JD Berry "Vixen" or "Misty Dawn"

[Tajue17]

looking for a tradional D-type bow with wood arrow set-up to hunt MD & NC this season and leaning towards the misty dawn but which model would you get if you had one choice,,  also I have a 27" draw with a straight grip and if it was hill it be 68" so if you have shot one of these Berrys and have a length opinion please let me know.

[Brianlocal3]

I own both , along with a Berry Morningstar.
The MD and the Vixen both shoot fantastic. I cannot for the life of me really discern a difference between them when shooting them. They are both smooth, quiet, neither have any shock.  As far as length goes, 66" would work if you just wanted a little shorter bow, both of mine are 68".

If you are wanting to try a string follow bow , or you have in your head that they are more forgiving , then go for the Misty Dawn. BUT if you are even the slightest bit interested in maximizing performance why staying with a straightlimbed bow AND you want amazing forgiveness I HIGHLY recommend you read up on the Morningstar, talk to James and Ask a few of us who already own them.

I can promise you this much, whichever you chose, it will be a great choice because James does not put out a bad product.  Fit, finish, ease of shooting and performance are just impressive.

[Tajue17]

Brian your saying 66" Morning star? don't think I saw that on his website is it reflex/defelx or straight and do you have pics?

Edited: I just saw it on there and it looks cool, but Im confused because the forward handle would mean shorter draw by way of limbs are further back and you'd lose a bit of FPS with this design right?  I like it though and its the price I wanted to spend and you shot all these bows and like that the best I might have to get one.

[Mudd]

I got the chance to shoot the Vixen and the Morning star.. both were great!

I guess the truth of how much I was really impressed wass proven when I picked up the phone and ordered one of each...lol

Now it's just a matter of time!!!!!!!!

There are times I wish my parents had added the name "Patience" to mine...lol

God bless,Mudd

[Brianlocal3]

Tajue,
Sorry , I should clarify. With 27" draw you should be fine with 66" in ANY of them.  
In theory, the forward handles have been said to be slower but James design is putting out speeds closer to mild D/r bows. It stunning and shocking when you are not expecting it.  

Call James today and ask him, he has some impressive experiences with it.

[Tajue17]

Ha ha I'm thinking about ordering two myself but a traditional style and a taipan for a shorter bow.

[arrow flynn]

I have a vixen great bow!

[emt137]

Tajue - ive shot Brians Vixen & Misty Dawn. As someone who has experience with straight limb bows but doesnt prefer them (I like extreme hybrids...just my thing) I could tell the difference. It was slight and you would probably love either one. The Vixen was the faster of the two if that matters to you. It was very smooth and quite forgiving.  Brian and I shot the same arrows out of it (and he has like a 12" shorter draw length than I do) both with great results. I didnt notice any hand shock.

The Misty Down was very smooth also. I did notice a "softer" feel with the string follow, but it was also noticably slower. So it comes down to what youre wanting out of the bow & trade offs youre willing to make.

Were I to give up my hybrids JD Berry would be in my top 3 makers I would consider. I hope this helped you out.

[Brianlocal3]

Pat, just because I have short arms and a 3 year olds draw length doesn mean you need to tell everyone!! LOL

[emt137]

Originally posted by Brianlocal3:
Pat, just because I have short arms and a 3 year olds draw length doesn mean you need to tell everyone!! LOL

You make it a point to tell everyone I have tiny hands just because I dont like a 2x4 as a grip. Fair is fair. Haha.

[Brianlocal3]

Good call

[m midd]

Ive shot the vixen and misty dawn. Both are top notch straiht ends and with that being said, i have a vixen and morningstar on order.

[JDBerry]

Tajve17, I have a 28" draw, shoot a 66", just what I like,however had a 70" That became a 66" because of a car door, Don't like 70" no more. Draw length stays the same on a forward handle.

[jwhitetail]

I've not shot the Misty Dawn so my comments will be limited... I now own a Vixen and a Morning Star and they are like two beautiful sisters.  The Misty Dawn, I am sure is the same... accurate, fast, smooth and lethal.  If you are going to hunt deer, either the MD or the Vixen will be fine tools for the job.
Happy shooting and happy hunting!

JW

PS: EMT137, how is all that rope treating you?  I really like the knife!

[Tajue17]

you guys don't make this easy I hope you all know that,,, why don't I just buy all three,, I can tell the wife NO its one bow you just keep seeing it from different angles?

I'll have my mind made up Monday in 2 days.

[emt137]

Originally posted by Tajue17:
...why don't I just buy all three...

That is normally the prevailing consensus here on Tradgang.