OLD BOW

[rex6666]

I know that their have been lots of improvements in bows over the years.
My questions is do the animals know this, not tiring to be smart, i hear
all the time that you have to have a magnum rifle now days, don't think the deer
and elk have evolved that much.
The reason for this is i have a bow that i bought in about 1976, package deal
for about $350.00 ( was top of the line supposedly) this bow has been very little buy me and my son. I am
thinking about taking it to a bow shop and see about tuning it or something
just can't make myself believe that I really need a $600. - $800. bow
i am 61 years old. anyone got answers

[huntswithdogs]

Rex,
About the earliest compound I remember was Bear's Whitetail hunter. I remember shooting one of these also. Will it still kill deer ? OH YEAH! The thing about newer bows is the ease of pull due to advancements in cam technology, quietness, left off and over all weight. At 61 the older style sight pins may not be working too well with your eyes. I know my eyes ain't working like they did back then! If ya choose to shoot it, yuo amy want to consider upgrading sights. You should be able to get strings and cables for it, though ya might have to wait on the order. All ya can do it tote it down to your local shop and get them to look at it.

HWD

[rex6666]

Thanks
yea they have already told me they can get anything for it. It is
a 40% let off and adjustable from 40 to 65lbs if i remember right, the local
shop has seen it once and immediately wanted to trade, When i bought it
i planned to take it elk hunting that year(1974) so it was set up accordingly
i am going to look into diff. sites. i think if it would kill a 1974 elk it will kill a 2009
elk, of course a lot of that depends on me, but the local shop has a range and instruction (if they can teach old dogs) this bow is a Darton, but my son camo
painted over any ser# or model #

[Empty Quiver]

I'm partial to my stick bows . I will give the newest compounds credit for having quieted down all the string, cable, e-clip, limb pocket,  ad nauseum, noises. As my recently departed uncle always told me," those deer aren't reading the same magazines you are, they don't know all that crap".

[dakotashooter2]

Please tell me you are not going to embarass your game by shooting it with an old bow. When they get to big game heaven they will be the laughing stock when the others hear they were shot and killed with some "old" bow. Have a heart and buy a new $800 bow so your game can save face.

My current bow is ONLY 14 years old. I am currently shooting it at 40 lbs cause of a shoulder injury yet managed to miss a doe at about 30 yards out and bury the broadhead (bear razorhead) 3/4 of its length in a frozen oak tree. I'm sure the doe wouldn't have noticed the difference.

FWIW most of the noise from a bow is all the "stuff" that is strapped on to it.

[jgalar]

Not many compounds these days are made for finger release. The short length of the bow causes finger pinch. Shooting with a release and sights is more accurate than shooting bare bow, but so are my rifles. I've taken all the sights off of all my bows and only shoot instinctive now. The new bows don't impress me much for my shooting.

[rex6666]

since i am "old" i think i will stay with this old bow it will probably do anything i can
gona take it too the local shop, and have it checked out.

[dakotashooter2]

jgalar

I've taken all the sights off of all my bows and only shoot instinctive now. The new bows don't impress me much for my shooting.

A man of my own heart.

[squirrellluck]

dang 14 years old? almost brand new! my current bow was built around 1960's.

[dakotashooter2]

dang 14 years old? almost brand new! my current bow was built around 1960's.

I was forced to buy it when my previous bow met it's demise in an auto accident.

[squirrellluck]

my condolences its sad to lose an old friend

[catfishfiend]

i received a bear whitetail hunter compound for a birthday present a few years ago.  i shot two deer with it, and i can attest to the game being embarrassed.  both deer i shot didn't go more than 20 yards before expiring, from being so embarrassed!  they seemed to be pretty ashamed the arrow was only going 'around' 200 fps when it hit them.  poor things.

[Cottonwood]

rex6666 your bow has a 40% let off and still has 65# draw weight, mine has 65# max at 70# with 80% let off.  No the deer or elk will not know the differance, you at your age would know the differance if you drew a bow that has a better let off than you currently do, that is all.