Joshua, it wasn’t a simple decision, but it was a necessary one. Under current circumstances, I think it was a choice between going to a compound or giving up bowhunting… at least temporarily.

Now that the leap has been made, I do feel that it was a good call on my part. I’ve found that I’m able to translate the form and discipline I learned shooting traditional to shooting the compound, and this has really shortened the learning curve. This new bow is brilliantly accurate, and I’m able to consistently put arrows into the kill zone at ranges well beyond where I’d really hunt… and that makes my confidence at hunting ranges significantly higher.

I agree with your warning not to get wrapped up in the bells and whistles or the quest for speed. WHile I am using carbon arrows, I’m sticking with the same Magnus Stinger broadheads I was using on my recurve… although significantly lighter-weight (100gr vs 150gr). In speaking with the shop pro, this is a good combination for my setup, and should be fine for most of my hunting. Later, I may step up a shade in both draw weight and arrow weight, but for now I’m gonna go with his advice.

I’m already having big fun, and hunting season doesn’t even start until Saturday!

Just remember, don’t fall for the gimmicks and utter speed argument. Keep those arrows heavy, don’t switch to field-points with razors strapped to them. Stick to single-bevel Grizzlys, Wenzel Woodsmans and the like. It’d be just as bad to hit a pig and nick it’s lung, where you know it’ll die far off. Make sure that the arrow will blast through (or at least very deep).

And have fun!

This post is funny to me because just recently I have been thinking of trying to shoot traditional, but I just don’t think I will have the time to devote to it.

I do love my compound though and hunt and practice with it every chance I get.