I'm about to acquire a monster bow and arrow set up - 100lb bow with 1200 grain arrows - yes they are being used for a Big game African hunt
I'm proposing to use a drop away rest (NAP Apache) - I see snippets on various forums that dropaway rests and heavy arrows don't mix well.
Can anyone tell me why and suggest an alternative rest if the science is sound.
Many thanks
DA
Were you able to get special limbs or what?
There is a guy on another major forum who makes custom bows (PM me if you want details)
I've ordered a 100lb Omen Pro and will get it in the next week or so.
I shot an 85lb X Force all day with no troubles and owned a 100lb Mach 10 in my 20's - still think it will be deep breaths all round when drawing it
Not sure on your dates but I am hunting in May also but coming from Australia.
Im hoping to take an elephant, hippo and croc hence my questions.
Whats the issue with a string activated drop away?
Many thanks
DA
I am going with Ken Moody to Mozambique - suspect its the same hunt you are on - booked May 13 - 20.
It's too good an opportunity to pass up - I wasn't expecting to be able to get on a hunt of lifetime this early so I'm seizing the moment.
I've looked at the posts re dropaways - as I understand its to stop the human factor kicking in and you dropping an arrow off the rest when the adrenaline is pumping - reckon Ive had enough experience from charging Asiatic buff to keep a cool head.
Many thanks
DA
Man....tell me that you are taking a satellite phone, or that you cell phone has international service!!
If it does then all good - the wife and kids will be happy, if not then I'm assuming the PH has got the relevant comms as that's (part at least) what I'm paying for.
Do you know something I don't?
DA
They are priceless in an emergency though.
I'll ask Ken about a sat phone but having been to a lot of remote places my experience has been unless you have an evac team on standby who can get to you within hours the chances of you getting out alive aren't great.
Its all about taking smart risks and listening to the PH.
DA
If it was me I would put on a WB, then no drop away issues.
The second reason is bow "wobble" that may come with super adrenaline and heavy poundage! There is not much in the archery world that compares to drawing on a multiple ton beast within spitting distance. If you don't think a little "bow wobble" might creep in, check out a few of the elephant bowhunt video's out there!
My 10c (South African) on the topic
JCHB
Good thought process. Trophy Taker has a fully contained arrow rest that can be held in the up position or another that rises as you draw.
Even if you over draw and you get a wobble and a jump, the arrow is fully contained and will set down in the bottom of the V.
I have never hunted elephant and don't plan on it but have done a bit of poking around in thick brush. I worry about the limb activated drop away as there is just more cord. Never had an issue tied to the cable.
Buck
The arrow weight these guys are using might be double yours with much more on the front end.
Trophy Taker provides a heavier spring to handle the extra weight.
Am preparing for a trip here in a bit and shot both my bows at -31 this weekend. The rest is the best one I have ever used. Same POI as when I shot them in Mexico.
tthomas's Link
You have more experience with DG than I have, but I would probably surmise that I have shot more arrows than you have. Maybe I am lucky, maybe I didn't react as others but I know that I have drawn under a few high pressure situations. Touch wood, I have never had an arrow fall off my rest, never shot from a half or quarter drawn bow, never had a release fail or never been unable to draw a bow.
Not saying that being in close proximity to an elephant will not induce some sort or reaction in a client, but using a whisker bisquit will not help. I actually have seen Jake shoot a bow, and know that a WB will not help him at all.
IMHO it poses more risk. TBM has said that the WB has sometimes failed as the arrow falls down between the bristles. I have seen that happen as the arrow gets pushed down or to the side. Drawing does not move it back to where it needs to be.
You have your reasons to promote a WB but nothing in a full capture arrow rest is a disadvantage. Probably a better chance that the PH's gun does not go off than a TT rest fail. IMHO you are not helping your clients by recommending a WB.
Ken makes a good point and I will defer to his experience - its in his (and his PH) hands that it all rests.
I'll grab a couple of WB's and test them for my big rig and make sure that no matter what situation I find myself in I can load aim and fire.
I've been in some hairy hunting situations (charging 1600lb Asiatic buffalo)and when its going to custard you need to be very zen and not even have to think about your kit.
Appreciate all of the advice and opinions.
DA
Shaking, no worries, you would just about have to drop your bow to get the arrow to pop out of there
Would you suggest using one of the Primos Bowsling that provides neoprene protection to string and cams? Just a thought.
"Silverback"
PS- Has Jake inquired about the monkeys yet?
Not sure if the arrogance was a reference to me but if it was, my post wasn't meant to be. I probably shot more than 15,000 arrows last year. Never had a failure. Jake's WB would not have stood up to 500 arrows.
That arrow rest or its brother can be locked in the up position.
How many of your PH's have shot 15,000 bullets in their lifetime. How many bullets misfire? 1 in 15,000? You tell me? I am not a gun hunter.
I am not an arrogant person but I do speak from experience.
Good luck to you DA. Listen to what Jake says, try the WB yourself and then make up your mind. Hunt with it for a year and crawl around in the bush. I guarantee that if you stalk with an arrow in it you will look down and find the arrow sunk below the bristles. That will happen more than 1 in 15,000.
I do hope you have the latest series made of neoprene, not just cloth. They are super protective in the bush. Leather gloves and hand bush trimmers might be handy items when maneuvering through the bush.
True story about the Primos sling. First time in Zim chasing Elephants, we were out all morning, wind was horrible, tried to get on some Bulls, with no luck. We were pretty far from the truck so I put my bow in the Primos and headed back to the truck. About half way back we're in some thick stuff and the PH is ahead of me, he is holding a thorn bush so I don't get hit by it and he takes of on a mad dash, screams "RUN" as he does so. The bush hits me in the face/eyes as he does. When I recover I see the biggest Black Mamba on earth right in front of me. Man I want to shoot that Mamba but my Damn Bow is in that sling, the Snake moves on and down a hole next to a Termite mound. No more sling for me!
Thought you would appreciate my story!LOL
What is the difference between the new Primos slings and the old one? I see it has a beefed up strap but I cut mine off anyway.
The new Primos bow carrier straps are all neoprene material that covers string and wheels. The old carrier has clothe that covers the string and neoprene that covers the wheels. The new model provides for greater string protection.
I used the newer model in Africa this past summer and it provided a greater protection for my bow in the bush as well as transporting.
I also use a heavy duty cover on my sights to protect them.
