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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: trad_in_cali on February 19, 2013, 11:41:00 AM

Title: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: trad_in_cali on February 19, 2013, 11:41:00 AM
I had a bit of luck my way, so I ordered and received a JD Berry Vixen for 3D shooting. It's 68" and 43# at my draw length of 28.5". Boo cores, old growth yew veneers that have been air-drying since 1990, with a rosewood riser, and blue suede to match woodies. I used to have a Northern Mist Classic but I sold it, grip wasn't right (great bow though).
The Vixen is a perfect fit for me. Spoke to JD at length about what I needed, hand size, my other bows and how I shoot, and he made me a perfect bow.
The Hill grip is barely (1/16") dished, and it has a larger shelf, since I shoot almost vertical.
Also, it's shaped like a wedge, so it gets very narrow against my hand, but bigger on back of the bow, so ring and pinky finger can softly grip properly. Makes great contact against my hand bone for consistent placement: I really feel where the weight is pressed.
Limbs are very trapped, almost 1/8" on each side of the belly. It's incredibly smooth. Even with .75" of backset, it feels great on the shot.

Give JD a call, you'll be happy you did, the man has been building for 32 years, talking to him was priceless.

Arrows by Wilderness Custom, David is a sponsor here. Great work!
Enjoy!
Marco

Here's the eye candy:
    (http://i.imgur.com/oRzjGbG.jpg)

    (http://i.imgur.com/F4fK6HL.jpg)

    (http://i.imgur.com/0Z7vCWH.jpg)

    (http://i.imgur.com/7JkCILK.jpg)

Power wedges in the tips:

    (http://i.imgur.com/5EveSwa.jpg)

Tuning up nicely at 20 yds:

    (http://i.imgur.com/okQrVZa.jpg)
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: WESTBROOK on February 19, 2013, 12:07:00 PM
Very Nice bow Marco, that Yew looks great!

Enjoy!

Eric
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: Goshawkin on February 19, 2013, 12:38:00 PM
Very nice bow,gorgeous arrows!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: Brianlocal3 on February 19, 2013, 12:49:00 PM
Outstanding bow  Marcos. James has some of the best looking yew in the industry. Absolutly gorgeous and seems to be shooting good for ya
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: Goshawkin on February 19, 2013, 12:52:00 PM
Just looked over the pictures again and did notice one small problem.
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: centaur on February 19, 2013, 12:59:00 PM
Yep, looks like the bowyer put the shelf on the wrong side; other than that, it is a beauty.
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: northener on February 19, 2013, 01:02:00 PM
That is really nice looking Yew!!
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: Goshawkin on February 19, 2013, 01:02:00 PM
Pat,good,I'm glad someone else noticed that too!  :p
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: trad_in_cali on February 19, 2013, 01:32:00 PM
Wrong side? Nah. It saves me thousands on used bow purchases every year! Much fewer temptations.

Yew is my favorite wood, and JD has some amazing one. We talked about it at length, and the blue grip was a choice contrast, to match David's arrows.
I like my bows very clean, just complex wood grain, not too many accents.
He nailed it.
Marco
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: A.S. on February 19, 2013, 01:54:00 PM
Very nice Marco!!   :notworthy:
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: trad_in_cali on February 19, 2013, 02:03:00 PM
Oh yes, and that string is by Allen Shafer (post above this one, a sponsor here). His Virgina Sunrise color combo looks terrific with yew. Wool silencers.
8 strings UltraCam padded.
Silent and fast on my Hill-style.
Getting a second one for backup soon, they're on all my bows.
Marco
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: arrow flynn on February 19, 2013, 02:42:00 PM
Nice bow iv got one coming in a couple weeks.
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: trad_in_cali on February 19, 2013, 02:45:00 PM
Arrow Flynn, you're in for a treat. What impressed me most was the smoothness and cast. That backset throws an arrow!
Marco
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: David Mitchell on February 19, 2013, 03:57:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by centaur:
Yep, looks like the bowyer put the shelf on the wrong side; other than that, it is a beauty.
No sireee, that shelf is exactly where they should be.  :biglaugh:  Gorgeous bow.
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: Hawkeye on February 19, 2013, 06:26:00 PM
But don't you... step on my blue suede riser...

Hmmmm- doesn't have quite the same "ring" to it as Elvis' version.   :rolleyes:  

Nice lookin' bow!
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: DennyK on February 19, 2013, 06:48:00 PM
Marco, that Yew is awsome!  Very nice bow.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: soap creek on February 19, 2013, 07:03:00 PM
Just got off the phone with James a few minutes ago, he told me about this post. Thats a nice looking bow Marco. I have a yew with boo core Vixen on order. Looking forward to its arrival
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: Shawn Rackley on February 19, 2013, 07:46:00 PM
Holy cow that is a sweet looker. And i know its a good shooter. Like i have said many times. I love my vixen. It has so much more pep and cast than most strait ends out there. And his trapazoids are amazing.
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: Mudd on February 19, 2013, 08:57:00 PM
Cool!
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: trad_in_cali on February 19, 2013, 09:35:00 PM
Soap Creek, that's exactly mine. Boo core and yew limbs. Let me know how you like it.
I found a photo of the trapezoid limb. They're 1/8"+ per side narrower on the belly than the back.

 (http://i.imgur.com/lNrphWz.jpg).
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: pruiter on February 19, 2013, 09:49:00 PM
Nice bow
Have had a j.d. berry for over 20 years.  Love the bows, But had a very bad experience in getting a bow reconditions by Jd berry, So have never ordered more,  The yew ages very nice, mine has a nice dark look now.
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: cahaba on February 20, 2013, 07:16:00 AM
Congratulations on a fine bow. I love Yew veneers.
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: LONGSTYKES on February 20, 2013, 07:36:00 AM
Marco, Great looking bow. Congrats on a fine one. Enjoy
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: KYArcher on February 20, 2013, 10:06:00 AM
Sure is purdy!  :thumbsup:  KY   :archer:
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: jwhitetail on February 20, 2013, 10:18:00 PM
Man, that is a beauty!  
I also have a Vixen on order!  Looks like a lot of us afflicted with Vixen fever... LOL.
JW
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: Richie on February 20, 2013, 10:47:00 PM
Very nice   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: trad_in_cali on February 21, 2013, 09:11:00 AM
JD told me he's thinking of another Hill-style model, after the Vixen and the Misty Dawn. I'll know more soon. May have to get on list again...
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: trad_in_cali on February 21, 2013, 10:39:00 AM
Nothing like windy 40 degrees, a shot up target, dusk light and a perfect "D".

(http://i.imgur.com/t5gYUmP.jpg)
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: Brianlocal3 on February 21, 2013, 10:56:00 AM
That bow is gorgeous.  James told me the new bow is a reverse handled Hill style bow. Should be ready mid summer. I'm already on the list
Title: Re: Hill bug bit me: new JD Berry Vixen! PICS!
Post by: Elk77 on February 22, 2013, 09:42:00 AM
James does build one Beautiful Bow! I love the yew on the face and back with all of the little knots. It gives the bow that natural look. Not only is it beautiful it shoots beautiful. That comes with the 34 years James has been building custom bows. Great Job James and happy shooting Marco.