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Advice for new trad hunters

I may be one of the few that wasn't all that impressed with it. It was another dead deer. I did miss 8-9 before I killed that one.
Fortunately 5 of those was in the same day so I only wasted half the season and the chance at a 160+ buck.

Trad is for fun and compounds are for killin.
 
You just have to have mind set of confidence. I was a stone cold killer when I hunted compound but since going trad I feel like I’ve found more woodsman skill. Knowing that getting as close as possible instead of just within 50 adds a new and exciting element to the game I love to play. Been trad only for 2 years and although I lost opportunities to the limited range and missed the first deer I’d missed in 12 years I will hunt with my longbow until my shoulders won’t let.

For me it is very primal in nature and the utmost challenge to hunt with trad gear whether it’s ILf or self bow with stone points.
 
It's something I've always wanted to do. Whether I make the switch full time, I don't know. If I had one I still feel like I'd want to kill one or two earlier in the year with a compound before I committed fully to only going to the woods with it. That may be the wrong attitude to have lol
 
These bows come highly recommended from my friend. He has custom made bows and bought one of these for a beater bow and said it shoots great. Hard to beat for a start up bow. And I think you can change limbs. As far as which weight, with your draw length you will be slinging an arrow at 45#s. For someone that shoots a compound a lot, like all year practicing, I don’t think it will be a problem to start at 45-50#s and keep good form.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Hunt...ow-Right-Hand-60-Hunting-Target-/222872508436
 
I practice year round. I try to shoot 3-4 times a week at least. I checked those out, I like them! Are the long bows and the recurves the same price? Or was that just for the long bow?
 
I started out with a recurve for 5 years then bought a compound and many more as years went by. Hunted with a compound for next 43 years. Shot very well and a couple of friends wanted me to try their longbows. I loved it but my accuracy wasn't as good as my compound. They challenged me to hunt with a longbow last year. I tried it and was up to the challenge. Missed a couple of does, clean misses. My sight was off (my hand eye coordination)!! The thrill off the hunt was back. This spring sold my 3 compound bows and accessories and spend lot of time with trad bows. My last compound bow was 60 lbs, my longbow then was 45 lbs. Now my new one is 40 lbs. @Wirrex was right with Ilf bows where you can experiment with different pull weights. I won't be going back to compounds. Trad is more challenging although last year I didn't harvest a deer. First time in many years. I was ok with it.
 
CRogers said:
I practice year round. I try to shoot 3-4 times a week at least. I checked those out, I like them! Are the long bows and the recurves the same price? Or was that just for the long bow?
Click to expand...

I didn’t look that deep into it. Just search it on eBay.
 
Get the form down first, then worry about accuracy. Sage recurves are hard to beat for a beginner.
 
Basic info,
Expect to loose 1/2inches off your compound draw length.

I pull 28.5in using the wheels 27ins off my fingers.

Shave at least 20lbs off your compound weight, maybe more if your uncomfortable bag form poor shooting.

I pull 70 on my compound started with a 45lb Fred Bear, moved up to 50lb buffalo by Hoyt now I’m on a 55lb Centaur longbow.

Practice, increase form weight practice repeat.

ILF metal risers are reminiscent of compounds tend to be easier for a compound guy to pick up an shoot. (Satori awesome rig.)

Draw weight argument over effective range. Take the weight your shooting divide by 2, perfectly tuned arrow 10grs per pulled pound should do it on a lot of critters inside the respectable range, 50lbs\2=25yd range it’s an argument debatable but I’ve seen folks that use it be pretty successful.

20yds is a mile, 160-170fps range is slow to reaction times.

Practice, Practice, Practice, 3 arrows consistently in the vitals of a 3D target is my rule of thumb, I’m foot to 20yds after that it falls off.

Get with a trad guy shoot his stuff go to trad groups shoot as much as you can see what you like score you dive in.

It’s like saddle hunting, it’s so personal hard to be right or wrong long as you do it your way An respect the game it’ll get you in the game.

The most meticulous thing to me is perfect arrow flight tune retune tune, trad bows low energy get I’m running a 560gr arrow out of a 54lb bow my arrow flight is perfect if I do my part my set it is ready.
 
CRogers said:
I don't know if this is true or not but I've heard some people say 10-15 lbs lighter than what you can comfortably shoot a compound at. I'm a 29.5" draw at 60# with my compound. Would 45-50# be a good starting point for a traditional bow?
Click to expand...

Trad bows are like the old Pringles commercials - you can't have just one; trust me.
As far as weight is concerned, I've killed plenty of deer and hogs with a bow that was 42# on the fingers at my draw length.
Best advice I can give, concentrate more on getting a comfortable and consistent anchor, then spend the cash on arrows that are matched to whatever bow you elect to get. It is true that most any bow can shoot perfect arrows for you so long as they are tuned to the bow. Consistency is the key and it is ironically one of the most difficult aspects of this type of bow.

Check out Jimmy Blackmon's YouTube videos. Check out Arne Moe's YouTube videos. Buy an inexpensive bow (you'll either buy more or start building your own, trust me) shoot it for a while until you are getting comfortably accurate then spend some cash on arrows. There are some great entry level ILF bows to be had for not many greenbacks.
 
Thought about starting with a Sammick Sage. I've always heard for the money you can't beat them
 
I shot recurve first 45# instinctive. I Switched for speed. I still shoot instinctive with the compound. Practice is important, from where you hunt.tree,sitting, brush. Angles are important. Also the draw and hold. I practiced holding a full draw a lot, timing it. I found careful study of arrow speed important as well.
Everyone has a different approach that makes them comfortable and accurate in their shooting.
 
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