Longbow

[raydog]

I just got a long bow for Christmas and I have a few questions. First how do I take care of it. I know how to wax the string but do I do anything to the bow itself, like oil the wood? It is made of hickory. The draw weight is 50-55. Any tips for a guy new to traditional archery. If I get good enough I may try for deer next season.

[dreamunelk]

When not in use lay flat.  Unstring when not in use.   Most important shoot often.  Now for the fun.  Start tuning.  Knock point, brace height are very important as well as tuning arrow to bow.  To start with work on a consistent release.

[raydog]

Does anybody have any some suggestions to 2 blade broadhead. I think i will use a two blade set up for the longbow. I like the look of wooden arrows but are they hard to tune? Any suggestions on arrows?

[boneaddict]

I like and am currently using Magnus Stingers for a two blade broadhead.   I am shooting the carbon wood grained Gold Tipped arrows.
Welcome to a world of FUN

[Annette]

Hi Ray, I like the Magnus Stinger cut on impact 125 gr. They fly as good or better than any 2 blade and will hit the same as your field points. Remember to find your accuracy range and stay with in if when hunting . Wooden arrows can be had from Joe Reed, Eufaula Hts. Longview WA. and plastic vanes won't shoot off the shelf of the longbow. Have fun!

[raydog]

I like the look of the stingers. Compound bows don't anything on longbows. My arm is dead right now.

[raydog]

Hi Ray, I like the Magnus Stinger cut on impact 125 gr. They fly as good or better than any 2 blade and will hit the same as your field points. Remember to find your accuracy range and stay with in if when hunting . Wooden arrows can be had from Joe Reed, Eufaula Hts. Longview WA. and plastic vanes won't shoot off the shelf of the longbow. Have fun!

So I would need fleathered vanes?

[boneaddict]

Yes, extremely recommended.   

[boneaddict]

These come highly recommended....


http://www.kustomkingarchery.com/Gold-Tip-Traditional-Carbon-Arrows-per-1_2-doz/productinfo/7202/


probably in the spine xx55 or xx75 depending on what your bow is.  My guess would be 55s

I think the last dozen I got at grizzly archery here in Yakima were 120.00 so this is a pretty decent price.  I use 3 fletchings and usually longer.

[raydog]

Thanks guys

[Longbowz]

Feather fletch only.  Vanes don't fly very well off of a shelf.

Enjoy!   

[MLBowhunting]

Have fun is the key.  Tough to get use to but keep shooting and you will love it.

[dreamunelk]

Being you are just starting I would recommend not thinking about broad heads now.  Most important is to perfect your form.  While doing this you can play with arrows.  I like wood but, carbon and aluminum are good also.  Honestly, thinking about getting some target arrows in one of the two latter just because it is getting expensive from arrow hitting arrows.  All arrows will need tuned to your bow.  There is a lot of information on the  web.  One place I would recommend is the shooting form section on tradgang.com.  You do not want to invest a lot of money in arrow at this point because as your from improves you draw length will change.

As stated before shooting traditional is fun and very addicting. 

[rbinhood]

1. Bow care--Contact the bow maker and see what they suggest. Generally, self wood bows need to be kept dry. You don't say if yours is a self wood or composite. Also, see what the maker suggests as far as brace height and nock point, then experiment. Ask if they suggest shooting carbon arrows, as many traditional bows will not hold up to the light weight of carbons, and shooting carbons may void the warranty if the bow came with one.

2. Broadheads--I like Zwickey Black Diamonds in 2 blade 125 grain. They are tough, sharpen easily, and don't cost a fortune.

3. Get G. Fred Asbel's book on instinctive shooting, read it, practice the various methods and see what works best for you.

4. Arrows- Get the best straight, matched arrows you can afford. All other things equal, nothing will affect your accuracy like the quality of your arrows. Generally, longbows need a bit softer spined arrow so the arrow flexes enough to clear the bow face upon release, with minimal contact. Ask the bow maker what they suggest. Many things affect spine, such as arrow length, diameter and the weight of the tip. A friend starts with a 30" arrow and the tips he will be using, then cuts 1/2" off the arrow at a time to find the best arrow flight. You can get arrows with weight forward, footed shafts, and parallel or tapered. See what shoots best out of your bow.

Arrow wood- Good Port Orford cedar can make good arrows, but I found cedar did not hold up well, often breaking right behind the tip. If you are in Washington, I would look at Sitka Spruce of Douglas Fir, both of which are tough and can be made into great arrows. Google wood arrow shaft manufacturers and you will have many options.

5. Practice, practice, practice, and make sure you consistently do the same thing every time you draw and release an arrow. Most people cannot put the bow away for a week and pick it up a week later and immediately shoot as well as when they put the bow down. The experts shoot daily, and often practice even when they are hunting, during the course of the day.

6. Get a spare Flemmish twist string and set it up with a knock point and silencers, just like the one on the bow. Nothing will ruin a hunt faster than a broken string. Good luck and have fun.

[raydog]

Thanks for the tips guys.

[Snapshot]

The archery club near you, Kitsap Bowhunters, has a few members who are dyed-in-the-wool traditionalists. Nothing would beat going there and seeking them out. I don't know many traditional archers who will not answer questions about traditional archery.

To expound on dreamunelk's tip that you should lay it flat when not in use: the thing to absolutely avoid is standing it in a corner because that will put stress on the lower limb. Don't think it has to take up floor space; it can lay flat on a couple of dowels that are about 2-1/2 feet apart, or it can hang from a single peg by use of a string keeper or by slipping the peg between the belly of the upper limb and the bowstring (yes, unstrung).

Find a copy of 'Hunting with the Bow and Arrow' by Saxton Pope if you want the most straightforward introduction to archery that I've ever read. It is nearly a century old but little has changed.

Selfbows will need oil rubbed on them once or twice a year depending on how much weather they get subjected to. Longbows with fiberglass on the belly and back with a hard finish topcoat on them only need to wiped down with a damp cloth from time to time. Some people wax their bows to give the finish a little added protection.

Have fun!

[scotsman]

Hey Raydog,

I'm one of the dyed -in - the - wool  traditional shooters from Kitsap Bowhunters... We have a real nice range near Belfair. Send me a PM and I'll be glad to set up a time to meet there. I have done a lot of coaching / tuning for longbow and recurve archers.....A little mentoring can shave a couple of years off the learning process!

Dave R.