Fall arrow preparation from special sources

Ray Lyon · April 24, 2025, 09:04:14 AM

As turkey season winds down it is time to start putting together some wood arrows to go with my Hill style longbows. One vintage Hill Tembo and a new Bivouac Union Jack. My dear late friend Ron LaClair was also a Hill style longbow man before he developed his beloved Shrew. I will continue to own and shoot my Shrew bow and carbon arrows, but they will take a back seat this year. These shafts I have curing with finish came from Ron's stash. I have another dozen I will do next that are Acme Premium shafts from our mutual late friend John Grumley, so of famed Bear bowyer Nels Grumley. Both groups are spined 55-60 and grain matched within 15 grains. (I re-spined and weighed each shaft again). I've enjoyed shooting the Hill style bows again this spring and I'm looking forward to putting it all together again for this fall.
Traditional archery/bow hunting is about the process as well as the actual hunt. I don't plan on short changing myself this year.

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STICKBENDER98 · April 24, 2025, 04:31:52 PM

Ray, can't wait to see how they turn out! I enjoy the process of making shafts into arrows, (my winter hobby) I always have my eyes open for good deals on most any kind of shaft. It's always nice to have an assortment of different ones to play around with. I have gifted several sets over the years. I can still see Ron's face and hear the excitement in his voice when I had my daughter show him the ones I did for her to match her Siberian Tiger Shrew at Elm Hall the summer after she bought it in Kalamazoo.

Jason

Ray Lyon · April 24, 2025, 04:40:00 PM

Quote from: STICKBENDER98 on April 24, 2025, 04:31:52 PM
Ray, can't wait to see how they turn out! I enjoy the process of making shafts into arrows, (my winter hobby) I always have my eyes open for good deals on most any kind of shaft. It's always nice to have an assortment of different ones to play around with. I have gifted several sets over the years. I can still see Ron's face and hear the excitement in his voice when I had my daughter show him the ones I did for her to match her Siberian Tiger Shrew at Elm Hall the summer after she bought it in Kalamazoo.

Jason

I'll post pictures

shick · April 24, 2025, 07:31:37 PM

Ray, you are in for a great journey. That's what this wonderful obsession of ours is all about. Using equipment that has meaning and not perhaps the best that we have. Good luck to you.

Shick

Ray Lyon · April 28, 2025, 08:04:24 PM

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11/32 55-60# spine, 2 160 grain field points and one 160 grain Ace broadhead. I don't bareshaft wood arrows however I shoot same weight broadheads and field points at 20-30 yards and if they group together I consider the arrow tuned. This was about 20-25 yards and broadhead arrow is middle one. Before picture I had to move my nock point down 1/8" and then everything was perfect. It was an interesting experience shooting in 72 degree weather in northern Michigan. We've had a long winter and the most snow in over ten years. Great to be out shooting lots of arrows

Wudstix · April 28, 2025, 11:51:20 PM

My hat is off to Hill style bow shooters. You'll see my lists of bows. Latest is a Moosejaw Razor 66" that I'm growing accustomed to.

Ray Lyon · April 29, 2025, 07:50:28 AM

Michael, I got my first Hill bow in 1977. Still have it. Just took a 30 year hiatus shooting r/d longbows 😉
Feeling the need to get back to my longbow/wood arrow roots.

Chad R · May 16, 2025, 10:56:15 AM

That is cool, Ray. Thanks for sharing! Ron got me started with a Tim Meigs Flatbow and wood arrows many years ago. It had black glass. Wish I still had it. I've been shooting a 41# NM Classic 66" longbow with green glass that I got from Steve at the GLLI a few years ago.... Started making wood arrows again and loving the ASL and wood arrows. I thought for a while I was too old for back quivers but I got a custom one from Nate and it fits me like a glove. Easy to grab my arrows. I have been reading Nate's blogs too. Great info there. Thankful for guys like Nate and Ron that have helped us along the way and keep it fun!

woodchucker · May 22, 2025, 11:51:14 AM

Years back, before my hands started giving me fits, I bought a used Howard Hill "Mountain Man" longbow that was in a Sporting Goods store for $300. The day I bought it, I shot several nice tight groups with it in the store.

Took it home, and just never could seem hit a bull in the ass with it!!?

I took it out and shot it from time to time, it sure was fun!! I just couldn't seem to get the hang of "heeling" the dished grip?

Went to a 3D shoot with it, I sure looked cool with it and my Howard Hill back quiver full of wood arrows

I think I "hit" about 10 targets, and I broke and lost a bunch of arrows, but it sure was fun!! I passed it on to my nephews last year. He had started wanting to play with his Dad's and Grandpa's old recurves, and was looking for some wood arrows. I gave him a couple dozen arrows, and that Hill longbow.... He loves it!!!

Now he has his eye on my Hill back quiver?
(ain't happening!!)

Good Luck, Ray!!! Keep us posted on your project!!

Wudstix · May 22, 2025, 02:14:56 PM

Ray;
I occasionally hunt hogs with Easton arrows, but predominantly shoot tapered, footed wood at game. Just picked up a couple dozen Surewood Douglas Fir shafts that I'll be giving a go.

M60gunner · May 22, 2025, 03:20:24 PM

You just have rekindled my desire to make up some woodies for my L/B. Summer is here,I don't like shooting in 100* heat anymore so making arrows sounds good to me. I have one of "Tim's Taper Tools" so I just might go all the way and barrel taper them as well. I look forward to seeing your finished arrows.

MnFn · May 24, 2025, 09:12:26 AM

I bought a 49# Northern Mist Sprague from Steve and really like it. I'm in the process of testing arrows. It seems to tolerate a 53# up to at least 60# spine.

I'll have to spend a little more time shooting at longer distances to find the optimum weight. But that is part of the fun.

Ray, if you listed it I missed it. What weight bow are you shooting? Just curious. So far 55/60 seems to fly the best for me.

MnFn · May 24, 2025, 02:12:42 PM

Trying to decide between 53,55,59,60#.
And they all shoot pretty good.

Ray Lyon · May 25, 2025, 07:52:13 AM

Sorry, I've been off to Minneapolis for my daughter's graduation from University of Minnesota graduate school.
My bow is 48#@27" and I'm at 27.5" draw, so I figured close to 50#. This first batch of cedars is spined in 55-60 # range and I'm probably settling in with 175 grain point. I could probably cut 1/2" more off arrows and go to 200 grain point too.

Gary, when I shot a NM Shelton I was at bow weight for spine with anything 150 grains and under with a 28" draw and 29" arrows BOP

woodchucker · May 25, 2025, 09:19:37 AM

I have 4-5 dozen arrows that my son Tyler made up for us years ago that are spined 55-60#
I put 160gr field points on them so that we could shoot them with our 40ish pound bows.
I have a bunch of Zwickey Deltas and Eskimmos that I have used for years. I was thinking about getting a dozen 160gr Ace broad heads to put on these arrows, and I was wondering how you like them Ray?