Trad Gang
Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: PAPALAPIN on December 13, 2013, 09:28:00 AM
-
Anyone that knows me already knows what my answer will be, but to not prejudice your answer I will hold my opinion for now.
So, in your opinion, what is the best traditional hunting bow ever made...and why? What factors shape your opinion?
-
Jack, I think your question has to read "What is the best hunting bow ever made...for you?"
I believe there is no ONE bow that exists for everyone. We are all different so we have our own ideas about what makes the perfect bow. Some like longer bows while others prefer shorter ones. There's recurves, longbows, selfbows with each having their own fans. Grips are different too.
However, I would venture to say there is one bow being made today with universal appeal to "most" hunters that gives good accuracy, speed, forgiveness of poor release, durability, ease of tuning, availability, good looks, and value. That bow is the Black Widow recurve.
-
Fred Bear Wood handled take-down. ;)
-
I asked for your opinion. Certainly "your Opinion" will be shaped by "Your Preferences".
So, just to make it clear, Longbow, Self bow, Recurve, Reflex, Deflex, all wood, composite of wood and glass (or carbon), bamboo, solid class (or carbon), etc... what in "Your Opinion" is the best traditiona hunting bow ever made?
Note: Wheelie bows are not traditional.
-
Whatever flips yer switch.
-
Ahhh...I just had to edit my post...so if you read it in the past 15 min it's changed...I have re-thought this...
My opinion is it has to be a take down for travel purposes. My opinion is it has to have the ability to go to 64".
Once you get past those two assumptions I feel you need a take down with a great variety / ease of limb choices (large market availability of limbs) and a bomb proof limb attachment system.
That leaves 2 bows...Bob Lee and Bear Take down.
Either one could easily classify but I will put my vote in on the Bear Take Down B riser.
-
The Bear Wood Handle Takedown.
The takedown system. The different bowyers that make limbs. The ability to drop down in weight and still have the same riser. Hard to beat the looks of the early 70's risers.
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss259/zepnut/DSCF1115.jpg) (http://s581.photobucket.com/user/zepnut/media/DSCF1115.jpg.html)
-
So far, the Bear wood handle takedown is in the lead.
-
Another vote for the Bear Takedown: 3 riser lengths, 3 limb lengths, no tools required assembly/disassembly, and offered in a wood or magnesium riser. Hard to believe it was invented around 1971(?), over 40 years ago!
-
For me.......The bear Grizzly of the early 70's. Good price for the working man. Shot well and still does. Great grip, light in the hand.....just a great hunting bow! I still have my Uncles bow from about 72', a 45#'er.
-
In my opinion and not my preference (because I've never owned one) the all wood self bow is the best hunting bow ever made. My reasoning and again opinion is that the users used them to help keep from starving by hunting.
-
Such a personal thing... Hard to argue with the vote for the Howatt Hunter. Personally I never have, and never will understand the attraction of the Bear Take-down. To each his own.
-
Ron,
My "go to" bow is my 1972 Grizzly. It's actually my personal favorite to hunt with, but my vote was more based on the masses than me personally.
I don't even own a B riser and I voted for it! Go figure.
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa337/ceme24/null_zps63561064.jpg)
-
Why the Grizzly personally?
it is bomb proof. I shoot it with a weather rest and it's just consistent and I don't have to worry about it at all. My confidence is greatest with it across all hunting circumstances
But I read the question as not personal preference but across the masses so given that I stick with the B riser
-
hard to argue with a Bear take down system
DD
-
I would vote for the magnesium Bear takedown. Besides all of the features of the Bear takedown already mentioned, it's cheap, numerous grip and rest options and super easy to tune with the adjustable arrow plate.
That said, I left it home and took my Gamemaster Jet!
Brad
-
at the risk of heresy I believe the best hunting bow ever made is the mild R and D long bow--shelf cut to center -1" to 2" above center-grip straight or slight locator-equal length limbs--64"-66"-even or slight positive tiller-450+ 8 strand endless loop
my reasoning is this--with this type of setup and heavy [10-12gpp]arrows you can get arrow speeds that are more than adequate--no limb contact from the string [near silent]and a very forgiving/stable shooting bow
forgiving and quiet to me are most important attributes of a hunting bow IMO
I shot and loved my pearson and bear recurves and they killed quite a few deer--but as my hunting evolved I found a hybrid longbow quieter but it was not as stable as I liked and while shooting bows at joe skipps renegade archery shop he put a hill style bow in my hands and I've never put it down------------
-
I agree with Hobow. I sold my wood and mag risers, and kept just one A Mag and one set of limbs. It shoots every bit as well as the woods and is pretty literally bomb-proof. (not completely: strip a screw hole and it could come apart.) Even though I seldom have reason to take down a bow, it is surely an advantage.
That's logic speaking, not my heart though. When hunting with an old bow(often)it's nearly always a Wilson Bros BW from the mid 60s.
Bamboo, you're no heretic. I shot Hill style bows for years, and they are-to me-the last word in stability and durability. To me the "best" hunting bow is one you can carry on a month long sheep hunt, drop or fall on it a couple of times and it'll still be intact to shoot your animal. Lose your balance while crossing a rock slide above tree line and you can stick that sucker down as a walking stick...criticize that if you want, but it's better than falling. It'll still shoot and scratches on the tip are better than damaging your body up there.
That said, I have become a fan of the hybrids, or a radical r/d, especially with carbon. I don't find them to be unstable, noisy, or any other negative. They give up some durability, but improve performance and hand shock significantly.
As I grow older, and shoot less and less weight, I choose to be more demanding about performance.
-
OK... as anticipated, the factors determining the Best Hunting Bow ever made are dictated by personal preference. What you hunt, where you hunt, and how you get there have a definite bearing. Air travelers seem to prefer a takedown for obvious reasons, but a takedown will probably be preferred by those that horseback or backpack into a hunting are also.
A ground blind or tree hunter will probably prefer a mid range bow where length is concerned. and guys hunting in tight brushy areas will prefer a short bow. Longer bows my find more acceptance in western open country.
My preference is my Jack Howard GameMaster Jet Camo (Surprise- HUH?), even though I hunt from tree stands in the Georgia piney forests.
No surprise that many will say that the best bow in the world just happens to be the model that they use personally. That's because it is the best...for them.
It is a good thing that we have so many various models to choose from because picking a hunting bow is almost as tricky as picking a wife. They all may look pretty, but pick the wrong one and life is just not as good as it could be.
HAPPY BOW HUNTING!!! ... By that I mean "hunting for the right bow".
-
As stated earlier, the answer to this question is always personal preference.
But .... I will say this, I am going to Hawaii on Christmas day and plan to be there 3 weeks and will be deer and boar hunting with traditional equipment.
I have been shooting my B handle takedown lately which I have three different poundage limbs for it. (50/60/65) I also have a Norm Johnson Blacktail takedown. I was taking it apart to pack for my Hawaii trip and had to hassle to find the allen wrench and then wiggle the limbs off the riser. Then it dawned on me ... Freds takedown invention truly is amazing because its so easy, so fast and so secure.
Again, answering your question is personal but the beauty of the Bear takedown is hard to beat for ease of operation, breaking down for air travel or inside of your pack while sheep hunting and the beauty of different limbs makes it where others can use your bow on the same hunt. My daughter will be using the 50 lbs limbs!!!
-
The Bear Grizzly, Hands down!!!!!
Affordable, Reliable, and you never have to worry about beating the snot out of it!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
-
well to me there are three types I like...any longbow with narrow limbs that includes hill style and moderate reflex deflex bows..the narrow limbs seem to forgive a sloppy release when they happen...I like the old style recurves that have longbow handles.....and all the old BEAR bows...they all seem to have their own soul...If I had to pick one bow I would be in trouble....but if i did and only shot it...I suspect I would be a better archer/hunter as mastering one weapon....is better than shooting several bows well....but It is too much fun shooting different bows !!!!!!
-
I'm surprised no one has chimed in about the Red Wing Hunter. Perfect length for tree stand hunting and has been proven effective since the 60's. I vote for the Wing bow.
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
-
Bernie...You just did. It was my first real composite recurve...good bow
-
'62 Bear Kodiak Magnum. Carries well through the woods, shoots outstanding, fantastic feeling grip, and has great looking rosewood. Been many copies since it came out, but few have shot as smooth or looked as good.
-
my 67' Wilson Brothers Widow....60"...45#...dead quiet...very fast bow for 45#....perfect for me...
-
Wooden Riser Bear Takedown by far the best bow I have I ever owned..
-
jack
"My preference is my Jack Howard GameMaster Jet Camo (Surprise- HUH?), even though I hunt from tree stands in the Georgia piney forests."
I'm not surprised at all--and have noticed that when I hold my bow arm out to shoot from my tree stand --my bow length didn't matter in the least!
[I forgot about this thread]
tom--I certainly agree about the bombproof nature of the American longbow!!and have dropped/dragged /fallen on--you name it!!and shot clean trough a lot of game with my favorite bow--I had to wipe finish on the tips this last season-seems i had worn it off! shes due for a complete refinish this year!
-
I've never met a bow that I didn't like!!! :archer: They all appeal to my eye and most seem to be comfortable in hand. I've owned all types of long bows, and recurves, so this is a tough one. as far as vintage bows, I'll say my '62 Red Wing Hunter. Its 58" is perfect for my tree stand set up. the grip fills my hand nicely and the shelf sits right on top of my hand.
-
Ha, Bernie, I just read your post!!!!!! BTW, My dads name is Bernie B!!!!!!!
-
Years ago, it was the Red Wing Hunter. Now, as far as handiness and quietness, it is (IMHO) a 58" Dale Dye Trails End. Good hunting bow.
-
The best: any bow with a Bear medallion inlaid into the riser. The Super Kodiak and Grizzly are hard to beat. The Montana is great too.
-
Red wing hunter
-
my 50 year old Howatt Hunter - for myself
---------------------------------------------------
Best hunting bow ever made? It is perhaps the LDB?
(http://i.imgur.com/QWfBQk0.jpg)
-
Any of my herd of Bear takedowns....
(http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn23/stykshooter/P1010515_zpsa1cba093.jpg)
-
Sometimes you hunt with what you got... I was born into all things Damon Howatt...my father was a master bowyer at the Howatt Plant, learned the craft from Mr.Howatt and his right hand Earl Silvers back in the 50's. The rosewood Super Diablo's in the 50#-60# range is my personal favorite bow and as mentioned above, the Howatt Hunter is another good choice. Especially if you're lucky to find a rosewood vintage bow.
-
Jon,
Welcome to Tradgang. The Howatt bows are excellent bows. I look forward to seeing some of your posts in the future, especially anything about the history of Howatt bows. I've shot several Howatt Hunters (newer and older) as well as a Mamba from about 15 years ago. Very underrated bows in my humble opinion.
-
mmmmm for me personally I would say Browning Explorer or Red Wing Hunter from personal experience.
From popularity I would say it would have to be the Bear Grizzly....
In the end there is no BEST BOW for everyone, every situation...it is always personal preference.
I do love my Browning Explorer :)
-
Sometimes you hunt with what you got... I was born into all things Damon Howatt...my father was a master bowyer at the Howatt Plant, learned the craft from Mr.Howatt and his right hand Earl Silvers back in the 50's. The rosewood Super Diablo's in the 50#-60# range is my personal favorite bow and as mentioned above, the Howatt Hunter is another good choice. Especially if you're lucky to find a rosewood vintage bow.
-
yeah those Howatt Hunters and even the Mamba were crowd favorites.
-
Thanks for the welcome shrewhaven...Once I figure out how to post a file or photo, I 'd be glad to share what I know. Along with a bit of a early Howatt history, I also have inherited my fathers favorite bows. The era of the rosewood Howatt's certainly was a time when they were on the top of their game.
-
Thanks for the welcome shrewhaven...Once I figure out how to post a file or photo, I 'd be glad to share what I know. Along with a bit of a early Howatt history, I also have inherited my fathers favorite bows. The era of the rosewood Howatt's certainly was a time when they were on the top of their game.
-
Lotsa' really good bows have been made over the past 50-60 years. Mid 50's Bears are outstanding. The gen 1 T-Bird I'm shooting currently was way, way ahead of its' time. What a great hunting bow. In a way it is too bad that Glenn joined Bear but he didn't want to be stuck in a wood shop and I get that.
-
Just think about what future generations of bowhunters would have lost if Glenn had been obligated to a bow shop and not been the ambassador he was for bowhunting.
DD
-
The one that shoots the best for you and gets the job done. it's not always the price or the maker.I have a few bows long bow and recurve. And sometimes I grab my wife's 1969 Indian archery bow for wabbits and squirrel's because it's such a tack driver always a head shot shooter for very small shooting
-
Originally posted by Brock:
mmmmm for me personally I would say Browning Explorer or Red Wing Hunter from personal experience.
From popularity I would say it would have to be the Bear Grizzly....
In the end there is no BEST BOW for everyone, every situation...it is always personal preference.
I do love my Browning Explorer :)
Two of my very favorites. I have been stumping with a Root Warrior and it has the makings of a perfect hunting bow as well.
Seems anything quiet that you can hit with is going to do the job provided you match the arrows and keep the broadheads sharp. The bow doesn't know how to hunt so you have to. :saywhat:
-
Yeah...ditto on "which ever you shoot the best with". It's all that matters...
-
For me and it is only as it applies to me,it is my Jack Howard Gamemaster. I bought it from Jack in 1967.
-
The Bear take down is and always will be my favorite bow but.......
For hunting,
the Schafer Silvertip TD is the bow for me.