Ammo runs out, you have snares and a recurve bow as game getters. set the snares for smaller game and have a tree stand for hunting larger game with the recurve with self made arrows, how viable is this option honestly?
A Flemish string is easier to tune with than a continuous loop. A Flemish string can wind both ways while a continuous loop can only be tightened. The first thing I do with a new bow is ditch the continuous loop and make myself a Flemish string from Dacron B-50.I've been into archery for over 40 years. The bow has its place in your survival plans.
Knowing how to make one is good. Finding them now cheap at garage sales and flea markets is better. I probably have 20 different bows and a ton of arrows stored around the house now. And that's not including the ones I've given away to nephews, nieces, kids and grandkids so far.
I've picked up completely set-up cam compound bows at garage sales for $10. Not current current archery tech, but damn good enough. People buy the stuff, then lose interest, and sell it cheap... garage sales are your friend.
I've also picked up a bunch of live and leg traps at garage sales... again cheap. I have a lot of rabbit around the property, so the live traps will go toward catching some of them to raise if need be.
A word about rabbit, humans cannot survive on rabbit meat alone. Rabbit doesn't contain some necessary minerals and such that humans need, so you can actually starve to death on just rabbit even with a full belly. Plan on augmenting this supply.
On the bow string noise topic, on a recurve bow make sure your brace height is set correctly. This will cut down on some of the string noise naturally, as most bows need to be "tuned" in some fashion. Then you can add the string silencers to further cut it down.
My recurve is an essential part of my preps. Primarily for it's stealth capabilities. Second, to save on ammo. But...regardless of what you may have in your arsenal, practice DOES make perfect. Pre-SHTF is the best time to practice, post-SHTF has a VERY short learning curve. I DO NOT waste my time with cross-bows. It's easy to build a recurve, or even a straight-stick bow. You can do so with just a few simple tools. These are easy to find, and cheap to purchase on ebay.
I don't use compound bows either, both compounds and crossbows require *parts.* Having a machine shop handy helps, too. A stick bow can be made with a good pocket knife.
hinkak;Fun to think about and practice but not likely to be a primary tool for shtf.[/QUOTE said:I would agree with the above. Livestock, growing crops, trapping , fishing, and gathering would/ should be much higher on the priority list than archery.
....And firearms are the simple answer BECAUSE they are much more effective. Hunting and security. The primary reason why ammunition should have a high priority as well.( Stack it deep or end up launching home made arrows at stuff instead.)
11B