Greetings/Introduction

[Augustinus]

#5690

Firstly, I hope that I am in the correct topic of the forum.

I was at my parents house recently, six months ago, and I discovered my Bear Archery Kodiak Hunter 1977 40# bow. I didn’t think much about it and brought it home. Two of my three boys, ages 17 and 14, took a keen interest and asked if I could teach them how to shoot it. Long story short, I bought them a “Samick Rage” 23# bow and a dozen arrows along with the target, Morrell, and here I am. I started shooting with them as well. We are having loads of fun. I have some questions, if I may ask them here!

I went to the local archery store here in NJ and was set-up with 30″, Easton XX75, 2216 arrows, 100gr tips, and a five inch helical fletching. My draw length is 28.5″.

Are the tips too lights?

Are my arrows the right ones?

I’d like to start shooting wooden arrows. Is this a realistic goal at this point?

Who do you get your supplies from?

I purposely didn’t put the name of the archery store in this post because I feel as though they provide contradictory answers to my questions depending upon who you speak with at the shop.

Well, I suppose that is all for now. My goal is to go out and try and hunt winter bow here in NJ. Also, I want to be a sponge and try to take-in as much help that you all can provide. I am honored to be a part of this community, albeit a cherry newbie.

[Fallguy]

#43660

Welcome I am sure you will get some input from others.

1. I would say 2216 for a 40 lb bow is to stiff. I do not a 300 grain tip will soften them enough. I would do something around a 1916.

2. Get a copy of Traditional Bowhunter Magazine and check out the advertisers for wood arrow supplies. There are many here that do wood arrows so when you start come back and ask questions.

[troutbum 1]

#44450

X2, I have a 45#@28. I had two dozen 2216’s@30″ arrows from a 55# bow. The spine was to heavy for the 45# bow. I went to cedar 45-50 arrows and the speed and how they flew were great. When i try aluminum arrows, I start at 2016. I use 125 grain heads on all.

[Charles Ek]

#44750

For answers to questions you haven’t thought of yet (and more), may I suggest getting a copy of The Traditional Bowhunter’s Handbook, written by a guy who happens to be your host here. (I don’t get any benefit from such a recommendation other than a warm glow from helping another bowhunter. 😉 )

[Augustinus]

#44752

Thanks for the valuable advice to all. I am awaiting the delivery, tomorrow, of a Bear Super Kodiak Grayling Green 50#, very excited. I went to a different outfitter today just over the over here in NY State, and explained my experiences to the salesman and told him of the new bow. He is setting me up with XX75 2018 for this bow. I did express an interest in wood arrows and he said to forget about that here in the northeast, its too moist and humid, they’ll only warp. I didn’t share with him the fact that I already ordered a test kit from 3RiversArchery. I am excited to not only shoot the new bow, but to send some traditional wood arrows into my target.

I’d appreciate any tips or pointers that you all have regarding the arrow test kit. This is all new to me.

[Augustinus]

#44757

eidsvolling wrote: For answers to questions you haven’t thought of yet (and more), may I suggest getting a copy of The Traditional Bowhunter’s Handbook, written by a guy who happens to be your host here. (I don’t get any benefit from such a recommendation other than a warm glow from helping another bowhunter. 😉 )

eidsvolling, ordering it from Amazon, if they carry it. Thanks again.

[Augustinus]

#44759

eidsvolling wrote: For answers to questions you haven’t thought of yet (and more), may I suggest getting a copy of The Traditional Bowhunter’s Handbook, written by a guy who happens to be your host here. (I don’t get any benefit from such a recommendation other than a warm glow from helping another bowhunter. 😉 )

OOPS, didn’t see the “Add to Cart.” I’ll get right on it.

[troutbum 1]

#44821

Augustinus, Great bow. But as far as using wood arrows here in the North east, Sales man is full of it.:roll: I like aluminum , But have hunted for years with wood arrows in Dry, wet, snow. As long as there coated with a stain and a varnish and you water proof the fletching, and don’t leave them in the shower or rain for a week, they won’t warp.Shoot every arrow material till you find what works best. Good luck.

[Col Mike]

#44823

Augustinus

Welcome aboard. Enjoy the tour–lot’s of good info here. Check out the Ashby Library above.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Ralph]

#45505

Me too on welcome aboard:D

There’s tons of info here and in books. Lots of ideas, methods and parts and pieces. You Tube can be helpful also.

Let me put it this way, lots of starting points for you to begin with and then learn, like most of us, by trial and error.

It’s great the info is so readily available now as compared to my beginning in archery, uh like about the time of the discovery of fire:wink:

Good luck and have fun….

[Dan Sweeney]

#46585

You’ll never be able to get wood arrows to work up there, just like it’s too humid to use them here in Arkansas. Never mind the thousands of years that Native Americans made perfectly fine use of them long before the advent of climate controlled homes and Watco Danish oil and whatnot. You can’t kill anything with that bow either. Too weak, too inaccurate… It’s obviously some sort of eccentric toy.

Disregard those salespeople. They obviously are daft. As mentioned, the Traditional Bowhunter’s Handbook is a great place to start. Brian Sorrells has a couple of good ones as well. You’ll find there is a wide range of equipment setups that will work fine, and more than enough enough opinions to go around. You’ll have specific questions beyond what the books will answer, and you have come to the correct place for those. Enjoy the trip!

[Robin Conrads]

#46632

Augustinus, welcome to the family. You’re gonna love traditional archery.

In addition to the books that others have suggested, I always tell folks to join their local or state traditional archery club. That might help you find a mentor who will show you how to do a lot of things that most of us take for granted, but new archers need to know. Here’s a link to traditional clubs listed on our website: Club Listings and Mentors Check out New Jersey and maybe New York. Contact Doc DeCaro and see if he can hook you up with a good mentor in your town. If nothing else, you’ll have someone to shoot arrows with.

The most important thing to remember: Have fun with your kids! You are making great memories for them, too.

[Augustinus]

#46662

Many thanks to Dan Z and Robin. The welcoming to this community is heartfelt and appreciated. Dan Z, your sarcasm was not lost on me. I must admit, I was taken aback when I started reading your reply. It’s funny, after I realized that my arrows were a bit too stiff, I ventured out to a new outfitters and I ordered a dozen 2018s with 125gr heads. That said, while I was at the shop a fella came in apparently feeling quite enthusiastic about a be compound bow Hoyt had just released. I stood there while this guy drooled over it. I don’t want to sound full of pride, but I suppose I would react the same over a recurve or longbow.

Robin, I will take your advice with regard to mentoring. That is a great idea. Nothing beats live tutelage. I have taken others advice, and picked up Fred Azbell’s DVD and book, Instinctive Shooting. I’m going to watch it with my boys tonight and try to learn as much as possible.

Thanks again for the valuable advice.

[Author]

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