Good evening, I was getting my bows setup for this year and thought it might be kind of fun to see what everyone is (planning on) using for the year.

Let’s go with bow make/model and specs, as well as arrow of choice and broadhead. You’re free to expand from there if you would like.

JD Berry Valor 68” 57lb @28 with 2018s and Zing Harvest broadheads.

NM Sprague 67” 51lb @ 28 with 2016s and Nugent blades or Crimson Talon Cleavers

Liberty Classic 68” 45lb @ 28 with 1916s and Kudopoint 150gr heads.

All arrows come in just over 11gpp.

Might use a 60” 55 pound Wapiti recurve with 700 grain arrows tipped with 225 grain grizzly broadheads. Shoots very quiet and very stable.

Going to Manitoba at the end of the week…

60” Zipper Zipstick #49, 29.5” 2115 with 150 VPA 1.25”

60” Zipper Nitro #46, 30” 2016 with 150 VPA 1.25”

For Whitetail Bucks:

1980s 60"amo (B-Riser/#1 Limbs) Factory Camo Bear Kodiak Takedown (greenstripe).

53#@28"(55# at my draw), 2016 Aluminum Arrow, Bear (greenie) Razorheads, Three 5" Left Wing Parabolic Helical Fletching, Arrow Weight 515 grains (9.3gpp), B55 String, Three Arrow Kwikee Kwiver.

Todd, 700grs sounds fun! I shot 680gr arrows last year out of the NM and really liked the way it felt. Going down a little to 620ish this year just to try to be able to use the same broadheads out of at least 2 bows.

Are those 2-blade or 3-blade 150s, Brad?

3 blades, not quite snuffers but about as big as you can find readily available these days…

Started my 2023 hunting with 49# Northern Mist Baraga. 2016 legacy with Strickland Helix 125. I may start the deer season with it also

Are those antler tips on the Baraga,Jay? My Sprague has them and the workmanship is amazing.

Hunting bow, BW KBV 40#@28", Easton 480 Hexx arrows, Strickland right single bevel broadhead. 100 gr, 9 gpp, almost forgot 56" bow perfect for my tree stand.

"IF" I get lucky enough to draw a bull moose or bull elk tag this year I'll be bowhunting them with my 60"amo 1997 Bear Super Kodiak 60#@28" (62# at my draw).

Tapered maple arrows (625 grain) that I made, Three 5" Left Wing Shield Helical Fletching, Arrow Weight 625 grains (10.08gpp), B55 String, Zwickey or Magnus Broadheads, Four or Six Arrow Kwikee Kwiver.

Too soon for me to say. It's probable the stuff doesn't exist yet.

The more I shoot this Benoit forward handle, my first and only ASL, the more I like it. It's 64" and 45# @ 28" but my DL is quite south of that. Arrow will probably be 2016's 28.5" with Razorheads at around 500gr. I have a bunch of GG, Camo, and a half dozen Legacy's to pick from.

Would like to shoot it without a bow quiver and have a tube quiver but maybe add a one arrow quiver for first shot convenience. Also have a lightweight 4 arrow EFA as a possibility that might work better when I have a PacSeat on my back.

Here's one of them. 43# Brad Smith Spirit Dancer, fir arrows, Ace 160 grain heads, about 11'ish gpp.

Waiting to get back from my TDY to my new pronghorn longbow. 43# @27 and 62 inches. I’ve got some old 2016s I plan on using 4x4 shield cut and am going to pick up some VPA single bevels to go with it. I imagine they will weigh in around 550 grains (12.8 GPP)

Will be hunting with my Fedora Longbow 57# @ 28” arrow weight 480gr 225gr Steel Force single bevel broad heads 400 spine carbon arrows cut to 293/4” 4”” feathers

I put the 3-arrow EFA quivers on my ASLs, Krag. They look good to me, anyways. Ha. I’ll try ti get a picture of mine lined up here at some point.

Bear takedown b mag 50#. Bear metric hunters or 2016s. Bear razor heads, 4 arrow or 3 arrow quiver.

DerekMac, yep the Baraga has antler tips. Cherry limbs and Cocobolo grip

I’ll continue to use my 66” Stewart Slammer 58lb. At 31.5”. My arrows are Easton Axis 340, 32 1/4” long with 75 grain brass inserts and 250 grain Woodsman broadheads. Total arrow weight is right at 700 grains.

Same as always GN bushbow 53# forged wood shafts 160 ace.

One of two selfbows, both Osage reflex/deflex designs 65” NTN 44#@28” (leather grip) 64” NTN 42#@28” Cedar arrows ACE 160 grain heads

Dwyer Dauntless #55 @28" Easton axis trad 400s 165gr tiger sharks

Bill, those osage bows are awesome. I hope to hunt with a bow I make at some point.

Ditto.Love the look of those.Nice job!

Ttt, let's see em got to be more guys hunting this year.

Too funny….all of my arrow/broadhead have changed since May. Unsurprising as well. :)

I think the Valor will be with me the most and it’ll have 2117 Autumn Oranges with VPA 3-blades or Grizzlies.

HHA cheetah. 1916’s and no mercy broadheads (for now anyway)

Well I think I'm going to start the season with my grey riser and elm limbs predator, 62" 55lb. It really zings a cedar with a 150 gr woodsman. But I tend to play musical bows when I go out. So my Barta bow, HH, and predator will get rotated, also my 1969 Kodiak Hunter. It just adds a spice of variety to the yu tool.

Bob Lee COBRA with yellow 2016s and 190 grain razorheads for this fall. Also ky 66 bear grizzly with POC shafts and bear razorheads.

Bob Lee COBRA with yellow 2016s and 190 grain razorheads for this fall. Also ky 66 bear grizzly with POC shafts and bear razorheads.

I was going to use the bow in the second post a Wapiti recurve, but just recently developed a crack in the riser so until I get that repaired I’ll be using my Zipper with recurve limbs. Shooting 650 grain arrows with grizzly broadheads.

MORE GEAR! MORE GEAR! Brighten an ole man's day with PURDEE! BLESSED BE!

Can't ever post photos but mine is a tribe halo with dryad acs limbs. 42lbs. 420 grain beman centershots with 150 grain whatevers

Here you go, Batman!

Here’s the Liberty.

I’m currently between three different bows…

JT Traditional Storm 56” longbow, 44@28, Easton Axis 500 with 150gr Cutthroats. Stalker Jackal 60” longbow 45@28, Easton Axis 500 with 125gr Cutthroats. Black Widow PCH-C 56” recurve 45@28, still getting this one dialed in.

I’m pretty JT Storm will be my primary for the season. I’ve never been so confident with any bow as I am with this one.

-Shamus

Black Widow PSAX, 60”, 50#, Easton 2016s, Simmons Landsharks….I try lots of other things but this set up never lets me down.

Ive been out of archery for several years so it’s gonna take me awhile to get set back up. I’m older and weaker now. The only bow I have set up at present is a milf bow from Mike Corby. It’s an ilf recurve that’s 62” and around 43@28. I’m shooting the grizzlystik arrows he sent me with it and some type of razor sharp two blade head. I have shot the broadheads yet but if they don’t fly well I’ll put a woodsman elite 3 blade on it and try that. I also have a 50# older black widow recurve and a das riser with black limbs that’s around 45@28. I have a 60# Martin hunter but I can’t shoot it. The weight is way too heavy for me but I use it to work out with.

Primary will be this EagleWing which hits about #60-#62 off of my fingers. I have settled on Legacy Carbon 340s and heads will be Ace Standards at 235 grains for TAW a little over 9 GPP at right around 555

Taking my new Javaman Apollo to Colorado for elk Friday... with my gunshy quiver.

Twin Kanati longbows. 56”40@26. Two blade Magnus Stinger broadheads.

Back-up will be the RER - #55@28” is about #52-#53 off of my fingers. Arrows will be GT Trad 5575 cut to 27 3/4” with 205 up front in the form of an Ace Standard 160 on a 45 gr adapter.

The RER is also shooting very nicely with a 3555 and 125-150 points (bare) or up to 175 (fletched), but I’m short of broadheads in the proper weight….

Chartreuse is 5575, orange/white nocks are 3555. 40 yards.

My first set up is my Robertson Howler recurve, 58” 53# with Douglas Firs and vintage Zwicky Black Diamond Eskimo’s that I got from Gene Wensel!

My season has been opened for a couple week my setup haa been Yellowstone Longbow 64"[email protected] both Surewood 60/65 29" 160gr Ace broadheads and Howard Hill broadheads and 2016 29" Gamegetter II 150gr Bear razor heads.

In addition to the setup posted above I have decided to go with a GN Sidewinder with homemade fletch cover for the quiver part.

about the same as always

My Wallace Partner, Zwicky Deltas, Centershot Carbons. Did good for me last year, we will see what happens this year.

Bear Takedown, red stripe era. Bubinga A riser and #1 limbs with Bubinga wedges to match. Draws right around 49-50# at my 29" DL. I'm shooting Big Jim's Dark Timber, .400 spine cut to 30" with 300g up front (100g insert and 200g Jager broadheads.

Martin ML-14: 52lbs at my draw, Shooting gold tip traditional 500 spine: 30" with standard insert and Zwickey eskimo up front. 23" weight tube inside for 554grains total weight.

Backup bow is going to be my Sky 17" TDX riser with 50lbs @ 28" Dryad Epic longs. Pulls 55lbs at my draw shooting a goldtip 400 30 1/2" long with the same inside setup and zwickey for 565 grain total.

My Osprey been on the mound all summer but my 59 is in the bull pen warming up just in case >>~~>

My Osprey been on the mound all summer but my 59 is in the bull pen warming up just in case >>~~>

This year I'm starting the season with a 40# @ 30" Quinn Stallion, 2016's cut to 31" and 150gr Woodsman heads. I did just order some 40# limbs for a BB riser with ILF plates so if I like it I may hunt with it some too.

This year I'm using a DAS Gen2 from the 2006 timeframe with Nika N3 limbs. Arrows will be either GT Traditionals or Easton Carbon Legacy and for the first time I'll be using Ace Standard heads.

Going to be a tossup between my das longbow, bivouac backlands with recurve limbs, or my old kodiak hunter that just shoots! All shooting aluminum with 150g stingers

Still tuning everything...no pics of full setup yet.

Black Hunter Elite riser, 50# R/D limbs 2117 autumn orange, 135gr zwickey eskilite, 3 5" shields

For small game, PSE Impala 40# with some homemade ash hammers (.357 mag casings make great blunts)

Tolke Pika 45@28 54inch bow victory rip arrows with 200 grain vpa single bevel broadhead up front for 520 grain total arrow weight roughly 25 percent FOC

Tribe x3 riser, long 3 rivers Carbon Bamboo recurve limbs. [email protected]”. Easton carbon legacy 400 with Zwickey delta 4 blades.

Black Widow KB X 81# 750 grains Grizzly Sticks 240 spine with 225 grains single bevel. My favorite set up yet, and my set up for wing shooting is a Black Widow KB X 55# and 540 grains 3 rivers traditional only 300 spine with 225 grains points

I’ve gotten to where I most often use a primal styk and wapiti cedar arrows, 175gr grizzly heads. End of of summer I’ve mostly shot a 52lb Whip with trad only blemishes, 150 grain stingers. That’ll prob be with me early season

First year hunting with the new widow... PTFX Osage and Carbon , 62" 59@30 XX75's With there blade VPA's Hope its got some Mojo...

64” longbow I made. 44# shooting douglas fir shafts with turkey feathers and Bear greenie razorheads.

Newer Bear A mag with #1 limbs 48lbs @ 28in. Makes a 56in bow. Arrows are 2016s tipped with 2 blade Zwickey Eskimos 125gr with aluminum insert total arrow weight 550gr. Same arrow setup for years.

Nice rigs fellas, Tom do you have a closer picture of your bow?id like to see some more detail looks sweet.

Hi Jed…the additional pictures will have to wait a few days because I am out of town… don’t want you to think I am ignoring you..thanks for your kind words!

Tom, no worries I only have two feelings left. One I keep in the kitchen and I call it hungry. The other I will let you guess at. Look forward to your pics when possible.

Bear Super Kodiak 64 AMO 65# @28. Carbon Express Piledriver 450 with a 300gr single bevel TuffHead up front. 770gr total arrow weight. My draw length is 30.5. So pulling about 72#. ……. It shoots thru everything! Lol.

My HH Cheetah 68" 43#@28" shooting Cedars & WW'S 30"@ 410-415grs

Correction, 510-515grs

Well I said I had it narrowed down to three different bows and that I was probably going to the woods with my JT Traditional Storm longbow…and then I took the Bob Lee off the rack this morning for the first time since winter and so, the Hardcore is the clear winner. I received some new Barebow Trad arrows in the mail from Andy at Addictive Archery and tuned a bareshaft before getting the new arrows setup and wow…just wow. I don’t know why I ever put the Bob Lee down for most of the year. I’m shooting 42@28 on cobra curve limbs and the arrows come out to 29” with a 75gr insert, 25gr collar and 125gr point. 510gr total arrow weight.

Well, looks like my 62” Bob Lee Stick (49@30) will be my primary bow this year, shooting Easton Aftermaths w/ 50g inserts and 200g vpa 3 blade.

My Thunderhorn Coup stick 58@30 will be my other hunting bow. Victory Xtorsion Arrows probably 680 or so taw.

Almost forgot these for Jed…riser area

Shelf…

…and tips…

I'll be hunting come Nov. (too hot earlier) w/ my HH Half Breed, 43#@29", 68"amo, 545gr POC arrow w/ 145gr Grizzly single bevel 2 blades. Quiver will be a strap on EFA 3 arrow. Really light and quick bow for it's draw weight. Back up bow will be my B. Thompson Zipper recurve, 49#@28" w/ the same arrows as above, just 1" longer! Zipper limb bolt quiver, very smooth and fast bow.

I have so e tendinitis in my bow arm so I am not using my 53# mad dog prairie predator. I am using my black hunter 45# recurve. Broadheads are some old bear razorheads.

One of them will be a Osage selfbow, 48#@28”, 64”NTN. Arrows will be GT700 woodgrain with 2 blade 125gr Magnus Stingers for total arrow weight of 430gr.

Very nice work Tom. I love the detail.

I was planning on shooting my 2011 Super Kodiak 65@28 this season, but as things go, I was incredibly fortunate to have snagged this ORGINAL Ben Graham Hummingbird (60@28) recently. Thank you VERY MUCH John Sullins!! Now that I own a real Hummingbird again, I will be carrying it this season. With my job being a little slow I have dialed up two different arrow combos. I like the 28.5" Easton Carbon legacy with 100 grain brass and 125 grain Striker V2, added a cotton "core" which increased arrows to 542 grains. I draw 27" and the Hummingbird scales 57.5 at my draw. The other arrow is a 30" 400 spine Dark Timber with 100 grain brass, 145 grain Razorhead, and 1" aluminum footer. Those are coming in at 570 grains. It's nice to have options. :-) Best of luck out there this year everyone.

A month or so ago I was all set to use a Tall Tines recurve.

And then a light shown down from above and said “take me, I’m the one you want”.

And so it goes, I am so fickle at times. Either a 58” 47# TT with 2016. Or a Black Widow PSAX 62” 51# with 2117 and 150 VPA Interestingly enough the Three Rivers spine calculator was spot on and paper tuning confirmed it.

Starting the season with a KimSha Traditional and POC arrows tipped with Cliff Zwickey broadheads

Wildhorse Creek Mariah - 54", 40# @ 28" with Big Jim 600's, 28" weighing 435 grs.

Substitution! I shot my new HH Cheetah for a solid 2 months after receiving it barebow, and used my Backquiver first couple hunts. I hadn't even tried it with a bow quiver at all. About 2 weeks ago I decided to just try my GN Adj Bowquiver. The extra weight just feels right, much easier to follow thru! I'm shooting even better with it! And for hunting, the +'s of a bowquiver, far outweigh the -'s! I'm sticking with it!

Second year with the Howatt Hunter with a slight change to the arrow setup. 2117 autumn orange arrows fitted with glue on Bear Razor heads. 115gn head with 100gn insert. I also have some older 2020 autumn orange with 225gn grizzly heads. Probably the thing I'm most excited about is my new hunter safety system I bought. Been using a tree Hopper belt as my safety line for far too many years. It's valuable for setting up a stand but having that as my only means of safety in a tree has been a gamble I shouldn't be taking anymore.

A note above. The Howatt Hunter is pulling 54# at my draw length.

Figured a picture would do nice. Really liking this bow. I'm all ready to go out Sunday for the opening day. Will be out in the evening with my son hoping one walks by the blind close enough for a shot.

The pretty end

The business end. My bow will be a Firefly Messenger longbow that I won at a shoot this summer.

Not I feel I’ve posted this in one of these already but here it goes

Howard Hill cheetah and home made cedar arrows with Ace heads mainly.

Will also use my NM superior and home Made cedars as well with Zwickey deltas

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