Choosing the Right Traditional Bow

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When I was younger, deciding which bow to hunt with was easy, because I only had one bow. That has since changed for me.

Now I have multiple bows from which to choose, and once I make that all-important decision, then I’m faced with even more decisions like what arrows and broadheads to put in my quiver, do I want to use a tab or a glove…and don’t even get me started on bowstrings!

As bowhunters, many of us make these types of choices based on what has worked for us in the past, or what our friends or people we trust recommend. It’s tougher than that, though, for us hardcore traditionalists, because oftentimes what works or flies great out of one recurve, longbow, or self-bow, doesn’t work great out of another.

I will now take you through some of the challenges that I face as a stickbow enthusiast, and I’m hoping some of you can relate to what I’m talking about. I will begin with the decision I’m currently working through: Should I take my recurve or my longbow?

I hunt with my recurve the vast majority of the time. But occasionally, I will take my longbow.

Let me preface that last statement by adding that I get “funny” with things I feel are lucky. I guess you could say I’m superstitious to a degree. I believe, or want to believe, that I have a lucky shirt, bear claw, rabbit’s foot, etc.

I used to think my longbow was lucky for me because I took some cool animals with it. Then I hit a rough spot and my “lucky longbow” somehow morphed into my “unlucky longbow.”

Suddenly, I wasn’t getting shot opportunities like I used to when I toted my longbow, but if I switched to my recurve, animals were coming in close, I was making good shots, and I was putting meat in my freezer and food on my family’s table. I know, realistically, that had I just carried the longbow more, even just another day in some circumstances, I would have had those same shots that I got with my recurve. It just seemed that if I hunted seven days with my longbow and got no shots, and then switched to my recurve on Day Eight, that good things were going to happen.

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So, my recurve has seen more time in the field than my longbow as of late…I guess because I’m a bit superstitious. Or maybe it’s because I just feel more comfortable hunting with my recurve?

The longbow is still somewhat of a challenge for me. But for some reason, when I took out my new AuSable longbow this past summer, the more I practiced with it, the better I shot. I’m starting to feel it may be lucky this year.

Some people say they shoot a recurve or a longbow for the challenge. I am the opposite. If I want a challenge, I shoot my compound.

It’s more difficult for me to harvest an animal with a compound at the close distances I’m most comfortable shooting at. I can draw my recurve or longbow smoothly and let down smoothly. I can shoot at strange angles I could never do with a compound, and I can shoot way faster with a recurve or longbow than I can with a compound. I also don’t use a rangefinder with my recurve or longbow, so I carry less stuff and have less stuff that can go wrong. So, my reason for shooting traditional isn’t for a challenge, it’s because I am more efficient hunting with it.

Once I choose what bow I am going to take with me on a hunt, I then find myself faced with the equally difficult decision of what ammo to pair with my bow of choice.

For example, we all have a favorite broadhead or arrow. No matter your broadhead brand of choice (Muzzy, Bear, Zwickey, etc.), odds are good that manufacturer offers different styles and weights, and some may work great out of one bow but not so great with the other.

Arrows are the same. I have amassed a ridiculous array of Easton arrows in different models and spines since I shot my first deer with an Easton about 40 years ago. The trick is finding the right one for the individual bow. So, now I am still grappling over a few different arrows and a few different broadhead styles and two different bows that I am shooting well.

I also just bought a new rest at the last minute for my longbow, as mine was getting torn up and 3Rivers Archery is more than happy to take my money as I scramble to make sure I’m ready for whichever bow I choose to hunt with.

There is an old adage I have heard since I was young. It goes something like, “Beware of the man with one bow; odds are he knows how to shoot it.” Well, if you see me at an archery shoot somewhere, no need to be concerned. I have more than one, and I’m still not sure which one to take this year. I guess the moral of the story is to pick one bow and stick with it. Things are simpler that way, and you can save money on extra gear while having less stress as you roll into the season.