[SUSAN]

in reply to: Advice heavy arrow set up 38-42# #135394

Correct that you have to experiment with arrow length (correct spine) for best flight. I am shooting bows in your weight range but my draw is 28+. I am shooting GT 3555s cut to 29.5″, with an FOC of 26% and a finished arrow weight of about 550g. This is accomplished with 250g broadheads and a 50g insert.  I don’t think there is a shortcut around the tuning process, or a formula that will make it go any faster . Those of us who shoot light bows need to make sure we are getting optimal penetration for hunting, so take the time and make the effort to get the most you can out of your bow.

[SUSAN]

in reply to: Very light bows #126848

I am planning on 35# being enough as shoulder surgery has left my bow arm weak.  Will be taking shots under 15 yards, with a 500g arrow, 18% FOC. If I hit them right, they will go down!

[SUSAN]

in reply to: Weight Tubes #123320

I used the weight tubes for a while– what kept happening was that when it hit the target, the nock would bounce off and the tube would exit the nock end of the shaft. I resist gluing nocks in carbon shafts so I can rotate them if necessary, so this became a royal pain. The I tried the poly cord and the results are better, though it still shoots out the back occasionally. I Then put a very small dab of clear nail polish on the nock– not enough to glue it permanently, but enough to stop the nock from coming off at the shot. Works like a charm.

[SUSAN]

in reply to: 40# for hunting? #11240

Sharp broadheads and well-tuned arrows, you will have no problems.

[SUSAN]

in reply to: Hildebrand #28590

David Petersen wrote: Susan — What is the context of this thread? It sounds as if you’re answering a question. Did I miss something? 😕

Oops I am the local technofool–thought I was in the Sitka Spruce Shafts thread. Sorry

[SUSAN]

in reply to: Rayzr Feathers… #52968

Just got the time to answer your question. I have several arrow setups, for different bows. I use blazers or 3″ feathers on all of them:

1-At the moment I am hunting with a Morrison ILF Recurve (foam/carbon limbs, AMO 58″ 43@28). The arrows are Grizzlystik Sitkas,brass inserts, cut to 29″ with 75g steel adapters and STOS 135g 2 bladed heads. I use Tradlite Carbons interchangably with this setup.

2-I also shoot GT 3555s and/or 2016s (29″) with my Pronghorn TD, 44#@28″, and a Wild Horse Creek, 43#@28. I use Wensel Woodsman heads, 125 g with 100g steel adapters up front.

3-I also shoot 1916s and 3555s from a 62″ Morrison Shawnee (40#@28, carbon/foam)and from a Thunderchild (41#@28) with Grizzly 125s mounted on 75g adapters.

4- I also have a Bob Lee TD Longbow (41#@28″) which will handle any of the above.

All combos shoot well with Blazers (3-fletch, cock feather in) or with 3″ feathers.

[SUSAN]

in reply to: OK it finally happened and I need to vent #42642

I’ve been a member of BHA since inception, on general principles, but it has always seemed that the focal issues are located in the west–don’t think of our meager local 512-acre state lands as “wilderness” but it needs our protection, too, it seems. I called the DEC and it is indeed illegal to use state lands for motocross. I am now armed not only with my longbow, but also with the phone numbers of the local Encon officers to call should these folks continue to run riot. Perhaps we can root out other BHA members and get something going in the east….

[SUSAN]

in reply to: E. Donnall Thomas #42639

Well Don, your Dad would be happy to hear that the grouse are having a peak year up here. Woodcock are spotty so far though. Take good care.

[SUSAN]

in reply to: OK it finally happened and I need to vent #41724

Dave, you’re right!

[SUSAN]

in reply to: Dog Question #41396

The shock collar is not the answer for this dog, or any dog with this problem. It’s like slapping a kid for being afraid. Try putting a fairly snug neoprene vest on her– this works to calm down an anxious dog. PS sometimes the qualities that make a dog a good hunter make for a terrible house pet. Persistence becomes stubbornness, intensity and excitement become barking and anxiety. Personally, the day my dogs don’t get fired up (and often obnoxious) when I get out the bird vest is a day I dread…..

[SUSAN]

in reply to: E. Donnall Thomas #41388

Deepest sympathies to the Thomas family, from a member of your “extended family” at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, NY.

[SUSAN]

in reply to: Rayzr Feathers… #40509

As crazy as this sounds, I get great flight using 3, 2″ Blazer vanes on my arrows. This includes 2016 aluminums, and carbons too. I shoot them cock feather in, and I think the reason they shoot so well is that the vane is so short it is nowhere near the arrow rest as it passes (paradox). I prefer feathers aesthetically, and will always shoot them. But in the rain, I will carry the Blazers. This experiment has also made me try shorter feather fletching I have gone from 5″ to 3″ — and it works great as well. It is especially helpful since you used to be able to get 2 5″ fletches out of one feather, but these days the feathers are not as long. I can often get 3 of the 3″ fletches out of one feather with my chopper. Blazers are relatively cheap, too.

[SUSAN]

in reply to: Brand new bow. Is there a problem? #40500

Most bows are “in tiller” when the bottom limb is anywhere from 1/16″ to 3/16″ closer to the string, measured at the fadeout, than the upper limb. This is because the center of the bow is not at the center of the handle. Still, if you think there is a problem, send it back, or at least have a conversation with your bowyer. These things niggle at you if you don’t get them straightened out to your satisfactiobn.

[SUSAN]

in reply to: Has anyone used Zwicky Broadheads #40647

A better question might be ‘who hasn’t used Zwickey broadheads?’ When I first started bowhunting many moons ago they were the only decent game in town– the other resharpenable (is that a word)heads were either hard to sharpen, too soft, or noisy. Replacable blades were just starting to show up but they were expensive and unreliable (this was in the late 1970s). Zwickey Delta, Eskimo and the new No Mercy heads have been killing game cleanly for a very long time. Though not as “sexy” as some of the newer designs, they are tough and lethal broadheads. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get effective penetration IMHO.

[SUSAN]

in reply to: Bob Lee bows #40644

I have had a number of Bob Lee TD Bows, both longbows and a recurve. I also have (or have owmed in the past) other bows which are considered “high performance/high end” as in BW and Morrison, etc. I think Bob Lee bows are among the best shooters you will find. They are not super fast, nor are they fancy to look at (although they seem to be working on that) but they are reliable, tough, have a terrific grip and shoot where you look. They will handle a broad range of arrows well, and the customer service is great. With the sale prices, if you can find a bow that suits your poundage/length requirements it will be a great bargain and a great hunting tool for life.

[Author]

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