Longbow shooters- need some reassurance

[mtnbike]

I got my self a new T/D Longbow this last winter. Have been hunting with a recurve. Drew a hotrod permit for elk this season. Would very much like to take an elk with this bow, but have some reservations. My recurve is a 64# Schafer, shoots flat and hard to 30 yards. The longbow is 64# as well, shoots really nice with good speed, but not like the recurve. Most of my elk hunting has been from a treestand at close yardage and wouldn't be a issue with the longbow, but the area I have my permit will be primarily be done on the ground, not to savy on the ground. Those of you who have killed elk with the longbow, would like some input. Thanks

[Wannabe1]

Well, I haven't killed an Elk as of yet but, I am heading out Saturday morning on an Elk hunt with my 58" Kerner longbow. It pulls 53#@29" and hits like a bucking mule. I have no reservations with this set up.

Good luck, stay safe and shoot straight.  

[capt eddie]

If you hunt for the challenge, then you just added something to the challenge.  If you hunt just for the kill.  Stick with what works.  There will be a time if your life that it will all be about the challenge and how you meet it.

[Lone archer]

I'm going with a 56# Bighorn Ramhunter 160 grizzly's on 2018 shafts. Not worried in the least but I will keep my shots under 25yds.
I use it because it's a pleasure to carry all day.

[Autumnarcher]

Regardless of which bow you use, take the one that you are most confident in, and can shoot the most accurately. Either bow has plenty of punchto kill an elk. When you are stickbow close to an elk, you don't need to be thinking about anything in your setup that gives you pause or concern. An elk with either bow is a trophy accomplishment. Bow hunting elk is tough, usingtrad gear is tougher.

[LBR]

I haven't killed my elk yet, but I'm taking my longbow on a once-in-a-lifetime (for me anyway) elk hunt in NM in less than a week.

FWIW, I hunted in CO a couple of years ago and one of the fellows I was hunting with used the same brand/design longbow that I'm using to kill a mature cow elk.  He penetrated the scapula and the broadhead hit the shoulder bone on the far side.  He as shooting approx. 52@26, I believe, and a 550 grain arrow with a 2-blade broadhead.

I'll be shooting [email protected] and a 600+ grain arrow.  Not sure yet if I'll be using a 2 or 3 blade head--depends on which I can get the sharpest.

Chad

[mtnbike]

Thanks for the input so far fellas. I shoot the longbow as well as the recurve. I bought the bow to step it up a notch and have a new experiance.  

What kind of arrow weight are you fellas throwing down range?

[Wannabe1]

I'm shooting AD Trad Lites that are 29.5" BOP with 125gr 2 blade Magnus Stingers. Not sure of the total weight but, they fly straight and true. At 20yds I can keep 'em tight enough.

'Course when the fever sets in, who knows where they will go!   :rolleyes:    

[mtnbike]

My setup is a 62" Bears Paw T/D Longbow 64@28, single carbon. The arrows are carbon with a Zwickey 4 blade up front weighning at 560 grns. Can also shoot a 2117 Zwickey 4 blade at 580 grns.

[Matt D.]

I'll be using my Hill Half-Breed, 63# @ 29", AD Trad at just under 600 grains with a Magnus I. Only 3 more sleepless nights till the best month of the year!

[Rick P]

The elk won't care whether you cut his hart in two at 175fps or 150 fps. Bou hunter, not elk, but it doesn't much matter to them either.  

[James Wrenn]

If you need it to shoot flatter as the other bow just drop arrow weight a little.

[ron w]

You are gonna be fine....just go with confidence!

[BigArcher]

I shot an elk with a 93#  Osage selfbow and now due to shoulder surgery will be hunting with 50# Matin longbow.( My daughters bow actually)  I have been shooting with it every night and although it is nowheres near the big bow, I am confident it will do the job.
 Use your longbow excusively till the hunt and only take the recurve along as a back up.  You will forget the differences and then the confidence will be there.  That's what I think.
Good Luck

BigArcher

[Shinken]

Mtnbike,

If your broadheads are razorsharp, you have more than enough killin' power with good shot placement using either arrow for the biggest, nastiest bull on the mountain.

:~)

Bottom line is: hunt with what you are confident with.  There is no time for second guessing when you are supposed to shift into autopilot on a hunt.  Practice, practice, practice...with your broadhead tipped arrows....

Where are you going to shoot your elk - Big Belt Mtns or Little Belt Mtns?

Shoot straight, Shinken

[mtnbike]

Shinken - I drew the permit for the Bears Paw mtns south of Havre. They only give out 25 archery permits and the area has produced 400 class bulls. Would be nice if I bump into one.
 As far as the bow is concerned, there is not much doubt, just something new. I not sure if anyone else has had the feeling, but until you seen the results there is a little anxiety with new stuff.

[Doug S]

I know the feeling. Maybe it would be good for you to go shoot some little critters before the hunt. It always helps me gain the confidence in a new setup. Seems like problems pop out more when shooting at animals
I used those 2117's with wide Zephyrs and Zwickey's 2 blade the last 3 elk. 585gr  slide foam backer rod inside for a dampner (9grains). 56# and 64# tkedwn longbows.
Go gain confidence on something

Good luck
Doug

[SL]

Sounds like you're having doubts- take the recurve if you feel better about it.Confidence is a big part of the hunt.
SL

[Shinken]

That is AWESOME Mtnbike!

A *coveted* Bear Paw Mountain elk tag - YES!!!

My mother-in-law's farm is directly west of the Bear Paws (and west of Big Sandy) and there are definitely some HUGE bulls - and a nice population of mountain lions!

This is a tremendous opportunity for you Mtnbike - take your camera along as we would like to see some up close pictures!

Have a great 2009 elk hunting season!

Shoot straight, Shinken

[PaLongshank]

That Longbow will send it right through him and he won't know what happened!  Sharp BH and good to moderate arrow weight is all you need.  I use 62# pronghorn and woodsman tipped ash shaft for around 700grs of whoop a$$.  goes right through them.....good luck! PaLongshank