HH bug got me ... Part One!

[Lambow]

Okie man, I'm not sure what the wait would be now, but when I ordered, it was around 7 weeks... but I'll bet Dave,s lead times will soon get longer.

I'll be sure to post some pictures.

[Looper]

Originally posted by ChrisM:
First group today.  Took about 5 minutes to shoot 6 arrows.  I always shoot better when I give myself time to clear my head between each shot.  Most of my groups look like this so I figure I'm ready for the woods.  I started using my hill around may.  BTW three arrows are field points and three are broadheads.

 
 

Chris, what are the details of that bow?

[ChrisM]

Wesley special 68" black glass front and back with african black wood riser 14".  Locator grip with elk laced handle.  Horn tips. Rated at 56@28 and is 52@26 when I tested it.  I am shooting Beman bowhunter 400 28 BOP 100gn insert 200gn points for now until I get a surewood test kit.  The quiver was a birthday gift its the one that Howard Hill Archery sells, but I will have one of Nate's someday.  Zwickey eskimo on 75gn adapters.

[3Under]

Bought a nice Tembo; 52#s @26",66" n-to-n,dished grip (low mileage)this weekend from a friend. The bow is basic black with almost no reflex. Placing the bow back down on the kitchen counter there is only 1/4" space between the grip and the counter. It shoots very well!
I have done the draw test ala the way Dragonheart described. I'm only pulling 26-26.5". usually I can pull 28"looking at a mirror or with someone else observing. That was kind of a "downer". Anyway,I am what I am!!

[Overspined]

All this talk about how long your draw length is can be damaging to your psyche! If you haven't had problems and it seems reasonable...hit the spot, be consistent, and don't develop target panic! I notice when I short draw in techno-hunt I lose a WHOPPING 3-4 fps. No animal will know the difference and at the target it is negligible.  JMO

[2treks]

999 Matt, are you gonna have a party on the Hill Thread???

Today I was out in the yard shooting and adjusting the grip on a Groves Spitfire. You know, shoot  a few file some, shoot a few more file some more, and a friend stopped by and told me that he has the longbow I gave him broken in finally.  I have had self yews and a pignut hickory that I have broken in and adjust several times and then this thing which started out as a curious experiment and settled in to be what a top professional virtuoso thinks is one of the best in the world.  http://guitars.morrisonprairie.com/instruments/213.html
I have never noticed that laminated longbows have a break in period, he is stubbornly insisting that I am wrong. Do you think your yew or bamboo cored longbow has changed since you got it?

[Rik]

Well guys, the time has come. I posted this on the Arrowmaster thread, but I thought I should post it here as well, as you guys have seen the photos of some of my elk scouting this year, and know about the personal challenge I gave myself to try to kill and elk without the use of a bowquiver.

I've spent the entire summer scouting for a good place to hunt elk. I've found elk, big ones, but I've also found wolves. Everywhere.

Still, the time for scouting and worrying is over. This coming Saturday I will load up the llamas and pack my camp high and deep. There is no trail from the road to my campsite, but that just makes it more fun. My camp will be there until the end of September, or until I kill an elk. The season opens on the 30th.

My gear has been selected, my broadheads sharpened, and my legs strengthened. My pack is ready, my quiver is loaded, and some of you may scoff at my choice of knife, but the truth is, I can skin a mouse with a Bowie, but you can't split firewood on the side of the Rockies in a driving rain/snowstorm with a three-inch pinkie blade.

Choosing a knife was easy, choosing the bow was a tough one, but it came down to the fact that my Sunset Hill killed a lot of big game last year, and proved itself a true hunter, but my Big Five has not yet drawn blood. This year, 30 years after I killed my first 6x6 bull with an arrow, we will see if the Big Five knows how to hunt. Only time will tell.

The scouting and wondering and wandering is over, it's time to hunt.



P.S. The Arrowmaster is loaded with scary-sharp 160-grain Snuffers on heavy ash shafts. I am just enough of a heathen to get a big grin on my face at what THAT wicked combination can do when shot from a 75-pound Big Five.

[ChrisM]

I like the added foam in your arrowmaster.

[Jesse_83]

Hey guys,
I want to put a fast flight string on my 65#@27" cheetah.  How many strands should it have and where is a good place to order from?  I know craig sells them and I will probably order from him unless someone convinces me otherwise.

Thanks!

[Ben Maher]

Rik,
looking forward tp pics ! Sweet set up ... large , well made bowies are a joy to use !

Here is me with a Hill style Belcher Union Jack whilst I tune up some arrows and my Arrowmaster .

[tradlongbow]

Ben

Can you post some pics of the Union Jack?

Thanks,
Darren

[Ray_G]

Go get 'em Rik!  Looking forward to the story when you get back.  Did you buy a wolf tag?

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by pavan:
Today I was out in the yard shooting and adjusting the grip on a Groves Spitfire. You know, shoot  a few file some, shoot a few more file some more, and a friend stopped by and told me that he has the longbow I gave him broken in finally.  I have had self yews and a pignut hickory that I have broken in and adjust several times and then this thing which started out as a curious experiment and settled in to be what a top professional virtuoso thinks is one of the best in the world.   http://guitars.morrisonprairie.com/instruments/213.html  
I have never noticed that laminated longbows have a break in period, he is stubbornly insisting that I am wrong. Do you think your yew or bamboo cored longbow has changed since you got it?

if i ever get than anal about longbows or guitars, please just shoot me.  :D

[Rob DiStefano]

rik - you've got the right tools and the right attitude, let the adventure begin!  and keep us in the loop!

ben - great shootin' mate!

[StanM]

Rik, have a safe trip. Looking forward to pics and stories upon your return  

[stik&string]

Rik, good luck! I think a lot of us Hill fans will be living vicariously through you for the next month  

[sou-pawbowhunter]

Rik,
Looking forward to tales of adventure in the high country.  Stay safe and have a great hunt.

[ChrisM]

Good luck rick.  BTW shortly after I got into trad archery I read an article you did for the stickbow edition of bowhunter magazine.  That is when I first fell in love with a Hill style bow.  I still have that magazine and I re read that article everyonce in a while.  Finnally this year I have one and wish I hadn't waited so long so I guess I can blame you for getting me started down this road.  God Bless and Good luck.

[Nate Steen .]

3under....that bow should fit you and your draw nicely...well chosen!

Rik,

man,  I was up chasing antelope in the Sawtooth's this past weekend....my buddy shot one, no camo in a pasture with ankle high grass.  he used a compound, so no pics...lol.   Anyway,  I'm stoked for the hunting this year...

Here's a little challenge for all you Hillstyle enthusiasts out there.....go huntin', whatever you can in your neck of the woods, and shoot something with your longbow and tell about it to all of us....the fella with the best story...not necessarily the best animal gets mega-Hillstyle  kudos from the rest of us... and maybe like a travelling longbow to use for a month...     Pics are mandatory, and you get extra points for hunting on the ground, using woodies, using a backquiver or other non-bowquver, and no camo....  what'dya think of that idea?  what say Rob D?