Flint Locks and Long Bows

[1899]

Does anyone here hunt with a flint lock or traditional long bow? Let's hear some stories and see some pictures please!

 

[doubleman]

Yes both!
I shoot a 64"bamboo longbow but this season I am cheating and shooting my compound as I have not had the practice time to shoot as much as I like to. As to the flintlock the rifle (pedersoli frontier .54cal) well be in deer mode in about 2 weeks for our muzzleloader only season. Last season I shot a fork horn with it from 5 yards at last light and it was awesome the flash from the pan and the muzzle looked so cool as the flames and sparks made it all the way to the deer. Can't wait to see that again.
I also have a 12ga smoothbore that I built my self and a 56cal smooth that is half done. I have shot turkeys,phesants,grouse,rabits and even a woodcock with the smoothbore. Last year I had a tom come in to about 15yards and the pan flashed and the gun did not fire, boy did that tom get out of dodge in a hurry. That was the first time it ever happened while hunting so I was just as shocked. It adds some challenge to hunting but fun challenge.
Regards

 

[Rick]

Does anyone here hunt with a flint lock or traditional long bow? Let's hear some stories and see some pictures please!

I tried hunting with a long bow my brother made for me this year, but no success and so no pictures. Frankly, I prefer my compound, but I'll always put some time in with the long bow because my brother made it for me and it is a beautiful bow. First reason: I find the hand shock from the long bow unpleasant compared to my compound. Second reason, I prefer actually having some sights so there is some precision when I let the arrow go. I know there's some guys out there who are phenomenal shots with a long bow, but once I divvy up all my time between rifles, handguns, shotguns, compound bows, and all the other unrelated things like flyfishing and training gun dogs, I just won't be shooting a longbow enough to get beyond mediocrity.

So I'll take the longbow out occasionally when any elk we bugle in will be kissing close when it pops out of the bush, but I don't expect to be posting any pictures of success here anytime soon.

What I REALLY would have liked is one of the Korean horse bows he makes. Beautiful, and man are those suckers fast. I haven't had a lot of luck shooting his, perhaps because I'm still figuring out the thumb ring and shooting off the "wrong" side of the bow, but they are a lot of fun and I think could be a real potent weapon for the dedicated traditional archer.

 

[wade]

i hunted this year with my .62 cal. fullstock hawken custom, i screwed up a good chance on a nice mulie buck the first day, then couldnt get close enough the next 4 days, and finally left it at home and shot a nice whitetail with my .308 in the same area, will try again next year, wade

 

[kaszëbë]

I have a longbow, but I could never be good enough to hunt with it. I have alot of respect for anyone who can actually accurately shoot them.

 

[hithere]

I shoot both long bow and recurve.
I ahve a couple of compound bows but htey just collect dust.
Every year i get my deer - ahve got elk and bear in the past.
very challenging way to hunt.

 

[Turkeyslayer 1300]

Not a longbow but my recurve is gonna get a chance in our december controlled deer hunt.

 

[Kilo Charlie]

I've only been successful on small game so far with my recurve and my flintlock.
The 'curve is a 56-lb Chek-Mate, traditional style with no sights or rest. Wooden, feather-fletched arrows, 2-blade broadheads. Lovely bow.
Flinter is a TVM Tennessee Rifle by Jack Garner, 42" x 1" .54 cal. 1:72 twist, full curly maple stock, iron furniture. Davis doubleset, Siler lock. Cloverleafs at 50 yards, 2" or so at a hundred.
I really do need to take pictures.

 

[chasseur]

I just bought this Snaphaunce smooth bore and plan to hunt deer with it next year