longbow help for a SaltyDog

[SecondSeason]

Ok fellow Ifishers I need some advice.

I am fixed on using a long bow this year for a little deer hunting but know nothing about it.

I am right handed [stronger arm] and figure that I need a left handed bow. Is this right? What side does the arrow rest on? what pound bow would be considered too weak for killing a deer?

Please Help

treb

[oregonoutdoors]

You need a right handed bow. You hold the bow with your non dominate hand and draw with the dominate hand. The arrow will rest on the left side of the bow. I would say under 40# is not enough and that 50# would be much better. This is considering a less than optimal hit.

[Cornbread]

You need a right handed bow and try and shoot for around 50 to 55 lbs if you can for your hunting bow if you can accurately shoot that weight. I have been shooting a long bow for 25 years now and I use one between 55 and 60 for all my hunting from elk to deer to bear.

[7pointbull]

You need to do an eye dominance test to see which side you should shoot from. There are lots of right handed people that are left eye dominate. Do a google search for a simple eye dominance test and then go try a few bows from each side and see what you think.

[Chesapeake]

Originally Posted by 7pointbull

You need to do an eye dominance test to see which side you should shoot from. There are lots of right handed people that are left eye dominate. Do a google search for a simple eye dominance test and then go try a few bows from each side and see what you think.

I'm right handed and shoot my recurve left handed because I'm left eye dominant. Only way I can shoot with both eyes open.

Something to think about.

Maybe google Tradditional archery. They have some decent chat boards that would probably be more help. Tradgang is one I like.

[Big Unit]

I too just got my first longbow(s). Been training with high tech wheeled compounds for so many years, started shooting far, losing my getting close skills....nevermind...

Pull with your right, push with your left, arrow on the left side of the riser....look down the shaft with your right eye...or both!


See Tradgang....Bowsite/Stickbow Leatherwall.....lots of sites to help!!

Welcome to the tradition of archery!

BU

[Santiam338]

I am going to wish you good luck,cause I think you are going to need it..

You have a long way to go and you better get started if you are going to be ready to shoot at deer this season..Its going to take dedication and commitment shooting some every evening to get there...

Good luck again...

Now, for blacktails I think you would be better off closer to 45 than 55 pounds...45 is plenty and it may help on the learning curve...

[Chesapeake]

I knew that was comming.

From now till deer season seems like forever, but when your talking about buying a longbow and becoming proficient its not neer enough time.

Also there is the problem of learning bad form and habits if you start with too heavy of a draw. Its best to start with a light draw and learn to shoot, then move up. Again you aint giving yourself much time.

There are several very good books on the market. If you havent you should probably buy a few of them and read them through.

[hill shooter]

I think there is a trad archery shop in Vancouver Wa.. or go to Hood River to Raptor Archery. They will help set you up right and get you started. There are also some great bowyers around the Portland area. Also find a trad club "Black Rose club comes to mind.

This will help you get started right, there is no reason to start off practicing with equipment that does not match or with your shooting form wrong. Longbows are a lot of fun But it is also a lot of work to get good enough to hunt. Good luck

[Santiam338]

Not trying to discourage Second Season at all...I was getting ready to leave and was a little more abrubt than I wanted to be..

Keep asking questons cause there are several on this board that can help...But shooting trad is not as easy as it looks..If it was EVERYBODY would be doing it..

Its a long road so its time to hit the trail...

[SecondSeason]

thank you all this is what i wanted for sure. as for taking a huge bite well you should have seen me getting started in off shore fishing. all ahead full steam.

[Elkiller]

You can do it. Start at a good archery shop that has a range and will let you shoot some bows off the rack. A recurve will be more forgiving than a long bow. It is still a stick and string. A good shop that is willing to spend a few hours with you will get you going in the right direction. Go on a slow day, they will have more time for your questions.

[kilchisfisher]

A good shop which knows your equipment will also teach you good shooting technique -- no use learning bad habits and having to unlearn 'em. Don't ask how I know.

Welcome to the ranks of the truly crazy.

Stick with it and do it right -- you'll put in some work and also have a lot of fun along the way.

[BlacktailBowhunter]

Originally Posted by SecondSeason

Ok fellow Ifishers I need some advice.

I am fixed on using a long bow this year for a little deer hunting but know nothing about it.

I am right handed [stronger arm] and figure that I need a left handed bow. Is this right? What side does the arrow rest on? what pound bow would be considered too weak for killing a deer?

Please Help

treb

Are you serious?

If so, shoot both recurves and longbows and then make a decision.

I started out wanting a longbow, but I ended up with a take down recurve.

If you need a bow to shoot for a bit, I have a Fred Bear Grizzly that is 40lbs at 28 inches and a good one to shoot for a couple of weeks, because of the lower poundage.

I also have a few instructional videos.

Also, there was a shop on 99E just N. of Fred Meyer, but just S. of Wal Mart on the East side of the HWY. I think it is Bull Mountain Archery right there in Hazel Dell.

Paul

[KingSlew]

There are NO pro shops that have a good selection of Trad bows in Oregon. Trad guys are pretty much on their own and mostly buy online. Lee at 11th Street Archery in West Eugene comes the closest to knowing something about Trad. The Bow Rack in Springfield sells a few Martins, but those guys are really more versed in Compound technology than Trad, I'll bet they'll sell you a bow though...lol!

Check the classifieds on: http://leatherwall.bowsite.com/tf/lw/CLASSIFIEDS.CFM

Hang out on the Leatherwall for awhile, ask some questions and you'll get a lot of suggestions.

Also check eBay, TradGang, Archery Talk and TradTalk online.

[Catch 22]

Legally, I believe you need a bow that's rated at 40lbs for deer and 50lbs for elk.

My dad shoots a longbow and loves it. There's a few custom builders out there that can build you whatever you want for under $400. I can get you the info for the one that just did my dad's new bow. It's AWESOME!

I have a recurve that I like to shoot for fun, but hunt with a compound. Good luck with your endeavor. It can be done in the time between now and August, but it's going to take some serious commitment. Find someone who shoots instictively and that can get you trained that way. I learned that way and although it doesn't cross over to my current hunting style (modern compound), it's a great foundation and background to have.

If you are left eye dominant, you may want to shoot left handed. How do you shoot a rifle? You need to really find a good mentor/builder to get you going in a running start so you can shorten that learning curve as much as possible.

[SecondSeason]

Ok this is great almost like our TA meetings but better. So this is going to be a hobby/pursuit for me I tend to lean the way of the longbow rather than all the pulleys and strings. I know those arrows will rocket and I would be able to hold a draw for awhile rather than the long bow. This is a flyrod kind of thing for sure.

Thank you all this has been a large amount of information for me to work on. Today i will hit the vancouver shop and report back.

thanks

[Blue Feather]

here is a link to a wealth of imformation,, click on bow tuning..
http://bowmaker.net/index2.htm

good luck its a long road,, but the rewards are great..
IMO the best advice you have been givin, is start with a low poundage bow.. VERY VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!

[bobross]

Treb, you have been watching too many Tred Barta shows.

[SecondSeason]

Originally Posted by bobross

Treb, you have been watching too many Tred Barta shows.

Shuuuuush Busted.

[Big Unit]

Originally Posted by BlacktailBowhunter

Also, there was a shop on 99E just N. of Fred Meyer, but just S. of Wal Mart on the East side of the HWY. I think it is Bull Mountain Archery right there in Hazel Dell.

Paul

I think it's out of business. I tried to find it the other day. I might be wrong. Would love to find a good trad shop locally!

http://bullmtnarchery.com/

here is the current website....looks like they moved? Have to check it out!
BU

[SecondSeason]

Ok quick follow up. I stopped by the local shop in Vancouver. great service and it looks like some 1 on 1 lessons this week. I am very excited for sure. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction on this one.