What is your setup for big game? Do you use the same bow year round? How unique is your yearly setup (number of bows you shoot)?
Same for elk and bear. This year 68" 61#@28" longbow i built. Last year was a 66" 59#@28 longbow. I switch usually every year. But I stick with that bow once I start practicing with it.
I make and shoot wood bows. During the year I shoot quite a few bows but when I pick my hunting bow for that season I stick with it exclusively with the exception of a back up bow...which I have never needed...knock wood! Most of my bows are in the 55# range for my draw of 26". That's what I prefer to shoot mostly, all year long.
I've done a lot of switching around in the past, but now I'm settled in with an RER LX, 57# @ 29". It works for elk and deer, and will work for anything else I ever intend to hunt.
Here is my Elk bow.I have called it my Elk bow for years. It has taken 2 Javelina, 2 Turkeys , A Feral Hog, a Jackrabbit,a squirrel a cottontail and I can't remember how many grouse.....and I have never loosed an arrow from it at an Elk..... but one day... (http://***********.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small29002319.JPG)
That bow is 53 @27. I have a couple of 45 lbers that get hunted with and shot more than the Elkbow.
That's a beauty Tree man! Did you steam bend the R/D?
The perfect one is the one in your photo after the harvest. It can be selfbow, longbow, or recurve in a legal weight for the state or country were you're hunting. Doesn't have to be anything special from your regular bow...Doc
Osage bent stick & stone point.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/1st%20Annual%20Quebec%20Bear%20Quest/QuebecBearQuest07057-1.jpg)
I love it! great ideas and thoughts guys. I will post another question about materials for a big game hunt, but I have to return to class.