Recurves versus Compounds?

[Chuck S]

I caught a post in the string about Crossbows where someone was commenting on the inherent accuracy of compounds. Years back one could find scads of bow hunting articles where the author and friends were using a recurve with sights, releases, etc. Sad to say that nowadays too many folks bow to peer pressure and opt for the compound rather than outfitting their recurve with sights/peep and using a release. For me it's still a pleasure to use the lighter, more handy recurve while getting accuracy that's close to a compound in most all areas except for the flatter shot. I figure for my compound my max range for Pronghorns, for instance is at 45 yds with ideal conditions while with the recurve it's about 8 yds yds shorter. From a blind where carrying isn't in the mix the compound is the meow but when stalking or still hunting it's recurve or long bow more often than not.

By the way, with the compound and short recurve sights and a release tighten the groups considerably while with my longer recurve and longbow "instinct" shooting provides adequate groups for out to about 30 yds.

[LampLighter]

I always wanted to master a recurve. I know if I put the time in I could. I think about it alot. I tried alot 2 summers ago. Just couldn't get it consistent. My friend, who shoots tournaments, came over . We had a bbq/shoot match type gathering. 2 other friends came too. My tournament friend had a Black Widow with a fat riser. I shot it very well.

I would jump up, stand on my head and spit wooden nickels, if the refuge changed the season to a simple two part season : early archery recurve or longbow only, and a later rifle season- no 45/70, no in-line, just plain old rifle.
Man I would buy whatever bow I needed no matter how much it costs . But sadly, those days will never be seen again.


I took this little fellow at 15 yards, on the ground standing next to a tree. It would have been a perfect recurve shot. I usually let these go, but I decided to take this particular one for sausage

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm148/manygobbles/P1020003.jpg

[GF.]

JMO, Chuck... If you're going to shoot with sights and a release, why the hell would you not opt for the advantage of let-off to improve your steadiness while settling the sight pins?

20-some years ago, I had a 50% let-off compound, and I couldn't shoot it as well with sights as I could just sighting down the shaft, or even just doing the same point-an'-shoot that I'd been doing my whole life. My new compound, totally different animal.

Squatch's Bighorn, totally different animal, too. Smooth, fast enough, and hits where I point it out to about as far as my #1 pin will shoot.

I love the light weight and quickness of a recurve, too. I just don't see any sense in saddling it with a bunch of modern geegaws that work so much better on a wheelbow. The only downside to that is that - and probably more because I'm anal about precise shot placement than anything else - is that I don't feel comfortable hunting with the instinctive system unless I'm shooting regularly at unmarked distances out in the woods. It's not that I don't have the discipline to wait for the 'gimme' shots with the recurve so much as that I just don't have enough time or places to hunt to be able to load the freezer every year with the recurve, and with the compound it's not anywhere near as difficult to know, feel, and believe that I'm totally solid at ranges in the mid 20s to mid 30s, which is where I can't keep 90+% of my shots in the 8-ring without hitting the 3D course for at least an hour or two at least once per week.

So the recurve is my Bow and the compound is my String Rifle.

[Bowhunter57]

Archery is full of personal choices and that's what attracts so many to it. :)

There is no versus. It's a choice...plain and simple. Each weapon has its' own advantages over the other, but both have their place/purpose too...pending the shooter.

I have a good friend that I never would've thought he would switch to a compound, as he shot a recurve so very well, it made everyone want to shoot one too. None the less, he switched. He said that he just got "burnt out", still likes recurves, but wanted to shoot something different. This guy was good...real good with a recurve, as he was 2 years as Traditional National Champion.

I shoot a compound because I like the accuracy it affords me, over a recurve. Not that a recurve can't be as accurate, but not in MY hands.

Good hunting, Bowhunter57