I'm the first bowhunter in my family as well. The next generation already has several bows that I have built and passed on. Maybe someday in the future.......

I'll be doing some hunting with my grandfather's Bear Stag Hunter from the 70's.  I've taken one doe with it, and it's still a solid shooter...not the smoothest or most efficient, but the fact that it's a hand me down from him makes it special.

 

My grandfather had a recurve. I believe he used it for bowfishing. I'm hoping my dad can find it in storage

I have a Kodiak Special that is perfectly serviceable but, it's wrong-handed!
homebru

What an honor and treat it has been to hunt with this hand me down this year. The old Kodiak shot straight and had plenty of mojo to get thru the season. My uncle was so happy to see the old bow come back to life after many years of hangin on the rack. And I couldn't be prouder to be the one to do it.
It has been a great season. In one seaso the old Kodiak accounted for my biggest trad buck and a few squirrels. Then last night a nice young doe was added to the tally.
Man, trad life is great!!!

Don't get any better Brad!! Nice deer and bow.          

I have one just about like it I took in a trade and cleaned all the paint off of and refinished. 45# , took 2 deer with it one year when I injured a shoulder.

I have a 65 kodiak I bought from an old man and he bought it new with a bear quiver and some arrows. Hardly shot it and it sat in his closet for almost 50 years. I'm hunting with it for turkey's this spring.

Thinking about it. I have my dad's bow, a 66" 56# recurve that was made in 1953 or 53. Radtke Archery in CA.  May have been made by Tim Meigs, not sure tho.

And an Autumn Orange aluminium to boot.
Beauty acquisition, you're putting it to proper use.
I have a 56" 1970 Grizzly, bought on here, no bowhunters behind or beside me in my family.
I love the old Bears.

I just got handed down my father's Red Wing Hunter. I think it's a 1966. That bow is a sweet shooter. I will definitely give it some woods time this year. I carry my grandfather's combat knife from ww2 as well. Feels right to carry something from them.

Good stuff......I have a Bear Grizzly that was my Mother's Uncles bow. He gave it to me in the late 80's. I have hunted with it several times. I think it is a 73' model. I also always carry my Dad's knife.

Not quite the same, but I still shoot/hunt with the Shakespeare Super Necedah my wife bought for me for Christmas 45 years ago.

It's nice to hear  guys are still using some of the old bows for their intended purpose. Not just using them for wall decor.