Always wanted to try to take a deer with traditional gear so after succeeding in accomplishing some of my hunting goals over the past few years, I figured there was no time with the present for this crossbow guy to branch out into the world of traditional archery as well. 
 
Thanks to some tremendous generosity form some traditional shooters, I was set up with a #40 Allegheny Mountain Longbow. Listened to lots of advice and ordered up some traditional arrows, shooting glove, string, bow stringer and assorted odds and ends.  
 
Got it all set up and loosed some arrows from five yards on the back deck of the house two weeks ago. 

 
Been shooting off and on since and managed this group from 12 yards tonight. For a newbie, learning on his own, I am pretty happy with this group tonight. I am finding that three under and a slight cant is what I am really liking. 7 1/4 inch brace height seems to be smooth. Hopefully with some diligent practice this summer, I will be confident enough to carry the longbow with me on a few hunts this fall. 

Sweet---- lots harder with traditional than either compound or crossbow. It will force you to become a more patient hunter. I am headed the other direction due to age and ache's.  Now I just collect the traditional gear.
 
My first dozen plus bucks came with either long bow or recurve and I still remember each one.  Hardest thing is getting drawn without being spotted.  It will be a challenge but lots of fun. Good luck

Jeepers- I remember when that kinda setup was state of the art--lol
 My first was a Red Wing Hunter.   Complete with Colt Super Hilbre tips.
 Whole rig inc bout a Doz. arrows and tips cost a whole $50 or so.

im feeling ya with the aches, i just recently bought a xbow just for second season.  my first compound, sights were still rare so i shot that thing for 30 years no sights no cams just wheels. then i bought a release and thought this is kinda unfair, then i bought sites didnt like em just left em on the bow for decoration.

RG, if you want to go back to basics I have a Red Wing  Hunter and a dozen wood arrows with never used  hilbre tips in my collection. $50 ain't going to get it done anymore though. I was a Bear man myself but Red wing made some nice bows.

55 ?

Thanks for the offer- makes me remember why I upgraded lol.
 Am still using a 25 year old compound that has taken lotsa Deer Turkey, a  Bear and small stuff- see no reason to change it this late in the game- My kid tells me I'm nuts ( hes right) but am stuck in 'old school ' compoundamania.
 52 lbs Hoyt - 31" alum arrows , 125 thunderheads and about a 50% letoff.
 Hits where I aim so am happy - did add a trigger release a number of years ago- best thing ever.
 When I see my kids stuff compared to mine I feel like a brown shoe at a formal dance.
 We cant do x bows here without a doctors excuse letter and a special permit or I woulda tried that just for kicks.

if youse guys want any trad stuff, PM me, been downsizing my stuff a bit, have in excess of 100 dozen new cedar arrows of most spine wieghts and lots of bows from 50 bucks to $1200

a 100 dozen better make sure homeland is watching you

 
 He mighta thought the Bows were still assault weapons like a coulpa centuries ago and started hoarding ammo.