Well, the beautiful bow has become a winter project. I really enjoy shooting this bow as I swear it feels like it was made for me. Having said that, when I got the bow, there were two small sports of cloudiness that my friend and I talked about extensively. He had shot the bow on and off without anything changing for a couple years. He has I believe a 28” or just under draw whereas I have a 29 1/4” draw. Well, I put quite a few arrows (hundreds) and suddenly there was a strange new noise as the bow shot and the three times I shot, same arrow for bareshafting, the arrow went a bit haywire. I found the spots to have spread and for there to be more of them. I reached out to the builder as well as a local bowyer and talked to Shane from Great Plains traditional bow company. Unfortunately, it has a full on delamination going on. I added a couple photos, the camera doesn’t do it justice compared to what can be seen in person so I added red marks next to the delams. I have some plans to see if I can bandaid it for the season, but I’m not sure I want to shoot it at all at risk of breaking it. I think I’ll be attempting to sand the belly to wood and try to fiberglass and refinish it. Shane was telling me that this is kind of common with zebra wood as the wood grain is a mix of hardwood and softwood. He explained it much more scientifically but my simple brain understanding is that haha. Life goes on, I’m going to build a new string for a sanlida hermit x8 I have to take out hunting as I really don’t want to take the compound back out again. Fingers crossed. ———————————————————— Attended the poke and hope even in Maine yesterday and worked out a trade with a good friend for a beautiful trad al reflex longbow. I have been looking to get into the reflex word for a while and I’m very excited for this bow. It’s 48 @28 but I’ll be around 50-51 with a 29.25 draw. Zebra wood with elk tips and elk on the riser. First longbow I’ve owned coming from compound to recurve. I think a great northern quiver is in the future.

Final exam for the Maine bow hunter required safety course. I have my field day scheduled for the 16th for the general hunting safety certification and I'll be good to go in time for the season! My uncle has some land up in northern NH, so I'll likely be up hunting with him a bit not too far in the future!

New to this group, new to archery. New to hunting. Haven't started yet but getting ready to start, hopefully within a year or 2. I live in northern Maine, completely off grid., and am building a homestead. I practice primitive living skills and weapons. Mostly atlatl and shepherd sling. (make and sell the slings) i got a spider xl bow, takedown with recurve and longbow limbs. Slowly, I have been building up the minimal gear needed to start. Still new to archery and learning how to tune arrows and the broadheads.

I like a combo spear/drop point. What’s your fav?!!

Why did you choose stickbow hunting over compound bows? Share your personal journey with us! ​