Another reason why the recurve is strictly a short-range bow is the relative slowness that an arrow propelled travels. For example, McDaniel said that his Martin Hatfield Take Down, which has a draw weight of 60 pounds, will send forth an arrow at 180 feet per second. Conversely, arrows coming from his compound will reach 305 feet per second. At a distance of 30 yards, the arrows coming from a recurve are rapidly losing speed, as well as dropping.

Perspective recurve purchasers have much more to consider, especially concerning construction. Some strict traditionalists demand recurves that are made only of wood, often maple. Walnut, bubinga and zebrawood are some of the other woods used in bow construction. Some recurves also feature fiberglass-backed or laminated fiberglass limbs as well as limb tips with phenolic fibers. In short, today's recurve can be a strictly traditional wood model, have some elements of modern technology, or can be relatively high tech -- as far as a recurve is concerned. Prices typically range from just over $200 up to $850. Used bows on E-Bay can often be bought for under $200.

If you really want to step into the proverbial hornet's nest, then debate the merits of cedar arrows vs. those made from aluminum or carbon.

"There can be real arrogance on this topic," McDaniel noted. "For example, when I had just gotten back into shooting a recurve, I went to an elk hunting camp out West. There I met a guy who had one of the most meticulously constructed and painted traditional recurves I have ever seen. He acted very snobbishly toward me and the other people using recurves and said that the only arrows that should be shot from a recurve had to be made from cedar.

"Well, we went out to the range to target shoot before the hunt, and the guy's cedar arrows were all over the place and flying who knows where. As I had feared, he went out and shot an elk in the hip and couldn't find the wounded animal.

"I'm not saying that cedar arrows are impossible to pattern; there are a lot of archers who kill a lot of deer with them. But I am saying that each cedar arrow is an individual piece of wood with its own idiosyncrasies. A bowhunter has to spend many, many hours practicing with his recurve and cedar arrows to make sure that he can make a killing shot."

For McDaniel, however, the best option was to try arrows of more modern construction. The Virginian first employed aluminum but could not learn how to shoot those arrows consistently either. He then decided to try the same carbon arrows that performed so well with his compound, and to his joy they also matched up well with the recurve.

The only thing McDaniel had to do was utilize longer carbon arrows (30 5/8 inches) with his recurve than he does with his compound (28 inches). For instance, for a recurve, the sportsman prefers a bow with a length of 60 inches, as anything shorter tends to "pinch" him up. He also "shoots fingers" as compared to the release he uses when afield with a compound. All these factors combined required him to have arrows of slightly longer lengths.

ODDS AND ENDS: ACCESSORIES
Although by nature and construction, recurves are inherently quieter than compounds, McDaniel still wanted to make his recurve more noise-free. So he attached the same spider silencers to the string that he uses for his compound. Traditionalists often employ silencers made from beaver hide.

Bow quivers are often considered an essential accessory. Traditional quivers are often crafted from leather and mount solidly to a bow in two places. Some recurve enthusiasts prefer a back quiver. This style can contain up to a dozen arrows, as well as have pockets to store calls, knives and scents. Quivers can range from $40 to $80.