how old/current hunt bow
Contributors to this thread:Equipment
From: tommygun
30-Jan-16
Cleaning up my basement/man cave and pulled my old Darton off the wall that I had when I shot my first buck at 13 yo.....30 years ago. Thinking I should shoot it just for fun. With all this new tech and with the average hunter changing up there bows at least every 10 years. (Some every year......lucky). How old is your current hunting bow? Trad>compound I'm sure
From: drycreek
30-Jan-16
I think my Elite E35 is a 2014, and quite likely the last bow I'll ever buy.
From: Charlie Rehor
30-Jan-16
I have old bows and new bows. All special!
From: wyliecoyote
30-Jan-16
Hoyt Faktor...2013 model I believe....I will probably move up in 2 more years...
Joe
From: bowhunter55
30-Jan-16
I shoot the original Mathews Chill. Have a Reezen 6.5 as a backup and am going in the next couple weeks to shoot the new Mathews Halon 6.
From: Ziek
30-Jan-16
I still shoot a 2011 Hoyt CE, my wife has a 2012 CE. Might be time to consider a new one.
From: Mitch
30-Jan-16
2010 Hoyt carbon matrix. Just ordered a new longbow, hoping to be good enough with it to hunt this fall.
From: LUNG$HOT
30-Jan-16
I'm shooting a 2012 Bear Mauler as my primary and I recently restored an Archery Research AR31 which is a 2006/7 model. The AR31 actually shoots pretty dam nice now that I put a string stop on it to take away guitar sound after the shot! Lol
From: lawdy
30-Jan-16
I hunt with a #46 Meigs longbow I bought off Tim Meigs in 1987. My other Meigs is from 1982. Young for longbows. My old Kodiak is from the 1950's and I retired it. Went back to longbows in 82 which was what I mostly used in the 50's and 60's.
From: GF
30-Jan-16
I know that a buddy of mine is still shooting my old Martin Lynx, which I bought second-hand.... In '85 or '86. I gave it to him after I bought my Howatt Hunter. In '90.
But I also have a Y2k Bighorn, which was my usual go-to bow until I dislocated my bow arm last winter. And last week I got a nice little doe with an '05 or '06 Bowtech Commander - also bought second-hand. But I'm hoping to trade it for a nice, #60 longbow. Not sure what year it was made, but I really Just. Don't. Care.
It's a bow. Throws an arrow. What more do you want?
Glad I had it, though, because without the let-off, I don't think I would've been able to hunt this year.
From: CD
30-Jan-16
I'm currently shooting a 1967 Super Kodiak.
:)
From: Busta'Ribs
30-Jan-16
Hoyt Vectrix from a while back, not even sure how old. Could be close to 10 years?
I bought a carbon matrix the first year they came out but I hated it and went back to the Vectrix.
I used to get 2 new bows a year but anymore, I just like the comfort of a bow that fits like an old pair of jeans. And everything I ever pointed that thing at died.
Christ, it sounds like I'm getting old.
From: ElkNut1
30-Jan-16
This will be my 3rd year with the 2013 Elite Energy 32. Before that 3 years with a Hoyt Alphamax 32. Before that a Hoyt for 11 years. Can't remember after that! (grin)
ElkNut1
From: Jerry Leblanc
30-Jan-16
2015 No Cam and 2003 Hoyt Razortec as a backup.
From: IdyllwildArcher
30-Jan-16
2011 Bowtech Invasion
I haven't hunted with it yet, but my trad bow is a Bear Kodiak made in the 1960s that I bet I could sell for more $ than my compound.
From: deerman406
30-Jan-16
Just started shooting compounds again, so my last compound was a Mathews from 1997. So 18 years as I bought a new Hoyt last year, sold it pretty quick. I hated it and bought a new Mathews. Shawn
From: JacobNisley
30-Jan-16
2008 Bowtech 82nd Airborne. Not planning on buying a new one any time soon. We just work well together.
From: huntingbob
31-Jan-16
Hoyt Vector Turbo 35. I think it is 3 or 4 years old?
From: FLGator
31-Jan-16
Mathews MQ1.
Been afraid to try any of the new bows! Lol
From: carcus
31-Jan-16
2014 experience and 2014or15 rpm 360, wont be changing for a while, finally found what I was looking for
From: rick allison
31-Jan-16
I hunted for over 30 years with my old Black Widow MAII. Last season the old girl transferred to my son when I acquired my Whippenstick Phoenix...sweeet shooter!
From: tobywon
31-Jan-16
Matthews fx from 2002
From: Tracker12
31-Jan-16
2003 Hoyt Cybertech. I have bought 4 bows since then but sold them all and continue to shoot this one.
From: greenmountain
31-Jan-16
I thought I would be the odd man out. My go to bow is a reflex Bighorn made around 2001. I bought it used. I have taken it down a couple times to properly lube the limb pockets and the axles. I have spare strings and cables ready to go so I know my bow. This is important to me. New bows have a lot less "hand shock" but if you never shot a new one you wouldn't know the difference.
From: Julius K
31-Jan-16
I have been hunting a 2006 Ultratec. I think I am going upgrade this spring and make that a back up. Probably going to an Elite.
From: Bowboy
31-Jan-16
2014 Carbon Spyder Turbo. Just ordered a 2016 Defiant 34. I usually buy one every year but I'm probably going to every other year.
From: roger
31-Jan-16
I've hunted with a variety of bows over the years that date as far back as the late 1950's.
From: BOHUNTER09
31-Jan-16
2015 Mathews nocam. I usually switch about every 5 years, but this may be my last. It does what I need and is easy on my old shoulders.
From: Butcher
31-Jan-16
2012 Hoyt ce and Mathews z7 magnum as back up soon to be replaced by synergy 80lber
From: jdee
31-Jan-16
My oldest bow that I have is a Switchback XT 2006 I think. I've traded or sold my other bows but the Switchback makes for a great backup bow. Bought a BowTech Experience last year as my go to bow. Think I'll own this one for a while.
From: Jack Harris
31-Jan-16
My Matthews z7 is vintage 2010, still feels brand new, and I would only change if I can't pull 65# any more... It was close this past season with some bow-arm elbow tendonitis... Not quite over it - but it's feeling better.
From: wyobullshooter
31-Jan-16
2013 Elite Pulse. Likely my last hunting bow, although I have a 2016 Elite Impulse that's my 3D/backup hunting bow.
From: bullelk
31-Jan-16
My Hoyt Striker II is a 2000 vintage and I am retiring it this year; I ordered a Hoyt Defiant.
From: tommygun
31-Jan-16
So taking average....minus couple ones like CD's 1967 :)....looks like average is 6 years. Making a case for me to upgrade my Switchback XT. Think my wife wanted good data
From: Ohio_Tony
01-Feb-16
I have a 2010 Hoyt Turbohawk. It was touted as one of the best value for the $ bows when it was new. It's still a great bow. I took 2 deer with it this year. I don't see myself replacing it any time soon. To quote Phil Robertson; "The American way is, one gets a little age on it, throw it away and get another one. Not around my house." If I'm not hunting with that, I'm shooting my Bear Super Kodiak I got second hand back in 1999. I'm not sure of it's age? At least that old.
From: Fuzz
01-Feb-16
Still killing with my 2005-ish Mathews Outback. It blew up on me last year and was planning on upgrading but my pro shop had limbs for it so I went with the fix instead of dropping $2000 for a new NoCam. Killed 4 whitetail this year with it (I asked and none of them cared that the bow was older than they were!) When something fits well-and kills better- it just makes sense to stay with it!
Fuzz
From: cnelk
01-Feb-16
2013 PSE Drive = 4 elk
From: Clutch
01-Feb-16
Like New -- compound
From: Zbone
01-Feb-16
CD -"I'm currently shooting a 1967 Super Kodiak. :)"
Yeah CD, was thinking the same, if they get a stickbow they will never have to worry about again...8^)
From: Fuzzy
01-Feb-16
Nick's bow is an early 70's Wing, mine is a homemade "Frankenbow" I cobbled together in 1996 from a 1990 Oregon riser and a set of 1995 Windwalker kit limbs. That's been my go to hunting bow since 1997 or 98
From: kentuckbowhnter
01-Feb-16
no cam htr 1 year old outback 12 years old
From: Will
01-Feb-16
Mine is a 82nd air born, I think from the first year they were made - 08 or 10 ish?
From: MDW
01-Feb-16
Tommy, I've also got a 1980 model Darton SL 50. Still shoot it some. Carried it a pile of miles and put holes through several pounds of venison.
From: 12yards
01-Feb-16
Was hunting through last fall with a 2010 Hoyt Maxxis 35. Sold it this winter and bought a 2015 Elite Synergy. My 2007 Hoyt Vectrix XL will continue to back me up. Honestly, I can shoot the Vectrix every bit as good as the other bows. I get the itch for a new bow about every 4-5 years. Don't really need one to shoot better, just want a change.
From: Two Feathers
01-Feb-16
The one I'm retiring now I bought new in 97, a Bruin 3 piece TD recurve. It's replacement will be a 2016 longbow.
From: Shug
01-Feb-16
Matthews Icon....14 years or so I still buy them when I find one...I'M world's best finger bow
From: JRW
01-Feb-16
One of my favorite hunting bows is my 1960 Black Widow recurve.
From: tacklebox
01-Feb-16
Current is not quite a year old, just ordered my new one about a week ago...
From: smarba
01-Feb-16
2011 Hoyt Carbon Matrix. Backup is 2003 Hoyt Ultratec.
From: MT in MO
01-Feb-16
MQ1 bought new in 1999...Tried a few new bows, but haven't ever found one that was so much better that I had to lay out another $1,000...did replace the limbs on the MQ1 once using manufacturer's warranty...
From: JLBSparks
01-Feb-16
'04 UltraTec and '07 Guardian haven't been touched in several years. The bows I shoot are from mid-'50s to mid-'70s.
-Joe
From: DeanMan
01-Feb-16
I shoot 2013 mathews Helium before that I shot a pse omen for 3 years before that Hoyt raptor 15 years,martin firecat and my first bow was a Oneida ...all compounds and currently looking to buy obsession defcon 6.
From: Swampy
01-Feb-16
Mines a 2010 Elite GT500 for hunting .
From: BOHUNTER09
01-Feb-16
Fuzz, if your bow shop wants $2000 for a no cam, you need to find another shop.
From: rooselk
01-Feb-16
1972 Wing Falcon recurve is my oldest bow; 2016 Mathews No Cam HTX is my newest bow.
From: JohnB
01-Feb-16
Mathews switchback XT, picked up a switchback last year as a backup it may become my primary bow this year.
From: IAHUNTER
01-Feb-16
Two Mathews, a 2003 MQ1 and a 2015 No Cam
From: JohnB
02-Feb-16
Heads up in Kansas city MO craigslist Mathews no cam 27.5 draw length with Bee stinger hunter extreme stabilizer 8 inch and 6 inch $725
From: Fuzz
02-Feb-16
BOHUNTER09, HAHAHA! $2000 --Thats the number I tell myself it will cost after completely outfitting it with new rest, sight, quiver, matching T-shirt, 6 Rages, and a stop at the Milan icecream shop on the way home!
FUZZ
From: Woods Walker
02-Feb-16
I do most of my deer hunting with a Super Kodiak recurve that I bought in 2006. I still have however, my first "real" bow...a Hoyt Pro-Hunter that I got in 1968, which I still shoot and hunt small game with.
From: Ole Coyote
02-Feb-16
MQ1 she is a honey no need to change! can easily hit a dime at 20 yards.
From: DanaC
02-Feb-16
If this thread were over on the Leatherwall guys would be bragging about who hunted with the -oldest- bow ;-)
I carried the same custom recurve since 1999 up until the past year. Have a newer one with lower draw weight to accommodate the arthritis that is creeping in ;-)
From: Saxton
02-Feb-16
I do not get the "need" for a new bow. I hunted with a High Country Safari for years. It killed a lot of game; I hunted with it for 15 years. I bought a Mathews Legacy in 2005, because I "wanted" a new bow.
I still shoot it today. It was the top of the line Mathews at one time and the deer/game have not changed.
This past year I had the strings and cables replaced. I killed an elk a 60 yards with a double lung pass through. Why would I "Need" a new bow?
I would rather put the $1000.00 towards a hunting trip.
From: APauls
02-Feb-16
Matthews Switchback XT. She's getting a little cranky and noisy over time though... I guess she's 9 years old. Killed a lot of stuff though.
From: PSR II
02-Feb-16
I'm still shooting my 2011 Mathews Z7 Extreme. I've killed 88 deer with it so far. I also have a 2007 Black Widow PSR II I'm still shooting. I've only killed 3 deer with it so far.
From: longbeard
02-Feb-16
Currently shooting a 2014 Elite E32. Love that bow! Before that I shot BowTech for about 2 decades. The last one was a '02 single cam Patriot. Very smooth shooting bow also
From: elkmtngear
02-Feb-16
2013 Elite Pure.
Killed most of my big game with a Martin Pantera that I had for about 20 years...limbs finally cracked.
Best of Luck, Jeff
From: Ironbow
03-Feb-16
For the trad guys that think their recurves or longbows hold together forever, they don't. I have had at least 6 recurves break/split.
Bear TD, limb shattered. Browning Explorer II, broke two of them. Bighorn custom recurve, handle split. Bighorn custom TD, limbs split twice.
These were bows from 50# to 73# draw weights, shooting heavy arrows, strung with a bow stringer, never left in hot cars, well taken care of.
I do have some 30-40 year old curves that still shoot fine, and a 1987 Hoyt Pro Hunter compound I have killed a bunch of critters with that I still shoot once in a while.
Nothing lasts forever. I think we buy new bows because we want something new, or at least something new to me. They are just fun.
From: 8point
03-Feb-16
Started as a youngster with fiberglass long bow Ben Pearson I believe in the early 60's. I graduated to a Browning recurve around 1970, then a Graham single cam in 81 (the first ever single cam I don't care what Mathews says). I now have a Mcpherson compound.
From: MNRazorhead
03-Feb-16
Wow, Ironbow! You have had a string of bad luck there!
Oldest bow I have is a 1952 Bear Grizzly static recurve, although it isn't my regular hunting bow. Hunting bow is a Windstorm Windtamer longbow, age unknown but it is at least 1995 when I bought it and probably older.
From: Cheesehead Mike
03-Feb-16
The original 1998 Mathews MQ1 is my primary bow.
I also have another MQ1 that's a few years newer that I bought off of eBay for a backup.
I also have a 1958 Bear Kodiak recurve that I've hunted with a little but not much lately.
From: Helgermite
03-Feb-16
Still shooting a Martin Lynx M7E Cougar Magnum hybrid from around 1989. I've killed many deer and one bear with this bow. Hoping for a new bow this year with a little more let off at full draw.
From: kstout
03-Feb-16
For the last couple years I was shooting a Root longbow that I was told was made between 1956 and 1958. It came apart on me while shooting just before bow season opened in October. I went back to my Black Widow longbow that was made in 2004.
From: Duckman
03-Feb-16
2015 No Cam last bow I buy for a few years..
From: southpaw
03-Feb-16
Bowtech Destroyer 360 refuse to change it
From: wyobullshooter
03-Feb-16
There's a huge difference between wanting and needing. Very seldom do we need.
Do I NEED a new bow? Nope.
Do I WANT a new bow? Yep, every couple years.
From: tommygun
03-Feb-16
Some great responses. I can tell there are a lot of proud archers out there who Take pride and obviously great care in their equipment. So much they are able to hunt and make wonderful stories with a bow that may be 20 years old. Do I need new equipment... Probably not. Do I get sentimental with the stuff I have.. Yup. And justifying $1000 for a few mph, couple less decibels, some less hand shock. But will I make me a better shooter, give me more joy and hopefully take game more proficiently. Hard to put a price tag on that.
From: EIStone
04-Feb-16
Am now shooting my 05 Darton Tundra. Just sold my 2010 Elite GT-500 and ordered a new Elite Impulse 34 should be here in 3 weeks.Can't wait!
From: Barty1970
05-Feb-16
I still have my UltraTec XT2000 Twin Cam from 2002...with a 2014 Faktor 34
From: mattandersen
05-Feb-16
Bowtech Experience bought new in August of 2013, honestly not sure if its a 13 or maybe a 14!? Love it, shoots fast, accurate and we get the job done!
From: Trial153
05-Feb-16
Both mine are new, ones a new 2015 spirit and the other is a 2016. I don't get attached to bows. I would really have to like a bow to use it more then two seasons.
From: wv_bowhunter
05-Feb-16
I am back there with cheesehead mike, I have a Mathews Q2. Bought in 2000 when it first came out. Killed a lot of deer and missed a few too in 16 seasons. A lot of good memories. Still getting the job done as long as I do my part so I have a hard time justifying the cost of a new one!
From: Fuzzy
05-Feb-16
Ironbow, I don't think anyone is claiming stickbows last forever, we are just celebrating the fact that they last for decades :)
From: notme
06-Feb-16
06 Mathews switchback ld
From: MathewsMan
06-Feb-16
2006 Mathews SBXT
From: Arrowflinger
07-Feb-16
I have a Darton Viper I bought new in 1994 and hunted with it thru 2009. Shot a Blackwidow recurve from 2010 until last season. Bought an Elite Synergy last August. killed a deer with it November 2016. I really like the Elite, plan to hunt with it for several years.
From: KSMike
07-Feb-16
Hoyt Carbon Spyder Turbo, 2 years.
PSE Carbon Air, 2 days.
From: t-roy
07-Feb-16
Mathews Switchback XT. Bought it used a year after they came out.
Not sure when that was.
From: HoytCountry
07-Feb-16
/015 Obsession Evolution couldn't be happier
From: sundowner
07-Feb-16
Four year old Matthews EZ7, 70lb/30" draw. Nothing not to like. Fixin to kill some Texas hogs with it....again.
No new bow until there is a new bow on the market that suits me better. Looks very doubtful right now.
From: Brotsky
08-Feb-16
2015 Xpedition Xcentric 7....Although I haven't had a chance to hunt with it yet so I should probably say a 2005 Mathews Switchback since I hunted with that all year last year! Ha!
From: DonSchultz
20-Feb-16
2006 Darton Tempest. Top of the line in '06. I'll carry it again this year. BTW, bought it in 2008.
The bow before that was a Darton Cyclone LD, 1999.
My backup is a Darton Wrangler, 1996? Maybe older. When the first CPS came out, the same handle and limbs became the Maverick CPS.
From: Stickhead
02-Mar-16
2007 Diamond black Ice, around the same year Mathews Drenalin. I prefer the Black Ice when shooting a compound. Last season I hunted deer with the Black Ice, and with a 1976 Bear Kodiak Magnum recurve. The season before with an old browning Wasp recurve. I wabbit and turkey hunt alot with the Browning, sweet stick.
From: rooselk
02-Mar-16
I purchased a new Mathews No Cam earlier this year. Oldest bow on my bow rack is a 1972 Wing Falcon recurve.
From: GDx
02-Mar-16
current bow = 2000 browning eclipse.
killed a few deer and elk over its lifespan.
From: Copperman
03-Mar-16
Hoyt Vector Turbo, 2013 I believe
From: Bou'bound
05-Mar-16
2013 Carbon Element G3
