It’s hard to know where to start when you’re first getting into archery – everything from draw-length to poundage to choosing the right set-up, and even the right kind of bow can be overwhelming. These days, the vast majority of hunters jump head-first into the sexy world of ultra-slick compound bows. But there are some good reasons for starting out first with a simple recurve bow.

Of course, modern compound bows have the advantages of precision sights and let-off, reducing the weight at full-draw by as much as 75-90 percent. But in terms of learning technique and good form, recurves are arguably a better option — and safer for backyard shooting, especially for beginners. They’re also a lot more affordable than most compounds, allowing you to explore archery and see if it’s right for you before shelling out upwards of a grand for a brand-name compound bow with all the bells and whistles.

Go onto bowhunting groups on Facebook and you’ll be amazed by the number of high-end compound bows for sale that are “barely used” because people realized archery was a lot harder than they expected, or they simply lost interest. Recurves provide a much lower entry barrier, and they’re a lot less intimidating than compounds if you’re trying to figure out archery on your own.

When choosing your first recurve bow, start somewhere around a 25 or 30-pound draw-weight, and work your way up slowly from there. Advancing too fast in poundage is likely to result in shoulder injury, fatigue, and makes it difficult to build a solid archery foundation. Take-Down Recurves have the advantage of being able to replace the limbs as you get more comfortable in draw-weight without having to buy a whole new bow. It’s also much easier for someone trained on recurves to pick up a compound bow than visa versa — like learning to drive on a stick shift vs an automatic. It might take longer in the beginning, but in the end you develop certain skills and sensitivities that most other drivers (or in this case, archers) don’t have.

Recurves and longbows are also a great way for experienced archers to brush-up on shooting skills at home, or to take bowhunting to the next level — into legendary Fred Bear territory of hunting big game with nothing but a simple bow and a big set of cojones. And you don’t have to shell out a ton of money for a good one. These bows are well-built, deadly accurate, and good enough for pretty much any level of archer – and best of all, they cost under $200.

2. Mandarin Duck Black Hunter: (Price $99-$119) Very similar in look, feel, quality and price point to the Samick Sage, the Black Hunter is another excellent option for an entry-level bow or just something to keep around the house for backyard shooting. Like the Sage, it’s easy to assemble and comes in a wide range of draw weights that are accommodating for beginner to advanced archers. The grip has a slightly more natural wood feel compared to the more polished Sage, and the limbs are attached with a hex key rather than Samick’s convenient tool-free twist system. But this is yet another solid takedown recurve bow for an extremely reasonable price.  

3. SAS Maverick: (Price $179) Southland Archery’s Maverick recurve bow is one of the best bows you can find in the under-$200 range. Unlike the Sage and the Black Hunter, it’s a one-piece bow as opposed to a take-down, meaning the limbs aren’t detachable. So, once you outgrow the draw weight (which starts at a very user-friendly 29 pounds), there’s no moving upwards unless you buy a whole new bow. But that’s part of the Maverick’s appeal. It’s a long-term keeper that you can pass on to the next generation as your kids or grandkids take up archery. Plus, it’s nice to shoot an easier draw weight sometimes – and it comes all the way up to 60 pounds if you plan on doing serious hunting. Made of a Makore and Zebra Wood with fiberglass-backed Maple limbs, the Maverick has a slim grip and looks beautiful. A 35-pound draw weight shoots 182 FPS with a super smooth feel. All in all, an excellent bow that just about everyone will enjoy.

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