Early Season Success

I rarely end up with a deer on my first hunt of the season, but this year it all just came together. I only had a few hours to play because my wife had some social engagements with friends so I stayed close to home.  It was close to 8am and already around 70 degrees as I was nestled into a brush blind.  It was half pit and half brush and I had to stand to see over the front cover.  I was leaned back against the back wall when a doe with 2 spotted fawns came by.  I did not want to shoot mama with two fawns so young and dependent so I watched for a while as they fed around me.  This is the conditions of early season hunting.  The thermacell waft smoke and I was contented to watch the show.

Then they perked up and I noticed another form coming from the timber.  It was another mature doe.  This one had no spotted fawns in tow and sported a grey coat as she was in the midst of changing into her winter attire.   

Now this was looking up.  She came on in facing me, then after an eternity was broadside.  There was a problem though as the two other fawns were behind the doe.  Ugh, maybe this was not meant to be.  Watching for another eternity, I finally had my opportunity.  I drew, picked a spot and watched in horror as my arrow sailed over the doe's back!  No!

Well now everything was alerted and looking directly at me.  I froze.  After some time I decided to try to get my follow on arrow on the string which I was successful at, but the deer were really spooked.  They were there though.  I surprised myself again about the unobtrusiveness of the Hill Style longbows twang. 

For what seemed like 2 eternities we all froze.  Finally one by the one the two fawns went back to nibbling the browse, then the mama.  Finally my grey gal went back to feeding.  Eventually she fed broadside once more and I successfully drew and burned a deep hole.  Really bearing down, I let fly and saw a good hit.  Maybe 2 inches higher than I wanted and the arrow penetration seemed shallow, though I knew with that angle it probably hit the far shoulder / leg.

I sat down and relaxed listening after the crashing ceased.  Maybe 10 minutes later I thought I heard thrashing but the mind can play tricks. 

After my self imposed 45 minute wait, I started out.  

There she was a scant 60 or so yards from the shot.  It was a good double lung shot with the 190 grain ribtek.  I was impressed with the holes.

By the time I got her back at the house I was a sweaty  mess.  She weighed 95 pounds dressed out.  I got to work processing and getting her quartered and into my meat refrigerator.  I'll be doing some canning again!  It is a great start to the year.

New SUNSET HILL Blog by Nate Steen

 I am so happy to learn that Nate Steen of Sunset Hill Longbows and leather has a new blog where he will periodically post information.

Here is his welcome message and profile info.:

Hello, I'm Nate Steen. I welcome you to my blog, where my goal is to discuss Howard Hill style longbows, Wood arrows, and Leather goods. I'll discuss as time permits, their use in the hunting woods and on the range, passing along wisdom shared with me by John Schulz. I welcome your comments to share the knowledge of HIll's simplie method of shooting and his simple archery tackle and how it can be used to bring joy and success in your archery endeavors. 

 

Welcome to the Sunset Hill Longbow and Leather blog

 Good day all,  welcome to my not so serious blog site, where I will occasionally, as time permits, post information concerning Howard Hill style longbows, Leather goods, and other information as it pertains to the Hill method of shooting a longbow.  I'll also discuss my own Sunset Hill Longbows and tackle.  My goal is to share information to help others understand more fully the simplicity of this style of archery equipment and the simplicity of the shooting style that goes with it. As John Schulz once said,  "Simplicity is Elegance" and we will definitely use that approach with this blog.  Simplicity of tackle, of shooting technique, of the entire approach to shooting a longbow and enjoying the flight of a well-shot arrow to it's mark. Keep checking back and see what I or others will add... Have a great day shooting the LongBow!

 

If you enjoy longbows and the Howard Hill legacy, Nate is the man.  Check it out:

https://sunsethilllongbowsandleather.blogspot.com/

Refurbishing Vintage POC Arrows

 Refurbishing Vintage POC Arrows

 

I recently helped an older friend of one of my Great Uncle sell some of his archery gear.  Mr. Porter hunted several times and even had Bob Swinehart as a house guest on one occasion. The man was a true Hill devotee even down to pinning his HH broadheads onto the shafts. 

Well, I decided to refurbish several groups of the old Port Orford Cedar (POC) shafts and I was amazed at the quality.  These shafts were very straight.  I soon discovered the nocks were old and brittle, but after replacing a few I shot some and they were also surprisingly durable.  Hmmm...Right then I decided to put those arrows back in business.

I first redid some of the old glass shafts and I had a Post on that here: 

 First I carefully heated and twisted off the old nocks.

Then, I scraped the fletching off trying to be careful not to gauge the wood.  i used sandpaper to get off the old glue and any quill that was left.

I re-dipped them up to the pinned Hill heads in white rustoleum. Glued on some new feathers and put them on the feather burner trying as best as I could to match the "French curve" shape of these classic Howard Hill feathers.  

One of them was inscribed with "The Spirit of Robin Hood" so I masked that off with scotch tape and peeled it back when they were dry.  That one may hold some luck in the future?  I used the gentleman's multi-fletcher and gave the straight clamps a slight offset.  Just like the originals.

Some had the fletching still pretty solid so I just painted those with a foam brush up to the feathers.  The blue ones were really cool.  All had the pinned Hill heads.

These are ready for a stout bow and a short shot!

These pair up well with my new Howard Hill Wesley Special 62@28 I picked up that has the classic black back and white belly. Old wood, back in service!