<P>After 30-plus years of bowhunting, I finally gave in to a selfbow this fall. I didn't shoot at any game but I had a good time and intend to hunt with the bow in the future. For inspiration, what game have you folks taken with a selfbow?</P>
<P>Alright, just to break the ice - I've taken over 25 deer, a moose and black bear with traditional gear - glass recurves and longbows but nothing yet with a selfbow. But at this point I see no reason why I can't do as well or better with a selfbow. Anyone?</P>
<P>the only limitations are the ones you set for yourself,i havent been able to complete my own selfbow yet but i've made a sleugh of arrows thats ready to make meat if i can ever make a bow of sufficient weight.i've been able to knap my own flint heads,make my own cane arrows with the guidance from THE FERRET,that selfbow thing has he stumped,everything i start ends up going to a local kid(not a bad thing) i just can't seem to find that 50lb mark,it goes from 100lb to 15 or 20lb without stopping.<IMG src="http://www.websitetoolbox.com/images/boards/smilies/bawl.gif" align=absMiddle border=0></P>
<P>Come on guys (and gals), give me some hope!</P>
Hunting with a self bow is the same as with a glass bow,or at least it is for me.It all comes down to practice.You will know your own limitations from your practice sessions.If you hunt from a tree stand be sure to practice from one,one of my favorite ways to practice is stump shooting through the woods.[very realistic shots] self bows are usually a little slower than glass bows,but they are usually quieter also,At least this has been my experience over the last 35 years.By the way I could'nt tell you how many deer I have shot much less other game such as rabbit,squirrel,hogs,coon,snakes,etc.with both glass and selfbows.Personally I can't tell a difference in fatal shots.Like I said before its all about shot placement,{practice}I hope this helps a little,David
<P><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">I have taken numerous animals with a lot of different selfbows over the past twelve years. About 90% of my hunting and kills during that time have been with selfbows and the other 10% with glass bows, both longbows and recurves.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I find the recovery difference between the glass bows and self bows to be about the same: If it is a good hit they die quickly.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For me the most important factor is shot placement rather then penetration (I don’t see any significant penetration difference between the two types), so I try to keep shots with both types of bows within twenty yards.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, I do feel confident enough, and have made, killing shots as far as thirty yards with both types of bows.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For “inspiration” here are some of the animals I have taken with selfbows: Jack Rabbits, Cottontails, Grouse (mountain and ruffled), numerous Snakes, Whitetail deer, Mule deer, Elk, Bear, and Mountain Lion.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P>Thanks Buck and Silvershooter! Your comments are very helpful. From the views v. responses, it is not unreasonable to assume that there are a lot of folks looking for some inspiration. If anyone else has been skillful (or lucky) to take any game, please post that success! My daugher and I will be doing a bunny hunt soon . . . heck, even a rodent will do!</P>
<IMG alt="Den023-1.jpg image by Tradbowhuner" src="http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/hh14/Tradbowhuner/th_Den023-1.jpg" yLoc="124" xLoc="411"><IMG alt="Hickoryhog-1.jpg image by Tradbowhuner" src="http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/hh14/Tradbowhuner/th_Hickoryhog-1.jpg" yLoc="1036" xLoc="215"><IMG alt="wtrogsheepb-1.jpg image by Tradbowhuner" src="http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/hh14/Tradbowhuner/th_wtrogsheepb-1.jpg" yLoc="2252" xLoc="411"><br><IMG alt="06selfbowbuck2.jpg image by Tradbowhuner" src="http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/hh14/Tradbowhuner/th_06selfbowbuck2.jpg" yLoc="2556" xLoc="215"> <IMG alt="06re-curvesq.jpg image by Tradbowhuner" src="http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/hh14/Tradbowhuner/th_06re-curvesq.jpg" yLoc="1570" xLoc="215">All taken with self bows I have built. <br>
kevinandlisa2 Wrote:<p>the only limitations are the ones you set for yourself,i havent been able to complete my own selfbow yet but i've made a sleugh of arrows thats ready to make meat if i can ever make a bow of sufficient weight.i've been able to knap my own flint heads,make my own cane arrows with the guidance from THE FERRET,that selfbow thing has he stumped,everything i start ends up going to a local kid(not a bad thing) i just can't seem to find that 50lb mark,it goes from 100lb to 15 or 20lb without stopping.<img src="http://www.websitetoolbox.com/images/boards/smilies/bawl.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"></p>
<br><br>Hey, start up a new thread in Bow Crafting and maybe the crew can help you along a bit.<br>
Most of the bows I have been making lately are bamboo backed, but me and my boys have been having a ball we have killed deer, many rabbits , squirrels, more frogs than I can count, snakes armadillos, possums, When we are making hay in the summer the boys hunt the wind rows and shoot rats in the fields, and you cant forget bowfishing thats comeing up soon. I think the main thing is to just have fun.<br>Matt<br>