HH bug got me ... Part One!

tradlongbow · September 05, 2011, 09:41:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by arrow flynn:
Tried this link http://youtube/vhLmSbgERt0 but all I got was "this video is private" Is there another link? Thanks, Bob

The link doesn't work for me either.

Darren

tradlongbow · September 05, 2011, 09:43:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by JCJ:
[QB] I took a break from some yard work and strung up the bow and took six shots from different angles and different distances. without warming up. I am ready for deer season which opens in two weeks.

JCJ-

It looks like your ready, good luck.

Darren

2treks · September 05, 2011, 10:16:00 AM

Hey Lefties,
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=046050

mbugland · September 05, 2011, 11:36:00 AM

Okay... you guys got me. I have been bit pretty bad. I shot 6 arrows from a clone OMP stick bow two weeks ago, came home and put a bid in on **** for a wesley special.... lost that battle in the last 30 sec.... two other guys jumped in and got it $30 over my max. So Called Friday a little late and talked with the Folks in Hamilton.... Tomorrow morning I think I will have my final decision on one of the stock bows. I started in this tread somewhere around pg168 and have gone through 10-20 pages per sitting all weekend.

Thanks for all the insight and dreams realized on here. I cannot wait to start plating again.

September 05, 2011, 01:11:00 PM

mbug, welcome to the addiction. besides the bow you will need the Hill leathers, the cedar arrows (smell better when they break) and watch the Hill dvds. I look at the Hill style as a shooting and hunting system with all the pieces and parts doing their jobs, it is more than just the bow.

Rik · September 05, 2011, 07:20:00 PM

Pavan is right, the Hill style is a shooting and hunting system, and it's by far the funnest there is.

I have to add llamas to the pieces and parts that he mentioned. For me, they are just as important as my Hill bow. The Hill bow will kill whatever I point it at (if I point it just right), but I need the llamas to get me into great elk country, far from where any sane person would think to venture.

Here's a picture of my llamas from this weekend, the first weekend of elk season here in Idaho. I have packed my camp in three hours from the truck, no trail at all. It's tough and steep bushwhacking through the blowdowns all the way, but MAN is there a ton of elk sign in there. Much of the area burned a few years ago, as you can see from the photo. The elk are living in the lush, green unburned areas on the fringe of the big burn, and coming into the burn to feed and play at night. Fireweed seems to be drawing them in.

The hunting was slow, but I had a blast stump shooting and teaching the new Big Five how to shoot in the high country.

It was way too hot and a bit early for good elk hunting this weekend where I was, but that will change, that will change. . .

Rob DiStefano · September 05, 2011, 07:37:00 PM

rik, Rik, RIK! more, More, MORE!

Ben Maher · September 05, 2011, 07:41:00 PM

What Rob said !
More Rik !

How is the Arrowmaster working out ? Any Grouse around ? Wolf tracks ?

sou-pawbowhunter · September 05, 2011, 08:15:00 PM

Yes Rik, please give us more pics. Oh and while you're at it, you might want to grab that Schulz from the classifieds so it doesn't haunt me. :rolleyes: Right now it's just not in my budget

mbugland · September 05, 2011, 08:20:00 PM

Thanks for the thought.... I am definitely in it for the leathers too... Figure I will just drop it all in one order, sellway stringer, hill glove and arm.... will have to tinker around a bit and build my own quiver.
So the thought of the day... if I am shooting at 30" should i just commit to the 70" was really thinking I cheat the 68"
still enjoy poking through all of the great info.
thanks again

arrow flynn · September 05, 2011, 08:53:00 PM

MY FRIEND HAS A 68 AND PULLS 30 AND HE WISHES HE HAD GOT THE 70 INCH I THINK CRAIG WILL ADVISE YOU TO ALSO THAT HILL GLOVE WILL STRETCH WHEN IT DOES TAKE IT TO THE SHOE REPAIR AND HAVEEM STITCH IT TIGHTER GET THE GLOVE THAT IS I/4 INCH LONGER SO YOU CAN GET A DEEP HOOK ON THE STRING

mbugland · September 05, 2011, 08:59:00 PM

Thanks for the thoughts.... I am definitely in it for the the full experience. Spent my childhoot shooting for food and bows were entertainment, gophers, muskrats and carp. My grandfather use to talk about shooting with HH and had an amazing love of his style and bows. As I see it... I have 5yrs left serving this country before I have nothing left to do each day but relearn the woods and mountains of my youth(as long as I can find out who owns them now) So yes, I am in for the leather too... Figure I will just drop it all in one order, selway stringer, hill glove and arm.... will have to tinker around a bit and build my own quiver I think..... the Arrow thing... that's been the biggest conundrum. I think I am going to relearn my technique aim points and the fun of fetching the lost and re-fletching the found on those other "C" arrows. i remember destroying some cedar learning to shoot proper. I look forward to having the time to weight, spline and build proper arrows in the coming years.
So now the struggle is in fitting this bow... if I am shooting at 30" should I just commit to the 70" was really thinking I cheat the 68" Wessley Special 55# @28 that was in stock.... figure that throws me at 61-66# @30. I was looking at starting a little lover... but I am not sure that I would sacrifice too much form.
still enjoy poking through all of the great info.
thanks again to all those past and present.

September 05, 2011, 11:51:00 PM

Unless you are way over 6 foot tall and have really long arms, you will not have as long a draw as you may think shooting with the Hill style. the low wrist makes it more comfortable to allow the bow arm to bend a bit, opening up the stance a little and tilting the head can also shorten things up. I drew 28 plus with a Black Widow hunting bow and a Black Widow target bow, then for one year 29" with a compound, 28 with a Bear takedown and 27" with my first longbows. I was advised by John Schulz that I was probably stretching too far for my arm spread, so I shortened it down to 26" and bingo, I found my groove.

mbugland · September 06, 2011, 12:50:00 AM

I guess I never looked at it that way. I shoot a 31" draw compound, 15 years ago.... they said I should be shooting a 30 now. I am only 6'3", but I think I am actually down to 6'2" now after some shoulder destruction. I guess it makes sense that a little more bow arm flex would stance would definitely change things up. I just really want to jump in it right from the get go... hoping to catch back up on life in the coming months and warm up on some turkey before the end of the season. I am almost drooling waiting to order this bow.... starting to build target stands for the back yard. Can't wait for morning to hit. Alright... I will get back to the newbie threads and let this one run. Thanks so much for an entire weekend of insight and reaffirmation of the right decision to go back to stick bows... specifically Hill Bows. Thanks

Mudd · September 06, 2011, 06:04:00 AM

This thread is fast approaching the 5K mark and continues to become even more awesome!!

Thank you to all who have shared thus adding not only to my enjoyment but also to my knowledge.

God bless us all!

His servant, Mudd

2treks · September 06, 2011, 07:55:00 AM

MBUGLAND, If you are ub-sure of your draw length and comfortable draw weight. I would suggest that you get your hand on a bow,of the hill style if possible, and have your specs checked. A 31" draw with a compound-15years ago will be null and void with a hill style or any trad bow for that matter.It looks like you are maybe a 29" draw length to me, 2"'s can make a big differance.
It will be worth the effort in the long run. An American longbow is just about as good as it gets when you get one that is built the way it needs to be for your draw length and comfortable draw weight. I wish you well on your return and can't wait to see the new bow when you get it.
Where in MT are you? I lived in the Yaak Valley for a number of years.
Have fun,
Chuck

StanM · September 06, 2011, 10:05:00 AM

A couple of pics that I took during the mid-day while out elk hunting this past weekend.

An old growth stump.

An old fire pit left by some hunters of another era. Not sure how long ago, but I'd like to think they were traditional bowhunters as well.

sticksnstones · September 06, 2011, 03:07:00 PM

Think I might be figuring out my problem shooting my Hill! 70" Big Five, 50#@28, drawing a touch over 31". Every time I shoot it for a few hours my fingers go numb for a few days. Tried 3 different gloves, 3 different tabs, and different 3 strings that came with it and always end up with numb fingers.

Last night I got to thinking about how my nocks are always loose and how the serving is already built way up... Yeah that's where the light went off for me too. All 3 of them are B50 8 strand. All my other strings for my other bows in the same range are all 14 strand.

Does it sound like I could be on the right track here, or should it be fine with that? I've been wanting to start doing my own strings, looks like a good reason to get a few goodies and get started if it might work.
Thom

dragonheart · September 06, 2011, 03:13:00 PM

8 strand of B50 shooting over a 31" draw! No wonder you are in pain.

Build an 18 strand B-50, no string silencers, and your nocks will fit, you wont be doing all of that double/triple serving work, and your fingers will be just fine. The bow will be quiet as an added bonus.

sticksnstones · September 06, 2011, 03:22:00 PM

That's very encouraging, thanks for the reply! I'll order up the goods and start getting educated on this process!