they only do recurve, I had a loaner about 20 lbs. Shot from 10 and 20 meters. Started with the eye test I am right handed for this. But I do many things left handed such as eat, shave, brush teeth, and so on. Only things I do right handed are write and throw a ball. I use left hand for frisbee. I think I am actually left handed. My brother is right handed but is a lefty for golf and baseball batting. Next lesson is superbowl sunday, this is an indoor range. He also sells equipment but doesn’t care if you use his. He has some people who have used his loaners for 2 years or more. He said I will start out with light arrows. I need to work on my upper body strength but I belong to Y so that is easy. I think I covered everything but you can ask me anything . The guy worked 15 years for Microsoft but he does this full time now. He is level 4 coach which is highest level in US
I confined myself to a 30# recurve to leave the option open of doing SCA light war fighting and that’s plenty to work with, especially if you’re really working out with it a lot. I CAN shoot a 45# recurve but I’ll get tired way sooner, the 30# is plenty for me.
From what you describe he’s basically doing the same thing I would and depending on who he has the rating through I would say he really earned it - he knows his stuff.
With a lot of states making crossbows legal for hunting I would call PA more like 60% compound, 30 cross, 10 others. The thing with the people I know hunting with recurves is that they have a seriously high success rate. And the few people I know using their bows for things other than deer (small game for example) are a vast majority going recurve. The exception seems to be bow-fishing but that could be because of how many compounds basically come out of the box tapped in such a way to fit a reel.
He is certified by National Training System which is what the Olympic trainers use. I’m in NC so maybe he was saying 90% compound bows for hunters here.
I don’t doubt the 90 % figure. It applies where I live. Most people, when deciding on hobby equipment, choose the latest, most-modern, most advertised option, and in archery that is a recent-gen. compound bow. (Crossbows are illegal to hunt with here). However, the recurve / instinctive / trad guys have more fun. I make my own bowhunting equipment out of wood I cut myself, so you can guess how much fun I have.
Always struck me that way as well. I had one ages ago when some of the meets had a class for them but it just never stuck at all. Heck, most of the time I still go bare-bow – I just have more fun old school.
They’re legal in every state except Oregon, but in a handful you need to meet some exceptions. Otherwise it depends, states west of and including the Rockies generally only allow it during general weapon season (looks like WY is the only exception), so it’s crippling you vs. a rifle. In many eastern states, they can be used in archery season and it almost certainly improves 99% of peoples’ effectiveness.
I’ve never hunted with a crossbow (or a recurve, for that matter). How much flatter do they shoot? Do they come with similar width broadheads?
I’ve shot crossbows before, but never thought about hunting with one. Do you keep it drawn all of the time, and only nock a bolt when you’re ready to shoot?
Quite a bit flatter depending on the draw weight; PA wants 150# and up for crossbows for big game. (Deer and bear mostly)
At least as far as I teach and practice, no matter what kind of bow, you don’t nock an arrow until you get “on stand”; if you try stalking through the woods with a broadhead on the string you are usually a bigger threat to yourself than any game that may pop up. So for the most point my advice is not cocking until you get to your location. If you need to/decide to move from there you pull the bolt and safely quiver it and do so/move with care. Personally if I am moving very far I snag an “uncocking bolt” (an older bolt with a more target point) and fire it into a dead stump or log. You do NOT want to fire just the string – unless you are the proud owner of a string and crossbow factory in which case go for it.
Well, you can but really, if you’re standing at a gas station pumping away with a loaded crossbow in your hands I doubt the owner is goingt o say anything to you. The cops, definitely, but not you…
BTW, congrats on finding a new hobby that will get you hooked in no time and what did you decide for your son?
Cool. Once you have a feel for what you want definitley check out the Lancaster Archery website. They have great deals on quite often. The Black max 40# limbs and Hoyt riser I bought were both 30% off.
