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For Oregon bowyers I like Wes Wallaces longbows best (I have owned 3).

For recurves I like Norm's best (Blacktail Bows). My liking his best is based purely on shooting them though not owning them. I don't hunt with a recurve only a longbow so I have not owned any of Norm's bows just shot quite a few that friends own.

I think more than a few guys here on the Oregon forum have at least one of Norm's bows. I think at least one guy one here (Joe C) shoots Wallace recurves and likes those a lot too.

Brackenbury bows are made up in WA now I believe.

Fox archery is out in eastern Oregon but I have no idea how good or not good their bows are, I don't think I have shot one that I remember anyway. Maybe somebody else can say on those.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

I have a Blacktail Elite that I currently hunt with, man I love that bow! Norm does live in Reedsport and his bows shoot just as nice as they look! Norm is just building recurves anymore I believe.

Wes Wallace makes some awesome recurves and I think he still makes longbows. I don't own one of his bows, but have heard very high praise by their owners.

Alan Boice down on the south coast builds some sweet longbows. Many guys highly recommend them.

I have an old Brackenbury made by Jim in the early 80's. Jim is no longer with us, but his namesake bows are being produced up in Washington. Santiam has one of the newer Brack bows.

I'm sure Santiam, snag, DarmahSS, and some of the other fella's will chime in with their thoughts about their bow's and some other bowyers.

May the force be with you! ;)

I have owned 3 Blacktail Bows. A one piece recurve that I loved to shoot, but was a little longer than I wanted. A take down recurve that was an awesome bow, but a little too heavy for me and a longbow that had horrible hand shock. Norm doesn't make the longbow anymore.

I now shoot a combination of a longbow and recurve, which is a hybrid. It is basically a recurve handle with longbow limbs also known as a reflex/deflex.

It is a Horne take down Brushbow.

Wes Wallace is located in Beaver Creek, OR and is very accessible if you live in the area, he keeps regular hours. Although he is 15 minutes from my house I have never been there. Too tempting to stop in as collecting trad bows becomes very addictive and temptation would be too strong.

If you get a bow you shoot good, stick with it. I've owned several now and have settled on one kind of bow, because I shoot it well.

I recomend a good tutor when you start shooting as well. There are several differnt methods to shooting trad. I personally come to an anchor point and hold for a second before I release. A lot of guys snap shoot, but are not always consistant on their anchor point.

I'll send you a PM with more info.

I don't think you could go wrong with Norm or Wes if you want to keep it local, but you will be waiting 7 months for Wes and about 15 months for Norm.

Start with cheap light weight bow to get your form down and then move up in poundage from there.

Good luck,

Paul

Is that my old Drifter?? If so I want first crack..

Even If you ordered a bow today you oouldn't get it by the next late season...Blacktails are a year out or more,Brackenbury's are 2 years out and I don't know about Wes Wallace,but it will be months anyway..

My advice is to buy used and start shooting now...Good bows are plentiful and you really don't know what you are going to end up prefering until you get some shooting in and develope a style..

My first recurve was a Wes Wallace that I bought used...Killed my first trad deer and elk with it,then sold it for more than I paid and used that money to put down on my first custom ...I decided I liked a little longer bow than the Wallace..Great bow though..

Most longbows are shocky to me..They rattle me all the way up through my teeth...I haven't shot a Wallace longbow,but have heard they are not that way...My longbow is made by Dave Cheney in Redmond...Very nice and very fast and no handshock.....As good a longbow as I have ever shot...You might give him a call if you are interested in longbows..

This year I just hunted with my Bear recurves...Early 70's bows that shoot as good as most any bows made today,or at least I think so..Might look into a Kodiak or Super Kodiak,50/55 pounds..I shot my buck this year with a 50 pound Grizzly.One thing about the old Bears,Buy a nice one and you will ALWAYS get your money back or make a profit...

If you do get a trad bow get a hold of me and I will lend you a DVD, "Masters of the Barebow" Might help you out some and keep fom picking up a bad habit...Trad bows are much more form critical than compounds...Every little bit helps..

Good luck and keep us informed...Lots of experiance here..

Good luck..

I love to shoot and I shoot a lot, sometimes I shoot two or three times a day. Matter of fact I was out shooting just now because I like shooting in the dark with a small light on the target to shoot at. Really helps your form and instinctive shooting, keeps you from using the arrow to aim because you can't see it. Shooting and running are the two ways I relieve stress and relax. Nothing beats just taking your stickbow be it recurve, or longbow and just going out and shooting stumps in the woods or just shooting a target in your yard. Even my boys( 8 and 9 ) love stump shooting.

Anyway if you decide you want to go the longbow route I can give you pointers there, but if it's recurves you decide on then you want Jerry, Bill, and Ron.

All of them having been doing this longer than I have been alive. Tremendous amount of knowledge here just between the three of them on everything from hunting in general to stickbows.

I have shot with all of them and they know their stuff inside and out. If you are close to Jerry go shooting with him for sure you'll come away with more tips and tricks in a day then you would ever dream possible. I've been doing this for 26 years now and I shot one archery shoot with Jerry and came away with at least three things I had never known before, like using a tub of water to mark the heavy side of my arrows so I can nock and fletch for better consistency etc.

Kyle

David Quinn aka Grumpy, passed recently but he is survived by his wife Peggy and daughter Terry. As far as I know they are still in business. David was a charter member of the NFAA Pro Division and the Texas Field Archery Pro Division. His bows are legend in certain circles, not so much out here on the left coast. They will shoot circles around any custom bow built in the Great North West and only cost a couple hundred bucks. They are butt ugly.

Lots of good advice above to be sorted out and decisions made. Probably didn't read close enough but trying other recurves and longbows will give you a pretty good idea if they will work for you. To that end, the EXPO-ONTARIO is no longer and option.

I expect some of these guys to be at TAO Banquet 30 Jan, 2010 where you can strike up a conversation and get to know them.

A lot of the bowyer info is pretty close but I'll try and get it together:

Wes Wallace Bows BeaverCreek, Or 503-632-7365 for recurves and longbows.

Blacktail bows by Norm Johnson Reedsport, OR 541-271-2585 for recurves

Fox Archery by Ron King Wallowa, OR 541-886-9110 for recurves and longbows.

Liberty Bows by Allen Boice, Longbows Allen recently moved to Roseburg and is not making his longbows at the moment - stay tuned.

Brackenbury Bows by Bill Howland Nine Mile Falls, WA 509-468-3905 Recurves for sure - ask about longbows.

These guys are all class acts, building great bows that they will stand behind. All have websites as well.

If a used bow is an option, check with Dave at Archery Past, 541-388-8400, in Bend. Even if you don't end up getting a bow from him, you will want to know him to keep your trad supplies, he's got it all and the knowledge to help you out.

Jerry

You must have forgot about seeing my BOURET that day we shot at Benton. Now that bow is - BUTT UGLY!!!

Rich

Speaking of which if the OSuc goes this year that is usually another place to see a lot of longbows and recurves. If it goes this year I will try and make it as it is my last year here in Oregon so I'd like to shoot it one last time before I go if they do it.

Thanks to Chuck & Toni Lynde, La Pine for donating both of these "BOB" bows to TAO.

TAO is in the process of adding about 5 of these to our Archery Museum and several will be on display at our banquet in Silverton next month. Other boxes for B.G. Thompson, Chet Stevenson, Jim Brackenbury, Bill Sweetland.

Ancient Oregon Archery Bonus Points!!!

What are these guys famous for?

Rich

You must have forgot about seeing my BOURET that day we shot at Benton. Now that bow is - BUTT UGLY!!!

Rich"

Well...the way it shot, in your hands, made it a thing of beauty!

I should have mentioned, this photo is prototype #2, hence all the blue masking tape, curled photo's and things on top of one another. The finished case looks much better.

B.T.W. - that box is 2'x6' to give you an idea how much wood is involved.

Rich

I build EagleWing Bows. Evidently eveyone but the guys in Oregon know that. If anyone is interested and wants to see some of the bows I build there is a thread on Leatherwall where I was asked to show some of my bows. title is something like 6by could you show us some bows. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Steve

As far as I know Wes Wallace, Myself, Fox , and Bigfoot bows are the ones building bows in Oregon at this time. I believe Allen Boice is still shut down.

LOVE the smooth draw and release of the bow!!

Brad

Steve,

Don't forget Norm's Blacktails.

You guys in S. OR have a knack for finding some nice myrtle (no expert at wood i.d., I'm thinking that is what I see as the center accent in the photo above).

Nice job!!

Rich

p.s. If you have time, bring some bows up to Silverton for the TAO Banquet Jan 30.

Where are you at? I've got a Bear Grizzly that's 50#. It's not the prettiest, but I like it a lot. I will let you have it until you get a bow so you have something to shoot with (then I want it back :) )

As Bill said, they are great bows. I happen to shoot a River's Edge Recurve that just suits me and a Dave Wallace Mountain bow when I shoot a longbow. Took me a while to find ones I really like. Wish I could afford a Blacktail, they are beautiful and shoot great. Besides, I like the name.

Stan

Paul

Seems like Southpaw's contest buck from last year was with a Grizzly...

Yip,I am sure thats a Griz..

:)

Actually,there is only so much you can do with wood and fiberglass...Not much has changed in the last 50 years or so..They all shoot good..

Like a good pair of boots,when you try a bow on,you will know if it fits...

Paul "

I think his name is Boone Ellis. I made a set of arrows for a fella last summer that shoots one of his bows. And very well I might add!

After spending sometime researching I will be getting a bow from Steve (Sixby) Eagle Wing Bows. THe guys I have talked to about his bows are very happy. The bows everybody referred me to were good. That is what makes finding a bow so hard. All the bows that were recommended are top notch. I would encourage you to check out some of Steves work. Not only will you get a masterpiece,performance is still the main objective.

Here is what the bow will be. 64 in. 58 to 60 lb at 29 inches. Black S glass with carbon limbs with Actionboo tapers and cores. Fast flight ready , Medium grip. EW Carbon LB.

again thanks for the help.

I am curious as to the wait time on Steve's bows...Post up pics when you get it...

I am going to show off my longbow made by another great Oregon bowyer Dave Cheney from Redmond...Longarrow mentioned he made selfbows...That he does,but he makes a mean laminated longbow as well...

Heck, I shot one of those bow's in your camp. Tried to kill a gopher that was rooting up some dirt next to your tent. Think I missed the vermin, but I blame it on the beer and not the bow. ;)

the bow I showed above is my new static recurve. This year model.. Woods are macassar ebony and koa. Koa literally looks like it has lights in it. I do use some really nice myrtle though. This is a pic of the style of bow that Oregon Archer is getting.

Here is one of my Saxon longbows that I bought last Christmas to get back into trad shooting.

Brad

My brother lived in a cabin, really nice one , right on the river out of Chiloquin,. He loved it over there and met some really great people.

Merry Christmas, Steve

THAT IS A GREAT BOW.

Norm is a genuinely nice guy who makes a great bow.

I am trying very much to make it over to Dave Cheney's bowmaking campout in May.

Brad