Only ONE Survival BOW

[2fletch]

I'd have to go with one of my Hummingbird, or Black Widow bows. They are built solid, and shoot great.

[Wudstix]

The bow that has proven itself and stood the test.
 

[mjh]

  Likely a longbow/selfbow. Some glass and laminations might be nice for durability.   Not too heavy.  40-45lbs??   Would want to be able to find materials I could make a string from and be able to use.  Oh I do have a couple of self bows that might fit the bill.  Sure my current bows would work for a while.    Arrows and strings I'd be more concerned about.  Points could be fashioned with some basic tools.  Pitch glue's not too hard to make if you have the time. 

[PrimitivePete]

I'll go off the trail here a bit, I'd use my Hoyt Satori ILF riser, and for limbs I would use Nika C2 ILF limbs. Those limbs are made to take serious abuse and if the bow fails I could use the limbs as clubs.

[M60gunner]

Right now, my Rambo Warf with the Chi Com glass and carbon limbs I just bought. No wood, no laminations, springy rest. Only weak thing I see is the BCYX string. I haven’t been nice to these limbs, lighter than recommended arrows, shorter risers, left in back of car in 100* heat for a few hours. Still shoot great and not as noisy as I would have expected from the limbs.

[Phillip Fields]

My 64" Osage and Cocobolo, Black Widow PLX, 44@28. I would choose one of my Massie Longhorns, but they are all heavier than I shoot these days.

[Joe2Crow]

For a true survival bow, it’d be hard to beat one of the old Pearson fiberglass td bows like the model 304. No tools or stringer necessary and practically indestructible. And really not giving up much in the performance.

[cacciatore]

For survival a 2 piece longbow is probably the most dependable bow to have.

[Bullchaser1]

My 60” psa black widow. It actually went through a house fire about 10 years ago, burned the string off it. Cleaned it up and strung it no issues. Killed a ton of critters with it. Damn tough bows

[Wudstix]

Really, any of my current longbows, force me to stay in shape/condition.  I'd need to be fit for survival!!!
 

[Hud]

American Semi-Longbow.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

[pdk25]

Not the best shooter out there, but if I had to rely on a bow no matter the weather conditions ,nearly indestructible, could be left strung, etc…, it would be an all fiberglass bow.  My favorites model being the Paul Bunyan 100.

[Gdpolk]

I'm taking my Sarrells Sierra 2-piece longbow for ease of portability and utter reliability.  When a Sierra longbow is in my hands, things hit the ground and that's what I want for survival.

[Terry Green]

Pat, I have to go with you there.... for survival I think you have the best option.
 

I didn't even know they made fiberglass bows that heavy.

[toddster]

Terry, you are so mean making us make these tough choices    No matter the bow, in this situation for me, it would have to be 50-55#, to be able to handle anything that it may have to encounter.  Apocalypses means all those critters in zoo's are out and worst enemy will have armor on.

My second choice for a "survival" bow, would be one on the rack now of course, Northern Mist American 66" long, 55@28".
This bow is built bomb tough by Steve, being an ASL it is a little finicky with arrows (love heavy) but can shoot wide span (see bottom).  It is very shootable in my hands.  It is a one piece, but a 2 piece would be ideal in situation, for concealability and hiking.  Spare String on bow, with spare in pack, set up ready to go.

My First choice, would be what Pat said, a solid fiberglass longbow, 50-55#.  Years ago, I had an old one from Ben Pearson, that was 55#, 2 piece, and that bow was actually bomb proof, shot accurately within 18 yards for me, weather would not be an issue.

Arrows are the biggest challenge I see.  So a bow that can handle a wide variety of arrow spine and material would be crucial.  There would be plenty of material still around, but having the ability to get it tuned effectively would be the challenge.  Why I see a wide span of handling shaft spine critical.  Making our own shafts from dogwood now it easy and fun, but in this situation, our very lives depend on it.  Plus, we all know that we will need to be able to replenish our ammunition supply, sooner or later.

[John3]

A quality 60" recurve... Dacron string 40-50#.  Super Kodiak or TimberHawk Strike will do fine..

[MnFn]

When woodchucker mentioned “bomb proof” that finished the discussion for me.
It would have to be my Black Widow PLX.

[Eecho]

Tough call…..Bear Black Panther 45@28….it’s been everywhere and done about it all but still kickin.

[socalmonster09]

My new to me. Holm River Runner Static.

[woodchucker]

Ok, I'm old...

As I said a couple years ago (Thanks!!! To whoever brought this back up!!)
My old Ben Pearson solid glass longbow... Been camo painted Idk how many times??
60 inches, 40 pounds, absolutely bomb proof!!!! Like I said before.....

I'm old.... It even doubles as a walking stick!!