Swapping to traditional archery

[Heydeerman]

I get to Wooster once in a while.
I also do some hunting southeast of Somerset, PA.

I’m in the Wooster area working myself from time to time.

 

[Heydeerman]

Do you ever get up to Harrison County?

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I do for work often. I was on my way to Cadiz a few weeks ago driving on 22 and drove through a wildlife area I didn’t know existed.

 

[ricky racer]

I used to belong to MLA as well as several other pro-bow hunting groups but now I only belong to Michigan Bow Hunters Assn
I've spent many weekends at the GLLI but have missed the last few.
If you ever get a chance to attend the Compton Traditional Rendezvous in Berrien Springs, MI its even better and the facility is beautiful. It's always on Father's Day weekend.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

I do for work often. I was on my way to Cadiz a few weeks ago driving on 22 and drove through a wildlife area I didn’t know existed.

I'm down around Piedmont fairly often. Maybe our paths can cross sometime.

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[Jasper2]

I have been trying to shoot a 1965 Bear Kodiak Magnum since summer. It’s a little touchy at 52” and I haven’t had confidence with it until recently and only to about 15 yards. It is a nice bow to handle. I have tried many short bows and so far this is the only one I would consider taking to the woods.

Can I ask what type of short bows you have tried and how long your draw length is? Reason being that my experience is just the opposite of yours. I have tried a ton of short hybrid longbows and haven't found one yet that I wouldn't hesitate to hunt with so I'm curious.

 

[Jasper2]

I used to belong to MLA as well as several other pro-bow hunting groups but now I only belongto Michigan Bow Hunters Assn
I've spent many weekends at the GLLI but have missed the last few.
If you ever get a chance to attend the Compton Traditional Rendezvous in Berrien Springs, MI its even better and the facility is beautiful. It's always on Father's Day weekend.

Add ETAR (Denton Hill) to this list of traditional archery shoots not to be missed. Everyone involved in traditional archery should go at least once in their life!

 

[Oakridge]

I go to ETAR every year, love it there! It’s a blast and a great learning experience! Lots of exposure to trad archery to keep you excited about it!

 

[ricky racer]

Add ETAR (Denton Hill) to this list of traditional archery shoots not to be missed. Everyone involved in traditional archery should go at least once in their life!

True, that's a great shoot. I've been there as a vendor in the past. I'd like to go back. A guy can sure go through a lot of money at that shoot with all the courses and ski lift tickets.....
Also you can sure tell that the courses are set up by a guy that sells arrow shafts.

 

[Jasper2]

So what are some good arrows to go with a 35lb sage? Anything 500 spine with feathers?
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I have no direct experience with the Sage but 500's should be a little too stiff for 35# even if the shafts are left full length. I'm betting the Sage is cut past center which may allow you to get away with 500's but personally, I'd go with a weaker spine and try to keep a fairly light arrow to achieve a flatter trajectory.

 

[Jasper2]

True, that's a great shoot. I've been there as a vendor in the past. I'd like to go back. A guy can sure go through a lot of money at that shoot with all the courses and ski lift tickets.....
Also you can sure tell that the courses are set up by a guy that sells arrow shafts.

Ha! This is true, never said it was an easy shoot, only a not to be missed one

 

[kenn1320]

If your looking for a bow....tough to best kzoo expo mentioned above. I used to hit that, but theres a bigger shoot the same wkend every year.

 

[Heydeerman]

Can I ask what type of short bows you have tried and how long your draw length is? Reason being that my experience is just the opposite of yours. I have tried a ton of short hybrid longbows and haven't found one yet that I wouldn't hesitate to hunt with so I'm curious.

The first one was ......can’t remember the name...Canadian company that’s out of biz. 52 inch Recurve. Shrew twice, both 58 inches. K Mag in the past. Too heavy. 58 inch Firefly. Did kill a deer with it and own 2 now. Both 62”. Last was a Javaman. The KMag I have now is 45 pounds. I’d trade it for a 40. My draw is a pretty solid 28. That Canadian bow I could shoot lights out indoors but take it outside...nope.

 

[Heydeerman]

I forgot. We have a local bowyer named Steve Wagner who made a flatbow for my step daughter that is 56” long. I had it for a while before she came to pick it up and shot it quite a bit. I couldn’t miss with it.

 

[Jasper2]

The first one was ......can’t remember the name...Canadian company that’s out of biz. 52 inch Recurve. Shrew twice, both 58 inches. K Mag in the past. Too heavy. 58 inch Firefly. Did kill a deer with it and own 2 now. Both 62”. Last was a Javaman. The KMag I have now is 45 pounds. I’d trade it for a 40. My draw is a pretty solid 28. That Canadian bow I could shoot lights out indoors but take it outside...nope.

Thanks for the info. I have very little experience with recurves and 3 piece TD bows of any kind bc I just don't like them. Mostly due to their bulkier risers and higher wrist grips. Of your listed bows, the Shrew and Javaman surprise me the most bc I know they are both smooth well beyond 28 inches on a draw force curve without stacking and both shoot great for me (though not my favorites). Both of those bows however, have very little mass for stability since they have very small risers, and I'm guessing that may have something to do with it. On second thought, there are several Shrew and Javaman models so it's possible that we've shot different ones as well? That's weird on the Canadian bow also indoors but not outdoors.....strange, very strange.

 

[Heydeerman]

Thanks for the info. I have very little experience with recurves and 3 piece TD bows of any kind bc I just don't like them. Mostly due to their bulkier risers and higher wrist grips. Of your listed bows, the Shrew and Javaman surprise me the most bc I know they are both smooth well beyond 28 inches on a draw force curve without stacking and both shoot great for me (though not my favorites). Both of those bows however, have very little mass for stability since they have very small risers, and I'm guessing that may have something to do with it. On second thought, there are several Shrew and Javaman models so it's possible that we've shot different ones as well? That's weird on the Canadian bow also indoors but not outdoors.....strange, very strange.

I’m kind of a strange guy Jasper lol. Checkmate was the name I couldn’t remember. I almost bought a Morrison short longbow back when he was still making wood bows. I have a 60 inch Chaparral Longbow that was made for my son many moons ago. I pull that down and shoot it every now and then. 62-64 inch longbows is kind of where I have settled. 60-62 for recurves. The K Mag has my attention right now.

 

[Little_Neck]

Have any of you recently swapped or thought about swapping over to traditional archery gear? Most deer I harvest are 20 yards or less and really been thinking about it lately, but not totally convinced

I’ve switched this year. I had Black Widow build me a new bow and it shoots great. Ive dabbled years with it but this year I’m going 100% trad. Its renewed my passion for bowhunting and I can’t wait.