I started with 68" ASL's and over the last year or two I've really seem to like 66" as well. Kinda the sweet spot for me also. Who knows. Maybe it's in our heads

I have read numerous times the quote by Howard Hill that "all things being equal a bow with string follow will be more accurate".

Has anyone had any experience comparing a string follow with an otherwise equal backset or neutral longbow?

I dunno.  I've shot them all, and can't say as I've proven one more accurate than the other. If I do my part, they all do theirs.  I do like the draw force curve on the string follow a bit more though.  It starts out gentler and builds weight quicker toward the end of the draw. Stephen Graf, author of The American Longbow) and I think Nate Steen as well have offered the explanation that one's muscle/skeletal positioning is not as good in the beginning to handle the draw weight (where it is greater with a set back design vis-a-vis a string follow) as it is toward the end of the draw. Because there is less recoil at the end of the shot with a string follow, I also find them more comfortable to shoot.  Whether any of this leads to greater accuracy, I'm not sure, but a string follow is my preferred ASL type.   

I have a separate post going showing off my new Bivouac - Hill Jack, but I figured it also deserved a spot on the HH thread.  Jim and Georgia really do make a proper Hill Style longbow. I am enjoying shooting it in my side yard for now, but I believe it will be my go-to bow for whitetail this Fall.

Congrats on the new bow Burnsie.  I hope it brings you luck this fall.  I'm a fan of brown glass.  I think it's good luck.  Brown glass leads to brown gravy!

Well, the bug still lives. A bit of backstory, I have since the early to mid eighties always preferred the longbow for bow hunting, as I aged (72 this year) I found I simply could not handle the 60-65# draw weights of my longbows. So for the past several years I turned to shooting one of my old mag handled Bear takedowns.

I recently found a Howard Hill Wesley Special 50# @27" in beautiful condition, at 62" I wish it was a bit longer but for my 26" draw it will work fine. I look forward to the fall season, my 55th.

Burnsie,
Tell us more about your Bivouac Hill Jack. I looked around but didn't see any specs. What wood, length, weight and draw length.

How are you getting along with it? What arrows are trying?
Thanks

Quote from: MnFn on August 07, 2025, 01:01:41 PMBurnsie,
Tell us more about your Bivouac Hill Jack. I looked around but didn't see any specs. What wood, length, weight and draw length.

How are you getting along with it? What arrows are trying?
Thanks

My Hill Jack has a Bolivian rosewood handle and brown glass both back and belly. I used to be all about the fancy, highly figured limb veneers, but I have really come to appreciate the simplicity and look of solid colored glass limbs. All bamboo limb cores. As described on the Bivouac web site, all the laminations of the core are on the back of the bow/riser - only the outer layer of glass runs up the fade outs on the belly. The Union Jack model has one of the laminations running up the belly with the glass. I may get on the list for a Union Jack?  It is 48# @ 28, 68" long. Right now I am shooting a set of "Arrow Dynamics" arrows out of it that I had set up for my Toelke Whip that is close to the same weight. I can shoot those Arrow Dynamics out of a broad spectrum of bows, and they will fly well.  But - I really need to get a proper set of good wooden arrows - carbons out of a Hill style bow just doesn't seem right.
I have really been enjoying shooting it. I've been reading up on Nate Steen's blog trying to learn the Hill shooting style. I've "sort of" shot that way all along, but Nate really gets into the nitty gritty and nuances of the Hill style.  I was shooting it with the stock string that came with the bow - it shot fine and was pretty quiet bare string, but I could detect a twang/vibration at the shot. I got a new Ten Ring string from Allen Shafer with a set of his small rubber cat whiskers, and now its almost dead quiet - just a faint thump.  So far, so good - I'm enjoying the bow so far.

Quote from: Tim Reese on November 17, 2024, 01:27:14 PMAfter I got my buck I been ground hunting from this Torges seat for a doe. It is really nice. Really been enjoying the ground hunting. Been busted 2 times but only because they came in head on instead of walking by if that makes sense.

Where can I get one of those seats? It must be perfect for hunting.

My season started on the 15th. Ive seen one doe and been 4 times. Who all is hunting so far?

Quote from: Magwa45 on August 20, 2025, 01:52:09 PM

Quote from: Tim Reese on November 17, 2024, 01:27:14 PMAfter I got my buck I been ground hunting from this Torges seat for a doe. It is really nice. Really been enjoying the ground hunting. Been busted 2 times but only because they came in head on instead of walking by if that makes sense.

Where can I get one of those seats? It must be perfect for hunting.

Not sure. I made mine from the plans on interwebs.

Bivouac bows have always intrigued me, but never had the chance to feel the shot of one.  With Steve having such a huge back log, and Howard Hill Archery not making anything, think I will reach out and see if they have a test drive program.

Quote from: Burnsie on August 08, 2025, 10:22:51 AM

Quote from: MnFn on August 07, 2025, 01:01:41 PMBurnsie,
Tell us more about your Bivouac Hill Jack. I looked around but didn't see any specs. What wood, length, weight and draw length.

How are you getting along with it? What arrows are trying?
Thanks

My Hill Jack has a Bolivian rosewood handle and brown glass both back and belly. I used to be all about the fancy, highly figured limb veneers, but I have really come to appreciate the simplicity and look of solid colored glass limbs. All bamboo limb cores. As described on the Bivouac web site, all the laminations of the core are on the back of the bow/riser - only the outer layer of glass runs up the fade outs on the belly. The Union Jack model has one of the laminations running up the belly with the glass. I may get on the list for a Union Jack?  It is 48# @ 28, 68" long. Right now I am shooting a set of "Arrow Dynamics" arrows out of it that I had set up for my Toelke Whip that is close to the same weight. I can shoot those Arrow Dynamics out of a broad spectrum of bows, and they will fly well.  But - I really need to get a proper set of good wooden arrows - carbons out of a Hill style bow just doesn't seem right.
I have really been enjoying shooting it. I've been reading up on Nate Steen's blog trying to learn the Hill shooting style. I've "sort of" shot that way all along, but Nate really gets into the nitty gritty and nuances of the Hill style.  I was shooting it with the stock string that came with the bow - it shot fine and was pretty quiet bare string, but I could detect a twang/vibration at the shot. I got a new Ten Ring string from Allen Shafer with a set of his small rubber cat whiskers, and now its almost dead quiet - just a faint thump.  So far, so good - I'm enjoying the bow so far.

Does the Hill Jack have then so-called "vibrations/hand shock" of the HHA bows? I have a Tembo made by Craig Ekin and it has some mild vibrations. My reflex/deflex as well as my JET Archery longbow do not have this effect.

Quote from: Don B. on August 24, 2025, 04:54:15 PM

Quote from: Burnsie on August 08, 2025, 10:22:51 AM

Quote from: MnFn on August 07, 2025, 01:01:41 PMBurnsie,
Tell us more about your Bivouac Hill Jack. I looked around but didn't see any specs. What wood, length, weight and draw length.

How are you getting along with it? What arrows are trying?
Thanks

My Hill Jack has a Bolivian rosewood handle and brown glass both back and belly. I used to be all about the fancy, highly figured limb veneers, but I have really come to appreciate the simplicity and look of solid colored glass limbs. All bamboo limb cores. As described on the Bivouac web site, all the laminations of the core are on the back of the bow/riser - only the outer layer of glass runs up the fade outs on the belly. The Union Jack model has one of the laminations running up the belly with the glass. I may get on the list for a Union Jack?  It is 48# @ 28, 68" long. Right now I am shooting a set of "Arrow Dynamics" arrows out of it that I had set up for my Toelke Whip that is close to the same weight. I can shoot those Arrow Dynamics out of a broad spectrum of bows, and they will fly well.  But - I really need to get a proper set of good wooden arrows - carbons out of a Hill style bow just doesn't seem right.
I have really been enjoying shooting it. I've been reading up on Nate Steen's blog trying to learn the Hill shooting style. I've "sort of" shot that way all along, but Nate really gets into the nitty gritty and nuances of the Hill style.  I was shooting it with the stock string that came with the bow - it shot fine and was pretty quiet bare string, but I could detect a twang/vibration at the shot. I got a new Ten Ring string from Allen Shafer with a set of his small rubber cat whiskers, and now its almost dead quiet - just a faint thump.  So far, so good - I'm enjoying the bow so far.

Does the Hill Jack have then so-called "vibrations/hand shock" of the HHA bows? I have a Tembo made by Craig Ekin and it has some mild vibrations. My reflex/deflex as well as my JET Archery longbow do not have this effect.

Maybe a slight bump, but nothing annoying - a new string and tuning with a slightly heavier arrow tamed down any issues that I could perceive. I shoot it well, that's what I like.

This most probably has been previously discussed in all the pages of this thread, but can anyone tell me if I can determine the build date on my Howard Hill Wesley Special by the serial number.

Quote from: Don B. on August 24, 2025, 04:54:15 PM

Quote from: Burnsie on August 08, 2025, 10:22:51 AMDoes the Hill Jack have then so-called "vibrations/hand shock" of the HHA bows? I have a Tembo made by Craig Ekin and it has some mild vibrations. My reflex/deflex as well as my JET Archery longbow do not have this effect.

I've found that handshock is more common when an ASL is shot with the same grip as a reflex/deflex bow.  Like any physically light weight bow the energy has to go somewhere.  But with the right grip and form I don't notice any significant handshock from either my Hill Jack or Union Jack.

Quote from: toddster on August 24, 2025, 04:40:08 PMBivouac bows have always intrigued me, but never had the chance to feel the shot of one.  With Steve having such a huge back log, and Howard Hill Archery not making anything, think I will reach out and see if they have a test drive program.

Todd,
I'm in Mahomet, IL (Near Champaign/Urbana) just up the interstate from you in Decatur.  You are welcome to shoot my Hill Jack if you ever want to venture up this way. I have a back yard target, or you can take it for a few days and shoot it at home or at a range you are familiar with.  Give me a shout if you're interested?

sent you a message Burnsie