i hunted for many years with recurves, but have switched to using longbows only in the last few years. i have several customs (bob lee, crow creek, and a few others), but my favorite is a bear montana which i spray painted black/grey camo. i use 23/64th wood arrows (i buy the shafts and stain, seal, fletch, etc. myself) with longbows and either zwickey or magnus 125gr 2 blade broadheads. also use 150gr grizzlys. you might check out trad gang.com and stickbow.com. good hunting.
I've hunted with traditional equipment for the past 25 years. Started with an older Bear Kodiak Hunter, progressed to a Martin Mamba, and have settled on Blacktail Bows made by Norm Johnson out of Reedsport, Oregon; awesome bows. I shoot hand made laminated birch arrows, and am currently using a, what used to be, Wensel Woodsman Broadhead. They're now being offered by Three Rivers Archery as the Woodsman. My Blacktails and some arrows that I've made. Arrow making is an addiction for me; I make them for all my friends.
The little lady and I both hunt the fun way. Our Archerhunter Jr has been shooting his longbow since just a few days after his second B-day, including putting the arrow on all by himself. Nearing 5 YO he only has 3 summer's practice under his belt.... but that's well over half his life
We have quite a few bows from quite a few bowyers. Here's what I bought the wife a couple years back from R.E.R.
Zebra wood and purple heart.
BAN THE RAINBOW FLAG! PERVERTS OFFEND ME!
"When is penguin season, daddy? I wanna go kill a penguin!" ---- 4 yr old Archerhuntress
ps We use carbon arrows that we fletch ourselves and Bear Super Razorheads with the little inserts to make 'm 4 blade. Very effective broad heads and the shafts are easy to straiten
BAN THE RAINBOW FLAG! PERVERTS OFFEND ME!
"When is penguin season, daddy? I wanna go kill a penguin!" ---- 4 yr old Archerhuntress
I have a Hoyt Excel Riser with TT limbs 45# hunting and SF limbs 32# for indoor target work. I also have a Howatt Diablo 47# that I will likly hunt with next fall. I shoot Beman ICS Bowhunter Carbon Arrows w/ Old Bear Razorheads. I love to stump shoot and am pretty hard on arrows, so these work great. Tough, Straight and cheap - good combination in my book!
A true sportsman counts his achievements in proportion to the effort involved and fairness of the sport. - S. Pope
do we have any tradtional bow hunters. what bow do u shoot what broadheads mayne some pics of ur hunts or ur bows
Until earlier this year I was a DAS Master Hunter user with Outback Supreme broadheads mounted on carbon arrows. I used a DAS SRF sight. Unfortunately, I have been diagnosed with MCTD, a particularly virulent incurable autoimmune disease. I can no longer draw ANY bow. So my great nephews have DAS bow packages, and I have two DAS Master Hunters remaining that I must sell. *** Outback Supreme broadheads - the ultraheavy all steel version - are hands down the best value among the super penetrating broadheads, as well as being one of the three best in quality control. The problem is getting them from their part-time manufacturer in Australia.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. George Orwell
I have hunted traditional for the last 25 years. Mostly recurves: Allegheny Mountain Takedown, Allegheny Mountain Bush Bow, Robertson Stykbow one piece Peregrine, and Bear Grizzly have been the primary bows. Douglas fir shafts with Wensel Woodsman broadheads, Zwickey Delta's, Bear Razors three fletched with 5 1/2" banana fletch. Carbon Express Terminator shafts with Three Rivers 5 grain/inch insert tubes, and Muzzy 220 grain Phantoms, four fletched with 5 inch parabolic feathers. Hand made my quiver.
Nothing is fool proof for a sufficiently talented fool !!
"Keep your booger hook off the bang switch until your sights are on the target".
All I have ever shot since the mid-60's is traditional. I've never owned a compound, cam actuated arrow launching device.
Here's my bows. Although there are a few longbows up there I usually shoot my recurves. I love the longbows but evidently they don't love me.
I make some of my own arrows but my oldest son is like 257Deland, he thrives on making arrows. He usually makes me a dozen for Fathers Day and another dozen for Christmas. Here's part the last dozen he built for me.
I still shot the same broadheads I shot 25 years ago, Zwickey Black Diamonds and shafts are Port Orford Cedar.
NRA Benefactor 2008
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me." John 14-6
I like their new crosskill 150gr broadheads. They have a solid SS Ferrule and short and compact. I also love the phantoms and I shot one at my basement wall and the only way to get it out was to hit it with a hammer.
Originally Posted by Naphtali
Outback Supreme broadheads - the ultraheavy all steel version - are hands down the best value among the super penetrating broadheads, as well as being one of the three best in quality control. The problem is getting them from their part-time manufacturer in Australia.
Have you tried the simmons 190gr tree shark? Similar to the outback supreme.
257, thank you and I think he does also. When I received those arrows I called my son and asked him what he wanted me to do with them as they're too pretty to shoot. He told me, and I quote, "shoot them or you don't get anymore". I've shot some of them to keep my hat in his ring...hehe.
Also, whoever rotated that picture for me, thank you. Doing so on the board is over my head!!!!
Last edited by sharps4590; 12/06/11.
NRA Benefactor 2008
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me." John 14-6
My traditional bows include a Martin Savannah, a Hoyt Dorado and the new Buffalo.
So far I have only had the pleasure of harvesting grouse and a moose with the Dorado using Easton carbon arrows and G5 Small Game Heads and Muzzy Phantoms in 125GR.
I will be hunting with the Savannah using Beeman MFX Classic arrows tipped with the Phantoms. Hopefuuly for bear and mule deer.
I have some GrizzlyStiks and Silverflame broadheads that I want to try in the Buffalo on elk.
If all goes well next year, I will finally try for a mountain goat with the Dorado...my original goal for buying the t/d recurve.
This past year I competed in all the Indoor and Outdoor 3D shoots I could with the Dorado and did very well. Had an absolute blast with it!
Like the Buffalo! Does shoot differently to my Dorado...but haven't had as much time with it yet. Sorry, haven't tried the GrizzlyStiks in the Buffalo yet. I do like them in the Dorado, but since I competed all year long with the Dorado and get better flight with the Eastons, that's what I have used most.
I will spend more time with the Buffalo this winter though...it would be a shame not too...as I got the bow from Fred Eichler himself!
I currently own three Bob Lee Recurve bows, a 60" 54# Signature TD, a 62" 43# Hunter TD, and a 54" 45# Hunter Signature 1 piece bow. I usually shoot Gold Tip arrows that are 10+ grains per pound bow weight (ie; 45# bow = 465 grain 33/55 size arrows) for great penetration and Wensel Woodsmen broadheads or Bear Razorheads. Bob Lee makes a fast, sweet shooting bow at a resonable price.
I have a custom built recurve from Northern Mist/Steve Turay in Negaunee MI. I'll try to get some pics as it is unique. I had it made out of birdseye maple with an accent strip of walnut. I find shooting a bow addictive and even more so with a recurve. I will shoot it to muscle failure and then again the next day. Right now I'm shooting cedar arrows with Magnus blades/2 blade.
I started with a Ben Pearson Cougar then used a Bear Kodiak Magnum then tried compounds and crossbows and finally settled on making my own out Long bows and flat bows(Made one recurve) of Hickory and also making my arrows out of the same .Make my own bowstrings(Dacron B-50)fletch my arrows with turkey feathers, cut the nocks with a chainsaw file and use a rasp and a knife to create a taper on the arrows to glue on either Zwickey or a Bear head.Carried my arrows in a cheap leather and plastic quiver to start with, then when I killed a young bobcat(bout 15 pounds)I case skinned it and cleaned all the meat and scrap from it and salted it and then made an indian style quiver out of it to carry my arrows in.I have killed rabbit, squirrel,coon,frogs and snakes with my gear.When you use only hand tools and it takes better part of a day to make a good arrow I promise you you lose one and you will spend a LOT of time looking for it.
Craig
And yes before you ask a friend and I both ate the bobcat and it was absolutely delicious. put it on a smoker for a few hours and then lightly basted with Barbeque sauce and made what we called bobcat burgers !
I shoot two Robertson longbows, identicle except one is a two-piece, 50#, 64". Tapered cedar shafts from Three Rivers that I finish and Stos 2-blade broadheads.
The only thing worse than a liberal is a liberal that thinks they're a conservative.
I've hunted with traditional equipment for the past 25 years. Started with an older Bear Kodiak Hunter, progressed to a Martin Mamba, and have settled on Blacktail Bows made by Norm Johnson out of Reedsport, Oregon; awesome bows. I shoot hand made laminated birch arrows, and am currently using a, what used to be, Wensel Woodsman Broadhead. They're now being offered by Three Rivers Archery as the Woodsman. My Blacktails and some arrows that I've made. Arrow making is an addiction for me; I make them for all my friends.
I was hoping MagMarc would chime in. The dude is GOOD, and has some awesome bows. Twists up a beautiful string, and somewhere there at his place, there's some arrows with my name on them (once we get done moving).
I don't shoot traditional anymore. Quit because it demanded too much time and dedication to become proficient enough to continue to hunt ethically. I probably went from 1987 until 1999 with 95% recurves and 5% longbows.
Hunted with Fred Asbell's Bighorn, Kohanna Kurve and two Great Northern bows, a Super Ghost & a Crtter Gitter. (spell check can't help me here) Could have been a Howard Hill longbow amongst them also?? Foggy..................??
I really enjoyed it but became too busy with other things and went back to the compound.
I'm a part-time trad hunter. I still use the compounds on occasion, but there is nothing like the satisfaction experienced when taking game with a trad bow. It's even better when I use arrows that I make, especially wood arrows. I also like competing in trad competitions. Trad shooters (and competitors) seem to have more fun, and trad archery seems to attract the kind of sportsmen and women with whom I can relate.
I have many trad bows, but my preference is for the laminated longbow. I can shoot them better than any recurve ever tried. They just point better for me. They are also quieter and more forgiving of my mistakes. One of the pioneers of the modern archery movement, Howard Hill, once said of himself that he is not a good enough archer to shoot recurve bows, speaking of their less-forgiving nature and his own limitations. Since Howard Hill's time there have a lot of improvements made to arrows and bows, but I can still relate with his experience.
I had the opportunity to hold and examine the bow that Howard Hill made with his hands and used in the filming of the original Tarzan movie. It is a simple self-bow made of a single, solid piece of wood (osage IIRC). The shop where that bow resided at the time was called Chippewa Archery in Mount Pleasant, MI. The original proprietor, Floyd Eccleston, was a pioneer in the sport of archery and a close friend and business associate of Fred Bear. His shop was a virtual museum of archery containing thousands of bows, arrows, arrowheads, and other priceless artifacts from every famous archer of the 20th century.
But I digress. The bow I grab 75% of the time is a Bear Montana Longbow. With it I have killed many head of game, including my very first trad kill. Shooting it is like meeting with a good old friend. The arrows I usually shoot (when my son isn't shooting them) are 23/64" cedar shafts fletched with feathers from turkeys I have killed. I have used various broadheads but lately have been shooting double-edged Ace heads of 125gr weight. These are very solid and dependable heads, and less costly than some others of the type. I purchased these heads from the owner of the company who graciously attends and sets up a booth at the annual Great Lakes Longbow Invitational, the premier event of the Michigan Longbow Association.
Our God reigns. Harrumph!!! I often use quick reply. My posts are not directed toward any specific person unless I mention them by name.
I shoot traditional exclusively, not for the extra challenge(which it is), or my personal belief that the archery business is totally out of control(which it is), but just because it's a bunch more fun. I've owned Bear, Big Horns, and a bunch of others thru the years, along with a few compounds years back. Right now I'm shooting a Samick Stingray(about the sweetest shooting bow I have owned by the way) and a Stik Bow made by Don Dow in Oregon. Both are between #50 to #53. I shoot both Bear stainless steel 145gr. broadheads and STOS 160gr.
I like vintage Bear bows and have at least one of each model listed in the 1958 catalogs (2 Kodiaks), for broadheads I either use Bear Razorheads or Zwikey Eskimos.
I am contemplating getting into a little traditional archery my self. My main motivation for this would be to shoot (attempt to shoot) geese during our early goose season. There has been many a times where I've been in my blind in the decoys and birds are damn near on top of us (or landing right out front) and I think to my self, "damn, if I had a bow I think I could kill that one". I have ZERO traditional experience, however. This goose hunting with a shotgun has gotten monotonous. I still love it, but would like to spice things up a bit. I think attempting to shoot big resident Canadas out of the air with a trad bow and flu flus would be pretty damn fun.
You guys that got the experience, you think this is doable?
Would you recommend a recurve or longbow, and why?
Sure it's doable. Bear, Hill, Pearson and I'm certain several more I'm unaware of have done it. No doubt Ferguson could do it.
I'm not a waterfowler but my brother-in-law does it seriously, (he's also a bowhunter), and after speaking with him he thought a recurve would probably be the easiest to handle in a pit or blind. Mostly because they are shorter. My personal opinion is I wouldn't go any shorter than 56 inches mostly because I don't care for bows any shorter than that. Not that they aren't effective, they are. I simply don't shoot shorter bows as well as longer bows.
NRA Benefactor 2008
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me." John 14-6
I have a few. My two favorites now are both longbows - a Pronghorn and a Shrew Classic Hunter.
I spend a few days deer hunting, but I really enjoy heading out your way in September to hunt with my son. Been there a few times.
Do you mind telling me where that picture was taken.I don't have to know exactly but it's the kind of place I have always dreamed of going.I would love to be camped there.I don't think I would care if I killed anything or not.I could sit there all day and just enjoy.
It's doable. have shot pheasant and quail with my long bow and recurve. see if I can dig up some photos. I cut out foam discs duct taped them and had wifey throw the up in the air for practice wing shooting.
For wild birds. I fletched with six uncut bright feathers and used a grizzly head. I dulled the head with a file when hunting with my dog. Don't want him getting cut when retrieving a bird. If I missed arrow would go maybe 50 yds.
can also spiral wrap a feather around arrow.
Judo and bird snare heads fine for small birds like quail.
I like broad heads for pheasant goose and ducks.
Not as successful as a shotgun but a good time
Originally Posted by Fisky
I am contemplating getting into a little traditional archery my self. My main motivation for this would be to shoot (attempt to shoot) geese during our early goose season. There has been many a times where I've been in my blind in the decoys and birds are damn near on top of us (or landing right out front) and I think to my self, "damn, if I had a bow I think I could kill that one". I have ZERO traditional experience, however. This goose hunting with a shotgun has gotten monotonous. I still love it, but would like to spice things up a bit. I think attempting to shoot big resident Canadas out of the air with a trad bow and flu flus would be pretty damn fun.
You guys that got the experience, you think this is doable?
Would you recommend a recurve or longbow, and why?
Thanks
Originally Posted by Fisky
I am contemplating getting into a little traditional archery my self. My main motivation for this would be to shoot (attempt to shoot) geese during our early goose season. There has been many a times where I've been in my blind in the decoys and birds are damn near on top of us (or landing right out front) and I think to my self, "damn, if I had a bow I think I could kill that one". I have ZERO traditional experience, however. This goose hunting with a shotgun has gotten monotonous. I still love it, but would like to spice things up a bit. I think attempting to shoot big resident Canadas out of the air with a trad bow and flu flus would be pretty damn fun.
You guys that got the experience, you think this is doable?
Would you recommend a recurve or longbow, and why?
But I shoot a lot of movers in practice. Walking deer are a gimmie.
Its going to take a serious commitment on your part. Its similar to shotgunning in the fact that you can't buy your way in. But its going to take a couple years of dedicated practice before you hook up on anything. When and if it happens for you, its going to make you a very happy man.
[quote=MnFn]I have a few. My two favorites now are both longbows - a Pronghorn and a Shrew Classic Hunter.
I saw the pic with the black, red and leather bow sleeve and knew it was protecting a "Shrew" I have one that Gene Wensel owned and have a pic of him with the bow with a dandy 8 point whitetail.
Been hunting with traditional stuff since the '60's. Carried a compound for 1 year in 1980, didn't care for it.
I make most all my equipment and hunt with a bamboo back and belly Maple longbow and an Osage static recurve. They work well as long as I stay within my effective shooting range, usually under 20 yards.
My wife, a couple of pals and myself have been putting on a Traditional Archery Pheasant Shoot for over 20 years, have about 65 folks showing up the past several years. Lots of fun and laughs, not many birds killed. Here's a link if you'd like to read about it. You can click on a tab in left hand corner for additional pictures.
Nice buck.Rifle loonies would die to shoot a buck like that one
What heads do you shoot?
Originally Posted by rudyc
Been hunting with traditional stuff since the '60's. Carried a compound for 1 year in 1980, didn't care for it.
I make most all my equipment and hunt with a bamboo back and belly Maple longbow and an Osage static recurve. They work well as long as I stay within my effective shooting range, usually under 20 yards.
My wife, a couple of pals and myself have been putting on a Traditional Archery Pheasant Shoot for over 20 years, have about 65 folks showing up the past several years. Lots of fun and laughs, not many birds killed. Here's a link if you'd like to read about it. You can click on a tab in left hand corner for additional pictures.
Been hunting with traditional stuff since the '60's. Carried a compound for 1 year in 1980, didn't care for it.
I make most all my equipment and hunt with a bamboo back and belly Maple longbow and an Osage static recurve. They work well as long as I stay within my effective shooting range, usually under 20 yards.
My wife, a couple of pals and myself have been putting on a Traditional Archery Pheasant Shoot for over 20 years, have about 65 folks showing up the past several years. Lots of fun and laughs, not many birds killed. Here's a link if you'd like to read about it. You can click on a tab in left hand corner for additional pictures.
Shot the moose with 2 blade Journeyman and the deer with the 3 blade Wensel Woodsman. The longbow is 51#'s at 28" and the recurve is 52#'s at 27" I have a pretty big stash of old Forgewood shafts that I use and the total weight of arrow with broadhead is 625-635 grains.
I started out with recurves in the 50's and started deer and hog hunting with them in the early 60's. Went to compounds in late 70's and just got back to recurves in 2010.
Bought a Quinn Stallion and killed a buck and doe with it this season on some public land that boarders my place in Southern Illinois (Shawnee National Forest).
I just ordered a new bow this month from Kirk at Big Foot Archery, a 45lb Sasquach recurve T/D at 64". Tried to use materials to get as much speed out of it as possible since I can't pull much weight anymore with all my heart problems and old age. Triple carbon with foam limb core, no veneers (carbon) footed zebrawood riser. Should be about May when completed.
Been busy for a few days, sorry I am so late. The bottom bow is a Root bow my Dad bought in 1966 or '67. He was having trouble pulling his 56 Lb recurve due to a bad shoulder, so bought this to hunt deer with. It is right at 40 lbs and I think 66" long.
I shot a season of league competition with it, but never hunted with it. I was the only trad shooter there.
I bought the Shrew directly from Ron Leclair, and it was a great experience just to talk about the Shrew Classic and what wood arrows he recommended for it. Really enjoyed the whole experience.
If you like to do things �old school,� it doesn�t get much better than traditional archery. The bow and arrow have been around for thousands upon thousands of years. This tool has served men as a way of providing food, protection, and recreation since its creation.
Burch, Where did you take the rays? I LOVE bowfishing!
Ed
"Not in an open forum, where truth has less value than opinions, where all opinions are equally welcome regardless of their origins, rationale, inanity, or truth, where opinions are neither of equal value nor decisive." Ken Howell
I've got a couple of longbows. The one I deer hunt with is a #50 Tomahawk SS. 30" CE Heritage 150's with 175 gr Woodsman Elite or Zwickey Delta. Just recently acquired my first recurve. Its a Bear Kodiak Mag. #55...Anxious to start working with it. Ken
Fox Archery High Sierra 60" T/D recurve, 55 lbs at 28" DL. Shoot like a dream, smooth and quiet. I shoot either port orford cedar or Alaska archery griz stick sitka carbon shafts and various single blade fixed BH's depending on the game I'm pursuing. I try to keep my total arrow/broadhead weight above 700grains. It's fun, instinctive shooting is a challenge but its a blast. I keep my shot's under 30 yes with my recurve since my eyes are getting old (not me just my eyes).