Draw length determines what weight you'll pull...

by pokynojoe, Sunday, August 24, 2014, 10:49 (3749 days ago) @ stonewalrus

with recurves and longbows most are weighted at 28", that the ATO standard and has been for years. Knowing your draw length is important, if you're draw length is longer than 28" you'll be pulling 2 to 3 pounds more per inch. The converse is also true, if you're draw length is less, you'll be pulling less than the marked weight. Some bows will "stack" at draw lengths longer than 29 or 30", so you'll want a longer bow. There's no way to know, until you try. Also, with recurves and longbow, remember you'll be holding the entire weight at anchor as opposed to compounds with most nowadays having 80% let off.
Best thing to do first is get your draw length measured, it's easy to do, every shop will have a draw check bow. Also, if you go compound, the bow will have to have the correct modules, cams, draw stops or whatever for your draw length. Depending on what bow you're interested in.
Also, if you want to put a sight on a recurve, they've been doing that since the '50's. the easiest thing to do is tape a tooth pick to the riser, and have at it. They also make pin sights you tape on the riser, for less than ten bucks, if your riser isn't drilled out for it.

One more thing, although you might be a southpaw, eye dominance plays more into archery. If your right eye dominant, you'd be ahead of the game shooting a right-handed bow. There are some good cross-dominant shooters, but I don't run into many, and the learning curve is steeper, especially with stick bows.