D type longbows in lighter weight

[dad]

I'm thinking about ordering a Tembo in about 35#@ 28" with 68" length. Has anyone had any experience with the lighter weights? This will be for everyday shooting and indoor leagues 3D, and small game hunting. I guess what I'm looking for is the good and bad. The reason for this light # is the arthritis in my drawing hand. I shoot a 24# target recurve now and wanted to go back to my Hills in lighter weight. I'm really not finding much about the lighter ones.

I shot a deer with a 37@26 Cheetah  my draw about 26.5".   The 5?16 cedar with the 140 Hill, sharpened with a Dremel tool was stuck through a corn stalk two rows past the large doe.  The shot uphill about 9 feet and about 18 yards out.  The doe dropped within feet of where the buck the year before went down, the next trees across the field, about 160 yards.

[ron w]

I have a Wesley Special @ 40#, I just love it.

[nineworlds9]

dad,
you should have zero problems for your intended use.  A 375-400g total weight arrow for hunting small game that has a 100g head should be pretty easy to build.  You could build yet a lighter one for target.  Personally, at that low of a weight I'd skip the Hill and get something D shaped with a little r/d in it like a Mohawk Sparrowhawk for just a slight speed/cast advantage.  I have a 37# Sparrowhawk and it's just a joy to shoot and lacks the slight bump on the shot that Hills typically have.

[mark Willoughby]

i say go for it the bow i shoot best is 35 # n my buddy shot a giant of a buck with a 37 # lb

[dad]

I had a Black Widow longbow in 35#. I wasn't very consistent with it.That's why I'm leaning towards the "D" shape Hill type with back set limbs. I tried a 35# Bear Montana and it didn't warm up to me.

[BWallace10327]

I hunt and practice to hunt with 55# bows or so, and that is a good portion of the year.  I have light 40# limbs for my PMA and they're great for targets and summer time (90+ degree) 3d shoots, but not until I get reacquainted with them.  The lighter bows don't seem to tolerate sloppy release habits as well.

With a lighter longbow, the quote from Howard Hill/John Schulz is more relevant, "Upon release, with both hands, do nothing."  A thinner shooting glove with powder on it may help as well.

[McDave]

If your draw length is 28" or less, I would go with the Hill 64" or 66" rather than the 68" if I were getting a 35# bow, because the performance would be a little better.

[dad]

When I ordered my last Tembo I ordered one in 66" and we didn't get along to well. I hoping with the set back limbs and only 3 lambs of boo I hope it will not loose that much performance. Thank you for the suggestion and you may be right on the performance.

The real penetration issue would be if the arrow is straight behind the head when it hits the deer.   Out of any bow that is not center shot, you know there is going to be an 'S' curve.   Lighter weight Hills have lots of cedar shafts to pick from.   A cedar that will fly for you will probably be a 40-45 28.75" bop, with either a 125 Eskimo or a 145 grain head like a Hunters Head.  Don't bother looking for them after they fly through a deer, they're off to bloody arrow heaven.  I am using them again myself, but  I know I won't find them back.  Your arrows will be around 440 grains,

[Sam McMichael]

All but one of my Hill type bows are 50# or heavier. However, I have a Hill Cheetah at 40#. I used it following my shoulder surgery until I was healed up enough to shoot my hunting bows. I did discover, though, that this light bow handles quite well, and I believe it would be a very successful hunting bow. Like Pavan said, a well set up arrows is crucial (as it is with any bow). My bow is 68", and I have a short draw. It still works well, but McDave may be right when he suggests that a shorter bow will give more efficient performance. The light draw Hill will be a smooth drawing bow for you.

[Tajue17]

I remember when I was ordering my very first stick bow from stotler archery and was really concerned about the 45# target weight the Bowyer Jerry Dishion told me he used a 37# longbow to kill his first 17 deer.

[dad]

I know 35# is the min. hunting weight in some states.

[chris K.]

I had a #40ish super D from Dan Toelke. That was a sweet shooting D style longbow. I have had two and I am planning to get a third since he is making one in 68" now.

[lone hunter]

Can't go wrong with Dan's Super D.

[dad]

I going to order a Tembo From Howard Hill Archery.  It will be 68" length, right handed, 35 to 40 # @ 28 and straight grip. The more I read about caramelized bamboo I wiLL get that. I like cocobolo for the riser and black glass for the back. I was thinking about white or gray glass for the face. I really never found a "Brown" riser wood that I could warm up to. Anyone got some pictures they want to share?