Bud Fields discusses the pros and cons of bows

This is a question that is asked every year prior to the opening day of the archery deer season. There is really no wrong answer because you can harvest deer with all of the above. Traditional archery, although rather crude in comparison, has been around for centuries and has been used for warfare, family fun, and for hunting applications.

Traditional bows are normally longer in length, and usually the limbs are rather straight in comparison. They are also just as lethal when it comes to propelling an arrow, and in the hands of skilled archers, they can deliver pinpoint accuracy.

Most traditional archers desire shooting their “longbow” instinctively, without the aid of a bow sight, stabilizer, or other accessories many archers prefer to use to aid in accuracy. Traditional archers prefer to remain “old school,” often using wooden arrows, feather fletching, arm guards, and shooting gloves. They also prefer to use the standard selection of broadheads. There is absolutely nothing wrong with traditional archery, and there are many clubs that welcome traditional archers.

The recurve bow has been a common option and upgrade. While it strongly resembles the traditional bow, the top and bottom limbs actually form an “S” by bending inside and then reversing shape in the opposite direction.

They also advance limb construction from basic wood to wood/fiberglass lamination, increasing power and performance. They also redesigned the grip for shooting comfort. They offered a larger option of poundage and length that many modern-day archers preferred, and they became very popular with target shooters and hunting archers.

The compound bow sort of revolutionized archery. While being a rather odd-looking device, archers weren't sure what to expect from a rather short bow with cables, strings, and odd-looking wheels on the top and bottom limbs.

The very first compound I personally observed was an Allen compound. Some of the archers at the club laughed, and many figured the compound bow was nothing more than a passing fancy. The compound bow resembled a 2x4 with solid fiberglass limbs that were held together by cables and strings, and it was noisy.

It seemed like just a couple months later, more and more of them were being used. Tournament scores increased, and bowhunters were amazed at the shooting power they offered.

Today, the compound bow still basically rules in popularity. They have progressed in engineering and design, and archers of all ages are using them for target shooting and hunting.

Many improvements have been made, and I would estimate the main advantage of the compound bow is the weight reduction ability they have, compared to traditional and recurve bows. You can draw the bow back, and many have anywhere from 20-80 percent weight reduction at full draw. That allows many women, youth and physically challenged archers to enjoy competition archery and bowhunting.

I can speak from personal experience that any archer can utilize a traditional, recurve, or compound bow for competition, hunting, or just enjoyment. Skill has a lot to do with it at any level of archery, but I have shot competition using traditional bows, recurve bows, and compound bows and was successful.

I have also bow-hunted with all three types of bows with success. To be perfectly honest, it is personal preference. If you prefer to use traditional, recurve, or compound bow, the choice is yours. Regardless of your choice, you will need to devote hours and hours of practice to become proficient. Archery and bowhunting can be quite enjoyable, regardless of the equipment you choose.