The satisfaction of achieving a good level of precision in traditional archery and the possibility of continuous improvement are very satisfying sensations that attract many archers, once we eliminate and get through our many beginner mistakes in this fantastic sport.
3 years ago I picked up my first bow ever and it was a compound bow. Yesterday I bought my first long bow and watching your videos made things a little easier. I still love shooting my compound but the challenge and the "simplicity" of a traditional bow won my heart.
I am learning to shoot and hunt with a recurve mainly using yours and a few other channels' tutorials. My dad passed away before teaching me to hunt but left me with a love and respect for the outdoors. Clay, I appreciate all your detailed videos because they really help the new guys like me!
You said it best when you said "Everything on a compound is designed to take the archer out of the equation". I feel most hunters who place killing an animal as the highest priority are using compounds. The guys that just enjoy the experience of the hunt and place the kill a bit lower in priority and like the simplicity of the equipment are using traditional bows. Some just want it "easier". Some just like to be out chasing game. The biggest thing a new trad shooter can do is start at short range, like 25 feet, and stay short for a good long time until their form and shot cycle are getting ingrained and they are really getting used to it. Then move back 5 feet and do it all over again. Too many begginers want to start shooting at 30 yards and cant understand why their arrows are going out in the scrub brush.
Has nothing to do with that. If compound hunters used a compound because an ethical kill is the highest priority then they'd use a crossbow instead. They just want to guarantee success while bragging they're using a vertical bow. Compound hunters are the worst thing to happen to archery hunting. "Crossbows are cheating and stickbows only wound animals" is what 90% of them say. There were no conflicts or quarrels in archery hunting until they put wheels on the bow...
That's good stuff. I've been hunting with compounds for well over 25 years. A couple of years ago I jumped into traditional archery. Here's my take on both. My first compound was a top of the line Mathews that I bought from my brother. He had used it for three years. Since then, I have owned many bows from most of the most well known bow companies. I feel that anyone buying a compound should always go with the flagship models but maybe three or four years old, much like a used car----and that's primarily because compound bows have topped out in performance. So, you can save a lot of money and not sacrifice anything. The newest models ----I have found-----don't perform better, although there are certainly advancements in tuning the bows but that's about it. I have a 10 year old Bowtech that shoots just as well as their new models. When I decided to get into traditional archery I did a lot of on line research and watched a lot of videos and reviews. So, instead of spending a lot of money on a custom bow, I went out and bought a Black Hunter recurve that I paid a little over $115.00 . After I got into trad archery I then purchased a custom recurve from one of the best known bowyers out there. That bow cost $1,500. It's a one piece and it truly is a work of art. But here's the truth. It does not shoot any better than the cheap Black Hunter. In fact, the cheap Black Hunter is faster. So, I just feel that you can get started in traditional archery and learn how to shoot without breaking the bank. Just change out your string. You'll definitely see a difference there. But sure it's harder to harvest an animal with trad equipment. But when you do there is no greater rush.
I've been a Trad Bow hunter since about 1970 and Her is wisdom . PROPER REPEATABLE FORM . Most beginners OVERBOW themselves unless They have an experienced instructor to assist . Hunting / stalking skills can beat distance . Good video .
I looked into whether to buy a heavy bow to start but when I learned how inexpensive trad bows were i didnt hesitate to just buy a recurve at the state hunting minimum at 40 lbs at 28” and its a joy to shoot. My hands do get a little sore but its not hard to pull at all as long as i prepare my hands. My groups are getting decent for suburban yard distances, and maybe next year ill buy a 50 or 60 pound to start working on the heavier weight slowly. Im pretty sure its gonna be a long time before i actually aim at a deer.
Good explanations, Clay, thanks for the video. I bring the beauty of traditional shooting to the compound bow. I hunt and shoot with my compound, with a traditional technique, that is, I shoot my compound bow without a trigger, without a scope and with a traditional arrow rest....a marvel.
I am always learning new things in Recurve barebow and I just love that no tools are helping me screw up or get a great shot. I can't blame it on anything other than myself... well maybe the off arrow tip is loose and I'll tighten it before the shot if I feel it.
I first picked up a compound bow, then I bought a traditional after a couple years, then a crossbow. Crossbow went first, then with much hesitation the compound went as well. I've been happily hunting with purely my traditional bow now! Love it
Great advice Clay. I think the biggest thing I struggled with when I decided to go Trad was arrow wt. Front of Center wt. proper spine and arrow tuning. Speed is almost a non factor with trad bows, but Momentum and perfect arrow flight is Everything. Be prepared to have a much heavier arrow setup than you're used to with a compound. Hair popping sharp fixed blade Broadheads are a must!!! Watch as many videos as you can about arrow tuning for trad set ups as you can.
After 14 year of shooting compound bows i tried to shoot a trad bow...reason? - target panic, i tried several releases and it didn't help me at all. I didn't know what to do to solve this problem, diffret releases, difrent sights and bows and...nothing. Some day i met a friend and he recommended me to try a traditional bow (a few days after that i found this channel) he sold me his Old Mountain "take down" bow and i realised that this bow (no sights, stabilizers, peep's and so on...) helps me to fix TP. After a 1,5 year of shooting trad bow i think i found a "new worlod" in archery. I still have my compounds because i love all kinds of bows and i will coumpound shoot bows too (some day) but now i go with traditional bows. I am very happy with it.
Been trying to build my own traditional bow for a really long time now I got your videos to help me out iv watched them a hundred times over and just about every video you have here on RUclips but for some odd reason I think I get to lost sometimes in the build that I don't catch myself making the mistakes but I'm still learning alot every time and one of my biggest dreams for me is to take a whitetail with a bow built with my own hands but until then I have not so expensive take down at 45lb and also a compound as well I love shooting then both going to try and take a deer with the recurve this year
Great advice Clay, I started archery with my son six years ago, we live in Spain, made my first bows from pvc pipe, they worked ok for us but snapped after two months. I then found on ebay a Ben Pearson colt for little money which I bought and refurbished as it was a bit rough, now own three , a colt a couger and a hunter all from the late sixties early seventies, they are beautiful and shoot well, or as well as I can, love the sport and I am still learning every day, wish I could hunt as you do, not possible here though, keep up the good work.
Mark, you'd have to work hard to beat a Ben Pearson. Great choice. I shoot a Deerslayer and was lucky enough to find a Signature take down a couple of years ago. Paid $50 for the Deerslayer, and $175 for the Signature. Wouldn't take anything for either one. Love them both. Take care and best wishes to you and your son.
@@jonpatterson7211 Yep I had until I gave to my brother a Ben Pearson Super Jet at Lest with thing with the shape and bow length since this bow got primer spray paint and a bow ugly Star Wars Camo spray paint job to it. Anyhow the bow was a tick too long for me and a tick too powerful at 55 pounds when 45 pounds would be better anyhow this bow is the nicest of all fiberglass adult bows I have fired despite the bow being too much for me. The owners before the person who sold the bow to me, had even put a screw in spot for a bow fishing real on it a little crooked and due to bow being all fiberglass did not damage the bow. It also looks like the Super Jet was made from mid to late 1960's until Ben Person stopped making fiberglass bows in the late 1970's when compound too over and Ben Person and most other companies by then had stopped making the fiberglass bows due to that type of bow not selling anymore.
I've bought 3 recurve bows in two years. Got all 3 at pawn shops. One is custom 40#- one Ben Pearson 40#- and A Bear Kodiak magnum 55#. Total cost $240. Get all my strings and accessories from 3Rivers Archery. Great people !!! Great videos Clay,!!!
Hi Clay i just want to say thank you so much ive been shooting compound for over 10 years switch too recurve bare bow been using you tips and tricks and 100% worked and loving it Thanks man and you kicked butt on alone good job man
Yep that string replacement in a pinch is what got me switched over, also the challenge of needing to get closer to the game you're hunting. Being a type 1 diabetic and being out in the wilderness cutting weight down was another big win for Trad over compound for me. I still love the performance of compounds but my recurve is now my go to for bowhunting. Love the videos and good luck on Alone Season 8
I've recently switched from a compound to a recurve. Mine is a 45# which I will use for hunting once I feel completely confident with it. I've got to disagree with factory traditional bows being dirt cheap. Maybe the dirt where I live is way more expensive than where you live lol. Even used (traditional) bows seem to hold their value pretty well. In my experience, people are eager to ditch "old tech" compound bows but they will hang onto their traditional bows. When they do sell the price is high. Can't blame them, a good traditional bow is as good at year 15 as it was at year one. I've been searching for a used American made 40# bow for target/fun shooting but so far even the most basic used ones are out of my budget range. All that said, your videos have been a huge help to me, so thank you!!! About a week ago I watched one of your videos about anchor points and it made a HUGE difference in my shooting. Just raising my anchor point made a big difference in my group sizes. My consistency also improved dramatically. I'm a huge fan of "Alone" and you were my favorite to win. When I started watching your archery videos I didn't even realize you were the same guy until you talked about it in one of them. Congrats on the win!! That was brutal!
I have hunted with rifles all my life and 2yrs ago I started archery hunting compound and recurve I now hunt with a longbow and have never had the satisfaction and richness of experiences in the wilderness before I love wat you stand for clay
Love seeing this. Here's how I look at it. Both weapons (compound, traditional) can get the job done but the traditional bow is for those who like to take it up a knotch. Of course it's more difficult, that's why we do it. It's art created with a brush vs taking the easy way out by removing the human equation.
Thank you for your time invested into this video. Helped me a good bit. I’m interested and new to the archery world. I love the concept of Recurve over the compound but now, thanks to your video I have a better understanding. Looking forward to more of your content.
Great video thanks Clay! I have a been hunting with a compound for 6 years now. I bought a 55lb PSE Ghost recurve lefty on Ebay. I have already scheduled lessons for 2021 and will buy a Samick Sage 35-40lb for learning form and bow fishing. Excited about adding this to my hunting options and glad you said it wont take years to be able to hint if yiu do it right. Thanks again!
Traditional archery is a blast , it makes you concentrate on all aspects of your form , no matter how off I may be on some days ,when it all comes together it's so satisfying. I shoot a Bear archery Montana longbow , 40 # @ 28 " , however my draw length is 31" so it scaled to 52#'s . Very good informative video, thanks for the tips.
I started with a Farmington Apache modern longbow from 3 Rivers for $199. Works great. Get 2 bows, one for hunting big game and one with a 24 to 30 draw weight to practice with.
I still have several recurves made in early 70's. My old school fish arrow/reel setup. And quite a few cedar arrows. I shot a few carp and a deer in the late 70's. I figure it is all vintage collectible stuff by now. Grandson was shooting in 4H and suckered me into shooting again after 30 years of "no time". Shot compound very well, prepping for bow season. Now here I sit healing from L2-L5 spinal fusion. Praying for next year.
I tried making the switch a handful of years ago and quit before I even got started. I bought too heavy of a bow to start, no clear aiming method, no idea of what arrow tuning really meant and so on and so forth. I've watched a ton of your bowmaking videos, tutorials, hunting ups and downs, Fen's journey as he grows and have been thoroughly intrigued by the trad style of hunting. Last fall, I decided I wanted to give traditional a real go and have been working on making the switch over the last 1/2 year. I started by making a maple board bow with a clear goal in mind and pulled off a 62" / 35# @ 28". It took me 1-1/2 months to complete it working here and there on it and 3 tries to get the string right. After quite a few different arrow tuning videos and a couple weeks later, I had 1/2 dozen arrows flying like darts. After 4-6 weeks of really working hard on form, release, anchor point (cheak bone), an aiming system (Gap), finger location (3 under) and re-tuning arrows... I was able to start working my 45# recurve. Within an hour I had my 1st arrow tuned. I'm working on using split-vision more and am able to consistently hit a tennis ball if I'm going through my shot process properly. Recently bought a 50# longbow, but realized I need some more time with the 45#. All of this because of some damn fine people willing to give their knowledge to the rest of us. Now, it's probably time to spend some $$$ to learn the mental side of the process and get the release right.
I like the idea of this video. I think you should also discuss these topics: - Arrows, what shaft material and how many for practice. - getting an instructor - how much draw weight and how to progress - stalking
Four years ago I bought a Samick Sage to give trad a try. After swapping the string to a D97 flemish twist and used wood arrows (580 grains total weight) instead of carbon, it shoots flawlessly and quietly. It’s my current hunting set up. Took me awhile to dial things in and try different strings and arrow types and weights but it’s solid gold. PS, it won’t take you four years to do this, more like 2 weeks to a month depending on your time commitment.
I know its controversial but I love using recurve, compound and even a crossbow. Each has its strengths and benefits. As long as people are hunting and enjoying nature thats what matters to me. I actually started with crossbow and have now started getting into recurve.
I went from rifle .280 Rem. to .416 Rigby..went to compound bow cuz harvesting beyond 400 yards gets boring.Compound I did but I wanted a challenge.Went down to long bow .The art is stalking quietly within 10-15 yards with the quarry.That is still hunting.Its the most exciting hunt method which is for me.I might not make a kill but if I do my part.I love my long bow .It makes it more exciting. Thanks for posting.
I’ve just decided to give traditional archery another chance. I bought a Black Hunter longbow for $120, and it is fantastic. Have a look at the bunch of reviews on RUclips. I couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with my other bows, and this one is sooooo easy to shoot. I like this guys advice about getting a light bow to learn. I’m a big guy, and pretty strong, but I got a #30 bow, and I can practice as much as I want, and not get tired. Don’t spend a ton getting started. I also got some really cheap carbon arrows ($32 for 6), and they work great. Get the proper spine. Mine are 600, since it is a light bow. Also, fletching, and not vanes.
I just got a steal of a deal on 9 bows, 4 of them compound, but I have no interest in compound. I’m thankful I found your channel as I begin my family’s archery journey. (The other 9 bows are recurve in varying sizes and weight.)
Started shooting a Fiberglass "Indian" bow over 30 years ago. Got a compound "Robin Hood Jr." bow as a teen, quickly took the sights off. Began making traditional bows at around 30. 38 years old now, still loving and enjoying traditional archery.
Archer since 2015 and I fully agree. I like to add, that starters should go for a take down recurve. The modular system allows you to start with a low draw weight and train yourself up to a good general weight, which is usually found at around 40-50 pounds. No matter if you go traditional or compound in the end, both cannot be upgraded. Keep in mind, that educating yourself around arrows is important, too. Its fine to go with low quality until you have reached the draw weight, that you want - you will loose plenty of arrow, even at a range ;) This being said, your arrows for hunting should be of high quality (you don't want low quality carbon fiber shafts splitting into your gain!) and also match metrics, weight and spin as close as you can get it. Of course your will likely not shoot hunting arrowheads onto practice targets, unless your range is allowing that (it destroys the targets much faster). Good luck out there and great video, Clay! Greetings from Germany (we unlucky folk are banned from using arrow weapons for hunting.... )
Clay, Great break down on each style of bow. I made a few and your are very correct first were ugly well they look nice but did not have good tillering and strength poundage. Make my 4th one now from black locust. Wish me success with this one:) Jim Rodgers
I hunted with compound sents 1988 when you lean to get close it's almost like rifle now with a recurve it's exciting again I like to spot and stock because if you don't have a sight to rely on it's all on you and all the time work on to get to that hit or miss it all you
Trad builds a great base for good archery skills across the board. I started trad and never switched. But I do enjoy being able to shoot a sub 3 inch group when I shoot one of my friends’ compounds. Even after 12+ years of trad I can’t even come close to my groups with a compound.
Great video Clay, Traditional all day long for me.. Love the challenge of the tillering , the way the arrow sits in such a way on your shelf that you think the whole bow is goosed.. But then you figure out the rotation of string upon drawing back through your fingers... My son's Compound is nice, but your book is better 😎
Good video. I’m going to start playing some with traditional. My question though is if judging yardage and aiming is still the best method I don’t get the lure to traditional. Might as well keep the compound. That’s part of why I wanted to try traditional to start with
My biggest advice to any starter Archer is, do not try to shoot a compound bow with all the goodies on it as your first few shots. I personally think a archer needs to realise how easy it is to miss, and how much freaking satisfaction you get when your arrow flys true and hits the mark!
My biggest advice is pls don’t be a bitch and jump strait to crossbow from jump street! You won’t ever appreciate what it means to us old school bow hunters! U won’t enjoy the bow seasons as much just my opinion
My bbglass composite flexref bow is 54" and 1.5 lbs. It's great one piece. Love carrying it in the woods. Comfortable shooter at 50#. Sends 400s just fine within 30 yards. I'm into it with 12 feather for $200. For the price I got a second 30# practice bow. $350 total. That's respectable for a person who holds their wealth.
They just happened. Like one day you're childless and the next day you're a father or a mother. True story; Fred Bear (yes , I'm old and of the gen. prior to the compound) created the take down bow due to issue while flying. You may never know the reason why? It's amazing how the need for greed may have gave birth to the compound bow?
J F Fred Bear wanted to pack his bow in his luggage that stayed in the front of the plane. That was the reason for the takedown bow. His company made a ton of compound bows and still does but he hated them because he couldn’t shoot instinctive with them so they screwed up his shot sequence. There’s only a few pictures of him shooting one and that’s why.
@@andycaylor5300 Yes, I agree. You said better than I. I felt the same as Fred Bear when I was gifted a compound as a child. It is so much easier to shoot instinctive ... at least for me? Grew up instinctively shooting and found adjusting to sights difficult, especially while hunting. Sights and other gadgets take time.
I got into traditional archery because of watching Clay, and just got my first bow. It's an SAS Courage at 55#, and It seems to work good for a first bow.
Sweeeet. I'm also trying to get my first bow. I wasn't sure whether to go with recurve or longbow, but I'm leaning towards longbow. I think Clay Hayes is one of the greatest hunters, because he makes he makes his own quality bows, and he actually hunts on land, and not in a tree stand. Like a real mountain lion! I just wanted to know why he prefers the recurve over the longbow? Just seen another youtuber Remi Warren, looking like he could be Clay's brother or something, and he hunted an Elk on foot as well, and he got it with a longbow. It was pretty rad.
Great video! Lots of info in a nutshell. I did the switch back and forth a few times now and more recently have decided to just shoot both. Shooting wheels has made full draw seem normal in turn making my Trad struggles much better.
@@clayhayeshunter love your content and thx for sharing what you do! Cheering for ya on Alone. Recruiter from New York had contacted me too about it but can’t get away. Thanks for representing the Trad community!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Clay, love your video. You are basically the reason I put down my compound for a traditional bow. As someone who built their own bow, and most of your bow does not seem to have center shot. I was wondering if you can make a video about your view on the topic of resting your arrow on the left or right side. Guys like Nu Sensei and Shadiversity has their view, but I think you would add great insight as well based on your experience with archery and bow building.
Hey Travis, I’ve got no real experience with shooting with the arrow on the right side, as in thumb shooting so I don’t think I’d be able to offer much of an unbiased opinion on it.
@@clayhayeshunter Understandable! Just wanted to see if you had opinion on it. Keep up the great work, your videos are always great. The one you did about living debt free really inspired me to learn to expand my horizon. Still amazed you basically rebuilt two different trucks into your truck!
I started learning on the compound and recently switched to tradional recurve for an archery team. shooting a recurve is Waay more satisfying than shooting a compound
I remember the day I decided to quit shooting my compound. I shot a buck at 48 yards. I know a lot of guys that think that’s a short distance, but for me it just seemed like I was cheating. I don’t look down my nose at anybody that shoots compounds, it’s just not for me. It’s been 10 years this October since I even picked one up, and I have no desire to ever go back... plus I get to break my buddies chops about them using “training wheels” 😂. They don’t appreciate that part, though.
I like the term training wheels - different folks, different styles of hunting, some would rather just keep it simple.... when I go to shoot something I reach for the 30-30, when I go to sling an arrow, it’s always a longbow. You could give me every “con” reason for the longbow, and my answer will always be, “because I get to actually watch the arrow fly”
If you want a challenge, shoot at targets. When hunting, you should make shure, the game suffers as little as possible. You don't look down on people that use "training wheels"? Did you mean that as a compliment? You're like a butcher, discussing with a surgeon, which knife is best to open a ripcage. When it's about life and death, you shouldn't want a challange, just because it isn't your life on the line.
@@gehtdianschasau8372 okay, well I made it pretty clear that I was just messing around with my buddies that shoot compound bows... I can tell you’re just the life of the party, though, eh? Now, as far as your analogy goes, I’d say that if you’re a surgeon, then you’re doing everything you can to keep the body that you’re operating on alive? That would seem true for you fellas that shoot expandables... 😂😂😂... see, that was another joke, so don’t take it too personal. I don’t care what anyone else shoots, I just know that for me, I prefer the challenge of hunting with a recurve/longbow/flatbow/hybrid. Everyone else is everyone else. So, if you were offended by my comment, and you clearly were, then I am sorry, but that’s a you problem.
i feel like the long range bowhunting fad needs to simmer down. There are too many people out there that will go into the woods thinking if they can hit a target at 60 yards etc, they can shoot a deer at that range also. There is alot more to it. Its how animals get wounded.
Outstanding primer Clay; very well done! I've had a stick & string in my hands for about 62 years now, and still find joy in watching my arrows fly to their marks. and 3 Rivers carries some superb starter bows, especially their Old Mountain Mesa bows. We have 3 of them, along with custom bows, and the OMMs compare very favorably with much more expensive bows. The grouse I hunt with them aren't pleased though........
Wow, the timing. I started archery with a recurve and prefer shooting it. As a new hunter though, with a steep learning curve ahead of me to harvest an animal, it didn’t make sense to me to handicap myself further with the recurve. So while I work towards that, I schlep a compound into the woods and continue working on getting my skills up with the recurve to be able to hunt with it one day. This video came at a poignant time - reminding me to keep at it when it’s been tempting to give it up.
a good way to sharpen your shooting skills is to join a archery league at your local archery pro shop after hunting season. You will be surprised how much you will improve
Bryce Bedford been there, done that. I shot my recurve at my club league last winter. The improvement was mild I would say, not drastic. I got stronger, aim improved, but looking back all it really did was help me practice more what I don’t know. I shot pure instinctive and it was still crap shoot if I would be having a ‘good’ night or ‘bad’ night. I recently listened to Clay on The Push podcast from way back in 2017 and I’ll be looking into some of the courses they offer to improve form and shot sequence.
At 2x the speed of a traditional bow, compound shooters really should be keeping their shots limited to about 2x the distance -- about 40-50 yards max. I used to put arrows in the kill zone at 80 pretty easily with my compound as a teenager (shooting fingers). But a lot of movement can happen while that arrow is in flight. And the speed of sound, at about 1100 fps, is still way faster than the fastest compound. Being able to hit a stationary target is just not the same as a live animal. Price-wise, I bought a Samick Sage several years ago when I picked up archery again. With an extra set of limbs and arows, I doubt I spent more than $350 out the door. I'm sure a custom bow would be much nicer to shoot and make me look cooler. I suppose I just don't know what I'm missing. But I doubt it would translate to any better real-world performance. So, for now, I'd rather keep that cash, invest it, buy other equipment, etc. And if I hadn't bought all this wood & tools over the last few years trying to make a bow myself, I'm sure I could have bought a couple of those nicer bows by now.
So I started out on a PSE pro Max 54, which was 20 lb. I turned 44. I was asked what I wanted . Went to the Bass pro shop picked it up .I shot it three days is less than a year and got a new one for my birthday I got the 45lb TideWe Recurve. For some reason 40 and 50 almost $160 the 45 lb was $99. PSE promax and the TideWe both for under $130.00. they are awesome bows. You don't need to go out and buy a but you expensive stuff thinking it's going to make you a better hunter or Archer if you're on a budget the sport and hobby and has really got some treats for you
One thing to be worried about when using the compound bow is that it’s wip lash depending on the bow may often take the skin right off of your arm so make sure you really perfect your form as well as your sim
Had a happening at a local inside range about 20 years ago. Guy turned in his faithful recurve in trade for a new compound. Liked it till shot 4 or 5 when at draw the cable parted leaving lots of paper cuts on his face. OUCH!!! Walked upstairs and wanted his old bow back. Love my recurves.
One of my favorite archers and hunters is Tim Wells. He’s efficient will several weapons but mostly bow hunts with a compound with no sights, no peep, and using fingers. The man shoots lights out at some incredibly difficult distances. However I think he shoots an Oneida bow which I guess is technically a recurve compound hybrid. I know he used to shoot a bare Matthews compound
Actualy have a hoyt razortec sitting in a case bought new in 2003. Started into recurve bow just to simplify shooting and to reconnect with woodsmenship and the challenge. Actualy kinda itching to build a bow but for now got a tradtec titan 2 with carbon wood limbs. Was origanly looking for a one piece bear grizzly or Kodiak. But they were on the $400 to even $600 dollar range used so just decided $429 for tradtec riser and I could use several different combinations of limbs the carbon wood limbs cost about the same as the riser. It's on the heavy side compered to custom wood bows but coming from compound bow shooting it is light.
The other thing about the fps of the arrow which is really important other than flatness of trajectory, is flight time. The slower your arrow, the longer the animal has to react to the sound of your bowstring snapping. Honestly I think flight time is a bigger limiter for trad bows in terms of distance rather than ability to aim accurately.
I shot my last archery set on a 55 pound 56 inch Bear hunting bow in High School in 1981. Jump forward to the Corona Shut In. May/June. I bought a Fleetwood Edge / 45 pounds and it was somewhat like riding a bike. I was hitting the target at 20 yards, but doing better groups at 10. Within 2 weeks I had to get 55 pound limbs as the 45s were to easy to pull and hold. I now am shooting 80 pounds on a FALL Bow with 750 grain arrows at 20 to 30 yards daily. I like to at least shoot 240 to 300 shots per day so I shoot in groups of 6 times 2 with 2 targets in each set. I hold the shots for about 3 seconds to get a rythm with some sets I hold 10 to 20 seconds for conditioning. That helps against the expectation release you were talking about. Anyway, good video. I bought a few antique Hoyt bows, and some ILF set ups to experiment with. I just got a 75 pound 75% compound off E bay and it is like shooting a recurve almost. It shot my 750 grain arrows at around 260 feet per second. I bought it though for the riser to use for conversion to recurve or longbow ILF FALL set up. I plan to Video shooting tests of it soon, and will link it if you are interested. You always make my day with your video's. Haratio Fales. Blue Dragon Archery. Cheyenne Wyoming.
I'm jumping in man! I'd love to be a part of the comunity! Awesome timing on this vid. I just had a talk with my friend abot trad, compounds and crossbows trying to find my arguments for trad without beeing the robin hood romantic fool. Probably I will have to master (and buy!!!) the compund to be able to bowhunt in sweden in the future... But until we even know if we're going to get regulations for that I'll start with the trad! Thanks man!
When I switched. I sold my PSE and bought a hickory long bow. Got damn good at shooting. Snuck up on a deer to 8 yards and shot a foot over her back lol Way more fun in that one miss with the trad than I’ve had with the 30 kills with a compound
I've had my Samick Sage for 9 years now, starting to develop slight limb twist, but doesn't seem to affect the accuracy. I can shoot groups as good as my compound friends.
@@SergioMartinez-xv9tt I had until I noticed the twisting. The twisting is bad enough now I get my forearm slapped. Shimmed the limbs to straighten it out alittle, but I have purchased a new long bow that’s coming in about a week or so.
For me, it's very similar to firearms. I own several AR's and AK's...but I enjoy my black powder guns more, especially when hunting. It's about the challenge.
Wonderful video and good comparison. I will always say the compounds are great bows but traditional is here my heart is. What was the fastest bow you have ever made and what style and weight was it?
Ive only been in the game since September last year. Ive found myself loving recurve bows more than the compound, im lucky enough to have enough room to build a range in the backyard so ive spent alot of time shooting both. I prefer recurve simple due the fact its always ready* ive had my 160$ release malfunction ive had peep sights unalign and cams fail but the recurves keep it moving. Jmo🤷🏾 I'm pretty on point with traditional bows and ive refused to put any sights on em.
I’ve got a random 40 lb cheap recurve, it’s easier than compound for me, keep in mind I have a super entry level compound, but still. It’s cheaper, just as accurate at hunting distances if forms good, etc.
I took up compound for the first time a few years ago. In michigan, I have not had an opportunity to shoot at a deer yet that I couldn't have done with my longbow. In fact, I missed a shot that I am confident I would have hit with my longbow. I think both are great for the person who wants to shoot them, but I learned very fast that modern doesn't mean better, and they are equal. Shooting technique changes drastically for them though, so don't forget which bow is in your hand or you will never find that carbon arrow 3 feet into the dirt
For anyone here considering picking up a new recurve... For a beginner I'd say the samick sage or one of the black hunter variants. "Both cheap on amazon" Loved my sage had it for about 5 years my brother has been shooting it for 3 years now and it's still serving him well. He even used it for bowfishing.🤷♂️ For someone more experienced looking for something better I just picked up a Bear Super Kodiak and walked out with it fully set up and a handful of arrows for about $720. The bow alone usually goes for around $500-$600 and it's truly a GREAT bow. Beside a my first bow ever "a black bear compound from the 80's" these are the only ones I've personally owned. However I've shot many others and these still remain as my personal favorites for what I could afford. If you'd like to tell me of some alternatives then please do as I'd be happy to see what other people recommend for beginners or those more experienced.
Got my 1st recurve in '69...a Bear 🐻 Tigercat 45#...next I got a Ben Pearson 50# takedown bow...then I got a Wing Archery 45# short recurve...my Jr. year in high school I had major reconstructive knee surgery from a football injury...while rehabbing I would shoot about 3 hours a day after school...in college I sat out 2 years and went with my Dad to work on the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline...when I got back I started back to college and during that time got away from archery....but now my son enjoys shooting🏹🎯...he's got a PSE recurve...+ my 3 recurves...2 shoulder quivers full of aluminum and handmade wooden arrows I found on-line for him....we also have 2 compounds that neither of us has shot more than a couple of times...❤ traditional archery....got my very first bow when I was about 9...a small wooden recurve
I think you Clay make this trad-shooting more complicated and confusing than it really is, heck if through practice you can throw or pitch a ball across home plate and stay in the strike-zone you can shoot trad ,it is called hand-eye cordination
Clay...I dig your advice....be careful introducing the bad habit of flinching or target panic into an archers mindset...It has never been a problem for me shooting a bow... Shooting a shotgun at clays is another story for me. I have found that sometimes bad habits are developed and can get into your head just because someone told you it would...or could...With all due respect Clay, keep on educating your audience...Aside from you...One guy that I truly admire is Chuck Adams...I am guessing you have met him..I have had the honor, and shook his big bear paw of a hand. I believe in Chucks inspirational sign off statement from a weekly TV show he used to cameo in where he would finish with the words....”Yes You Can”
Great vid. Can you tell us what poundage you shoot. I was trying a 58 “ 58 pnd black widow PTG. I’m a bricklayer by trade and not short on strength but it seemed hard to shoot this bow unless I shot it every day. I picked up a Martin dream catcher. 60” 50 pnds Its an awesome bow to shoot. I had to change arrows but I’m ready for my moose hunt. Thanks
I bought a Ben Pearson Rogue recurve in 1977 for $39, which was 50% off retail then. It still shoots as well today as when new, with zero maintenance in 40 years. Bought a compound bow ten years ago, it's so obsolete that you can't even find information about it on the net.
Gonna add this for people interested into getting into traditional archery the samick sage is a good bow but compared to some of my nicer bows my favorite is my black hunter I got the longbow comes in both recurve and longbow and is between 100-120 bucks and it is an INCREDIBLE bow for the price it's going with me into the woods come October and to the elk woods next September I absolutely love the black hunter
My biggest problem with not getting good accuracy with my recurve bow is that I'm gripping my bow really hard right after I let go of the string, what is a way I could fix this?
I was doing the same with my compound, I started using a sling that went around my wrist. I think I was squeezing the handle because I was afraid of dropping the bow (which I have done), having the insurance of the sling allowed me to relax subconsciously and keep a relaxed grip after the release. For a trad bow maybe you could use an Olympic style "sling" that goes from your index to thumb around the handle.
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The satisfaction of achieving a good level of precision in traditional archery and the possibility of continuous improvement are very satisfying sensations that attract many archers, once we eliminate and get through our many beginner mistakes in this fantastic sport.
Bought my first bow decided to go recurve. It comes in today. Super excited
How’s it going
But why recurve over longbow if we're going traditional?
@@amirmalachi1458 the recurve is traditional as well
3 years ago I picked up my first bow ever and it was a compound bow.
Yesterday I bought my first long bow and watching your videos made things a little easier.
I still love shooting my compound but the challenge and the "simplicity" of a traditional bow won my heart.
I am learning to shoot and hunt with a recurve mainly using yours and a few other channels' tutorials. My dad passed away before teaching me to hunt but left me with a love and respect for the outdoors. Clay, I appreciate all your detailed videos because they really help the new guys like me!
You said it best when you said "Everything on a compound is designed to take the archer out of the equation". I feel most hunters who place killing an animal as the highest priority are using compounds. The guys that just enjoy the experience of the hunt and place the kill a bit lower in priority and like the simplicity of the equipment are using traditional bows. Some just want it "easier". Some just like to be out chasing game. The biggest thing a new trad shooter can do is start at short range, like 25 feet, and stay short for a good long time until their form and shot cycle are getting ingrained and they are really getting used to it. Then move back 5 feet and do it all over again. Too many begginers want to start shooting at 30 yards and cant understand why their arrows are going out in the scrub brush.
Has nothing to do with that. If compound hunters used a compound because an ethical kill is the highest priority then they'd use a crossbow instead. They just want to guarantee success while bragging they're using a vertical bow. Compound hunters are the worst thing to happen to archery hunting. "Crossbows are cheating and stickbows only wound animals" is what 90% of them say. There were no conflicts or quarrels in archery hunting until they put wheels on the bow...
@@Bowfellaamen
Made the leap from compound to recurve and only regret is wish I would have sooner !! Great videos Clay!!
That's good stuff. I've been hunting with compounds for well over 25 years. A couple of years ago I jumped into traditional archery. Here's my take on both. My first compound was a top of the line Mathews that I bought from my brother. He had used it for three years. Since then, I have owned many bows from most of the most well known bow companies. I feel that anyone buying a compound should always go with the flagship models but maybe three or four years old, much like a used car----and that's primarily because compound bows have topped out in performance. So, you can save a lot of money and not sacrifice anything. The newest models ----I have found-----don't perform better, although there are certainly advancements in tuning the bows but that's about it. I have a 10 year old Bowtech that shoots just as well as their new models.
When I decided to get into traditional archery I did a lot of on line research and watched a lot of videos and reviews. So, instead of spending a lot of money on a custom bow, I went out and bought a Black Hunter recurve that I paid a little over $115.00 . After I got into trad archery I then purchased a custom recurve from one of the best known bowyers out there. That bow cost $1,500. It's a one piece and it truly is a work of art. But here's the truth. It does not shoot any better than the cheap Black Hunter. In fact, the cheap Black Hunter is faster. So, I just feel that you can get started in traditional archery and learn how to shoot without breaking the bank. Just change out your string. You'll definitely see a difference there. But sure it's harder to harvest an animal with trad equipment. But when you do there is no greater rush.
I've been a compound shooter for about 4 years, now going down the trad rabbit hole. Just bought a 55 pound black hunter, excited to say the least
@@proteinman1981 You'll love it. Bow season starts a week from Saturday. All the bucks here will still be in velvet. The Black Hunter is ready.
I've been a Trad Bow hunter since about 1970 and Her is wisdom . PROPER REPEATABLE FORM . Most beginners OVERBOW themselves unless They have an experienced instructor to assist . Hunting / stalking skills can beat distance . Good video .
I looked into whether to buy a heavy bow to start but when I learned how inexpensive trad bows were i didnt hesitate to just buy a recurve at the state hunting minimum at 40 lbs at 28” and its a joy to shoot. My hands do get a little sore but its not hard to pull at all as long as i prepare my hands. My groups are getting decent for suburban yard distances, and maybe next year ill buy a 50 or 60 pound to start working on the heavier weight slowly. Im pretty sure its gonna be a long time before i actually aim at a deer.
Good explanations, Clay, thanks for the video. I bring the beauty of traditional shooting to the compound bow. I hunt and shoot with my compound, with a traditional technique, that is, I shoot my compound bow without a trigger, without a scope and with a traditional arrow rest....a marvel.
I am always learning new things in Recurve barebow and I just love that no tools are helping me screw up or get a great shot. I can't blame it on anything other than myself... well maybe the off arrow tip is loose and I'll tighten it before the shot if I feel it.
Ive been compound hunting for 15 years now but I've been bit by the Trad bug. Trying super hard to decide where to start. Enjoying your videos
My first bow was a recurve with traditional rest. Have often though of going back. Love seeing info on the two. Awesome video!
I first picked up a compound bow, then I bought a traditional after a couple years, then a crossbow.
Crossbow went first, then with much hesitation the compound went as well.
I've been happily hunting with purely my traditional bow now!
Love it
Great advice Clay. I think the biggest thing I struggled with when I decided to go Trad was arrow wt. Front of Center wt. proper spine and arrow tuning. Speed is almost a non factor with trad bows, but Momentum and perfect arrow flight is Everything. Be prepared to have a much heavier arrow setup than you're used to with a compound. Hair popping sharp fixed blade Broadheads are a must!!! Watch as many videos as you can about arrow tuning for trad set ups as you can.
Thanks much
After 14 year of shooting compound bows i tried to shoot a trad bow...reason? - target panic, i tried several releases and it didn't help me at all. I didn't know what to do to solve this problem, diffret releases, difrent sights and bows and...nothing. Some day i met a friend and he recommended me to try a traditional bow (a few days after that i found this channel) he sold me his Old Mountain "take down" bow and i realised that this bow (no sights, stabilizers, peep's and so on...) helps me to fix TP. After a 1,5 year of shooting trad bow i think i found a "new worlod" in archery. I still have my compounds because i love all kinds of bows and i will coumpound shoot bows too (some day) but now i go with traditional bows. I am very happy with it.
Been trying to build my own traditional bow for a really long time now I got your videos to help me out iv watched them a hundred times over and just about every video you have here on RUclips but for some odd reason I think I get to lost sometimes in the build that I don't catch myself making the mistakes but I'm still learning alot every time and one of my biggest dreams for me is to take a whitetail with a bow built with my own hands but until then I have not so expensive take down at 45lb and also a compound as well I love shooting then both going to try and take a deer with the recurve this year
Great advice Clay, I started archery with my son six years ago, we live in Spain, made my first bows from pvc pipe, they worked ok for us but snapped after two months. I then found on ebay a Ben Pearson colt for little money which I bought and refurbished as it was a bit rough, now own three , a colt a couger and a hunter all from the late sixties early seventies, they are beautiful and shoot well, or as well as I can, love the sport and I am still learning every day, wish I could hunt as you do, not possible here though, keep up the good work.
Mark, you'd have to work hard to beat a Ben Pearson. Great choice. I shoot a Deerslayer and was lucky enough to find a Signature take down a couple of years ago. Paid $50 for the Deerslayer, and $175 for the Signature. Wouldn't take anything for either one. Love them both. Take care and best wishes to you and your son.
You can hunt with a bow in Spain and your neighbours Portugal and France
@@jonpatterson7211 Yep I had until I gave to my brother a Ben Pearson Super Jet at Lest with thing with the shape and bow length since this bow got primer spray paint and a bow ugly Star Wars Camo spray paint job to it. Anyhow the bow was a tick too long for me and a tick too powerful at 55 pounds when 45 pounds would be better anyhow this bow is the nicest of all fiberglass adult bows I have fired despite the bow being too much for me. The owners before the person who sold the bow to me, had even put a screw in spot for a bow fishing real on it a little crooked and due to bow being all fiberglass did not damage the bow. It also looks like the Super Jet was made from mid to late 1960's until Ben Person stopped making fiberglass bows in the late 1970's when compound too over and Ben Person and most other companies by then had stopped making the fiberglass bows due to that type of bow not selling anymore.
Bought a Ben Pearson at a garage sale yrs ago for $15 & shot my best white tail buck with it, wouldn’t sell it for $1000 now.
I've bought 3 recurve bows in two years. Got all 3 at pawn shops. One is custom 40#- one Ben Pearson 40#- and A Bear Kodiak magnum 55#. Total cost $240. Get all my strings and accessories from 3Rivers Archery. Great people !!! Great videos Clay,!!!
Hi Clay i just want to say thank you so much ive been shooting compound for over 10 years switch too recurve bare bow been using you tips and tricks and 100% worked and loving it Thanks man and you kicked butt on alone good job man
Yep that string replacement in a pinch is what got me switched over, also the challenge of needing to get closer to the game you're hunting. Being a type 1 diabetic and being out in the wilderness cutting weight down was another big win for Trad over compound for me. I still love the performance of compounds but my recurve is now my go to for bowhunting. Love the videos and good luck on Alone Season 8
Thanks much
@@clayhayeshunter you're welcome, you're also the reason I buy from 3rivers LOL
I've recently switched from a compound to a recurve. Mine is a 45# which I will use for hunting once I feel completely confident with it.
I've got to disagree with factory traditional bows being dirt cheap. Maybe the dirt where I live is way more expensive than where you live lol. Even used (traditional) bows seem to hold their value pretty well. In my experience, people are eager to ditch "old tech" compound bows but they will hang onto their traditional bows. When they do sell the price is high. Can't blame them, a good traditional bow is as good at year 15 as it was at year one. I've been searching for a used American made 40# bow for target/fun shooting but so far even the most basic used ones are out of my budget range.
All that said, your videos have been a huge help to me, so thank you!!! About a week ago I watched one of your videos about anchor points and it made a HUGE difference in my shooting. Just raising my anchor point made a big difference in my group sizes. My consistency also improved dramatically.
I'm a huge fan of "Alone" and you were my favorite to win. When I started watching your archery videos I didn't even realize you were the same guy until you talked about it in one of them. Congrats on the win!! That was brutal!
I have hunted with rifles all my life and 2yrs ago I started archery hunting compound and recurve I now hunt with a longbow and have never had the satisfaction and richness of experiences in the wilderness before I love wat you stand for clay
Love seeing this. Here's how I look at it. Both weapons (compound, traditional) can get the job done but the traditional bow is for those who like to take it up a knotch. Of course it's more difficult, that's why we do it. It's art created with a brush vs taking the easy way out by removing the human equation.
Thank you for your time invested into this video. Helped me a good bit. I’m interested and new to the archery world. I love the concept of Recurve over the compound but now, thanks to your video I have a better understanding. Looking forward to more of your content.
Archery, easy to learn, lifetime to master! Love trad thanks for your videos.
Great video thanks Clay! I have a been hunting with a compound for 6 years now. I bought a 55lb PSE Ghost recurve lefty on Ebay. I have already scheduled lessons for 2021 and will buy a Samick Sage 35-40lb for learning form and bow fishing. Excited about adding this to my hunting options and glad you said it wont take years to be able to hint if yiu do it right. Thanks again!
Traditional archery is a blast , it makes you concentrate on all aspects of your form , no matter how off I may be on some days ,when it all comes together it's so satisfying. I shoot a Bear archery Montana longbow , 40 # @ 28 " , however my draw length is 31" so it scaled to 52#'s . Very good informative video, thanks for the tips.
Good bow!
I started with a Farmington Apache modern longbow from 3 Rivers for $199. Works great. Get 2 bows, one for hunting big game and one with a 24 to 30 draw weight to practice with.
I still have several recurves made in early 70's. My old school fish arrow/reel setup. And quite a few cedar arrows. I shot a few carp and a deer in the late 70's. I figure it is all vintage collectible stuff by now. Grandson was shooting in 4H and suckered me into shooting again after 30 years of "no time". Shot compound very well, prepping for bow season. Now here I sit healing from L2-L5 spinal fusion. Praying for next year.
Really solid set of instructions. Nice job. I’ve been a trad hunter for over 35 years.
I tried making the switch a handful of years ago and quit before I even got started. I bought too heavy of a bow to start, no clear aiming method, no idea of what arrow tuning really meant and so on and so forth. I've watched a ton of your bowmaking videos, tutorials, hunting ups and downs, Fen's journey as he grows and have been thoroughly intrigued by the trad style of hunting.
Last fall, I decided I wanted to give traditional a real go and have been working on making the switch over the last 1/2 year. I started by making a maple board bow with a clear goal in mind and pulled off a 62" / 35# @ 28". It took me 1-1/2 months to complete it working here and there on it and 3 tries to get the string right. After quite a few different arrow tuning videos and a couple weeks later, I had 1/2 dozen arrows flying like darts. After 4-6 weeks of really working hard on form, release, anchor point (cheak bone), an aiming system (Gap), finger location (3 under) and re-tuning arrows... I was able to start working my 45# recurve. Within an hour I had my 1st arrow tuned. I'm working on using split-vision more and am able to consistently hit a tennis ball if I'm going through my shot process properly. Recently bought a 50# longbow, but realized I need some more time with the 45#.
All of this because of some damn fine people willing to give their knowledge to the rest of us. Now, it's probably time to spend some $$$ to learn the mental side of the process and get the release right.
I like the idea of this video. I think you should also discuss these topics:
- Arrows, what shaft material and how many for practice.
- getting an instructor
- how much draw weight and how to progress
- stalking
Four years ago I bought a Samick Sage to give trad a try. After swapping the string to a D97 flemish twist and used wood arrows (580 grains total weight) instead of carbon, it shoots flawlessly and quietly. It’s my current hunting set up. Took me awhile to dial things in and try different strings and arrow types and weights but it’s solid gold. PS, it won’t take you four years to do this, more like 2 weeks to a month depending on your time commitment.
I know its controversial but I love using recurve, compound and even a crossbow. Each has its strengths and benefits. As long as people are hunting and enjoying nature thats what matters to me. I actually started with crossbow and have now started getting into recurve.
I try to start with the crossbow to get at least 1 for the freezer and go to the recurve for fun after that
@@darinfry1543 awesome
I went from rifle .280 Rem. to .416 Rigby..went to compound bow cuz harvesting beyond 400 yards gets boring.Compound I did but I wanted a challenge.Went down to long bow .The art is stalking quietly within 10-15 yards with the quarry.That is still hunting.Its the most exciting hunt method which is for me.I might not make a kill but if I do my part.I love my long bow .It makes it more exciting. Thanks for posting.
I’ve just decided to give traditional archery another chance. I bought a Black Hunter longbow for $120, and it is fantastic. Have a look at the bunch of reviews on RUclips. I couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with my other bows, and this one is sooooo easy to shoot. I like this guys advice about getting a light bow to learn. I’m a big guy, and pretty strong, but I got a #30 bow, and I can practice as much as I want, and not get tired. Don’t spend a ton getting started. I also got some really cheap carbon arrows ($32 for 6), and they work great. Get the proper spine. Mine are 600, since it is a light bow. Also, fletching, and not vanes.
got the same bow where would you recommend to get the arrows ?
Would you kindly share a link to what you bought, I would like to follow I'm your footsteps 😊
I just got a steal of a deal on 9 bows, 4 of them compound, but I have no interest in compound. I’m thankful I found your channel as I begin my family’s archery journey. (The other 9 bows are recurve in varying sizes and weight.)
Started shooting a Fiberglass "Indian" bow over 30 years ago. Got a compound "Robin Hood Jr." bow as a teen, quickly took the sights off. Began making traditional bows at around 30. 38 years old now, still loving and enjoying traditional archery.
My first bow was a Indian compound 😆 when I was 15. Now at 55 trying read out. Very relaxing for me.
@@fredsalay720 In my late 20's i decided to buy a 110lb horse bow. No idea how I shot that thing, 40lbs feels heavy on my shoulders these days.
Archer since 2015 and I fully agree. I like to add, that starters should go for a take down recurve. The modular system allows you to start with a low draw weight and train yourself up to a good general weight, which is usually found at around 40-50 pounds. No matter if you go traditional or compound in the end, both cannot be upgraded. Keep in mind, that educating yourself around arrows is important, too. Its fine to go with low quality until you have reached the draw weight, that you want - you will loose plenty of arrow, even at a range ;)
This being said, your arrows for hunting should be of high quality (you don't want low quality carbon fiber shafts splitting into your gain!) and also match metrics, weight and spin as close as you can get it. Of course your will likely not shoot hunting arrowheads onto practice targets, unless your range is allowing that (it destroys the targets much faster).
Good luck out there and great video, Clay!
Greetings from Germany (we unlucky folk are banned from using arrow weapons for hunting.... )
Clay, Great break down on each style of bow. I made a few and your are very correct first were ugly well they look nice but did not have good tillering and strength poundage. Make my 4th one now from black locust. Wish me success with this one:) Jim Rodgers
This is my second year using a recurve 45 pound bow thanks to you and gap shooting thank you
I hunted with compound sents 1988 when you lean to get close it's almost like rifle now with a recurve it's exciting again I like to spot and stock because if you don't have a sight to rely on it's all on you and all the time work on to get to that hit or miss it all you
Trad builds a great base for good archery skills across the board. I started trad and never switched. But I do enjoy being able to shoot a sub 3 inch group when I shoot one of my friends’ compounds. Even after 12+ years of trad I can’t even come close to my groups with a compound.
Great video Clay,
Traditional all day long for me.. Love the challenge of the tillering , the way the arrow sits in such a way on your shelf that you think the whole bow is goosed..
But then you figure out the rotation of string upon drawing back through your fingers...
My son's Compound is nice, but your book is better 😎
Good video. I’m going to start playing some with traditional. My question though is if judging yardage and aiming is still the best method I don’t get the lure to traditional. Might as well keep the compound. That’s part of why I wanted to try traditional to start with
My biggest advice to any starter Archer is, do not try to shoot a compound bow with all the goodies on it as your first few shots. I personally think a archer needs to realise how easy it is to miss, and how much freaking satisfaction you get when your arrow flys true and hits the mark!
My biggest advice is pls don’t be a bitch and jump strait to crossbow from jump street! You won’t ever appreciate what it means to us old school bow hunters! U won’t enjoy the bow seasons as much just my opinion
@@reddawng43x91 especially since in most USA States you have to have some physical limitations for using a Crossbow to hunt with.
My biggest advice to aspiring archers is to start with a spear. This way you will fully appreciate the speed and range of the arrow.
I started shooting a 4.5x 3 foot piece of thin plywood from 20 yards away. I only worried about hitting them damn thing at all at first
Watching you on Alone got me into Archery! Glad to see you doing well man.
Awesome!
My bbglass composite flexref bow is 54" and 1.5 lbs. It's great one piece. Love carrying it in the woods. Comfortable shooter at 50#. Sends 400s just fine within 30 yards. I'm into it with 12 feather for $200. For the price I got a second 30# practice bow. $350 total. That's respectable for a person who holds their wealth.
"If Traditional was easy, compound bows would not exist"
SOMEONE CALL THE POLICE, SHOTS FIRED
Hahahahaha
They just happened. Like one day you're childless and the next day you're a father or a mother. True story; Fred Bear (yes , I'm old and of the gen. prior to the compound) created the take down bow due to issue while flying. You may never know the reason why? It's amazing how the need for greed may have gave birth to the compound bow?
J F Fred Bear wanted to pack his bow in his luggage that stayed in the front of the plane. That was the reason for the takedown bow. His company made a ton of compound bows and still does but he hated them because he couldn’t shoot instinctive with them so they screwed up his shot sequence. There’s only a few pictures of him shooting one and that’s why.
@@andycaylor5300 Yes, I agree. You said better than I. I felt the same as Fred Bear when I was gifted a compound as a child. It is so much easier to shoot instinctive ... at least for me? Grew up instinctively shooting and found adjusting to sights difficult, especially while hunting. Sights and other gadgets take time.
Ease is obviously first reason. Power, precision and efficiency are the other reasons.
Traditional archery.... putting the arch back in archery! Gotta love it!!!
My Hoyt prevail arches but that is a funny saying
Yes sir!
I got into traditional archery because of watching Clay, and just got my first bow. It's an SAS Courage at 55#, and It seems to work good for a first bow.
Sweeeet. I'm also trying to get my first bow. I wasn't sure whether to go with recurve or longbow, but I'm leaning towards longbow. I think Clay Hayes is one of the greatest hunters, because he makes he makes his own quality bows, and he actually hunts on land, and not in a tree stand. Like a real mountain lion! I just wanted to know why he prefers the recurve over the longbow? Just seen another youtuber Remi Warren, looking like he could be Clay's brother or something, and he hunted an Elk on foot as well, and he got it with a longbow. It was pretty rad.
Great video! Lots of info in a nutshell. I did the switch back and forth a few times now and more recently have decided to just shoot both. Shooting wheels has made full draw seem normal in turn making my Trad struggles much better.
Good observation. Hitting full draw every time with a compound can definitely translate to the stick!
@@clayhayeshunter love your content and thx for sharing what you do! Cheering for ya on Alone. Recruiter from New York had contacted me too about it but can’t get away. Thanks for representing the Trad community!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Great info. I was already sold on traditional archery from previous videos. I plan to build my first self bow over the winter and get started.
Clay, love your video. You are basically the reason I put down my compound for a traditional bow. As someone who built their own bow, and most of your bow does not seem to have center shot. I was wondering if you can make a video about your view on the topic of resting your arrow on the left or right side. Guys like Nu Sensei and Shadiversity has their view, but I think you would add great insight as well based on your experience with archery and bow building.
Hey Travis, I’ve got no real experience with shooting with the arrow on the right side, as in thumb shooting so I don’t think I’d be able to offer much of an unbiased opinion on it.
@@clayhayeshunter Understandable! Just wanted to see if you had opinion on it. Keep up the great work, your videos are always great. The one you did about living debt free really inspired me to learn to expand my horizon. Still amazed you basically rebuilt two different trucks into your truck!
I started learning on the compound and recently switched to tradional recurve for an archery team. shooting a recurve is Waay more satisfying than shooting a compound
Would totally recommend the ksl method for traditional archery. Your accuracy will improve tremendously.
I remember the day I decided to quit shooting my compound. I shot a buck at 48 yards. I know a lot of guys that think that’s a short distance, but for me it just seemed like I was cheating. I don’t look down my nose at anybody that shoots compounds, it’s just not for me. It’s been 10 years this October since I even picked one up, and I have no desire to ever go back... plus I get to break my buddies chops about them using “training wheels” 😂. They don’t appreciate that part, though.
😆
I like the term training wheels - different folks, different styles of hunting, some
would rather just keep it simple.... when I go to shoot something I reach for the 30-30, when I go to sling an arrow, it’s always a longbow. You could give me every “con” reason for the longbow, and
my answer will always be, “because I get to actually watch the arrow fly”
If you want a challenge, shoot at targets. When hunting, you should make shure, the game suffers as little as possible. You don't look down on people that use "training wheels"? Did you mean that as a compliment? You're like a butcher, discussing with a surgeon, which knife is best to open a ripcage. When it's about life and death, you shouldn't want a challange, just because it isn't your life on the line.
@@gehtdianschasau8372 okay, well I made it pretty clear that I was just messing around with my buddies that shoot compound bows... I can tell you’re just the life of the party, though, eh?
Now, as far as your analogy goes, I’d say that if you’re a surgeon, then you’re doing everything you can to keep the body that you’re operating on alive? That would seem true for you fellas that shoot expandables... 😂😂😂... see, that was another joke, so don’t take it too personal. I don’t care what anyone else shoots, I just know that for me, I prefer the challenge of hunting with a recurve/longbow/flatbow/hybrid. Everyone else is everyone else. So, if you were offended by my comment, and you clearly were, then I am sorry, but that’s a you problem.
i feel like the long range bowhunting fad needs to simmer down. There are too many people out there that will go into the woods thinking if they can hit a target at 60 yards etc, they can shoot a deer at that range also. There is alot more to it. Its how animals get wounded.
Excellent video. Thank you! As a new archery, these introductions are a fantastic resource.
Outstanding primer Clay; very well done! I've had a stick & string in my hands for about 62 years now, and still find joy in watching my arrows fly to their marks. and 3 Rivers carries some superb starter bows, especially their Old Mountain Mesa bows. We have 3 of them, along with custom bows, and the OMMs compare very favorably with much more expensive bows. The grouse I hunt with them aren't pleased though........
Wow, the timing. I started archery with a recurve and prefer shooting it. As a new hunter though, with a steep learning curve ahead of me to harvest an animal, it didn’t make sense to me to handicap myself further with the recurve. So while I work towards that, I schlep a compound into the woods and continue working on getting my skills up with the recurve to be able to hunt with it one day. This video came at a poignant time - reminding me to keep at it when it’s been tempting to give it up.
a good way to sharpen your shooting skills is to join a archery league at your local archery pro shop after hunting season. You will be surprised how much you will improve
Bryce Bedford been there, done that. I shot my recurve at my club league last winter. The improvement was mild I would say, not drastic. I got stronger, aim improved, but looking back all it really did was help me practice more what I don’t know. I shot pure instinctive and it was still crap shoot if I would be having a ‘good’ night or ‘bad’ night. I recently listened to Clay on The Push podcast from way back in 2017 and I’ll be looking into some of the courses they offer to improve form and shot sequence.
At 2x the speed of a traditional bow, compound shooters really should be keeping their shots limited to about 2x the distance -- about 40-50 yards max. I used to put arrows in the kill zone at 80 pretty easily with my compound as a teenager (shooting fingers). But a lot of movement can happen while that arrow is in flight. And the speed of sound, at about 1100 fps, is still way faster than the fastest compound. Being able to hit a stationary target is just not the same as a live animal.
Price-wise, I bought a Samick Sage several years ago when I picked up archery again. With an extra set of limbs and arows, I doubt I spent more than $350 out the door. I'm sure a custom bow would be much nicer to shoot and make me look cooler. I suppose I just don't know what I'm missing. But I doubt it would translate to any better real-world performance. So, for now, I'd rather keep that cash, invest it, buy other equipment, etc. And if I hadn't bought all this wood & tools over the last few years trying to make a bow myself, I'm sure I could have bought a couple of those nicer bows by now.
I have one too love it
I remind myself every time that my recurve is a fluid extension of my arm. Confidence is key!
So I started out on a PSE pro Max 54, which was 20 lb. I turned 44. I was asked what I wanted . Went to the Bass pro shop picked it up .I shot it three days is less than a year and got a new one for my birthday I got the 45lb TideWe Recurve. For some reason 40 and 50 almost $160 the 45 lb was $99. PSE promax and the TideWe both for under $130.00. they are awesome bows. You don't need to go out and buy a but you expensive stuff thinking it's going to make you a better hunter or Archer if you're on a budget the sport and hobby and has really got some treats for you
Loved your winning on Alone holy cow what a great show congrats. you got me all into it 😻
One thing to be worried about when using the compound bow is that it’s wip lash depending on the bow may often take the skin right off of your arm so make sure you really perfect your form as well as your sim
Had a happening at a local inside range about 20 years ago.
Guy turned in his faithful recurve in trade for a new compound. Liked it till shot 4 or 5 when at draw the cable parted leaving lots of paper cuts on his face. OUCH!!! Walked upstairs and wanted his old bow back. Love my recurves.
One of my favorite archers and hunters is Tim Wells. He’s efficient will several weapons but mostly bow hunts with a compound with no sights, no peep, and using fingers. The man shoots lights out at some incredibly difficult distances. However I think he shoots an Oneida bow which I guess is technically a recurve compound hybrid. I know he used to shoot a bare Matthews compound
Actualy have a hoyt razortec sitting in a case bought new in 2003. Started into recurve bow just to simplify shooting and to reconnect with woodsmenship and the challenge. Actualy kinda itching to build a bow but for now got a tradtec titan 2 with carbon wood limbs. Was origanly looking for a one piece bear grizzly or Kodiak. But they were on the $400 to even $600 dollar range used so just decided $429 for tradtec riser and I could use several different combinations of limbs the carbon wood limbs cost about the same as the riser. It's on the heavy side compered to custom wood bows but coming from compound bow shooting it is light.
The other thing about the fps of the arrow which is really important other than flatness of trajectory, is flight time. The slower your arrow, the longer the animal has to react to the sound of your bowstring snapping. Honestly I think flight time is a bigger limiter for trad bows in terms of distance rather than ability to aim accurately.
Outstanding video Clay. Thanks for sharing with the community.
Thanks much
I shot my last archery set on a 55 pound 56 inch Bear hunting bow in High School in 1981. Jump forward to the Corona Shut In. May/June. I bought a Fleetwood Edge / 45 pounds and it was somewhat like riding a bike. I was hitting the target at 20 yards, but doing better groups at 10. Within 2 weeks I had to get 55 pound limbs as the 45s were to easy to pull and hold. I now am shooting 80 pounds on a FALL Bow with 750 grain arrows at 20 to 30 yards daily. I like to at least shoot 240 to 300 shots per day so I shoot in groups of 6 times 2 with 2 targets in each set.
I hold the shots for about 3 seconds to get a rythm with some sets I hold 10 to 20 seconds for conditioning. That helps against the expectation release you were talking about.
Anyway, good video. I bought a few antique Hoyt bows, and some ILF set ups to experiment with. I just got a 75 pound 75% compound off E bay and it is like shooting a recurve almost. It shot my 750 grain arrows at around 260 feet per second. I bought it though for the riser to use for conversion to recurve or longbow ILF FALL set up. I plan to Video shooting tests of it soon, and will link it if you are interested.
You always make my day with your video's. Haratio Fales. Blue Dragon Archery. Cheyenne Wyoming.
Love what your doing Clay, big fan of original archery. More trad = more deer in the woods!
I'm jumping in man! I'd love to be a part of the comunity! Awesome timing on this vid. I just had a talk with my friend abot trad, compounds and crossbows trying to find my arguments for trad without beeing the robin hood romantic fool. Probably I will have to master (and buy!!!) the compund to be able to bowhunt in sweden in the future... But until we even know if we're going to get regulations for that I'll start with the trad! Thanks man!
Mastery of oneself is the journey and reward of traditional archery! The stick, string and bow is simple in its function and peace in its simplicity!
I've all but put my compound up to shoot traditional. Opening day is this Saturday, I'll be in the woods with my longbow
When I switched. I sold my PSE and bought a hickory long bow. Got damn good at shooting. Snuck up on a deer to 8 yards and shot a foot over her back lol
Way more fun in that one miss with the trad than I’ve had with the 30 kills with a compound
I've had my Samick Sage for 9 years now, starting to develop slight limb twist, but doesn't seem to affect the accuracy. I can shoot groups as good as my compound friends.
Mine too, do you use a bow stringer?
@@SergioMartinez-xv9tt I had until I noticed the twisting. The twisting is bad enough now I get my forearm slapped. Shimmed the limbs to straighten it out alittle, but I have purchased a new long bow that’s coming in about a week or so.
For me, it's very similar to firearms. I own several AR's and AK's...but I enjoy my black powder guns more, especially when hunting. It's about the challenge.
Clay how about a video on choosing and tuning arrows for a trad bow? Great video!!
Wonderful video and good comparison. I will always say the compounds are great bows but traditional is here my heart is. What was the fastest bow you have ever made and what style and weight was it?
learned on a recurve it was hard but enjoyed it haven't shot in a long time but now I have a son and am willing to teach him and learn as well
Always great Stu. This video makes me want to play with my recurves again
Ive only been in the game since September last year. Ive found myself loving recurve bows more than the compound, im lucky enough to have enough room to build a range in the backyard so ive spent alot of time shooting both. I prefer recurve simple due the fact its always ready* ive had my 160$ release malfunction ive had peep sights unalign and cams fail but the recurves keep it moving. Jmo🤷🏾 I'm pretty on point with traditional bows and ive refused to put any sights on em.
Clay you hit the nail on the head,biggest issue for me was second guessing myself tate before the release
I’ve got a random 40 lb cheap recurve, it’s easier than compound for me, keep in mind I have a super entry level compound, but still. It’s cheaper, just as accurate at hunting distances if forms good, etc.
I took up compound for the first time a few years ago. In michigan, I have not had an opportunity to shoot at a deer yet that I couldn't have done with my longbow. In fact, I missed a shot that I am confident I would have hit with my longbow. I think both are great for the person who wants to shoot them, but I learned very fast that modern doesn't mean better, and they are equal. Shooting technique changes drastically for them though, so don't forget which bow is in your hand or you will never find that carbon arrow 3 feet into the dirt
For anyone here considering picking up a new recurve...
For a beginner I'd say the samick sage or one of the black hunter variants. "Both cheap on amazon" Loved my sage had it for about 5 years my brother has been shooting it for 3 years now and it's still serving him well.
He even used it for bowfishing.🤷♂️
For someone more experienced looking for something better I just picked up a Bear Super Kodiak and walked out with it fully set up and a handful of arrows for about $720.
The bow alone usually goes for around $500-$600 and it's truly a GREAT bow.
Beside a my first bow ever "a black bear compound from the 80's" these are the only ones I've personally owned. However I've shot many others and these still remain as my personal favorites for what I could afford.
If you'd like to tell me of some alternatives then please do as I'd be happy to see what other people recommend for beginners or those more experienced.
No joke that was a VERY long hold for a trad bow! Very nice indeed!
Got my 1st recurve in '69...a Bear 🐻 Tigercat 45#...next I got a Ben Pearson 50# takedown bow...then I got a Wing Archery 45# short recurve...my Jr. year in high school I had major reconstructive knee surgery from a football injury...while rehabbing I would shoot about 3 hours a day after school...in college I sat out 2 years and went with my Dad to work on the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline...when I got back I started back to college and during that time got away from archery....but now my son enjoys shooting🏹🎯...he's got a PSE recurve...+ my 3 recurves...2 shoulder quivers full of aluminum and handmade wooden arrows I found on-line for him....we also have 2 compounds that neither of us has shot more than a couple of times...❤ traditional archery....got my very first bow when I was about 9...a small wooden recurve
I think you Clay make this trad-shooting more complicated and confusing than it really is, heck if through practice you can throw or pitch a ball across home plate and stay in the strike-zone you can shoot trad ,it is called hand-eye cordination
Nice comparison, I've only tried a bare recurve bow and taught myself within 2 weeks instinctive shooting
I love my Compound bow, but there’s something about hunting with your own Osage now that you can’t get with compound.
Great job. you cover the subject completely.
Clay...I dig your advice....be careful introducing the bad habit of flinching or target panic into an archers mindset...It has never been a problem for me shooting a bow... Shooting a shotgun at clays is another story for me. I have found that sometimes bad habits are developed and can get into your head just because someone told you it would...or could...With all due respect Clay, keep on educating your audience...Aside from you...One guy that I truly admire is Chuck Adams...I am guessing you have met him..I have had the honor, and shook his big bear paw of a hand. I believe in Chucks inspirational sign off statement from a weekly TV show he used to cameo in where he would finish with the words....”Yes You Can”
Great vid. Can you tell us what poundage you shoot. I was trying a 58 “ 58 pnd black widow PTG. I’m a bricklayer by trade and not short on strength but it seemed hard to shoot this bow unless I shot it every day. I picked up a Martin dream catcher. 60” 50 pnds Its an awesome bow to shoot. I had to change arrows but I’m ready for my moose hunt. Thanks
I bought a Ben Pearson Rogue recurve in 1977 for $39, which was 50% off retail then. It still shoots as well today as when new, with zero maintenance in 40 years. Bought a compound bow ten years ago, it's so obsolete that you can't even find information about it on the net.
Clay. A great video. I am new to archery. Never considered a compound. Shooting a tradtech and a bear ausable.
Thanks for making this Clay!
Gonna add this for people interested into getting into traditional archery the samick sage is a good bow but compared to some of my nicer bows my favorite is my black hunter I got the longbow comes in both recurve and longbow and is between 100-120 bucks and it is an INCREDIBLE bow for the price it's going with me into the woods come October and to the elk woods next September I absolutely love the black hunter
Where did you get that bow? When i google it its so many random website I'm not sure which websites are legitimate 😅😂🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
Clay Hayes, What recurve would you recommend for hunting?
My biggest problem with not getting good accuracy with my recurve bow is that I'm gripping my bow really hard right after I let go of the string, what is a way I could fix this?
Hold your bow with just your index and thumb, your palm should just support the back of the handle of your bow when you draw it back
I was doing the same with my compound, I started using a sling that went around my wrist. I think I was squeezing the handle because I was afraid of dropping the bow (which I have done), having the insurance of the sling allowed me to relax subconsciously and keep a relaxed grip after the release. For a trad bow maybe you could use an Olympic style "sling" that goes from your index to thumb around the handle.