Tell me about this bow- Red Wing Hunter from Wing Archery

[RS3]

Got this bow from my dad who got it from a widow. Seems to be in excellent condition. Any ideas on how old it is, what it would have cost new, etc.

Also need to know where to find someone knowledgeable on recurves to make sure it is safe to shoot, what length of string it needs, etc. Preferably in the Austin area.

Red Wing Hunter by Wing Archery (A division of Head Ski Co.)

52", 48 #

[edwardv]

Wing is the name Bob Lee used to make bows under a long time ago. That bow is pretty old. It should take a 48.5" Dacron string. I can make one for you and send it to you if you want one. I own SureShot Archery in Humble, TX. If you can email me some pics of the limb tips, in focus obviously, and of the limbs at the recurve area I can look at them and tell if it is broken. The best way would be to take it to a bow shop and have it looked at. I shoot mainly traditional but I'm a long way from you. I think Archery Country is in Austin, but I can't be sure. I'm out of town for the rest of the week, but if you email the pics to me at sureshotarchery@peoplepc.com I can look at them.

Or just post a few here. Mainly you are looking for any broken limb tips or a lot of striping in the glass. If you see that, you probably shouldn't shoot it.

Until later,
Edward

[Bill]

Don't shoot it! It will probably explode in your hands. Never shoot an old recurve! Probably dangerous to dispose of, put in a box and ship to me in California!














BS. The Wing Archery Red Wing Hunter is THE BEST recurve bow ever made in my humble opinion. I own 2- a 41# RWH I bought as my first bow with my own earned money in 1968, and a 54# RWH I bought a couple years ago to hunt traditional with. I shot 3 pigs and a deer with the 54# bow in 2007, and should have shot the elk calf with it in September- but I took my "backup" compound with me on my first day.

The bow shoots better with a little higher brace height (about 8.25 inches) than the factory recommended (7.5 inches). I think it's a combination of the string not slapping the limbs with the higher brace height, and just how the bow shoots. Shoot a regular string- NOT fastflight on the bow.

Have Mike at Archery Country look at the tips if you're not sure, but if they're not obviously broken shoot it.

Here's my 41# that a friend in my archery club 'restored' to original factory condition

[Graybow]

Yup, good bows. I've shot one of these and really liked it. The archery shop I go to has one that he let's people shoot. I've tried a couple of times to buy it. No deal!! lol

[loco cacahuate]

Might check for twisted limbs too, be sure and use a stringer.

[Bill]

Here's my RWH for hunting. Yes, the upper limb is slightly twisted, still shoots like a charm! Home done Krylon camo job.

[Wildwilly]

Hold the bow with the tips up and site from one tip to the other. The tips should be inline with the center of the riser. Usually you can tell pretty quickly that one or both have been twisted, usually because some numbskull tried to string the bow by the old step through method and missed the string grooves when he let off the pressure. Use a stringer!

[Bill]

What kinda amazes me is if you search eBay for Red Wing Hunter, there always are 2-5 bows listed for sale. Many are estate sales. I'm amazed that many bows have survived in somebody's closet or garage for 30+ years.

Good shooting. When duck season ends in 4 weeks, then I pick mine up again and get "serious".

[Bisch]

Robert, I live in Georgetown and shoot trad equipment. I would be glad to get together with you and help you set the bow up / check it out for damage if you would like. I have never owned or shot a RWH but have heard a lot of good things about them. I do own a Bob Lee recurve which is made by the same person as the RWH.

See ya later,

Bisch

[bubba joe]

I also have one of these Red Wings my fil gave to me but you can clearly see the limbs are twisted... Can it be fixed ?

[loco cacahuate]

Bubba, Ive never fixed one myself but I've read of a way to do it. If you're interested I'll try and find the link and post it.

[bubba joe]

That would be great Loco , Thanks

[RS3]

Bubba,

I thought the top limb was twisted on mine, until someone told me it's supposed to be like that to take the string over the shelf. Glad I had someone that's knowledgeable about recurves look at it.

[Bill]

My top limb is slightly twisted on my 54# RWH, when I pull it back slowly I can see the string moves slightly to the one side of the groove. I've left it alone and it shoots great anyway.

Stay away from fastflight strings on the RWHs, the tips were not designed for that material. I've considered having an archery club member who makes custom longbows grind off the original tips and replace with 'beefed-up' tips to shoot fastflight, but have never done it.

[furhunter]

definately a keeper!!!!! I have several RWHs that my dad made when he worked for Bob Lee (Red Wing Archery) in Jacksonville back in the '60's!! I learned how to shoot with a low weight bow that they had laying around and gradually moved up to a RWH 45# bow when I was around 7 or 8 which is what I took some of my first animals with in the mid '70's. I have one that my dad was able to make and put his and another guys (worked with my dad) names on the bow before the finish went on, and it's very dear to me because his friend passed away this past year!!! Definately take care of it because like others have said they are truly awesome bows and not as many around any more!!

Drew