Longbow Questions

[Even]

Hello, all... I hope your hunting season is treating you well! 

I have a couple longbows I would like people's impressions and opinions on. 

Those of you who have owned and/or shot FRANK SAN MARCO longbows, if you would be so kind, tell me about how they shoot and feel.   I've been interested in these for quite a while.

The second longbow that I see around a lot, for good prices sometimes, are JERRY HILL bows.  I would like your thoughts on these as well.   Some seem to love them, some seem to hate them.

Either way, I'm curious to see what people think, who own and shoot these as hunters, and how they stack up on targets.

Unfortunately, I live at the ends of the earth, and shooting either one in person to form my own opinion is a pipe dream.

[Ben Maher]

Even,
Never shot the San Marco but heard great things. I’ve shot a few Jerry Hills… they were indeed okay ! Fast for an ASL!

[Maclean]

Even,
I've never shot a San Marco, but I did have a Jerry Hill for a long time. It was the very first bow that I purchased over 30 years ago. I hunted with it exclusively for the bulk of that time. It was whisper quiet and a good shooter, but did have some handshock. As I got older, the draw weight became a bit too much and I had a weight reduction done on it, which helped the handshock considerably.
I finally sold it last year at a trad expo for about what I paid for it 30 years ago,  and the guy that bought it couldn't get the cash out of his pocket fast enough.

[Gil Verwey]

San Marco are beautiful bows. I owned one a long time ago. I liked the way it felt and shot. I never had or saw a Jerry Hill longbow so I can't say anything about them.

I met San Marco at the Rockland Community College Outdoors show in the early '80s. I fell in love with a ASL longbow, after I saw and felt his and his cedar arrows. My friend and I wanted to order one, but even back then he had a long waiting list. He recommended Ron Maulding to us and we each ordered one through him.

I don't think you can go wrong with a San Marco.

[shick]

Evan, I can only speak about the older San Marco ASL;  I got mine from Frank close to 30 years ago.  Had a tough time shooting longbows and sort of gave up on it.  A thing of beauty, but I just didn't have enough knowledge at the time.  Fast forward, with quite a few longbow years under my belt;  Gave the San Marco another chance after ETAR this year.  Right now I am luving it.  It is quiet, rather quick, and smooth after the release.  It is 69" and 49# at my 27" draw.  It has a locator grip on it, which I know a lot of ASL owners don't particularly care for; but I wouldn't be without one.  I just remember to keep the my heel down and what a joy it has been.  I feel this bow gives me the pleasure that we all look for with traditional archery.  Anyway,  that's my take on my 'Earth Spirit' by Frank SanMarco.
Shick

[Even]

Thank you very much for your comments, guys... this is exactly the kind of feedback I'm looking for.   This forum is amazing: such great people we have here!

I keep reading that the feel on San Marco bows is second to none, and that is exactly what I look for in a bow.  I'm not chasing speed, just smooth, no muss, no fuss, and quietly goes where I'm looking. 

Its too bad his wait list is so long :/     

Jerry Hill bows have had my curiosity for a while too, as you see "handshock" a lot, but some are more sensitive to that than I am.   Mr. Jabben on here intrigued me more with his comments in my favourite bow thread a while back.  It seems like with Jerry Hill bows, you either go "handshock, nope!" or absolutely love them as a "go to" bow!   Its interesting that they seem to polarize people, ergo my quest for a few more opinions!

Thanks for any and all responses, guys!