Hello All,

I'm an active duty Navy Corpsman who is moving out to Virginia Beach area in September timeframe. I've been into archery about 6 months now and shoot a 50# Samick Sage at a 28in draw length. The archery aspect im starting to get a hang of I believe, any additional tips trick or just information is always helpful though, the real question I have though is once i get out to Virgina I want to start making my own hunting arrows.. I was curious as to where to start I've been reading TJ conrads traditonal bowhunter handbook so i've got a basis to go from, but if anyone has any outdated cresting gear or jigs that they could help a new guy out with it would be greatly appreciated! or even just tips and thing to stay away from. Like I've heard POC is the best but what have you guys found that works best? thanks guys and thank you for allowing me to take part into this group! I hope to hunt with some of you soon!!

Doc, the best thing you could do to learn to build arrows is to get with someone who,knows the ropes.
Looking for seed,equipment is a,good idea, because the total out lay to build good arrows can be quite high.

Someone has a Bitz in the classifieds for fifty dollars.
That's as good as I have seen them go for lately.
I am always available to help via PM here.

I used to live in Norfolk (NOB), but I am way north of that now. You will find TradGangers in your area to shoot with, I am sure.

Killdeer

Doc Peters,
I'm in the same situation as you, only forward deployed and looking forward to seeing my newly purchased bow when i get back.  I ordered TJ's book, still waiting.  
take it easy!

elliott

Mac,
I agree completely it will be way easier than trying to figure it out for myself, I'll be in Mo here soon actually i'll PM you.

Killdeer,

I'll actually be in portsmouth any good shops you know of out there or good places to go hunting? i know i'll be getting there about turkey season.

Welcome to Trad Gang and thanks for your service!    

Keep an eye out here on the classifieds for arrow building tools, great deals sometimes. Check out this link for a starting point.

  web page

I don't have a clue about shops and hunting down there anymore. Special Services may have some target butts on base, though. Worth looking into.

Google up the VDGIF website for hunting regs and wildlife management areas near you. There is a lot of public land in Virginia!
Killdeer

Welcome to the gang.  

Welcome aboard and good luck. A lot to learn, but a great place and people too learn from. Enjoy it all.

Welcome Chris.

Nice meeting and shooting with you this past week at Pendleton.

I shipped my daughter's bow to her yesterday. Maybe she and Duke will be at the range sometime next week.

Thanks for your service.


Bud

Welcome, sit back and enjoy the ride.

Doc, look forward to hearing from you.
If your close enough would be glad to show you how I do things.
Ron

Thanks everyone! I just recently found a cresting tool for like $50! so as soon as I can get out to Va I will start "honing" my fletching skills..as far as shafts...where is the best place to look at buying a dozen or so? preferably tapered?

Bud,
Yeah i'll be up there tomorrow and definitely a couple times this week! It was nice meeting with you as well and thank you for introducing me to this site!

Doc,
Welcome aboard and thank you for your service to our country.
I want to start doing the same and will be keeping an eye on this thread.
Ken

Welcome!

When you are making your good hunting or target arrows, don't skimp on your shafts.  The shaft is the heart of an arrow and there is nothing you can do to a crappy shaft to make a good arrow out of it.  Good arrows aren't difficult, but some attention to detail really helps.

For learning and stumping, stumper shafts are fine and they will teach you how to straighten and select shafts.  Spine is much more important than shaft weight.

POC is a fine arrow wood and the standard that most others are compared to.  Its two drawbacks are lack of durabality and good POC is harder to find these days.  Douglas Fir is my preferred arrow wood.  To me, it is the best shooting of the arrow woods and clearly tougher than POC.  It varies quite a bit in weight but averages higher than POC.  Sitka Spruce is another fine wood.  It boasts the highest strength to weight ratio of all wood, averages a bit lighter than POC and is also tougher.  Lodgepole pine/chundoo is also good if you find some.

TJ's book is a great resource.  Keep asking and we will keep answering.

Hey Doc,

My daughter is reporting that Duke has been to the range the last two days. I think he got bit by the new archery bug also.

Hopefully you'll get to shoot together again beore you leave Ca.

Stay safe Corpsman!

I would say start with alluminum shafts as they are usually the easiest to tune. And they are all straight with little variance in weight. If you are set on shooting wood arrows I would get my shafts directly from Rose City Archery. Don't skimp on the shafts as it has been said above they are the heart of the arrow. If your shafts are mediocre your arrows will never fly as good as those made with a great shaft.