With all the talk with the latest and the greatest in compounds, speed, releases, sights, arrows, rangefinders, etc all the time doesn't this pic look like fun?
Absolutely, and some day soon, I am going to give it a try. I will likely drive you crazy with questions when I do.
more power to you if you love to hunt with a recurve or long bow I just can't get into it.... I am almost 53 never hunted with one and have no desire to, my first bow was a compound in 1975 or so a browning deluxe nomad and I have never looked back..
I haven't gotten there on my journey but someday I will. Right now I'm focused on killing all the big bucks I can while in the midwest. Once I'm satisfied with that I'll likely start down the trad path.
Yeah I take out my antique golf clubs out to hit some balls on the driving range, I would never consider using them on the golf course to play. Same with the bows I have a longbow an old browning compound, fun to shoot for fun but would never hunt with them again.
I suck at shooting traditional, but I still try. I grew up watching my dad slay deer with his old 70# recurve, and have since wanted to follow in his steps. Apparently I am not man enough for those 70# limbs though lol, hell I'm bad enough with a 50# one.
I'm not there, yet, but I've been leaning more towards less emphasis on gadgets, and more on hunting, land improvement, and of course, acquiring more land (pretty close to this right now). Hats off to those that do (yourself included). It's probably one of the most impressive accomplishments to me with regard to hunting.
I am going to be 49 next time I bow hunt at this point I need every mechanical advantage I can get my hands on.
So what size deer with a recurve is a trophy? What is the average recurve kill distance? I can't wear glasses or contacts and if I shoot from 25 yards I have to walk over half way to the target to see where the arrow hit, isn't that making it hard enough?
Just giving you **** sota!! Avg kill distance I'd say (for me anyway) is about 12 yards. We need em close. As far as trophy's it's up to the person.
I admire the heck out of guys like your Dad that make their own bows, have to be a true craftsman to make a bow that shoots well enough to hunt with. Like Justin said and I agree I would like to but it isn't time yet, and if I do it might be with a release and a rest if it helps me be more accurate, I know traditionalists balk at that but fact of the matter if a device helps be more accurate we owe it to the deer. Not saying that people who finger shoot can't be as accurate as a release guy I am speaking of my own limitations.
I also know I am not patient enough for a 12 yard shot, has to be a whole nother mindset when putting stands up I want the deer back aways 30 yards is ideal, trying to get drawn and hold for a deer at 12 yards has to be frustrating add on holding out for a mature deer.
Not bragging, but i'm actually pretty good with a recurve and shoot my late fathers off and on in the back yard. With that said, I have not found myself in a place yet to take it to the woods. Its going to happen though. Thats the ULTIMATE in bowhunting in my opinion.