Earlier this summer I had a 10 year old boy ask if he could shoot bows with me. Thanks to my Tradgang family I was able to get a bow for Edwin and arrows that were properly spined to go along with it. He has come a long ways and I'm quite proud of him.
While eating at his father's restaraunt on Saturday, Edwin introduced me to his 12 year old cousin Juan and asked if he could shoot with us. How could I say no? I talked with Juan's father and arranged to pick them up today for some shooting.
Edwin's form and knowledge really showed and I kind of sat back and watched as Edwin explained the basics to Juan. It didn't take very long and Juan was hitting a paper plate once in awhile at 10 yards. Then we put a 3D deer target up and he hit it almost every time. Some shots in the kill zone some elsewhere but he was very pleased to find out he could actually do this.
In the photo Edwin is in the background and Juan is in the front. After looking at the photo and comparing the forms of both archers I must admit Edwin taught Juan very well. Knowing that Edwin learned from me and seeing how he instructed his cousin really made me feel great.
They both asked if I would take them hunting since their Father's don't hunt so I had a talk with the Dads. School starts this week and I agreed to take them out in the woods if they did well in school. I feel it is too soon for actual hunting but stumps should be fair game. That along with some basic woodscraft should get them started for when they are a little bit older.
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Great Job!!
Awesome!!! Kudos on you brother...
Way to go, they will remember your kindness.
That's what it's all about. Great job!
It looks like the fun is just beginning. I hope you have many happy years with these two new hunting companions. You lucky sonagun!
Killdeer :wavey:
Nice!! One thing you can bank on is no matter where you or those boys go in life, they will never forget the guy who tought then how to shoot and hunt.
O and we are going to need up dates and pics now and then as this story progress
Excellent!
Great Job!!! :clapper:
:bigsmyl:
Really great story! Thanks for sharing it!
I guess this means that you are going to foot some more carbons for them to stump shoot with.
Hey Pac, I often think about the day we spent in the woods stumpin, what a blast.
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Glad to see Edwin is getting good use of that bow Pac.I feel good about that.Nice form as well shooting it.
QuoteOriginally posted by Steelhead:
Glad to see Edwin is getting good use of that bow Pac.I feel good about that.Nice form as well shooting it.
Edwin sat on the couch with Juan and explained the safety rules, how to anchor and shoot and told why he liked his new bow much better than my 45 pound Pearson Hawk that he started out with. He told Juan how important it was to reach the same anchor point every time and he couldn't do that with the 45# bow.
He then went into the bow room and came back out with his bow, quiver and arrows and gave Juan some hands on instruction ie this is how you hold it, cock feather out ect.
Juan asked if he could shoot my 45# Pearson Hawk that Edwin started out with. I told him he might be better off learning with Edwin's bow but he wanted his own bow to try.
Off to the back yard we went and Juan shot first with Edwin instructing. Juan's 1st arrow hit the bottom haybale. Edwin then drew his bow and on his first shot there was a satisfying "POP" as he drilled the paper plate. He offered his bow but Juan refused and continued to struggled with the heavier bow.
I really hope Juan's wanting to shoot the heavy bow doesn't ruin this for him but I don't want to discourage him either.
He did have fun and got some good shots but I know that heavy bow wasn't helping. I hope Edwin can talk him into using his lighter bow until he learns proper form and anchoring but I guess that is really up to Juan.
Good Job....Its the future of our pastime!!!!
:bigsmyl:
Edwin's 1st hunt was today. He lives about 20 miles away and only gets to shoot with me on saturdays when soccer or Weblos isn't taking priority. Today was our first chance to actually get some woods time in. Our plan was to go to some public land near my house and see what targets presented themselves.
It is a bowhunting only area and doesn't get much pressure. Since this was as much a learning trip as a hunting trip we went between 10 am and 2 pm. I knew there would be lots of questions and my plan was by going in the middle of the day we would be able to talk and not worry about distubing other hunters.
When we got to the parking area there were two trucks there already but before we left the truck the other two guys came out for lunch. With them gone we had the area to ourselves and wouldn't have to worry about disturbing anyone's hunt.
Getting ready to go
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Didn't see any small game or deer but still had plenty of targets
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Edwin enjoyed picking out deer tracks. This one was impressive.
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This is his hand for comparrison
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Wrapped up the day with a bag full of trash. I explained we wanted to leave the woods better than how we found them. I think he understands.
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We only spent 4 hours in the woods but I know Edwin had a good time. He saw his 1st scrape and deer tracks. We looked hard for a rub but no luck. Hopefully, we will actully get to see some live game next time.
Pac, you ought to be working with a Boy Scout troop!. You sure seem to have the knack for working with the kids. If you don't have that kind of time, maybe you could arrange to do some archery demonstrations for a troop or maybe become the archery merit badge counselor. Congratulations on having the willingness and ability to work with these young guys. Thanks for sharing your love for the kids with the rest of us.Great story.
Thats awesome!I am sure Edwin had a fine day and learned a few valuable lessons as well!
A Good day for both of you
Ouststanding Pac :thumbsup:
Good job Pac, Edwin sure looks like he had fun.
Glad to see you still stumpin. I know we had fun with it!
Great job Pac. Maybe they can make some shoots with the trad gang from arkansas next summer. I would be happy to shoot with them anytime.
I have really enjoyed teaching Edwin. My 3 children are grown so i feel fortunate that Edwin has taken a shine to trad.
I'd teach other children if I knew of any that wanted to learn trad. Maybe Edwin's scout leader really is a good place to start. Never even crossed my mind. I'll have to try and get a contact number for him.
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He has a smile in every pic. That says it all.
Awseome! Hats off to you!
Great Job Pac!!
That is just awesome. I will have to PM you before my next trip out to Arkansas and plan a trophy trash hunt with you and that young man.
wtpops there will be plenty of trash to shoot at I promise. After the flooding we have had all year in my part of the state the high water brought and left behind plenty of trophy trash. It's a target rich environment and will be for years to come.
Great job! Looks like Edwin is doing great. I've got a similar deal going on here with one of my son's friends.
As for Juan not wanting to shoot the lighter bow, maybe the string will have to "break" on the heavier bow next time he wants to shoot. You know, give him the old "Oh sorry Juan, I broke the string yesterday and haven't had a chance to make a new one yet...." line. I bet if it is a choice of shooting Edwin's bow or shooting nothing, he'd shoot the other bow. Sometimes ya have to be sneaky to get your point across.
now thats what it is all about well done pac!!
Took Edwin to his 1st 3D course today. The sun was shining and it was about 50 degrees with no wind.
We arrived at a course about 30 miles from the house. I've never shot there but had heard it was a good range. I wasn't dissapointed. It had about 30 various animal targets.
The owner wasn't there but I knew we were suppose to pay $10 each to shoot the course. I couldn't find any kind of drop box so I told Edwin somebody might arrive before we finished shooting and we would pay them then.
We grabbed our gear and made our way to the 1st target. Two labs from the range shop decided they would tag along and offer advice. They seemed friendly enough so I didn't mind. One was kind of hyper and was constantly bringing sticks for us to throw.
Edwin has shot my 3D deer in my backyard but this was a little different. Now he had lions, tigers and bears along with lots of other interesting things to shoot at. I could tell he was excited
Target #1.
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His 1st shot was a little off so I told him to try again. (His arrows are white) I'm not sure but the black lab holding fast beside him might have made him nervous. At the release the lab almost beat the arrow to the target. Oh man we are goinmg to have to be careful with that dog around.
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Edwin asked me if deer usually only have one antler. I told him only the ones I get to shoot at.
We moved on to target #2. A broadside bear. I have the lab focusing on a stick to give Edwin time to shoot. The arrow skimmed the back and landed behind the target. Seeing her chance the black lab decided to forget the stupid stick. She darted behind the bear and began sniffing for the arrow in the leaves. She very quickly found it, picked it up and was bringing it back. I'm thinking great. This dog is going to save me a lot of looking for lost arrows. But no! She gets just out of reach and bites the arrow in half :eek:
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We couldn't get the dog to leave and I sure didn't want her to get hurt so we headed back to the Jeep and headed home. As I pulled out of the driveway I called and left a message for the owner. I explained we only shot at two targets, we didn't want to hurt the dog and I didn't want to provide anymore canine toothpicks. If I still needed to pay they could call me and I would return and pay up.
A few minutes later the owner called and told us the dog belong to a neighbor. Also since we only shot at 2 targets not to worry about paying. They even offered to pay for my arrow. I figured a youth arrow was a fair trade for 2 targets so we let it go at that.
Now thats what its all about! :thumbsup: :clapper: :clapper:
Awesome - like we say in our business
teach the teachers to
teach the teachers to
teach the teachers to
TEACH.....
looks like you've done a grand job..cheers
Jer bear
:thumbsup: :clapper:
This is a really great story with nice pics. A different sort of "build along" if you will. Please keep us updated on Edwin's progress.
Way to "pass it on". You should feel proud.
Awesome story !!!
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