Trad Gang

A few months back Charlie Lamb came down to the Ozarks to chase some turkeys.  He happened to bring along a recently completed longbow of new design.  In the afternoons we shot around some, and I jumped at the chance to try out the longbow.  Light in the hand, fast on the string, and deadly accurate...I had to have one.      :thumbsup:     Charlie, Chris, and Tom jump in also...

More later... here is a teaser


  (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/ShapingtheHandle3.jpg)

:campfire:    :coffee:

now this should be good!  Installments would be just how Mr. Lamb would be doing it.    :campfire:

Charlie's bows are surely a functioning work of art . Fred

This will be fun  :bigsmyl:    :campfire:    :coffee:  

Tracy

:coffee:    :coffee:    :coffee:  ready for a great thread!

F-Manny

After a rough start Chris, LC (little Charlie) and I were on the road to BC (big Charlie) and Billie's house. Whoa... wait a minute...one more trip back to the Kinslow house after LC said, "daddy is my bow in the back?"   :wavey:    "Hey guy's we're in here." Charlie calls out.

We emerge from the darkness through the double doors of the gambrel roof, wooden out building leaving behind the croaking sounds of the tree frogs that live in the timber surrounding the Lamb residence to see the smiling faces of BC and Andrew Kinslow (Stoney). After greetings were given and received, my eyes started to dart around the structure's interior to take in as much of the surrounding as I could before I began hammering Charlie with questions. I was standing in a place where I could see first hand how a laminated bow is build and with Charlie's kind personality I knew he would take the time to demonstrate and explain any step that I needed to have explained to me in more detail. But, the bow build would have to wait until the next day. The rest of that Friday evening and early into Saturday's morning, it was guy time... Time to catch up on the past events in each of our lives, dream about future hunts, drink liquids from brown bottles and B.S. until almost 2:00 in the morning.

:campfire:    :archer:  come on with it.

Andrew,

I find it interesting that you picked the picture above to show as your first picture. Out of the handful of pictures that I sent you, this one is my favorite. It shows the heart of the bow in its raw stage as it was being shaped, some basic tools of the trade in the back ground and the picture captures the energy that Charlie was putting into shaping handle's design. Pretty cool.

Tom,

There wasn't any question which pic I was going to use for the intro.  You are exactly right, it captures the heart of the bow in its raw form.  Thanks!

Ok, now where was I....

To really understand this story we need to back up even further.

Seems like southwest Missouri doesn't get much snow anymore, just ice storms.  We are well pruned to say the least.  I have enough firewood to last for years, and rather than see it all go up in smoke I have been taking trees of quality to a local sawmill for processing.  I have osage, walnut, cherry, persimmon, elm, and honey locust in very good condition.  Which brings us up to speed for the turkey hunt with Lamb.

I invited Charlie to look through the stacks and see if he would like any for laminations or risers.  My brother had a Sunbear recurve in the works, and we both have a thing for capturing some of the mojo from the farm by using wood off of the farm in our bows.  Chris' features Osage, and I opted for something different with the honey locust.  We spent lots of time and good conversation grading the lumber and cutting laminations in the afternoons after our morning turkey excursions.

Here's Christopher and I rough cutting what will eventually become the laminations for someone's bow:

 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/Picture021.jpg)


Here we are rough cutting the riser block for his bow:

 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/Picture008.jpg)


Planing the riser block:

 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/Picture019.jpg)


Ready for Charlie's shop:

 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/Picture020.jpg)


We didn't have much luck with the turkey's that weekend, but we sure had good conversation and fellowship in among the sawdust...

:campfire:    :coffee:  This has all the makings of becoming a Tradgang classic.

This is going to be a good one!

As Andrew stated this whole project started back in April with two weekends of Turkey hunting. The first down at my brothers farm near Springfield and the next up in northwest Missouri near Weston.  We threw the book at the birds but didn't have any luck.  When the birds aren't cooperating you have to resort to other tactics.

Shooting some arrows...
 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/ckinslow/DSC00870.jpg)

Catch some fish...
 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/ckinslow/Photo_050309_006.jpg)

Or look at some of Tracy's sheds..
 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/ckinslow/TurkeyCamp2009004.jpg)

And if all else fails and you can't get that perfect hero shot with the fanned out turkey, then you make do with the material at hand.
  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/ckinslow/TurkeyCamp2009012.jpg)

These were the "hero pics" from some of the laminations that we cut out while we were at Andrew's house.  Andrew is holding the honey locust he used in this bow. I'm holding the cedar laminations that we are going to use on my bow later this summer.

Do you notice, just like Tom Sawyer, another Missouri boy, Charlie's got them "white washing the fence"! Great story, gentleman!

:thumbsup:

July 11 sounds like a long way off when its April.  With farm work, teaching summer school, and generally life the time flew by.  First of July I got an email from Charlie with some ideas on the bow and next thing you know I am on my way north.  

I arrived at Charlie's to an open door and warm welcome.  We soon ventured out to the bow shop and I opened the door to what would become a fascinating weekend.  A dozen bows hanging from the back wall invited a host of questions.  His first Sunbear: Scar,  up to the latest fresh from the form.  Beautiful black phenolic riser, with intricate accents.  I inquired about the limbs, and Charlie surprised me in saying they were the walnut laminations we cut back in April.  Two new recurves with the gnarliest beautiful osage out of the riser block we cut.  It was like being a kid in a candy shop!

 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/DSC04189b.jpg)


 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/DSC01631.jpg)


 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/Sunbear3.jpg)


Soon we saw the headlights from Christopher, Tom, and my nephew.  Charlie called out and invited them into the glow of the woodshop.  Soon the questions started all over...with Charlie graciously answering each.  

I gravitated to the back of the shop and let Chris and Tom experience what I had been basking in for the evening.  I nosed through scrap cutoffs trying to guess the woods.  I looked through stacks of riser blocks and imagined the future bows that would come out of each.  Then behind the bow forms I found a small riser block freshly glued from that afternoon.  I asked Charlie, "What's the story on this one?"  He grinned and said, "That's yours bud, and were going to build it this weekend."  

Back in April I imagined seeing several different bows in various configurations of construction, but I never thought we would take one from start to finish.  Let alone take my own personal bow from a riser block to working piece of art.

Needless to say, I couldn't think of much else as we passed the evening away getting caught up into the early hours of the morning...  This is what traditional archery is all about.

Morning wakeup for me arrived around 7:30.... everyone was up but me. We all huddled around the dinning room table nursing our coffee and waking our taste buds up with donuts. Soon it was time and Charlie said, "Well let's get out there" and away we went.

We entered the 20' x 12' outbuilding and the first order of business was to get the AC going. Although crowded inside the shop, with four other bodies to work around, Charlie skillfully and patiently maneuvered around us gathering the gray diamond wood, phenolic and honey locust riser and the honey locust and bamboo laminations. With true teaching style, Charlie showed us individually the step that he was taking or gathered us all around to explain the process that he was about to engage in. Always taking the time to answer our questions, no matter how ridiculously simple they might have been, Charlie made us feel welcome and seem to enjoy showing us his craft.

Not wanting to get in the way, but wanting to be a part of the bow building process, we all took turns helping out where we could. Mostly, we found ourselves running the shop-vac or handing the Sunbear creator the tools he needed. The day had just started but was shaping up to be a day to remember...

While Andrew is out working on hay at his farm I'll fill some time in with some more pictures.

My son, aka Little Charlie (LC) has grown up around the traditional archery in our family.  He is quick to point out deer that he sees when he is riding around in the tractor with Pops (his grandpa).  He goes with me to Tom Porter's house and shots his bow on the 3D course that Tom has.  Most of all LC is a very patient little boy. He endures my endless talking with Tom or the long trip to St. Louis without much complaining.  He sat in the shed and drew on his notebook while we worked on the bows.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/ckinslow/WatchingYou.jpg)

While enthraling to us adults I'm sure bow building isn't very captivating to a 4 year old.  I made sure we took several breaks to let LC swim in the pool or shoot his bow.  This time he wanted Big Charlie to watch him shoot.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/ckinslow/FullDraw.jpg)

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/ckinslow/LCatFullDraw.jpg)

I've tried not to push archery on him and when he gets tired of it we put it away.  I hope he continues to want to be like the big boys and shoot his bow because he is already getting pretty good at it. Maybe some day he will want to take a trip to the Mountains with Dad and chase after some deer or elk. Time will tell.

A boy with patience, and a love for paper and pen...I like this LC kid! He looks to be the type to grow into a good man. You lucky!

Plenty of time here to wait for more story, and so far it is well worth waiting for. Wish I could be a fly on a brown bottle, but this is good, too.

Killdeer
(Big Charlie looks good in a jumper...   :D   )

Great read along. I like LC's form.

LC is a Great kid! He is a prime example of how well a child can be growing up in a well balanced home. Always inquisitive, well spoken and determined to be helpful, LC is a joy to be around and include in our adventures.    :thumbsup:  

As for entertaining us, LC came up to me on a few occasions looking for someone to join him in an "out of building experience" and of course, I did my part to sooth he restless spirit. Here are a couple of examples of his approach to lure me from the shop. "Hey Tom, do you want to go look at the apple tree with me?" No not really....    :biglaugh:   "Sure Charlie let's go look." There was something about the apple tree that fascinated him. On another occasion he approached me with "Tom, look at this" LC holds out an apple "do you want to see where I found it? There was a bumble bee there too." under the apple tree I'm guessing..."Okay show me."

While in the shop, I was looking out the window watching LC shoot his bow in the backyard, after shooting his three arrows LC, drops his bow, takes off his glove and drops it, removes his armguard and throws it back behind him then walks down to the target and kicks it over... I relayed the incident to the rest of the crew and that's when the four of us switched our focus from our desire to build a bow to the young archer outside in need of an audience.

QuoteOriginally posted by Killdeer:

(Big Charlie looks good in a jumper...    :D    )

I had a similar comment.   :biglaugh:

Good stuff here!!
Bill

OK, just got off the tractor after a good day of baling and wrapping hay...where were we...

Saturday morning began as it always does when LC is in town, with the door slowly opening and this little blond head peaking his way into the room followed by a headlong plunge onto my bed.  Best alarm clock I can think of!

Coffee and donuts have us out the door and Charlie begins by saying, "Lets have a look at that riser block."  We took off all the clamps and looked her over.  First step to the grinder.  Charlie did the rough cleaning of the piece so we could examine the glue-lines which were perfect.   Then we clamped on his longbow riser jig, and he handed it over to us with the infamous last words, "You can't screw this part up."  Even though each of us quietly was thinking in our heads, "Watch me be the first to screw this part up..." we rough shaped the riser block successfully.

   (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/AndrewGrindingRiser.jpg)

(You can tell from my facial expression, I was serious about not trying to screw it up!       :eek:      

I began to see the classy lines of the riser becoming clear.  Charcoal actionwood, with a 1/4 inch piece of phenolic for strength, followed by a heel cap of honey locust to tie in with the limbs.

Next step: grinding the limb laminations.  Charlie recently added a lamination grinder to his arsenal and we spent the rest of the morning grinding and measuring bamboo cores along with the honey locust veneers for the belly of the bow


   (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/MakingLams.jpg)


By now it was time to help LC check out the apple tree, fling some arrows, and dive into a early afternoon snack before putting everything into the form for glue-up...

I want to give credit to Tom for his great pictures.  He always thinks ahead to bring his camera and to stop and take a moment to snap some shots.  Without his pics this thread would be very two dimensional.  Thanks!

:thumbsup:

well looks like yall are having a great time kudos!!! BC LAMB  :thumbsup:    :notworthy:

i love this thread!    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

What a great weekend!  Sure must be special to have a hand in the birth of your own bow.  Loving the story and the pictures!  :thumbsup:

It was time to get back to work...

With the laminations ground, Charlie used calipers to thoroughly analyze each one.  Everything came in right on the numbers, so it was time for the form.

Charlie set us to taping newspapers to the bench top for the messy part.  Tom starts laughing and we all look up.  He chuckled, " Your bow is being born on the obituary pages..."  Charlie laughed and said, "Maybe we'll call her Obit..."  Serendipitous in several ways, there was no doubt we had found the right name.

First was to ensure we had the laminations in the proper order for gluing.  Clear glass on the bottom and next to it the Honey Locust veneers.   Another group was organized starting with black glass, then a parallel bamboo, followed by a taper, and another tiny parallel to bring the limbs to a close.  These were laid out next to each other in two groups with the well practiced hand of experience.  Lots of questions from us newbies as the excitement built.


 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/lamination.jpg)


Next, it was time to set up the form.  We cleared space and broke the form down into components.  Heat tape, wax paper, and clamps were prepared

Third step glue.  Lots of it, by the soup ladle full.  I think each of us was thinking back to our first middle school experience with epoxy glue and how this could be a mess in a heartbeat.  I am sure it has been for many.  Not in this case, however.  Charlie carefully used a putty knife to apply glue to each lamination starting with the black glass.  Three bamboo laminations later and we had an epoxy sandwich going into the back section of the form on top of a section of heat tape.  Next the riser block arose from its beginnings to go into the form.  More glue and the honey locust laminations and clear glass followed.  The epoxy came out perfect, with exactly the right amount, no more no less.   Plenty of wax paper and the top heat tape was placed into the form.  Finally the fire-hose was placed on top of it all.  

There was an air of anticipation and excitement in the shop as we bolted the belly section of the form into place.   Everything was go, and Charlie gave the call to inflate the hose.  As quickly as you can think about it the form grew taught, and there it was... the bow was glued up in the form.  Slick as can be.

I've seen build-alongs in past where there is so much glue oozing from the forms that you can hardly tell what is in there.  Not the case at the Sunbear shop.  Each lam showed an equal amount of glue pressed out by the hose, but it certainly was not volcanic.  Everything was in order...

Charlie plugged in the heat tapes, pushed back from the form and announced, "Who's up for some bowfishing?"  LC answered, "I am!"    

And we were out the door...   :archer:

I kind of got a little lackadaisical on the picture taking at this point so we don't have pictures of the bow in the form, or coming out of the form....of course I may have been out looking at the apple tree.

Earlier in the day, while BC was tending to his craft of building Andrew's bow, I was in the corner fiddling with a 60", 42# Checkmate, Falcon that I have had for about a year. I bought the bow off of Trad Gang with the intentions of turning it into a fishing rig but I wasn't sure how to go about affixing the reel to the bow. With his proven patients and his ability to multi task, BC stepped away from the primary project to lend me guidance with my little project. Thirty minutes later a hole was drilled in the bow's riser, the insert was epoxied and tapped into place and 30 minutes after that the bowfishing reel was mounted. Thanks BC!  

As Andrew's bow set cooking in the form, all of us boys piled into two trucks to head to a local fishing spot that Charlie knows about, this was my first time for bowfishing and I was excited to give it a try. As we were piling into the trucks to go bowfishing, Billie peeks her head out the door to remind us that we had to be back and ready to leave by 3:30 to make it to our dinner reservations on time...because we don't want to be late meeting the pastor.   :eek:      :eek:    Nobody told be we were having dinner with a pastor, I would have brought my best t-shirt if I knew that.   :bigsmyl:  

A short drive later put us on a gravel road next to a small creek (I don't remember the name of the creek). We eagerly stationed ourselves on the bridge that BC had scouted out for us a few days earlier. Bows ready we all stood poised waiting for the first shot... but we couldn't get any of the fish to play our game. Needing to shoot our bows we eventually gave in to the desire and started shooting at objects floating down the creek. No fish were shot or shot at but fun was had by all just the same.

We returned to the Lamb's house to find Billie in the pool and young Lucky Lou, an orange tabby cat, drenched from an afternoon swimming lesson given to him by Billie. Apparently he likes swimming.      With time to spare before our dinner reservations we changed into our swim trunks and spent the remainder of the afternoon in the pool escaping the sultry day.

After an evening of fellowship and Thai food, we returned to have a look at the bow.  

Much to our dismay right at the center section of the riser, the fire hose had popped out of the form a bit and some of the laminations appeared to be a bit off center.  There was a moment of silence in the shop as everyone held their breath.  Charlie broke the quiet, "We might as well have a look at and see how bad it is."  We disassembled the form and quickly found the problem.  With the barrage of questions from us newbies, we had distracted Charlie enough that we forgot to tighten the center lower bolts holding the belly and back of the forms together.  Just enough to allow the fire hose to slip.  We all feared the worst.

Charlie fired up the belt sander and ground off the excess glue down to the wood to allow a closer examination.  About 1/8 inch  of the glass and lams on the back side had moved laterally.  Thirty minutes of roughing out the bow, taking measurements, and continued work with grinder and files.  "Relax, no problem!" Charlie announced and we all remembered to breath again.  

Time to fire up a stogie and celebrate!  BC style...    :thumbsup:    

 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/CigarTime.jpg)

Looks like u guys had fun.....

Great Pics,

Cody

I love that picture!   :biglaugh:

I agree Tom, what a great picture!

:campfire:     :clapper:

We stayed up late enjoying the satisfaction that all was well with the bow.   A swim, a few more brown bottles, and we ended the evening in Charlie's den which houses dozens of bows.  We had to know the stories behind each.  Last words before we turned in for the night, " You'll shoot her tomorrow by noon."

I slept well.

Sunday morning found us up with the usual LC wakeup call by dawn's early light.  Coffee and some of Billie's Killer Cinammon Rolls.   Several B.K.C.R.s later and an equal number of coffee refills and we were off to the shop.


We started by taping off the back of the bow and making basic measurements.  Charlie talked us through it all, patiently teaching as his vision came into being.  I've heard him say many times, "Its all about finding the bow hidden in the wood."  We were able to see the reality of that come into place during our final day.

Here we are at the beginning of the morning laying out the details:

 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/ShapingtheBow.jpg)

When the powertools shut down and Charlie began working in earnest with files, I began to really see the artistry of the bowyer.  

To me this was the magic day.  This is where it went from assembly of parts to artistry through sweat and finesse.  


Here the shelf has been cut into place and Charlie is beginning to create the grip:

 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/ShapingtheHandle1.jpg)


Here is the backside of the grip working on the thumb groove:

 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/ShapingtheHandle2.jpg)


And here is my favorite of Tom's pictures.  The riser is clearly there, and just requires fine tuning:

 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/ShapingtheHandle3.jpg)


Charlie had me grip and shoot his own personal longbow and get a feel for what I would like in the handle.  He spent the latter part of the morning getting the grip to suit me.  I couldn't be happier.

Now it was time to check the rough weight of the bow.  Into the vice and after a couple practice pulls, she checked out in the upper 60's about 10 pounds over our target weight.  

Charlie:  "No problem, time for the first shot!"

Here is a series of video stills from Tom showing my first shot with bow:

 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/ObitFirstShot-1.jpg)

Smooth and right on target.  I shot a dozen or so arrows and it was time for lunch.  The thunder began to roll in from some ominous clouds, so we hurried in for another great meal.  

Charlie:  "Told you, First shot before noon..."

Gosh, I could use one of those cinnamon rolls right now!  Billie should auction those things off next year during St. Jude's.  Yeast bread, raisins, walnuts, plenty of cinnamon and sugar all topped with cream cheese icing.

Eat your heart out Iron Bull  ;)

The rain set in for good after lunch.  We hot-footed it back to the shop for the finale.  The finish files came out, and so did the personality of the bow.  Tip overlays jumped into final shape:  Black glass sandwiched between to layers of white, with the finishing touch of some ebony from the cutoff pile.  Charlie doesn't let much go to waste, all of the cutoffs go into a pile for resurrection as overlays or accents.

Charlie and I mulled several pieces of honey locust over for the perfect grip overlay.   We picked a nice piece with some red swirling patterns and glued it over the top of the same alternating black and white glass.

One of the aspects of the bow that I like so much is the contrasts between the back and belly.  The deer sees only the black glass and charcoal actionwood.  As you travel around the bow, the phenolic stripe and hint of the heel cap come into view.   Finally, as you finish transiting the bow the honey of the honey locust pops on the belly blending into the riser.  From a distance, it would be hard to tell that the bow wasn't a self bow if viewing the belly side only.  Beautiful classic lines.

With the overlays glued, final shaping took place.  The soft sounds of the rain on the roof balanced with the steady work of the files.  The grip absolutely fits my hand perfectly.  I can pick this girl up in the dark and it automatically is good to go for the shot.  Charlie's signature move for the grip are the finger grooves under your thumb and it was really interesting to see him work with my hands and back with the files several times for the perfect fit.

Once the grip was tailored, Charlie began to work on bring the bow into final tiller and weight.  Steady and slow, file and sand...weigh, file and sand, weigh, repeat.  Never very much at a time, and she came into weight very nicely.

By this time, it was rolling into early evening and it was sadly time for us to start thinking about the four hour drive back home.  LC had been amazingly patient all weekend and the typical Sunday realization that work is right around the corner was particularly hard this weekend.

With great appreciation of the hospitality and patient instruction we had received we said our goodbyes and headed home.

Parting words from Charlie with a wink: "Look for a package in the mail in a week or so."

I thought of little else on the drive home...

Luv that big fella    :clapper:

Wednesday I received a call from Charlie.  Turns out he is going to be traveling through Springfield on his way south to Oklahoma for a reunion the next day.  And guess what...he has a certain bow finished!  

Noon on Thursday, Charlie personally delivered the bow.  I couldn't get off the tractor soon enough when I got the call!  

So without further ado, I am happy to introduce Obit:


 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/DSC01743.jpg)


 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/DSC01728.jpg)


 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/DSC01723-1.jpg)


 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/DSC01739.jpg)


 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/DSC01733.jpg)


 (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/DSC01734.jpg)

wow!  way cool!!!     :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

  :campfire:

Now the presure is on bro.  "Obit" needs to write some obituaries of her own this year on a deer or two?

Yep, looking forward to posting a few here!

Here is Obit with another one of my favorite Sunbears:  Shadow.


  (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/DSC01753.jpg)


  (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Bows/DSC01754.jpg)


Charlie surprised my wife Dawn with Shadow shortly after his visit back in April.  Dawn expressed some interest in starting out in archery and Charlie went above and beyond in providing her with her first bow.   She has said many times since the gift of the bow, "All I did was ask some questions..."

That one statement sums things up nicely.  It is at the heart of traditional archery.  We all start out by asking questions of a mentor.  Charlie exemplifies that.  He's been a big influence on so many on this board.  Certainly on me and I know I am speaking for Chris and Tom as well.

Craftsmanship with the heart of a teacher.  Fellowship, Food, and Traditional Archery.  Wow, what a weekend!

Thanks, Charlie.   For everything...it means a lot.

Classic thread, classic fellow, what a bow!

Great thread! Wish I'd been there with yall!  :thumbsup:  

You guys need to come down and break in those new beauties! CK

Looking forward to it Curtis!

neat bow for sure, great story again!!!  :)

Congratulations Andrew and Dawn, both those bows are pretty. Great thread too, Andrew. It was fun play off of the Kinslow's story telling. I'll see you in the fall when you start writing some obituaries! Take care pal

Best of luck bud    :thumbsup:  

Great thread guys....the only thing better would have been being there....but this was close...well done   :notworthy:

To me It's all about how I do it, not if I succeed or not. The kill is secondary!

(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/akinslow/Sunbear3.jpg) Gee, that one looks mighty familiar.    :D  

I really envy you guys having the ability to harvest your own wood to make bows. Nothing cooler in my mind.

Is it my imagination or is Charlie wasting away to skin and bones?   :scared:

Been gone a while...

Glad I didn't miss this one!

Todd

:thumbsup:

Thanks for the kind words guys!!

Just got back from a couple weeks out of town with a group of friends from a different kind of hunting trip.
Would have missed this one if it hadn't come back up.

The bow making visit was just what I needed before my trip. I had a blast... bows, beer, a little bowfishing and pool time with good buddies. It may get better than that, but you'd have to look a long time to find it.

The door is always open and I'm looking forward to fall. We'll make more stories for sure.
  :campfire:

Those Sunbears are incredibly good lookin'!

What a week end you had   :clapper:  
F-Manny