Thread: Any Archers out there??

Traditional archery is one of my favorite pasttimes - my backyard is a safe range, w. a few 3D targets set up. Unfortunately, I tend to drift in and out of practice a bit. I currently own a simple PSE recurve and a Howard Hill longbow, the bamboo variation. I shoot the recurve better, and actually like it more although it's a cheaper bow. At my 31.5 draw, they're both right around 50 lbs. After having tried out and destroyed lots of different arrows, the aluminium Easton Legacy @ 2117 w. 125 gr. tip works best so far. I fletch them myself, left helical, using Gateway shield cut barred feathers. Very pretty...

Eventually I want to hunt with the bow, and am about ready to upgrade to a heavier takedown. The Black Widow and Tomahawk bows have been warmly recommended, but I have my eye on a carbon model that's been getting rave reviews - The "Grizzly-Stik":

Archers Review: Qarbon Nano Grizzly Stik 51#@28" Review

The same company, Alaska Bowhunting, also makes excellent arrows, I would get a set of those as well.

I have lots of friends with high-end compound bows, but for me, shooting (and shaving!) traditionally is the way to go. I already use so many high-tech optics on my handguns and rifles, and I like the bare bones nature of this type of archery - even though I am inclined to do it with modern materials and design ;-) The thing I've realized is that no matter how cool your bow is, in order to hunt w. a traditional, one must practice way more than with a sighted compound to consistently shoot at the level of accuracy warranted by the hunt. Not quite there yet, but working on it!

I used to target shoot and hunt with my compound every week many years ago. I never used sights, as I really wanted to, but got talked out of, buying a longbow rather than a compound. I did try other archers longbows at the club range I used to shoot at and I really felt wrongly done by the salesman who sold me that damn compound.


Mick

Spent many years at an outdoor archery 3D range. My family still calls it our second home and the perfume of choice - "OFF" mosquito spray. I still have my compound bow which I bought myself as a teenager (working at the archery range) a Browning Ballistic Mirage. I don't get out too much since having the family. But the range had many interesting shots including a running animal.

I've been thinking about a compound bow. I took archery in college. I still have my Shakespeare recurve.

I look at the racks of compound bows at Cabelas and the range of choices is bewildering.

Originally Posted by Crotalus

I've been thinking about a compound bow. I took archery in college. I still have my Shakespeare recurve.

I look at the racks of compound bows at Cabelas and the range of choices is bewildering.

Here is a good guide to choosing a compound: Compound Bow Selection Guide - HuntersFriend.COM

If you know what you want, Cabela's is great, but if you don't, I would first read up, and then seek out and spend some time at a local archery/hunting supply store.

My brother is big into traditional archery. He recently purchased a new 68" takedown longbow from White Wolf Bows. It seems to be working out pretty well for him:




He posts archery videos on his youtube channel often, so check it out if you're interested. Here is a link to his archery playlist: Archery - YouTube

I prefer a recurve over a compound; w/o sights. I've used the Bear Super Grizzly and the Bear Takedown, both the originals and the "new" models.

Longbows for me !! Been shooting since 1999. I saved up the money and treated myself with a Gerald Welsh English Longbow made from Yew wood,57 lb@ 29 in. And also have a reflex/deflex laminated longbow from Blue Ridge Archery 47lb @ 29, shoot nothing but Port Orford cedar arrows. We have some 3d critters in the woods behind the house to shoot at. Even got the wife shooting,she has an Aspen Tulip wood longbow built by Bryon. We love going to the 3d shoots around the state,what a blast.With a longbow ,you put the arch back in archery. Great Thread !!!!

Originally Posted by Crotalus

I've been thinking about a compound bow. I took archery in college. I still have my Shakespeare recurve.

I look at the racks of compound bows at Cabelas and the range of choices is bewildering.

Stay away from Cabelas especially if you don't know what you want. If you don't know they surely won't be able to tell you.

I haven't bought from ebay either. I support my local pro shop. It is like here at SRP when they recommend having a pro hone your blade. They know what they are doing and can lead you in the right direction.

I have spent $100 more on a bow at my local pro shop than I could have got it on sale at Cabelas or on line but they will set it up for me and I can ask them to make an adjustment a month later and they will help me free of charge. I easily save more than the $100 in added costs. Better yet I am supporting 3 generations of a local family and not some impersonal corporate interest.

Yesterday I shot leagues with new arrows that I fletched with the feathers from a turkey i shot last spring. A lot of work but a good learning experience.

Tim

Originally Posted by 32t

Stay away from Cabelas especially if you don't know what you want. If you don't know they surely won't be able to tell you.

I haven't bought from ebay either. I support my local pro shop. It is like here at SRP when they recommend having a pro hone your blade. They know what they are doing and can lead you in the right direction.

I have spent $100 more on a bow at my local pro shop than I could have got it on sale at Cabelas or on line but they will set it up for me and I can ask them to make an adjustment a month later and they will help me free of charge. I easily save more than the $100 in added costs. Better yet I am supporting 3 generations of a local family and not some impersonal corporate interest.

Yesterday I shot leagues with new arrows that I fletched with the feathers from a turkey i shot last spring. A lot of work but a good learning experience.

Tim

Local is definitely the best place to start, and can be great, especially if you have old-school guys running them. Unfortunately, we have one around here where the owner is quite opinionated, and unreliable to boot. But I must say I learned a lot just hanging out there and talking to other customers...

I'm extremely impressed that you cut your own feathers. I cut my shafts, glue the inserts, nock them, and fletch them, but I can't even imagine getting the feathers right from scratch. Care to share some pointers ?