Any traditional bow hunters out there?

[MDoutdoors]

Just curious if anyone on here is hunting with traditional equipment, I know there aren't too many of us out here so I wanna here from some folks who are doin it!

Feel free to share some pics, stories, and what kinda bow your shooting

Here's a few I've harvested this season with an old 70# custom Big Horn recurve made in the late 80s

 

[Armored farmer]

I would love to say that I did. My 52# Bear Black Bear is my favorite
An unfortunate injury caused me to buy a xbow and that's what I have been using for the last few years to archery hunt.
This buck taken with an arrow through the heart at 25yds is one of my favorite trophies.
My friends and I had an indoor archery league that we competed in weekly.
We all got pretty salty with our recurves.

 

[Armored farmer]

custom Big Horn recurve made in the late 80s

That's a beautiful bow, and a heavy draw!

 

[MDoutdoors]

That's a beautiful bow, and a heavy draw!

That's awesome man, beautiful deer and 25 yards is a super impressive shot with traditional equipment!

And believe it or not that old recurve was custom built for my father back in the day so it's been a blessing to be harvesting animals with the same bow he did over 40 years ago. And for the draw weight I definitely got hooked on heavy bows cause i just placed an order with Blacktail bows for an 85# recurve haha! I asked them to build me one at 100# but they said they couldn't make anything heavier then 85# lol

 

[Kingcreek]

I would love to take a deer with my Osage longbow 55#. I own almost a 1/2 mile of old hedge row and I traded some wood selected for staves with an old guy for a bow building lesson. So I made it myself with guidance.
I practice with it and shoot cedar shafts with vintage zwickey broadheads. I just haven’t had a good opportunity with it. It’s my fault. I put a couple deer in the freezer with compound or crossbow (new this year) before picking up the longbow.

 

[Milt1]

The shooting range I belong to has, for the longest time, refused to put in a bow range. We have a new president of the club now and I'm hoping
he'll approve a multi-station different yardage range through a wooded section that the range owns. If that happens I'm buying a bow!

 

[jmr40]

I have an old 51# Browning Nomad recurve. I'm guessing it was made in the 1970's. I got it as part of a gun trade at some point in the 1990's. I painted it camo and had pin sights installed shortly after acquiring it. The 1st photo was from the 1990's. The 2nd photo with the same bow, same spot this year. I have other bows including a compound. But this is the one I like best and use by far the most.

I ain't gonna lie. I don't take archery season nearly as serious as I used to. At this point I usually just pick it up and go for a walk in the woods. It's just too hot for hunting during archery season here and I don't enjoy it.

 

[MDoutdoors]

I would love to take a deer with my Osage longbow 55#. I own almost a 1/2 mile of old hedge row and I traded some wood selected for staves with an old guy for a bow building lesson. So I made it myself with guidance.
I practice with it and shoot cedar shafts with vintage zwickey broadheads. I just haven’t had a good opportunity with it. It’s my fault. I put a couple deer in the freezer with compound or crossbow (new this year) before picking up the longbow.

Hell yeah man taking a deer with a self bow is insane

 

[MDoutdoors]

The shooting range I belong to has, for the longest time, refused to put in a bow range. We have a new president of the club now and I'm hoping
he'll approve a multi-station different yardage range through a wooded section that the range owns. If that happens I'm buying a bow!

For sure man that sounds freaking awesome, if yall get that going you can start doing some 3D shoots in the woods and stuff

 

[MDoutdoors]

I have an old 51# Browning Nomad recurve. I'm guessing it was made in the 1970's. I got it as part of a gun trade at some point in the 1990's. I painted it camo and had pin sights installed shortly after acquiring it. The 1st photo was from the 1990's. The 2nd photo with the same bow, same spot this year. I have other bows including a compound. But this is the one I like best and use by far the most.

I ain't gonna lie. I don't take archery season nearly as serious as I used to. At this point I usually just pick it up and go for a walk in the woods. It's just too hot for hunting during archery season here and I don't enjoy it.

View attachment 1182769
View attachment 1182771

I feel you man I'm in maryland and I still had a couple days early season that hit about close to 90 degrees, something about sweating in a deer stand doesn't sit right with me I know those boys farther down south are pretty much hunting in summer weather for the first half of the deer season I couldn't do it, I'd have to break out the shorts and cut off shirt

 

[LoonWulf]

Not exactly traditional, but ive hunted with moden recurves and longbows since 2010 or so when i got back into archery. I did shoot compound as well for a couple years also.
I don't bow hunter or even shoot much anymore, so I'm down to just this one.

 

[Hookeye]

Blackwidow PSA2 46#@28", 58" limbs
Have been shooting Blackwidows off and on since '87.
Last build for me, getting tough w arthritis (hence the lower draw weight).

Have had other recurves. Still like compounds.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I have taken two deer with a bow, both with the bottom re-curve which is a Browning Fury ll at 72#. It's a little heavy for me now, as long as getting it to my full draw which is almost 30". I can still shoot a 65# just fine, and my main-squeeze is the Omega second from the bottom/next one up from the Browning. It is a 56# but sends the same arrows/same weight arrow at only three or four FPS slower than the Browning.

The very top bow, on the wall was my first bow, a York 40# that I got when I was 16 years old. It still shoots great, but at 40# it kind of feels like I'm pulling on a rubber band.

Next one down or top of the rack is a hickory bow I made myself. #65. Kind of a "sluggish" shooter.

Under that is a bamboo/EPE/hickory bow. It's a real shooter, 65#. From Rudder Bows. Handle section bends with the rest of the bow. I love that feel. Other than being laminated, a true cave-man or Ice Man bow. "Bends around the compass".

Then the Omega under that. I like shooting the Omega best, and can shoot it best. And what's not to like about a 56# bow that shoots as fast as a #72? !!!

I rarely deer hunt with a bow anymore, although during ML season one can legally substitute/use a bow, and I've done that but not in the last three or four years. I do take the Omega out once or twice during turkey season, and I like to woods-wander with it, but sometimes take the Browning or the Rudder bow. (along with a good six gun on me hip)

Wilderness wandering with the Omega. Way back in the out-back!

 

[MDoutdoors]

View attachment 1182988
I have taken two deer with a bow, both with the bottom re-curve which is a Browning Fury ll at 72#. It's a little heavy for me now, as long as getting it to my full draw which is almost 30". I can still shoot a 65# just fine, and my main-squeeze is the Omega second from the bottom/next one up from the Browning. It is a 56# but sends the same arrows/same weight arrow at only three or four FPS slower than the Browning.

The very top bow, on the wall was my first bow, a York 40# that I got when I was 16 years old. It still shoots great, but at 40# it kind of feels like I'm pulling on a rubber band.

Next one down or top of the rack is a hickory bow I made myself. #65. Kind of a "sluggish" shooter.

Under that is a bamboo/EPE/hickory bow. It's a real shooter, 65#. From Rudder Bows. Handle section bends with the rest of the bow. I love that feel. Other than being laminated, a true cave-man or Ice Man bow. "Bends around the compass".

Then the Omega under that. I like shooting the Omega best, and can shoot it best. And what's not to like about a 56# bow that shoots as fast as a #72? !!!

I rarely deer hunt with a bow anymore, although during ML season one can legally substitute/use a bow, and I've done that but not in the last three or four years. I do take the Omega out once or twice during turkey season, and I like to woods-wander with it, but sometimes take the Browning or the Rudder bow. (along with a good six gun on me hip)
View attachment 1182989
Wilderness wandering with the Omega. Way back in the out-back!

Damn nice collection!

I'm thinking about trying for some turkey for the first time this year, any tips/suggestions and what kindve broadhead you like for em?

 

[troy fairweather]

No real traditional bows but would like to make a nice one some day out of hickory, should probably find a good tree and get a few staves drying for a few hears. Haven't bow hunted in a few years but I was using the nice old Shakespeare recure I've got, says 55# but it's more like 65# at 28" and over 70# at my draw.

The other week my buddy had a other friend give him a old recurve, he said it was left hand but when I went over to look at it I found out its right and and a very nice bear Kodiak magnum from the 50s. Think it's 50# or so. I'd like to get that off him, good bow for in a blind.

 

[.38 Special]

Here's a crummy picture of the man cave "bow corner".



The nearest two are laminated English war bows, #100 and #115 pounds.

The middle two are Howard Hill "Wesley Specials" and were my primary hunting bows. The dark one is for birds and small game, 50#@28". The lighter-colored one is my big game bow, 75#@29.

The next two include my "teaching, and getting into shape" recurve, 35#@28. The other is a one piece English yew bow, and I've forgotten the specs. I think it is 80#@29".

At the very back, looking a lot thinner than it actually is, is another laminated war bow, 135#@29.

All of them but the big war bow have gone hunting - I've never actually been able to pull that one - and have drawn blood. I've essentially given up hunting these days, but the 50 pound Hill has lately just been begging for a collared dove hunt...

 

[Hookeye]

I shot other people's longbows....an 80# Hill, and a 66# Ol Ben 5000. They beat the heck outta me.
Tried ML10 and 14, and didn't care for those. Am just not a longbow guy.
However, my buds low 40# Tomahawk longbow is the nicest I've shot.

Still not a longbow guy, have always preferred recurves. But now I'm having
problems w em, and may have to buy a compound to hunt the next couple yrs.

 

[Hookeye]

Liked my Groves Spitfire Magnum.
Just wish I could find one without the broadhead cutout, as they can crack at that spot.
Haven't shot the actual overdraw model.
Did shoot a Flamehunter and it was darn nice.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

The other week my buddy had a other friend give him a old recurve, he said it was left hand but when I went over to look at it I found out its right and and a very nice bear Kodiak magnum from the 50s. Think it's 50# or so. I'd like to get that off him, good bow for in a blind.

Oh yes, those are desireable (sp?) bows. Get it if you can and put it to good use.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Still not a longbow guy, have always preferred recurves. But now I'm having
problems w em, and may have to buy a compound to hunt the next couple yrs.

Luke! Do not go over to the dark side!!! There's really no advantage to a compound. Only imagined and hyped.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I'm thinking about trying for some turkey for the first time this year, any tips/suggestions and what kindve broadhead you like for em?

Oh I think any broadhead will put a turkey down. I use those "tri-blade" broadheads for turkey...but...I've never actually shot a Turk yet. I use those just as/because I have some laying around from "the old days", and that saves my good Zwickeys from damage. Pretty rocky where I hunt, and I'm not going to be surprised if I miss. !!! So I'm thinking whatever you have, I sure wouldn't spend any extra money on expensive or "trick" broadheads for turkey.

 

[Armored farmer]

I will relate my last hunt with a compound.
.....a long story short.
Illinois archery turkey and archery deer season run concurrently (which is awesome! ).I spotted some turkeys headed to their usual roosting area across a standing corn field from me.
I knew I could entercept them if I moved fast and cut through the standing corn.
I climbed down from my stand and removed my coat and gloves and got in go-fast mode and cut the ¼ mile through the cornfield.
I made it to the other side and was two rows in peering out to the edge when I saw the gobblers in single file coming my way... just outside the first row of corn.
I drew my compound and waited for the first gobbler to get even with me.
Just a mere 30"-40" from my broadhead point.....Was a big puffy gobbler.
Then another....
And another......
Much to my disbelief..my release had been fastened around my coat cuff and glove....
I couldn't reach the release trigger with my finger!
Try as i might....I couldn't!
When I reached with all my might...(bow drawn) the string broke over center and pooped my arrow about three feet scaring tha already wary birds....
That was my last hunt with a compound and all the crap that goes with....done!
2016

 

[Hookeye]

I like compounds just fine. Used to shoot for a shop yrs ago.

Fletchunter shorty release, HHA mover sight and twin cams.............oh yeah.

Still like cam lever bows, been looking for an Oneida LFM to rebuild.
Could just have a G Rex made (boutique builder).
Lots of moving parts, but silky smooth a cam lever bow is.

Can buy whatever, but practical mind says just get a Hoyt Torrex for hunting.

 

[Hookeye]

Releases........
The crap I see people run in videos, just askin for trouble.
Love a Fletchunter Shorty wrist model.
Simple and rugged (and dang nice).

No longer made by Fletcher. Somebody else makes em now, and they're over $100.

BTW, I also hate gloves for trad. Am a tab dude.
KP300 calfhair if going split, BW calfhair if 3 under.

My deal is this: if I'm not gonne have big bucks to hunt, might as well have fun w the little ones...........trad kinda does that.
Heck I haven't shot a buck over 100" w trad.

But even then, I just don't like to kill stuff anymore. But dangit, gotta kill to grill (since I'm the only hunter in my fam).
Kinda feel bad about shooting my doe w trad earlier this yr.
Tastes great, but yield aint much.

Need another deer in freezer. Dunno if I have the heart to do it. One a yr seems enough.

 

[Hookeye]

Luke! Do not go over to the dark side!!! There's really no advantage to a compound. Only imagined and hyped.

Flatter trajectory and more power are real advantages.
As is a more exact aiming system.
And more quiet delivery (compared to recurve).
There are very real bonuses to a compound.

My main complaint with them is weight. They suck to haul around.
Battling shoulder/joint issues...........mass weight is becoming more of an issue.

Walking the woods w a recurve, even a heavy plywood Blackwidow (LOL) is way easier.
But I have less power and range.

I take a compound and things die w ease. Maybe too easy.
If I already had a buck in P&Y w wheels I'd stick w bent wood.
P&Y buck..............heck I haven't seen one over 100" all season.

My spot kinda sucks.
But sometimes a 140 or 150" comes through.