HH bug got me ... Part One!

[ESP]

I have been watching this thread from the beginning and  starting to think I might want one.  So I have some questions for anyone who can answer them.
1st I draw  31 inches, what length bow would you recomend?  I am not that tall 6'1" but I have a wing span of someone 6'6".
Second can you shoot them verticaly with out any cant?
Thanks and merry Christmas.
Eric

[Rik]

At 52 years of age, it's been a long time since someone has called me "young," but thanks for the compliment 30coupe. That will put a little extra skip in my step today.

I feel like a whippersnapper already!

-----ESP-----I'll bet the longer-draw guys like you are going to recommend a sweet 70-inch bow. They draw really, really smooooooooooth.

[30coupe]

Glad I could make your day, Rik. I guess I'm not all that far ahead of you. I'm closer to 60 than you are to 50. I'll put it that way. I can tell you, though, the things I did when I was younger are wanting me to pay for them now. I'm not ready to turn out the lights, by any means though.

ESP, you may lose a bit of draw length with a Hill style bow, especially with a straight grip and a low wrist hold. I lose about an inch, and I don't start out with as long a draw as you. I agree with Rik; most will advise you to get a 70" or longer bow. You can get by with a couple inches less with a string follow bow, but if you are drawing 30"+ you may still want to go with a 70". Welcome to the addiction, by the way.

Russ

[Molson]

I shot 60@26 for years.  I've been shooting 47@26 the past two or so years.  I really thought I was done shooting heavier bows. Then for no good reason I bought that Hill Yellowstone that actually scales 72@26, ten pounds heavier than I'd shot.  I almost gave up on it but after a couple weeks it just didn't seem that heavy any more. My Tembo, which actually scales 64@26, feels like I'm shooting 50 pounds.  

I killed things just fine with 47#'s, but there's something addictive to 750 grains of bone crushing arrow zipping to its mark. Heavier bows just feel like power.

[longbowray]

Pig and deer is just around the corner my a new string for my Wesley special and got a 3 arrow quiver from EFA like it alot , sharpen broadheads .

The is 54@27 1/2 shooting surewood

[Nate Steen .]

Ray,  I wish I could say that deer and pig was just around the corner....we just finished the big game for good 'til next spring.  I had a lot of opportunities this year.  I foolishly passed on some, got busted on others, got greedy on yet others, but had a great year notwithstanding.

ESP...  I would highly recommend getting a 68 - 70" bow, lightweight to try.  Your form will probably be different than you are used to with other styles of bows and after you've tried one for awhile, you will know what bowlength, handle size/shape, and poundage is right for you.  

remember....fluid and casual is the key to shooting an american semi-long well. Let your draw length be a result of being fluid.  Static style will let you be a pretty good shooter, but you'll not enjoy the greatest benefits of this style of bow.   I am 6'2", have a 6'6" wingspan and draw 26 3/4 when actually shooting seriously.  I draw 28 when shooting a medium grip recurve in the same fluid style.  The difference is in handle gripping styles.


I think I'm going to shoot alot of arrows into the air this weekend, in memory of this thread, and the beautiful american semi-longbows that inspire us Hillbowaholics every day.

by the way....anyone notice the moon lately?  my favorite phase.  When I see the new moon,  I don't think 'recurve'.....I think longbow...rather, "American Semi-longbow"

Happy Holidays to all!

[longbowray]

Well I'm looking forward to deer hunting have not shot none since sept the 16 and just got the ok too shoot for the hand doctor 4 day ago , it amazing that after all that time still shooting good this is where shooting the hills come in to play .
The swig draw is great , eye and hand working together just like pointing your finger . The frist arrow was right I there after 3 month for 20 yards and the next 5 you can cover with a baseball .

Hope all of y'all have a great Christmas and a happy new year .
God bless you all , Ray

[ChrisM]

Nate I'm sure you have enough southern buddies to visit and chase some piggies.

Originally posted by ESP:
I have been watching this thread from the beginning and  starting to think I might want one.  So I have some questions for anyone who can answer them.
1st I draw  31 inches, what length bow would you recomend?  I am not that tall 6'1" but I have a wing span of someone 6'6".
Second can you shoot them verticaly with out any cant?
Thanks and merry Christmas.
Eric

firstly,.....Merry Christmas to you too!

About the "optimal" bow length - I am wondering what type of bow(s)you have been shooting.  The reason I ask that is I was used to pulling around 32" in the recurve days and always thought my draw was 32".   That is until Nate Steen bet me my optimal draw for a hill style bow would be 27" or less.  I was sure he was a nut case but started to play with a home-made bamboo "bow" that I fashioned out of a few chunks of bamboo - my only "bow" while I lived in China for four years.

To make a long story short...as I practiced pulling whit the heel of my hand down on the flat bundle of bamboo staves, I found my actual draw length decreased to a bit less than 28".  Now, since I have been shooting an actual HH longbow for a few months, I actually pull a tad less than 27".

before you make a decision on the length of your bow, I suggest you play with a true hill-style grip for a bit.  Keep in mind that if you pull higher poundage, your draw can actually be even shorter as your muscles and joints are compressed under the tension of your draw.

Hope I helped you a bit - thanks to Nate and Spanky for tutoring me for many weeks....it paid off!

A merry Christmas to all of you!!

[Mudd]

Hey Tony!!  I'm happy to see that you are able to get on here again.

Welcome back brother!!

Merry Christmas and God bless,Mudd

Yo Mudd!
Glad to be here for sure!  Gotta have it!

[Arwin]

I have been bitten again!!!

Northern Mist Whisper 54@26, 62 long. Buttery smooth, ninja quiet and pretty darn quick!!   :eek:

[BowHunterGA]

Bitten again as well. New Hill Crocodile, 73@28



Plus, I called Steve Turay today to change the weight on the Northern Mist Classic he is supposed to start building for me after the holidays. It will be a 70" ntn and 80@28.

[joevan125]

What colors have the Wesley Special came in over the years. I have my eye on one and it's really dark and the guy say's it was his Grandad's i think.

Any help would be appreciated.

[joevan125]

TTT

[mikebiz]

Originally posted by joevan125:
What colors have the Wesley Special came in over the years. I have my eye on one and it's really dark and the guy say's it was his Grandad's i think.

Any help would be appreciated.

What do you mean by colors?  Limb glass or riser wood?  They're are so many combinations as Craig Ekin offers a wide variety of wood and glass choices.  There really aren't any stock combinations.  

If you have some pics send them along.  I'm sure someone can figure it out for you.  Or you can go to the Howard Hill Archery website and click on Custom Bow Designs for a list of all the options.

[Ari]

I noticed a few pages back something was said about Howard shooting an extra thick glove. Now I've always shot with a tab but the last few days my fingers have been in pain from shooting my new Miller.

Who makes a good Hill style glove?

[joevan125]

The limbs look black mikebiz

[ESP]

Tony I am drawing 31 with a recurve, but will admit that I shoot very ridged and methodical.  I have never tried a swing draw.  Many years ago before I went to officer training school I was shooting a recurve at 28.5-29 inches. I really can not explain the style I was shooting just that it was working for me then.
I have never played with a hill style bow before.  Though I do have a soft spot for a longbow.

[Red Tailed Hawk]

Wow this thread is moving very fast lately   :eek:   . I think many of us are gettin bitten!!!