I was having a conversation yesterday with a fellow bow hunter/friend (wheelie guy, gasp! Haha), and the subject turned to my trad gear. He was surprised to see wood arrows in my bow quiver. It got me thinking, I KNOW people still hunt with wood arrows, but how many? I have carbons, (GT Traditionals), but I love my woodies so much more! They shoot so quiet and true. I enjoy knowing how each one behaves, and working on them. I don't build my own (yet) but I still put in effort to get the tips mounted perfect, keep any slight bends out, etc. I know it can be a little hassle from time to time, but I honestly don't mind. Now, after reading back some years in the forums, I can sort of see the carbon tide roll in. They do make sense, durable, easy to adjust FOC, straight, cheap (relatively) etc. Most of the "pros" for woodies seems to be their smell when they break, hahah. So, if you're a woody hunter, please stand and be counted. What do you hunt with them, what heads do you like, tips or tricks for maintenance and upkeep, etc. Thanks in advance! I would love to see how woodies are still dropping critters big and small in a "techy" world of today!
The feeling of shooting a wooden arrow out of a one piece longbow is hard to beat [still do it sometimes]---however I mostly shoot carbons because of the obvious reasons.Thanks, Roy
I hunt with wood arrows. Just like them better.
I forgot to add, if you are shooting some snazzy arrows (wood or carbon, I'm in no way saying one is any better), feel free to show a pic. Same goes for any game taken if you'd like. Archery, and traditional archery at that, probably allows for people to best express themselves with the gear they choose to carry. Thanks again and happy shooting/hunting, no matter which you prefer!
Just me being me, but, I refuse to shoot anything but wood from my longbows. Call it nostalgia, pig-headedness, whatever, wood just feels right from a longbow. I have shoot aluminum, glass and wood from my recurves. Carbon and me aren't friends yet.
I use wood arrows because they shoot better through my longbows. I tried and tried to tune carbons to no avail. Switched to wood and got better results. Might try carbons again but probably not.
I've made, shot, and hunted with wood arrows exclusively for the last 28 years. Just a fad I suppose.
Just today I put a Douglas Fir shaft through a buck on a steep quartering away angle. Exited through the clavicle on the off shoulder and into the ground several yards beyond.
(http://s20.postimg.org/txlf3j1e5/arrow.jpg)
Nothing wrong with wood, just takes a little more effort to tune with them, or at least it does me. That said, I still shoot carbons as well but I love shooting woodies.
I love the quote Tree Killer, haha
Sorry for the double post, not sure what I did wrong there.
This is my first attempt at wood arrows, and I'm pretty pleased with the results. I gathered most the info online here and there. Took me about two weeks devoting about an hour each night I had available. This was extremely fun. I collected all the equipment and supplies starting in January. I waited for the right deals to pop up and strike while the iron was hot. It took me a year to get everything I needed, but the wait was worth it. Quality equipment produced quality results. Most important thing needed is time.
My equipment and supplies:
11/32, 75-80 spine Douglas fir shafts from Surewood
Woodchucker taper tool and bearpaw taper tool
11/32 locator nocks
0000 steel wool
Rubber gloves
Cotton patches
11/32 125gr glue on points
Minwax dark walnut stain
Rustoleum sunbleached stain
Minwax wipe on ploy gloss (oil based)
Whispering wind acrylic gloss enamel from 3R. (Red, white and black) "Scouts Out"
1 Bitz fletch jig
Spin rite Crestor
Young feather burner
Artificial Sinew
Feathers
ACE roller
Time...
Just before the black boarder crest.
(http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j59/caseycapaz/0F1E23C7-39BA-4DBD-BC43-51E7204FD071-4835-00000BF4406325F7_zps94706389.jpg)
Finished the first arrow
(http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j59/caseycapaz/33E3FDF2-9BD3-4DBA-94FB-975946806BA6-4835-00000BF44ACAF122_zps8898358c.jpg)
I somehow managed to get one of those nasty wood things to fly the 13 FEET to the unsuspecting mule deer in this picture...
(http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/miklvines/2013DIYWYMuleDeer101.jpg) (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/miklvines/media/2013DIYWYMuleDeer101.jpg.html)
I sure hope one of these ugly wood arrows can do the trick on a Manitoba bear this coming spring...
(http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/miklvines/Tradgang/1211131721b.jpg) (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/miklvines/media/Tradgang/1211131721b.jpg.html)
QuoteOriginally posted by BowHunterGA:
Just today I put a Douglas Fir shaft through a buck on a steep quartering away angle. Exited through the clavicle on the off shoulder and into the ground several yards beyond.
(http://s20.postimg.org/txlf3j1e5/arrow.jpg)
Nothing wrong with wood, just takes a little more effort to tune with them, or at least it does me. That said, I still shoot carbons as well but I love shooting woodies.
And what a great story it was Steve.
There is enough interest in wood arrows that if you check the requirements for the North American Longbow Safari only wood arrows are acceptable...I met a bowhunter last year who has 3000 Port Orford Cedar shafts...woodies are doing fine and will continue to do so for many years
DDave
Aluminum for 20 years, carbon just this fall, and now onto wood. Wonder why it took so long to shoot wood. Just feels good. I used Curt's screwdriver method to straighten my arrows. Shooting #55-60 POC with 125 grain woodsmans installed right now. Planning on using 2 blade Deltas as well.
(http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q655/swalley3133/null_zps4f15ea73.jpg) (http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/swalley3133/media/null_zps4f15ea73.jpg.html)
I havnt had good luck with woodies and consistency, first it was hard to find them in the spine I needed, I didn't put them through my own spine tester but I could only get 4 or 5 of a dozen to cooperate. scince then I use them for small game with big feathers. my bow loves them they make my bow silent. I would love to use them for big game if I knew I could get them to be as consistant as my ads.
dang double post, anyway any tips on woodies.
dang
Some good looking arrows! And Zmonster, its clear your time and planning paid off!! Those turned out gorgeous! Oh, I only shoot red and white feathers, "Scouts Out!" Haha.
I shoot Longbows, Toelke Super Ds and a Classic Whip and nothing but Douglas Fir and some Cedar through them. Wood is quiet, the Fir particularly is beautifully grained and they are satisfying to make yourself and they fly beautifully, certainly better than I can shoot.
All I ever have shot and hunted with is wood arrows. Never have liked carbon or aluminum shafts. Carbons don't feel right and aluminum's are noisy.I enjoy building wood arrows and don't find it hard to keep them straight, at least not the softer wood arrows like cedar,spruce and fir.I shoot cedar and fir mostly, but a light weight spruce shaft makes an arrow with a higher FOC if that is you goal. I find that a well tuned wood arrow has fantastic flight characteristics ,which coupled with a razor sharp broad head, will kill any north American game.A stiff spine woodie with a woodie weight and heavy BH on a light weight shaft will get you up around 20% FOC. for the tougher jobs! Heavy woods like ash and hickory make for heavy hitters that are tough to break.No real secrets for tuning,just experiment with spine, shaft weight, length,and tip weight.The combo's are almost endless!
woodies are alive an well
I kind of go back and forth..... When you have the time to build a nice set, and get them all balanced out, you just can't beat the satisfaction. I'm a fan of Doug Fir shafts, but have recently got a set of Tonkin Bamboo shafts that are amazing. Heavier than the Doug fir, and darn near as tough as carbon and in some cases more durable than carbon shafts. Great stumping arrows!
But.... I hunt with carbon because they are always dead straight or broken... nothing between. From pouring down rain to hot sunny weather it doesn't effect them like it does wood.
I also like carbon for 3D madness. When you let your hair down and take those crazy shots through brush and long distance. They just hold up better than woodies do and i don't worry about trashing carbon shafts or losing them.... If you go to all the trouble building those purdy wood shafts, it just breaks my heart to trash out a set on a 3D course.
I love woodies!
Wood arrows are all I shoot! Wouldn't have it any other way. Using port oxford , but have also made Doug fir . Not,hinny like shooting a bow made by hand and home. Made. Arrows.
After I switched to wood I wondered why it took me so long. I love them and wood is all I shoot now.
I love wood arrows, but I agree with Kirk that a day of 3d trashes a good set of arrows.
(http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r792/Centex7/image_zps3002d037.jpg) (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/Centex7/media/image_zps3002d037.jpg.html)
Hell no. Wood arrows have been in style for 12,000 years. I guess the guy needs artificial arrows to go with the training wheels.
Wood is what I shoot. I'm old and set in my ways. I know that carbon is probably more consistent, but I will stick with what has killed millions of critters over the centuries. So far, so good.
Wood is definitely not a novelty. They are "the"
only thing for me. Sure I have shot aluminum and carbon but always fall back on wood when getting serious. Just me, everyone has their own choice and that's what is good.
For some reason I have a lot easier time tuning a wood arrow to fly than with carbon or aluminum. Add the fact that they look good and and make for a quieter arrow and it seems to be a no-brainer for the traditional minded archer.
Wood and bamboo is all I use.
They work great, are plenty accurate, and they are as consistant as I make them.
I can make a wood arrow beautiful and something to be proud of. A carbon or aluminum will never be anything more than a carbon or aluminum arrow. A wood arrow can be a work of art.
Guy
I have more than a few dozen of wood arrows. Some that I have built and some bought. Really the only type to shoot out of my selfbows. :)
They seem to hold up fine in the 3D shoots that I attend... :thumbsup:
All I shoot is wood. I tried aluminum briefly around 1980/82 and was disappointed. Never tried ordering or working with carbon. I have shot loaners (fired a DART round with carbons - nice!) but I wouldn't know where to begin to select what I needed. I'm not loosing any sleep over that as I like wood and it works.
Tradition - to me - is what someone taught you and I was taught how to make and shoot wood arrows. Why look elsewhere?
I like wood. I enjoy preparing and tapering shafts. When I make arrows there is no distinction between stumping, bunny hunting, target or deer hunting. I make them all the same way and enjoy doing it this time of year.
Break a lot, lose a few. Make some more.
I have developed a lacquer-free system. All wiped on stains and leather dyes under a poly sealer coat and Sharpies or Pilot markers/pens for cresting. Simple and low odor.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/Stumpkiller/Bowhunting/HPIM2209.jpg)
Yeah, the durability theme will always come up. I don't do any 3D shoots, the ones around here are pretty compound-centric and if I drive a couple hours to a trad shoot I don't think my shooting skills would be on par with the gas expense, haha. Soon as deer season is over I will turn to hogs (deer season on post has been rough for me this year, haven't seen many and the number of hunters on post has the games nerves about frazzled.) I am looking forward to going back to pugs though. I had a good deal of success last year. Seems winter is the best time to go after them. Its drier, less foliage, and the swamps dont fight back as hard it seems. Hah! That being said, I know the odds of getting a cedar, or any wood arrow for that matter, back after sinking it into a hog is pretty slim. But that doesn't bother me, it will have done it duty. On a related note, 2nd day of deer season a had a pair of 'yotes trotting past my stand about 20 meters away. I lined up on the second one in line and fired. Due to it trotting I hit further back than I wanted. Its back end dropped to the ground and all heck broke loose. It began snarling and turning in circles. Then it reached back and bit my carbon arrow into 3 pieces. This happened in the time it took me to nock another arrow, (I cant even stand to see a coyote suffer if I can help it). I let him finish his butt-dragging turn presenting me with his pump house and loosed what I was sure was the fatal shot. It was a good hit, right in the 10 ring, though he managed with his last breaths to turn back and bite that arrow in half as well. In the end, which immediately followed, I had one dead good sized yote, and 2 broken carbons arrows. Figure if I can break carbon like that, I wont cry if some woodies go out bloody. Oh, I was so impressed with that coyote's will that I kept his tail. Salted it and now it hangs on my oldest boys bedroom door (he insisted on posing for a picture with the rascal). Guess I took the long road to get to that point huh? Sorry.
Been shooting wood strictly for the past 20 yrs.
(http://i754.photobucket.com/albums/xx186/longbow69/DSC07159_zps4357b6ce.jpg) (http://s754.photobucket.com/user/longbow69/media/DSC07159_zps4357b6ce.jpg.html)
If shooting wood arrows is a novelty, then I've got a whole 3 Ring Circus of River Cane in my quiver!
Johnny/JAG
Make my own wood shafts and hunt with them.
Shoot a wood arrow out of a compound and they are extremely fast and very quiet. And NO they will not blow up out of a compound.
Casey (Zmonster), welcome home and if you get a chance PM me your mailing address.
There are just some things that are "the way they were intended to be". Wood bows and wood arrows are a wonderful match.
It's interesting to me to look back over time. Guys went "hi-tech" with all sorts of things back "in the day". Now we are coming back around to what worked really well before all of this.
Wood bows and wood arrows for me.
QuoteOriginally posted by thump:
Been shooting wood strictly for the past 20 yrs.
(http://i754.photobucket.com/albums/xx186/longbow69/DSC07159_zps4357b6ce.jpg) (http://s754.photobucket.com/user/longbow69/media/DSC07159_zps4357b6ce.jpg.html)
Off subject... but this is a very cool looking bow you have here. Incorporating extended wedges in a one piece riser like that is hot! Who makes that one bro? I like it... Kirk
looks like a Kanati??
Wood is not a novelty, just a labor of love. I have used wood and carbon. I like both.
Sitka Spruce for me:
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii185/finnish-archer/ArcheryPhotos/Misty%20Dawn/Quiver_and_Chubby_arrows_zps7b2b948d.jpg) (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/finnish-archer/media/ArcheryPhotos/Misty%20Dawn/Quiver_and_Chubby_arrows_zps7b2b948d.jpg.html)
If you shoot longbow...anything other than wood...is blasphemy!!
I'm waiting to see the first wood arrows featuring a carbon core. Hey, if it works for longbows.....!
I love woodies and can confirm they are alive and well.
I do shoot carbons out of one bow (like to play with lighted nocks), but I also hunt wood.
I personally like the way well tuned wood flies better.
It's pretty simple, if you don't want wood to break, don't miss. But there's nothing better than POC or fir when you do break a tip.
Typically I use a 125gr head up front. The Deadhead was for turkey season. The pink/blue shoot well with 40-45# bows and 125gr up front. 500gr total weight. The orange arrows shoot great out of 55-60# bows with 125gr up front. 600gr total weight arrow. The gray/brown are in between.
These are my favorites - made by Magnus:
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa337/ceme24/null_zps70f15eed.jpg) (http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/ceme24/media/null_zps70f15eed.jpg.html)
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa337/ceme24/3cb3ad54.jpg) (http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/ceme24/media/3cb3ad54.jpg.html)
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa337/ceme24/0006d92d.jpg) (http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/ceme24/media/0006d92d.jpg.html)
Wood, wood and more wood.
I use both wood and carbon. I like them both.
Wood normally comes in 32" or less length, which is a problem cause of longer draw length. If I make a standard point taper, and a standard nock taper, and not cut anything else off, I can have about 31" of arrow (to BOP).
When I draw a broadhead, it touches or comes across my bow hand finger at full draw. Good for some head styles, bad for others (I don't want more stitches). For field points, blunts, judos and more careful broadhead choices, woodies are great, plus, they lend a special feel to any accomplishment.
I guess I can start a project footing up some extensions this winter.
Carbons are just so easy to make, it is ridiculous. Roll on the cap film, choose nock position, tape on feathers and glue in an insert. BAM !
ChuckC
Homemade wood or cane here. Nothing else for a 36" draw.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1077746_10151514628137540_251011329_o.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1116062_10151514628157540_1039181384_o.jpg)
Still need to make up some more. Eh, I'm not hunting anything but blankets in this wheelchair at the moment.
I've seen anything like that bow halfseminole. My guess would be asiatic of sorts? Can you tell me more about it?
Agree. More about your bow and what the string/rope does on the back side of the bow. Where to read about the design. Looks to be a board bow?
Nice looking arrow.
Once I made my first bamboo/cane arrow I've never used anything else.
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20CLINT-HP/New%20bow%20stuff/SDC15816.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20CLINT-HP/New%20bow%20stuff/SDC15818.jpg)
The point on the far left ended up going through the heart of an 8 pointer this year.
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20CLINT-HP/New%20bow%20stuff/SDC15815.jpg)
I shoot nothing but wood,that being said we sell a lot more wood than carbon in our business.Have nothing against other arrow materials I just prefer wood.We sell a little bit of aluminum.
Wood is good........I still have some shafts that I still shoot that I got in 1996....... They last a long as anything else if you use your head. Nothing likes rocks and glancing hits.
Is it just me or do u find the arc of a carbon is just missing something. After shooting woods for years I tried carbons, with foc weights etc. seemed like the arc was all out of sync. It flew ok then nosedived faster. I never could get confidence in that.
Shooting 45#, The woods to me have a beautiful observable controlled arc that the eye can follow. Then again maybe I'm full of it, lol.
This carbon arrow thing is just a passing fad; wood all the way with the occasional aluminum thrown in.
Bow is cable-backed red oak, nominally of Alaskan design but really mostly of my own devising. Roughly #35-45 pounds, depending on how tight I crank the cables. 72" tip-to-tip, backed with nylon bricklayer's twine. Wanting to get up the sinew to do a sinew cable backed, but that needs money I don't have, even if I'm made of time.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1077689_10151514628097540_1352765343_o.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1077129_10151514628102540_828054070_o.jpg)
Thinking about making one out of pine just to show it can be done. Cable backing is quite the trick for marginal wood, which is about all we can find here if you're not cutting it yourself. Kinda hard to cut it myself now.
Some real awesome looking arrows on this thread. Are those points obsidion? And seminole, it sure looks like a time consuming work with the braiding of the twine, but very interesting to say the least!
I really like making wood arrows, but I rarely shoot them anymore. Carbon is so consistent and durable I find them tough to beat.
Still, there's really nothing like a nice set of wooden arrows and I completely understand why some are committed to them.
There is simply no question that a carbon arrow is superior to a wood arrow in terms of straightness, durability, consistency among shafts, and options for fine tuning.
However, I'm a wood man. Shooting a carbon arrow out of a longbow is kind of like fishing with a nightcrawler on the end of a bamboo fly rod - It may be effective, but something just don't seem right about it.
If the day ever comes that I can say I shoot better than a wood arrow can shoot, maybe I'll try carbons.
I shoot wood--I just like em!
Check this out:
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=106699#000000
Rick
I've shot aluminum, carbon and wood shafts over the years. Aluminum is a decent arrow material, but man, is it noisy compared to either of the others. For the last few years, I've shot strictly carbons for hunting because they are durable, straight, cheap, and easy to build. Once you have ONE of them tuned, you are done tuning because they are all the same or so close for it not to matter.
Then my brother said he was going back to woodies with the Kanati he has Jason building. I recently acquired a Toelke Chinook in trade and had been messing with it a bit with some of the carbon arrows I've been shooting. When he said that about woodies, I dug out some POC shafts I had around and made a few arrows to play with. I had forgotten how quiet wood arrows really are! I think I'll probably join him and go back to woodies at least with my Kanati and Chinook. I shoot so well with carbons out of the Orion, I don't think I'll mess with that.
The only problem I have with POC is the weight variation. Can any of you woodie shooters tell me if Surewood Shafts (doug fir) are more consistent in weight from one shaft to the next?
They don't work very good when the pointy end is missing.
(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z304/Owlgrowler/014.jpg) (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/Owlgrowler/media/014.jpg.html)
Found it.
(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z304/Owlgrowler/021.jpg) (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/Owlgrowler/media/021.jpg.html)
I love making my own wood arrows. Hunted with them exclusively this deer season.
Tom
A novelty? Absolutely not. I have some good friends (Mike Vines, for one) who build beautiful, and extremely functional arrows.
The absolute truth as to why I shoot mostly carbon? I am lazy.
I made 2 dozen wood arrows 2 winters ago. This past winter I was too busy. I expect to build another couple dozen this year. But I can crank out 1/2 dozen perfect carbon arrows in an afternoon.
No, I don't think they are a novelty at all. Like most products that have been surpassed in popularity by newer products, you don't see them as often as carbon and aluminum. Yet, as you read on this site, and others, wood still has a strong following.
This is due to many factors, with the most important being that they still work. Many enjoy the beauty of them and the fun of crafting them. Others enjoy the nostalgia of doing it the old way. Whatever the reason, a lot of people still love the graceful flight of a well made wood arrow.
As for me, wood arrows are just a natural match for my Hill longbows. Why? Just because...
Yes they are novelties, just like fly rods, 81 Trans Ams, an 86 Silverado and all the other things from the past that to me are way better than whats new to todays markets. Love me some novel stuff.
still use wood myself...and a lot of compound guys have been told over the years they cannot shoot wood in a compound as they will break or explode. Hell, I was told that with my first compound...I had to get rid of any wood arrows and only shoot aluminum...the woodies would not endure the huge energy transfer. LOL
Anyhow...things progress and improve...but I still love woodies and will continue to use them until I shoot my last arrow. My wood of choice has evolved from cedar to doug fir..with a few stops with ash, maple, chundoo, sitka spruce but otherwise has stayed wood for arrow shafts.
QuoteOriginally posted by Stumpkiller:
I have developed a lacquer-free system. All wiped on stains and leather dyes under a poly sealer coat and Sharpies or Pilot markers/pens for cresting. Simple and low odor.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/Stumpkiller/Bowhunting/HPIM2209.jpg)
I'd like to hear more about your system, Stumpkiller. Sounds like it would speed up the process considerably. How do you apply the poly? I like the low odor idea. The wife almost banned me from the house last time I used lacquer in my basement shop. :knothead:
You can get weight-matched shafts from different suppliers, I know RMSGear does it with cedars. I think Surewood will match DF.
I've played with all shaft types, killed my first couple deer with aluminum arrows before I really knew anything about tuning them. Luckily they flew well and had sharp Magnus 2-blades on them, so they did the job.
After attending K-zoo one year I decided to grab the stuff to make my own woods, something just seemed "right" about using them with my old Necedah. Haven't looked back besides messing with carbons for a while just shooting 3D and backyard fun.
I love making woodies, killing something with 'em is icing on the cake.
(http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/MrDwood/DSCN3602_zps8148c073.jpg) (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/MrDwood/media/DSCN3602_zps8148c073.jpg.html)
Here are some compressed cedars from long ago I restored and am using this season;
(http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/MrDwood/DSCN3560_zps769e4a9a.jpg) (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/MrDwood/media/DSCN3560_zps769e4a9a.jpg.html)
(http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/MrDwood/DSCN3654_zpsd17006df.jpg) (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/MrDwood/media/DSCN3654_zpsd17006df.jpg.html)
The orange one in there is an Ash stumper/small game arrow. Love the weight, but every batch has a problem shaft or two. Here's a look at my mini-batch of Ash stumpers;
(http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/MrDwood/DSCN3335_zps87759231.jpg) (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/MrDwood/media/DSCN3335_zps87759231.jpg.html)
Some random Doug firs;
(http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/MrDwood/DSCN1249-1.jpg) (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/MrDwood/media/DSCN1249-1.jpg.html)
(http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/MrDwood/DSCN1241.jpg) (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/MrDwood/media/DSCN1241.jpg.html)
Some footed cedars, probably my favorite arrows. They seem to shoot out of any bow I have or have had from 45-60#;
(http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/MrDwood/DSCN2714.jpg) (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/MrDwood/media/DSCN2714.jpg.html)
I have tried wood, aluminum, carbon and the old 'glass shafts that Bear used to sell. All have their advantages and disadvantages. I recently ordered 3 dozen more wooden shafts from Twig Archery. Why? I just like wood arrows better. I enjoy building them, shooting them, and hunting with them. Shoot what you like. Its all good but nothing says trad like wooden arrows.
I shoot aluminum and wood. Dougherty Naturals from the Longbow and from my recurves....Surewoods, Ash and Superceeders.
Ash and Superceeders
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/004-1_zps85474e03.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/004-1_zps85474e03.jpg.html)
Surewoods
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/005-1_zpsb8a20216.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/005-1_zpsb8a20216.jpg.html)
"The only problem I have with POC is the weight variation. Can any of you woodie shooters tell me if Surewood Shafts (doug fir) are more consistent in weight from one shaft to the next?"
30Coupe, contact Steve at Surewood Shafts (they are a sponsor here) and you will receive great douglas fir shafts that are within 10grs of each other.
(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u31/snag23/Wilderness%20Custom%20Arrows/arra34003.jpg) (http://s164.photobucket.com/user/snag23/media/Wilderness%20Custom%20Arrows/arra34003.jpg.html)
(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u31/snag23/Wilderness%20Custom%20Arrows/RedWhite3.jpg) (http://s164.photobucket.com/user/snag23/media/Wilderness%20Custom%20Arrows/RedWhite3.jpg.html)
I was thinking about your question about woodies perhaps being a novelty...I can see how some might think this. Quite a few guys who are taking up archery have never shot wood. They may have come from shooting compounds. Either way they are introduced to archery by shooting carbons or aluminums. I get calls all the time after a guy receives their arrow order and shoot them for a few days. The response is often that they are actually surprised at how well they fly and how quiet their bows are now. Yep, discovering or rediscovering wood is looking like a novelty to some. But actually I believe it is a revival.
In the book the "Witchery of Archery" Maurice Thompson's Indian friend Tommy said it well:
"Any stick do for bow--good arrow dam heap work--ugh!"
He was right--carbons are easier but in my mind there is a unique feeling of satisfaction that is becoming lost to many in our world today that comes from using ones own hands and a few simple tools to build something functional and good...
It seems that even in our world more and more of us want it easy and we want it now...
Don't get me wrong--I don't start my fires by rubbing two sticks together and I know that time is at a premium for many of us, but none the less, it is way cool to build something yourself and to build it good and then be able to use it for its intended purpose.
So,all that to say Novelty--No
Becoming a lost art--Maybe
Rick
QuoteOriginally posted by snag:
"The only problem I have with POC is the weight variation. Can any of you woodie shooters tell me if Surewood Shafts (doug fir) are more consistent in weight from one shaft to the next?"
30Coupe, contact Steve at Surewood Shafts (they are a sponsor here) and you will receive great douglas fir shafts that are within 10grs of each other.
(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u31/snag23/Wilderness%20Custom%20Arrows/arra34003.jpg) (http://s164.photobucket.com/user/snag23/media/Wilderness%20Custom%20Arrows/arra34003.jpg.html)
(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u31/snag23/Wilderness%20Custom%20Arrows/RedWhite3.jpg) (http://s164.photobucket.com/user/snag23/media/Wilderness%20Custom%20Arrows/RedWhite3.jpg.html)
Wow, Snag, those are some beauties! My woodies generally look much more utilitarian to start with and rather scruffy before too long anyway. Ten grains would be WAY closer than the last few batches of cedars I got. The raw shafts varied 75-80 grains in weight. Believe me, you will notice that when you shoot them!
We were thinking that we'd get them from Steve. Sounds like a good plan at this point.
Thanks.
Here is another question that may be asked.
Is shooting traditional a novelty? It would be interesting to see how many that go to traditional shoots leave the recurve/longbow and go to other arrow throwing weapons to hunt with.
I go to 2 maybe 3 trad shoots a year with my family, kids and grandkids. That amounts to 6 archers and yet when hunting season comes around I am the only one that hunts traditional.
I would figure a majority that post on here hunt traditional because this is a traditional site.
QuoteOriginally posted by 30coupe:
The only problem I have with POC is the weight variation. Can any of you woodie shooters tell me if Surewood Shafts (doug fir) are more consistent in weight from one shaft to the next?
You'e getting your shafts from the wrong people.
You can get weight matched shafts from a number of outfits.
Wapiti Archery - POC
Surewood - Douglas fir
Hildebrand - Sitka spruce and Douglas fir
All these folks will be happy to supply you with straight grained, weight matched arrow shafts.
Guy
I forget who it was, but the link that was posted to a similar thread ("woodies love"), awesome! For all those that replied, I thank you! Your responses have and will no doubt inspire others to perhaps give wooden arrows a try, (or another try). So many great quote-worthy responses on here about why wood arrows are still thriving, not to mention the great pictures of some beautiful arrows! Thank you everyone!
Wood only for me. Doug fir and POC. Taken several dozen deer, elk and a gator with good ol' wood.
QuoteOriginally posted by 30coupe:
QuoteOriginally posted by Stumpkiller:
I have developed a lacquer-free system. All wiped on stains and leather dyes under a poly sealer coat and Sharpies or Pilot markers/pens for cresting. Simple and low odor.
I'd like to hear more about your system, Stumpkiller. Sounds like it would speed up the process considerably. How do you apply the poly? I like the low odor idea. The wife almost banned me from the house last time I used lacquer in my basement shop. :knothead: [/b]
My wife has asthma and the lacquer was not appreciated coming through the floor vents.
I use Three Rivers alcohol based stain on the shafts except for the last 10", which I wipe with Fiebing's leather dye - both with a rag.
Then I use MinWax Wipe-On Poly (two coats). The next dat I use Sharpie permanent markers for the crest and Pilot Metallic Pens for the highlights on the crest - Unfortunately MinWax over these smears and removes the cresting.
Duco for fletching and the nock.
These are Douglas fir.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/Stumpkiller/Bowhunting/HPIM2699.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/Stumpkiller/Bowhunting/HPIM2289.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/Stumpkiller/Bowhunting/HPIM2206.jpg)
I guess since this is show and tell I'll show a few...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/primitive%20archer/Scale003.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/primitive%20archer/Scale003.jpg.html)
these are all wood, some cedar, some ash, some poplar some cane and some sourwood shoot arrows.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/primitive%20archer/BWandsourwoodarrowsfor2011elkhunt001.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/primitive%20archer/BWandsourwoodarrowsfor2011elkhunt001.jpg.html)
Two black walnut,one fluflus, on not and two sourwood shoot arrows.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/primitive%20archer/forPA008.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/primitive%20archer/forPA008.jpg.html)
Hill cane with different 2fletch.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/primitive%20archer/Minutemansarrows003.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/primitive%20archer/Minutemansarrows003.jpg.html)
Red osier dogwood Plaines style arrows
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/primitive%20archer/Artshillcanearrows001.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/primitive%20archer/Artshillcanearrows001.jpg.html)
A set of hill cane arrows Art Butner made for me
My Pronghorn takedown longbows definitely like wood. Forgiving, quiet and the hand-craftmanship is enjoyable.
Does anyone have the hyperlink to a good "follow along" for building woodies? Just placed an order for a restock of supplies (aside from the shafts, thinking surewoods but got to call them/him first and see what he/they recommend). Luckily I already own a basic bohning jig and assorted supplies from a while back. But this time I would like to dip my toes into cresting and such.
Cavscout9753- check the "how-to" section. It'll get you started.
Never really understood what was so great about my Hill bow until I got me some woodies for it. Wood bows need wooden arrows for the circle to be complete!
I only shoot wood arrows...... but scientifically I'm misleading you......
The carbon content of wood is between 46 and 55% (Francis 2000, Lamlom, Savidge 2003, Ragland, Aerts 1991). The carbon concentration in softwoods is higher (above 50%) than in hardwoods (below 50%). That is while 50% is usually used in carbon calculations (Barson 1989, Dias et al. 2005, Hassan et al 2005).
:-)
I only shoot wood in both recurve and longbow.
I have tried carbons and aluminums out of my bows. I don't like the sound they make or their weight. I mostly shoot ash, hickory or maple. To me wood seems to fly better and since I don't worry about speed the weight of my arrows give me so great penetration without the chance of basically dry firing my bow
I've shot it all..aluminum, carbon, wood. i made up my mind to shoot wood exclusively in August of 2011. I've killed one hog and one deer with carbon since then because i had a crazy spell. But i absolutely love wood and everything to do with them. cedar and fir are my favorites. Wood does it's job well and i can't honestly say that i would be a better shot if i were shooting a more modern material...
If you use your training you should be able to spot and stalk real well. I do here in the OK Panhandle. Helps with hunting mules and whitetail in the flat fields of Milo found in this country where others can't. They seem to not like to crawl up on a rattler every once in a while. Need to incorporate the Crossed Sabers in your cresting. Mine is for OK State. Thanks for your recipe.
Wood only for me. I buy Surewood shafts and craft my own arrows. I like to use wild turkey feathers from Magnus and I also like glue on bheads due to the fact that they can easily be adjusted to one's preference i.e. horizontal or vertical. I make my arrows very simple with little or no crest. I have started capping them.
Wood arrows just have soul. If I shoot a batch enough without breaking or losing them I get to know each arrow on a personal level. As long as decent wood arrows are available I will shoot them.
I still have about 400 cedar shafts to go through before I think of switching. They will probably out last me.
One nice thing about woodies is if you leave a broken one in the woods they will decay unlike Carbon or Aluminum
Notice the rabbit fur behind the feathers almost like a lighted nock.
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii185/bofish-il/arrows_zpsb2654ac2.jpg) (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/bofish-il/media/arrows_zpsb2654ac2.jpg.html)
It seems to me that since we shoot stick-bows and don't have to that the same could be asked about them. I would consider the arrows like the bow to be a choice. There is more modern but not necessarily better equipment out there but like a lot of other things that people label as "outdated" they still mean a lot to a lot of people so to me no they aren't a novelty.
There is little doubt that carbon and aluminum are more practical, but nothing beats wood. It is all we shoot in our family! :thumbsup:
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/ElkArrows-2.jpg) (http://s139.photobucket.com/user/bjornweb/media/ElkArrows-2.jpg.html)
These were my Elk arrows coupla' years ago.
Here's the cow they killed
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN1562small.jpg) (http://s139.photobucket.com/user/bjornweb/media/DSCN1562small.jpg.html)
Well theses are not that straight nor do they smell good when they break but they do have their MOJO.
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e383/gillk/6completed.jpg)
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e383/gillk/IMG_3348.jpg)
The great thing with woods is how quiet they shoot.
If you want have David at wilderness make a dozen. Fantastic quality....
I sold all but a few carbons and will be hunting shooting woods next year.
I like wood because I can break them easier, Yeah, I know hard to understand lol.
Did I mention making them is fun?