I'm considering taking my board bow out for a hunt or two this year. The major holdup in my decision is whether the bow is capable of delivering a pass-through. I've got enough practice to know my limits with it. But I haven't yet taken a shot at a deer with a bow so I'll ask for the experiences of the seasoned vets in the house.
The bow isn't anything special. Just a paper-backed maple. It draws about 40# at 26.5". No reflex on the tips. I don't have a chrony so I don't know what kind of speeds I'm getting. It shoots faster than my 30# recurve but way slower than my 45# recurve. If I had to guess, I'd say they're running at 150 fps but speeds are dropping fast past 20 yards. Arrows weigh in around 480 grains & would be tipped with a 2-bladed Zwickey. Shots would be limited to 15 yards or less. Quarry is mule deer.
In your opinion, am I being overly cautious or should I stick to my 50# recurve & heavy arrows?
If you can shoot your selfbow well there is no reason to not hunt with it. Put the arrow where it spoda go and the deer will die.
With a 15 yard limit you could go a bit heavier with the arrow and pick up more penetration.
Since you haven't yet killed a deer or even shot at one, best to take the bow you're most confident in, regardless of which it is.
Stick with your recurve and heavy arrows. You are not being overly cautious. Great you built a bow - and these primitive bows are good hunting tools - but I'm preferring in the hands of experienced (tagged animals) bowhunter. I shot a few deer and hogs with an Osage selfbow I built long time ago - penetration was excellent but it pulls high 60s pounds and I used heavy maple and Hickory Shafts to build heavy arrows. My bow is a little under 140 fps. I like how quiet homemade bows are but I also like how MANY hunters who we have helped get started were successful taking game with recurves.
My opinion - Good Luck either way.
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QuoteOriginally posted by Orion:
Since you haven't yet killed a deer or even shot at one, best to take the bow you're most confident in, regardless of which it is.
^-----This.
Yes, your board bow will take a deer quite handily, but I would also suggest that you should use that bow in which you have the most confidence. Which one are you most accurate with?
Either way, take both bows just in case the board gives up the ghost.
Thank you for your responses. As for accuracy, I am undoubtedly better with the recurve. Whatever accuracy I can do with the board bow, I could do better at twice the distance with the recurve. And lobbing a 630 gr arrow means I don't worry about penetration with that rig. Sounds like I should stick with that for now.
It wasn't the answer I wanted to hear but that's why I asked.
That's why we're here, to dash dreams. :biglaugh: