For you traditional guys with experience, what are the things someone should do to start out?

How do you figure out what size/poundage bow to shoot?

Recurve or stick? Where can you go to shoot different bows?

What's the range on a recurve or stick? 20 yards? More? Less?

How did you get started in trad?

I got started because of Howard Hill and Fred Bear and because there was nothing but "trad" back then. LOL

I'd advise going to one of the trad shoots and trying a lot of different bows out. It is very easy to buy a first trad bow that is too hard to pull and hold. A 65# compound ain't like a 65# recurve.

range hunting?? I've never missed inside 7 yards!!!! I like 10-12 yards. 20 is stretching it for me when hunting....but I have killed deer at over 30 yards. Depends on the situation and the lil voice in my head.

recurve or longbow(straight or hybrid) depends on what ya like. Some folks say a heavy weighted recurve is easier for a beginner. I like em all and switch from a recurve to a hybrid all the time.

get some shooting lessons from an experienced shooter.

What BhamFred said! Did I say "what BhamFred" said!!

I got started because of my cousins husband. Hes on here as AMB. One of the most knowledgeable gentlemen on trad bows you will ever talk to. I shoot a 50# quinn stallion an this particular bow likes 500 spine arrows. An i usually shoot 190grn simmons interceptors or 145 grn muzzy phantoms. Im not the best shot in the world with a trad bow but i absolutely just cant shoot a long bow. Dont know what it is but i cant so i prefer recurves. Id hop on over to trad talk i learned alot from those gentlemen

Where do you live Clem? I have several you could try if close enough.I'm in Haleyville.

Thanks for the offer, RH. I'm over in Huntsville.

For you traditional guys with experience, what are the things someone should do to start out?

How do you figure out what size/poundage bow to shoot?

First determine your draw length, most factory bow poundages are rated at 28 inches and for every inch over that you can typically add 3 pounds and for every inch under that you can subtract 3 pounds of draw weight. The problem with shooting a factory bow with a short draw length you lose part of the power stroke, that is not to say it won't perform great just not as great if you had can use the entire power stroke

Recurve or stick? Where can you go to shoot different bows?

I shoot both and enjoy shooting both. As of late I want to shoot my hybrid more and more but I need to make some arrows for it. The best place is an archery shoot like the HH or an ASTB event. I shot a recurve first and even today find it more forgiving than a longbow. Now the Hybrid Longbows are a whole different animal. They allow for a lightweight bow with forgiving grip something a regular longbow does not

What's the range on a recurve or stick? 20 yards? More? Less?

My effective range is about 15-20 yards, I am more comfortable of course with 15 and more consistent but I can hit good at 20 yards.

How did you get started in trad?

My dad hunted with a bow and he shot a Recurve, once I saw this my love affair with traditional equipment was born. I would later discover that I love ancient weapons in general.

My best advice is to pick up a cheap bow of 45lbs or less to start. Educate yourself on how to bareshaft tune an arrow and buy arrows properly spined for the bow.

3 rivers doesn't know squat.They will sell you a 600 spine for any low poundage bow because that's as low as they sell. Call Lancasters. A 600 will usually work for 45 lb bows but you may need a 700 for a 40 lb. Lancasters sells quality arrows spined over 1000 for any poundage bow.

Cabela's has a few you can shoot. I've shot there some. It's free, so not a bad deal to try some of their models out.

I've got RH recurves in 25,35,40,45,50,and 58 lbs from 58" to 70" and 2 longbows a 55lb 62" and a 60lb 65"

The last time I was in there I stood at the cash register line being ignored by two employees. It was obvious I was there to check out and they even looked at me. Then another guy walked up and one of the two checked him out.

I put my stuff down and haven't been back. Don't know if I will. I guess I could have said "Yo, jackwagons, get over here" but customers shouldn't have to do that.

But it's good to know they have an indoor facility. Thanks. Will keep that in mind.

To get started you really need to shoot with someone that knows about trad gear. Don't take a chance on buying a garage sale bow right now. Old bows can have unseen cracks and twisted limbs. I suggest going to one of the Tannehill shoots that BhamFred mentioned. Most of the trad guys will be more than helpful to a new guy at one of those shoots. You won't meet nicer folks.
The size and poundage depends on you and your strength. I prefer a 60" longbow for shooting and hunting. I use a 47# bow and have used it to shoot deer out to 25 yds. I use razor sharp Simmons broadheads. Deer and hogs can not handle a Simmons broadhead.
Where to shoot different bows? Tannehill shoot.
The range depends on the sharpness of your broadhead, the weight of your arrow, and how much you practice.
I began shooting trad bows because of my cousin. He is hands down the best shot and best hunter I have ever had the pleasure to hunt with. If you ever log in to Georgia Outdoor News Forum and look at the Trad Bow forum he goes by the handle RC. He taught me and challenged be to be proficient with this equipment. Once you've shot for a while range finders and distance becomes obsolete. It's like throwing a baseball or football. You don't QB's using range finders. It becomes hand-eye coordination and anchoring at the same spot. Now, there are those who still want to aim using the arrow's tip or by gap shooting. I forced myself to shoot by simply looking at the target and concentrating on a small spot and releasing. Finally, it all came together. Even now I can take my bow out, take a few warm up shots and then be ready to hunt. Don't get frustrated! There is a learning curve. Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot and shoot. Shoot at little targets, big targets, animal shaped targets, square targets or just anything that can take an arrow. Shoot at various distances. Finally, HAVE FUN. I have killed deer that I could have never killed by looking through a peep site. Late evening or early morning shots become easy because low light doesn't effect your aim. I've shot hogs at night only using bright moonlight. I hope you enjoy it Clem.

Thanks, Booger. Good advice!

Yep, all depends on who is "working" at the time. There are a couple guys in the archery dept there that are pretty good, but they only work part time.

My son got started by talking to Rick Welch at Dakota bows. He's won a lot of championships and teaches how to shoot. He has dvd's and video's. He owns Dakota bows and build his own. This guy is the real deal.

There's a nice 40lb Samick Journey with a dozen Bemans for $175 on GON forum classifieds. The Samick Sage and Journey shoot better than most custom bows.

Every aspect of archery is addictive... and trad/primitive is no exception. There's another part of it that afflicts a bunch of us who have chosen to walk this trail. Once you start to shoot well with curves and/or longbows and you make a few kills, it will become a challenge just to see how back in time you can go... to see how primitive you can get and still kill. After 7 years and 10 deer with laminated longbows, I decided to make and hunt with my own selfbow. Spent a while learning how to make them, and after a few attempts, I produced a #50 osage beauty that shot very well. Three days after finishing the bow, I killed a small deer with it. It was the best hunt of my life, and nothing I've done in the woods prior to that (or since) has topped that primitive bow kill! All the above advice is good. Take advantage of the offers and shoot a few before investing in a stickbow. The feel of the bow in your hand is as important as anything else when it comes to good, accurate shooting.

sounds like you enjoy " walking the old way" good for you! I too like the feel of a recurve in my hand.

I am on pace watch waiting for my Toelke whip longbow with mango veneer to arrive!!

Clem, if you are ever in South Georgia there is a Bowyer in Albany named Big Jim. He has a good selection of new and used bows. He is also a heckuva nice guy. I've seen him at the Tannahill shoots. He would be a huge help. He makes some really good bows too. His website is www.bigjimsbowcompany.com