Important Things to Know When Switching to Traditional Equipment

What's funny to me about the theme of this article is that I know some old-timers — perhaps some even older than me — might think to themselves, “What is Fred going to tell me that I didn’t already know?”

Well, read on Doubting Thomases, because I think all new traditional shooters should be aware of the facts. These are the things that weren’t mentioned to me or other friends when we made the decision to go to a traditional bow.

When I started shooting traditional, it was because I genuinely loved it. I shot more arrows for fun, and I didn’t take shooting the center of the bull’s-eye so seriously like I did with a compound. I also loved the simplicity of a recurve or longbow, and I still do. There’s just one string and no need for a release, rangefinder, bowsight or even an Allen wrench to tighten screws. I shoot off the shelf with my recurve and longbow, so there’s no need for adjusting a rest, tweaking center shot or adjusting the launcher that holds the arrow so the fletching won’t hit it.

I even eventually reached the point that some of my mentors had mentioned to me — the moment that is like a runner’s high that can only be obtained through hard work and practice. It’s that special feeling like a slow wave coming over me, that first time many moons ago when I felt my traditional bow was a more efficient and deadly weapon in my hands than a compound.

What I was not told is that most equipment that claims to be designed for bowhunters is not designed for traditional bowhunters.

I was at an outdoors show a few months ago and saw a blind that looked cool from afar. As I got closer, I realized that like so many other blinds, it was way too short for a traditional bow. One of the salesmen even claimed it was designed by bowhunters for bowhunters. The problem was there was no roof room to accommodate a limb from a recurve or a longbow, even a short one. I explained this and the guy said, “Yeah, sorry, it was designed for normal bows.” I decided I would pass on “enlightening” the gentlemen, but I started to think how many products are just not designed with us in mind.

Take hunting chairs, for example. Most have armrests. Armrests are fine for a short-axle-to-axle-length compound, but not really doable for a traditional bow without the string hitting the armrest. One of the few hunting chairs I have found that works well is the Millennium chair with its low straps that support the back rest. However, for a traditional shooter there are very few options. You have to go with something huge, or you almost have to go with a super small seat with little or no back support.

Treestands are another issue. Many stands on the market, especially some of the climbers, just don’t work for traditional shooters. Pop-up blinds are another awesome invention as long as you aren’t shooting a trad bow. It seems like my chair is always too high or too low for the windows, and if I can shoot through the window, my top limb is going to smack the blind. So, beware fellow trad people — try out a blind before buying it.

I can often make blinds work, but it seems I have to modify the blind or dig a two-foot hole in the ground to put my chair in, just so I can shoot through the window and still have limb clearance. If you think I am being petty, just think of all the products that really don’t quite work for us stick-and-string hunters. Another example is a bino harness. They work fine with a compound, but after whacking a few with my recurve and longbow string, I decided that was another product that wouldn’t fly.

Broadheads for traditional shooters are another area where many companies miss the mark. Worse, many manufacturers are dropping heads that used to be great for traditional bowhunters. Mechanicals are a no-go with traditional equipment in my opinion, because of the reduced penetration due to lower foot-pounds of energy generated by most traditional bows. So, I will just skip over those, since that is a non-starter.

Sadly, a lot of great broadheads — such as one of my old favorites, the Phantom — are just not made anymore. The good news is a few companies still have some great options for traditional shooters. The Wasp Sharpshooter is sweet, the old standby Zwickey is still a great traditional head, Badger Broadheads are a solid option and some newcomers such as Iron Will have come on the scene.

In general though, if you’re a new traditional shooter, be prepared to have to tweak or change some of your hunting gear so it suits your traditional bow. I’m certainly not trying to stop anyone from switching. I’m just pointing out some things you need to be aware of that often aren’t mentioned to newcomers by those of us who have been doing it a while. It’s not that we are intentionally misleading you. It’s that we are so excited talking about how fun traditional archery and bowhunting are that we forget to mention the little things you end up learning the hard way.

As we close, here is a name to remember: 3Rivers Archery Supply. They’re traditional people and can help you navigate the equipment issues you encounter. Whether you learn it from me here or learn the hard way in the field, it’s worth swapping out your old gear for stuff that’s more trad-friendly. You won’t regret making the switch, although you may grumble under your breath, like I do, when a salesperson tells me some product is made for bowhunters when I know it really wasn’t designed with a traditional archer in mind.

For more information, visit fredeichler.com, and don’t miss Fred’s new show, “Everything Eichler,” every Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on Sportsman Channel.

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