Keep those butterbars squared away. Thanks a BUNCH for your service.

Cavescout....I would try to find a trad guy in your area that has a hill  style bow and that way you know first hand if you like it or not. I love em ....they are a pleasure to shoot.

Thanks Centaur, doing my best! Haha. Chief, excellent advise. I meant to get to the HH classic this past year but I had just started the new position and like many things the timing just wasn't how I needed it to be. I'm going to keep pouring over the 1000+ pages here and try to learn the different aspects. For just a stick bent with a string there is a surprisingly vast amount of technical differences! Haha but thats the fun! (If only my wife saw it that way!) As it is I happen to have a popular handgun laying around I have no need or desire of and it will likely free up some cash so I can dip my toe into the HH world a little. I've already ruled out some types of bows as not being likely candidates to try and seen some that will be worth the gamble. All in due time, but until then thank each one of you for so willingly and selflessly sharing your passion for the Hill bows so that others don't have to wander so blindly through it all! Happy shooting folks!

Cavscout...Quote "so that others don't have to wander so blindly through it all!"

You have no idea just how true your statement is.

I wish this information had been available when I started my search for the bow that "did it!" for me.

I bought and sold more bows than I care to admit before either by accident or by fate I purchased my 1st Hill bow(Big 5)used from a young man from Montana.

The moment I put my hand to it I knew immediately that this was the style of bow for me.

There are variations within the style and there are variations in bows of the same style,name, and woods.

I found that for me every bow had it's own personality(if that's what it can be called)and I love that about them as well.

Something so simple and yet so intricate. They certainly aren't complicated and yet they are....I'm not a wordsmith so I leave it here and wish you all the best in finding your way in determining how they will fit for you.

When I put my hand to a bow it had better transport me to "Sherwood" or it won't be at "Casa De Mudd" any longer than it takes to find it a new home.

Good luck and God bless,Mudd

I  read all the post in part of the Hill Thread and that really helped me order a bow that was perfect for me. I got mine from HHA....

As an update to all of the kind comments and help (both public and private message): Well as it often happens in life events start innocently enough and then progress faster than we're able to comprehend. Haha I posted a handgun up at what I felt was 1) a fair price and 2) a price I felt would move it fast and be enough to cover a decent bow. It was posted for about 30 minutes and 5 people contacted me! Additionally, I was privately contacted with some very generous offers from some really great guys who wanted to help me out in any way they could - even at what I imagine was a considerable loss to them. Well with the money in hand I wrote one such guy back and took him up on his offer for a JD Berry Vixen. I feel that for a starter in ASL bows this is getting in on the top floor based on what I have read. I will leave out details as to who it was and price since I'm not sure he'd be ok with that. But suffice to say that it can never be over stated how kind the people on here are. I tell my wife sometimes how some of my dealings around here go and shes always so shocked that people still exist in this world who have such ethics and morals. I'm incredibly excited to get the Vixen and jump into the HH style. I have gone from metal riser recurve, to wood recurve, to R/D longbow, this is the next logical step and I feel where I will end up branching out. Thanks again for the tips, advice, offers, support, knowledge, and friendship. More to follow!

Cavscout9735 - the only advice I'd give about shooting an ALS is stick with it and really get to know your bow. They are different than any other bow. I've had one for 3 years now and it wasn't until I committed to shooting it with a short draw (30.5 down to 28) and a smooth fluid shot sequence did I really understand how wonderful an ALS is to shoot. Good luck!

Cavscout,
If your Berry is anything like mine, you will have started out at the top of the ASLs. James makes a great bow, and you won't be disappointed. Your drawlength may well shrink, and as Blaino stated, ASLs are different from other bows, so enjoy that differenece.
Congrats on entering into the realm of ASLs; it is a disease that once contracted, can't be cured. As should be obvious by the number of posts on this thread (and the previous HH thread), these bows are addictive. Have fun, and post pictures!

"If you ain't Cav, you ain't...well, you know the rest.

Cavscout.....good luck with that Vixen.  It's an excellent bow from a terrific member.  Have fun!

Congrats! There is nothing like the simplicity of the American Longbow!

Cavscout, what are the specs on your new-to-you vixen?

Curious minds want to know...lol

God bless,Mudd

PS: Yes, of course there will be photos required once you have it in hand.

Haha thanks folks. Its 50# @ 27", so right around where I like to be for a good mix of long shooting sessions and hunting weight. I understand the draw is slightly different than an R/D so I think it'll give me a good feel for how they do. I know, I know, pics. I have to figure out photo bucket at some point. Heck I just learned paypal last night - got tired of the full disclosure required to get my wife to do all my paypal for me. Haha

Haha thanks folks. Its 50# @ 27", so right around where I like to be for a good mix of long shooting sessions and hunting weight. I understand the draw is slightly different than an R/D so I think it'll give me a good feel for how they do. I know, I know, pics. I have to figure out photo bucket at some point. Heck I just learned paypal last night - got tired of the full disclosure required to get my wife to do all my paypal for me. Haha

I really liked Cavscout9753's comments. It is refreshing to know that there still are people of that caliber. We hear and see so much of the downside of today's society, we sometimes have to be reminded that there still are some good guys out there. I am glad to see so many references regarding TG members who fit that description. When the Vixen arrives, I hope to see some pictures. I don't have a Berry bow - yet...

Paypal accounts are no different than that old secret compartment that used to be in every man's wallet.     :eek:

Hi guys.  Just became a full sponsor here.  This is an example of what I've been making.  By reading this thread for what seems like forever, I see there are a bunch of string follow fans here.

 

 

 

 

That is a gorgeous looking bow!

Cav,
You are going to find that vixen takes you to a new level of fun and enjoyment in your archery. Just an absolute pleasure of a bow. hands down the vixen is the bow that sold me on ASL's, the Morningstar showed me perfection and literally shaped my archery preference to forward risers, on all designs to include r/d, hybrid, and recurred.

Thanks guys, and thanks Brianlocal3, the ASL is the direction I have been moving for a while. I actually like the progression I took, or rather regression, from wheels all the way back to the ASL. (Not trying to make a chronological timeline of bow styles, just a "basics" mentality). I seldom tell my wife much about my bows, she would get bored too fast, but the shear generosity and kindness associated with this bow required me to explain the specialness of it all. Plus, if TG has ever put some fraternal mojo into a stick it has got to be this one. I am absolutely stoked to get it in my hands and let it take me back to everything I have ever loved about the challenge, simplicity, and tradition of archery. Can't say the "HH bug bit me" without it in my hands, but the bug is definitely crawling up a pant leg.

Mcbowguy- that is a great looking bow, I can see the love that went into it!

I  got me a Hill style bow. I just got it today it is a Frank San Marco it is 47# @ 27.5 I been wonting to try one for a while. I dont know how to post pics. that HH bug has got me to.