Bow hunters...

[gspn]

I used to bow hunt a lot. I mean I didn't miss opening day for anything in the world, and then I hunted every minute I could scrounge after that (which was every weekend and holiday).

Then I had kids, and something had to go...fishing and bow hunting went. I'd still rifle hunt, but time spare time was virtually nonexistent.

Now that the kids are older I have some time again. I broke out the bow recently and re-discovered how much fun it is. Then that got me to thinking about how old this bow must be. It doesn't feel old...it looks dang near brand new. It shoots fast and quiet. I think I bought it sometime between 2001 and 2003 but to be honest it's been so long I really can't remember.

It seems like everyone I know who bow hunts, buys a new bow every year or two. I'm the weirdo...I keep my stuff forever.

So...how old is your bow?

 

[jmr40]

You sound a lot like me. I started bow hunting in the 10th grade, 1974, with a 45# Ben Pearson recurve. Georgia didn't allow compound bows until about 1980ish. Can't remember the exact year.

I graduated from college in 1980 and taught Industrial Arts until I retired in 2010. At first I still had time to bow hunt, but by the mid 80's I got involved in coaching HS football. Along with 2 kids born 1984 and 1988 there wasn't much time for archery hunting, but I'd squeeze in a day or 2 each year. Archery opens early here, mid Sept to late October. Rifle season started about 2 weeks before the end of football season so it was always a lot easier to make time for that. Especially with 2 weeks off around Christmas.

I bought my 1st compound in the late 80's. It was a Hoyt Ram Hunter. It still works, I gave it to my SIL after he married my daughter. It is the same bow used in the Rambo movies, but with a camo finish instead of black like the one Stallone used.

I never really liked it though. At some point in the 90's a fellow threw in an old Browning Nomad 50# recurve as part of a gun trade. I used that bow most of the time up until about 10 years ago. It must be 50+ years old but still works great. It is still my favorite bow. About 10 years ago I was in a local archery pro shop buying supplies and was offered a great deal on a used single cam Martin bow with all the bells and whistles already installed. It was only 1 year old at the time.

I still like the old recurve better. But the Martin is so much easier to shoot well. If I practice with the recurve 2-3 days a week I can maintain skills to make hits at 20-25 yards. I can pick up the Martin and keep all my shots in a 5-6" group at 40 yards with no practice in months. Since retiring 5 years ago it has been my primary bow, but I take the Browning out from time to time.

By todays standards the Martin is old school, but it will be my last bow. If it breaks I'll either go back to the recurve or stop bow hunting.

 

[Patocazador]

Speed kills ... your wallet, that is. Those who are hooked on getting the newest, fastest bow every year are the reason the manufacturers keep inching them up, but not too much, so they will buy another next year.

Bows that are 'slower' and have less let-off are more forgiving and better for hunting IMO. Save your money and kill more deer by using your "old" bow.

 

[Captcurt]

No comparison.

I have a PSE Fireflite Express that I hunted with for 13 seasons. If memory serves it took 16 deer. I still have it for a backup bow but four years ago I upgraded to a Mission Venture. There is no comparison. The Mission is shorter, faster, smoother, and quieter.

Last weekend we had a shooting session for some National Guardsmen and I had an opportunity to shoot a couple of new Mathews. I can understand now why a lot of my friends buy new bows every couple of years. The technology improves weekly.

 

[PapaG]

I alternate between my dad's old Bear Grizzly from the early 70's and my PSE compound, a Mission Menace and a Bear Element. None of the last three are over 10 years old.

 

[sage5907]

I started out bow hunting with a 50# Bear Grizzley back in the 1960's. In the 1990's I fell for the latest snake oil and for several years I used a Mathews Legacy with 70 pound limbs. Somewhere along the way I got to thinking that any buck I shot with the Mathews I could have shot with a recurve so I went back to the recurve and now I have a pair of 45# Martin Dreamcatchers. They are quiet and very fun to shoot. The newest one was made about 2005. I am a gap shooter where I see the tip of my arrow and adjust for distance. Unlike a compound I don't ever think of distance. I let my onboard computer do the correction for the distance. It never ceases to amaze me how well it works.

 

[X-Rap]

I started with an old bear recurve but made my first kill with an astro stinger, I still have the bow though I don't think I'd shoot it anymore, I had to replace limbs back in 1980 when one split at full draw.
I have a Hoyt today and in general I shoot a bow for at least a decade.

 

[gspn]

I had to replace limbs back in 1980 when one split at full draw.

What was that like?!?!

I've had my D-loop break as I was drawing...punched myself in the face with 70 lbs of pressure. It was so funny that my brother in law spit out his beer when it happened.

 

[Evil-Twin]

I too use to hunt every bow season spending a week ( in a tree ) from dawn til dusk, just enjoying the solitude and mother nature... every year and loved the fact that it was still fairly warm in the woods ... I have two bows both are left handed; one is a Bear Kodiak magnum recurve... the other is a Bear compound the last time I shot them was in 1978. Life just got in the way.. I still rifle hunt and up to a few years went small game hunting yearly... now I shoot weekly and my gun club.. but I'm too sick and too old to consider getting back into bow hunting.

 

[ElevenBravo]

I just started bowhunting this year. I bought a bow as soon as I moved up to Idaho. I wanted to get a decent starter bow that I could hunt with, so the archery shop sold me a Mathews Ballistic. Took my first hog with it back in May. I may swap out a few pieces such as the sight and get it tuned a bit better, but it's been a pretty good bow and I don't expect to change it out anytime soon.

My wife wanted to get into the action, but she has a pretty bad case of bursitis in her shoulder, so she can't use a bow with a poundage that is legal to hunt with. I bought her a Mission Dagger crossbow and she has a letter of disability from her doctor so she can use it up here during archery season. She took two hogs with it in Texas back in May. Well, one and half. We both had problems with out Shwacker broadheads working properly. She shot one and the blades didn't deploy, only wounding it. I had to track it and put it down.

 

[Sav .250]

Red Wing, Hunter. Re-curve. In the early 60`s.

 

[243winxb]

Bear LTD Polar 2 1977

Loaned a Bear long bow to a friend, it was never returned back in the 70s. Still shoot this Bear LTD Polar 2. Pull weight is easly adjusted. Did break a cable when at full draw, 65 lbs. no harm done. This model had a free limp replacement around 77, a defect, as i remember.

 

[matrem]

Bowhunting whitetails is my favorite hobby by far.

Still using a 2001 Mathews Q2, and as of last fall, it still kills targets as well as it puts venison on the table.

New strings and a new cable system have been required, but, no...

I don't see anything weird about that.

 

[Hookeye]

Last yr I ran a Blackwidow HS58 60# (made in '83).
This yr's bow is another Blackwidow, HF1225 made in '72 (48#).
It'll be my target bow next yr (when I order a new Blackwidow PCH 50#).

Used to shoot wheels, and for a shop years ago, Buy at least 2 top end bows per yr. Got out of 3D and just hunted, still a new bow every yr.
Did keep one Hoyt for 3 yrs and one Blackwidow 4 yrs.

Fun, a lot of $ spent.

I'll get a new BW and then customize an Oneida and be done.

Lets see what's passed through

6 Blackwidows
3 Hoyts
6 Bears
3 Wings
4 Samick
2 Ben Pearsons
1 Browning
4 Martin/Howatt
2 Golden Eagle
2 Mathews
5 Oneidas
1 McPherson
11 PSE
1 Groves
there's probably another half dozen hiding in the cobwebs of the skull

Proly liked my Hoyt Protec compound and Blackwidow SA2 (first one) the best of all.
But do have a soft spot for Oneidas.

Guys at work blow me crap, all shoot the latest Mathews, Bowtech and Hoyts.........
My little recurves blow through deer just fine.
Like wheels, but old P&Y legal. Took the Hoyt out (272 FPS) after hunting recurve the prev yr. Smoked a doe at 45 yards and was downright shocked at how fast that arrow got there

Love Fletchunter release and HHA mover sights. Mean combo, moved them to a Mathews. Smoked deer with that too,

In fact, made me feel like I was cheating.

 

[Hookeye]

If I had to go back to wheels, it'd be a Mathews Chill.
Or a minty older Hoyt with cam and a half wheels.

Loved the feel of that setup.

Wish the Oneida Talon came at more than 55# peak. Might have to go boutique shop and have a custom cam/lever bow built.

Shame so may today have never shot fingers.

 

[sage5907]

Hookeye, you made me jealous when you listed those 6 Blackwidow bows. I've always wanted a 45# Blackwidow TF. The closest I've got to getting one was when I bid $725 for a used 45# autumn oak TF on eBay. Someone outbid me in the last minute. Still have one on my bucket list.

 

[Hookeye]

Eh, only 3 of them were new Widows. First one (when single and young) was in '87. MA2 62" and 62#.

Sold it after a few yrs.

Ordered another new one in 2001 (SA2, 58" and 55#). Whacked a few deer with it and bowfished too. Banged it up and they repaired it fast. Whacked two deer and repair cracked. They said it was unsafe to repair again, prorated my bow, apologized and asked if they could build me a new one for $135.

Could have changed length, color, #.............but I went with the same (but ended up 57#).

Sold it when my back messed up.

Bought a used 60# HS58 when I healed up. Cool bow, always wanted a metal one. Proly should have kept it. But it was an older one and not FF rated. If it was FF rated and 50# I'd run it exclusively. But those are tough to find. Took me 3 yrs to get the clean HS58 I got. $350.

Got a target skeleton rig from '74, redid riser. Had $200 in it. 72" and 35#. Only one kid could shoot it. Risers from target rigs differ from HF1225. I didn't know that, bought it initially to later get hunting limbs.

But I got a minty HF1225 60" and 48# for $300 a few months ago. Compared risers and saw the diff, sold the target rig.

3 new Widows, 3 used ones. I'll get a new PCH next yr. My truck is about ready for the scrap yard so no new hunting stuff for me.

I wanted to whack a deer with a skeleton Widow, so will give that a whirl. Next yr I'll run the HF1225 for 3D. Hunt with the PCH (will get one 56" long).

Paid $475 for my first Widow build, w quiver and case. 14 yrs later my new SA2 build was 860 with nothing additional.

Love the reg grip, the heavier mass weight. I shoot widows well, so that's what I prefer

If I could shoot a cheaper bow I'd do it (and have). My Tradtech Pinnacle 2 and Samick Phantom both went under the Dremel and made more widowlike.

Widowlike and widow.........still different.

Now lots of BW and other bow shooters are clueless shmucks that just rattle crap they hear. I've heard it all, pro and con.

Real simple........a well tuned Widow is indeed a nice rig.

I also rather liked a coworker's Chastain. I shot it well. But get this..........he shot my Widow better than his bow. I've let a few folks shoot my bows, and some have ordered new Widows for themselves.

 

[Hookeye]

I wish the Hoyt Dorado had a 17" riser instead of 19" (like a 58" bow).
Also wish they made a higher grip (their high is medium at best).
Coulda made a grip, not that difficult............but bow would still be 60" (and I find that annoying, draw 28.5")

If the Dorado was 17" riser I'd get some Tradtech carbon shorts and hunt it.
Less than $600.

Mine shot great with kydex wrap around sideplate, off the shelf.

 

[Kingcreek]

I still hunt with a Mathews legacy and it still shoots good. I don't need faster if it still shoots thru them and sticks 1/3 shaft into the ground.

 

[entropy]

So...how old is your bow?

ca. 1992. Pro Line Force II. Bought it from a co-worker for $40, with a Whisker Biscuit, wrist release, decent basic 3-pin sight, quiver, hunting stabilizer, Flambeau case and 6 carbon express arrows. It's old, the kids in 4-H archery laugh at it, with their $1000 Matthews, until I shoot. It'll put 'em close enough together I have to shoot to avoid Robin Hooding. (10 yds., same as the kids compete at.) Every year I say I'm going to replace it, but I still haven't.....

Bear LTD Polar 2 1977

My first compound, and the year I bought it. $14 at K-Mart, they were clearancing them out. Next was a Herter's that had the eccentrics mounted on a-frames from the riser, (similar to an Oneida) cables went to small idlers on the tips. It was set at 70# in the shop; I came in every couple days and asked to see it. When I could finally pull it back, I bought it. The Army took that one when they found it in a locker in the empty room across from mine in the barracks. I wasn't about to try and claim it! (Article 15)

I do miss my Jennings T-Star Target; had the 3 foot stabilizer, 4x scope on the long rail. My step uncle got me into target shooting; I took archery in college when I had this bow. They used the big FITA Olympic-style targets, but at about 20 yards. Shot perfect scores every time. Would have got a solid 'A' for the course, but I took the final drunk......ended up a 'C'.

 

[BigBore44]

My current bow is the first bow I ever purchased new. 2004-2005 Matthews Switchback XT. Couldn't begin to tell you how many critters I've given dirt naps to with that bow. But I shoot literally thousands of arrows each year. Not for competition. Just for the sheer enjoyment of "the mystical flight of the arrow".

Actually went to my local (kinda) pro shop the other day to shoot the new Matthews NoCam. After about 20 arrows I asked the guy if I would really be gaining anything significant over my XT if I traded it or sold it outright and bought the NoCam. The bow felt good. But not exactly "better". His exact words..."A couple ounces lighter and a few FPS faster. You have one of the best bows Matthews ever made. I wouldn't do it." And that's why I go to that pro shop for everything I need.

Speed does kill. But sound wounds or causes misses. Until someone comes out with a bow that shoots 400 fps with no shock, or noise, @62 lbs, Ill keep my XT.

 

[Hookeye]

I had a Switchback XT. Nice bow.
Would have been nicer if I'd have spent the time and coin to convert it to a Hoyt Cam and 1/2 twin cam system.
The factory Mathws grip sucked, much better after putting on a Torqueless.

Speed does help kill......but how many folks actually get their advertised IBO rating?

I go for higher FOC so run 125gr.
And on most recurves add extra weight up front.

Get perfect tune, costs me some speed... bow is more quiet...........and I blow through my deer.

At less than 200 FPS.

When I shoot wheels and release though, I'm drawing 28" and shooting over 70# and run arrows around 430 gr. 270 FPS is plenty.

Higher let off, higher speeds............me no likey many of today's hot rods, the draw cycles are harsh.

Aint nothin' for free.

 

[tarosean]

So...how old is your bow?

5-6yrs I believe. Its a Alpine Nitrous N20.

Bows dont hold their value like firearms. No way would I buy one every year.

 

[jrdolall]

My bow is 20-25 years old. I did have to change the string once. I don't shoot past 25 yards so an atl-atl would probably work for me.

 

[LRShooting]

I bought my pse xforce in '09 when I was 13. I had a Fred bear sparrow hawk ii before that as my first bow actually capable of killing deer.

Still irritates me that I killed more deer in the two years I hunted with my old bow then the 6 ive had my new one. Mostly due to the fact that I hunted every day after school or foot ball if I could. Now im so busy with farm work I can barely go.

The new bow is fast and more accurate then me, but the nostalgia of the ole Fred bear is something I miss. Heck, I'm in the process of building a self bow and laminate from native wood just to go back in time a little. If I have a chance to shot a deer with my new bow, it's just to easy.

Maybe I'm weird too, but I go nuts over old bows (and guns) even if they don't work well. It's just way more satisfying