Shakespeare Wonderbow THE YUKON X24

1969 catalog

THE YUKON X24

by Larry Vienneau

 
The word Yukon is derived from the Dene Native word "Yuk-un-ah" which means "Great River." The Yukon X24 is aptly named for the rugged Yukon River Region which extends through Alaska and into Canada. The Yukon region has been a vital hunting region for thousands of years. Today the Yukon Charlie National Preserve in Alaska USA and the Kluane National Park and Reserve in Yukon Territories Canada create an international wilderness park complex.

Shakespeare Archery created a series of bows designed for the novice archer which included The Manitou x20, The Custer x22, and The Yukon x24. 


The Wonderbow X24 was first produced in 1963. It was designed to be an all-purpose bow. The 1963 bow had green woven glass and was 60” AMO. In 1964 The X24 was identical to the ’63 except the “64 had a red glass. During the early 1960’s Ernie Root was designing and building Shakespeare bows. Ernie Root was a talented and innovative bowyer.  He was also a busy man. While he produced bows for Shakespeare he also had his own archery business, Root Archery. The two archery lines were very similar. Shakespeare redesigned their line of bows, keeping the model numbers but radically changing the designs. After 1965 Shakespeare renamed the bows after National Parks and redesigned the models.
The only bow to retain the older style, profile, length at 60”, and even the same riser material was the Yukon X24. There is a slight modification to the profile with the Yukon taking on more reflexed limbs. The other obvious difference was the glass going from the vivid red of the X24 to the Yukon’s brown and forest green.  Aside from these slight differences the X24 and X24 Yukon are very similar bows.

 

1964 Wonderbow X24 in Red Glass

a very beat-up 1963 Wonderbow X24 in Woven Green Glass

1966-71 Yukon X24  Green and Brown Glass varieties

The Yukon X24 is a no-nonsense bow, with no overlays, and no fancy woods.  It is a rugged durable and reliable bow designed to be a sturdy, inexpensive yet accurate target/field bow ( first price $32.25).  It was created with the young archer in mind and intended to “take the strenuous beating of beginners” in school or camp environments. They were also fine hunting bows and are still called “Great Shooters”. Many of these bows were also part of archery sets that included bows quivers, glove targets, and arrows. They used “Island” Maple which is a term coined by Shakespeare, because there isn’t a variety of maple known by this name. “Island Maple” is most likely harvested from islands of the Pacific Northwest and it is likely Big Leaf Maple. Maple is a tough wood and its color will vary from a light honey color to a deep dark mustard brown. The Yukon was first introduced in 1966 with brown glass, and in 1970 green glass was used.

Yukon X24, 1966-71,

• 60 inches AMO
• Weights; 25 lbs to 50 lbs
• Glass: 1966 – 1969 brown. 1970-71 green
• Handle Polished Island maple, with built-in thumb rest
• Recurve: Palm-pressure fit grip
• Brace height 7 1/2 inches
• Sight window 4 1/2 inches
• Limbs 1 ½ inch wide
• No tip overlays
• arrow speed 174.66 FPS ( 12 shots, 410 gr arrow, avg.)

Lewie's beautiful Yukon X24 with brown glass and vintage sight

Another of Lewis Yukon X24. This one is a rich brown color

I have been looking for a nice left-handed Yukon but have not had much luck. Because these bows were used by novices the bows available for auction are often in rough shape. If you find a decent bow expect to do some cleaning and maybe refinishing. Also, make sure the limbs are straight. They (Right Hand) come up often in auctions so you can be picky. Lefties are less common but they are available. I am still waiting and looking for my bow. I have two wonderful examples of The Yukon. They belong to a good friend and Shakespeare collector, Lewis Kent. He has always been an archer and bow hunter but for years he succumbed to the “Dark Side” (compound bow- haha). He occasionally is tempted by the Dark Side but more and more he has rekindled the love of traditional archery and he is now bitten by the Shakespeare recurve bug. His bow is outstanding with straight limbs, an excellent finish, and a nicely-grained riser. It also has a vintage sight that was not original but was likely added decades ago. It had some light scuff and scratches but they were easily buffed. The bow is right-handed, so I won’t be shooting it, but I will look forward to seeing it shoot next time we have a target in front of us.

I am personally connected to the Yukon. I have hunted caribou and moose along its shores. I have panned gold and netted fish in its waters and climbed its cliffs and mountains. Some of the most lasting memories of Alaska are of the rugged people, both Native and subsistence non-natives, who wrest a living from its wilderness. 
I look forward to my Yukon x24

September 15, 2013. I finally have a left-handed Yukon X24. It has rarely been shot so it is in perfect condition with the original feather rest and Calf skin strike plate. It is 40# so it will make a nice target bow, its arrow speed is 174.66, very happy!!! I am glad I waited to find this great bow.

My Yukon X24 with original feather rest and calf hair strike plate

 
As usual, if you have any comments or if you have information to add please post them

© Copyright, Larry Vienneau Jr.

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