I got into trad shooting this past hunting year after i shot both my deer with my compound. I am determined to hunt with my trad bows until I take a deer. The more I think about it the more I think i want to sell my compound. Everyone I talk to says i will regret it and go back to my compound and not to do it. So who has given up the training wheels and never regretted it or looked back?

You are in charge of what you do, not someone else, so I wouldn't give a care what someone else said. I last shot a compound for hunting in 1980....37 years ago. I do have one in the basement that I may use for a Frankenbow in the future, or even as it is if physical limitation would call for it....but only then I suppose. I'm 71 so no guarantees there. The first thing you want to do is not pay attention to naysayers who seem to want you to fail. That isn't their choice.

I use em up to convert to ILF and use them that way.

hang on to it its not eating anything you never know what life will bring you. some go back to hunting with wheels because they do not get enough time to stay proficient with the stick bow,a smart move in there case, and some go back because of injury and can not pull there stick bow. i was there once with shoulder surgery took me 3 years to get back to my hunting recurve.

I went from sticks as a kid and young man, then tried compounds from the mid 70's to early 80's.

I returned to "trad" and have never left...I just like it. In my mid 60's, I've dropped to 53lb from shooting 70+, but that's OK. I'm having fun.

I won't begrudge or belittle anyone for their choices...that's exactly what they are...theirs.

Gave them damn things up about 20 plus years ago. Could never figure out which string to pull!

I did in 1991

Personally. I'll shoot any bow. Doesn't matter to me. I haven't personally owned a compound in 30 years or so. But, I piddle in the sorting goods world, so I have shot many of them

Despite what lots of folks would have you think, they all have their unique challenges. And shooting a recurve or longbow isn't anything like an elite club.

My favorites right now are native American reproductions. Who knows, I may never buy another glass laminated bow.

Many moons ago. Really lost interest when they went to "release" compounds. Archery for me has always been fingers on the string. Won't say never........

I gave up my wheels in 2004 and it was the best thing i have ever done. That being said i have hunted and killed with a crossbow but that was a strictly the freezer is empty deer over corn pile situation. All of which is legal where i am before the haters start in. Trad is a lifetime of fun and learning. So simple but so much to learn.

I echo the sentiments of those wise people who posted above me.

If you shoot it well and have space to store it (and don't need the $$) then why not keep it?

I will be happy to end up with one of every type/style of finger shooting bow made that I can shoot well- just to mix it up and keep it fun.

Mastering (or trying to) a bunch of different equipment can only make you better in the long run.

I gave up on compound after shooting 10 deer with it. Then I harvested 3 deer with a recurve in 2012&2013. Then fall of 14 I missed 13 and crippled 3. I was frustrated, I could shoot target fine but lost my confidence when it came to crunch time. I was missing deer at ten yards, I wasn't trying far shots that wasn't my issue. It was mental...If a guy missed with a compound he checks his sights to make adjustments. If a guys misses with trad bow he makes mental adjustments. That being said I went back to compound fall of 15&16. Killed a buck and 3 does the last two falls. It want the same tho, it wasn't as special anymore. I have been shooting my recurve again ever since this past fall compound kills. I'd say I switched back for good but time will tell. If I can't seem to put good shots into deer this fall I may pick up the compound. Kerry's just hope I keep my confidence up. That's my story. Good luck!

started trad 2 years ago just as a hobby thing. Have not picked up my compound since, cant even say where it is..

I last shot a compound in 1996.

I did in 1992.

I wrote down something too nasty about compounds to hit the submit button. Was trying to jump on the classifieds and hit the compound site by mistake. The first post, "Small, battery-operated quiet fan".

I kid you not. If there was any thing good about the compound I've yet to find it.

Bowmania

around 1980

Been shooting "Trad" since '90; I picked up a compound about 6-8 years ago because I didn't have much time to practice, what with a 25,000 mile/year commute and all...

It was a pretty quick one, too - 1 pin out to about 23 yards, 3rd pin was On at 40, I think, and I had 2 left over. Beyond the first pin, though, I was having to judge distance and pick a pin and it's a funny thing, but to be any good at that takes some actual PRACTICE.... So my functional hunting range was really no greater than with a recurve. And when you miss a target with a compound, those arrows GET lost, and STAY lost. Anxiety-provoking, when the landowner has dogs and you don't want them finding your broadheads around...

So since I really needed to practice just as much with it as with a recurve in order to have the same effective hunting range... and because I got busted on the draw by a nice cow when I drew too early because I was trying to not get busted... and because I missed a chance at a whole HERD of Elk when the drop-away got frozen up in a snowstorm... and because that sucker weighed WAY too much to ever haul it up to 10,000 feet EVER AGAIN. It wasn't getting a lot o' love around here. I did get a deer with it, at about 4 yards, but I wasn't used to shooting at steep angles and at that close range, my shot went high and I only got the top of the off lung, so I had to take a follow-up anyway. Can't imagine whiffing like that at the same range with a stick.

Traded it off a few months ago and couldn't be happier with the deal. Pretty sure that if I ever get to where I can't shoot RC/LB, I probably won't be any better off with a compound, but we'll see about that when I get there.

But for me, and for the ways I like to hunt, RCLB is the superior weapon. It's only "more challenging" than a compound if you can't shoot sticks past 50 feet.

Gave my compound up in 93 never wanted to use one again. Maybe due to an injury I may think about it. But you never know nothing is certain in life.

I last shot a compound bow in 1995. I had a Hoyt wheel bow for 10 years. It took me a year or so to get it set up to where I didn't need to be constantly tinkering with it. The the string broke at full draw and pieces went flying. It immediately went in the trash and I picked up a X-200 and been shooting sticks ever since.

Sold my compound a week after receiving my first longbow about 12 years ago. No regrets!

I gave up compound about 8 years ago. Headed to Kansas " I hope " This fall with some buddies whom all shoot Crossbow who all say I will regret not having a crossbow. I aim to prove them wrong

keep your compound. i had a hart attack and was able to keep hunting with a compound.i Also drove a tractor & trailer for years and did not have time to practice enough to be hunt ready with trad gear.in both cases the compound kept me bowhunting

I enjoy shooting my compound bows every now and then. I do not plan to get rid of them, or my guns. I did get rid of my crossbow, hated it.

Life too short to be a purest...Mix it up

I've considered buying a compound to use on coyotes and small game. Maybe big game if my trad bow breaks. I had 2 selfbows blow this turkey season. They're all tools, I just prefer the ease and quiet of a recurve. And how cheap it is!! Personally, i'd keep the compound too.

Never shot a compound. Started with a longbow in the fifties and never wanted to change. I like the simplicity of a longbow and enjoy making my own wood arrows.

I still shoot and hunt with my compound.I have a super nice longbow and plan on doing most of my hunting with it, but the compound is fun to me so I keep it and enjoy. Like above I like most anything bow related. My dad went to a crossbow this past season. I'm not really a fan, but if the wrong situation came about, I would do that to to stay in the woods. -And on days when I am really shooting terribly, I grab the compound just to make sure I can still shoot with sights. LOL

-Bones

Just sold my compound! I'm committed to making the recurve work. Good luck

Gave up gadget bows 20 years ago..too easy ! Never shot a crossgun, no interest..not bow hunting! Gave up Bang Sticks 40 years ago...Too easy! 100% recurves and long bows for everything from bear to small game in all seasons....If I can't get it with a stick bow I'll do without.... Just my honest 2 cents.

I'm 37 years old. I sold my last compound 5 years ago and have never missed it. It sat in bow case a year before that because I was scared to sell it. When I harvested my first deer with a recurve I was hooked.there was nothing like it. Almost like getting my first deer all over again. I have now harvested several different animals with both longbow and recurve and have no plans if ever having another compound. But you need to do what you think is best for you. Good luck with your decision !

My Mathews had been collecting dust for several years. Got it off the rack last week and shot about a dozen arrows. Don't know why...the mood just struck me for some reason. Forgot how much harder it is on my shoulder. Been sore ever since lol.

Compounds are history in my world.

Gave them up in '89

What's a compound?

Gave up my compound 10 years ago after I took my first deer with my recurve and haven't looked back since. I'm glad I did because I'm addicted now, but I have no problem with people that shoot compounds. This is America and you can shoot whatever you want and my opinion does not matter. Shoot whatever you love to shoot.

I switched 10 years ago and sold all of my compounds, never regretted it.

I haven't given it up I just haven't shot it.

Tried it for about 5 yrs from late 70s to early 80s. Then had a chance to shoot a custom recurve and was hooked for good. I have no interest in shooting a compound and if and when my health happens to go downhill, I'll just drop down in dw.

MP

I shoot them all and especially love my old classic compounds (Jennings Super Ts, Browning Woodsmans, Golden Eagles, Carrolls, etc.) They give me the same sense of nostalgia that my "trad" bows give me.

p.s. And, heck, my classic compounds have been around longer than most of the "custom" trad bows have been around.

Sold my compound in '88 or '89 for $100. It was a browning excellorater. Wood riser. Could never get that rattle trap quiet. Built my first recurve in '87. Been shooting my own creations ever since.

I gave up my wheels a few years back.. never think back... i love it to pull the string with my fingers, the nice looking feathers on my arrows, no sights to adjust, etc... i like to shoot my ilf risers too but a wooden bow out in the woods has a soul.. . dont sell the compound, there is a moment you pick it up drew a few shoots and you pick up your trad gear with a smile in your face.. dont give a crap what other people say, it is your way to go. And do it like you want.

Never shot a compound. Maybe someday I will. However, everytime I see my wife's compound it kinda makes me nauseous because one day she accidentally torqued the string, it came off the cam, and we had to wait until the next day to take it to a shop to restring it with a bowpress.

Sold my compound in 94, then bought a long...and many bows after that

I bought me a recurve bow in November. I have 2 compound bows and have been thinking about selling one of them to buy me another recurve or longbow. I'm going to hold on to one compound bow. I have a lot of money tied up in the one I'm going to keep. I really like to shoot the traditional bow. To me it just seems simpler and my accuracy is pretty good. My goal is to take a dear with it this year. Oh yeah, can't forget my favorite. Going to do lots of small game hunting with the the recurve. It is more fun than hunting with the 22 rifle. Now to answer the question. I haven't gave it up yet but I'm headed that way. LOL

Dan

If it's a wheel bow you really like and shoot well, keep it. If it's not special, sell it. I regretted selling mine and now have another. My practice time is limited these days and it's nice to have for a backup.

I always shot a recurve and longbow and switched to self bows. I got a hand injury and ended up buying a compound. I like shooting my compound as much as I like shooting all my other bows. Since I'm older a lot of my buddies went to crossbows and they all love them. I don't have a problem with whatever bow a person chooses to use. I do have a problem with trad shooters who think their special.lol

Only recurve and long bows for me but if you have a compound too I would keep it and enjoy that too. Shoot them all.

I've been lobbing arrows from bows since the mid-1960s and have always used stick bows. I have never even held a compound (bow that is)....never had the desire to use one.

I sold mine about three years ago and didn't shoot it for a few years before that. I generally only regret it at the end of a season and my freezer is empty and I know some shots I had to pass could of easily been made with a Compound. I've taken a number of animals though that always eluded me with a Compound in the past so it's kind of a wash in that respect. I won't go back unless it gets to a point that I can't shoot a trad bow though

Sold mine too many years ago to remember but that doesn't mean you should. Do what you are comfortable with, I have never missed mine but you may. Hunt as you like.

I have a Mathews DXT training wheel bow. When I got into Trad the bow went into the closet, collecting dust. But I won't sell it. And I won't use it.

I started with long bow. Moved into compound and have been back to long bow.

No regrets at all. Sold that heavy expensive thing with all its gadgets for 20 bucks in a garage sale. He was thrilled and so was I.

I'd say, don't give much power to others preferences. If you think you might enjoy it, go for it. I love my light weight bow, the simplicity of it and certainly the magic of a well loosed arrow. There's just something more natural about it for me.

Happy journey

Been over 25 years for me. I believe that it is a function of time and dedication whether you go back or not. You certainly can't just pick up your bow once a year like a compound and be proficient like a lot of people do with their wheels. I have started a lot of people out in archery and the way I steer them is always based on how much time they are willing to practice. Some people simply do not have a lot of time....and should therefore stick with a compound. Just my .02 Regards

Shot a compound for 2 years in the late 80s. Met a merchant at a deer & turkey expo in 1990 that sold traditional bows & accessories. Bought a Damon Howatt, 2 dz cedars and never looked back. If I weren't able to shoot a recurve or longbow anymore I think I'd just wait for smokepole season before I'd shoot wheels.

Most of my shots the past 2 years i hhave taken all my deer within long bow range 25 yards or under. When I was younger i would shoot out to 40 yards and wounded a lot of animals so I made sure i onky shoot 30 and less. With my recurve or long bow im excellent out to 25 yards. I might just get a new string for it since mine broke over Easter and just keep it. Let it collect dust

I really enjoy shooting my recurves, longbow AND compound. To each their own.

If you are really serious about wanting to shoot traditional bows you will best be served by selling off your compound bow as that will eliminate the urge to go back to it if things are not working out well with the trad bow. Dedicate yourself to learning to shoot your trad bow well and get rid of the temptation to switch.

Gave up compound 23 years ago and have never regretted it.

I never shot a book animal until I gave up the compound. In the process I realized a bow is a more effective weapon. You may gain a little yardage with a compound, but they are soooooooo sloooooow. If I have to shoot fast and not gap it probably takes max 3 seconds.

Plus you know the compound guys envy us. They see a trophy animal taken with a bow and they say, "... and he took it with a trad bow". I can't tell you how many times I heard that.

Bowmania

I'm with Justinspicher, 10 years ago tomorrow. I gave my compound away on the advice of a friend who had been struggling with the recurve and switched back and forth a few times and was not doing well with either. Therefore 10 years ago tomorrow I got my recurve and gave my compound away before I ever shot the recurve. Made up some arrows, and have never looked back or regretted it.

oz

Gave mine away a few years ago. It was just collecting dust.

Bowmania, the good thing about a compound is how much leverage they gave us as a sport. Without them, we wouldn't have grown into a "voice" nearly as quickly as we did. Inanimate objects are neither good nor bad, that's a human trait. How you use them identifies you, more than if you use them.

Back when the first ones came out, nearly everyone shot with fingers....and releases were around before compounds so there was an evolution there as well. Compound makers made the bow into a "release necessary" item by shortening it so much it became a task to shoot with fingers. Old compounds are still around and quite shootable with fingers...just like short recurves are.

Gave mine up for good several years ago. Have shot recurves since 1968. Went to a compound in the late 70's and switched back and forth several times since. I just feel more like I'm really hunting with my recurve in hand. Plus like Bowmania said the shot sequence is way faster. I have killed animals with my recurve that I know I couldn't have pulled off with a compound, but I cannot recall any taken with a compound that I could not have killed with a recurve. Anyone feel like that?

I went to a compound in 1975, hunted with them in 1976, and 1977. Then went back to a recurve in 1978. Bought a longbow in 1992. I shot a compound once on a bear hunting trip in about 2000. One of the guys I hunted with wanted to see me shoot his compound, so I drew it back and accidently shot his carbon arrow into the air out, over the lake. He waited for over an hour for the wind to drift his arrow back to shore, and wouldn't let me touch his bow again! That's the only time I've shot a compound since 1977.

Did in 2010

Never had a compound to give up. Have shot recurves and now ASL style since a kid. Guess if you have to ask a bunch of strangers what to do, you better hang on to the wheels until you give the non-compounds a good try.

Bought my first one several yrs ago and maybe have 100 shots through it, only reason is nerve disease and several rotators surgeries, still in the case if anyone interested in a Elite 35 50# pm me and a trade or deal can be worked out, just goes against my yrs with the recurve other than that it is a deadly weapon.

I bought my first recurve 30 years ago. Put the compound in the case and never looked back.

I sold mine in 1977 and said I would never use or handicap myself with a compound device again . But now that I'm old and having elbow and shoulder problems you never know what I may have to do down the road sometime .

Bought and used one for a few years but never liked it, never could hit squat with it because I tried to shoot it in the manner you would a recurve, and I just never wanted to put sights or any thing else on it. A guys gave me sights, I put them on, never used them, and them hung the bow up for good. I am not even sure why I ever bought it in the first place. I didn't need let down, I shoot in the 60s # range, and just draw and shoot instinctively anyway. It was far more of a detraction and crimp in my style and it 'took a few good years away' from my trad shooting and hunting, regretfully. That was back in the 80s.

I hunted with a compound for 35 years and shot a lot of deer with it. During that time period a lot of my hunting friends had converted to hunting with "traditional" equipment but I never really had a desire to switch because I was so confident with the compound. Well that all changed 4 years ago when we all got together to shoot and I grabbed my buddies back-up Martin recurve and shot a couple of rounds with it... I hadn't shot a recurve since I was thirteen, but for some reason shot extremely well on that day... and this was all that was needed for me to catch the bug. My best friend gifted me a Bear TD under the condition that I use it during the next deer season and while practicing with it over the offseason, I literally fell in love with shooting a bow all over again... I hadn't enjoyed practicing or shooting like this for as long as I could remember. I haven't sold my compound yet (probably never will), but I can honestly say that I haven't shot it once in the last 4 years and will be forever grateful to my buddies for convincing me to give the recurve a try... since then I have acquired a few more recurves which is the other bug that I've seemed to have caught... as you can all attest it is addictive to say the least :)

I'm a hunter first and foremost, so I don't give up any of my options but I know which ones I prefer.

"If there was any thing good about the compound I've yet to find it"

worst post I have read in quite awhile I could write paragraphs on how that bow, has served the world of archery, but with this group, it would be a waste of time......

Ha Ha its funny seeing this thread because I may be going to compound after 30yrs of stickbows,,, I kill deer every year with longbows selfbows and recurves, I have maybe over 70 trophys and I've been on this forum since the first month Pat started it so I'm pretty hardcore when it comes to my stickbows.

trust me I'm not bragging this really stinks and I don't like it at all but recently I had shoulder surgery and after two months it seems whatever the guy did it had nothing to do with the pain I originally went in there for,, seems like nothing has changed at all with the pain,, which is a really sharp tearing pain I ONLY feel when I draw back a bow.

I may have to go to a 40lb compound this year to hopefully save my shoulder for future years hoping the 85% let off should make it 10 lb hold and I can at least still hunt.

I haven't been shooting any bows at all and waiting last minute to make that change but if I still have pain in September its my only choice or get a crossbow license that has to be signed by that same Doctor OR avoid archery all together,,, I do have 45lb longbows but holding back 45# compared to 10 lb is a huge difference and this is for meat at this point trust me.

I've never owned a compound in 42 years.I have shot a couple just out of curiosity.

Nothing against them, I just prefer a recurve or longbow.

I quit compounds in 89 after having two different compound bow limbs break while I was drawing on deer.

I found was better at killing deer with a recurve than I was with a compound. It make me a better hunter and my shots were easier.

Been shooting since 1980, never owned a compound in my life, started with recurves. However, as I get older, if pulling hunting-weight limbs gets too difficult, I would have no qualms about FINISHING with a compound! If I couldn't pull a compound, I'd hang it up - rather hunt with my 6.5 Creedmoor than a stupid x-bow.

I started with recurves when I was a kid. Got hooked into a compound when I was about 20. Only had it couple years. Sold it in 1980. Been shooting a longbow since then.

I started with recurves as a kid in the early 60's. I think I got my first compound in around 1979. Shot compounds for several years and am back to the recurves and my recurves are like my wife of 41 years. I love them more and more every day. I have not shot a compound in a while now but sometimes I think I will just pull one out and shoot for old times sake. I just never get around to it. I have nothing against compound shooters at all. Shoot what YOU like. Have fun.

I still enjoy my compound now and then. I shoot with a back tension release and enjoy shooting them. I'm keeping one around. I do like my black widow recurves and long bows more.Im with Bigdog21 and Drybones on this one.

never had compound, if i shot one would i want to sell my recurve

I've never shot a compound bow. Does that count?

They are different and an enjoyment but stick bows rule

I was shooting a wheel bow while others were enamored with cams. My bow was so slow, we called it "the club".

After four years with a compound, I switched because I wanted the simplicity of traditional bows. Now, after twenty years with a recurve, I have no regrets and no plans of returning. I might shoot my old wheel bow out of curiosity some day, but I can't see a serious hunt with it in my future. If any archery related mechanical device finds its way back into my hunting, it would probably be a release with a wrist strap. I always appreciated that thing.

Do not own cbow, and never will. Not against them...my son shoots one and shoots it very accurately I might add. He converted from stick to cbow two seasons ago. Cbows are not for me however, I like sticks and always have, plus I like shooting up close. Regardless it's your decision what to shoot and what to keep.

One year, early 70s, I went to an archery shop in Sioux Falls to buy a winter bow, I was planning to get a Wing Vantage Pro that they had, I got talked into a Wing two wheeler,, with not enough draw weight and way too long of a draw, it developed a crack right across the sight window. They sold me fiberglass arrows to go with it that didn't fly. They then talked me into a heavy shorter draw wing four wheeler. It broke twice, I shot a deer during late season with a Bear takedown, and got rid of the the Wing four wheeler. never wanted one of those dumb things again.

Gave my compound up in 2003, that lasted a couple years tops. I shoot both and have had a lot of success with both. I will never give up my compound again. I can bring it to Kansas and the plains of the mid west and kill stuff, that I may not shoot at with my recurves. I am a hunter first and foremost, I do not gun hunt much anymore but too me a bow is bow. Now crossguns are a different story. Shawn

Never owned one, I did shoot a friends about a half a dozen times, heavy as hell and too many stars had to line up to pull the trigger. It was easy to hold for an extended time at full draw, which I rarely do anyway. The trigger for my bow is not held in the hand and I don't have to go through a pre-launch check list to let it go. They are great for those who like them and many people would not become involved in archery without them so they do contribute to the growth of the sport which is critical this day and time. Most compound shooters will likely eventually try traditional archery, which is not meant to be for everyone, and some of those will stay.

I have 4 compound bows the oldest are 35-40 years old. Don't shoot a lot, maybe 3-4 times every year.

Amen Box Call, just another elitist catch phrase..

Box call x2 !!!

I shot compounds from my early 20's too my late 40's but always seemed to have a recurve laying around and then I found these trad bow forums and since have had several recurves and/or longbows with a compound laying around...until 2 years ago.

My last compound I owned was a Matthews Monster (MR7?)for two weeks in May of 2015...the one before that was a Hoyt Protec I owned a couple months in the beginning of 2014.

I think I'm done...but I wasn't done until I was ready to be done but for now and the past 27 months?...I'm done. LOL!

This will be my 5th season with traditional archery. 7th bow season.

I was given a compound because I could draw it, 105lb PSE, but gave it away after five arrows through it. Never had one before and will never have one again, way too cumbersome, heavy and ugly!!!

I won't even allow one in my house. And if'n you got an Xgun dont even pull into the driveway unless you are handicapped, a woman or child. There is no reason to own one. It is the lazymans way out. Just like those scoped 3 pellet things they try calling a muzzleloader. Aint nothing but cheating. Put the dang time in or just get a 30/06 and stop pretending that you are something you ain't!

I won't even allow one in my house. And if'n you got an Xgun dont even pull into the driveway unless you are handicapped, a woman or child. There is no reason to own one. It is the lazymans way out. Just like those scoped 3 pellet things they try calling a muzzleloader. Aint nothing but cheating. Put the dang time in or just get a 30/06 and stop pretending that you are something you ain't!

I agree with the guys who say keep it, you never know what life will bring. I have shot lots of deer with compound, recurve,longbow and yes even a crossbow. After 4 shoulder surgeries and a neck fusion I am still struggling with only shooting a trad bow. I struggle with my ability to only shoot mid #40's with a trad bow, or #60 with a compound. I always here be ethical, I wonder which one is more ethical when I hear people on forums getting down on guys because of the low draw weights. Just my 2 scents

I've never shot one either. Had stick bows since the fifties, never seen the need for anything else. Certainly don't have anything against them or those that do. They look pretty bad--!. I've seen how accurate they can be.

I like compounds. I like trad bows. Shoot both and hunt with both.

Haven't owned one since the early 90s.

Tried an Allen about 1970, mostly selfbow and wood arrows since.

The turkey I shot in Colorado with my Tribe longbow will be the last animal I kill with traditional equipment this year. I'm good with a stickbow, but not as good as I am with a compound. I started using a compound again for serious 3D's, and I'm loving it and the accuracy. I've got some great tags this year, and my New Breed GX2's will be in the cases when I'm traveling this year. It's time again to put some serious bone on the ground...

My first bow was a compound back in the late eightys or early nineties, a hoyt gamegetter...shot it for a few months, bought a martin hatfield take down, gave the hoyt to my brother, never shot a compound since, only recurves...dont have anything against them, just find them excessively complicated and homely...

Been shooting both for quiet a while. When I hunt in Missouri where I know big deer are around I have a problem hunting with my recurve. You guessed it, I'm afraid big boy will show up just out of range & I'd wish I had my compound. Addicted, I gave up drinking in 1985 but giving up the compound has been harder. I respect the ones that can do it.

No one can tell oyu whats best to do. Only you know what type of person you are. If you truly want to hunt with stickbow and your the type who will panic and grap your compound at the slightest excuse, a miss ,etc... then sell it. If you're the type that can hang it on the wall n leave it alone no matter what till you've killed some game with stickbow then keep it.

A lot of different answers above. The only true answer lies within yourself and the only way to know what that answer is, is to sell your compound.

I've been shooting trad since the late 60's and went back and forth with compounds throughout the years. I sold my last compound to a buddy of mine who has lots of compound and trad bows. Long story short, about 2 weeks later I bought that bow back and it's now on my wall for me to play with whenever I want. I mainly shoot trad but this compound is a keeper. Regretting doesn't feel so good.

I don't have anything against compounds (or rifles). I just don't think they belong in the regular archery season.

At heart I am a Longbow kinda fella ..... I own a bunch of them , 'curves too, heck some of my curves have hunting pins on them ... the shock, the horror ...

Currently have two Elite compounds in the rack , love shooting them and hunting with them ...

But I don't go hunting or stumping without a Longbow in the car even if the compound is along ...

And stumping is my passion, and stumping with a compound doesn't cut it for me .

Sure am glad they exist and help those who like them into this wonderful sport.

Sold my compound the same year I got my first recurve, 1994. Now I have 3 longbows, couple recurve and a few semi-curves.

Will shoot mine soon - whenever that is. Last event I used it (a '78 four wheeler Jennings Arrowstar Mark II) was 1979 in Texas. Last time to shoot it in Florida was 1985. I remember it shot real nice at 50 to 60 yd then.

I still like it a lot so I'm sure I will shoot it again before long up at my summer home in the Adirondacks. Too heavy to drag down to Florida for the winter, and if I shot it in an event, most folks would think I was weird shooting such as old wheelie bow. However, I think it's better looking than the fancy cam bows they make now, and it shot fine with my cordovan tab and a Hoyt stick on rest, and no sights, no stabilizer, or mechanical gadgets.

Sure was great when I learned that folks were still shooting those old rosewood recurves out there, so after saving up some just plain living money - I joined them. This last few years, I have been wearing them out.

I would rather see a part time hunter use a compound and get their game than one wounding a bunch of animals just to please a certain group. I'm not putting down that group as I'm part of that group that will never use a compound, I will go to my flintlock if I can't draw my bow anymore.

As I stated above if it can help an inexperienced person to not wound a bunch of animals, I'm alright with it.

Sold the compound because it was not fun anymore, picked up a recurve and haven't looked back.

I started with trad archery as a kid and around 79 with the adult stuff. I am challenge oriented, so I am not interested in hunting with anything more than a longbow. I haven't shot a compound since 97, but I have a few, and if I had a range year round I probably would. I keep them around because while Canada has the best gun owners in the world (second only to US in numbers lowest quartile in murders), they are always trying to take them. So some day my compound may be my rifle.

Hang on to it..i always thought i wouldnt shoot one again but when i see my brother with arthritis in his string hand being unable to shoot a recurve any longer without pain it gives me pause. He went back to compound and had a great season. If i had to i would just to keep hunting

Would the risers have any value as scrap metal? also- my thought about compound bow as self defense weapon is that i think I can shoot more rapidly and with accuracy with longbow than with compound. Maybe a shoot this summer will have a rapid fire novelty shoot.

I see a lot of opinions are from compounds of decades ago. The technology and shooting characteristics of the newer bows are amazing. The parallel limbs make a very dead in the hand feel. I will always own a compound. I like the variety of archery and believe others will if they gave it a chance. Only you can decide what is right for you. There is a group of traditionalits that will not talk to me because I shoot a compound. But also others that are not so juvenile.

Although I don't shoot one now and haven't for a long while, I'm not gonna say that I never will. I have nothing against them or the archer that uses one. I shoot non wheel bows because I believe it gives me an advantage in the field. However I am a deer hunter first and will hunt them as long as health allows with whatever tool I may need to get the job done in an ethical manner.

Easy. Never will. Guaranteed. Never compound. Never crossbow. I'd bet my life on it... and more.

Oops. Did I say that out loud? Lol.

Seriously... Still... never.

!

I haven't shot my old 1970's Ben Pearson compound in quite a few years and I don't really care for the younger ones. However I'll not say "Never again"

Jeff do you hunt?? If so I do not know how you could say never!! I hate cross guns but if it made the difference whether I could hunt or not, I would choose to hunt. To me not hunting would kill me. Shawn

I traded mine off last year and didn't hunt with it since 07. 2 good friends of mine have recently done the same. The wheels are gone and we are all traditional bows now. It feels good and is good to see others catch the bug.

never cared for anything with training wheels

Hey Jeff, if I put a deer skin backing on my hickory self-bow doesn't that qualify as a compound?....Ha!Ha!

Compound, meaning a thing that is composed of two or more separate elements; a mixture.

I vote for keeping it. A person never knows what will happen to them in the future. I was forced to use one last year for hunting. No I did not like it, But at least I got to go. This year will be flintlock as I never know when uncle arthur will attack again.

This year archery will just be for fun and small game with lighter bows

I did that about 1978 after a brand new Jennings ????Star blew up in my hand on the second or third shot. Apparently Tom Jennings failed to grasp the idea of using glue to attach the laminations in a bow limb to one another. Jennings also failed to take a judge seriously when he was directed to put money in an escrow account while the court decided if he was in violation of the Allen patent, so it was more than a year before I got a replacement bow from Bear, who acquired what was left of his sorry, bankrupt company. I sold the replacement bow at a loss and that was the end of it for me with wheel bows.

Allen stole the compound design from the engineering files at Iowa State. When I worked with the engineering folks from Iowa State they showed me the original blue prints and data. Compounds be ugly contraptions anyway you look at them.

'Stole', 'took' or 'borrowed', whatever, it was all about money. I do not believe that they should have ever been granted a patent.

Some of the nicest guys I know shoot compounds and that's fine with me. I don't I am traditional all the way, buts that's just what I like. Traditional is not for everyone. If you don't want to or can't for some reason to put the time in to be proficient then you probably shouldn't hunt that way. I enjoy shooting. I would shoot. Even if I didn't hunt. Compounds are fine if that's what you like. Been bowhunting 35yrs with only recuvres or longbows never felt handicapped. I love it.

I will give my 2 cents. I have been shooting traditional for about 15 years now. I have sold my compound 2 or 3 times to go "traditional only", only to buy another one after bouts with TP. I bought a compound last year and plan to keep it for hunting when needed. I practice and shoot tournaments with my recurve and will hunt with it too. I will also hunt with my compound in spots where I might have a 25-30 yard or longer shot. I killed a buck at 40 yards last season on New Year's Eve with my compound. It was the only deer I killed last year and I was thankful to get it. Do what you want. Don't let anyone persuade you. There is nothing wrong with using both a compound and traditional. I have a buddy who I introduced traditional to and he sold his compound and never looked back. He has killed it of deer with a longbow. There is no right or wrong. I am just giving my opinion.

I started with a compound in 1987....started trad in 1992....sold compound to a friend and never touched one again. Best thing I ever did was sell it as soon as I went trad...if I would have kept it then I believe it would have been a crutch since it was a tack driver out to 40 yards and I was shooting two pins, saunders fab tab off all weather arrow rest...and the compounds back then were not much better than recurves in performance arena. It was still way easier to shoot than my recurve.

keep em sharp,

ron herman

I shot a compound from 1975 until about 1984. The bow had a failure and while I was waiting for it to be repaired I broke out my 72 Bear SK. Never shot that compound or any other since.

i switched back to traditional bows in about 2002, would never go back. I started out with traditional bows and got a compound when I was 16 - 1973, and hunted with that until 2002. if my health ever gets so feeble that I can't draw a 30# stick bow to hunt with, I won't be hunting.

I enjoy the looks, light carry weight, simplicity, and ease of a stick bow - non of which are in a compound - which in my opinion, especially the newer compounds, are plain butt ugly! Hunting with a stick bow is a person choice that one has to make and be perfectly comfortable with themselves to be comfortable with their decision and not have to worry about what others might think. If one of my hunting buddies thinks I might kill more deer if I used a compound, how does that affect me?

I don't feel in the least handicapped with a stick bow and don't think it has affected my "kill rate" but has certainly increased my "satisfaction rate". I bow hunt for many reasons other than just putting meat on the stove and hunting with a stick bow helps me meet those "other" needs. Just the artistry of watching an arrow in flight, or the satisfaction of making a good instinctive shot are enough to keep compounds out of my life. By the way, I was an avid gun hunter too, and haven't shot a deer with a rifle in over 20 years.

Shawn, yep I hunt. Been bowhunting 35 years. If I could no longer draw a selfbow of sufficient power to hunt big game, I'd drop down in weight and continue to hunt small game, which I do a lot of anyway. When I can no longer do that, I can't imagine a crossbow or compound will do much to help. That said, most times I'm in the woods 'hunting', I don't have a weapon with me at all, so even if I couldn't draw a small game hunting weight longbow, no biggie, I'll be out there. I can't think of any reason whatsoever I'd HAVE to use a compound or crossbow, but expect others' thoughts to differ from mine.

exactly Slayer....if I get where I cant draw a 35# recurve or longbow then I will dust off my muzzleloader (a real one not this modern inline bullshit) with iron sights with balls or conical stuffed on loose powder or pyrodex. Will spend my time making bows for others and teaching how to shoot....but hope to have enough strength for a light weight bow if nothing else until I pass this earth...but will NEVER pick up a crossbow or mechanical bow.

keep em sharp

ron herman

I recently got a message that the compound was invented by some guy in the state of Oregon..When they first came out they were just considered ugly bows..Not untraditional..If you wanted to hunt out west you had to have one according to the great western state hunters at the time..Of course I had to have one..I shot it instintly like a recurve..The cables would grind the bottom hen faather off..Causing bad arrow flight..We did not know what the problem was but it was that the nocks needed to be rotated..Which helped some..I still have about ten of the older models..Never know a fellow might need those wheels in their older days..You can shoot them off the shelf with rug rest to..just like a recurve..

I did thirty years ago

Not me. I enjoy archery too much to limit myself to one type of enjoyment. The only problem with the modern compounds is they are so fast, you cant see the arrow very easy, which robs you of enjoying the "arch". Could be my eyes are just getting too old. Using fur tracers on my trad. arrows so I may see their impact on the target easier. Some people ask what they are. I tell them they are the original lighted knocks. Enjoy what you enjoy. If memory serves me right, those first compounds were not much faster than the better recurves.

Like everything, each has their own opinion. Anymore, for me there is so much difference between hunting with a stick bow compared to a compound, that I can't even look at the two as the same sport. I don't, in my thinking, just see them as two types of archery - like saying playing in a PGA playoff is just the same as playing miniature golf, or building a simple birdhouse is the same as crafting fine furniture - they're very different. I'm not saying superior, just not the same. Floating a fly from a bamboo rod is not the same as dragging a net behind a trawler, yet they both result in fish in the boat, and are both referred to as fishing ...

Like everything, each has their own opinion. Anymore, for me there is so much difference between hunting with a stick bow compared to a compound, that I can't even look at the two as the same sport. I don't, in my thinking, just see them as two types of archery - like saying playing in a PGA playoff is just the same as playing miniature golf, or building a simple birdhouse is the same as crafting fine furniture - they're very different. I'm not saying superior, just not the same. Floating a fly from a bamboo rod is not the same as dragging a net behind a trawler, yet they both result in fish in the boat, and are both referred to as fishing ...

The more mechanical technology is injected into an athletic act as shooting a hunting bow, the further it removes the act from the shooter. It robs the person of the emotional and physical investment in the challenge and ultimately the kill. This much like with hybridizing fruits. Modern strawberries are nothing like the wild ones that grow in the hills near here. They both are straw berries. The wild ones are smaller, sweeter, and more nutritious. Wild the big fat grocery store ones will make your toes curl and loaded with pesticides, not the same thing at all. Compounds and crossbows lack the emotional nutrition and separate the hunter from the realities of the kill. There was a test that was done where one person could push a button that was suppose to punish another unseen person for what they were doing. For different wrong deeds they could give different levels of punishment, even death. The dumb ass button pushers at times actually thought that they were doing a real important thing. When someone would be naughty and they could hear them being naughty, they could push a button and send them to the floor screaming with electric shock. Of course, the audio was an actor. Who in their right mind would agree to be wired up to an idiot with a kill switch? When things would sound really bad and really bad things were reported from another person, many of them had no problems with pushing the kill switch. They were separated from the objective reality, so the consequences meant little to nothing to them. Sport is set of fundamental limits to preserve the parameters and challenges with in that sport.

I was told of a new use for a compound bow. The stored energy can be used like an engine. I high speed generator charged with the power of the bow limbs was used to create a taser flash that could jump a static charge like a directed lightening bolt much further than a battery pack taser. They are now looking at applications to power a hot laser beam. NO more arc in archery with one of those.

Gave my compound away in 2003 deer still die ! ! My friends said the same thing ! Now they know i ment what i said a few have even followed be into traditional hunting Hahahaha . Its bow only for turkeys ten years now (sold shotgun too) Its either traditional bows or flintlocks (just started this) for me !!!

I went compound from 88-97, 100% trad since(20 years).I traded for one last Fall fearing shoulder surgery but couldn't get myself to hunt with it.Shoulder is better now thankfully.Use what you want.

Good post, Dean.

"It robs the person of the emotional and physical investment in the challenge and ultimately the kill."

I experienced this with the compound, and that's how I can say I'll NEVER go back. Too much was robbed from me in the process, and afterwards I had long lasting regrets.

Additionally, the personal investment and challenge is largely why I make my own gear and am no more interested in using ready- made traditional equipment than I am compounds or crossbows.

Since 1987.

I touched one about five years ago. It was cold, lifeless, and very heavy.

I will NEVER (yes I said that) use the compound devise! It is not a bow!

haven't owned or shot one since 1996

"I would rather see a part time hunter use a compound and get their game than one wounding a bunch of animals just to please a certain group."

Makes one think...

This is still very interesting. There are so many different things that get brought up in these threads.

I suspect there may have been similar emotions related to the introduction of plastic/fiberglass to bows. it allowed the mass production, and really pretty well made the ability to build bows avaialble to anybody that wants to.

There's the "purety" thing. Kind of interesteing to me. No way on earth can you compare hunting with a factory or custom made longbow or recurve to that of hunting with a selfbow or all natural materials bow. Not even close. And if you mkae it yourself....well.

Then there are the anti compound folk who look for the fastest, most modern bow they can get their hands on. With the latest carbon arrow shafts, etc..

Kind of makes on go Hmmm.

Me!!!! Along time ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with surfbow's quote above

I have hosted many many people from LW and other online places.Some had no business hunting with trad bows.I remember a guy that used to "hold court" here I picked him up from stand and asked him if he shot one he said "yes but it ran away!" Another icon from another site had no clue how to field dress a hog and begrudgingly admitted it was his first hog......

so also consider ability and skill-maybe some guys arent cut out for trad (hunting) for whatever reason.

I like both, shoot and hunt with both. Just depends on how I feel that day. jeff

Me.

"If there was any thing good about the compound I've yet to find it"

Well.....

For me, the best of it was that the fully tricked-out version showed me what kind of accuracy I was capable of. When you look (in dismay) at a 40-yard compound group that would gladden your heart, had you shot the same at 20 with your favorite recurve.....

It was my wake-up call, letting me know that I had set the bar far too low, and I was settling for far less, accuracy-wise, than I was capable of.

After all, the only reason I was shooting so much better with the compound was that A) my bow hand was settled B) my release was crisp and consistent and C) (but most importantly!) I KNEW..... BEFORE I loosed my arrow.... EXACTLY where I was pointing it.

And when it comes to shot-to-shot consistency.... that's kind of a big deal. Can't solve for why you're missing if you never aim the same twice.

My dad bought us each a used Bear Whitetail in 1982. We used them that year and then went back to traditional bows.

T4

Amazing how everyone is different. Always lots of talk about giving up compounds making the switch, the struggles and gaining the confidence to hunt strictly with a stickbow ect...

And here I am thinking heck, I'd like to shoot a couple with a compound simply because I never shot many with one ! A couple back in the late 80's, but way more with stickbows over the years.

I must get bored or something. Some years ago I got to thinking ya know I never shot a deer with a flintlock. So went a spell using one, then got a couple and moved on.

I'd like to shoot a couple with a black powder pistol that's on my bucket list. And I'm gonna shoot a couple with a compound again.

One thing is for certain though. In all the years trying new and exciting things, I have never put down my stickbows. They have always been my bread and butter so to speak.

But will I shoot one with a compound? well yea.. I'm gonna.

Thought I'd hunt a little with one last year, but ended up using a samick recurve instead, arrowed a nice doe early on, got a medium sized buck later....When I was gutting the doe, I was kinda wishing I had used my compound just for something different!

Maybe this year.

I never said a compound couldn't be accurate or couldn't kill animals, I just said I don't (my opinion) see the two as the same "archery".

I also don't see where stickbows are inherently less effective hunting weapons. If a person is accurate to 15 yards, keep your shots within 15 yards - if you're hunting with a compound and accurate to 60 yards, you are within a limit and can't shoot at a deer 200 yards, or 70 yards - most people shouldn't be shooting at deer over 200 yards with a rifle either, yet we see guys on TV regularly shoot 1000 yards. I'm impressed with the target range accuracy some people have with all types of weapons, hitting a 12" target at 1000 yards is impressive, it's absolutely not for me in the field. You could drive a truck within 300 yards of most animals and they wouldn't even pay attention - no hunting skill there, just target shooting. For me, there's not much thrill at sniping a deer at 50+ yards, they're pretty easy to get that close to. I would rather kill one deer at 5 yards than a dozen at 40 yards. Test your accuracy at long ranges on the target range, use your hunting skills in the woods. One of the reasons I hunt with a stickbow is because it pretty much limits me to 30 yards and under so I have to hunt more carefully, and when I do make a kill, it's up close and personal, very exciting and satisfying. An animal at 50 yards is just starting to get into the range of excitement, and 200 yards they may as well be in the next zip code!

Another thing I want to address is the idea that a compound is some how easier on your body. I have far less shoulder problems shooting a stick bow than a compound, and I routinely shot 65+ pound stick bows, now about 60#. A 30 pound compound still requires 30 pounds of force to pull it over the hump, a 30 pound stick bow requires 30 pounds at full draw - I fail to see the difference. By the way, some 30 pound stick bows are pretty snappy little bows too, certainly capable of killing a deer at 20 yards and under - not trying to start that debate again!

It seems like a lot of the opinions expressed here about compound bows are based on ignorance or ancient history. Modern compound bows are very different from 20+ year old ones. Setting aside the either/or politics, archery has evolved bit by bit to improve performance and accuracy, from arrows to rests to limbs. Using cams with higher let-off enables shooting higher draw weight more accurately.

For shooting fun and challenge, I prefer my recurve for backyard & 3D. I've gotten away from hunting the last few years, but I did much better with a modern compound. Because I was in tight suburban surroundings I learned the hard way I needed to make the most accurate, lethal shot possible so I didn't end up with a wounded animal or a lengthy blood trail.

From watching trad shooters at the warm-up range at 3D's, I hope many of them are similarly realistic about their accuracy when it comes to hunting.

It's all archery, use the best tool for what you're doing.

I sold mine shortly after I switched to trad

I didn't want to be tempted to switch back:)

You said it N J Woodsman

i wasted 7 years with one. gave it away & went back to my recurve & never looked back. now i'm into longbows/selfbows. wish i had those 7 years back... :^(

I started out on a recurve in the 60's. I went to a compound in the late 70's and shot them almost exclusively for about 25 years. 12 years ago I decided to shoot my recurves enough to hunt with one again. I didn't decide to NOT ever shoot a compound again, it just sorta happened that way because I haven't shot a compound in over a decade and have no desire to whatsoever.

I'd sell them but they're 80's technology and the truth is I've tried to GIVE them away but no one want's them.

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