Used bow Favorites question

[TexasBaba]

I am considering to purchase a used bow and I a consdering either the Bear Kodiak Hunter, Damon Howatt Hunter or the Red Wing Hunter.

I don't have experience with any of thses bows, but I have read good things about them all, I am upgrading from my very old Indian Bow 40# AMO 60, and I am ready to enter into a new era of traditional archery. Since my uncle passed away I have no one close to me who knows about traditional archery so I request your help.

My question is which bow would you choose as your go to bow for hunting of these three? I am hopeing to learn from you greatly seasoned, experienced & knowledgeable archers.

I am new here so if I am posting this question in the wrong forum please forgive me.

Any and all responses are greatly appreciated.

[Horney Toad]

They're all good bows. It is all about personal preferences. The DH Hunter is 62", the bear Kodiak hunter is 60" other than the first year is 58", and the red wing hunter is 58". The best idea is to try before you buy if possible. The different lengths have different shooting characteristics.

Also don't buy a bow too heavy. If you are used to a 40# bow, you might want to buy a 45# bow which is common. good luck.

[OldSkoolArcher]

I agree with Jeff 100%.
You listed three great bows, all of which will treat you right! Grips and mass weight will be pretty different on all three.

Of the three you listed the Red Wing Hunter will be the closest in feel (grip and weight) to your Indian Cochise.

Good Luck!

[reddogge]

Of the three I'd go with the 62" DH Hunter, preferably an older mid 60s-early 70s model. Rosewood riser, great speed and stability and one good looker.

Next I'd go with a very early Red Wing Hunter in 62" length from the early 60s before they shrunk them to 58".

Lastly I'd go with a '71 KH BG (before greenies) with a lower grip than the late 60s KHs.

If money were no object buy all three. All are good bows.

[TexasBaba]

Thanks for the good information so far... My draw length is 29 1/2" or 30", and I don't have much knowledge as to my personal preferences yet. I have been shoting a 60" which I think is fine, the grip which maybe is considered small is OK maybe I could benifit from a more full grip?

I don't understand the lower grip or higher grip information??? How to learn about it? Photo's maybe? A link to another discussion?

On my Indian, when I am shooting I can feel the arrow just barely touching my index finger at full draw? And when using broadheads this is how I know I have reached my draw length because I feel the back side of the head.

Hope this gives you an idea of what I need, and how to assist me with my choice...

Yeah, If I had the funds I would buy all three!!! But I am doing good to be able to afford 200 to 300 for my next bow, and I want a nice one. Sweet shooting and pretty to look at. I usually keeps things forever... Hate to sell my stuff. Unless I really hate it...

[Blackhawk]

I agreee with all the comments thus far about your choices which indicate you have already done some homework.  

I think it important that you definitely try all before deciding since your draw length is close to 30".  Bows like the Howatt have large risers and shorter limbs, making some shooters feel some "stacking" as they approach or exceed 29".  Also, you will be increasing draw weight of about 3# per inch as you pull past 28", so a 50# bow could feel like 55 or 56# at 30".  Staying with bows of 40-45# would be my choice.

Used prices on all 3 are very reasonable (about $200) and resale would not be that tough when you get ready to trade/re-sell.

[450 marlin]

Here is a high grip on a take-down mag riser, your grip forces your hand in a tipped down position. Top of your first is inline with your arm.

 

This one has the more common grip, your gripping the bow with your hand pointing forward .

 

[reddogge]

At your draw length I'd prefer the longer 62" DH Hunter.

[oldbohntr]

All can be very good bows.  As the other guys noted, your draw is a very important limitation.  I draw about 27-1/2" and I don't usually like anything less than 60".  You may not feel a shorter bow stacks, but longer one is typically way more consistent. At your draw length, I'd never consider anything less than 62".  But, chooosing a DH Hunter is not much of a limitation!  I think it's a fine choice.  Or, a 64" Bear Kodiak.  Something like that. In my opinion, the second biggest mistake a newer traditional shooter makes is to go too short.(worse is too much draw weight.)

[Stumpkiller]

There sre four variations in the Red Wing Hunter.  Early ones had tiny tips and narrow upper limbs, giving a lighter feel and slightly better speed.  Later RWH widened the tips.  Still great bows.  Then Head Ski took over the line.  Still pretty good, but the tips show a little less care (I think they got them tillered and stopped, so some show uneven shaping).  Then AMF took over and they are considered lower quality still.

That said, I'd take either of the first two over a DH Hunter, a DH Hunter over a Bear Kodiak Hunter, and a Kodial Hunter over an AMF RWH.  So, essentially, they are close.  It can be said the Bear and the Howatt are copies of the Red Wing.  In 1951 Bob Lee made what became the classic fiberglass laminated recurve and other manufactures came out with a "Hunter" of their own.  You didnt list the Ben Pearson Hunter (I'd put that between the Howatt and the Bear).

I have a 1973 green Futurewood Bear KH and it is a good bow but nothing spectacular.  I understand the earlier versions performed better.

Much depends on condition and how the bow fits you and your style.  

I plan on taking next year's deer with a Red Wing Hunter.  I have three and am very pleased with them.

[Hit-or-Miss]

I own all 3. The DH Hunter is a different from the other 2, bigger (62"), heavier, longer. All 3 are great. My favorite was my 68 Bear KH (60"AMO), until I obtained an old 58" Red Wing Hunter. Incredible old bow, designed by the Master himself, Bob Lee. It just fits my hand like a glove and is very responsive in the field.

[Missaukee]

Why not buy a Bear Super Kodiak? Top of the line bow and Fred's choice for a one piece. The Kodiak hunter is a mid line hunting bow below the SUper Kodiak. With a $2-300 budget you can have your pick of Super K's besides the 67-69 versions.

Also, the Wing Thunderbird in 62" is one of the best bows ever designed and would fit that budget also.

[goldentrout_one]

I own all three - as said before, you couldn't go wrong with any of them. If I had to pick just one, it's be a redwing hunter. Condition being equal, the redwing could be had for less $$$ than the other two (although, with the article coming out in TBM about the redwing, that might not be the case for the next few months!).

Note that I have a true 30" draw length - the 58" AMO redwing (Head Ski) does not stack at all for me. The 60" Kodiak Hunter (1970 and later greenie) does not stack either. My 1980ish Howatt Hunter DOES stack a bit, but bear in mind my bow is a 58" version, probably more like today's Mamba (yes, it's 58" and marked 'Hunter'). I did own a 1970s 62" Howatt Hunter for a brief time - didn't stack, but for some reason I couldn't shoot it very well so I sold it.