A good way to try some bows out is to go to a Traditional Archery rendevous. Most shoots have lots of vendors and bow makers there that will let you shoot their bows and give you advice on what you may looking for. Pick up a copy of Traditional Bowhunter magazine, lots of info there. Your upstate NY as I am in NY too, Denton Hill PA archery rendevous last part of July gets alot of folks from the NE. Look over the yard sales, etc. in the spring and also ask around. Lots of folks have a stick bow around they don't want anymore for various reasons. I did last spring and my neighbor GAVE me an original Howatt recurve basically unused that he said he couldn't shoot anymore. Good luck!
