Trad?

[JasonG]

Who's hunting Trad Bow? What are you using?

[TONTO]

 Been hunting Trad the last few years. Have had nice bucks within what I would call easy compound ranges each evening but held back untill yesterday eve. Clean miss undernieth a nice 3x3   ,  Frustrating but worth the agrivation in my opinion, still got a couple weeks to make it happen So far only trad big game kill was my 2014 bull. Took it with a 1969 Bear Alaskan 50# @ 28" pulling 30". This year I'm shooting my Dad's old 1966 Grizzly, bow will be retired after I make it happen, then hopefully I'll be moving on to a vine maple self bow next year. The thought of breaking out the training wheels crosses my mind, but just can't bring myself to do it.

[justyhntr]

Tomahawk SS , 64 in. 57lbs. at 28 , 29 1/2 in. draw , 30 in. arrow . 500 spine Goldtip Hunter XT's , 5 grain per inch inserts , 3 , 5 in. left wing feathers , 200 grain Grizzly single bevel broadhead , 650 grain arrow . Max hunting range , 25 yards . This set up is blazing fast .

[pope]

Recurve for blacktail deer (Martin X-200 45 lb, my beginner bow). No success yet but definitely fun to learn. I went with a recurve because I enjoy challenges, because the equipment is affordable and stays in tune, and because Justyhunter talked me into it (and continues to coach me and keep me motivated). If I were hunting more open country there's absolutely no way I'd shoot traditional, but in brushy blacktail habitat you don't need the ability to shoot far. Shooting quickly is more important. I like sitting in a tree stand and practice shooting out of one occasionally. I don't think the equipment matters all that much, but frequent practice does. I shoot every day unless I'm fatigued, then I take a day off.

BTW, I think WDFW should throw a bone to trad archery guys and gals, maybe let them hunt September 1st until December 31st. Including the early November deer rut. Just like black powder hunters have their own "special season" for rifle hunting, traditional archers are using gear that is incredibly primitive compared to what is available today and deserve greater opportunity. There must be a dozen or two who still do this.

[tlbradford]

An "American Longbow" that Schultz made for my dad in the late 70's.  My son and I snuck to 6 and 10 yards on a couple of bedded muley's yesterday.  Unfortunately, as I was about to put an arrow through the one at 10 yards I looked to my right to check my next step to get in position and saw the nose of the 4 point pointing my direction.  When they both stood up sagebrush blocked both of their vitals.  Still a ton of fun and super challenging.  I did go the route of some GrizzlyStick carbon arrows and some large German Kinetic two blades, rather than something more traditional.

[Tim in Wa.]

62" Stalker Coyote 55 lbs. @29"  doug fir shafts and woodsman broadheads
Tim

[boneaddict]

Sapphire Hawk longbow.   70 pounds at 32 inches.   Made my mountain trip into the methow.  Saw 7 deer where I normally see seventy or more.   Got within range and could have harvested three different legal bucks, but I let them walk.  Won't shoot anything t his year unless it's something special.   On the way out I ran into a huge beautiful blackie.   I'm going to regret not arrowing him.  He was at 10 yards and could careless about me.   I wasn't sure I was going to make the pack out without the bear, so I let him go as well.   I'm going to regret that, but it was an enjoyable moment.

[lewy]

Where was ur camera bone

[boneaddict]

Are you kidding me, I was cutting off labels to cut weight, lol

[rasbo]

cant hunt this year,but if I could I would be using a sapphire hawk long bow,56 lbs 29inch

[huntinkid20]

I have been alternating with both bows lately. Missed a couple blacktail bucks the last 2 years, but the reward will be worth it when I connect.

Al kimery Longbow 64" R/D
56@28", drawing 25.5"
Homemade 11/32 doug fir shafts
Cutthroat or 190gr Richard Dykoff Broadheads

1967 60" Blackwidow
60@28"
doug fir shafts by Ron French
same broadheads