Author Topic: Crossbows legalized during bowseason in Alabama (Read 2604 times)

Paparock · « **Reply #30 on:** August 29, 2004, 04:27:15 PM »

Deleted by Paparock

Book · « **Reply #31 on:** September 05, 2004, 12:39:31 PM »

I came in too late as the post by Dutch are missing? Don't matter much I am 100% for crossbows anyway... Book

Graybeard · « **Reply #32 on:** September 05, 2004, 01:14:48 PM »

I haven't been back to this old thread in a long time myself. Didn't realize Dutch's comments were gone. Guess he edited them out. Too bad as he had his points to make and who knows he might be 100% right. That I didn't agree sure didn't make his argument any less valid. Heck I don't even always agree with myself. :eek: :-D

Paparock · « **Reply #33 on:** September 10, 2004, 05:06:21 AM »

Deleted by Paparock

GaryL · « **Reply #34 on:** September 10, 2004, 09:28:08 AM »

I joined the forum way after this thread got started so I really can't say much as I do not know the whole story. I am a archer, I shoot long bow, recurve, compound, and YES my surperb Excalibur crossbow. I shoot crossbow not because I have too but because I want to. I am lucky as I live in Ohio and crossbow has a great season for deer. It is a shame that crossbow is not open to all, in all the states!

Ohh and by the way I have Gray Hair and salt & pepper beard

Good Hunting to all.

Graybeard · « **Reply #35 on:** September 10, 2004, 09:53:29 AM »

I started in archery as a very young lad. I guess my first bow most likely was some truly cheap short and weak wood bow made for kids. I honestly don't recall but know they were common then (early 50s). These came with rubber suction cup tips back then.

I soon began making my own bows and arrows. Willow and privet hedge were the most readily available and most suitable woods I had for making bows. I really had nothing very suitable for arrows. But there was a weed that grew locally that had pretty straight and fairly strong so made fair arrows. They often had a worm in them which formed a round boll about an inch in diameter. These made fair blunts and because of the weight forward balance flew fairly well point on for short distances. They broke when they hit anything solid. We bent bottle caps over the ends for broadheads. These too flew OK because of the weight forward balance. No fletching was ever used. Nocks were just a groove cut in back of arrow.

My bow making skills were pretty limited. I'd take a pocket knife or hatchet and cut a limb or sapling of appropriate diameter. Using the knife I'd skin off all the bark and let it dry well. I then cut grooves to hold a string and "strung it up". It stayed that way until it was no longer useable and then was replaced with a new one made same way. One I remember well was made of a privet hedge sapling varying from perhaps 1.25" to 1.5" at big end. It was a bit less than 5' long. Dunno the poundage on it but it came at a time when I was using store bought wood arrows and it would throw them 150-200 yards with ease.

My first real "store bought" bow came on my 12th birthday. I had saved money from refunds on drink bottles picked up around the neighborhood and selling scrap iron mostly. I took the bus to town and bought a solid fiberglass recurve bow made by Ben Pearson. It had a 35 pound pull and was light years ahead of what I'd used previously. Yes I still own it. Since I spent all the money I had buying that bow and 3-4 wood arrows I had to walk all the way back home, a distance of about 3-4 miles I guess.

I still to this day prefer recurve bows and own several. But my shoulders really just aren't up to the task of using them or my compound either. Heck I can't even cock the crossbow for now. I'll have to wait until my string cocking device shows up and if that doesn't do it then get a crank cocking device. Given my choice and if I still could I'd rather use a recurve than any other. But that's behind me and unless I have the surgery on my shoulders it ain't gonna happen and might not even if I do have the surgery.

Paparock · « **Reply #36 on:** September 10, 2004, 09:58:18 AM »

Deleted by Paparock

GaryL · « **Reply #37 on:** September 10, 2004, 11:25:38 AM »

Paparock hope all goes well with you. I have had the nerve conductive tests done a few times on my left arm and legs. I had my back broke back in 1978 and have problems with my right leg going out at times. Fishing I love it but it no take the place of the bow :lol: .

Graybeard I done the same thing, collected bottles, junk metal in a red wagon(flyer) Stick bows, and I don't rember what we made the arrows of but they grew tall, larger at the root made for good weight forward. Geee's those were the days :-D :-D

Paparock that Green Mountain Longbow all I can say is

catch you all later.