Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: jeffp51 on May 16, 2017, 12:54:32 am
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I am starting to get a few and my wife asked me recently how many I needed. So my question is: How many bows does a guy need? Do you find yourself shooting mainly one bow, or do you switch off often? If you are prolific in bowery, what do you do with them all? sell? Break? give away? Hoard for the zombie apocalypse? Do you display them or hide them from your significant other so she (he) doesn't know how many you have? I have heard some mention "this year's hunting bow" what do you do with last year's hunting bow?
These are the questions that keep me up at night.
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How many does a guy need? All of them.
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It's a valid question. I think of each as part of a collection. People who collect stamps and coins are lucky cause they can fit them all in a binder.
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I was thinking of giving some away to people here as soon as I turn out any worth giving away
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I have a bunch. My dad owned a Bear Archery shop back in the 60's and I have some left overs plus many that I have picked up over the years. I helped open archery ranges in Iraq and Afganistan on military bases for time until we were stopped and then I went to helping with an Old warrior Camp where our disabled American Hero's went for weekend stays and we used archery for rehab. That camp closed up due to health reason with the owners. I have a few bows that with be heading to disabled veterans in time.
I have a few favorites that I use during the hunting season.
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My wife knows better than to ask
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So far I've only kept 3 for myself but I'm still making more. Usually I start out making them with a particular person in mind. I have a unwritten list that I've got I quite a few checked off of but it keeps getting names added to it to. The three I kept are my first bow, last years hunting bow (my first hunting bow of any kind and first primitive kill bow), and this years hunting bow (should be far superior to last years). I shoot all the bows I make hundreds of times even the lefties. I shoot my hunting bow the most though. Usually the rest I shoot at close range, my hunter I like to practice all different ranges and shooting angles with and I don't want the other bows to mess with that muscle memory. It seems at close range they shoot very similar. I do have one that I donated and plan to make a costom bow to trade with the person who won it. I still have a strong attachment to that one and it really fit me good. It's also just good for my soul to fling a few arrows though it, not to mention it is a beautiful bow with great character. My wife and family love them all. Jeb I can't think of a better place for any unclaimed bows, I'm going to add them to my unwritten list.
Bjrogg
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I only have around 35 hanging up. Most are gifts from friends. I have about 8 or 10 of my own making still around. Sold a handful, gave away a bunch, traded a bunch for other items I wanted. When I first started building I liked having a pile of bows around me, now they are just in the way and if they are of my own creation and don't get used, they get gone. I'll build more some day.
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Pearl, I spent a bunch of money trying to win that bow you made and donated for a the drawing at Elm Hall last year . My wife really liked it. She did win a different bow and will be using it at Marshall in a couple of weekends.
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Usually just made favorites get shot a good 6 months in general.Maybe more in some cases through multiple hunting seasons.I know I'm making them too fast to get a deer with everyone....lol.I've got a rack that holds around 25.I've filled that more then a few times for sure.I move a lot of mine to a bow shop owner who sells them in Des Moines.I shoot pretty regular with some fellas at 3D shoots and league at a range.They make their own bows too.I've gifted many bows also at events and friends or future friends.
One thing that can slow down the accumulation is to go to making more difficult designs.Horn bows in general for me and all the things like glue and sinew self done.Although I love shooting a nice self bow.Making all of the other things like quivers and sets of self arrows and all the other accutrements too.Tan your own hides.Quite a list I guess once I think about it.
The accumulation of forms and tools all are outside in a shed.It takes room that's for sure.This all from the spring of 2009.The fellas I shoot with have been making bows for 40 years they say and still are making them every year.I've slowed down to maybe 5 or 6 bows a year now.I don't know I don't worry about counting.
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Pearl, I spent a bunch of money trying to win that bow you made and donated for a the drawing at Elm Hall last year . My wife really liked it. She did win a different bow and will be using it at Marshall in a couple of weekends.
We all enjoyed very much watching folks get excited to win our bows. It was VERY rewarding for all of us who built bows to watch that happen during the drawing. Makes it a real easy decision to do it again this year.
Jon I have a "late model" hackberry flat bow that Jake shot when he was younger, 5 years ago. Its well shot in and sturdy. It draws 43 @ 27. If Chris can yank it, she can have it. It does say "Jake" on the riser :) But we can find a way to scratch that off.
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I have bunches of bows, some gifted to me, some trades and a few of my own making. I either give bows away or trade them but only ones of my own making. The gifted and traded ones will remain where they hang. I guess when my time on earth is up I, or my wife will donate all my archery stuff to someone, maybe the raffle table at the Classic. :OK
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Yaint getting Thumper back, Brennan, forget about it :)
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Most hobbies run the risk of having to many things. Bows, needlepoint, paintings, birdhouses, flared out 1970's Datsun 510's. I've made about 40 bows, 25 or so are hanging on the wall.The idea of selling them scares me a bit (liability crap) and I'm not clear on whether giving them away clears me of that. I'll probably just stack them in the crawl space(heated) and let my kids deal with them.
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Chris, I really appreciate the offer but I don't think she can draw it. She is right at 33#'s max. At least that is the poundage that she shoots well.
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I wouldn't think of it Pearlie! ;) I probably couldn't shoot it anymore anyway. ;D
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That brings up another problem with giving away bows. It seems that everyone that would want a freebee seems to want it in the 35# range. That means to give away a bow I would have to scrape off 10# and then refinish
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Personally I'd rather have someone who wants a primitive bow to come on the yard and we'll build one together.Everyone wants to go the fast route it seems.Throw some money at it and learn nothing.
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If they want it they will take it as offered. I think if they are serious they would practice enough to build up the muscles to shoot a heavier bow. I make all my bows for myself. That used to be 56#@26". I found out at the Classic this year that it will start being about 50#@26". I guess I could shoot more and get my muscles built back up but the heavier weight really isn't necessary.
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Chris, I really appreciate the offer but I don't think she can draw it. She is right at 33#'s max. At least that is the poundage that she shoots well.
What draw length is she pulling? Ill knock some pounds off it, only takes a few minutes.
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26" draw.
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Are you coming to Marshall? I can have it there for her/you. Or, we can wait until Elm Hall.
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Personally I'd rather have someone who wants a primitive bow to come on the yard and we'll build one together.Everyone wants to go the fast route it seems.Throw some money at it and learn nothing.
I don't know how many times people came over excited to see my bows wishing they had one. I tell them I'll help them build their own but they so far haven't wanted to do that. Most of the bows I've made people I've shoot more than they did. It makes me very happy when they actually do give their bow a good workout. I enjoy watching the bow bend, everyone else watches where the arrow goes.
Bjrogg
PS Pearl if you get to many of those dang old bows in your way I might be able to help you out.lol, but I do know what you saying. Fortunately I've got a few spots left before I run out of room.
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and how do you store or display all these great creations?
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I have most of my bow collection hanging vertically from pegs in the utility room but also a few, also hanging from pegs in our sun room/work area and my everyday shooters hanging with my arrows on the other side of my work bench. Big work shop and staves are in the basement.
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I drove a bunch of framing nails in my basement floor joists to hang bows from and I have a few simple two-peg racks that hold the rest.
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I have different types of bow rack all over the cabin and display them there. I probably have 40 or so, maybe more, not sure but many were gifted to me and several of my own I keep for some special reason. I try and give them all at least a few shots from time to time, they look so sad and lonely just hanging when they were made to shoot. ;) :) I mostly build them now to give away and try to build at least 1 or 2 each years to start off with during hunting season. I had much rather help and show someone how to buil their own than give them one but everybody ant cut out for that. :) It take special people to build wood bows and stay with it over time. ;) Pappy
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I have 9 bows in my house that I built, my late wife's bow, 3 that I shoot and a few more that I let company shoot if they want to try archery. I have given some away to folk that found out archery isn't their thing and they gave them back over time.
Of the 154 that I have made that I know of, I probably sold 50 to 75 and gave the rest away. Liability concerns shut down my selling and most of my giving away.
I have always wanted to share the craft and teach students if they show an interest. I won't take on a student that doesn't have a basis in traditional archery or has compounds in the house because I know they won't stick to it.
Like Pappy said; students that take the ball and run with it are few and far between, most of mine never finish a bow. Only one of around 12 or so students I have run through my shop has been bitten by the bug just like I was years ago.
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For those that have been as blessed I have in the world of archery jump into the "pay it forward" world. I have given a bunch of archery gear and bows away and have received some things from folks not so much for me but for my family. Not to go into details but Mullet and Pearl Drums have been extremely generous with me and my family.
I was born into archery as my dad owned a store back in the 50's and 60's and all us kids did is shoot, almost everyday and every weekend we hit a tournament somewhere. When dad died I was left with a lot of new/old stock archery gear some of which you can no longer get. I gave most of it away to folks that needed it.
Last fall I bought 5 Red Bears with thoughts of giving them away at our Michigan Traditional Bow Hunter shoot this June. But in speaking with the young mother at the store where I doing my mailings it was learned that her 4 year old son had a stroke when he was born. I picked her brain a bit and learned that he is getting along pretty well with some limitations. I told her I would like to give him a bow and some arrows if her husband worked with him learning to shoot the bow. I told her this would be a good re-hab for her son. Yesterday I gave her the bow, some arrows and a target to shoot at. I left the store with a "selfish" feel good about helping someone I have never met.
I wrote this, not for an atta boy but as a suggestion for others that have a lot of archery items or run across things at yard sales to pick things up, fix them up and pass them on to a stranger.
"What do you do with all your bows" = I "Pay it forward"
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Jeb I have only briefly meet you, we have had a quite a few PM's. I know you speak the truth and I know your not saying this for a ata boy. I pray the lord blesses you and your wife. I think about you often.
Bjrogg
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I only have a couple of bows of my own making. I have given almost every bow I have made away to friends, family and co-workers. I mostly have been shooting one bow lately. A yew bow has become a favorite. It happens to be made by the person that started this thread. (SH)
I have also donated a few bows to benefit auctions. I have never sold a bow but people have bought a few at these auctions. It feels pretty good to help raise money for people in need.
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There is always somebody out there that needs a good bow to help them thru a tough spot
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The ones in my rack are from friends and my one bom plus a real primitive bow and arrows from vietnam, still has the boo bow string. I give most of mine away, just gave one to a buddy last week
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Mike you are too kind. I expect you to take a deer or a turkey with that bow this year. - no pressure
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Jeff, I am getting quite good at shooting that bow. It is one of two bows I will be hunting with this fall. I only had a few days to turkey hunt this spring so I decided to turkey hunt with my shotgun. It worked out well as I was successful and connected on a jake on my 3rd and final morning I could hunt.
Mike
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Just 1 more! Please! ;D
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I'd hate to see you fellas suffer so if you got too many send one my way.lol I'll put it to good use. -C-