Traditional Bowhunting Setup for 2021

[@gud2go50]

I know the feeling when your dead on, no matter what the range, and hit right where you were focused is the best feeling in the world. I call it "all net," like in basket ball. Watching those guys shoot 3 pointers is awe inspiring. It is amazing what the human being can do when it comes to focus and practice. I live for shooting my recurve and long bows for that very moment.

[@C4Carriger]

The top of the truck window is a great sharpening stone. My late father taught me that in the early 80s . Thanks for bringing it up, it brought back memories of him. Thanks

[@karlwellendorf763]

I love that type of practice! Increasing your heart rate and learning to shoot through it is so important!

[@elliotw5918]

Dude. As a bow hunter myself, mad respect. Those 50yd shots after a sprint we're super impressive.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks much

[@JAEUFM]

On the subject of sharp arrowheads, I remember an old film of Fred Bear using a whetstone to put an edge on his broad heads.

[@johntuerff9795]

So here’s an idea… Clay Hayes should become the Anthony Bourdain of hunting and fishing. You’d travel around the world to cool wild places and hunt & fish. Just like Anthony your “fixers” (hunting/fishing guides in your case) would be key characters in the show. I’m thinking Patagonia, Alaska, Siberia, Seringehti, Mongolian Steep, Great Barrier Reef…. Give people insight into your emotional connection to nature through hunting. The best conservationists in the world are invariably outdoorsmen. This is a big idea…. Whadaya think?

[@clayhayeshunter]

I’d love that! Pitch it to the History channel.

[@Skelstoolbox]

Only not kill himself though, right??

[@oliverroo59]

Clay, if you made those wooden planes to sell I would legitimately buy one. You're pretty inspirational, my dude. You have killed it this season.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks much

[@jimmybrown3349]

Congrats on the win bro!! I knew you were gonna make it on the show. Gave me something to look forward to every week! You're a true inspiration. I thrive to be like you. Nice bowyer videos too. I may retire my old takedown and use your tutorial and build my own bow. Thank you and godspeed

[@Ianbond21]

When he shot that bird in episode 1 I knew it was a lock. The editing at the end made me nervous. Thought he might tap not knowing Biko was pulled.

[@Downeastwaves]

Looking forward to tonight's episode. Hoping you win!

[@clayhayeshunter]

I bet there'll be a lot going down in this one!

[@Downeastwaves]

@@clayhayeshunter hoping so and I hope I don't have to yell at the TV to show Clay! Clay for the win!! Hubby and I are both rooting for you!

[@toniailton9557]

@@clayhayeshunter how tall are you? Which lenght(bow) is the best for 1,75m people ?

[@julianandyvonne]

Yet another great video. It's winter here and we're looking forward to spring. You'd love the 365 days a year hunting :)

[@clayhayeshunter]

Nice!

[@jscottstockton]

Nice description... Will be making some wool silencers. Thanks again for all you do on KZbin. Am making my way through your Bowyers Handbook currently

[@clayhayeshunter]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Bobb1julie]

Nicely presented Clay . If I may say Upon my discharge from the US Navy in 1962 , I immediately resumed my love for Archery practicing 2/3 hrs per day . I think that I was one of the first to shoot three fingers under then becoming state of Mass and New England Field Archery instinctive champ..In the field round you are entitled to 14 pins bunny/ 80 yard walk up.. I have all 14 pins . I have shot with Howard Hill and Ann Weber Hoyt.. I like your style and approach to our beloved sport . Keep up the good work.. Good luck next month in the Rockies and be safe…P.S.-My Robin Hoods stopped at 17

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Robert!

[@TheWaggaBloke]

Brilliant Job Fin, congratulations on your Hog….. keep up the good work little mate… listen to Dad his on the Pulse and will keep you on the Path…. Clay Great 👍 Job Mate! Keep Safe to your Family… all the Best from Australia 🇦🇺

[@heikekittel181]

I like your arrows so much their looking good and fly very well.Good Jop and Good Luck for hunt.👍

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks much

[@peterwallace4964]

You’re living the dream man. Chief Queensland Australia

[@Habitatti]

Seems like making videos about your hunting preparation gives you extra cardio. Win-win.

[@RicksFamilyAdventure]

I grew up using a Long bow and a Recurve! I truly miss using them I need to pick one up after watching this video got me excited!! I might have to do a Video of me getting back into the Long Bow. Great video man and good luck this season!!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Go for it

[@mikewolfe6496]

Another great video, thanks so much. I missed episode tonight to watch field of dreams game live, so I am avoiding any comments until I watch after work tomorrow. Lol. I also love the ace hex blunts, need to look into the little magnet. String setup very similar. I shoot old Bear Greenheads, just for nostalgia, no other reason. Tapered cedar shaft but having trouble finding the spine I need. I will definitely look into the fir shafts you are using, thanks for the info. I also am point on at 30 but rarely ever shoot that far hunting whitetail here in WV. Hoping my future hunts out west will include longbow instead of the rifle I’ve carried out there so far. Again, thanks for all the great info!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Mike

[@mikewolfe6496]

Finally watched the episode, still hanging in there. Congrats! But, wow, it’s getting tough. Feel so bad for Colter. Was afraid it would happen to you. You have had a pretty low BMI in normal daily life. It won’t take a lot of reduction to put you under the limit. It’s so strange talking about this when it’s actually over. But, good luck Clay!

[@GeezerDust]

Been shooting a traditional bow for only a few weeks now. I recently started using only one arrow to practice shooting. It helps, as you suggested, to concentrate on one shot at a time. Thanks mostly to your videos, I can now hit my fake deers sweet spot at 25 yds most of the time. Started using a draw clicker which helped a lot too.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Good to hear Michael

[@OsitoTejano]

One arrow is a great way to practice. I'll occasionally shoot two arrows, but mainly just one. As you get better you can really start messing your arrows up in a hurry shooting 4 or 5 at a time.

[@justinbranham7708]

Its not for everyone, but my shooting dramatically improved in consistency when I went to a fixed crawl. That coupled with your clicker and you’ll be busting nocks in no time!

[@HighCountryTimber1]

Thanks for the info. Always learn something watching your vids. They are appreciated!

[@longbo2771]

I have two of Donnie's Creekwalker quivers and really like them, very quiet and rock solid.

[@jessiegarcia8465]

Awesome video clay , I have two bows started one for me and one for a customer, both longbows nice shooting and a beauty of a bow

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Jessie

[@johnbender670]

Awesome set up! Good luck hunting this year.

[@danbradley4838]

CONGRATULATIONS on your recent accomplishment! IMO, you were clearly the leader from the start; you're the kinda guy I would want next to me in a foxhole. Very kind of you to speak positively about the others. Be safe brother.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Dan

[@matthewdroz5613]

I'm so stoked on the pack loadout. I also have come to the conclusion i need to build a new bow haha.

[@TheHYENA87]

Awesome video clay....would you tackle a bull elk with a 46 pound longbow at 28, 620 grain arrows, 350 up front ...razor sharp Eskimos...curious of your thoughts, 20 yards and in...much thanks, enjoyed following you before and after the show.

[@clayhayeshunter]

That’s definitely on the lite side but it’ll work so long as you don’t hit heavy bone and the arrows are tuned well.

[@barthuntfish]

Good call on practicing with your gear on. My bowstring hit my water bladder tube last year and caused my shot to be off on the elk I killed. I had practiced with my pack and bino harness, but not with a water bladder in the pack. My only concern is getting my hunting gear too funky sweating in this MD humidity. I guess it's worth the tradeoff though.

[@serverlan763]

Same thing happened to me when i just started bow hunting. The things you learn. Right handed bow hunter with a compound bow, water bladder tube needs to be over left should or the bow string will hit it and throw your shot...

[@JB-ig5pk]

Do you reinforce your tips on that selfbow for that FF string?…isn’t that potentially damaging on a bow without reinforced tips (phenolic overlays) ?

[@outdooroutfitters3658]

Very informative video. Thank you for sharing.

[@DustinApple]

Clay I'd love to see a video on shooting past "point on". It's like a barrier wall, I have a hard time shooting what I can't see.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Check out some of the long distance vids I’ve done.

[@fulcrum789]

Now I want to try to make arrows too. Yeah I can buy them but why not make em. Same with the bows. And Ill get one of those 3D targets. Been using the bag targets and foam blocks I had gotten for free. Looking forward to opening day.

[@mtnboy6201]

After watching this, Is absolutely no surprise that you won. You are an outstanding outdoorsman and woodsman ! Great respect here !! 👏⛰🔥

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks

[@markolin100]

Love the videos, big fan. Fanatical about Alone…am I beginning to sense a reason for your profile pic 😉

[@A.C._Taylor]

I make the same silencers but I use Phentex (Olefin slipper and craft yarn). In wet conditions, it resists and sloughs off water way better than wool.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks, I'll check that out!

[@mudcrabsadventures3252]

Nice work, and great videos!

[@robshipley7543]

Great information as always and great shooting

[@tylerparker3024]

Thats most likely the most attractive bow ive ever seen..

[@estrellafallselectricllc1476]

Nice job as usual Clay. thanks for the heads up.

[@clayhayeshunter]

You bet

[@donaldsperspective1973]

Thank you for your time on your videos love the Chanel

[@clayhayeshunter]

My pleasure!

[@rossmcleod7983]

Nice silencers! Never been happy with my bought ones.

[@johnm840]

Question: On the silencer build, do you use a Double Constrictor knot? I use this for making Speargun Rubbers.

[@peterweikel7123]

Love your content. One day I will need to try me a self bow.

[@ramsheaths]

Great looking Bow!

[@dabaird12]

Ive been watching you on alone. 👍🤞 didn't know the ending but hoping you are the last one standing 💪✌

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks David

[@toddwilliams9157]

Where can I buy one of Thoes magnet things you have in your quiver ? And what’s it called

[@owyheekid7186]

I use the judos and the aces. What I really like about the ACE hex is that I can get them in160gr, thus matching the weight of my broadheads.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Good point

[@jryan0891]

Where would I find the magnet piece you have in your quiver hood?

[@MarcRitzMD]

What's the weight variation between the arrows? Did you find that Sherwood will send you a uniform set?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Maybe 10-20 grains

[@lunkydog]

Something I figured out while using a Selway quiver, or any quiver where the rearmost arrow on the rail is oriented rearward and not sideways. I store my tab on the rail and let the arrow retain it. It's always with the bow and I've lost more than one tab by tucking them into my pocket and having them fall out. Just thought I'd share something I wish someone would have suggested when I started out.

[@clayhayeshunter]

should have mentioned that! great tip.

[@caseysmith544]

When I plan on in a few years to shoot I use three type blade with a little gap to the tip point part. The Reason I do this is I can find the bigger size for larger game deer, then a smaller size small game size and this was both are going to be very similar so they should have a similar flight to them. Being in South Dakota I do not really need much for the way of blunt tips for hunting small game. The Bow I need to get to the strength of using more then 5 times 3 arrows in a target is my 45 pound no sight recurve Bow. I also shoot a Split vison but the more standard Howard Hill style I have been using since I was a Kid in my second or third without knowing it was the Howard Hill style if the bow is sans sight. For the longest time seeing everyone online that I was the last guy using brass knocks below the arrow to shoot, but I use only one or in some cases two if needed for the knock width/telling up or down on the string should the serving line be too uniform or nearly even with brass knock/knocks on but using the knock/two knocks only below arrow so I can accommodate some different arrow nock sizes in height if need be. I also use a back quiver due to how the side mounts get in my way when shooting. I have put some foam in the bottom so as to protect the tips and quiet the style of quiver I use.

[@caseysmith544]

I have since got some Gardening gloves for hunting in winter/winter archery Yet to be used due to how quick weather went from upper 40's F to too almost cold to shoot highs at best are 10--15 F that are very tight on my hand but not so tight I am cutting off circulation to my hands. I am using for my hand size a Wells & Lamont women's small garden/genral work gloves all leather that do work for my needs, and I can use both gloves to shoot the bow. I have to use even in good weather, a glove due to the fact most split finger are made for right hand/right eye dominate archers. I do not like to shoot 3 under as that was not a style known as well in the late 1990 or early 2000's so was never taught to use this and was really only used at the time by a few of the barebow archery guys who were not using the Howard Hill/split vison style of archery or even the full instinctive style. The Gloves have yet to be used due to how quick weather went from upper 40's F where I was still able to use my bow to too almost cold to shoot with highs at best are 10--15 F and some strong winds with the one day dead calm at 28 F on Christmas where I sighted in my new Rossi Gallery 22 LRI got, had been looking for just over a year for a gun either lever or pump in 22 LR maybe an automatic if the gun did not fling the casing in wrong direction. This Left hand issue is why my 243 is a pump, the Remmington 8600 varmint hunter that can also take the bigger deer ammo.

[@woodman1701]

Hi all. I practice in my backyard. I’ve done one 3D hint a few years back. Question: When hiking miles to a spot how do you carry the bow? Just hold it, or do III mount it on your pack somehow?

[@clayhayeshunter]

If I’m just hiking I’ll strap it to my pack.

[@madsammer]

This will be my 1st year going "traditional" I have a 50# pearson deerslayer. I made my arrows and have been shooting non stop. I'm comfortable back to 25 yards. Though I think I will limit myself to 20. Fingers crossed

[@clayhayeshunter]

Have fun

[@TroyArmstrong]

thanks Mr. Hayes for sharing with us viewers now there is an equation that need to be addressed and it is shot placement the shot you took at minute 17:36 there is a plenty of time for the deer /elk to squat/dodge the shot so what are you going to do about it the deer will hear the bow/arrow right??

[@clayhayeshunter]

I doubt I’d ever take a shot at a deer that far. I may on a completely relaxed elk though.

[@jamespatrick5930]

On your 48 yard downhill mule deer shot, how much above the back do you put your point?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Maybe 18 inches or so.

[@vanislandsteve]

Amazing shooting!! Respect ✊

[@Hirsutecyclist]

You built a 3D course? Now I believe you won Alone. haha

[@markchambers2812]

Clay , what bow woods are in your 64 inch bow ?? BTW I love the quiver . Mark south Louisiana

[@clayhayeshunter]

Osage Orange

[@coreypalmer3626]

Hey Clay Congrats on winning Alone s8! I shoot a hybrid longbow and have a self bow on order. Mostly shooting 3d course and field. Ideally wanting to improve enough to hunt with these. I was wondering how/if you practice shooting with broadheads, I understand they fly differently but I'd doubt you would be wanting to chew up 3d targets with them. Do you notice much difference in flight between broadheads / field tips? Do you match the weight of the broadheads with the field tips for consistency? Thanks

[@Emanemoston]

I love your content sir.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks 🙏

[@denniscrabtree1445]

I always use broadheads for small game

[@gregbagwell5543]

Very informative video Clay! I especially liked your archery range! Looks like a bunch of new targets...did you have a recent windfall come your way? :-) Will have to wait a week to receive my answer I’d bet!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Hey Greg, I’ve had those for several years now!

[@gregbagwell5543]

So much for pretending I’m Sherlock Holmes! :-)

[@rossmcleod7983]

@@gregbagwell5543 I thought they looked a tad newish too. Got enough variety to fill an ark.

[@baghalman]

Are you using a magnetic nut driver to hold your hex head in the quiver?

[@clayhayeshunter]

No but that might work. This is just a little plastic insert with a magnet in it

[@thefredkalis]

Thanks for the silencer

[@clayhayeshunter]

Any time

[@recemottashed8114]

That bow looks really familiar. Like the bow made from mountain man

[@paleodynamics6333]

You mention getting in shape, do you have a workout routine and did you do a ramp up for the show?

[@clayhayeshunter]

I stretch and do push-ups each day, as well as hike. To prep for the show I gained 20 lbs and hiked every day with an 80lb pack.

[@paleodynamics6333]

@@clayhayeshunter any particular exercise or type of movement you wish you would have hit harder?

[@baraksinz]

What pack are you wearing while shooting your bow? Have you switched from the SO Peregrine? If so, any reasons?

[@clayhayeshunter]

This is the StrykerXL from Kifaru. It’s a smaller, more streamlined pack. I don’t carry a bunch of stuff on a day hunt but I still need to be able to pack a quarter out.

[@farstrider79]

Good stuff, love the videos!

[@buddygibson4976]

Hey Clay, Did you make the magnetic insert for your quiver or buy it?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Someone gave it to me

[@pedernal4931]

Hi buddy, when you are going to make a real horn bow, that type of videos are the bomb. Greetings from Cuba 🇨🇺 ✌🏻

[@clayhayeshunter]

Good horn is hard to come by.

[@pedernal4931]

What kind of horn do you have available in your town?

[@clayhayeshunter]

None

[@keithpayne9776]

I'm wanting to get into hunting in a broad sense. I'm considering trad bows because compounds just have a lot to them and it's a bit overwhelming

[@clayhayeshunter]

Just pick up a bow and get started. Figure it out as you go.

[@cap_trueno2941]

De cuántas libras es tu arco

[@playanamedgus2415]

My setup: SAS courage 60#, Easton Gamegetter aluminum arrows, hot pink and bright blue fletching, and fast flight string

[@clayhayeshunter]

Sounds like a good combo

[@SpiritoftheOutdoors]

Awsome video

[@ctandsonsoutdoors7180]

Question, how often would you unstring your bow? Everyday to give it some relief for a little while or did you pretty much keep it strung?

[@clayhayeshunter]

I'd leave it strung while hunting and unstring it while not. Like at night.

[@dariu203]

May i ask what length is good for a recurve hunting bow?

[@clayhayeshunter]

It depends on your draw length and other factors. Give the folks at 3Rivers Archery a call and they can help you get it figured out.

[@dariu203]

Alright, thank you!

[@jairsoares8159]

Ótimas dicas muito top.

[@adampalamara]

How many grains are those arrows?

[@rogerburrows4624]

I've found the old blunt to be most effective. An old friend always swore by a .38 special case and he was a bow hunter back in the 30's.

[@A.C._Taylor]

.38 special and some lead if needed for more grain weight. They do work awesome. I learned that from an old timer as well.

[@user-mb4se6km5p]

I paint my tools pink and never had one stolen at work

[@clayhayeshunter]

😆nice

[@riceak8856]

Do you have links for the arrow shafts and broad heads

[@clayhayeshunter]

In the video description maybe. Or google Tuffhead Broadheads and Surewood Shafts.

[@charlesroberts3910]

Do you test the spine on your arrows and math them Up or do you just take what you get

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yes, they’re all spined and matches.

[@jamescooper2618]

So if your point on is 30 yards, how do you aim at the down hill deer at 48 yards? What do you need to be thinking about to make that shot?

[@clayhayeshunter]

I have to aim over the deers back.

[@jamescooper2618]

@@clayhayeshunter OK, thanks!

[@davegott996]

Great video!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks!

[@jamesward479]

Did the Alone show allow you to take your tab?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yep

[@charlesroberts3910]

What release style do u use

[@soloadvtravel]

Hey Clay, great videos, tons of info! So I’m 6’-3” getting into this sport. I travel solo on a motorcycle so looking into take down recurve bows for primarily medium to small game. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks and good luck for the season!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Give 3Rivers a call. They can help get you something that’ll work well.

[@louisbailey4900]

Always practice in real world conditions...steep angles,out of breath,awkward and unlevel ground. It makes me a better shot when the moment comes.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Agreed

[@SeasonsChange24]

Awesome video brother. Love that magnet trick! Did you buy that or make that?

[@clayhayeshunter]

It was a gift

[@SeasonsChange24]

@@clayhayeshunter interesting. I’ll try to dig that up. Those hex heads do a number on my quiver foam

[@seitzwoodworking5102]

I’ve worked a lot with wood, but never built a bow. I have an 8’ long steam box that I built to refurbish an old drafting table that had some bowed wood. Can I use the steam box and a pre-built form to put the curves in a recurve or other self bow ?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yep, I've used steam to put reflex and recurve into bow limbs.

[@seitzwoodworking5102]

@@clayhayeshunter Great. Thanks

[@seitzwoodworking5102]

Also, would I need to get the bow close to finished before I steam bend or can I steam bend a pre cut piece of wood and then cut the shape and finish ?

[@clayhayeshunter]

It should be close to finished

[@seitzwoodworking5102]

Got it

[@phylliskorry5301]

Routing for yiu clay for the big win

[@sidneicampos2926]

Aonde conseguir flechas iguais a estas e preço?

[@tristinbarnett9263]

What style of pack is that with the frame?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Your probably looking at the Kifaru StrykerXL

[@anibalperez2802]

Hermoso lazo clay 👍🏽🏹

[@wk9953]

It looks like you were shooting with bare fingers on the show. Was you allowed to bring a tab or anything?

[@clayhayeshunter]

I had my tab with me. Might have just been hard to see.

[@wk9953]

@@clayhayeshunter Okay. Thank you

[@reedtrimble65]

Where did you get your bow from

[@clayhayeshunter]

I made it.

[@geneg5870]

Is osage orange the king of bow wood or is it the king of North American bow wood?🏹🎯💪

[@wk9953]

North America. Europe and asia old and slow growing yew is the way to go. If you can get your hands on it slow grown pacific northwest Washington and Oregon yew is just as good as the English stuff

[@clayhayeshunter]

The king of bow wood is whatever you have access to! I've seen some very nice and fast shooting bows made from what a lot of folks would call sub par bow woods.

[@geneg5870]

@@wk9953 true. I didn't mention yew because in my experience it is so hard to obtain. What say you about osage? King of the world or king of North America?

[@wk9953]

@@geneg5870 North America only. Yew is abundant outside of North America and osage isn't really. Yew and osage are very similar woods though and you can't go wrong with either. I know of a supplier or 2 in Oregon and Washington that sells yew but it is expensive and the quality is on par of asage, so unless you have to have yew I would stick to osage.

[@wk9953]

@@clayhayeshunter This is the truth 🙌

[@calebscrazyamazinglife1795]

3D archery should be in the Olympics

[@clayhayeshunter]

Heck yeah!

[@crataegus2653]

It is Recognised by World Archery. The organisation helding a lot of international Archery events, Olympics included!)) Do you know that we have European 3D archery Championships 27 august 2021 in Slovenia?)))) in 2019 Canada Held 3d archery World Championships )

[@dougdunlap5889]

Did you make that string?

[@clayhayeshunter]

I did

[@jaredsylvester9192]

Dear clay , would you sell me one of those amazing arrows? I am local here in idaho, thx

[@clayhayeshunter]

Hey Jared, I’m not self any right now.

[@beesmongeese2978]

You never get wristslap from your bows?

[@clayhayeshunter]

No, I did a video a while back that covers bow hand position that might explain why.

[@beesmongeese2978]

@@clayhayeshunter I will watch it, thanks