Hunting with Bow and Arrow- Saxton POPE

[upriver]

I just finished reading Saxton Popes book. It's been very cool. You can read it online free at "Project Gutenberg". I compound bow hunt but it sure makes me want to buy a Longbow. Those guys sure pioneered the art of archery hunting. You see a different page in history while reading the book. If any bowhunter has not read the book it's worth the time.

[Snapshot]

 

[ribka]

Great book. Check out the "Hunting in Africa" book too.

Makes you want to get rid of the "training wheels" and go traditional

[rooselk]

Excellent book. If you enjoyed that one you'd undoubtedly also enjoy Hunting the Hard Way by Howard Hill. Both are classics. As you say, reading those books makes one want to buy a longbow. I already shoot trad. But the Hill bows are still being made and I plan to order one later this month.

[upriver]

I saw the Howard Hill book on Amazon the other day. I might have to order that one. What does a Howard Hill longbow run for price? That might be my next purchase (a longbow that is). Is Traditional as spendy as compound hunting? I have probably a couple grand easy in my compound gear.

[rooselk]

A new Hill bow runs about $525.

Traditional doesn't have to be expensive. But like anything else it can be if one wants to pour a lot of money into it. But one certainly get by with a few basics such as a bow, arrows, quiver, and shooting glove or tab. Most traditional bows have a long life. There guys who still use bows that were made back in the 50's and 60's.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

"Bows on the Little Delta" is another book every bow hunter should read.

[rooselk]

Couldn't agree more. Bows on the Little Delta is an excellent book.

[carver52]

I agree on the cost issue.  I have a bear recurve, a Kodiak I believe that I got at a gun show for $60.  It's a 60 pound draw and can only shoot the same as when it was new.  It has to be at least 40-50 years old.

Another great book is Fred Bears Field Notes.  Some of his hunts from all over the world.

[OSCAR1987]

Saxton = a great read

That site also has a couple of stories by Teddy Roosevelt that are good reads.

Last season I drew a multi-pass for deer so I bought a beginners bow on  huntersfriend and tried out the whole archery scene for the first time. I took a trip over to Mozama and scared (missed over the backs of) several Whitetail and got scared by several Black Bears riding a mountain bike on some trails going in before first light. Even though I ate tag soup on the archery I managed a small blacktail with shotgun on the wetside. This was in a heavily overcrowded high pressure pheasant release site, so I was really lucky.
I am going all archery next season because my 10yr old son and my 13 yr old daughter both went to hunters ed and will be hunting modern (shotguns) next season. I want to be totally dedicated to getting them their first deer next year so I won't put in for the multi season drawing, besides it costs an extra $182 if you win. After reading Pope's book I really want to try to get out to more unpressured ares next season. I guess I better start working out to get in shape! I know that I will probably have to hike quite a ways to get away from the crowds.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I agree on the cost issue.  I have a bear recurve, a Kodiak I believe that I got at a gun show for $60.  It's a 60 pound draw and can only shoot the same as when it was new.  It has to be at least 40-50 years old.

Another great book is Fred Bears Field Notes.  Some of his hunts from all over the world.

I can tell you what the age is on your Kodiak, if you are interested.

There guys who still use bows that were made back in the 50's and 60's.

I still use a 1952 Static-tip Bear Grizzly I bought at a G-sale for $5 sometimes, if I ever get drawn for Moose, I plan on using my 1939 Nels Grumley T/D (it was considerably more)

[upriver]

It sounds like want ads and garage sales might be a good place to pick up a cheap traditional rig.

I think I might have to find the Howard Hill book and look into some of the others. It's just cool reading about the old timers and that era.