Questions/ a little help

[chuckd]

#128679

I have been shooting a Longbow (Bear Montana 40#)for 3 years now and love it. Sold the compound and use this all the time. I also have a Hoyt Buffalo 50#, which I shoot more accurately. Is my Hoyt recurve inherently more accurate? Or something I am doing? I like the longbow, but accuracy in the hunting situation is #1 in my mind.

Also I’d love to get west to do an Elk hunt. How much bow do need? At my age the 50# Hoyt is pushing what I can shoot well. Would 50# do it, or do I need to hit the gym.

 

Thanks

chuck

[Ptaylor]

#128682

Hey Chuck,

As for the elk question, there’re 2 answers: First, each state has a legal definition of what can be used to hunt elk. For example, in Oregon a longbow/recurve has to pull 50# to hunt elk. So check the regs for whichever state you are interested in hunting. Second answer is bow weight is less important than accurate shooting and sharp broadheads. Confidence plays a huge role in bowhunting (well, at least it has for me), so if I were choosing between 2 bows I would take the one I have more confidence with.

As far as the Bear montana and hoyt buffalo go, I’m not sure why one is more accurate than the other in your hands. Some bows just aren’t as compatible with an archer. But, I suspect it may have something to do with the fact that you are switching from a compound to traditional. The buffalo has a machined-aluminum riser, and it may feel more familiar/comfortable in the hands of someone used to a compound riser. The Bear montana does not have a very pronounced locator grip in the riser, so it might be that your grip is inconsistent. That’s just a thought.

[Don Thomas]

#128813

I’m not sure any one bow is inherently “more accurate” than any other. So many factors come into play, especially those involving arrows. Besides, in my experience the overwhelming majority of bad shots result from operator error. Your question about elk is a good one, and you are right to consider them the big, tough animals that they are. However, once again so many factors come into play, particularly arrow weight. I always hesitate to suggest a “right” answer based on draw weight alone. Since going way down in poundage due to shoulder problems, I’ve learned that bows I once considered too light for almost any big game will kill things really dead with a good arrow delivered to the right place. Above all, I would not sacrifice accuracy for any gain in draw weight. don

[Stephen Graf]

#128828

What Don said, times two.  Then I would add this observation:

Longbows and recurves are designed to be shot differently.  Recurves can be handled similarly to compounds, and so that’s probably why you shoot it better.  The reasons are as follows:

1. The center of pressure in the handle of a recurve is closer to the arrow shelf in the bottom of the locator grip, just like a compound (high wrist grip, weight in the web of the hand).  A longbow generally requires the center of pressure in the grip to be lower (low wrist grip, weight on the heel of the hand).
2. The action in recurve limbs is mostly near the tips.  The limbs of a recurve bend first at the tips and last at the fadeouts.  A longbow is the opposite, it begins to bend at the fadeouts and bends last at the tips.

It takes more work to make friends with a longbow, but the effort is its own reward.

[David Coulter]

#128834

Steve, thanks for your insight. I am continually impressed with your knowledge on how a bow works. You’re the right guy to have written that excellent book. Thanks! Dc

[Ralph]

#128892

Right on Steve.  I started to reply as you did but you stated it more eloquently than I could have.

Another thought I have is that recurve bows are generally more center shot than most longbows so the subconscious picture of the end of the arrow that your brain sees is in a different spot.  I don’t know scientific fact but I’m thinking even with sights being used on a compound some how or another your brain knows where the end of the arrow is. Compounds are center shot so that subconscious picture is going to be somewhat similar to a center shot recurve methinks.

That might be an additional factor in the easier conversion to the recurve than the longbow??????

What’s bad for me in the difference of the grips is my arthritic thumb base on my left (bow) hand. My longbows don’t bother it much unless I shoot a lot or go to to much draw weight. The high wrist of my recurves………..@#$%^**&%$*. It kills me. It’s the sudden release of pressure when I loose the string when I’m in the high wrist position of a recurve.  I’ve dropped a bow a few time due to the sudden pain.

My beautiful old ’67’ model Bear Grizzly doesn’t get shot much anymore. But it does get shot every now and then cause sometimes I here it calling……….

 

[David Coulter]

#128943

R2, ouch! I feel your pain. I saw a tee shirt one time that read, old age isn’t for wimps! But what about us young guys? I think it was Jimmy Blackmon who suggested a simple paracord loop to allow the bow to leap from the hand upon release. That might give you a better sense of security to shoot your favorite old bow. Best wishes, dwc

 

[Don Thomas]

#128993

R2–I share your pain! My hands are showing their high mileage, after multiple dislocations, torn tendons etc. etc. Sudden pain like that could be due to a number of things. Of all the many joints in the hand and wrist, the one at the base of the thumb is the most susceptible to plain old osteoarthritis due to wear and tear. If that’s the case, an injection—which should be a simple office procedure, although nowadays who knows—often provides several months of relief. No cure and nothing you want done repeatedly, but an injection done a few weeks before hunting season might help a lot. Don

[Ralph]

#129031

Thanks guys.

Don I think the injection is on my list at my next doc visit.  Perhaps sooner.

Last time I was there he had my thumb base xrayed.  It’s kinda ugly inside.

A lot of folks have a lot worse problems so I’m grateful mine effects just the little stuff and not the life stuff.

[Jerry Trepanier]

#129419

Hope you’re feeling better.  Montana has a fairly extensive rule book and it can change  based on where you are.  If you call the Montana Fish and Game guys, general info line, they can usually answer your questions for things like draw weight and I’ve found them to be very helpful and friendly.  I don’t remember what it is in Montana.  For the differences between your bows, what about your arrows?  What shoots out of a longbow well may not shoot well out of a recurve.  You may have to add 10 – 12 lbs to your shaft spine size, especially with a heavy broadhead, because of the center shot difference.  I shoot 65 – 70 lb. arrows out of my Hoyt Buffalo.  Might be worth a try anyway.  Good luck.

[Author]

Posts