a chance to plow a couple $10 carbons;) hehehe.....that oughta shut em up.....TF

[Turkeyfoot]

Shotgun......I'd advise a recurve for starters say in the 45# range. Easier to tune and shoot a wider spine of arrows than a longbow. A $100 curve will out shoot most $100 longbows. Cheap longbows usually have enough handshock to bother a first time shooter and acuracy usually suffers.

Get to a trad shoot in so Oh, if possible. Most guys will let you shoot their bows and so you can get some idea what will work for you before you buy. You could also ask around about any spoting goods shops that might deal in used recurves.

Geo. is from the athens area and may be able to fix you up with a decent recurve for the money. I'm sure he's lurking around this thread somewhere......TF

[Turkeyfoot]

RJO....let your buddies shoot first from far stakes first! Shows you right were the kill is at and gives you a chance to plow a couple $10 carbons;) hehehe.....that oughta shut em up.....TF

[rjolenic]

Good tip TF ... I like it, I like it a lot! :D To be honest with you, I can't stand taking those darned 35 - 40 yard shots anyways. :rolleyes:

ray

[george tinkham]

i will be aquiring a wing thunder bird or thunderbolt tuhmorruh 52"-60#...strictly a hunter it is.thats the specification the guy asks...that i not make it a wall bow an hunt it.oooohkay

[Thunderflight]

I always shot from the closest stake while the other guys shot from the second.

I hate loosing arrows. :)

I'm keep'n my stuff. I re-enrolled in elitest 101...:D

TF

[george tinkham]

thats the sibling stake thn flt.

[Thunderflight]

I'm secure with myself. I have nothing to prove to anyone.

TF

[george tinkham]

wow is this site going crazy over them oldies but goodies and cheap recurve bows.i love it oh but wait if you git them then that means...i wont b^{

[MUZZY MAN]

I like the idea of doin traditional, seems...Pure

[Beentown]

Does Muzzy have the Trad bible out. That is straight out of chapter 8 paragraph 3.:D

[george tinkham]

IF YO HAVE TUH ASK THEN YOU WONT UNDERSTAND.HMMMMM???

[rjolenic]

How long will it take a package (sent USPS), to get to Toledo, Oh from South Dakota???? I need to get that recurve already. Gettin antsy ...............:rolleyes:

[george tinkham]

usually with the pay pal they send em right out you should get it by sat. i'd think,a lot of mine comes on sat.,maybe today,friday

[rjolenic]

Yep, I used paypal right at the close of the auction and had email confirmation from the seller that he was sending it the very next morning. I hope those big USPS truck speed all the way here.



:D

[george tinkham]

mine usually come by postal service.

[rjolenic]

Yep, that's how the seller shipped it, United Staes Postal Service.

[Turkeyfoot]

My '72 Herter's should be here today via priority mail:D Can't wait to string it up amd fling a few. Only third bow I've gotten thru the net. you guys ought to try and make it to the OSTA state shoot this year. I had a blast last year:) ....TF

[george tinkham]

yup i've been to all at coshockton

[Thunderflight]

I had my new bow sent to my new address.

TF

[rjolenic]

Did you get kicked out TF?

[Thunderflight]

I could only be so lucky....

Nope, I've got orders to Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina.

I bought a house just outside of Jacksonville, North Carolina. My family will be heading up that way next week.

TF

[george tinkham]

i just picked up the wing thunderbird,52",60#...this bow has downed bout everything from javalina to bear,includin mule deer an antelope,its been around

[Thunderflight]

Don't they call those "floosy bows"....:)

TF

[MUZZY MAN]

Geez george how many bows you got? Do ya switch around fer huntin or ya got a favorite?

[rjolenic]

Got the redwing Hunter today. It is in great shape and can't wait to get it strung and shoot some arrahs.

rjo

[george tinkham]

it looked good just the 2 holes,aint no biggy...you got a steal...well the bow at the auction i might have to go check out an the one on ebay looks to go under 50...hotdiggiddy dog,i am in busness

[george tinkham]

off to se ohio to check out a shakespeare,45#-56",thats all they told me...it could be a neceda,kiabab,or possibly a all fiberglass b1 hunter but most them were 55",we'll see

[Thunderflight]

Well I'll be spending my Saturday guarding the MAG against evil do'ers. I'm the group duty officer today.:( Man I hate duty. It's pretty easy, but I still hate it.

My plan today is to fletch two dozen golt tip arrows, work out, work on some military education stuff and watch hunting and fishing shows. Hopefully it'll be a peaceful day and I won't have to do much.:cool:

Thunderflight

[MUZZY MAN]

TF, my brother was with MAG 18 (I think) in Da nang, Keep up the good work.

[Thunderflight]

I'm in MAG-31.

TF

[george tinkham]

well i picked up a shakespeare parabow b1 rocket 45# but also got some old wood arrahs most tipped with ol freddy bears,the broadheads were bout worth what i pd. for the bow.all in good shape.

[Turkeyfoot]

Got my Herter's bow yesterday and it's in exc. condition! Was surprised at the speed and flat flight at 25yds. Looks hardly used and will get a set of limb covers and fit her with an original Bear bowquiver. May be forced to use my doe tag early this year to break her in:) ......TF

[george tinkham]

those are nice bows,does your bow have a stablizer/quiver insert in the back /risor?i have both type bear quivers,the spring type an the screw in but sorry not for sale.actually i prefer a newer type cause it seemed the spring type quivers damaged finish on limbs.but then again they may have been on 35 yrs.

[george tinkham]

well i got 2 of the 3 bows,now i got the ebay bow left.i'm tryin tuh justify another purchase(3 in a week)to muh ol lady.i mentioned we spend more in resturaunts per week.i dont know if that weakend her stance...it is a good point.an i think the ebay bow will cost as much as a dinner for three at texas longhorn...you think i got her there???

[CritterGitter]

Oh geez, how many bows do ya need????? Tell me this......how many can you shoot at one time? Seems to me about 1 or maybe 2 bows is all anybody would need, but then again I don't know much. There is an auction up this way next Saturday(right here in my little town) next Saturday and I might do a little snoopin around.

CG

[Thunderflight]

It's different in the elitest world. One trad bow is never enough. Trust me, now I've got four of them....

TF

[george tinkham]

remember i been usin recurves since 1964,my earliest recollection anyway,so if i had two bows a yr. x 40 yrs...then i'm bout right on how many i got...

[george tinkham]

crittergitter,i buy a lot of glassware an pottery too an resell it at muh yardsales.

[Thunderflight]

That's alot of fire wood....:)

TF

[george tinkham]

they got a lot of fiberglass in em,now my hickory bows would be great for the grill but osage or yew...worthless

[Thunderflight]

Is this bow really a collectors item?

TF

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3681402014&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

http://i6.ebayimg.com/01/i/01/ec/b6/1f_12_sb.JPG

[george tinkham]

very collectable,i have the 52 static like that an also a longbow...they illiminated the aluminum lams plus mine is directional fiberglas the 1st yr. it was used instead of the patched alum. or woven.do not shoot alum./fiber lams,they break,thats why they were disc. bear made all wooden bows before this...the grumleys

[george tinkham]

i meant to say patched fiberglass,not patched alum.

[Thunderflight]

Is it still a shooter?

TF

[Turkeyfoot]

Geo.....no insert in the Sambar, so I'll use the coated springarm type quiver over top the limb covers. Should'nt hurt the finish that way. Also have a slipon Selway that might work....TF

[Ohio Bill]

I have a fred bear recurve that ive never used, A buddy of mine gave it to me.. it needs a new string but in great shape. Maybe one of these days ill give it a shot..

[Turkeyfoot]

OB.....I think Muzzy Man is looking to buy a decent recurve to try his hand at trad shooting. What model and #age?

[george tinkham]

alum. lam bows by bear in 1950 -51 are not to be shot ,they broke when new an they will certainly break 54 yrs. later

[rjolenic]

Ooops, meant to post this here.

Got a bowstringer today and another daughter yesterday! Shot the recurve this morning and hit the target every time from 15 yards. Can't say the arrow flight was very impressive, but at least I hit the BLOCK every time. A lot of work to do on form and release. Any tips other than practice, practice, practice ???

Shooting with the finger tab and off the fury stuff. Right now shooting the 2114's that fit the poundage and my draw for that bow. I have a 27 in. draw length.

rjo

[Thunderflight]

A stringer and daughter in one day. CONGRADS ON THE STRINGER!!!!!!!!!:)

tf

[Thunderflight]

Just kidding. Congrads on the new kid. :)

Buy a shooting glove. They are much more comfortable. Get and arm guard too.

TF

[george tinkham]

my 46 poun 62" browning with a very low fistmele is gittin xcellent flight an accuracy with 2018s 29" lingth...

[george tinkham]

usually i use 1916 outta 45#ers butt they seem really skinny for huntin

[rjolenic]

Thanks for the congrats guys ! Now on with this elitist training program ...... ;)

[Turkeyfoot]

rj.....checkout Ol adcock's website at www.bowmaker.net for good info on arrow selection and bow tuning. This guy knows his stuff;) ....TF

[george tinkham]

RECURVES&LONGBOWS...B^}

[george tinkham]

rj dont forgit there are good books an videos out there that will help.

[Thunderflight]

rjo,

PT for elitest 101 starts at 0400. Since your just getting started we'll only make you run five miles with your bow.:)

TF

[george tinkham]

and they will be yelling at you an cuttin you down for sumptin,form of brainwash

[Thunderflight]

http://www.ohiosportsman.com/photopost/data/509/229CROSSBOW_DI.JPG?1348

[george tinkham]

oh that guy still makes me shake with fear

[rjolenic]

I missed some training this morning due to a little baby that wanted to scream all night long. But did some decent shooting last night. Much happier with the flight of the arrow yesterday than I was the other day. Making good shots from 15 yards.

here we go !!!!!!

rjo

[george tinkham]

keep it up,sounds like you are already better me butt i am workin harder

[george tinkham]

i did not shoot tuhnight,had to take care of the pool.thought bout some darkthirty shootin,still might sling a few butt being nearly 10 it might make to much noise for a drowsy neighbor.

[Turkeyfoot]

Shot the old Herters today....hard to adjust shooting off an original brush rest rather than off the shelf....arrow flight is good though....TF

[Thunderflight]

http://www.ohiosportsman.com/photopost/data/509/229Elitest_Training_Day_2.jpg?8493

[Thunderflight]

Even after 18 years I still remember the names of my drill instructors.

SSgt Cataloni
Sgt Montgomery
Sgt Montesdeoca

The only only regret I've had, was that I never did a tour as a drill instructor.

Thunderflight

[rjolenic]

Day 2 was certainly a tough one, but I made it. There's no quit in this guy ... bring it on!!!!!!

rjo

[george tinkham]

wow last week i had 3 bows lined up to buy,this week...zero

[rjolenic]

Too bad you missed out on those bows George.

Did some shooting this afternoon and really starting to get the hang of it. Grouping em pretty good from about 18 - 20 yards. But every once in a while I tend to go high or low with one although it's still pretty much on center. Getting hooked since the arrow flight is getting really good! Form is coming .....

rjo

[Thunderflight]

Hang in there.

TF

[george tinkham]

well i aint been like i was last week,speially the eve. when i was nailin everything to 16 yds...butt i aint doin bad an the beautiful arrah flight i'm gittin outta that browning with them 2018s...i count arrahs now tuh fall to sleep instead of sheep...i just see them arrahs,(1)-oh so beautiful in flight-(2)-dead center in the target-(3)-i'm drawin down on a big ol buck,my biggest by far-(4)-i'm at full draw -(5)- i release ,oh those big yellow fletched 2018s,so beautiful,in perfect flight,on its way to that big boys vitals-(6)-zzzzzz-zzzzz

[Thunderflight]

RJOLENIC, THE FORCE IS STRONG IN YOU. BE ONE WITH THE BOW, FEEL THE BOW, BE THE BOW....

http://internettrash.com/users/deadcowrecords/Jedi.jpg

[rjolenic]

Not the Colonal Sanders eletist trick! Stickin' em good today at 20 yards. Getting more and more pumped with every shot. I have the spirit of the wild running through me .....

[george tinkham]

rj,i just got in from shootin,its10 min. til 10...pm.every shot tuhnight was good butt 15 an in,even after darkthirty!

[rjolenic]

Yeah, the dark thirty hours start getting reeally tough when you can fully look down the shaft to the target. I noticed the same thing last night at about 9:45.

rjo

[Thunderflight]

I wish I could shoot. I'm going through with draws...:(

TF

[george tinkham]

just look where yuh want tuh hit,right in the very middle of the kill zone...dont see the shaft,just where yuh wanna hit...you can shoot til midnight if yuh can just see the silowett of that rubber deer...you will never have tuh worry bout low light til legal hrs. again...if yuh can shoot til midnight,1/2 hr. after sunsets a pc. of cake if in cloud cover an a gully washer a brewin.

[rjolenic]

ThunderF,

You are experiencing a thing called "NODRAW syndrome". Hopefully you can start shooting again soon.

G,

You have a point on just seeing the target! I will be shooting againg tomorrow first light with one shot only.

rjo

[Thunderflight]

Man I don't know. Just when I think I'm feeling better things get worse.

Two days ago I tried drawing my weird bow back. I drew it back three times and started feeling it.

Today I was hanging blinds in my new house. After the eight window my shoulder was screaming..... :(

I'm fine now, but it just sucks.

TF

[george tinkham]

i wouldnt poosh it...are you doing any physical therapy yet?

[rjolenic]

Yeah, Don't push it TF. You will be fine if you follow dr's orders.

RJO

[Thunderflight]

I've been doing physical therapy for about a month and a half now.

I've also been wieght lifting, but with alot lighter weight than I used to use....:(

Overall I'm getting better, but it's taking forever. I'm not going to push it, but it still sucks.:(

Thunderflight

[rjolenic]

It's a long road to recover with that shiot! I have other friends that have been throught the same thing. You will be back before you know it. Just keep shooting that Thunderflight Archery Crossbow to keep you interested and you will be fine. :D

[Thunderflight]

You know what they say.

"If a Marine ain't complaining then he ain't happy....."

I'm sure I'll be fine, but I sure miss putting a few dozen arrows a day down range.

TF

[rjolenic]

TF,

I use to work for a Marine Corp. 4 Star General, while I was in the in the grocery business (General Walter A. Churchill). Now that was tough ! Talk about being drilled, just to get the fruit and all of the other mechanidise in perfect rows ... geez! But I made it out alive and he did teach me discipline. Those were in the younger days, thank goodness.

rj

[george tinkham]

generals are the nice guys...

[Thunderflight]

If you enlisted or a junior company grade officer. If your a field grade officer then they often catch the generals wrath...

Warrant Officers and Limited Duty Officers don't get messed with to bad cause we're "salty"....

TF

[george tinkham]

...or a mustanger,had one in nam,ollie north type guy

[Thunderflight]

Yelp,

TF

[rjolenic]

Still flinging em in there with the recurve. Gonna look for a Bear this week on ebay.

rj

[george tinkham]

hmmmmmmmmmmm...

[rjolenic]

hmmmmmmm ........ ?

[george tinkham]

like in muh new bow collector competitor...

[rjolenic]

The trad scene has another one hooked.

rj

[hntnfsh]

Anything I can do to help you, rjolenic?

From re-reading your posts, you seem to be doing really well with the recurve. One thing that I tell new (newer) shooters is that, form and follow thru are extremely important. If you notice that you're shooting a decent group and then you suddenly have a flyer, you probably lost concentration and forgot to follow thru.

One of the biggest hurdles for me in shooting trad was when I finally got my form down to the point where I could identify the cause of a bad shot. You'd think it would be easy to point at a cause, but, unlike shooting a compound where you hit an anchor and hold it easily and the only thing besides follow thru is a smooth release, with trad there's a lot more to think about. Did I hit full draw? Was I at my anchor point? Did my bow hand remain pointed at the target until the arrow hit home? Was my grip right? Did I lift my head and "peek" at the target? How about my stance? My shoulders? My elbow?

Most times the best way is to have someone else watch you. Most of the trad shooters I know still do. We'll be standing around the practice range and somebody will say, "Man I was off today. Watch me and see what I'm doing."

Hope to see you around. Maybe at an OSTA shoot?

www.tradarchers.org
:cool:

[rjolenic]

Thanks hntnfsh! All the advice is certainly welcome. I feel like I am making progress, but I don't really know if I am shooting properly or not. All I can say is that I am hitting the target with regularity and shooting some decent groups.

Thanks,

ray

[hntnfsh]

That's half the battle!

Have fun. If there's a shoot coming up where you'd like to hook up for some help, let me know!

John.

[Thunderflight]

Got the long bow in today.

I strung it for my daughter and noticed that one limb was more bent than the other.

Is there any way of fixing this or is it going to be kindeling?

TF

[rjolenic]

Thanks, will let you know hntnfsh. Like I said, I could use any advice that someone who has been shooting traditional for a while can offer. Think I just put my finger on another little trick today while shooting.

I do have a question about stress in the limbs .... How do you detect it, and what can be done if your limbs are stressing? Should the bow be retired, or can it be fixed??????

Another stupid qustion, when you nock the arrow, how do you line up you fletchings for shooting them off "the fuzzy stuff"?

rjo

[COB]

TF it probably means one limb is weaker than the other. Not much you can do with it in that case. :(

[george tinkham]

tf the bow could be purposly made that way...unless its way outta wack...rj...i align my arrah with the cock feather out,like ol fred bear an pearson did...i believe its the way concidered correct...not to say it cant be done cock feather in...

[hntnfsh]

Ray, about limb stress. The only thing I can tell you is if it looks like it's going to break, don't shoot it. :rolleyes: I know that's not much help, but if you've got a real problem, you'll most likely know it. Check the laminations where they're glued together. Any separation is bad. Along the back of the limbs, the side that faces the target, look for any places where little splinters seem to be lifting up. Around the handle, lengthwise cracks aren't too uncommon, especially in older bows, but any cracks that cross the handle are cause to put the bow down. Now.

Your best bet is to let a bowyer or experienced collector check it out.

As far as aligning your fletching, the easy answer is: shoot your arrows both ways - cock feather in and cock feather out. Whichever flys best is it. Some bows don't like cock feather in, tho. So, check this out. Your fletching is helical, right? Try to orient your hen feather so that the leading edge enters the shelf at the point where the rug meets the side of the window. Kind of in the corner. If you were shooting your compound and you had a two prong rest, you'd want your fletch to pass in between the prongs without contact, right? Same idea. But with helical and a rug rest, you're going to have some contact. You just don't want the fletching to hit the rug first and deflect your arrow. You'll get eratic flight.

By the way, is your brace height high enough? If you find your string hitting your arm around your wrist, it's probably too low.

Hope this all helps!

John

[hntnfsh]

P.S. No such thing as a stupid question. :D

[Thunderflight]

Upon further investigation it looks like one limb is naturally ben't more than the other. I'm going to try and straighten it so it's more like the other. If that doesn't work then I'll be sending it to the great bowyer in the sky......

TF

[rjolenic]

HNTNFISH:

Thanks for the insight and keep it coming. I feel better about the bow now. I was shooting 35 yarders tonight just for "screwing around" sake and I was hitting the target. I seem to be learning more with each shot and becoming more familiar with the equipment. I think that's a good thing. Still hooked .......

Thanks again,

Ray

[george tinkham]

concrning the brace height,i normally use a higher brace height but do try tuh git away with the lowest i can but most my older bows seem to do better in all categories at a higher brace height,usually 8 1/4-8 1/2...but the browning has a very low brace height which makes it easier tuh pull,so i shoot better with this bow,prolly cause its easier to pull...it still is very quiet an the arrahs come out straight makin me grin with the results...