Help me out

[Max]

Hey guys,

If you've been following my last threads you'll know I'm new to deer hunting. I was so taken with rifle season I want to try bow season.

Sooo...I'll be asking some questions for a while. Probably be rolling your eye's and wishing someone would put me out of my misery by the time I'm done. So let me start with this. I'm not new to bow shooting but I might as well be and I've never been bow hunting. Except for last week I haven't drawn a bow in many moons.

I inherited two bows from my father. One is a Bear Whitetail Hunter compound (50-60#, set at 50#) and the other is a Bear Polar recurve-47# (that was written on the side near the grip. I spoke to a guy at Bear Archery and with the serial number and other markings he couldn't tell me much). I had them checked out and both are in great shape. After replacing the string on both I tried them out.

Here's the question: I was shooting better with the recurve then I was with the compound. Is this normal? If not. any ideas? I know it's not much information but I'm not sure what you need to know to help me out.
BTW I really love shooting the recurve.

I was using new Beamen 400 carbon arrows with 100gr field tips.

There's the first one. Jump in and set this old fart straight.

Max

[KwackWacker]

Sounds like you have a natural ability to shoot instinctively (without sights). People like that tend to be really good shots with a shotgun because you don't actually aim a shotgun, you point it. Pretty much the same thing with a recurve. If it wasn't for the fact that I don't have much time anymore, I would shoot a recurve but it takes a lot of practice and practice takes time. If you like the recurve go for it. Just know beforehand that your range is more limited than a compound. Folks have been killing deer with recurves for far longer than the compound bow has been around. For proof, go to google and type in "fred bear / archery" and check out what Old Fred did in his hay day.
I would say that compound you have is almost an antique. My first compound was a Bear Whitetail II, that joker had a mile of cables and string (maybe not an actual mile but you know what I'm saying) and about 6 pulleys and wheels. It was a monster, but it shot good.

As far as you asking questions, I'll tell you like my Dad told me, the only stupid question is the one that isn't asked.

[gary c.]

Your problem with the compound is that it probably needs to be tuned to fit you. Your draw length, peep sight adjustment, arrow rest all need to be tuned for your body and not your Dads. You even want to make sure that your arrows are at least somewhat correct for the set-up you are useing. Coming straight from someone else to your use the recurve is much more forgiving.
Gary C.

[Max]

Thanks for the help.

gary c, That makes perfect sence. My build and my fathers are 180 degrees apart. I spoke to one of the guys at "Sportsmans Warehouse" when I got the new string. He told me to bring it back in so we can do just that.

KwackWacker, funny you mentioned the shotgun shooting. The only hunting I've done in the past twenty-five years is upland and waterfowl. During the summer I shoot clays for practice. Maybe that carried over to the bow. As for the compound, mine's the same. About a mile of cable and heavy.

As for distance, I'm shooting the the recurve at about 30yards. Is that right or should I move up, back? What kind of distance do you get with a compound?

Max

[KwackWacker]

With the recurve, you're maxed out at 30 yards. With THAT compound you could get to 40 yards. Not much of a difference, but the recurve is slower and louder. If you wanted to drop some money on a new bow I know guys that consistently kill deer out to 70 or 80 yards, but to get a low end set up would run up to $650 or $700 and for a really good set up you could easily spend $1000. Try to set up that old Whitetail bow for you and see if you like a compound or recurve better. I would ask the guys at your local archery shop to watch you shoot both the compound and the recurve and let you know if you're doing something wrong. Shooting a compound is a lot different from shooting a recurve and the methods are almost opposites.

[Max]

Great idea my friend. That's what I'll do.

[redruff]

If you are consistently shooting tight groups with a recurve at 30 yards I'd say you are well on your way my man!

There tends to be two major camps...
The compound dudes and the primitive(recurve) types.
Within the compound group there are release shooters....probably 95% of shooters..and finger shooters.

it all depends on taste. I use to shoot a compound with no sights and fingers, but when I kept seeing the young bucks hit dimes at 50 yards.....well....I wanted some of that...I still get a little a teary when I see my ole bow hanging in the garage. But I go shot my sexy new speed machine and I'm over it!