Thinking of switching over

[Tim0712]

Considering going traditional just for early season “doe” hunts ya know when it’s still 90 degrees in early September lol. What’s every ones suggestions for getting into it fairly cheap just to see if I like it. I’m not afraid to spend the money once I’ve tried it out but I’ve never even shot anything other than compound. Thanks in advance guys!

 

[MN_Bowhunter4]

First and foremost, you should absolutely do it. Shooting a trad bow is just plain fun! That being said, you might struggle to get consistent enough in a month to take it to the woods. Maybe. But you still should give it a shot!

Secondly, I think the samick sage is a great entry bow. Well priced and can shoot better than you can. That’s where I’d start and if you like it, go from there.

 

[Tim0712]

@MN_Bowhunter4 Thanks man I’ll look into it! And yea reading all the threads here really got me thinking about it and if nothing else I can get myself all squared away and start with it next year! I tend to really dedicate myself when I want to get into something new but I started looking around and it seems it can get pricey pretty quick!

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Look into an ILF (International Limb Fit) set up. Its a standardized attachment for handles and limbs. Start out with very light poundage (low cost $$) limbs and develop form. Big mistake most newbies make is trying to learn on too heavy of draw weight.
After you get competent with the cheaper, light limbs, you can get hunting weight limbs and spend a little more if you want.

 

[TreeCreep]

Agree with Tom above.
Path I took starting this year.
Also Great help if you can meet up with a member locally and shorten the learning curve.

Unfortunately I truly enjoy it and like saddle hunting I’m still upgrading or trying diff options.
Hopefully both have been an improvement in my mindset / approach, as it’s a year round activity for me now.

Starting the road of traditional bow, what do you recommend for beginner to focus on with limited time and budget?

Backstory, I followed the principle, practice at double the distance of the longest shot you would take on a live animal. So I never plan to take a shot passed 25 yards (maybe 30 if the situation call for it in good conditions). I was shooting my compound bow yesterday. I was able to get a...

saddlehunter.com

 

[rhagenw]

If a person shoots a 65# at 27.5” what poundage would you recommend for the first trad bow? Assuming it’s for practice only

 

[Allegheny Tom]

If a person shoots a 65# at 27.5” what poundage would you recommend for the first trad bow? Assuming it’s for practice only

35-40. Sounds light, but it's not for a learner bow. You could go even lighter.
I shot 65# at 27.5" compounds for years...back in the day with round wheels and fingers. When I ordered my 1st recurve, I made some big mistakes. Started with a custom Brackenbury, 61# @27...WAAAY TOO HEAVY! I developed some bad habits that I still fight from time to time. I then bought 51# limbs for that bow, and I did shoot better, but the damage was done as far as the bad habits. It took me years to get over them.
The nice thing about an ILF is the starter limbs that you buy can be sold to anyone that has an ILF handle...brands don't matter, they are all interchangeable.
You can then spend a lot, or a little, for hunting limbs. And you can kill almost anything in N America with 45-50 pounds with the proper arrow/broadhead set-up.

 

[woodsdog2]

As far as an aiming system to get you into the trad game quickly, watch "The Push" video especially when he gets into the different aiming methods. They estimate an average archer using the point on method and string crawl to be able to get Point of Whitetail sized groups in three weeks. I have always shot instinctively and I can do ok but still don't trust myself in the deer woods. My vernacular may not be completely correct but that whole video was an eye opener. Next year I really plan on starting trad in earnest with the goal of hunting.

 

[ThumbsMcGee]

If a person shoots a 65# at 27.5” what poundage would you recommend for the first trad bow? Assuming it’s for practice only

I shot 65# at 28.5 in with compound and when I transitioned I picked up a 46# recurve like it was nothing. I also recommend watching "The Push" as woodsdog2 recommended.

 

[JC3]

I would also recommend to start with an ILF riser 19" long.
It is not too long for hunting and not too short for target work.
Buying a good quality riser that will last you thru the different limbs you will test, is a good route to take.
If you do not like trad shooting, it is easier to resell a good quality riser than a cheap one.
The metal (aluminum) risers give you a lot of options that wood risers typically don't.
Center shot adjustment, different grip styles and accessories (quiver, sling, short stabilizer etc.) that can be added to the riser.
Arrow tuning will be less challenging with the metal riser because of the added adjustment features on the riser.
Stay away from the short limbs, look for medium and or long series, you will shoot better, more forgiving.
On a 19" riser with medium limbs the OAL will be approx. 58" -62", long limbs will be approx. 62" - 64"
Limb poundage is not typically measured from a 19" riser, so be careful and know what the poundage will be on the riser length you use and your draw length.
Check the traditional web sites, for sale listings, there are usually quite a few options available, reasonably priced.
As Tom said "DO NOT OVER BOW YOURSELF" !!! That is probably the biggest mistake I have seen most new trad guys make.

 

[HuumanCreed]

Take it from a fellow newbie in traditional bow, the Sage is legit! Even people who are trying to sell me bows were honest with me, they said the Sage can out shoot the one they are selling me.