What draws you to shoot a Hill style bow

[valleysniper]

Just like the title, what is it about a hill style bow that draws you to it ?

[Rock 'N Bow]

There is a certain beauty in its simplicity. It's like an extension of the body, points naturally, and shoots quietly. Nothing compares to the feeling I get when a cedar arrow arcs toward the target and hits where  I'm  looking.

[ron w]

Just plain fun to shoot......!!

[jsweka]

It’s kind of one of those things - If I have to explain, you wouldn’t understand.

[Deno]

I saw Howard shoot in 1961 in NJ and the longbow is all I've ever owned and hunted with since.  He was amazing.  Showed "Tembo" ta boot.  I was hooked.    Back quiver & cedar arrows are the only way for me.   

Deno

[Mike Mecredy]

I shoot the Hill styled bows more precisely and consistently than other models. 

[Tradcat]

I believe I have shot all the different design types of “traditional” bows and I ALWAYS come back to the ASL (Hill Style Longbow) for the following reasons: #1: Accurate #2: They are designed to cast heavy hunting arrows. #3: Whisper Quiet #4: Very Forgiving ! These are the only style bows that I Shoot anymore

[Yooper-traveler]

When you carry one in the woods-hunting, stumping whatever, there's just a feeling you get...If you are lucky, you get one with a soul   

[carpenter]

Tradcat nailed it for me too.

[Terry Lightle]

Quiet

[evgb127]

Recently I feel there has been a lot of pressure/judgment by ASL shooters who regard our style as the best or the most traditional.  Obviously that isn’t the case.  It all comes down to personal opinion.  That said, perhaps Jsweka said it best. Try one.  If it speaks to you, then welcome.  If it doesn’t, then shoot what makes you happy.  Just don’t miss when you’re sharing a Dutch oven with me.


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[valleysniper]

I like the concept of that type of bow. Simple and efficient,  I tried one a couple of times. Just wasn't my cup of tea. I meant no offense to anyone, just always wondered what it was that guys liked about them. The sale could be asked about reflex/reflex longbow of which I'm a big fan.

[bucknut]

The Simplicity of it all. Bare bow and wood shafts in a leather back quiver. what could be better?   They don't all speak to you, but when you find one that does you'll know it.  I've had a few that didn't cut it, but a couple that make me shoot better than I really can They aren't all created the same. find one that fits you and your style and get a little mojo added to the mix and you have something.  Jsweka pretty much summed it up.

John

[valleysniper]

I have seen one model that interests me, a Norther mist Baraga. Now that one DOES draw me

[Orion]

The Baraga is a very nice moderate deflex/reflex longbow, but it is not a Hill Style.  A Hill style, or American Semi-longbow, has a straight back on the riser.  There is no deflex in the riser as there is on a Baraga.  And the limbs come off the ASL riser straight.  They may continue straight or be reflexed a little toward the ends or deflexed (string follow) a little toward the ends, but not both.

[Yooper-traveler]

I have seen one model that interests me, a Norther mist Baraga. Now that one DOES draw me

Like Orion said, but it does string up in a nice "D" shape and is a shooter.  The Superior is just a longer version of the Baraga, worth checking out as well.......

[Huntschool]

I guess my answer is that I thought classic long bows were cool and had a place in modern archery.  However.....

I tried several Hill style bows over the years and am sorry to say I guess I just never found one that "spoke to me."

I tried several at the gatherings and once at Cloverdale even thought I had finally found one, but then after going back a number of times over the three days I realized I just could not get comfortable with it.  It may have been predestine in my head but I thought I really gave it every chance to work and it did not.  I was crestfallen (no pun intended)

However, for those of you all/us that finds one that "talks to them" and gives you/them the warm fuzzes that a well fit bow can do.  I wish you well and keep Howards legend alive.

Just my thoughts

[Wilderlife]

I'm new to trad and I'm not a good shot at all, but I'm learning and having fun. Mainly shoot a Black Widow PCH but bought a Bear Montana and after taking forever to get used to the low-wrist grip and how to hold the longbow, I really enjoy it. It makes me feel like down the line I'll get a Hill-style bow in a heavier poundage than 45# @ 28 (my Montana's poundage) to do more hunting with. The hand-shock and punch of the arrow as it comes out is actually kind of fun, and it is ridiculously quiet compared to my Black Widow.

Being new, I am just happy to be shooting different bows and finding what I like at the moment.

[two4hooking]

Valley,

Check out and try to shoot a Northern Mist American.  I believe the 2 inches of backset and they way Steve assembles them they are the smoothest and fastest feeling ASL out there (feels like shooting a D/R bow).  You just might start to like them if you get used to the straight grip... if not check out the Ramer!

[UrsusNil]

I don't shoot one, yet.

Tried a Hill bow at Denton Hill, but the handshock was pretty bad. That said, the bow wasn't matched to my draw length or arrows, my grip was probably wrong, etc. In short, I'm not basing judgement on that one limited experience.

I have a Mahaska longbow, that when I do my part, it's almost surreal how it silently just drops an arrow into a tiny spot. It's a bit more sensitive to hand placement than the Super Kodiak.

I'd like to get a true ASL with a straight grip and slight string follow. The will and the $$ just need to align.

But to answer the OP's question, the attraction for me is the simplicity (in looks, it's no more "simple" than my Super Kodiak) the tradition.