Calling out Garyb (warning Bow related)

[knkali]

Seems many here shoot bows too. I put up gun reviewers here for our critique, but I have to put up this guy to the forum as a bow reviewer for our critique..


His name is Cameron Hanes. At first I thought the guy was pretty righteous. He trains hard, he has respect for the animals he shoots, and can shoot the heck out of his rig. However, after seeing this vid, I am starting to think he is a clown who can shoot well. Thoughts? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2mnyWTkqq8

[Bawanna]

Definitely should stay in the woods and off motorcycles. One little patch of ice cream and he'd be praying for leathers.

Also not big on shooting past the corner of the barn there. Kind of a blind spot.

He does have nice rippling bulging bulges. Man muffin for sho.

[knkali]

yeah he is a squid on that bike but you can tell that safety is paramount with him since he didn't have his arrows with him on the bike.

[b4uqzme]

I'm betting he's never been down...or even sideways for that matter. Just sayin'.

Back in the day I had a buddy who rode like an idiot. But he always wore leather...even on the hottest day in August. I saw him recently. He's still alive.

I was riding one of them ninja bikes. I crested a hill doing close to 100 just to find a farm tractor doing about 20. I got sideways for quite awhile but managed to stay upright. I haven't ridden for years. But I'm still alive too.

[knkali]

I have more miles pushing my bikes then some have riding them. I rode iron head sportsters because they were cheap transportation--I didn't have a car. I did some dumbazz stuff and I am alive by the grace of G-d. Bikes are dangerous and riding like the guy in the vid is just asking for a trip to the burn unit at a trauma center.

[Bawanna]

Makes my skin crawl just thinking about it.

Makes me sick to see guy all leathered up with gloves and have their girl riding behind in shorts and a tank top. Not that I don't love short and nice tank tops but well you understand.

[b4uqzme]

Honestly that's why I quit riding. It was hot and I was all leathered up and pulled up to a stoplight next to a guy and a girl in an open Jeep in tank tops and flip flops. So I think to myself; "where's the freedom in this?" And sold the bike. I still kinda regret it though.

[knkali]

Honestly that's why I quit riding. It was hot and I was all leathered up and pulled up to a stoplight next to a guy and a girl in an open Jeep in tank tops and flip flops. So I think to myself; "where's the freedom in this?" And sold the bike. I still kinda regret it though.


Same here. got tired of freezing my *** off or wet with sweat. Besides, I knew my number was up and I didn't push it. Got rid of the bike and never really missed it much.

[garyb]

Seems many here shoot bows too. I put up gun reviewers here for our critique, but I have to put up this guy to the forum as a bow reviewer for our critique..


His name is Cameron Hanes. At first I thought the guy was pretty righteous. He trains hard, he has respect for the animals he shoots, and can shoot the heck out of his rig. However, after seeing this vid, I am starting to think he is a clown who can shoot well. Thoughts? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2mnyWTkqq8



Never heard of him until now. Notice that he uses a peep and nock point for a kisser. He is obviously an experienced hunter. He has a good solid consistent anchor lock up. Trains hard. Hunts hard. Cool marketing vid for Hoyt, Easton, etc.... He probably figured this represented him well... at that time of the vid. Can't really speak for the bike part of the vid, but I think it was to make him look cool and show off his physique. I was a dirt track biker back when I was 17-18, but never rode the street...too dangerous with knobby tires.
Overall, I kind of like the vid and in a way I can relate to this guy, but I certainly would not judge him by a vid. I have a long martial arts background from the past and I still train 2-3 hours a day, 6 days a week. I can appreciate how this helps achieve hunting goals and archery skills. Thanks for sharing.

[GROTMAN]

"a guy and a girl in an open Jeep in tank tops and flip flops"
How me and my wife cruise along the parkway etc ;)

[b4uqzme]

Never heard of him until now. Notice that he uses a peep and nock point for a kisser. He is obviously an experienced hunter. He has a good solid consistent anchor lock up.

Huh? :rolleyes:

[knkali]

Huh? :rolleyes:
Not sure what you mean B4uqzme?

[hardluk1]

He's a real cool guy . He just can't help it. Maybe the bow is there so when he wrecks he can do a mid air flip to his back and ride the bow to a stop to save the skin.

[Ascham1]

Very impressed with himself... I sure he has a following among the shirtless, motorcycle crowd.

[b4uqzme]

Not sure what you mean B4uqzme?

Sorry, just teasing garyb a little for actually addressing the thread topic....and poking some fun at me too. :) What's a nock point kisser?

[knkali]

Sorry, just teasing garyb a little for actually addressing the thread topic....and poking some fun at me too. :) What's a nock point kisser?

Got it.

[garyb]

Sorry, just teasing garyb a little for actually addressing the thread topic....and poking some fun at me too. :) What's a nock point kisser?



A kisser button is a small 1/4" to 1/2" slotted button that goes on the bowstring. When you draw the bow, the kisser button comes back to the mouth to touch a given point on the lips or corner of the lips. This aids in consistent head alignment and consistent draw length. It also helps to get your head in the correct position so your eye aligns with the peep sight every time...quickly. Cam (the guy on the vid) uses a nock point as a kisser button. He probably feels it on his lip or tooth when he draws the bow back. In the old days, the fingers would touch the same spot on the face, jaw, or lips when the bow was drawn. Now we use a trigger release aid, so we use something on the string to touch the lips or even a tooth, when we draw the bow. Hope that answers your question.

[garyb]

Oh, and by the way, the guy on the vid uses a nock point as a kisser button, because the nock point is a bit smaller and perhaps incrementally lighter. Any object on the bow string will cause the string to move a little bit slower, resulting in less velocity of the arrow. In this case, using a nock point instead of a kisser button results in very, very little difference in speed....perhaps less than 1 ft/sec difference. But some guys are very speed conscious and go for every bit of speed the bow can put out. For him, the nock point works just fine and is much easier to install on the bow string than a kisser. Just thought I'd add that info. When you get into archery, you start to notice little things like these. Kind of like how gun guys pick up the little things that other guys are doing with their guns. WE all like to look and learn. Good stuff.

[b4uqzme]

Darn you are easy garyb ;) While I admit my question was hypothetical, I am genuinely interested in your answer. Just today I was telling a good friend that I am considering a bow lesson. He quickly rattled off a bunch of places to shoot and a couple of mutual friends with bows. Seems he's been thinking about it too.

Thanks for being our resident bow expert. :yo:

And thanks to you too knkali.

[knkali]

Yeah Gary is the go to guy on bow works. He not only shoots em, he builds em and hunts with them and competes with them since he was a kid.


I think it is a hoot. Went out the other day had had a blast with a family member who got me hooked on it. Relaxing in a weird way. Cannot describe it really. Satisfies the shooting sport aspect but quieter and much cheaper since you easily reuse your ammo. After about 35+- arrows, I am kinda beat too.


I hope you enjoy it as much as I do when you try it.

[garyb]

Yeah Gary is the go to guy on bow works. He not only shoots em, he builds em and hunts with them and competes with them since he was a kid.


I think it is a hoot. Went out the other day had had a blast with a family member who got me hooked on it. Relaxing in a weird way. Cannot describe it really. Satisfies the shooting sport aspect but quieter and much cheaper since you easily reuse your ammo. After about 35+- arrows, I am kinda beat too.


I hope you enjoy it as much as I do when you try it.


Good sport. Good exercise. Good family fun. It snowballs and gets contagious. Lots to the sport. Always something to learn. It can be very meditative in a way and the Japanese use it as a form of ZEN. I have a book "Zen in the Art of Archery". Actually, I have an extensive collection of books on archery and bow hunting. Archery (especially bow hunting) has been a passion for me since I was a little boy.


If you ever get to shoot at a 3D course, it is kind of like golf. You go from target to target and keep score. You can compete with yourself as well as compete with others. It is quiet and slow, but good exercise.


Give it a try b4uqzme. It was hard to tell if you were serious about your question or being hypothetical....but I am glad to talk bows or guns.
Best to you both.
PS - don't overshoot. Too many arrows is not good and develops bad habits that are hard to break.

[Bawanna]

The 3D course is excellent for practicing range estimation. As well as up hill/downhill and with stuff in the way, branches, brush, that sort of thing. Sort of real world. We have/had one, not sure if it's still there or not that was really cool.

Fun just getting out there and walking around the course. That was in the old days of course.

[garyb]

The 3D course is excellent for practicing range estimation. As well as up hill/downhill and with stuff in the way, branches, brush, that sort of thing. Sort of real world. We have/had one, not sure if it's still there or not that was really cool.

Fun just getting out there and walking around the course. That was in the old days of course.



For sure Bawanna. I'd bet you would still enjoy shooting a bow with a little help from a friend. Wish I could do that. Sincerely.

[jocko]

can any of u guys remember the Bowhunters Nationals held for about 6 years in Clinton,Ind. Our archery club started that event and the last time we had it was well over 35 years ago but we had ove 1500 shooters and over 50 archery exhibitors. they came from miles aorund. Ol sneaky Ted Nugent even came to shoot but oncve the word got out that he was on the grounds he left ASAP. OPur last year We had the honor of having Fred Bear,glenn st. Charles, Jennings, Pete Shipley, Jim doughtery, Acie Johnson (preston of Ben Pearson archery) Roger Rothhar, The Pope and Young organization was there along with about a dozen regular member. Marion James from Bowhunter Mag,. Those were the days my friends Going back a long time for me but memories have no price

[Bawanna]

For sure Bawanna. I'd bet you would still enjoy shooting a bow with a little help from a friend. Wish I could do that. Sincerely.

I wouldn't mind getting back in some. I'd need to get a lighter draw weight. When I was bow hunting I had a Martin that went from 55 to 70 and when dialed all the way up close to 75.

I did something to my upper back between the shoulder blades and of course that bow really aggravated it so I dialed it down.

My son now has a compound, can't even remember the brand but I can't even begin to draw it back.

When I was first introduced to it I think my mentor didn't expect me to be able to draw a bow, started me on his sons like 55, well it turned out that I'd been fencing for 10 years at the time and dug a ton of post holes which also turns out exercises the same exact muscles you need to pull a bow. It was effortless and he was shocked.

Had a ton of fun bow hunting, didn't kill many animals but sure saw alot and sure enjoyed the chase. Killin equals work ya know. Did manage to get a Mountain Goat, my crowning glory.

[jocko]

is that Mountyain goat thing a slam at ol jocko??? Just sayin

I sold Bear archery for 30 yersa but I never owned or shot a compund bopw. I was not a traditional long bow person either but I trtuly loved the Bear take downs at 70#. The componds today just seem outta place in the archery world, I realize 95% shoot one so Iam of the old school but a su said colonel. It was more of the ut with me than the kill. I missed far more than I ever hit but back then I felt bad about mssing to but today I think back and I just have nod esire to kill much of anything anymore, except time. Never shot a goat, screwed alot of them thugh, did bow kill a Mt. Lion that made P & Y back yonder in Moab, Utah. My how the good times have passed to but the memories last forever..

[Bawanna]

I never missed a shot, just didn't take many shots. I only had one deer get away that I know I hit, I recovered the arrow, definite lung shot, right at dusk and of course dark and rain came on quick. I tracked for and looked for two days with 4 other guys helping and couldn't find it.
Still sick about it to this day.

I had elk on one side of the bushes and me on the other 5 yards apart, just couldn't find a hole to get an arrow through, it was a blast, well a quiet blast but a blast none the less.

[garyb]

can any of u guys remember the Bowhunters Nationals held for about 6 years in Clinton,Ind. Our archery club started that event and the last time we had it was well over 35 years ago but we had ove 1500 shooters and over 50 archery exhibitors. they came from miles aorund. Ol sneaky Ted Nugent even came to shoot but oncve the word got out that he was on the grounds he left ASAP. OPur last year We had the honor of having Fred Bear,glenn st. Charles, Jennings, Pete Shipley, Jim doughtery, Acie Johnson (preston of Ben Pearson archery) Roger Rothhar, The Pope and Young organization was there along with about a dozen regular member. Marion James from Bowhunter Mag,. Those were the days my friends Going back a long time for me but memories have no price



I remember reading about the Nationals. Also familiar with all the memorable names you mentioned. I met Jennings, Doughtery, Rothhar. I have a 1st edition version of the Pope and Young Scoring, signed by the wife of the author. You'll recognize this bow Jocko. My Bear TD. I have two sets of limbs for it. Also have a Howard Hill Bamboo and a 62" Howatt Hunter in bubinga (the original old version). Not many of today's archers know much about these. But I am sure some of you old goats and sheep herders do....LOL.

[340pd]

I can pre-date your Bear as I shot local tournaments with a fiberglass 40# Paul Bunyan Custom recurve as a kid.
I got back into it last year with my grandkids. I now use my compound bow as part of by exercise regime during the looooong Minnesota winters. Great fun for those that like to tweak, shoot, tweak, and shoot.
Before anyone tells me not to draw my compound bow without an nocked arrow, I use this tool.
http://thirdhandarchery.com/product.asp?PRODID=12

[garyb]

340pd, Appreciate the offer to date my Bear TD. I know I got it in the 80's. I had one just like it that was stolen from me. My insurance covered it and got it replaced. Decent bow. Got a set of 50# and 55# limbs for it. Wall hanger now, but it will get left to one of the kids or grandkids. They may not realize just what they put their hands on when they get it. Much like some of my other traditional bows and arrows. Today's archers don't have the same appreciation for this kind of stuff as was had back in the day. Good days too. But, archery has progressed amazingly.

[jocko]

I remember reading about the Nationals. Also familiar with all the memorable names you mentioned. I met Jennings, Doughtery, Rothhar. I have a 1st edition version of the Pope and Young Scoring, signed by the wife of the author. You'll recognize this bow Jocko. My Bear TD. I have two sets of limbs for it. Also have a Howard Hill Bamboo and a 62" Howatt Hunter in bubinga (the original old version). Not many of today's archers know much about these. But I am sure some of you old goats and sheep herders do....LOL.

a "B" Riser to. I shot the A riser all the time and leter on went to the magnesium riser and started collecting back then the A and B risers. Had 17 of them all total at one time and wrote Fgred Bear backthen and asked if he would autograph them for me if I sent them up to Grayling. He said yupper so I did and damn if he didn't not only autgraph them but had them all refinished for me and returned to me NO CHARGE

[jocko]

I remember reading about the Nationals. Also familiar with all the memorable names you mentioned. I met Jennings, Doughtery, Rothhar. I have a 1st edition version of the Pope and Young Scoring, signed by the wife of the author. You'll recognize this bow Jocko. My Bear TD. I have two sets of limbs for it. Also have a Howard Hill Bamboo and a 62" Howatt Hunter in bubinga (the original old version). Not many of today's archers know much about these. But I am sure some of you old goats and sheep herders do....LOL.

a "B" Riser to. I shot the A riser all the time and leter on went to the magnesium riser and started collecting back then the A and B risers. Had 17 of them all total at one time and wrote Fgred Bear backthen and asked if he would autograph them for me if I sent them up to Grayling. He said yupper so I did and damn if he didn't not only autgraph them but had them all refinished for me and returned to me NO CHARGE. I took one of them and sent it to glenn St. Charles to also sign which he did and then I sent it to Jim Dougherty to sign and he did and DUMB me whenI got the riser back I was looking at Jim Dougherty's signature and just rubbed my finner over it and fokk I smeared it all over. It was digned in an Ink pen and it never dried on the high gloss finish. I just leaned it off and never resent it back. Fred and Glen used a magic type Marker pen.

Kept up for many yearshanging in my archery shop but when i retired back then I listed themon a site and they went quicker than a ***** in a whore house. Yup those were the days.

I broke many of 70# limbs back on the day though, seemed they were good for just so many shots and then BINGO gone. I liked the metal risers for actual hunting as the site window was centershot, where as the wood risersw were not. When they made the Fred Bear Take dwon commerative models (1000 for $1000) back then I had reserved serial numbert 15 aqnd 25 but they took so damn long to finlly produce the that I canceled my order. Dummbest thing I ever done. Only ever seen one and that wa sinthe Fred Bar museum in florida. Do u know why they took about 2 years longer to ever start making and selling them?? I do. . Bear when they decided to make this special take down bow then ordered 1000 special made hgigh grade walnut display boxes, and they made them first and they set in the factory at Grayling and later on in Florida for over 1.5 yers in boxes. and when they started to make the hand made bows, they found every fokking walnut box had warped beyond belief, so they had to delay the poduction. Many at tha ttie just got disgusted and canceled their orders. Not sur ethey ever produced the 1000 bows even.

Course Gary as u know the youtht of todeay have nbo clue about Fred Bear, or those who jade archery what it is today..:Amflag2: I used to eat and sleep bowhunting, really never huted big game with a gun,now dotay I just SLEEP.

[garyb]

a "B" Riser to. I shot the A riser all the time and leter on went to the magnesium riser and started collecting back then the A and B risers. Had 17 of them all total at one time and wrote Fgred Bear backthen and asked if he would autograph them for me if I sent them up to Grayling. He said yupper so I did and damn if he didn't not only autgraph them but had them all refinished for me and returned to me NO CHARGE. I took one of them and sent it to glenn St. Charles to also sign which he did and then I sent it to Jim Dougherty to sign and he did and DUMB me whenI got the riser back I was looking at Jim Dougherty's signature and just rubbed my finner over it and fokk I smeared it all over. It was digned in an Ink pen and it never dried on the high gloss finish. I just leaned it off and never resent it back. Fred and Glen used a magic type Marker pen.

Kept up for many yearshanging in my archery shop but when i retired back then I listed themon a site and they went quicker than a ***** in a whore house. Yup those were the days.

I broke many of 70# limbs back on the day though, seemed they were good for just so many shots and then BINGO gone. I liked the metal risers for actual hunting as the site window was centershot, where as the wood risersw were not. When they made the Fred Bear Take dwon commerative models (1000 for $1000) back then I had reserved serial numbert 15 aqnd 25 but they took so damn long to finlly produce the that I canceled my order. Dummbest thing I ever done. Only ever seen one and that wa sinthe Fred Bar museum in florida. Do u know why they took about 2 years longer to ever start making and selling them?? I do. . Bear when they decided to make this special take down bow then ordered 1000 special made hgigh grade walnut display boxes, and they made them first and they set in the factory at Grayling and later on in Florida for over 1.5 yers in boxes. and when they started to make the hand made bows, they found every fokking walnut box had warped beyond belief, so they had to delay the poduction. Many at tha ttie just got disgusted and canceled their orders. Not sur ethey ever produced the 1000 bows even.

Course Gary as u know the youtht of todeay have nbo clue about Fred Bear, or those who jade archery what it is today..:Amflag2: I used to eat and sleep bowhunting, really never huted big game with a gun,now dotay I just SLEEP.

Jocko, believe it or not I bought one of the $1000 bows. Came in a beautiful walnut box...leather buckskin lined with art work of Fred on underside of lid. Clear glass on yew limbs. Mine had a discernible "click" when I drew it back. They told me to return it and stopped production. Refunded my money. I should have never returned that bow. Piece of art. Beautiful gold lock ups. Rosewood riser. Stupid me!

[b4uqzme]

I saw one of these guys at a local Cabelas: it felt wonderful. I'm not sure why as I really know nothing about bows. I just have a hankering for a recurve. Is there one you all would recommend for a beginner...and what weight? And would I expect it to feel as good as this Bear? They had numerous bows in stock and this one stood head and shoulders above the rest. Then again, it was their most expensive too.

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/2861375364/bear-archery-kodiak-magnum-52-recurve-bow-right-hand-africa-babinga-wood-riser-maple-and-fiberglass-limbs?cm_vc=ProductFinding

[muggsy]

Definitely should stay in the woods and off motorcycles. One little patch of ice cream and he'd be praying for leathers.

Also not big on shooting past the corner of the barn there. Kind of a blind spot.

He does have nice rippling bulging bulges. Man muffin for sho.

Gave up riding years ago. Not sure about the target, but I'm pretty sure that I could hit the broad side of the barn at that distance. :)

[garyb]

I saw one of these guys at a local Cabelas: it felt wonderful. I'm not sure why as I really know nothing about bows. I just have a hankering for a recurve. Is there one you all would recommend for a beginner...and what weight? And would I expect it to feel as good as this Bear? They had numerous bows in stock and this one stood head and shoulders above the rest. Then again, it was their most expensive too.

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/2861375364/bear-archery-kodiak-magnum-52-recurve-bow-right-hand-africa-babinga-wood-riser-maple-and-fiberglass-limbs?cm_vc=ProductFinding



The Kodiak Mag was my first recurve bow. It is very short for recurve standards.....too short for good shooting IMO. I do not know your height or draw length...which makes a huge difference with recurves, but a 52" recurve would be too short for almost any man. I recommend you find a good custom recurve that is 58-62" if you have a draw length of 28+". Stay away from the ultra short recurves for a number of reasons.....finger pinch from the sharp string angle; overdrawing the limbs; limb stack; difficulty shooting a short bow, especially for a new archer; etc.... As a general rule, the longer your draw length, the longer you want your recurve bow. It is a balance between your draw length, draw weight, and bow length. A longer bow (58-62") is much smoother to draw and more comfortable on your fingers, etc.... The simply shoot better. Especially a GOOD recurve bow (Super D, Howatt Hunter, Bear TD, etc...)

[b4uqzme]

Thanks --- great info. That was the first bow I've seen that looked and felt well made, light and balanced. I've been checking local classifieds and there are some used Bear recurves available. But I figured there would be some way to "fit" the bow to the archer and now I know where to start. I haven't seen a used Bear Takedown yet...that would be sweet.

[jocko]

My 21 cents. I have always hujterd with a recurve, and mostly a Bear take down in 70#. Great set up, especaily for plane travel. My 21 cent sis though u can buy new from bear any recurve that they made years back, their take down today I do think is in wood handle only. BUY NEW any old berar or for that matter any old recurve is just what it s OLD. gl;ue has dried out,wood has dried out, ur on borrowed time with a used bow. New recurves come apart so think about a 15 or more year old like new recurve. Has it been in a hot closet for years or a cold ass attic or basement yadda yadda.

Buy a used one, hang it on the wall buy a new one and hunt with it like u stole it. My 21 cents, is to buy Bear for sure. their super Kodiak is one hell of a recurve today, less fnger pinch that the shorter bow, u, will shoot better with it and more than likey it will hold up better to.

I probalby broke more 70# take down limbsw than any owner out there, they just seemed to be when they got above that 65# part they were unstable. I think today bears take down bows come o more tha 60# even, which really is enough with todays modern lighter and faster arrows and superior broadheads to. deer haven't changed in over 50 years.

Listen to gary B though, he stillhunts and knows his sh!t, Ol jocko sold Bear for over 30 years but has hung up the bows a few long years back.. Just sayin

I can say with pride though that Fred Bear was afriend of mine, He has been to my shop once and may years back our bowhunters club in Clinton, In hosted the largest bowhunters shoot in the cuntry at that time and Fred was our featured guest. He just did not do that suff alot back then either..

to many peole today opt out for the easy path with comppund bow that relax 65%. they look like sumpin out of space even. I can remember when jennings had their compound bow in the early year, it only relaxed 18%. guys thought they died and went to heaven. and then when Bear came out with their alaskan compound it relaxed 25%, wow they died again and went to heaven, now today every compound relaxes 50% plus. I lost interest after that to. It was nuttin back in theday to buy a dozen wood arrows for $9.95 crested even with 125 grain field points and go to the range and come home with nutting but tooth picks. Now buy 5 carbon arros andur talking 50$ and up. Gary B knows..

I once had 17 of the original Bear Wood take down rises, all personly signed by Fred bear and one by Fred and Glen St. Charles (founder of the P & Y club_)

[b4uqzme]

^^^ More good advice -- thanks.

The TD might be a little expensive but the Super Kodiak or Grizzly... I'm gonna see if they have Bear demo's at the archery place near here. I was just really impressed with the Bear quality and feel...it really jumpstarted my urge to get a little of that garyb Zen experience.

[jocko]

grtizzly was a nice bow, backthen it was 56
" lenght, I would opt for at leat a 60" if it was me buying. My take down were all 60". Bigger sight window in thekodiak thant he grizzly to, in case u decide to shoot with some tyhpe of hunting sights. Not sure anyone makes such a variety of recurve bows than Bear does today...

[340pd]

Old bows are fun but new compounds are scary fast and easy to shoot. Last week I dumped nearly $1400 on a Mathews Chill X with new QAD rest. At least I can walk downrange, pick up and re-shoot, my ammo.

[garyb]

grtizzly was a nice bow, backthen it was 56
" lenght, I would opt for at leat a 60" if it was me buying. My take down were all 60". Bigger sight window in thekodiak thant he grizzly to, in case u decide to shoot with some tyhpe of hunting sights. Not sure anyone makes such a variety of recurve bows than Bear does today...



Jocko's right. He's obviously been down the road and has given you good, accurate advice. It is hard to find an old bow that is in good shooting shape, unless you really know what to look for....and even then, the glue could be bad or the limbs bad, due to storage conditions, limb twist, etc... If you are new to traditional archery, start with a new bow....60-62" long. As Jocko said, it will have a longer window, good limbs, and everything will be intact if it is new. You won't go wrong with one of the better Bear models in a 60-62" bow or a Martin Hunter.


There is nothing wrong with learning archery with a recurve or long bow, but there are special important quirks that need to be worked out. For example....here are a few: You need arrows matched to your bow's draw weight at your draw length. If you get arrows with the wrong spine, you will have problems. Likewise fletch....you should stick with feathers for shooting off the shelf, because the new plastic vanes will contact the shelf and window of the bow which causes deflection and poor arrow flight right out of the bow. You need to know how to set your nock point, relative to how you place your fingers on the bow. You don't want your arrow to porpoise through the air. You need to know how to string and unstring the bow properly, so you don't twist the limbs. Use a bow stringer if you are not certain. Never leave the recurve stored strung, nor sit it in a closet on the limb. Store it by hanging it on a wall by resting it on two nails, unstrung. This takes the stress off one limb which over time will twist.
These and many more things are important quirks to traditional archery. If you know of an old timer who shoots or had shot a traditional bow, pick his brain. We learn from each other and most archers will be happy to get you on the right path.
One last thing. Don't...DO NOT...over bow. If you are just starting off in traditional archery, do not jump in at 70 pounds, nor 60 pounds. Start off at a comfortable 50 pounds or so, depending on your strength and draw length. Recurve draw weights are rated at 28" draw. If you draw 29", your recurve (depending on it's length and weight stack), will add 2-3 pounds to your bow's draw weight. If you draw less than 28" you can subtract 2-3 pounds per inch of draw length. Keep this in mind. Folks tend to over bow (meaning using a bow with too much draw weight). New folks also tend to over draw their bow. You want your bow arm just slightly bent at the elbow to absorb some of the vibration. Your bow arm should not be locked out at the elbow. You also want to draw with your hand to your face....consistently...but not draw way back to behind your jaw and to your ear as so many new shooters will do. A good rule of thumb is to draw with your index or middle finger to the corner of your mouth and lock your thumb behind your jaw. We archers all use different anchors and different finger configurations on the string, but start with a consistent and comfortable anchor....as well as draw weight. Over bowing and improper draw technique will result in neck and back problems...so be careful. Howard Hill pointed this out in his book and I know this to be true. I gave up traditional archery because I developed neck issues and I now shoot a 60 pound Mathews Compound with 80% let off (and I love it) but I still have my very valuable and precious recurve and longbow collection.
Contact me if you have any questions. I am happy to help you.

[garyb]

Here are some pics of one of my DIY take down bow projects. Made from rosewood with clear glass limbs with Shedua and maple riser lams. Gold arrow head inlay. Hand made Flemish string. Matching allen wrench and pocket knife. I named it "God Speed". I've built several for friends, but have retired from this. It was a labor of love and I've moved on to compounds now.


Oh yes, I have shot buck with it using homemade cedar arrows fletched with feathers from a turkey that I also shot.

[jocko]

thats nice work on that riser pardner. really nice, that is alot of lamenations. v ery impressive.

[garyb]

thats nice work on that riser pardner. really nice, that is alot of lamenations. v ery impressive.



From one ole time traditional archer to another....Thanks!

[jocko]

I may be Ol time but I could never make sumpin that looked like that. u are gifted in that area that is for sure. My buddy muggsy is also gifted, but I wll say no more..