Just got back from the field after trying out my new PSE Stalker recurve. Love it. Kind of an impulse buy at Cabelas but I have been looking at getting into some basic archery for a while. Knew I wanted a recurve or longbow, and went down to Cabelas, got measured, tried a few out, and this one was really comfortable, and a good weight (40 pound). I have shot a compound a few times before, but I have a bad elbow and the 60-70 pound draw killed my arm after a few arrows. Shot this one a bunch, even in the Oregon summer rain, and love it.

Have a few questions - Leave it strung or unstrung.... and do I really need a bowstringer? I know I'll probably get flack for it, but the guy at cabelas just recommended the step through method.... (ducks for cover)

I moved your topic to this forum, as I figured you'd get more responses.

You can use the step-trough method with a 40# bow, but I highly recommend a stringer. They aren't expensive, they are safer to use, and mostly eliminate the risk of twisting a limb.

I've got a longbow that's custom made and I have to use a stringer.  It's worth the small investment, really.  If you don't want to pay for it, I can almost guarantee you can find instructions on how to make one via youtube or some place else.  It's little more than a couple suede or leather pouches connected to a long shoe string.

I actually ended up making a stringer on the third or fourth day.

Now a few months down the road, I have purchased some better arrows, a sight, a stabilizer. I had a crack in the limbs but PSE replaced it for me no questions asked, and I had them switch to 35# limbs for me. Much better now. I can consistently put it in the bullseye at 18m and hit a 12 inch plate at 30m.