Cy Curtis Conversion

Q: I have two questions. First, I recently purchased a used ProLine Typhoon XT-X bow. I contacted Darton Archery, which apparently bought out ProLine, to see if I could order any manuals or technical information on this bow, but they told me they no longer carry manuals for it. Where can I find information on this bow? Also, I shot a buck last season that scored 155 6/8 on the Oklahoma Cy Curtis scale. How do you convert the Cy Curtis score to the Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young Club's scoring systems? -Timothy Kersh, Yukon, Oklahoma

A: While it's true Darton purchased ProLine, it was recently sold back to some of the original ProLine staff. For information on your Typhoon XT-X, I suggest you contact Chuck Jordan at chuck@prolinebows.com, or call him or Robert Jordan at (269) 945-0344. As for your dandy Oklahoma buck, the Cy Curtis system uses the same scoring procedure as the Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young clubs. I recommend you get an official P&Y measurer to score it. You need to get this trophy entered into the record books, because at 155 6/8 inches it'll place in the top 25 of Oklahoma's archery bucks. Congratulations! I wish you continued success.
-Jim Dougherty

Cautious About Carbons

Q: I was recently talking to a guy about carbon arrows. He said after you shoot an animal with a carbon arrow you should cut 2 inches of meat from around the entrance and exit hole, and discard it. He claims the meat could be tainted with residue from the arrow's carbon fibers. I've never heard that before and was wondering if you know anything about this?
-Gary Blais, Sabattus, Maine

A: The man you spoke to was wrong, but on the right track. According to the Easton Archery Web site, "Carbon arrows can be used for hunting if special precautions are taken." I recommend you visit Easton's Web site (click on the "Featured Links" icon at www.huntingclub.com) for more information, but here's a summary: If a carbon arrow has broken inside an animal, it tends to shatter, producing many splinter-like fragments. These fragments can be harmful to humans if ingested. 

Carefully remove the broken segments of a carbon shaft during field dressing, then remove the flesh in the area of the wounds, especially at the entry and exit points. Discard any meat that might contain carbon splinters.
It's important to remember, however, these precautions are only if a carbon arrow has broken inside the animal. A carbon arrow that passes completely through an animal won't leave carbon-fiber residue on the meat, so there's no need to discard any of it. I hunt with both carbon and aluminum arrows, and I give the edge in terms of durability to the carbon shafts. -Dave Maas

Can My Bow Be Saved?

Q: I've shot an old Jennings Forked Lightning for 15 years.  Last fall a limb started to shatter. I called the dealer and he said he didn't think I could get another limb for this bow. I was hoping you might help me find one. I like this bow a lot! -Leon Kern, New Vienna, Iowa

A: There are some things in life that are hard to give up: a bamboo fly rod, an old pair of boots and an old bow, for example. While the fly rod can still give you great pleasure, when boots are worn out it's time to puchase a new pair. It's the same with an old bow, including your 15-year-old compound bow with a cracked limb.

First of all, if you replace one limb, you should really replace both. You should also replace the cable and string system. Finding a new set of limbs will be almost impossible, as they haven't been manufactured in years. The North American Archery Group is the parent company of Jennings Archery. You can contact them at (352) 376-2327, or visit www.huntingclub.com and click on the "Featured Links" icon.

However, if you haven't shot one of the new compound bows from any number of today's manufacturers, you're missing out. Everything about today's new bows, from their weight, balance, efficiency, shootability and performance are light-years ahead of your old Forked Lightning. Why not visit your local archery pro shop and test drive a few? I bet you'll be glad you did! -Bob Robb