why only native american and long bow only?

[Frontierman01]

was checking this subject out and noticed that the category only mentions longbow and native american. why not recurve? I still have my recurve that I haven't shot in a while.

[hotfxr]

Given the relatively smaller number of posts in this category, I think the majority of posters must shoot long bows. And given that our area of history is usually from colonization to just prior to the War of Northern Aggression, the majority of bow hunters were Indians. I was taught how to make the same bows & arrows made & used by the coastal Miwok tribes that lived north of San Francisco by an anthropologist when I was in 6th grade. He had us make our own tools, glues and use the native materials just like the Miwoks did. 50 years later I still have a couple of the rock tools and still remember how to make them, not that I would even think of taking on another hobby. What is interesting to me now, I was unaware (and did not know the difference) way back then, is we made laminated recurve bows. They weren't anything like a modern bow and they did not last all that long, nor had much range, but given the brushy terrain out here, it makes sense.

[Patocazador]

The Mongols used recurve bows long before this continent was discovered. According to Wikipedia recurve bows were used in the 2nd millennium B.C. They also were used by tribes along the west coast of America.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recurve_bow

Hence the OP is justified with his question. Why not include them? 

[Watauga]

Well  Frontierman01 Truthfully,I think anything that is not a compound bow should be good....(I have nothing against a compound bow, I just think they are newer than the time frame we cover) I enjoy learning about new things and the more people that are members the better.. just as percussion and flintlocks are different they still share a lot of each others technology. I imagine that is true with Recurve and long bows and even Crossbows as well...

[hotfxr]

The Mongols used recurve bows long before this continent was discovered. According to Wikipedia recurve bows were used in the 2nd millennium B.C. They also were used by tribes along the west coast of America.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recurve_bow

Hence the OP is justified with his question. Why not include them? 

I must be confused because I thought I answered the question. I am not aware of any policy to exclude re-curves in any conversation. On the other hand compound bows, in the scope of "Traditional Muzzleloaders" are right up there with those linear bolt action type of muzzleloaders we are not allowed to mention. 

Although, just to be a      a couple of years ago I was watching a series of documentaries on medieval civilizations and remember seeing a large compound crossbow from around 8th century France. My guess, and it is only a guess, is that whenever someone discovered how a block & tackle works, it was most likely used in weaponry soon after.

[Patocazador]

Hotfxr, I wasn't arguing against your statement, I was trying to reinforce it. My main point was there is no reason to disallow recurves for any 'historically correct' "violation."

[hotfxr]

Hotfxr, I wasn't arguing against your statement, I was trying to reinforce it. My main point was there is no reason to disallow recurves for any 'historically correct' "violation."

I too was just trying to clarify the subject and I figured we were both on the same page. But I am still confused about where in this forum recurves are disallowed. I'm not so much into archery as much as Hawks & Knives so I never really paid much attention to this section. But in a little poking around nothing jumped out against recurves. I just gave a quick look thru so it is likely I could have missed it, but even so, why be so biased against recurves? As we both pointed out, they have been around a long long time. Maybe I just need to take a nap or something.

[Dogshirt]

Naps are good. At my age I take back all those times I told Mom "But I Don't WANT to take a nap!"

[old salt]

I do not find any thing saying recurves were not used in that time period, but as hotfx stated that those who posted were more than likely ling bow shooters. I have a long bow, a recurve bow and a flat bow,  a cross bow and I all so one that use on my fiddle. I think (there for I am in trouble again) that covers all the bows I have for now.

[Red Badger]

was checking this subject out and noticed that the category only mentions longbow and native american. why not recurve? I still have my recurve that I haven't shot in a while.

The reason that the category stipulates Longbow and native american only is simple.  When the forum started there were several (in excess of 10) websites dealing with archery and the founders felt that they did not have the historical or technical knowledge to deal with all types of archery so they limited it to what they knew...  Now that those sites have died I will entertain a request to modify the group to include any archery system in use before say 1900,  with appropriate research... 

Of course the first person that can show me a compound composite bow with bone wheels and a period correct targeting system will get an honorable mention :)    

[hotfxr]

Apparently there is a good reason some people call me "unclear on the concept", and here is proof. I just realized where the Longbow or Indian came from, right there under the title. Fine, fire me for my dismal powers of observation. But I will now be leading the campaign to remove the discriminatory restrictions on this category.

[halfstock]

I personally shoot a self bow made from black locust, it's configuration is described as a cherokee recurve, it was made with an axe , a hatchet, a draw knife, and a belt knife, with wooden arrows I have never even had an eye brow raised over it's usage at any rondy.

[Lobo]

Although some form of recurve bows were used in earlier history they weren't manufactured in the US until the early 1950's by Bear archery and other companys. Having said that I see no reason to exclude them in this forum.

[pathfinder]

Re-curves are OK,as long as they are made from traditional materials. Wood. No fiberglass or any man made material. I shot this weekend with a fella using a Mongolian Horse Bow,laminated wood,hide glue and sinew.