I just purchased an older Damon Howatt Ventura recurve and was wondering if anyone could give me some info on this bow. Its a 66" AMO Damon Howatt Ventura 25# at 28". The serial number is HV 32990. "1-75-9" and "CORO" is engraved on the side of the grip area. I bought this bow to be a practice/form bow and was curious to learn all I could about it. Any information is greatly appreciated.

...and here's the engraving on the side of the grip

...and of course, the bow. If anyone can toss me some info, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

your bow was made in 1973.the wood is shedua and the white glass is from gordon. either jim krieder or i built the bow. the inscription could be a bible reference and was not done at our shop. they are a great shooting bow.

thanks alot Larry...yeah, I can't wait to shoot it...after a new dacron string and leather rest...like I said, bought this bow for form practice primarily, but hey, I just like shooting bows, especially recurves and longbows. Thanks again.

I sold my forty pound Ventura from 1989 to a friend to get him started in traditional archery and I still kick my butt for selling it every time I pick it up at his house. I keep hoping he will not like it and sell it back to me, but no such luck.

Great choice for a light weight bow to practice form. If you can shoot a light weight bow (which will magnify your form inconsistency greatly) well, you will shoot your heavier weight bows, which help the string come off your fingers smoother, even better.

I am currently working on buying a 30 pound (34 at my draw)Polar for exactly the same reason.

They also make a great bow for introducing a weaker shooter to the sport.

DDave

yeah DDave...I think I'm that weaker archer...just tired of my compounds for the moment anyway, and I really love shooting my 50# Dream Catcher...I guess I just figured this would make a really good practice/form bow...thanks for the advice

The friend who I sold my Ventura to shoots one of the new G5 compounds. He is a very knowledgable shooter and tech when it comes to compounds. He wanted to get into shooting aerial targets and a stick bow is the only way to go. You should see the flu flus that guy made up. Total works of art.

I consider my 5 compounds to be interesting toys and I love shooting them too.

DDave

...yeah, not saying there's anything easy about shooting a traditional bow, but compared to everything going on with a compound, I really like the simplicity of a good recurve or longbow...get you a good plant with your feet, relax, nock an arrow, acquire your target, raise my bow, draw, aim, and pull through full draw at release...if it was that easy, but yes, I just love shooting a bow...there's a guy over on the martin tech forum that told me, "I just love to shoot bows...don't matter brand or what kind, i just love to shoot"...and that about sums it up

Dave,

typing this remotely. Call or PM me. BESIDES the K-Special we talked about on the phone, I HAVE a 40# lefty Ventura (HV8114)

Rick

PS. Was it me that sniped you on that lefty Polar on e-Bay a few days ago?

I think I am cured. I have not bought a bow in about a month now.

I have a new addiction, a 1989 BMW, which is gonna be taking a bit of my cash.

DDave

Larry, I really do appreciate the info...now if I can just do the bow justice as a shooter!...could you tell me what years Damon Howatt offered the Ventura? Thanks again!

Billy

The fellow who came #2 in our championship shoot uses A Ventura.He says the only other bow he's interested in is a Widow.The gentleman who cam in # 1 used a crossbow.

Larry Hatfield, I have a Damon Howatt Ventura Recurve bow and I am wondering how many like it were made. It would also help to know how much I could get if I was to sell it.

I love my Ventura; 30# @28. It's a wonderful teacher, and does not hesitate to show me my form flaws on a regular basis.

And its 66" AMO length is as long as I am tall. Well, if one were to straighten it out I suppose.

c. archer, your bow is a 1974. we made a few hundred a year from 1967-1997. no idea about value. sorry.

Mr. Hatfield, I too own a Damon Howatt Ventura. Its markings are "40# @ 29" (I have a rather long draw). HV-2295, AMO 66". I bought it back in the late 80's from a long-gone archery shop, and I don't have the owners manual anymore. Since the original factory string has gone walkabout, I'd like to make a new Flemish loop string for it, and I have a couple of questions. First, what length string would you recommend for this model, and what brace height is normal for the Ventura? Any help you can offer would be much appreciated.

since it's a flemish string, i would make it 63" actual length under some tension. you can twist or untwist to get the brace where it shoots best for you.should be in the range of 8 1/4" up to 9" from the deepest point in the grip.

since it's a flemish string, i would make it 63" actual length under some tension. you can twist or untwist to get the brace where it shoots best for you.should be in the range of 8 1/4" up to 9" from the deepest point in the grip.

Now my turn: Besides the question of what year, what exactly is right before the 66" length. the maker's signature?

Also what are these Ventura bows worth? (feels like I am in the antique roadshow).

Cheers

Does anybody here use the search??? We are lucky Mr Hatfield is here to help date our bows, not price them

Nobody can give you what your bow is worth, except the other guy who wants to buy it!!!

Check Ebay finished auctions

Sheesh what its worth?? shooting it, that is what its worth

The Ventura was my first curve and I loved that bow. Wish I had started out with one at 45# instead of 65#. Maybe I'd still have it.

I have to agree with kbel5 about the issue of asking what the Ventura is "worth"...I also would suggest checking eBay's finished auctions---asking Larry that kind of question is...well...seriously poor form. Just sayin'...

At any rate, I got one a few months ago off craigslist and like the other Venturas I've owned in the past, this one feels heavier than marked as well. I would have preferred a black glass one, like all the prior ones I've owned, but I got it at a good price and it seems to be faster than the other ones as well. God and Christ Bless

The letters before 66 inches are a very stylized AMO which I believe stands for Archery Manufacturers Organization...simply a standardizing body for such things

The question was not directed to a specific person... just a forum question. So take your kiss-ass form-judging comments to yourself if you don't want to answer anything.

Thank you camodave.

Anyone know what the typical brathe high (I think that's the right term) for a 30# Ventura I aquired. I got a string for it seperately, and I know little about it.

Read Mr. Hatfield's post. (brace height)

I too have a Ventura and wonder how old it is Mr. Hatfield. What can you tell me about my bow?

Another view.

Adirondack1, I could be wrong, but your brace height looks too high.

I purchased a 1973 Ventura, 66" recently, 20# draw at 28". A bit prettier than most I have seen on the internet, with some inlays/striping in riser.

Bow is in as good a condition as you could expect for a bow of this vintage that was actually used. Riser has no dings, limbs have only the very least indications of any bumps. Finish is dull with age, white glass has faded. Limbs have odd streaks along them that must be discoloration of the finish. But the bow remains VERY pretty to me. I paid $325 all included CONUS shipping for the bow. Maybe a bit high.. but nice bow.

Traditional shooter- Bear weather rest, no sights, Black Eagle Vintage arrows, 4" feathers, 600 spine, 15g insert, 70gr bullet point, 15-20yd ranges, padded 8 strand fast flight string I make myself. Considering experimenting with 700 spine "outlaws" without inserts and the all in one insert/points at 70gr.

Shooting the bow is a real pleasure, I can put arrows on target as well or better than my expensive Border 25" riser with Uukha limbs and a magnetic rest. Not quite as good a shooter as my SF Forged riser with the same limbs and a magnetic rest. Mass matters... I have to be more cautious about my grip- the bow is so lightweight. When I hold cautiously, take care.. easily as good a shooter. The difference is probably not in the bow, rather is in my capabilities and skill.

I am probably overdrawing the bow, my natural draw is 32.5 inches AMO, about 31 to rest. I can feel that the bow is a bit overdrawn, am shortening my draw slightly with this bow by hunching up..

When I am shooting in backyard, it is my "go to" bow. Points naturally for me, is a great feeling bow, is "natural." I leave it strung and hung in a place of pride in my living room. At the range I use my Border rig, not because I prefer it, rather because I can takedown and put in trunk when I go to lunch- where I eat is NOT a high end place. This is a very fine bow indeed, for me.

I have order placed for a 23" "White Feather Lark" riser that I have great hope for... I love my 19" but I really need a bigger bow at my draw length for comfort.

For reference: I might not have this bow, or the others, properly tuned. Only started shooting again ~18 months back, just recently made the jump to proper brace height tuning, and padded string. I do "nearly proper arrow tuning"- am not yet paper tuning, or bare shaft tuning, just looking at how arrows are hitting target and adjusting. Used online arrow spine calculator to get close. I am also a bit older, have some musculature challenges, and am left eye dominant shooting right handed. On a good/average day I put 8 of 10 arrows into 6" at 15 yards. On a really good day do same at 20 yards. On a blessed day at the range I get a set of 6 arrows to group within 3" every now and then and just feel grand. On the other days I still feel grand.

Great post...Thank you!

I am looking for info on a Howatt Ventura recurve bow.If anyone could share anything about it I would appreciate it. Heres the pictures of it. #44 @28 HVV 2014.66"

The serial number points to a 1962 model. Nice shooter.

Not sure if this thread is still active but my dad gave me one of these. It's still going strong. I was wondering if anyone would know the manufacture year. It's 32# @ 28in 66 AMO HU 2408. Thanks

What color is the glass? And well really a pic would probably be best.

I have Peter H.’s Howard identification table for the hunter high speed Monterey and Diablo but the Ventura and other target bills are not on it So I can’t date it using that serial number alone. Someone else might be able to though.

The earliest ones in 1961 had a mint green fiberglass and a dark solid wood with a hint of red called African walnut for a riser.

A pic of the riser and glass would be super helpful!

J.

It's a 1972 or a 1982...would need a photo to know which.

Here is the earliest Ventura ad I can find. As the ad states it was originally 62" as envisioned as a lady's target bow, or in heavier weights a fellas hunting bow representing an upgrade from the Hunter which was retailing for $49.50 in those days.

Sorry wrong ad

These are a couple photos I took. She's a little rough but still kicking. I actually just had it at the range yesterday. Switching between it and my english longbow.

I think the color on the limbs was white due to a chip on the laminate. It looks like it has yellowed over time.

Cool!

Don’t know when they offered white glass but in 1961 they didn’t have tip overlays. So 1962 or later.

Looks like African Walnut riser but pics are a bit fuzzy.

Great bow!

Cwill123~ yours is a 1972 based on the serial and being a one piece wood riser.... starting in 1980, the riser shape change and accent stripes were added... love brining back old threads... ;-)

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