who shoots wood arrows only

[Pine]

Wood just seems more trad . It's also enjoyable to experiment with different stains and such .
   

[Wudstix]

Shot Easton for the first time this year, cause all my woodies were broke and don't have time to make more.  New Big River Longbow will not see anything but wood, I hope.

JDunlap, If you need stiff spine to shoot heavier broadheads try some hardwood shafts.

[Sawpilot 75]

I switched from aluminum to wood 21 years ago and will not hunt with anything but wood. They are just all around a better arrow IMO.

[Tree Killer]

All I've made and shot for the last 26-27 years. They just feel right!

 

[meathead]

That's all I have shot for about the last 15 years.  I can get nice heavy arrows for my short draw length.  They are very quiet to shoot.  They look good too.  I enjoy making arrows.  Putting together a dozen matched footed arrows is just fun.

[Fletcher]

Made the transition back to woods with my Maulding longbow in '82.  They are part of archery means to me.

[Fletcher]

Originally posted by Florida bowhunter:
So how do you woody guys tune your woodies, bare shaft em, how ya do it....?

I do best with paper tuning.  It's pretty easy to come close to correct spine, but shooting thru paper shows me exactly what the bow and I need.

[Fletcher]

Originally posted by JDunlap:
What is the general rule that most of you have found for estimating the needed spine? 5 or 10 pounds of spine over bow weight?

There really isn't a general rule.  It was pretty easy when recurves were cut to center and longbows 1/8"+ out, but now depth of cut has to be figured for every bow.  One of the great thigs about wood shafts is that there is such a wide variety of weight and spine that it is possible to pick the arrow length, weight and point you want to shoot and find just the right shaft and spine to make it happen.

For someone who really likes to shot wood, I suggest a good set of test arrows with spines in 2-3 lb increments marked on the shaft.  Test arrows in 6 lb spine groups are confusing and borderline worthless.

[atatarpm]

I have a long draw 30 1/2 inches  and 17 lbs over is a good starting point for me.

[Green]

Wood only.

[Jim Wright]

I shoot Dan Toelke Super Ds with the supplied 8125 bow string. I draw 29"s and they are I believe, cut 1/8" from center. With arrows 30" throat of nock to back of point and 125 grain points I add 5# for the draw length inch past 28", 5# for the fast flight string and 5# for being near center shot for a total of 15# over draw weight. Thus on my 58# at 29" bow I get great flight from arrows spined 70-75 pounds, (58 plus 15 = 73). I have found that for each 5# spine range you go up you need to increase point weight by app. 35 grains and with 160 grain points I shoot 75-80# spine groups and with 190 grain points 80-85# shafts fly well. I did paper tune and have shot into a large target covered with black plastic to visually check flight.

[JeepManChad]

I'm sure it subconscious,  but I shoot wood arrows far better. They feel alive whereas alum feel like inanimate objects (never shot a carbon). Im shooting 10# over on spine with 100g points, 31" 47#.

[smoke1953]

Always been Ash man but experimenting with grass (bamboo).

[2nocks]

been shooting mostly wood this past year and enjoy it. One additional plus is no need to re-tighten  field points when shooting.  

[Jason_L]

I love to make them. Sanding them to the right spine, painting and fletching.I haven't wanted to put the money out for carbon yet. Home depot dowels cost me $0.90 per shaft + ~$1.20 fletching + $0.40 for a tip. I break an arrow, it costs me less than $3.00. I will feel really good once I get my first pig or turkey with an arrow I made(for the most part). It's nice to have people comment on your arrows at 3D shoots too.

[atatarpm]

Gets to be habit forming I have a whole garage dedicated to building arrows .    

[Brock]

Wood only here....primarily douglas fir shafts...but have shot hickory, ash, maple, sitka spruce and chundoo.

Most of my arrows currently in quiver are douglas fir with a few red balau I got from Forrester to try.

Would think of shooting NOTHING else from my recurves, longbows and especially selfbows.

I am also now dabbling in bamboo shafts which is a grass not a wood...but may be my new selfbow arrow material...just because I like straightening them over heat, sanding the nodes, making self nocks and then mounting heads with pine pitch.  

[The Ole' Bowhunter]

I just love to handcraft my own wood arrows using my own personal designs. When testing, I use the bare-shaft method I shoot 62 pounds at 29.5 inches, I use 23/64" shafts to make my arrows and theyvare spined for 70-75 pounds.

[slowbowjoe]

My wife and I shoot wood, exclusively. Started with wood the first few years,tried carbons for a season or two and didn't enjoy the experience.

Decided to go back to wood; bought the tools needed to build 'em.
Much more satisfying, and just plain feels better, for me. Spruce or Doug Fir. Gotta say, like so many here, it's pretty much just premium Doug Fir's for me.

[Florida bowhunter]

So i guess douglas fir is the best shaft material.