Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Bowhunting A blast from the past

i still have my whitetail hunter. My first bow a a Bear Kodiak magnum.

I used my father's fiberglass longbow for several years before I got one of my own. It too was a Bear. A 35lbs recurve with which I took several deer before my school decided every kid had to take a mandatory Phys ed course (archery) .
It was 20yard shooting with 25lb recurve.
They wouldn't listen when I told them this was useless, and so I brought my bow, second day, and tested out with a few broken shafts stacked too tight. (They finally agreed they couldn't teach me anything I didn't already know.)
My dad was so proud, he bought me a compound for my 16th birthday present. An Indian Stalker 45-55lb, I still use. In fact, I now have a second set up for a guest with a loop for a release (I've never used one).
The guest bow has sights, unlike my own. I shoot instinctive, and differently than most folks. I've never really understood the drive for the latest and greatest (gun/bow/crossbow/knife) They are just tools of the craftsman.
That tool that was "top shelf" then, is still quality, even if the bar has been raised. I'm appalled sometimes, by the casting off of last year's model, in favor for this year's marvel.
(Case in point):....."So the switchback was way ahead of its competitors. The halon is maybe not "ahead" as much as it is perfection of past advancements in technology.
I have said this on many other threads, it is flat out the most perfect compound bow made to date by any manufacturer. Not to say some of the other bows this year aren't awesome as well."....(from reviews of talon vs mathews switchback 2016).
They all work well enough to do the job. Even a bent sapling and a bootlace will throw an arrow well enough to kill deer. It worked 30 years ago, it will work now.
The rest is up to the archer.

I remember buying am oneida eagle when they first came out. It was so much faster than anything else. 240 fps. lol.

Oneidas are quick. But string overtravel means hefty spine needed, which slows em down.
Did shove a log pretty well though

I had a Screaming Eagle, Strike Eagle and two Aeroforces. Fun rigs, def like the smaller pylon stuff better, but grip too fat.
Later timing wheels of the Aero nicer than the Strike.

Like to try a LFM.

Same here.

Hey Hookeye, I remember buying those "fluted arrows" that were stiffer than the normal aluminum arrows......lol. The old eagles looked delicate but they were pretty tough. 48 inches tip to tip........

I remember those fluted aluminums (X caliber ?)........they still got bent......weren't fun on a straightener (dial indicator LOL).
Also remember the Graphlex fiberglass shafts...........rough bastids.
Actually got some with a used Superdiablo recurve purchase.

I ran XX75, Jim Dougherty naturals and supernaturals.
Tried making woodies for my Blackwidow MA2...........screwed up and discovered a "bleed crest". Looked cool w white dip and fletch combo. Couple yrs later I see that offered LOL (bleed crest).

Had a super dozen, and broke 3 stumping...........so sold all my arrow making stuff. No more cedars.

I run Goldtip carbons on wheels or trad anymore, have since 2002.

On old classics running TM hunter style rests (like maybe a PSE Mach 4)...........larger OD arrows gave more space between fletching. Not a bad thing.

5/16 carbons (yeah they make larger dia versions).........not as forgiving IMHO.
Eh, run a drop away if shooting wheels n release.

Too bad the new Oneida Osprey only goes to 50#. If they went 60# I'd proly have one.

Anyone remember the original Keller Pendulum sight? I had one when they first came out and it worked great Lol. I shot a bunch of deer with that sight. It was way ahead of all the other pendulum sights......

Brother in law still has one on his PSE.

Remember Keller's ad where he had all those mounts and a Blackwidow recurve?
Or when he teamed with Indian (Xi) later and they had the Myles Keller Legend Magnum bow (actually was decent).