Howatt Hunter??

[Jhill97]

Hi All, Im new to tradegang. I have a few basic questions about the Damon Howatt Hunter. I have heard people say it is one of the best production bows ever made. In you opinions is this true? Also, if so are certain models better than others? I just purchased  a Hunter serial # hh 1156 can someone explain one how to tell the model year? This riser is birch laminate i believe.

[Rob W.]

I don't know much about the serial #'s but I do know the Hunters are great bows. I hunted with one all last year. Very smooth, quiet, and fast.

Oh, and welcome to the Gang!  

[JRY309]

They are excellent bows in my opinion,I have had a few of them.My current Hunter is a 2008 model,great shooter that is fast and quiet.Your model sounds like a 80's model with a brown laminate riser and is a Dacron bow.I have had a couple of the older ones.I prefer one made 1995 or newer,they will have  black fiberglass tips and can handle the new modern low stretch strings.The bow feels more solid to me and quieter with a low stretch string.

[Jhill97]

Thanks Rob!

[Jhill97]

Thanks for the info John.

[dirtguy]

I own two and my son owns one. We love them as they are smooth drawing, fast and well made.  There was a thread on here a while ago about serial numbers you might do a search and find it.

My 2cents - you can spend a lot more and not do better.  these a great bows.

[Bazooka Joe]

I just bought a late 60's early 70's hunter with solid rosewood riser and black glass 28@40#s for $75
from a fiend.  It looked terrible, but when I cleaned and polished it, it came out looking like new.  What a great shooting bow.
Rick

[JMG]

Great bows, smooth, fast and quiet!! I have been shooting and hunting with one since 2006. There's one in my avatar on the 8 pointer,,,

[Jhill97]

John, I am new to the Traditional game. Would you recommend a 58" string for the 62" hunter? Also, i see you have a 55#er that is what i have, what arrow string combo works best for you?

[Adirondackman]

First bow that I ever owned and hunted with back in the 80's. I never shot any bow better. I have since moved on to a longbow but really miss that bow. I purchased the Martin version many years ago and enjoy shooting it.

 58" - 59" string will work

[JRY309]

I make all my strings for my bows recurve or longbow 3" shorter then the AMO.My 2008 Hunter took a 59" string,brace height recommendation is 7" to 7&3/4".I shoot mine at 7&3/8",thats were it shoots great for me.

[Blackhawk]

I think the bow is one of the best production bows made in all aspects.  I've had a few, but prefer the pre-76 versions which was the year that Howatt was purchased by Martin.  I prefer to try pulling the bow before buying since I've found a few actually heavier (5-10#) than what is marked.

It's certain that Bear made many more bows than Howatt, and Bear may have some better lookers, but the Hunter is a winner.

[Rob W.]

If it helps my #55@28 Hunter liked 30.25" CE Heritage 250's with 250 gr. up front. I draw 29".

[damascusdave]

Very simply it is a 1991...and it is just as good a bow as my 1992...I am thinking the Larry Hatfield has indicated on another site that the material is something other than birch...in case you do not know Larry is the one who designed that bow when he worked for Damon Howatt

DDave

[Jhill97]

Thanks Rob I appreciate it.

[JMG]

58" string at 7 5/8 brace height. I shoot Goldtip 55/75 Hunter carbons tipped with 150 grain, (I wouldn't go any lighter than 150gr. head in my opinion),. I shoot fast flight as well. You may want to fiddle with your brace height to find your sweet spot.

[ChuckC]

Howatt made good bows.  I would not feel slighted at all with a decent Howatt bow, be it a Hunter, or a Super Diablo or any of the others.

My very first "real" bow was a Howatt Coronado.
ChuckC

[jhg]

I owned two and both scaled three lbs over marked wt.
They both also added a mere 2.5lbs per inch over 28 out to 31 inches. That is excellent design performance.
 My draw is 31 inches and these bows will be smooth out to that draw no problem.
I found them not so easy to quiet, but not any worse than any other recurve. I added limb tip padding which helped a lot.

Joshua

[jrbows]

They draw smooth and hit like a hammer what could possibly be wrong with that?

[Jhill97]

John. I actually had some old 55/75 gold tips laying around from an old compound that i used to shoot. I put on some 125 grain field tips, cause that's all i had. I did'nt shoot great, but the arrows did go where i pointed. If i added another 25 grains it might be okay. I'll give it a try.
Thanks!!