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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: joevan125 on July 21, 2009, 06:02:00 PM

Title: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: joevan125 on July 21, 2009, 06:02:00 PM: I have several custom bows ordered and was wondering how you guys decide which one will be your go to bow. I have 2 bows i am shooting right now and i love both of them and it would be a toss up on which one i would take to the stand.

Thanks
JVK
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Guru on July 21, 2009, 06:25:00 PM: I have two main bows that I shoot all the time. Both are Kwyk Styks, both have the same grip, same quivers, shoot the same grains per pound so trajectory is the same. Only difference is the poundage...58# and 63#.....I can switch back and forth without a second thought and not worry about anything.....

I'm a hunter, not a bow collector, and have never felt the need to have a lot of bows. I'd rather spend the $$ to actually go hunting.

I believe by owning a bunch of bows and switching back and forth between them is hard on a guys shooting. Of course there are exceptions....or exceptional archers :archer:

But I truly believe that one cannot see their true potential as an archer if they constantly switch bows, grips, feel, some quiver on, some off, etc......

Joe I would say...pick the one you shoot the best and don't mess with the others.....
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: TheFatboy on July 21, 2009, 06:32:00 PM: I have a longbow, and a recurve horsebow coming my way. Two different kinds of bows. Not sure how many more bows I will get in my life. Except for a hornbow and possibly an english warbow...

Point is - shoot the one you feel for at the time. I know I will :)
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: joevan125 on July 21, 2009, 06:35:00 PM: Me being new to trad archery i must say i got caught up in buying a lot of bows. I ordered all of them in the same weight or close to it and all have low grips. I thought about selling the ones that i liked the least but everytime i get one i fall in love all over again. I agree with you Guru 100% on sticking with one bow but man its going to be tuff on me. :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: bentpole on July 21, 2009, 06:57:00 PM: The one you absolutely shoot the best.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: ron w on July 21, 2009, 07:04:00 PM: Use the one you are most familar or comfortable with. Hunting season is not that far away so your choice should be made soon. Then shoot it as much as you can and become friends with it.It won't let you down!!!
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: pktm on July 21, 2009, 07:08:00 PM: Imagine you are hunting, sneaking along, when you come upon a small field. You see something large, black, it's a large black bear and now he's looking at you. He huffs and slowly starts walking your way.

So which bow do you feel confident in, which one has that edge. That's the one.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: NorthernCaliforniaHunter on July 21, 2009, 07:25:00 PM: Easy!
I only own one!
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Orion on July 21, 2009, 07:25:00 PM: I shoot lots of bows throughout the year, but starting about six weeks before season, I begin shooting one exclusively. For me it's an ACS.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: joevan125 on July 21, 2009, 07:27:00 PM: Only one bow how can a man do that with all these wonderful bows floating around. :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: DEATHMASTER on July 21, 2009, 07:51:00 PM: I sold a beautiful Schafer recurve so I would have one and not need to worry which one to take.

That was very hard!!!
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: razorsharptokill on July 21, 2009, 08:05:00 PM: I usually use the latest bow I've built. My 1st one was a T/D recurve and it always seems to be the bow I shoot most accurately. It is damn near silent too. Only 150's with a 595 gr. carbon but in traditional archery it isn't the speed that kills...
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Steelhead on July 21, 2009, 08:18:00 PM: Hello joe

Man you got it tuff with all those cherry bows hanging around.

I pick one about a month before the season and just shoot it till hunting seasons over.Typically its 62 inches long or shorter for hunting.Often its a newer one that I am smitten with and wanna break in.

If you are gonna shoot with a bowquiver you might qwant to try that with all your bows and see which one is the quietest and sweetest shooting with the quiver before you make a final decision.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: ChuckC on July 21, 2009, 08:28:00 PM: one calls (sings) to you more than the others.
ChuckC
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Broken Arrow 1 on July 21, 2009, 08:34:00 PM: This year its gonna be my selfbow and stone point. I must agree wichever it is I shoot it as much as i can before the start of the season.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: GingivitisKahn on July 21, 2009, 09:07:00 PM: I pick up the bow I own and shoot that one. :D
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Curveman on July 21, 2009, 09:36:00 PM: I shot a recurve for 7 years or so, all the time singing the praises of a recurve over a longbow. I had picked up a longbow a year or so ago "just to have one." I'd only shot it for an hour because it wasn't what I'd ordered and I wasn't happy with the choice of riser woods etc. It sat on the shelf for a year. To make a long story short it made sense to keep it. Somehow that "true longbow feeling" took over when I shot it more regularly and my prettier recurve sits unshot and the longbow has been with me to Texas and Quebec this year. Maybe saying "just going with the feeling" won't help but if you are shooting both fairly well that's the only way to decide as there is no rationale beyond that.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: celticknot on July 21, 2009, 09:41:00 PM: Which ever one i have arrows built for
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: wtpops on July 21, 2009, 09:45:00 PM: its the one that i all ways grab when i know the shot counts
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: oldskool on July 21, 2009, 09:45:00 PM: This is an easy question for me, I only have 1 bow.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: bmb on July 21, 2009, 09:48:00 PM: i am with guru..i own two bows...both are hoyt gamemaster2's...so the feel is the same and they are setup the same. one is 44#( my go-to)and one is 52#( my backup). they dont shoot the same arrows but my gaps are very close to the same, so it works great. pick one and shoot it exclusively, even if you gap shoot like i do. you will get to know everything about that one bow.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Onions on July 21, 2009, 09:50:00 PM: I agree with Guru also. Save your money togo hunting instead of buying more bows.
With that being said, I have three custom bows (all three bought when I was single, now I am happily married with two kids). A Robertson Falcon, and two Craig Potter St. Joe River Bows.
I love the St. Joe bows, and these would be the only two I would shoot. Like Guru's set up one is lighter then the other, but they shoot the exact same, and actually shoot the same arrow.
However,this year I am exclusively shooting my Robertson. Great bow, I do really enjoy shooting it. This is the only bow I have that is a takedown, and I am planning a moose hunt in Alaska in 2010. If either of the St Joe's were takedowns, I would sell the Robertson, and use the money for another hunt!

chris <><
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: jmc334 on July 21, 2009, 09:59:00 PM: Choice is yours, flip a coin, pick one or not. I have 4 and use them all. If you develop a favorite the search will be over otherwise take which one you feel like that day.

John
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Curveman on July 21, 2009, 10:00:00 PM: I'm with Guru. I may never buy another bow. I want to hunt everywhere! :D
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Teacher_of_the_Arcane on July 21, 2009, 10:04:00 PM: Hi All,

Life is simple, I have my first bow (circa 1960) in the closet, it's too old and beat up to shoot. I have my second bow (circa 1972) in the closet with the first, it was damaged in a move. My last bow (circa 2007) is on the rack in the bedroom. So, I go to the bedroom and pick it up!!

Okay....I'm a smart-butt.....couldn't resist. :)
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: BowHuntingFool on July 21, 2009, 10:20:00 PM: I have a Montana which is my Rabbit hunting bow, a Deer hunting bow that I'm shooting very well which is a Mohawk. Yesterday I went and ordered a Big River Longbow that I assuming I'm going to shoot pretty good if I shoot it half as good as the ones I was test driving this past weekend. I'm set I think with bows for a while!
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: centaur on July 21, 2009, 10:26:00 PM: I hunted all of last year and into the spring with one bow, but I am now on the horns of a dilemma; I have a Mark Baker selfbow and a Ted Fry selfbow that I have been alternating all summer; both shoot great. I guess both will get their chances come hunting season. All I need now is a cooperative elk to stand broadside.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: BUCKY on July 21, 2009, 10:57:00 PM: I,m with Guru. Shot 2 identical Mahaska recurves for 12 years.Sold one and got a Thunderstick Mag longbow.The Mahaska is now my backup.I'm a one bow guy,my longbow. The only thing I'm going to do is sell the Mahaska and get another Thunderstick!Ilove identical bows.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Bowhunter4life on July 21, 2009, 11:12:00 PM: I've got a pair of Shawnees that are almost identical other than to look at them. One is 60# and the other is 64#. They are my "GoTo" bows when hunting rolls around.

BUT... I like shooting all of my bows. They don't stay unless they shoot well for me. I'd sell them all in a heartbeat (other than the two Shawnee's I mentioned up top) if I could get more vacation time to go hunt with them. Weekend or day outings around home may have me with any of one of my bows, but more often than not I'm carrying the 60# Shawnee as it has been very good to me.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: BD on July 22, 2009, 12:22:00 AM: If ur with Guru, you may never find the best bow for you. I hav 1 or 2 favorites, but am always lookn for another that fits me better. I buy one each year and if it's not betr for me than the others, I sell it. I am very selective and sell most.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: unclewhit on July 22, 2009, 04:16:00 AM: This year I'm huntin' with the bow that does'nt have any blood on it yet (Cept' mine of course). The "Tembo" will be my go to bow and my Silvertip will be my back-up. It only takes me a short practice round to adjust for the poundage difference. I've been shooting both alot this year.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Curveman on July 22, 2009, 04:46:00 AM: Quote
Originally posted by BD:
If ur with Guru, you may never find the best bow for you. I hav 1 or 2 favorites, but am always lookn for another that fits me better. I buy one each year and if it's not betr for me than the others, I sell it. I am very selective and sell most.
If your with BD you may never find the perfect bow. :D I have a friend who buys a bow, exclaims it's greatness for a while, invariably finds something lacking in it, then sells that to buy an even better bow he again swears is "the best bow ever!" then...you get the idea! He must've bought well over a hundred by now but promises to settle when he finds the best one for him! I know guys who have had several marriages by the same logic! :biglaugh:
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Guru on July 22, 2009, 06:33:00 AM: :rolleyes: :knothead:

Good one Curve :biglaugh:
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Bear on July 22, 2009, 09:29:00 AM: I'm with Curt's first post. I had the bow bug for a long time. I think it's a little ridiculous now. I will always love trying them all, it's fun. But always switching around, spending all that money, and constantly fooling yourself...

Find one you like to shoot, can shoot acurately, pleasing to your eye, and confident with. Done! Now move on to more important things in life.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: d. ward on July 22, 2009, 09:40:00 AM: I hate to be the odd duck out or in on this one I guess you might say.I kind of agree and disagree with everyone.Is that like I agree to disagree with myself ?
I've been a shooter hunter & collecter of fine bows for many years and you better believe I've loved em all at one time or another for one reason or another.
Some were smoken fast some were whisper quiet some had wood so beautiful you would almost trade your first born son to get that bow.I've loved em all and they all shot like a bow for me from the 1940 Grum's to a 2007 Black Widow I shot a few days ago I love em all.Hell I love everything about all bows.
The one or two bow guy's maybe do shoot a little better then some other folks.I believe one reason or some of the reason is because they are friendly with their archery tackle on a daily bases both with their bows and arrows.That really helps make them guy's great shooters and we all know if you got 30 bows your gonna need 30 different arrows to match those 30 bows.Where as the one or two bow guy matches arrows to bow and goes hunting.I love to hate that guy sometimes.
The guy's with lots of bows maybe have enjoied the pure pleasure of sampling some of the finers in life that some folks have not.I love em all from the early Grum's to the Wid's and yes even the foam core type bows built nowadays are super shooters.
With that all said to answer your question.This year because one of my bow of many was having its 50th birthday yes thats correct it's turning 50 years old this year thats why I choose it.The mighty 1959 Bear Kodiak...great thread bd
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: BD on July 22, 2009, 11:31:00 AM: True Curve-I agree that switching too much is not a good thing, but that experimenting some is a good thing also.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Recurve50 LBS on July 22, 2009, 12:21:00 PM: I am fortunate that the 2 bows I own shoot the same for me.Both shoot the same arrows. I would feel confidant bringing either of them hunting. Last year I chose to hunt only with my TS Mag. I chose it because it is shorter and easier to handle in the natural ground blinds that I hunt from. The finish on this bow is better suited for my hunting that the bright colored Turkey Creek I have.

This year I think the TS Mag is my go to bow and the Turkey Creek is my back up bow.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: George D. Stout on July 22, 2009, 12:26:00 PM: Most of my bows are older than most of the tradgangers 8^).
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Curveman on July 22, 2009, 12:45:00 PM: "...I've loved em all and they all shot like a bow for me..."

..."Where as the one or two bow guy matches arrows to bow and goes hunting.I love to hate that guy sometimes...."

Hey doc, I just had to highlight some quotables! :D

I agree that experimenting is important and I also think collecting is cool and if I had the dough I would collect all kinds of crap. In fact I do collect all kinds of crap but none of it has any monetary value! :biglaugh: Man, ALL this trangang related stuff is fun!!! :D
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: on July 22, 2009, 12:50:00 PM: One of the worst things I ever did was order 2 custom bows at once. This is an embarrassment of riches, to be sure, but I never was able to decide which one to concentrate on and thus went back to an older bow I was confident with for that season. I think we all have had the experience of feeling that we're shooting well with a particular bow at a particular time, which breeds confidence, and the bow that I feel the most comfort with is the one I will choose for hunting.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Grant Young on July 22, 2009, 01:04:00 PM: I currently have seven bows in my "arsenal" but shoot only one over eighty percent of the time and two that I divide the remaining twenty percent between. All the bows are within five pounds or so so I can use the same arrows. Five of these are very similar in design and performance so its not too bad to switch around. These five are also forty years old plus or minus a year or two. Even if I take one "off the bench" there isn't much for me to adapt to. The two bows that fall outside that group of familiars don't see much action because they feel radically different and the chance of me shooting anything as much as I do my old styleI takedown is pretty much nil unless my old Number One gives it up. Grant
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Red Beastmaster on July 22, 2009, 11:06:00 PM: I get bored shooting the same bow more than a few days. I switch bows every few days or as the mood strikes me. I usually decide a couple weeks ahead which bow I will use at an upcoming shoot. At the ETAR this weekend I'll be shooting my Thunderhorn. This evening I hunted groundhogs with my Grizzly. I shot stumps the other day with my Abbott longbow.

If my shooting suffers a bit I don't mind. My goal is to shoot all bows well, not one bow great.

I usually settle down and pick a bow over the Labor Day weekend that I plan to use for the upcoming deer season. I'll shoot that bow exclusivly until the season ends.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: JEFF B on July 23, 2009, 01:51:00 AM: well let me see oh yeah just close ya eyes and grab one its that easy. :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :jumper:
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Joseph on July 23, 2009, 03:15:00 AM: I only have the 1 so it is an easy choice. It is much better to just have 1 and master it than 20 and be the master of none. Same as with firearms!
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: toddster on July 23, 2009, 04:52:00 AM: The great one (Howard Hill) strongly believed that if a guy would shoot just one bow, he could get great with it. That said, it is hard to do this day and age, with so many great bows out there for shooting and hunting. For me, it usually comes up with the qay I feel before season. I have given away my past blood sticks, to nephew's and niece's for them to add to the bows legacy. So there is always a new one on the horizon.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: slivrslingr on July 23, 2009, 09:53:00 AM: It's easy for me, since I have to travel (fly) to hunt, my bow needs to be a T/D and I only have one, a Pronghorn. It's fun to shoot other bows though and someday I'll order a custom built for me.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Guru on July 23, 2009, 09:27:00 PM: Quote
Originally posted by Red Beastmaster:
My goal is to shoot all bows well, not one bow great.
That...I will never understand.....
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: pitbull on July 23, 2009, 09:43:00 PM: Simple for me, both my recurves are from the same bowyer and identical with just a 1 pound weight difference. I sold all the rest.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Steelhead on July 23, 2009, 09:55:00 PM: I got 8 bows now and all the grips are very similar and the weight range is within 5 pounds.I got 4 different size arrows (2016s,2018s,2115s and 2020) I use and can easily find one size that will fit any of the bows.I do not find that thier is that much of adjustmant for me personally with any of these bows when I switch.A day or 2 with it and I am comfortable.

I guess i am like bowdoc and really love bows for display,aesthetics and enjoy shooting different styles and models.

I always settle on one bow for hunting season and the rest sit on the rack for about 4 or 5 months.So for that time frame I am a one bow man.Then the fun begins with mixing it up again.Variety is the spice of life for me.I am having a blast shooting a variety of bows this summer.Its always interesting to pick a new one of the rack and see what it can do and what qualities it has that I enjoy and they all have attributes that I like and or love.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Shifting Shadow on July 23, 2009, 10:28:00 PM: I don't know. I have 0 bows now but one on the way.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Pinecone on July 23, 2009, 10:46:00 PM: I have a bunch of bows...some collectors, some shooters, and some for sentimental reasons.

Three years ago I was lucky enough to kill five deer with five different recurves and longbows. I practiced with those bows, felt comfortable with them, and most important, took very close shots in order to insure success. It is not typical for me to use that many bows in a season as I do think it is difficult to switch between multiple bows.

What is typical for me is to pick a few bows to start practicing with in the Spring. After a few rounds with each bow, I decide on two bows to become my primary and backup for the season. They have to shoot the same arrow, have the same "feel", and have the same cast. That way, I can confidently use my backup bow if necessary without adjusting my shot or grip.

Claudia
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: Wallcrawler on July 24, 2009, 09:34:00 AM: Be wary of the man with a house full of bows, fear the man with only one.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: LimbLover on July 24, 2009, 02:45:00 PM: This is a question I've been thinking of for the last few weeks as I just started shooting a couple of months ago and have never hunted before - sadly at 27 years of age.

Through a lot of trial and error I've found something that works for me: Old 62" Ben Pearson Cougars/Pumas. I've got 3 - all within a few pounds of each other and the risers are all identical.

I haven't figured out which one to hunt with yet. I shoot all about the same with the same 31" 2018 XX75s.

I'm leaning towards my Puma right now. Its a 40# and seems to have a little more energy than the other two.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: James Wrenn on July 24, 2009, 08:27:00 PM: I never do decide on one bow. :D

I hunt with at least 3 during the season.Sometimes more.I will start out this year with a Gamemaster recurve and a short bamboo/osage bow.Carbon arrows on one and cane on the other.Some days I will likely use both bows.I also have a real tight blind that I will use a compound in when I hunt that spot.To me it ain't about the bow that much. It is about useing what I like for different situations.I can shoot anything well enough to hunt with it.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: PICKNGRIN on July 24, 2009, 11:25:00 PM: Since I am able to get several deer tags, I often will use one bow to fill a tag and then switch to another bow for another tag. These are all bows I shoot regularly and feel confident in.
Title: Re: How do you decide on which bow to hunt with.
Post by: 2-BIG on July 25, 2009, 12:09:00 AM: I have so many bows that I have to do the old...Eaney, meaney, miney,.....BOW!