Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: on September 12, 2016, 10:40:00 PM

Title: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: on September 12, 2016, 10:40:00 PM
A while back, my buddy Rob Green started building selfbows. It has always intrigued me how guys can take a stick and make it into a functional bow that is hunt worthy! Anyway, Rob is a great friend, and as such I began to pester him to build me one of his selfbows. He started on a bow for me that was supposed to be 70" long, and come out somewhere around 50#@29". I also requested that there be a shelf on the bow, but he said we would just have to wait for the bow to tell him if that would be an option or not. He got the bow built, and even cut a small shelf on it, but it came out way under weight. I tried it, and liked it just fine, but just felt that it was too light to hunt with. Rob said he would come up with another at closer to the right weight. Months went by, and while talking to him on the phone one day I asked out of the blue "Hey, when are you going to get one built for me?". His reply was "Stand by! I got something in the works.".

A few days later he called me up and asked if I could come over his place and try out a bow. Well, it was the same bow as before, only he chopped 2" off either end and retillered it. The bow shot great and the draw weight was up to 48# at my 29" draw.

Here is a few pics of the bow:

  (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/4CA42DF6-AFBE-4323-BABB-DA4CE5C9F9CD_zpscvyagm04.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/4CA42DF6-AFBE-4323-BABB-DA4CE5C9F9CD_zpscvyagm04.jpg.html)

  (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/D7A2256C-8995-4DFD-A940-57042464341D_zps7iobmc3k.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/D7A2256C-8995-4DFD-A940-57042464341D_zps7iobmc3k.jpg.html)

  (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/9FDD218F-15BC-4A47-99E4-0E68F2BDA873_zpstz2skjnj.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/9FDD218F-15BC-4A47-99E4-0E68F2BDA873_zpstz2skjnj.jpg.html)

  (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/1B8A0BA1-DF08-458A-8A88-C06855D0B006_zpsaqcfqhyv.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/1B8A0BA1-DF08-458A-8A88-C06855D0B006_zpsaqcfqhyv.jpg.html)

I really started liking this bow, so much so that I took it to the Texas State Longbow Championship shoot in May. I did not win the selfbow class. Heck I was 4th, and did not even buckle, as they only buckle the top 3 places. But I did shoot the highest score I have ever shot at that shoot; higher than I have ever shot with a laminated longbow. To say I was pleased would be an understatement.

To be continued...
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: on September 12, 2016, 10:40:00 PM
After I got the bow and shot it a little, I knew I could take animals with it. The problem was that there were no pigs hitting any of my setups. I also knew that Rob only has a few bows he built out there, and really wanted to be the first to kill a critter with one of his bows.

Fast forward to last Saturday. Rob Green (Green on TG), Tim King (TexasKing on TG), and myself got together for a 2 day pig hunt. The hunt started Saturday afternoon, and Rob and Tim both got a nice eater pig.

Here is Rob's pig. I was really happy for him because this was his first bow kill in many years!

       (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/5C892F4F-AAB7-4A3C-9EB7-C899C22B52A2_zpsshyl07iu.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/5C892F4F-AAB7-4A3C-9EB7-C899C22B52A2_zpsshyl07iu.jpg.html)

And Tim's pig:

       (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/D82721D0-B5CC-4BD4-88BA-5B7B750025FD_zpsj5xd1dus.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/D82721D0-B5CC-4BD4-88BA-5B7B750025FD_zpsj5xd1dus.jpg.html)

I was happy for both of my friends! We woke up Sunday morning to nice cool temperatures, a welcom change from the regular Texas heat! I ended up in an area where I could do some stalking. As I snuck around a bend in the road, I saw a pig up ahead. He looked to be moving in my direction, so I found a spot to hide in the brush and waited for him. After a little while he ended up right in front of me at about 11-12yds. I drew back, settled in, and released. The arrow smacked into the side of the pig in what looked like a great position.

Then the waiting game began. After 20-30 minutes I began to trail the pig. I found first blood within just a few yards of where I had shot him:

       (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/D1718CA3-5F10-4251-A9B3-44892A1ED726_zpslwwkri8d.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/D1718CA3-5F10-4251-A9B3-44892A1ED726_zpslwwkri8d.jpg.html)

And after just a few more yards I found the back half of my arrow:

       (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/AC46EA87-DAA2-4A88-907B-033B7D3FEB7B_zpsklgkjsn2.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/AC46EA87-DAA2-4A88-907B-033B7D3FEB7B_zpsklgkjsn2.jpg.html)

Comparing it to a full arrow out of my quiver told me that I got quite good penetration!

I kept going, but the trail got sparse fairly quickly. This made me wonder if the shot was indeed as good as I had thought. I backed out and called the landowner to bring out his tracking dog. It was another 45 minutes before they showed up, but the dogs figured it out in no time, and found my pig stone cold dead about 100yds from where I shot him. It turned out the shot was good. I hit him right where I thought, but because I was shooting uphill at him, the exit hole was a little higher than is desirable.

Anyway, here is the first critter ever taken with a Rob Green selfbow, and only my 2nd selfbow kill ever:

       (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/0B14D35F-22DA-4FF0-A66A-A955ED2FD0F0_zpsyfcgxnyk.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/0B14D35F-22DA-4FF0-A66A-A955ED2FD0F0_zpsyfcgxnyk.jpg.html)

       (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/5F8C7C3D-F311-4F57-A4A6-4FFCE8FC1FAD_zpsa3ko3cbj.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/5F8C7C3D-F311-4F57-A4A6-4FFCE8FC1FAD_zpsa3ko3cbj.jpg.html)

Rob had to go home to watch his grandkids, so he did not get to hunt the second day. Tim got another nice eater pig though on the second evening hunt:

       (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/CD7D6759-6F54-4C7E-9FB8-1367496B9613_zps6mfvbczn.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-09/CD7D6759-6F54-4C7E-9FB8-1367496B9613_zps6mfvbczn.jpg.html)

I absolutely love traditional bowhunting, and all the friendships that I have made along the way. It is really satisfying when you set a goal and actually get to achieve it!

Thanks for reading along!

Bisch
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: CRM_95 on September 12, 2016, 10:46:00 PM
Congrats!! Looks like a fun hunt, and I like the looks of that bow too.
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: sttawb on September 12, 2016, 11:08:00 PM
Nice!!
Congrats
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Fletcher on September 12, 2016, 11:23:00 PM
Way to go, Bisch, and thanks for a great tale!
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: KAZ on September 12, 2016, 11:26:00 PM
Well done Bisch... Great hog & wonderful accomplishment  :clapper:
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: jamesh76 on September 12, 2016, 11:29:00 PM
That's great Bisch!  Well done!
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Matty on September 12, 2016, 11:47:00 PM
Nice Bisch. Bucket list item of mine for sure! And great work Green!   :clapper:
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: RC on September 12, 2016, 11:47:00 PM
Congrats Sir. Nice cutters on that one. RC
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: CDK on September 12, 2016, 11:47:00 PM
Nice shootin guys!  Good looking selfbow ...thanks for posting!!   :clapper:
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: SAM E. STEPHENS on September 13, 2016, 12:06:00 AM
Congrats.....

,,Sam,,
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Pine on September 13, 2016, 12:30:00 AM
Very nice , thanks for sharing .
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Matabele on September 13, 2016, 12:46:00 AM
Great story, and congratulations!
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: ozy clint on September 13, 2016, 01:26:00 AM
:notworthy:     :notworthy:  

great work mate.

i can smell the BBQ pit from here!
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Jwilliam on September 13, 2016, 01:51:00 AM
Way to go Bisch !!!   :clapper:
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Jayrod on September 13, 2016, 06:12:00 AM
Awesome job as always bisch thxs for sharing and a neat self bow rob built for you there!!
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: frank bullitt on September 13, 2016, 06:44:00 AM
Cool!    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Tater on September 13, 2016, 06:54:00 AM
Congrats to all on the pigs..!

    Nice shooting with the self bow...   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Chad Orde on September 13, 2016, 07:15:00 AM
Love those self bows and that's a beuty!! That pork is mighty tasty nice shooting guys!!
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: EWill on September 13, 2016, 08:31:00 AM
Nice! Hunting with a selfbow is something I would like to do also. I shoot with a friend at the local range who shoots selfbows that he makes and am amazed at how quiet they ALWAYS are.
He said I could get a stave off him which I would like to work on through the winter. Good winter project.
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Basinboy on September 13, 2016, 08:42:00 AM
Yeah man! Congrats
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: ron w on September 13, 2016, 08:53:00 AM
:clapper:  cool stuff!!!
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: wooddamon1 on September 13, 2016, 09:30:00 AM
Congrats, that's too cool! Rob makes a heck of a nice arrow, too.   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Mud_Slide_Slim on September 13, 2016, 09:36:00 AM
Congrats to all on a successful pig hunt!  Love those selfbows!

Bill-
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Mudd on September 13, 2016, 10:17:00 AM
:archer:
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: kbetts on September 13, 2016, 11:13:00 AM
Very cool.

I have to ask though....what's up with all the quiver pics where the broadheads aren't pushed into the foam?
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: on September 13, 2016, 11:31:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by kbetts:
Very cool.

I have to ask though....what's up with all the quiver pics where the broadheads aren't pushed into the foam?
There are only two. Both of those are the same bow which is owned by Tim King, so he will have to answewr that. I know that the broadheads you are seeing are 300gr Tuffheads, and are very long heads.

Thanks guys!

Bisch
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Bill Turner on September 13, 2016, 11:56:00 AM
Congats "Bisch". Thanks for sharing. Looks like Rob done good by you.    :campfire:
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Kopper1013 on September 13, 2016, 12:17:00 PM
That's my end goal so congrats some day I would love to take an animal with a self bow and hopefully some knapped heads
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Michael Arnette on September 13, 2016, 12:19:00 PM
Way to go Jerome!
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: awbowman on September 13, 2016, 01:37:00 PM
:thumbsup:     :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Shadowhnter on September 13, 2016, 01:39:00 PM
Wow! Nice porker! Love the self bow, way to handle it!
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: John146 on September 13, 2016, 01:50:00 PM
Way to go Bisch!!    :clapper:  

Do you shake after the shot when shooting a self bow?
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Caddo on September 13, 2016, 02:58:00 PM
Congrats Bisch, Good Job!

LD
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on September 13, 2016, 06:17:00 PM
Congrats Bisch!
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: JJB on September 13, 2016, 07:14:00 PM
Awesome job, very nice!
-Jay
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: BrushWolf on September 13, 2016, 07:42:00 PM
Nice!! Congrats    :clapper:
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: CoachBGriff on September 13, 2016, 09:36:00 PM
Congrats Bisch!!!

That's awesome.  I have some tall pretty osage that I'd like to make into a bow someday, but I've already decided it's not in the plans in the immediate future.

Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Possum Head on September 13, 2016, 09:55:00 PM
Very good Bisch   :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Warden609 on September 13, 2016, 10:16:00 PM
:thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: buckster on September 14, 2016, 09:04:00 AM
That's terrific Bisch!
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: wcdurand on September 14, 2016, 09:13:00 AM
Good Work Bisch!!!
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Caughtandhobble on September 14, 2016, 09:56:00 AM
Way to go Brother Bisch and Brother Rob.   :thumbsup:

   :archer2:
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Green on September 14, 2016, 03:46:00 PM
Thanks y'all.....was glad to be there when Bisch got this done, since he rarely has anything to brag about.     :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: katman on September 14, 2016, 07:29:00 PM
Awesome Bisch, like I have said many times your a killing machine. Congrats.

Selfbows are really cool, got to try to scratch one out of Osage like yours, we only have hickory here.
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Fattony77 on September 14, 2016, 08:12:00 PM
Great job to all of you pig-slayers! And a special Congratulations to you, Bisch, for reaching your goal!

Your next step is to come up for OJAM and build one of your own.... or at least some cane arrows to go with your "Greenbow."

Congrats, again, buddy.
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: gregg dudley on September 14, 2016, 08:26:00 PM
NICE!  Good job, buddy!
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: twitchstick on September 15, 2016, 11:43:00 PM
Pretty cool!
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: slayer1 on September 16, 2016, 06:56:00 AM
Good job guys!
Title: Re: Operation Selfbow : Mission Complete!
Post by: Thumper Dunker on September 16, 2016, 11:12:00 PM
Way to go. Cool bow and nice porker. Self bows are a kick in the pants. Keep at it.