36 years ago my parents purchased 200 acres in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks. Two years later I came on the scene. I came of age on the farm, and to a large part it is a part of me. I have been lucky enough to add to the family farm by buying the adjoining property and it is nice to return the stewardship the farm has given me. Whether it is feeding the cows, baling hay, taking a hike, or sitting in a tree stand, I find peace on the farm more than any other place. It's home.
I have always thought it would be very nice to hunt with a bow made of wood from the farm. I worked up some beautiful osage, black walnut, and curly cherry several years ago. After shooting Beachbowhunter's zipper extreme and subsequently my brother's, I knew which bow I wanted. I contacted Bill Dunn back in December and told him what I had in mind. After making UPS very happy shipping some lumber to Bill, I tried not to daydream too much about my new bow under construction. Well...daydream no more...I received a package in the mail on monday, and I will let the pictures speak for themselves:
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/DSC04988.jpg)
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/DSC04991.jpg)
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/DSC04992.jpg)
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/DSC04993.jpg)
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/DSC04994.jpg)
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/DSC04998.jpg)
Bill Dunn crafted exactly what I had in mind and more, and I couldn't be happier. The riser is osage, with black walnut and phenolic accents. I have one set of limbs that are black walnut, and another that are curly cherry.
You will not find a nicer couple than Bill and Tracy. Bill is a master craftsman and his talent is evident not only in the aesthetics of the bow, but also in its performance. I have never shot such a naturally pointable bow. We named her Legacy, and I look forward to passing this legacy on to my children someday. Thanks Bill.
Absolutly stunning!!!!
Congrats on your "homegrown" bow!!!
That's a sweet one for sure Andrew. Congratulations.
Looking forward to chasing turkeys with ya in a couple of weeks.
That bow will be an heirloom for generations of your family to come. Beautiful.
that quiver? almost as amazing as the bow
Sweet bow with roots to the family farm. Good luck hunting on the farm with that special bow. TD.
That is a beautiful looking bow. I was just talking to Bill Dunn yesterday about the extreme.
There was a gentleman that went on a caribou hunt with us this past year that had one with no silencers or anything on it. I shot it and was completely blown away by how quiet and smooth it shot.
Andrew, sir that is one of the prettiest bows I have ever seen. Good luck with it.
Bravo, :clapper:
Missouri is loaded with osage trees especially in the southwest corner of the state where Andrew and I grew up. Unfortuately the farm my brother and I grew up isn't bless with many osage trees. In fact we have only found two Hedge trees on the entire farm. Luckily one of the trees had been growning there for well over 50 years and after looking it over we found a main trunk to this tree that was large enough to obtain a stave for a bow. It was fun to spend some time in the timber looking for wood with my brother. I doubt he'll hunt with much else from now on.
Here is a picture of us on one of our stump shooting sessions in the woods.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/ckinslow/snowyshoot2.jpg)
Pretty cool, Bro!
Gotta love that yella wood. that is one very sweeeeet looking bow. I know they shoot first. Congrats!><>
That Sir is one of the most beautiful bows I've seen. What a great story/history to go with her too. Congrats!!
Too cool!!!!!
Very, very, cool! I have thought of doing this with woods from my grandad's place. Beautiful bow and a great heritage. :thumbsup:
Absolutely fantastic. I've been waiting to see it since you told me about your idea for a bow made of wood from the family farm. It is unlike any other Zipper I've seen and is a stunner. I can't wait to see how the osage ages.
You and your brother are two of the finest young men I've met and it is only fitting that you both have the finest bows...Zipper!
Congrats man!
Norb
That is one I hope to never see in the classifieds! Beautifull bow and great story. Thanks for sharing.
Yes sir...good story and great bow.
I know it must mean a lot. And those Zippers are A#1 bows.
I have one of the old ones, before fastflight and have two sets of limbs for mine too.
Shot it the other day!
Stoney,
As a transplanted Missouri boy, I know how you feel! When I had Ancient Spirits build my bow I wanted woods found on my parents' place in Missouri. I wanted osage, black locust and black walnut. While the wood did not come from my folks' place, I feel connected to it by knowing that I can walk the property I grew up on and find all three of those trees.
PS: I am also a Missouri State grad...though back then we called it SMS.
Man that is one sharp looking bow. One of a kind for sure.
Wow! That is insanely gorgeous. I need to re-think this 'one bow' thing.
Great looking bow! congrats
I think the story of this bow and the Kinslows tells the connection that all traditional bow hunters feel with the land and the critters we persue.Im no philosopher, but I believe that our time in the woods with traditional bows is just one way for us to express that connection. It is hard to explain to nonhunters that feeling. Andrew Im glad you are so pleased with the bow that was in your wood.
Bill
ttt for a great story, a beautiful bow, and a nice fella. Just thinking that newer members like myself might enjoy this older thread. Very cool Andrew! I'm envious!
Beautiful bow, and story(ies).
TTT
David
Bill is too modest. A fella that intelligent HAS to be a thinker, and from the design of his bows, he thinks plenty while hunkered over the hind foot of a pleasure horse.
That is a blessed bow that has its roots in your childhood. That is a treasure beyond words, and may it always be in your sight.
Max, good to see you around!
Killdeer
It's nice that you can carry a piece of your farm with you,enjoy your bow.
Beautiful bow and a great story !!! :thumbsup:
Bill
That is an awesome bow that tells a story that only it can. AWESOME
Awesome looking bow, my friend in my league picked one @ Kalamazoo show and loves it. :thumbsup: DB
This is what separates the trad archery world apart that bow is part of your land and heritage. Great story thanks for sharing and yes it a beautiful bow. :thumbsup:
Amazing work and a priceless bow. Congrats
Fine Bow built by fine folks!!! Bill and Tracy are the best!
For sure a beautiful bow made out of some wood on your own property makes a special bond between the shooter and the land.It is sign of respect and for sure a tribute to the ancestors that took care of the land.I think that nothing speaks more traditional than a stave of Osage becoming a bow!
one of the most beautiful bows i have ever seen. May the Legacy bring you luck on your hunts..
Wow, blast from the past! Didn't expect to see this back up from three years ago. Thanks for all the kind words everyone. The bow is a fitting tribute to the legacy that the farm shares through stewardship. It looks a bit different now that the osage has mellowed with time:
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/DSC02391.jpg)
Thanks again!
CLASSY LOOKING BOW THAT LEGACY....CONGRATS,COOL PICS.
one that you will remember forever..
Awesome story and beautiful bow!
posted by hatchchaser:That is one I hope to never see in the classifieds! Beautifull bow and great story. Thanks for sharing.
x2.....now thats cool.
Andrew, I love the way the osage looks now. Spectacular!
Incredible looking bow! Wow is all I can say...
Absolutely a beautiful bow and a great bow. That is a neat story. I hope you are able to harvest a big old buck on your property with that Zipper.
Enjoy it!
That is one nice bow!
Really liked that you used wood from your own land, and to see tha aging of the osage this way is just plain cool :)
Margly
Boy that bow just keeps looking better and better. :thumbsup: I love the way the Osage has darkened with age. :thumbsup:
Bill
Awesome, I bet she shoots as good as she looks.
Wow, What a fine looking bow. It is an eye catcher. Like a pretty woman hard not to stare at it.
as someone said an heirloom for sure very nice good looking bow ,made by a guy who knows what he's doing,
Building this bow was so easy to get into.It is so special.I never get tired of reading the story behind the woods.This bow also shows a great deal about the cheracter of the Kinslows.If they did not have such a love for this piece of property,and the history they have for it.This bow would have never been.Building this bow (and the "Sentenal") is very much an honor.I do not take it lightly.
BIll
Legacy's looks kill but so do the broadheads coming out of it!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/ckinslow/DSC00818-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/ckinslow/DSC00816-1.jpg)
Damn! I miss that spot. Sham that place is gone.
Can't wait to chase some more things with you bro. Just think how nice that bow would look across a big black hog! Can you say "personal day".
beautiful Bow thanks for the great pic's.