Any stickbow hunters out there?

Jstpssng · Jan 19, 2007

I've been yearning for a recurve for years, this year I got about $250 in gift certificates to Cabelos, and may put it toward a bow. I'll then go to a local shop to tune it up and sell me the rest. I'm looking at the PSE Coyote or Kudo, just hoping for experienced input.

Thanks

Thomas · Jan 19, 2007

I use to w/Fred Bear 60#er decades ago w/cedar shaft arrows....just be careful when string.

rdln · Jan 19, 2007

I hunt (term used loosely) with a 45# bear kodiak.

other than trimming the kisser (if you have one) what is there to tune on a recurve? nock position maybe?

how about really going primitive and git yerself a longbow and shoot off of the knuckle.

You are going to use cedar arrows.....arent you?

Tanberry · Jan 19, 2007

I started out with a Fred Bear 25# black bear recurve back in the early 70's . Took me 6 years to get the first dear with it ( not may deer back then around here ) . I finally migreated to a Browning compound in the 80's . And now I going back to a Recurve. Put one pen on the bow for about 20 yards and pull raise and shoot in one fluid motion . Shoot apiche style ( three fingers under the arrow.Use the sharpest broadheads you can.

kossetx · Jan 21, 2007

Hmmmm... I guess I would qualify. I have about 50+ recurves and 2 longbows. The PSE's are good bows but if I was you I'd lean towards the Martins. In all my bows, my Martin Hunter is still about tops in speed and accuracy.

Want more info go to stickbow.com or tradgang.com. Good luck, MP

wushaw · Jan 21, 2007

I have a PSE Coyote and I find it rather noisy, I have it set up for fishing, I also have a self bow a buddy of mine made out of a piece of Osage orange that was cut on my property, I just display that one.. I also have another recurve that I can't remember the manufacture that shoots real nice.
I mainly use my Mathews for hunting, I still shoot fingers since I can't stand a release.

RonMar · Jan 22, 2007

I have half a dozzen stickbows and I prefer them over my compounds. Unfortunatly my two production bows are older bears so I don't have any reccomendation as to a modern production recurve or longbow. As for tuneing, pick a shop that does traditional. Not a lot involved on the bow other than proper string length and setting the nock point properly. I don't use a kisser button. My favorite anchor spot places my right thumb along my jaw bone halfway between ear and chin and I can just close my lips onto the hen feather of the nocked arrow. What is probably the most important is arrow selection. The correct spine, balance and taper for your partiular bow's characteristics will make all the difference in your consistency and ability to improve with practice. A shop knowledgable in traditional archery will know this.

As an example, I have a bear Stag Hunter and a custom made laminated longbow(not a true longbow as it has a little deflex/reflex). They both pull almost exactly the same weight at my draw length, but the longbow has a much more agressive launch. Arrows that shoot well on the recurve, hit the target sideways when launched from the longbow as they don't have enough spine for that bow and flex badly when launched. A knowledgable archer at a good shop will know how to evaluate an arrows performance properly and make reccomendations on the appropriate shaft and knock point for your bow and release style.

Have fun

JRobyn · Jan 23, 2007

I shoot both an old Bear Kodiak Magnum and a newer Jeffery Archery custom takedown recurve. Love em both, but the little Magnum is pretty short for my draw length (31") and stacks a little. My wife mostly shoots the Magnum now (45#). I've got both 60# and 50# limbs for the Jeffery (got old and weak;-). I think the Jeffery was about $275 back in about 1992. I think they're still around.

I highly recommend a little book by G Fred Asbell called "Instinctive Archery" or something like that. It covers everything you need to know about hunting and shooting well with recurve or longbow. Also check around if Three Rivers Archery is stil in business; they were once a good supplier of everything "traditional".