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Well....I did it

jonkytron said:
I have been training since spring with a longbow. I wanted to make the switch for a long time but wont do it until I’m confident in my shooting.. ive gotten to the point where I can hit a 6 inch target at 20 yards about 75% of the time, where the other 25% of the time I’m just off, or the occasional big miss. the thing is.. with my compound, I’m hitting bullseyes out to 60 yards nearly 100% of the time. My goal is to eventually switch to longbow but I’m hesitant because 1) I am afraid to make wounding shots.. and wondering if its ethical to switch bows, when I know I can make better shots with my compound.. and 2) Ive killed bucks at 40-50 yards with my compound that I would cry if had a longbow and couldnt take that shot..

my question is.. when did you feel confident enough to make the switch? And have you noticed less lethal hits since youve hunted with a longbow?
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Well the first year I got a recurve I didn't with it. I just shot and practiced. But I started using it the 2nd year after I killed my 157" buck I watched all summer. I killed him the 2nd day of season with my compound. Hunted the rest of the season with my recurve. I didn't kill a thing even though I shot at 3 different deer and missed all 3 of them. I knew then that I have to practice more which I did.

Then last year I hunted with recurve only all year. Killed a nice 130" with it on opening day. Then went on to shoot at 5 more deer killing 3 of them...the other 2 I wounded 1 and could not find after looking for 2 days. I felt good with that shot too and thought I smoked her. Had a buddy with me and he thought same thing. Just was not a blood trail even though my arrow was covered in blood and bubbles. The other one I just missed.

Then last year I made it a priority to get better. Ordered a new bow with less poundage to work on my form...a Toelke Whistler #44 at my draw length. That was my turning point. I finally seen that you didn't have to have a heavier poundage bow. My recurve was #49 @ 28" but I draw 30.5" So I was guess I was pulling around #55-56. Way to much for me. With that lighter pound bow I could shoot all day and not get tired and my form got 110% better. I started seeing a difference right away. That did Mentally for me was my turning point. Which added fuel to my now rekindled fire. I began shooting more and more working on consist anchor point and back tension all summer long. I hit a few bumps in the road but got it worked out with some help.....

Then this year It's really paid off. I've shot at 3 deer and killed 2 of them. The 3rd one that I missed busted me drawing and ducked my arrow. I skipped right off the top of her back and just pulled a few hairs out with the fletching.

But to answer your last question about ethical/lethal hits....you do your part and the rest will fall in line. All 6 deer I've killed all fell in sight or just out of sight due to vegetation.

And as far as you not being able to shoot/kill a buck at 40-50yds....until you realized or come to terms that there is more to hunting, especially with trad gear, than killing then you may struggle with trad gear. JMO

Sorry for the long post and hope I answered the questions you asked.
 
Congratulations on your transition. I too eventually want to hunt trad. I’ve shot trad off and on for decades. My problem is I am also intrigued by compound bows and the technology involved with them. I don’t look at a A compound as being a crutch, I look at it being another cool hunting toy. However, I can’t really get into crossbows. I owned a mini which is a great crossbow, even harvested a nice spring gobbler with it but to me it’s just not the same as hunting with some kind of vertical bow either trad or otherwise. Anyway, good luck!!!
 
I actually have a target compound bow that I got in a trade 2 years ago that I have not actually fired yet. Started going down the traditional path before I was able to find the right parts for it for my draw length. I don't think I'll ever sell it. Honestly I'll probably go back to it in the near future because I find the science behind the mechanical aspect of it fascinating. Say what you want about compound bows being soulless machine, but those high level shooters are putting in the hours trying to squeeze as much accuracy as possible. Being able to feel if the balance of the bow is off by the ounces is impressive. Not everyone's cup of tea or preferences, but it should be respected.

I do understand the argument that you will never be fully dedicated to a traditional bow unless you get rid of your compound bows. But I think it all depends on your choice and where you want to invest your time. I see the majority of people that swear off compounds are usually the one that started using compound reluctantly. I personally enjoy tuning and tinkering with my compound bow just as much as my traditional bow. Just different.
 
I split the lower limb on my Matthews early this year. So, I decided to start really focusing on an old 40# Bear recurve a guy gave me a few years back.

I feel I have become proficient enough over the summer to shoot out to 12 yards, so that will be my cap... Now to learn how to get that close, lol!
Also, I get ethical shots, and I don't think a person should just "fling" arrows at deer, but it really seems people wound deer every season shooting both forms of bow... It's just an unfortunate part of hunting.

Given the facts that I am too cheap to fix my Matthews any time soon, and I can't see carrying that kind of weight around anymore, and ... I just love shooting the recurve more. I can't see going back.
Will probably try to sell the Matthews cheap to someone who wants to fix it, and upgrade recurves for next year.
 
HuumanCreed said:
I actually have a target compound bow that I got in a trade 2 years ago that I have not actually fired yet. Started going down the traditional path before I was able to find the right parts for it for my draw length. I don't think I'll ever sell it. Honestly I'll probably go back to it in the near future because I find the science behind the mechanical aspect of it fascinating. Say what you want about compound bows being soulless machine, but those high level shooters are putting in the hours trying to squeeze as much accuracy as possible. Being able to feel if the balance of the bow is off by the ounces is impressive. Not everyone's cup of tea or preferences, but it should be respected.

I do understand the argument that you will never be fully dedicated to a traditional bow unless you get rid of your compound bows. But I think it all depends on your choice and where you want to invest your time. I see the majority of people that swear off compounds are usually the one that started using compound reluctantly. I personally enjoy tuning and tinkering with my compound bow just as much as my traditional bow. Just different.
Click to expand...

"I personally enjoy tuning and tinkering with my compound bow just as much as my traditional bow"
I tried doing both. But when I would go from Compound to Trad bow It messed with me. I don't know if Mechanic's where different or if it was a mental thing but it would take me weeks to get back to shooting consistent groups again. I just couldn't do both.....

And I never said compounds were soulless machines....But you don't see those High Level Compound shooters shooting both either. To truly be good at it, whether its trad shooting or compound shooting, I feel for me I had to choose one or the other. There's not a lot of Bo Jackson's in world so to speak. I know some guys can do both....but I can not.
 
sdorton said:
"I personally enjoy tuning and tinkering with my compound bow just as much as my traditional bow"
I tried doing both. But when I would go from Compound to Trad bow It messed with me. I don't know if Mechanic's where different or if it was a mental thing but it would take me weeks to get back to shooting consistent groups again. I just couldn't do both.....

And I never said compounds were soulless machines....But you don't see those High Level Compound shooters shooting both either. To truly be good at it, whether its trad shooting or compound shooting, I feel for me I had to choose one or the other. There's not a lot of Bo Jackson's in world so to speak. I know some guys can do both....but I can not.
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Very true. Sometimes you have to make decisions. I remember John Dudley said that he made the decision of quitting professional archery competitions because they were mostly during elk season and he rather be hunting elk then compete. That while he loved the competitions, his first love is always hunting. I respected that.
 
jonkytron said:
I have been training since spring with a longbow. I wanted to make the switch for a long time but wont do it until I’m confident in my shooting.. ive gotten to the point where I can hit a 6 inch target at 20 yards about 75% of the time, where the other 25% of the time I’m just off, or the occasional big miss. the thing is.. with my compound, I’m hitting bullseyes out to 60 yards nearly 100% of the time. My goal is to eventually switch to longbow but I’m hesitant because 1) I am afraid to make wounding shots.. and wondering if its ethical to switch bows, when I know I can make better shots with my compound.. and 2) Ive killed bucks at 40-50 yards with my compound that I would cry if had a longbow and couldnt take that shot..

my question is.. when did you feel confident enough to make the switch? And have you noticed less lethal hits since youve hunted with a longbow?
Click to expand...
If you are hitting a 6" target 75% of the time, it might be really useful for you to spend some time stump shooting. 1 shot, unknown distance at a leaf or clump of grass or old rotten stump or log, whatever. I would venture to guess your shooting will be tighter doing that than it is on the target face. You dont kill deer because you executed a good shot at a deer, they are very easy to miss doing that. You kill deer or stumps or leaves because you executed a good shot at a specific spot.
 
BTaylor said:
If you are hitting a 6" target 75% of the time, it might be really useful for you to spend some time stump shooting. 1 shot, unknown distance at a leaf or clump of grass or old rotten stump or log, whatever. I would venture to guess your shooting will be tighter doing that than it is on the target face. You dont kill deer because you executed a good shot at a deer, they are very easy to miss doing that. You kill deer or stumps or leaves because you executed a good shot at a specific spot.
Click to expand...
73E87A66-259B-43A9-AEAD-F7F8BEBA3C02.jpeg

Picking a spot to shoot is the difference! I can tell when I am not doing it and it’s usually when I’m over thinking my form or release. I’m hoping I can have laser focus on my point of aim when that first deer gives me an opportunity.
 
I want to go full trad but. Work has just got in the way of any woods time fir me.
Also, i just cant figure out how i need to be shooting .
Inconsistent is my middle name for trad.
lol.
Next year im gonna build arrows get a coach or some lessons.
 
gcr0003 said:
View attachment 74253

Picking a spot to shoot is the difference! I can tell when I am not doing it and it’s usually when I’m over thinking my form or release. I’m hoping I can have laser focus on my point of aim when that first deer gives me an opportunity.
Click to expand...
Exactly why I suggested some field or stump shooting. At least for me, when I am doing that, I very seldom think about the technical aspects of the shoot and really get focused on the spot. If I am shooting a target face, I do the same as you and get distracted thinking about different aspects of the shot sequence.
 
BTaylor said:
If you are hitting a 6" target 75% of the time, it might be really useful for you to spend some time stump shooting. 1 shot, unknown distance at a leaf or clump of grass or old rotten stump or log, whatever. I would venture to guess your shooting will be tighter doing that than it is on the target face. You dont kill deer because you executed a good shot at a deer, they are very easy to miss doing that. You kill deer or stumps or leaves because you executed a good shot at a specific spot.
Click to expand...
One of the most fun archery exercises is stringing up your recurve and long bow, screwing some properly weighted judo points onto your arrows and going stump shooting!!! The "stump" can be any small target, a leaf, a clump of grass or sod, a dead stick end sticking out of a bank of dirt, whatever.
 
woodsdog2 said:
One of the most fun archery exercises is stringing up your recurve and long bow, screwing some properly weighted judo points onto your arrows and going stump shooting!!! The "stump" can be any small target, a leaf, a clump of grass or sod, a dead stick end sticking out of a bank of dirt, whatever.
Click to expand...
Can use plastic jugs and bottles too. Create your own 3d course. Just dont leave that mess in the woods.
 
woodsdog2 said:
One of the most fun archery exercises is stringing up your recurve and long bow, screwing some properly weighted judo points onto your arrows and going stump shooting!!! The "stump" can be any small target, a leaf, a clump of grass or sod, a dead stick end sticking out of a bank of dirt, whatever.
Click to expand...
I have an old tether ball that I like to kick out to a random distance and shoot... That's really helped me a lot.
 
Robert loper said:
I want to go full trad but. Work has just got in the way of any woods time fir me.
Also, i just cant figure out how i need to be shooting .
Inconsistent is my middle name for trad.
lol.
Next year im gonna build arrows get a coach or some lessons.
Click to expand...


I may be able to help a little.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
Congrats!

I went from compound to recurve in 1992. I sold my compound in 1992.
Then I hit a slump in my shooting around 2000 so I bought an old compound and killed 2 bucks with it that year. But for me, I felt like I betrayed myself. I did not feel good about either of those 2 bucks. That compound gathered dust in the closet for at least 10 years until I gave it away to someone on this forum.
These days, I won't even hold a compound when a friend wants to show me their "bow".
LOL
Click to expand...
I dont know what it is about this post but it rezinates in so many ways ,not just about this subject.and not just about hunting but it was a good one.havent shot a stick bow since i was a kid.but i just love simplicity + ultra lite.and my Monster is properly named.whats Lighter than just a stick and string.besides i know its in my future.....cuzz.CUZZ.i cant have red beard always out doing me on this ultra lite game?
 
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