Big River Bows

[Ric O'Shay]

I managed to trade for a Big River Bow about a week ago and I have a few questions.

Can anyone tell me about the bows, the bowyer and give me any contact info? This on is 66", 50# @ 28" and is a slight R/D.

Thanks in advance,
Danny

[jrstegner]

Great bows made in Wisconsin. John McDonald is the bowyer he is probably well into his eighties.  I don't know if he is still making bows or not. The Big Rivers I have had both scaled considerably more than the marked weight.

[jhk1]

Danny,

John McDonald makes the Big River bows.  I think he's probably around 85 years old now.  He makes very nice bows.

Here's a thread from a couple of years ago-- according to this thread, John has been building bows since 1957.

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=136577#000000

[Pete McMiller]

What do you want to know Danny?  I have 3 of John's R/Ds and one of his Hills.  All are excellent shooters, smooth, quick and forgiving.  John is indeed still making bows and usually very short lead time.  What's "very short?"..... one he had done in 10 days.  Give John a call. (715) 570-8735

[ron w]

Never owned one but have shot several. Good performers and the fit and finish was very good.

[Caboo]

John lives in Wisconsin Rapids, WI where the Wisconsin river flows through. The river is referred to as the "Big River" hence the name for his bows. I have owned over a dozen Big River longbows over the years and every bow pulled exactly the weight marked on the bow. John loves working in his shop and would be happy to make a bow for anyone. His cell is 715-570-8735... A lot of people call his latest reflex/deflex a 21st Century design but John only made one reflex/deflex with the reverse tapers like 21st Century. He uses a normal thick at the riser tapering thinner as it goes to the limb tips. Excellent shooting bows. I especially love his Hill style reflex bows.

[Moots]

Good bows Danny.  John made me an R/D bow a couple of years ago.  His ASL bows are nice too.

John has been doing this for a long time.  He is a character.

Rob

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I have shot 7 of his bows and owned three.

Great Bows!

[SELFBOW19953]

Danny,

Think Jeff Massey-John is that good.  I've owned several bows made by each of them-2 Masseys  and 4 Big Rivers right no.

[INeedYourBoots]

I was going to ask a similar question. I just got one of his 21st century style longbows a couple weeks ago and don't know much about it. It shoots great, very glad I bought it.

[tracker12]

I have a 66" 43 @28 LB that I bought used a few years ago.  I have killed several deer with it since obtaining it.  Throws a great arrow for it's weight.  I understand is Bear 59 copy is amazing.

[Ric O'Shay]

Originally posted by SELFBOW19953:
Danny,

Think Jeff Massey-John is that good.  I've owned several bows made by each of them-2 Masseys  and 4 Big Rivers right no.

I have many Massie Bows. While shooting the Big River, I have often compared it to Jeff's Longhorns.

[FlintNSteel]

Bought my first this year.  I was looking for a light weight bow as I worked through some elbow issues and Terry at The Footed Shaft had this new one on hand.  68" and marked 45# @ 28 but actually weighs in at a tad over 40# at 28.  That was great for me as I have a 30" draw and was looking for something around 45#.  Despite the low weight, it shoots a heavy wood shaft with authority and is smooth as silk.