[TowerTalk] Need Help With Bow Launching

[Rich L. Boyd]

I am not an expert but have done a very limited amount of bow hunting and 
have picked up a couple of basics.

1.  Since you bow you acquired takes considerable force to pull back, it 
sounds like a hunting bow 45-50 pounds or more "draw."  "Target bows" are 
lower "draw weight."  And I assume it's not a "compound bow" favored by 
most bowhunters these days...that's probably why this one was for 
sale...the old one before he bought a compound.

2.  Be careful launching TV antenna elements or arrows that you don't 
know are made for a bow of this draw weight.  Apparently such things can 
actually snap or buckle as the string attempts to launch them and they 
can impale your arm.  Hence, go to a hunting/fish store (or specialty 
archery or bow hunting store) and show them your bow and ask for arrows 
that can be safely shot.  To be safe, the arrows should be designed for a 
bow as powerful as the one you have.  Another factor is the length of 
your arms -- you want an arrow long enough so that you can't pull it all 
the way back and out of the arrow rest on the bow, which can be a safety 
concern too.  I think most bows (mine does anyway) have the draw weight 
(like #50) printed on them somewhere.  Look for that.  Or...some of the 
stores may actually be able to measure the draw weight of your bow, or at 
least be able to make a recommendation such as "These arrows will 
definitely be strong enough for your bow."

3.  Many of the better arrows have screw-in tips, so you can change from 
target points to hunting, and other points.  A blunt point (used for 
shooting pheasants on the wing, etc.) might be a good choice for 
installing dipoles, since they will be much less likely to stick in a 
tree trunk or limb.

73 - Rich Boyd, KE3Q


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