Another vintage hobby: Archery
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Another vintage hobby: Archery
So I know sometimes the mods allow for other vintage hobbies to be posted: often involving musical instruments or cameras- but recently I have gotten back into Archery after a 30+ year hiatus.
The Bicycle connection is that before the Pandemic hit, I was able to ride my 83 stumpjumper up to the Redwood Bowman archery range at + 1500ft from my house, shoot some on the practice range and maybe a round on the course, then head back down. near killed me but made a great afternoon (into evening at my speed).
Here is my latest bow: (ignore the target in the back, that was for my daughters arrows.. but made a nice backdrop for the picture..)
I have been learning to shoot right side/asian/horseback style.
this is my nicest bow by far- Just like bikes its so much about sizing- this little bow has a 34+" draw, and with my freakishly long arms its a wonder to draw and shoot.
The Bicycle connection is that before the Pandemic hit, I was able to ride my 83 stumpjumper up to the Redwood Bowman archery range at + 1500ft from my house, shoot some on the practice range and maybe a round on the course, then head back down. near killed me but made a great afternoon (into evening at my speed).
Here is my latest bow: (ignore the target in the back, that was for my daughters arrows.. but made a nice backdrop for the picture..)
I have been learning to shoot right side/asian/horseback style.
this is my nicest bow by far- Just like bikes its so much about sizing- this little bow has a 34+" draw, and with my freakishly long arms its a wonder to draw and shoot.

Last edited by jetboy; 05-17-20 at 07:02 PM.
Likes For jetboy:
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: 961' 42.28° N, 83.78° W (A2)
Posts: 2,344
Bikes: Mongoose Selous, Trek DS
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 940 Post(s)
Liked 317 Times
in
188 Posts
Last edited by bobwysiwyg; 05-18-20 at 03:04 PM.
#3
Junior Samples
I always thought archery would be a fun sport to get into. If it can be kept simple and low-key I think it would be immensely enjoyable.
When I was in junior high we used to shoot in the gym during PE.
When I was in junior high we used to shoot in the gym during PE.
#4
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Victorville, California
Posts: 5
Bikes: Specialized SWORKS Amira, Specialized Ruby Pro, Cannondale Kujo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Nice bow jetboy. I shoot an olympic recurve from Hoyt.
#5
Stop reading my posts!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,092
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 666 Post(s)
Liked 249 Times
in
204 Posts
Funny this came up cause my friend's son just got the archery bug big time and I gave him the only surviving bow I seem to have anymore...and he's hooked! I used to have some nice recurves (never got a compound) but sold or gave them away (some were really too high a pull weight for me, anyway) so all I had to start young Leo with was an ancient fiberglass beginner's recurve like all the school kids used in my youth (might be a 20lb. pull at most!). I bought him a 6-pack of Easton aluminum arrows and he's shooting up a storm! Wonder what the next bow "upgrade" should be assuming he sticks with recurve?
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: South Shore of Long Island
Posts: 1,291
Bikes: 2010 Carrera Volans, 2015 C-Dale Trail 2sl, 2017 Raleigh Rush Hour, 2017 Blue Proseccio, 1992 Giant Perigee, 80s Gitane Rallye Tandem
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 483 Post(s)
Liked 330 Times
in
258 Posts
Was just discussing this today. I take the neighbor's daughter with us sometimes when we mountain bike, my daughter wants to head off with the neighbor to shoot some arrows which we haven't done since moving to LI but there is a public range nearby. Hers is a basic fiberglass recurve, I've got a compound that's set to 55lb. I can still pull it multiple times but I somehow remember it being a lot easier 20 years ago.
Likes For Bill in VA:
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Visalia, CA
Posts: 1,481
Mentioned: 27 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 619 Post(s)
Liked 389 Times
in
201 Posts
I haven't shot in a while, but the osage self-bow I use was made by Jaap Koppedrayer of Yumi Bows. He made all of the Japanese yumi used by the archers in The Last Samurai film and both Jaap and his wife are lifelong practitioners of that ancient sport. They also host a very popular international gathering for a traditional Chinese archery competition on his bamboo farm in Georgia every year. I got to visit him there once with a mutual friend. The lifestlye Jaap and his wife lead is very admirable, deeply connected with the craft... This is his site:
YUMI BOWS - Where Art and Performance Meet
I have a degree from SFSU in early European history, and was heavily involved with historical reenactment for a time and attended big events and such, and archery was something I fiddled with due to all of that, though I'm much more of a craftsman than archer. I've made a few quivers and bracers for the activity, as well!
-Gregory





YUMI BOWS - Where Art and Performance Meet
I have a degree from SFSU in early European history, and was heavily involved with historical reenactment for a time and attended big events and such, and archery was something I fiddled with due to all of that, though I'm much more of a craftsman than archer. I've made a few quivers and bracers for the activity, as well!
-Gregory






Likes For Kilroy1988:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Eastern Shore, MD
Posts: 1,027
Bikes: Road ready: 1993 Koga Miyata City Liner Touring Hybrid, 1989 Centurion Sport DLX, "I Blame GP" Bridgestone CB-1. Projects: Yea, I got a problem....
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 354 Post(s)
Liked 119 Times
in
83 Posts
I was pretty deep into archery before I started rideing again. I over did it and got injured and kept re-injuring my self trying to get back to it, so I quit cold turkey. I've got a 15 lb bow thats been on the wall waiting for 4 years now. It might be time to see if everything knitted back together enough.
PS. inspired, I spent 20 minutes flinging arrows. The bow and arrow's are not that well tuned together but muscle memory served enough to not be discouraging. A little sore here and there from just holding position and a little complaint from the scar tissue, but promising. I'll try again in a couple days.
PS. inspired, I spent 20 minutes flinging arrows. The bow and arrow's are not that well tuned together but muscle memory served enough to not be discouraging. A little sore here and there from just holding position and a little complaint from the scar tissue, but promising. I'll try again in a couple days.
Last edited by bark_eater; 05-18-20 at 10:56 AM.
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
They Re-Opened the archery course in the park! So I went today- I did not have a ton of time but did the 28 targets, 2 arrows each, and it felt ok. I was getting sort of sloppy by the end but it sure felt good to get out in the air! it just rained so the air was clean - not to hot nor cold. just about perfect if a bit windy.
First timing shooting the new bow & arrows at a range over 9m (my back yard)-> the arrows I have for that bow are 35" long, have weighted tips - about 4x what a normal western target arrow uses. Bow is around 50lbs at 34" draw. works for me, I was having some trouble with the longer ranges.. still hard to do the 50m+ but I was getting in the area at least. Bow is good, arrows could be better- these were a compromise and now I am thinking I should have gotten the proper bamboo shafts-- too much flex in the CF. much like bikes!
I did chop a branch off a pine tree with one though..The rain had dropped it into the branch down low and I cut it right off on the way to the target (which I missed...I blame the branch ). it was very satisfying actually.
First timing shooting the new bow & arrows at a range over 9m (my back yard)-> the arrows I have for that bow are 35" long, have weighted tips - about 4x what a normal western target arrow uses. Bow is around 50lbs at 34" draw. works for me, I was having some trouble with the longer ranges.. still hard to do the 50m+ but I was getting in the area at least. Bow is good, arrows could be better- these were a compromise and now I am thinking I should have gotten the proper bamboo shafts-- too much flex in the CF. much like bikes!
I did chop a branch off a pine tree with one though..The rain had dropped it into the branch down low and I cut it right off on the way to the target (which I missed...I blame the branch ). it was very satisfying actually.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Eastern Shore, MD
Posts: 1,027
Bikes: Road ready: 1993 Koga Miyata City Liner Touring Hybrid, 1989 Centurion Sport DLX, "I Blame GP" Bridgestone CB-1. Projects: Yea, I got a problem....
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 354 Post(s)
Liked 119 Times
in
83 Posts
I think "Jinkster" is on bike forums somewere. He was a pretty prolific archery writer/poster when I was initialy fascinated with archery. I really want to rig a mongolian saddle to the back of my big dummy and get my son going on mounted archery.
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I haven't shot in a while, but the osage self-bow I use was made by Jaap Koppedrayer of Yumi Bows. He made all of the Japanese yumi used by the archers in The Last Samurai film and both Jaap and his wife are lifelong practitioners of that ancient sport. They also host a very popular international gathering for a traditional Chinese archery competition on his bamboo farm in Georgia every year. I got to visit him there once with a mutual friend. The lifestlye Jaap and his wife lead is very admirable, deeply connected with the craft... This is his site:
YUMI BOWS - Where Art and Performance Meet
I have a degree from SFSU in early European history, and was heavily involved with historical reenactment for a time and attended big events and such, and archery was something I fiddled with due to all of that, though I'm much more of a craftsman than archer. I've made a few quivers and bracers for the activity, as well!
-Gregory
YUMI BOWS - Where Art and Performance Meet
I have a degree from SFSU in early European history, and was heavily involved with historical reenactment for a time and attended big events and such, and archery was something I fiddled with due to all of that, though I'm much more of a craftsman than archer. I've made a few quivers and bracers for the activity, as well!
-Gregory
I only recently got inspired to do some Asian style archery... today I did all thumb draw with my Tang "Dunhuang" Long from Alibow- It was a recommendation from an active Chinese bow enthusiast in the Bay Area who also has a much longer draw than most bows, asian or not, are capable of- for $300 you get a 35" draw. amazing deal (but you got to spend some extra on arrows that long). So far I love it! right side draw feels more natural already- as well as sighting, I feel I am more accurate than ever. *but the practice range is still closed so was not able to really test it.
Alibow is great, he is very responsive and answers questions and his craftsmanship is really top notch. I ordered a bow for my daughter from him for her birthday-
the next bow I am eyeing is: from Mariner - qing dragon
The Cinnabar Bow - Traditional Chinese Archery Equipment
a bit more money but its exquisite. plus I may want to go up to 60lb and keep it as my long range bow, while the Tang is my quick close bow as it is smaller- more of a horse bow (but I don't ride a horse).
Last edited by jetboy; 05-18-20 at 03:07 PM.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 2,705
Bikes: 1984 Miyata 310, 1986 Schwinn Sierra, 2011 Jamis Quest, 1980 Peugeot TH8 Tandem, 1992 Performance Parabola, 1987 Ross Mt. Hood, 1988 Schwinn LeTour, 1988 Trek 400T, 1981 Fuji S12-S LTD
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 286 Post(s)
Liked 115 Times
in
86 Posts
Before my son was born (he's 23 now), I wanted to try bow hunting. The season in Ohio starts a lot earlier, before it gets cold and rainy. I'm left handed, so I ordered a compound bow from a local shop that was run out of a guy's basement. I never took a shot at a deer, but I enjoyed the target practice. Like a lot of peoples' bikes, I used the bow for a couple years and put it away on the shelf.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,123
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 621 Post(s)
Liked 404 Times
in
223 Posts
I used to deer hunt with a Browning Cobra compound back in the 80’s. The past 10yrs I have switched to crossbow for deer. It makes for exciting hunting with bears, cougars and wolves running around when they smell blood.
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I am from Oregon - rural as it gets- so I grew up with hunters and hunting- But frankly, we used guns. As a kid I only hunted grouse with a bow- I had one family friend that hunted deer with a bow, but my family went with a basic 30-30. But one day my father went out on a hunt (we are not sport hunters- we lived 8 miles up a river from a tiny town, no electricity, no indoor plumbing, no phone, sometimes running water, in a log cabin my father built- so hunting was about living) and he came back and put down the rifle and said he would not hunt deer again. F if he would not fish again as that was full on! but somehow, he would not kill a deer. something happened out there.. my dad was not a big talker and died young..
Likes For jetboy:
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Visalia, CA
Posts: 1,481
Mentioned: 27 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 619 Post(s)
Liked 389 Times
in
201 Posts
...the next bow I am eyeing is: from Mariner - qing dragon
The Cinnabar Bow - Traditional Chinese Archery Equipment
a bit more money but its exquisite. plus I may want to go up to 60lb and keep it as my long range bow, while the Tang is my quick close bow as it is smaller- more of a horse bow (but I don't ride a horse).
The Cinnabar Bow - Traditional Chinese Archery Equipment
a bit more money but its exquisite. plus I may want to go up to 60lb and keep it as my long range bow, while the Tang is my quick close bow as it is smaller- more of a horse bow (but I don't ride a horse).
Grozer Traditional Recurve Bows Hungary
The prices for the base models (made with fiberglass reinforcements, etc) are very competitive. Cheers!
-Gregory
Likes For davester:
#18
Senior Member
Archery is a I lot of fun.I don,t mean to offend but it has also put the venison in the freezer for me for thirty years, It is a weapon,
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Went out today with my daughter - I think no one has realized they have opened as we were one of only 2 groups on the whole course. My daughter is only 8 so she prefers the target range which is still closed, but we had a good time. Like cycling its definitely a sport that one can do 6'+ apart.. mostly groups are more like 150' apart even if its crowded.
for my hunting total today my daughter and I winged a squirrel, killed a cougar, wounded a bear in the paw (not a good idea), killed a duck and a turkey. and scared a lot of other cardboard cut-outs.
#20
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 12,454
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2126 Post(s)
Liked 541 Times
in
341 Posts
I used to have my uncle's old Fred Bear bow from the 60s- I seem to remember it being about as tall as me.
I really sucked at archery. No idea what happened to the bow. There was a time around 10 years ago that I tried out one of those bows with the pulleys- I did it without an arm protector thingy- and I gave myself a bruise that lasted a month or so. I sucked at archery.
I really sucked at archery. No idea what happened to the bow. There was a time around 10 years ago that I tried out one of those bows with the pulleys- I did it without an arm protector thingy- and I gave myself a bruise that lasted a month or so. I sucked at archery.
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#21
Senior Member
I am from Oregon - rural as it gets- so I grew up with hunters and hunting- But frankly, we used guns. As a kid I only hunted grouse with a bow- I had one family friend that hunted deer with a bow, but my family went with a basic 30-30. But one day my father went out on a hunt (we are not sport hunters- we lived 8 miles up a river from a tiny town, no electricity, no indoor plumbing, no phone, sometimes running water, in a log cabin my father built- so hunting was about living) and he came back and put down the rifle and said he would not hunt deer again. F if he would not fish again as that was full on! but somehow, he would not kill a deer. something happened out there.. my dad was not a big talker and died young..
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
#22
Senior Member
Thread Starter
not the same, but grew up in a tiny town in Montana....but not as rural as yours....my dad quit hunting once they were financially stable enough to not need a deer to supplement.... but he did love shooting and we were all well trained (he taught marksmanship in the marines during korean war era) and so was my son...highlight of visitng granpa
Truth was we were gun kids- we had 2020's before we could read properly- and used to practice shooting holes in the center of quarters. These days, and for my daughter, now living the city.. a bow is better. ;_)
She is 8 now and only shot a bb gun. but that may change next oregon trip.
but I have to say-- archery is a good sport that i suspect many vintage rider types would appreciate-
Last edited by jetboy; 05-26-20 at 09:42 PM.