Question for selfbow/wood bow hunters

J. Holden · July 17, 2011, 03:13:00 PM

After reading the latest TBM article about a gentlemen shooting a mountain lion with his osage bow, it got me thinking. I read that once his guide and dog's and tree'd the kitty he strung his bow. Is this common? To not string your bow until you're ready to shoot? Or is it maybe just the author's practice or the game he was hunting? I think that would be an aweful lot of movement on the hunters part, escpecially for other game animals, to string it right before you shoot. Not to mention maybe a little dangerous if in a tree... Just wondering what other hunters think/do.

-Jeremy

Pat B · July 17, 2011, 03:31:00 PM

Jeremy, I string my selfbows when I head out to hunt and unstring when I get back to camp. This could be 6 or 8 hours. When I'm making a selfbow and get the bow to brace height I will "sweat" it by stringing it and leaving it strung for for an hour or so and as the tillering progresses I will leave it strung up for 5 or 6 hours. This insures it can take it once I get to the hunting woods.
When mountain lion hunting it can be hours and miles of trailing before you get a chance to take the shot. It would be safer for you and the bow to keep it unbraced until you are ready for the shot in this situation.

BAK · July 17, 2011, 04:05:00 PM

Jeremy, I string mine just before I get to my stand, or as I'm ready to head out still hunting. By the way, your quote is from Mark Twain, not Lincoln.

J. Holden · July 17, 2011, 05:18:00 PM

Pat and BAK, thank you for your responses. That's kind of what I thought.

BAK, thank you, you made me do some research. They actually both quoted it. Who originated the quote is undetermined. But thank you.

-Jeremy

Brently · July 17, 2011, 09:36:00 PM

The original quote is from the book of Proverbs 17:28, (Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,and discerning if he holds his tongue).

Jack Skinner · July 18, 2011, 09:09:00 AM

I once saw an old black and white film of either Pope or Young hunting sheep. He made the stalk and strung his bow just before making the shot. I do not believe you could get away with that kind of movement today on game (treed game being the exception). I was hiking down off some steep mulie country once and unstrung my bow (wanted to be like Pope&Young). When I hit the creek bottom I jump a nice little whitetail buck that if my bow had been strung I would have had a shot at. Now I leave my bow strung from leaving camp till I get back to camp.

Roy Steele · July 18, 2011, 10:09:00 AM

I also string my bow when I get out of the truck. I never hunt all day anymore but I have alot when I was younger and have left my bow strung all day lots of times.

smilinicon · July 18, 2011, 10:29:00 AM

A moutain lion hunt is quite different than most hunts, with many miles of tracking involved.

I strung mine when I went out and unstrung it back at the truck as all the others.

If a bow cannot be left strung all day, what use is it?

Bjorn · July 18, 2011, 04:09:00 PM

I have left Osage bows strung overnight with no ill effects.

J. Holden · July 18, 2011, 06:26:00 PM

Thanks for thoughts and insight fellas.

-Jeremy

Frank · July 18, 2011, 10:45:00 PM

I will string my selfbows and leave them strung all day. If they can't take a day of being strung then I don't need them.

Having a good seal on the bow is essential. I've strung and shot sinew backed bows all day in the rain with no ill effects. But I seal them very well and wax them at the end of each outing.

Frank