The other day I stopped by the local archery shop that is around the corner from my house to see if they had any Permanone.
There were a couple of guys in there one which was having a new string/cable( :confused: ) put on his compound. We all started talking about hunting,and as much as I'm convinced that they're compass does not point North,I'm not a biased man.....to each they're own.
The guy mentioned his new string,and I pointed out the if it broke in the woods it would probly ruin his day.He said "yeah,a broken string is a BIG problem" and I said "not for me I usualy have another string in my pack." He looked at me kind of funny,and the owner who knows me said,"he shoots longbows and recurves". The guy seemed interested and asked me a few questions and I told him that I had a small collection of old 1960's Bear recurves,and that my wife,boys,and I all shoot "custom" longbows built by my friend Ed Mikuta in Rome,NY. (Ed's bows are a hybrid design with a large high wrist grip with a thumb rest)
He said that he had never seen a "custom" made longbow and I told him that I had mine out in the car and I would bring it in for him to see.I brought in my longbow with the slip-on Selway quiver and 5 2018's in for him to look at. His first comment was "WOW,that's ready to hunt!!!!!" I said yes,once I screw on my broadheads.second comment was "WOW,that's LIGHT!!!!!" I said actually I think the quiver makes it feel heavy,but sometimes you have to compromize.His third comment was "WOW!!!!! I LIKE THE GRIP!!!!! It fits my hand PERFECTLY!!!!!" (now I figure I've got him on the hook,I'll have a little fun playing with him LOL) I told him that it was a "custom" bow and that it was custom made for me to my specifications.Wood,Weight,Draw length,AND the grip)Then I asked him if he wanted to shoot it.....
"Can I?????" he said,"Of coarse" I said....."But what about it being a "custom" bow?????" he asked.....I laughed,"That means the bow was "built" for ME,it doesn't mean that YOU can't shoot it LOL."
We took it into the indoor 3-D range,and set up a deer target in front of the backstop.I paced off about 5 yards,gave him my glove armguard and some basic instructions.....3 fingers under,middle finger at the corner of his mouth,sight down the arrow,hold just under the belly.....
After a few rounds of arrows he was putting 5 for 5 in the foam. I had to get going so we walked out and I put my bow in the car,(noticing that his "friend" was no longer around)he thanked me for letting him shoot my bow,and we said goodbye.....As he walked inside I couldn't help thinking that maybe I got his "other" wheels turning.....
(BTW,I never did get my Permanone.....looks like I'll have to go back.....)
that's a good story. you gonna shoot his compound next time? :)
I do not shoot around others very much. As the lanes in my local indoor range are built for compounders. There just is not enough room to cant my bows.
Everytime that I do go in with a traditional bow someone in there is amazed.. They just cannot believe that you could hit what you want with a longbow and wooded arrows. They believe after watching me shoot.
Also eveytime I'm in a hunting camp before the hunt is over some modern bowhunter asks to shoot my bow.. I'm usually the only one that shoots his bow in camp. No biggie at all I say, I brought an extra for you to shoot. EVERYTIME....
People just need to be exposed to a traditional bowhunter doing it right. Be a good role model and the fun of archery will do the rest.
John III
Mabey it will be another one bitten by the bug!
Quotesecond comment was "WOW,that's LIGHT!!!!!"
I was at my "local" archery shop (local in that it's only 50 miles away, but it's the only one in the area that has traditional gear), and I was there talking to the owner, buying arrow making supplies, and generally having a good time.
One of the fellows there who was looking to buy a bow (he was looking at compounds) wanted to look at my hickory flatbow and my Howard Hill style longbow.
First words out of his mouth?
"WOW, that's LIGHT!".
I and the shop owner talked up traditional archery to him. Hopefully the guy will buy a longbow or a recurve instead of the wheelie he was looking at.
Chuck...Making friends and influencing people wherever you go!! Nice job Bud!
Nathan
Excellent story! Really nice of you. Jawge
I love this story. Two men with a common love of archery. Great Diplomacy.
Since most of today's bow gurus seem to be the bicycle mechanics who set up the wheelies, it is nice to see this post. These salesmen whip out their allen wrenches and rack up big bucks on assorted gizmos that will transform a new archer (or a Campfire girl) into Rambo.
It is a shame that the entry level non-compound bows most kids see shoot nerf arrows and are stocked at Toys r Us, while the sporting goods mega stores push kiddie compound bows.
The only way to keep the flame going is the way Chuck does it - notice how Chuck let the guy discover the joy by setting him up for success?
I've caught slack a few times at our club for allowing crossbows often by men shooting wheels .I have a few comebacks I like to use depending on there level of seriousness ,
1 How can I convert them if they don't show up?
2 We allow compounds!
3 We don't allow people who judge others by there equipmwent