BS: Any Archers? Which bow to use?

Subject: RE: BS: Any Archers? Which bow to use?
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 03:42 PM

Thanks so much every one, (Even Micca, :-) )

Geoff is 5'11", 130 Ilbs. 20 years old and a brown belt in Olympic Judo. He is more into the Zen of things than most people. I takes the discipline of study very seriously. He wouldn't dream of hunting and I don't know if he would compete with anyone but himself.

I like the club idea. There are two in my township.

I'll email Mick, Spaw, Mooman and MMario after Christmas when my life is calmer.

I'll maybe even try to shoot again.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: Any Archers? Which bow to use?
From: Rapparee
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 02:02 PM

Don, the Boy Scouts, and sometimes 4-H, also do things with archery.

I use a 45# take-down recurve, a Bear '76er, but I don't think they're available anymore (although I recently saw a take-down -- there was no price on it, so that may tell you something). Forget the compounds -- I don't want to carry along a grease rack, full set of tools, oxy-acetylene torch, and a wrecker just to change a bowstring.

Subject: RE: BS: Any Archers? Which bow to use?
From: MMario
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 10:09 AM

at faire - yes, but they both use both. (the guy I am losing to the military can hit the target while hanging upside down by his feet.)

Subject: RE: BS: Any Archers? Which bow to use?
From: Big Mick
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 09:57 AM

Mario, that would be trad longbow, right? Not a compound guy?

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Any Archers? Which bow to use?
From: MMario
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 09:51 AM

Don - PM me your e-mail address and I can give you the addresses of two archers who are reasonably local to you - one my expert at the archery booth for the past three years - the second who will be my expert next year.

Subject: RE: BS: Any Archers? Which bow to use?
From: Big Mick
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 09:41 AM

Yeah, Spaw. And the nice thing about the Y/Community Ed route is that they have bows to use. They are usually long or recurves. If you check with the shops or clubs, I am sure they will have introductory classes also that will let the young ones try out various types of bows.

And should you need someone to take care of your relaxation needs while you tend to the youngster, Spaw, Swanno, Rickster or the Mick will be happy to come over, sleep on the couch, drink your brew, and watch your TV while you are off taking care of obligations.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Any Archers? Which bow to use?
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 09:34 AM

good post Mick.......The Y idea is pretty good and will give you some idea of just how much interest he does have. From that point it depends on what he wants to do. As Mick sai, there are a lot of differences in compounds including draw weights and there really isn't a compromise that's worth a damn. (You don't breed Belgians to race in the Preakness)

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Any Archers? Which bow to use?
From: Big Mick
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 09:11 AM

Don,

I have been an archer since I got my first fibreglass 35# recurved bow when I was about 11 years of age.

How old is the boy? What are his desires?

I would suggest that you consider an archery class through the YMCA or a Community Ed class. This will expose him to the disclipline and you can see if his interest is piqued. If so, then you need to figure out where he would want to take it. If his interests will run toward hunting, he will likely want a compound bow. New, this will set you back somewhere between $220 to $450 US. This is presuming an adult size bow. Youth models are a little less. There is a difference in the setup of compounds between hunting and target. The sights are different as are the counterweights and string silencing, etc.

There are many venues for trad style bows, but the compound venues are much more popular in the States.

Drop me an email and I will be happy to offer what advice that I can.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Any Archers? Which bow to use?
From: Noreen
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 07:03 AM

Tum-ti-tum-ti-tum-ti-tum....

Subject: RE: BS: Any Archers? Which bow to use?
From: GUEST,Raedwulf
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 05:36 AM

Also an archer - re-enactment Longbow. Also UK & I think you're US Don? So I may not be quite as much use, but I'll answer any questions I can.

First piece of advice would be to find a local club if you can. They should have some sort of beginner's course & training bows to loan, so you & your son can get some idea of whether this is something you really want to pursue before spending serious money on it. Archery is not necessarily the cheapest hobby in the world!

www.gnas.org is the page for the UK governing body - they've got links for archery orgs world-wide, so that may help you track something down.

Have fun!

Subject: RE: BS: Any Archers? Which bow to use?
From: Micca
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 05:29 AM

and of course remember the old rule
" Toxophily and carry a big stick"

Subject: RE: BS: Any Archers? Which bow to use?
From: mooman
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 04:25 AM

Dear Don,

I'm an archer (target shooting only - Olympic style) and would be pleased to advise as far as I can. The first question would be ...what type of archery does he want to do (hunting? target? other?). Also how old is he and what's his approximate height?

Best regards,

Richard

Subject: RE: BS: Any Archers? Which bow to use?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 02:34 AM

See if you can PM Lemming. Lemming took it up this year and is experienced in the art of looking for the best bargain.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Any Archers? Which bow to use?
From: leprechaun
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 02:31 AM

If you want any meat in your freezer, get him a rifle. I recommend a .270. Flat shootin', not too much kick, and it'll knock down a deer without destroying too much meat.

Subject: RE: BS: Any Archers? Which bow to use?
From: open mike
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 02:19 AM

i should think a simple long bow woud be easier to string and use
and less dangerous should the arrow fly off target...
depending on the age and ability level of your boy,
i would start simple.

Subject: RE: BS: Any Archers? Which bow to use?
From: Allan C.
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 11:14 PM

Don, you can learn the basics of archery with nearly any bow - even those fiberglass $35 longbows do just fine for starters. I first learned on a 25# Roy Rogers signature model longbow. Certainly there is nothing wrong with spending more or with starting with a relatively inexpensive compound bow. Personally, I wouldn't spend a whole lot until such time as you are sure this is an interest you will be wanting to develop further.

Subject: BS: Any Archers? Which bow to use?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 10:56 PM

My son would like to begin shooting. Do I get a compound, long or recurve bow. What is the difference between hunting and target bows?
What price range am I looking at?

Don