Need advice/help guys. I'm a quasi old-fart -55 to be exact. Haven't shot a bow in many years. My wife of seven (or is it six?) both have old recurves from our childhood days and we've been toying with the idea of starting to shoot a bit as an activity we can do together. The first thing I want to do is have somebody that knows bows inspect them to make sure they're safe to shoot.

So question number one, who can I go to in the Autauga/Chilton/Montgomery Co area to get to look at the bows?

I'm not in the least mechanically proficient, so Q 2 is, is there an archery pro in this area that sets up recurve bows, arrows, etc? (I ask the question assuming that whoever is named for Q 1 probably will do this)

Way back in the day, we shot fiberglass arrows that Dad set up. Since then folks I've read have moved to aluminum and probably carbon. Of course some love the cedars. What arrows have you guys found to be best shooting from recurves?

General discussion welcome, and thanks for your input.

NFH

I'm not from that area, but in my past experiences, there are few and far between "stores" that really know much about traditional archery, unless they are specifically "traditional" archery stores.

I feel you would do better to meet with an individual, possibly asking here on the board if anyone is close to you.

Most traditional archery people are good, honest folks who would give you the shirt off their back, and are more than willing to help others.


God Bless,
David B.

like BOFF said very few stores that have any experience with trad archery. meeting with an individual is going to be your best bet to check out your bow but if that's not feasible a quick search on the subject on youtube will answer most of your questions. if your wanting to set the bow up that can be done with a simple phone call. if your bow still has all the appropriate markings (poundage length and make) you can call and get everything over the phone. I have used 3 rivers archery on several occasions. they are very knowledgeable and helpful. they have a website but I would call and talk to them. as far as arrows that depends completely on your bow and even the rest. if you have some sort of elevated rest you can shoot just about any arrow you please. its not actually the arrow itself that makes a difference but rather what your 'feathers" are made of. if your shooting plastic vanes that are most common on carbon/aluminum arrows you will need some form of elevated rest. I personally prefer a Bear Weather Rest it is simple to install and simplifies the process for a novice shooter. if you are shooting off the shelf you will need to go with a true turkey feather on whatever shaft you choose.

Thanks guys

NFHunter, what brand do you use? Also, what is the length and poundage of the bow? As far as archery shops, that is a million dollar question. As someone posted earlier, those types of shops are few and far between as most people have a love for the training wheels these days (just kidding).

As far as arrows, go with what you’re comfortable with. I use both carbon and wood. My favorite carbon arrows are the Easton Traditional Only you can get at 3 Rivers. I use Surewood shafts for my woods. I like the Surewoods because I have very little to no straightening involved with them. That said, out of the new age stuff, you can’t beat carbon. I will set my bow down for a few months and almost have to relearn shooting by the time I pick it back up. I’ll fire one of those arrows into a piece of wood my target sits on and they stay straight.

Anyway, you need a bow square if you don’t have one and a new string if you haven’t strung it and shot it in a good while because if the old string breaks, it can damage the limbs. The bow square is for checking brace height.

Well, use, as in present tense is premature. I've got a Bear Grizzley, 45#. My wife has a 25# Wing Archery Falcon. Daddy bought the Bear for me when i was in my early teens. He used to do all our set up, tuning and maintenance. I'd quit bowhunting by the time he died, and gave my nephew all the equipment, fletching jig, bow square, etc. Thanks for the advice.

There will be several archery shoots at Tannehill starting at the end of Feb. Shoot me a PM and I'll try to get you some dates.I'm up in Haleyville and would be glad to help you out getting started shooting. Just PM me and we will talk a bit in the next few days and maybe I can tell you about your equipment just talking about it.We can meet up and shoot sometime too if you want. I'm going to be helping my pastor and his grown daughter get started too so we might could make it a group thing.Just a few of us getting together and shooting.

Alabama Society of Traditional Bowmen have several shoots, as RH Clark mentioned, at Tannehill. I think the first one usually is late February. B'ham Fred may know specifics, as he was advising about the first making of bows and knapping centuries ago.

Here's the ASTB site - http://astb.net/

If you can go to one of the ASTB shoots, usually at Briarfield Park, there will be someone there that can help you.
Lynn Harrelson usually attends. Lynn is a great guy who makes traditional bows and is very helpful to folks.
If I was close to you Id be glad to help you but I'm on the coast.
Whatever you do, when starting out with a recurve or longbow...dont overbow yourself, you can gradually build up to a higher poundage pull.