What bows are you all shooting?
Contributors to this thread:Massachusetts
From: Coolbreeze
13-Mar-19
What are you guys shooting with and what sights/accessories?
Hoyt Helix Ultra -Spot Hogg Hogg Father double pin (single post) -Bee Stinger Stablizer -Trophy Ridge Xtreme Fall Away Rest.
From: GED
13-Mar-19
2009 Bowtech Admiral. single fixed pin spot hogg sight. Heavy arrows and still killing deer a decade later
From: Deanmann
13-Mar-19
Bowtech BTX31, Boss Spot Hogg single pin,bee stinger stabilizer, trophy taker drop away rest,old alpine quiver that carries 5 maxima red 350's, and me Deanman.
From: Moons22
14-Mar-19
Hoyt carbon matrix with hha single pin sight. Don’t know all the specs but it hits where I’m aiming
From: brooktrout59
14-Mar-19
Mathews No Cam HTR, Mathews Quad drop away rest,Apex single pin sight, Mathews 6 inch stabilizer. Arrows are Carbon Express small diameter Piledriver Passthroughs.
From: Ungie01201
14-Mar-19
Mathews Halon 7. I love it. I like the new Vertix, but I like a longer brace height bc my form is not perfect. I was looking at the Mathews Traverse, but my local shop hasn't gotten one in yet to try. I've will be going on my 4th season w/ the Halon. I have an HHA optimizer and have use a QAD Ultra Rest. I shoot Easton Axis arrows (Yes I still shoot feathers).
From: Will
14-Mar-19
Sweet looking set up CoolBreeze! Ungie I'm in that camp too... really like the Halon.
That said, I'm still shooting my trusty original year - 08 I think? - BowTech 82nd AB. Fast, and I'm possibly the only human on earth to actually like how it draw's and feels. I'm getting itchy for something new, not because this one is not working, I'm just curious.
From: Ungie01201
14-Mar-19
I get the itch too Will. I am open to all bows... but I have to admit, I am a Mathews fan. I didn't care too much for the Triax (compared to what I have), but the Vertix is pretty cool. I had a Bowtech Insanity CPX for a few months. I sold my all time favorite Matthews z7 to jump on the speed wagon... Past 25 yards I couldn't group at all. This was years ago and there very well could have been a tuning issue, however, it left a bad taste in my mouth. Maybe it's mental, but I love my 7" Brace bow. If the Traverse comes in locally I will certainly check it out... otherwise I may be waiting till Matthews comes out with a new 7. I do like the looks and hear great things about the Elites and Prime bows though. I get the itch for a new bow every few years... for no reason at all.
From: Huntskifishcook
14-Mar-19
Cheapo bear. At least 5-6 years old, unsure of the year. QAD drop away and HHA single pin.
From: bjstcrusn
14-Mar-19
From: peterk1234
14-Mar-19
Just retired my 2005 Old Glory for a Realm X.
From: Eastie778
14-Mar-19
Very nice bows gentlemen! Bear Arena 34, HHA single pin, QAD drop away. I'm a Bear guy.
From: BruceP
14-Mar-19
My entire set-up is original from either 2008 or 2009. Hoyt Turbohawk, Apex single pin sight, drop away rest that I can't even remember the brand. None of it fancy, but as long as I keep within my comfortable range and don't try to shoot beyond the effective light conditions for my eyes, it ALWAYS does its job .
From: Will
14-Mar-19
Eastie if that's your new back yard Ill be over this weekend :) ha ha ha!
I like hoyt's... But that picture from BJSTCrun is awesome!
From: lunker
14-Mar-19
I see a lot of you guys have the single pin. I used one this past season on my Triax and am going back to my 5 pin.Nice sight but I feel like to much figuring at the time of the shot.A little extra stress I don't want I guess but it worked well first seaso with the triax put down 3 deer 2 of them though the shoulder blade ded in 40 yrds
From: bjstcrusn
14-Mar-19
Lunker I use the hha 1 pin and love it. I get what you're saying but you get used to it I keep mine on the 25-yard pin. So if a deer sneaks in on me which usually happens I know I'm a good up to 30 yards not really a difference at all between 25 and 30 and 25 and 20 but if a deer is walking towards an area and did not bust me I know where I'm going to try and stop them that gives me time to readjust my site. The five pin with these bows they were all touching each other and was too much of a blur for me
From: lunker
14-Mar-19
That's a good point about pint touching.I thought about that ,my old bow it wasn't really a problem this bow I don't know . I was very comfortable with my old sight and very accurate and calm.Worse case ill have just a few sight laying around
From: spike78
14-Mar-19
Gearhead T20, I’m the outsider ha!
From: Skippah
14-Mar-19
Triax with a 5 pin Tru glo, love it
From: Skippah
14-Mar-19
My pins don't seem too close and mines at 65 lbs if that helps any
From: lunker
14-Mar-19
Im shooting the same Triax with a truglo single pin want the new truglo 5 pin.As the yrd go longer the pins get smaller Hyper strike
From: Steveeg
14-Mar-19
Targets, Xpedition perfection. Hunting, Hoyt RX1 spot Hogg sight with my old Easton xx78’s... I know real men shoot recurves.
From: bigcountry
14-Mar-19
Bowtech, Diamond Outlaw. 6 yrs now. very good shooting. Comfortable.
From: Shawn
14-Mar-19
Martin eliminator..$169 at walmart.
From: Ungie01201
15-Mar-19
Lunker, I'm w/ BJS... I have had an HHA Single pin for about 10 years. I don't know if I can ever remember adjusting it in the field. I don't hunt fields and I rarely have to shoot past 25 yards, so I just keep it there and it does the job. I can only think of 2 deer I have shot out past that yardage and I just aimed high. I like the simplicity of the single pin. Just draw, aim, & shoot. My bow is efficient enough with 1 pin out to 25 or so yards. I do have it sighted in for farther out, but don't ever really have that opportunity. I don't think I would shoot much past 40 if given the opportunity in a field, etc. due to comfort level anyway.
From: Will
15-Mar-19
I have an HHA optimizer on my bow as well. It's set for 27, though I may decrease that going forward. My longest ever shot was 37yds, and I've learned that if I hold for the spine I get the lungs at 40 (based on 3d and target shooting)... But so rarely do I shoot over 30 at a deer, that I'm thinking Ill set it for 23 or 25 and learn new hold-over for the long stuff given I so rarely do those sorts of shots...
I've also never adjusted it in the woods. I dont hunt fields and dont want to move around that much in the tree. Maybe if I hunted different areas I'd do it... but at this point, I just leave it set - and it's stayed there for years (all though I do move it for target practice out long to work on form, like 50-80yds.)
From: BruceP
15-Mar-19
I started out shooting a single pin, tried the IQ sight in a 3-pin about 3-4 years ago and never left the back yard with it. I quickly found that even 3 pins is way too much visual noise for my eyes, just couldn't focus. Single pin is zeroed at 25 and I won't shoot past about 30-32, so no need to ever change it in the woods. Longest shot I've ever taken was 32 yards.
From: lunker
15-Mar-19
Food for thought
From: Coolbreeze
15-Mar-19
Ungie, I’m still thinking about a halon x Comp for spot and 3D. How do you like it?
Bjs lmfao love that pic.
From: Eastie778
15-Mar-19
I'll echo the sentiment of the single pin guys, especially Bruce, it was really hard for me to clear the sight window and focus on one pin. The single pin allows me to really focus on the animal and aim accordingly. I keep mine at 20 now and very little difference between 20 and 30 yards for me. On my buck this year at 10 yards I just aimed for the heart and knew it would be just slightly above it. What helps me most is shooting consistently with the pin at 20 all year long, at random yardage out to 35 yards or so. Like most of you guys, all those shots just become automatic. When you settle that pin on an animal, you know exactly were to put it. God I love bowhunting!! I wish Will, I have a 3D buck and a few bags, that was at the club! Your welcome to come over anytime though buddy!
From: Ungie01201
15-Mar-19
Coolbreeze... i love my Halon 7... i have never shot the x. My Halon and current set up have killed a pile of nice deer...
From: fran
15-Mar-19
Triax with a Black and Gold 1-pin adjustable
From: lunker
15-Mar-19
Great another single pinner
From: Tbow
15-Mar-19
Hoyt Havotec, three pin sight, 63 pounds, one of those six inch gel stabilizers a deer crusher...
From: bowandspear
15-Mar-19
No pins. Bow Watkins Viking longbow 52#@28, Elburg Jaguar Reflex D Flex 53#@28 and if I don't screw it up a 52# local hickory self bow I have been working for the last 3 weeks.
From: Coolbreeze
15-Mar-19
That’s awesome! I got respect for you traditional bow guys.
From: Come november
16-Mar-19
I hear you on the self bow B+S. Mine turned out like shit.
From: BC
16-Mar-19
Mathews Z7 Extreme. HHA single pin slide, QAD drop away rest. I like the short limb to limb, deep brace height and parallel limb design. Been a great bow.
From: fran
16-Mar-19
That's a good shooter BC I had a Z7 and loved it. I handed it down to my son and now he loves it.
From: Tekoa
16-Mar-19
64", 55# Bearpaw Raven is the go to bow.
From: Tekoa
16-Mar-19
From: Sosso
16-Mar-19
2013 Hoyt Charger, before they changed the limb pockets. It’s identical to the Spyder but with an aluminum riser.
I shoot Behman ICS Hunter Pros, but after they started putting that nerf fletching on their arrows, this set is my last. I shoot a 5 pin, but in all honesty I only ever use the top two (20, and 30 yds respectively). Muzzys and spitfires.
From: Deanmann
16-Mar-19
Come November you might want to try some other hobby. That is Hilarious!
From: Sheds
16-Mar-19
Hoyt Katera old but amazing 94lbs 308fps single pin zero to 40yrds 150 deer with it 11 P&Y
From: Sheds
16-Mar-19
Hoyt Katera old but amazing 94lbs 308fps single pin zero to 40yrds 150 deer with it 11 P&Y
From: Sheds
16-Mar-19
From: Sheds
16-Mar-19
From: Moons22
16-Mar-19
Sheds u kill lots of deer huh.. all mass?
From: Sheds
16-Mar-19
I have hunted there but never shot anything there RI Conn NY Penn and one hunt in Ohio is the places the numbers are from
From: Moons22
16-Mar-19
I like the marks on the bow. I have the “book of kills” 5x8 pic of every deer I’ve ever killed. I’m 22 and it’s getting pretty damn thick. Will be cool to show my kids/grandkids if I’m ever unfortunate enough to have any lol. Shoot straight
From: Sheds
16-Mar-19
I try to keep records of everything when it comes to hunting it makes it alot more rewarding we are very big I to finding the sheds and trail pics for multiple years of the same buck so when it's old enough to harvest we incorporate all of it into the mount very rewarding
From: Steve L.
16-Mar-19
Mathews Halon 32 with a 3 pin IQ sight
From: Moons22
16-Mar-19
I used to shoot the hour vextrix 2007 model killed a bunch with it. Donated to my buddy last spring he practiced all yeah and killed this beauty with it on his first sit ever out of one of my stands
From: Proline
16-Mar-19
Bowtech BTX, Bowtech General as backup
From: Erik7117
17-Mar-19
Bowtech Reign 6 , HHA Single pin , Vapor trail rest , plan on switching the sight almost blew a big kill cuz i couldent adjust in time.
From: lunker
17-Mar-19
What happened Erik 7117 ?
From: lunker
17-Mar-19
What happened Erik 7117 ?
From: B&M Baked
17-Mar-19
love my z7
From: fisherick
17-Mar-19
My compound buddies call them "Firewood", I call them close range slayers. Top bow, Bob Lee Signature Takedown, 60", 54#. Mid bow, homemade hickory selfbow, 68", 36#. No kills yet. Bottom bow, Bob Lee Signature Hunter, 54", 45#.
From: Notme
17-Mar-19
Mathews SB LD, 5 pin blackgold flashpoint, qad rest, Mathews quiver, 32" beaman is hunter 340, 125 slick trick magnum, 165 zwickey eskilite, Fletcher 44 release
From: Erik7117
18-Mar-19
Linker, he came through so fast I didnt have the time to reset my my pin to 15 yards it was on 30 . I tried to adjust but hit him high in the back thankfully he didnt run off and gave me another shot.
From: LateRiser
18-Mar-19
Hoyt Faktor 30, HHA single pin set to 27 yds, QAD Ultra rest. FMJ 340, 125 gr G5 Montec. 28" draw, 67 lbs.
I've never had to move my pin in the woods. It's 2" high at 15-20 yds, 3" low at 35. I aim at the heart for shots under 20, hold center of the lungs for 30+, assuming the deer will duck slightly. If not, still get heart.
I practice quite a bit on a 3D target from a stand, and have never had a problem there or when it counts.
The only thing I'd ever change to is a Spot Hogg double vertical pin. Just for out west to be able to shoot to 45-50 without adjusting the sight.
From: Coolbreeze
18-Mar-19
The Hogg father 2pin vertical is awesome.
From: Will
21-Mar-19
Moons, c'mon man. When you want to see your numbers you just look up the MA kill report from the last 8 years or so, halve it, and have your number :) he he he!
So cool to see all these hunting rigs. Lots of nice bows of all types and ages.
CN takes it though. Do you shoot that thing with fingers or a thumb release? :)
From: Steveeg
21-Mar-19
Tekoa, shooting that buck this season with that stick and string makes me feel like I’m cheating with my setup. Said it then and I’ll say it again Respect,,,
From: smokey
22-Mar-19
Black Widow PL.
From: Tekoa
22-Mar-19
Steveeg, Any legal deer is good and even the hottest compound setup is still a relatively short range weapon. I will say that there is so much great information today on how to shoot and tune stick bows that I think everyone should try it. Just shoot for fun even if you don't hunt with it. There are lots of really good entry level bows and used bows out there. There are also quite a few indoor ranges where you can rent equipment and get some professional instruction for very reasonable prices. I haven't done that but if starting out fresh I would.
From: Steveeg
22-Mar-19
I spent some time shooting a Hoyt game master when they first came out. 40 lb limbs . At the time I thought I was tough wrong. That thing kicked my ass. Never felt confident enough to hunt with it.
From: Deeznuts
24-Mar-19
Prime Centergy
From: Ungie01201
28-Mar-19
The more and more I read and see about these Prime bows the more interested I am in checking them out. Problem is, the nearest Prime dealer is an hour away. I like having a proshop dealer in town to take care of anything that may arise. 1st world problems, I know. And honestly, there is only 1 pro shop / dealer in my county that I would truly trust setting me up, and they only deal Mathews and Hoyt. That is why I have been sticking with Mathews. The other dealers have bowtech and PSE, but are great with set up / tuning issues. they Elite "dealer" is open rarely and usually has one bow in stock and needs to order what you want... ugh. No Prime dealers in Berkshire County.
From: Dinky
28-Mar-19
2010 Hoyt Carbon Matrix painted coyote tan
From: Ungie01201
01-Apr-19
I just picked up a like new Prime Logic. I have been shooting 70lbs for years... this one only goes up to 60lb. It's gonna be strange, but the deal was just too good to pass up. Thoughts on shooting 60lb vs 70lb?
From: spike78
01-Apr-19
Ungie with the lighter arrows at 300 grain the FPS will be pretty much the same as 350 at 70 pounds. I’ve shot 70-72 pounds for years and my new bow is set at 65. You will be happy on a cold morning shaking with a bruiser walking by! For deer no big deal on elk I’d want all the weight I can get. My cousin has been been shooting deer with 55 pound bows his whole life and that’s with NAP mechanicals with no problem.
From: Ungie01201
01-Apr-19
Thanks Spike!
From: Mnhunter1980
01-Apr-19
Sorry I can’t help but creep on Mass. forum. You guys have some life on this site. I switched to a recurve a few weeks ago and love it. I also bought my 9 yr old son a Martin recurve and he is having a lot more fun shooting compared to compound.
PSE nighthawk 62” 45# Martin Alder 54” 20#
From: BC
01-Apr-19
Glad to have you, come on back anytime. We try to keep it rolling between seasons too. I used to shoot a black widow recurve but never hunted with it. Good luck with your setup.
From: BC
02-Apr-19
From: Ungie01201
02-Apr-19
BC, I have the same one!
From: BC
02-Apr-19
Yeah, it’s a great bow. My son learned on it. He had tremendous hand eye coordination until I ruined him and got him a compound ha ha. He’s still a great shot though. This is him probably during high school years. Long time ago.
From: Ungie01201
02-Apr-19
awesome pic!
From: Mnhunter1980
02-Apr-19
Thanks BC, that’s a nice looking bow! I really like the look of a 1 piece bow but the price and options of the takedown got me.
From: Deerdawg
03-Apr-19
Wow, Just checked on the date of my Mathews Switchback... 2006 didn't realize its that old already! Tru -glow drop away rest, (flawless) with 4 pin site. Mathews quiver and stabilizer. It was a Reedy's set up. Been great out of box! I don't know any other bow's! I bought Chris and his service, so I will buy again from him. Have a couple of older recurves that I grew up on, Oneida 30+ lb. and Bear 50+lb. I would like for old time sake to shoot a deer with a recurve, This might be the year to do it!
From: Ungie01201
05-Apr-19
I just ordered a Prime Logic 60lb. Should have Monday.
From: Droptine
13-Apr-19
mathews HTR no cam. great bow, very smooth.
From: Ungie01201
17-May-19
Didn't care for the Prime Logic. Back to my trusty Halon 7. New arrows and a good tune up and she is good to go!
From: Deerdawg
17-May-19
Ungie, What didn't you like about it? I am going to upgrade eventually from my Switchback, its getting heavy. I have great luck with it over a lot of years and cant bring myself to switch but my shoulders are not what they used to be. I will buy another Mathews Bow. What's the big difference between a Halon and the HTR no cam? I got to go and shoot them both, .......wait I got to save up some $ first!
From: spike78
17-May-19
I don’t think Mathews makes a light bow.
From: Ungie01201
17-May-19
I just didn't care for the grip and the feel of the Prime Logic. It was a very nice bow, but the shorter riser and the grip just didn't feel right. I could not get a consistent grip. The draw cycle was very different as well and I just didn't personally care for it. I loved my switchback xt... then my z7. I have not shot the No Cam, so I can't speak to that, but the Halon series has an incredibly smooth draw cycle, and still spits the arrow pretty quick (faster than no cam). You can't even feel the huge cams rollover on the Halon. The Vertix and Triax are similar as well, however, I like my 7" brace height on my Halon and am not willing to give that up for a newer Mathews option. I think the new Vertix is lighter though... My Halon is a HEAVY bow! I do like the weight though. The Prime was light an had a solid backwall, but I can hold the heavier Mathews more steady on target.
From: Ungie01201
20-May-19
Keep it up Pat... haha
From: lunker
20-May-19
What a chooch
From: Ungie01201
21-May-19
if you say so Pat.... they are all good. just a matter of preference.
From: Proline
21-May-19
Agree ungie. All that matters is how the bow feels to the shooter. If it doesn’t feel right you won’t shoot to your potential.
From: Ungie01201
21-May-19
I'm plenty accurate with my Halon... and have never had a problem with it (or with any Mathews I have owned).
From: lunker
21-May-19
no
From: Ungie01201
21-May-19
Whatever you say Pat. I guess I don’t know what I’m taking about. There’s no proof on my wall etc. good luck out there. How to see all of you and your prime trophy pics this season.
From: lunker
22-May-19
no
From: Ungie01201
22-May-19
I'm glad you do Pat... just saying that it doesn't take a Prime (or any particular brand of bow) to be successful... but you just like to argue on these threads.
From: Deerdawg
22-May-19
Ungie thanks for your feed back on your experience with different bows. I will test shoot a few soon I think it will come down to which bow “feels right” as you mentioned. This article was interesting for what it’s worth. I will stick with my instincts as I tend too! I can only imagine how much better a new bow shoots with the rapid advancement in bow technologies.
https://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/whitetail-365/2013/06/your-perfect-bow-part-1-does-brace-height-really-affect-forgiveness
From: Ungie01201
22-May-19
No problem Deerdawg. Everyone has their own personal preference to feel, draw cycle, speed, etc. A couple of my buddies are die hard Hoyt guys. Another has a Prime and Obsession. Another swears by Elite. Several with Mathews, PSE, etc... they are all awesome. Another guy i know just got a Bear Kuma and absolutely loves it... Shoot them all (or all that you can get an opportunity to shoot) and just get what feels best. You'll know. Set up properly and you will be good to go regardless!
From: Arrownoob
23-May-19
I struggled with shooting different bows before I bought my prime at x spot Attleboro. No one wants to let you try it out. Anyway, I’m happy with my centurgy the arrow goes where the pin is unless I messed up. Or my sights off. Or maybe it’s the bow. Or my form. Maybe I should tweak my peep. Or my fletchers are bent. I might’ve been 31 yards instead of 30 and there’s wind too. Plus, angle. And breathing.
From: Moons22
24-May-19
Check out this old PSE. I think I was 15 when I got my first deer with that down in PA
From: Ungie01201
24-May-19
Moons... that is great. My first was a Jennings. Black lightning maybe?
From: Deerdawg
24-May-19
Arrownoob, They don't let you shoot a bow that you may buy? Really? Not sure if I could spend a grand and not test shoot one. Moon's, That's a nice pic, A Bowhunter born! My gut says I will go back to Reedy's and buy another Mathews or a Hoyt, I believe they will let me shoot them before I buy. I guess because I am not knowledgeable enough nor want to service my own bow, I really value that service from Reedy's and its close for me to get to. I'm not into all the stats of a bow, like the tools I buy, I go with a performance proven, quality built, name brand product. Well made products hold their value longer. The Mathews switchback I bought 14 years ago is still money and in great shape, unless the quality of their new bows has really dropped off, they are a tough bow to beat. But then again I have not shot other brands. It will be fun to try the new ones out.
From: lunker
24-May-19
Triax is simply awesome.Igive her a kiss every night
From: Dthfrmabove
24-May-19
Is that you moons ??? Looks like you just took a crap and it got stuck on your collar !!! Hahahha. That’s an awesome pic wish I had some from way back when but they just invented the wheel so there were no cameras back then .
