Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Charlie Lamb on March 21, 2010, 07:39:00 PM
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The box came down out of the rafters in a cloud of dust that made me choke a little. It was one of those boxes of stuff like we all have… we know we have it but have long since forgotten what all might be inside.
In my case it was a box of arrow shafts… nothing unusual about that. I have several just like it laying up there in the dark and dust. I’d say I’ve got at least one arrow from every set of arrows I’ve ever made and that takes in 50 years worth of arrows and only three sets of those were made by someone other than myself.
Mostly they are bent and broken pieces recognizable but mostly just worthless. I didn’t expect much when I opened the end of that old Acme arrow shaft box and slid the contents out onto my workbench. To my surprise the box was full of old “kill arrows” for lack of a better term.
Mostly they were XX75 2219 aluminums in anodized camo and Autumn orange. A couple of old 24SRTX shafts were mixed in and still shining all silver and unanodized. What a pain those had been to prep for fletching.
What was once a canary yellow Microflite #8 fiberglass lay there all aged and dirty. I can relate!
Then I saw it. There in the pile was a very special arrow indeed and I recognized it immediately.
It was a tiny 9/32” Herter’s aluminum shaft that I’d spray painted black on the foreshaft and white on the cap. Three white shield cut feathers adorned it.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/FirstDeerArrow002.jpg)
The nock end had a dainty little white speed nock, though I’m sure it was a Herter’s brand nock. At the other end the 5-degree insert wore a “Head Shrinker” which mated the larger diameter Bear Razorhead with the little shaft.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/FirstdeerRazorhead.jpg)
If you knew what you were looking at, you could just make out dark smudges in the white paint and around the nock. The dried blood, which had coated the arrow, hadn’t lasted well over the years at all. The arrow had been coated with paste wax as was my habit then and is still. It must have kept the blood from lasting.
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That's pretty cool! It's nice going thru old stuff you forgot about, really brings back the memories.
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Cool, Charlie. Really really cool. :thumbsup:
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Nice find Charlie. Sure do miss not having as many of your stories around here lately.
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Way cool Charlie
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Cool find indeed.
Care to tell the story? :D
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Good stuff Charlie. Its the memories that are always treasured.
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Silly boys!! You didn't really think I was finished, did you?
:D
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:campfire:
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Way cool Charlie!! Thanks for sharing your treasure and memory with us (by "us" I mean me this time. I can't say why but it felt like you were writing to me with this one.
I know what its like to go for those saunters. It's time spent that is very special.
God bless,Mudd
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Originally posted by Charlie Lamb:
Silly boys!! You didn't really think I was finished, did you?
:D
:biglaugh:
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Cool find on the arrow. What exactly is that hide in the background?
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Cool beans buddy!
Looks Impala-ish to me Jason...
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I didn't think you were finished..LOL At least I hoped not..!
More story to come??
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Cool start to a story, Charlie. I'm safe in assuming there's more to come? :D
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I miss Charlie's wonderful storys :bigsmyl:
Tracy
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Originally posted by Charlie Lamb:
Silly boys!! You didn't really think I was finished, did you?
:D
No....I did not. I know not to click on your threads until at least page 5. :bigsmyl: :bigsmyl:
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Take us back there with you. Please give us every detail.
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Originally posted by sunny hill archer:
Originally posted by Charlie Lamb:
Silly boys!! You didn't really think I was finished, did you?
:D
No....I did not. I know not to click on your threads until at least page 5. :bigsmyl: :bigsmyl: [/b]
This one is only at page 2 you are early Michael. :biglaugh:
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A flood of memories rushed through my mind. I was holding the very arrow that I’d killed my first deer with so many years ago. I was so young then and so naïve. So unaware of what life held in store for the man I would be and the archer I already was.
For a little while I let my mind take me back to that day.
I’d hunted deer for the first time just the year before at the age of 14. A buddy of mine had a place in the country where he and his dad went some weekends. He seemed to know there were deer there, but that was about it.
His father didn’t hunt at all and my family were all small game hunters… the deer population in Missouri had taken a severe hit from market hunting when they were young and though there was a season in some counties, there were precious few deer in the state.
We’d gone to Mike’s farm and had actually seen a deer while hiding in an old barn near a hay field. A couple of dogs had run it by and that was the end of that. We actually only saw the white tail as it bounded through the woods.
My own parents had a little cabin near the Mississippi river north of St. Louis that we went to on weekends during the summer and during duck season in the fall. As it turned out there were deer there as well, but like I said, know one new how to find one on purpose.
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Good to hear you spinning a yarn again Charlie...been awhile. :thumbsup:
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Been all gimped up for almost a year Dick. You know how that slows a guy down. :banghead:
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Great story...keep them coming
Jer
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Lookin forward to the rest Charlie! Lucky for me, I go out of town for 3 days. I should get back about the time your finishing this one up. Hope your back is doin well!
:D :thumbsup:
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Take you time good buddy - its over two weeks till turkey opens here in Iowa.
I'm still giggling about, "What level did you get to on Face Book?" So glad we have our own "book".
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Lots of memories in those boxes.
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Nice, Charlie. Actually, I know just how it feels to come by old, "forgotten" stuff.
I, myself, have just moved to live at my father. Naturally, while packing up, I have found a whole lot of memorable things between all my belongings. It takes you back. You feel - for a short moment - what you felt back then. It is quite a bittersweet experience... you feel both childish joy and a bit of sadness, at the same time. But that's nostalgia, there's just no way around...
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You new guys are in for a treat nobody tells a story quite like Mr. Lamb :readit:
The best part is he usually has some awesome pictures to go along with the good story telling too. :D
Tracy :coffee:
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Oh Boy, I love these loooooooooong stories. Keep it coming Charlie. :bigsmyl: :campfire:
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Gee thanks guys!! Not like there's any pressure or anything.
:)
As far as pictures go... that was a time long before I even thought about photography much. Bottom line is that I've only got one other photo to add.
I'll add some more in a few when the coffee kicks in.
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:campfire:
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There was an old elevated stand in the woods that I'd found while squirrel hunting. It had been built by a guy who had owned a cabin near ours. I figured it was possible that he had known what he was doing and since he wasn’t around to hunt the property anymore, I’d take it as my own.
He HAD known what he was doing and I cut my deer hunting teeth from that 4x8 foot platform. Built between four trees and rimmed with low side walls of pin oak limbs, it was both spacious and offered great cover. Probably the most important part for this young hunter.
Walking into the woods in the dark had turned out to be much more frightening than I’d ever imagined it would be. Every sound in the dark was surely some long fanged monster intent on drinking my young blood. I can’t say I got used to those pre daylight trips for a long time and sometimes even today I get a little chill and straightening of the short hairs on the back of my neck.
I eventually got to shoot at a deer that first year. Actually I shot at it 4 different times before it finally walked out of range. Remember the old adage that deer never look up… it was true back in the day!!
As I’d entered the woods that morning I busted a deer or several from under the stand. Of course I thought it was no less than the wolfman and four or five pals coming to have their way with me. I didn’t have a light of any kind and that situation would soon change.
Deep down I knew it was deer making all the racket, but that still didn’t help as I scurried up the ladder to the stand. I parked my butt on the bucket that served as a seat and watched the little entrance to the stand like a hawk until it got light enough to see. There was little doubt in my young mind that I’d see the hairy head of some beast rise above the stands edge and I’d have to jump and run. But I was ready.
As the light came up and my fears lay down I spotted movement not 50 yards away. Just a flick of movement in a pin oak blow down, but it got my complete attention.
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:campfire: :coffee:
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Soon the movement took form and I realized I was looking at a deer’s ear. I noticed that my right knee had an involuntary bounce to it. As I watched in amazement the ear (which was attached to a spotted fawn) rose up out of the blow down along with its twin. Funny! Now both knees were bouncing.
They came out into the open and after looking around a little started feeding on what I know now was pin oak acorns. It was surprising that they weren’t startled by the sound of my pounding heart, which somehow had gotten up between my ears.
There was no intention on my part to shoot these little deer so I just sat and watched. I hadn’t watched long when I noticed they kept looking off into the poison ivy. Paying attention in the direction of their gaze I could soon see a doe walking toward them. Now the riddle of the wolfman was solved. It was these deer I’d spooked in the dark. The babies took cover in the blow down and mama went off to wherever hoping to lead the danger away.
My arms were now vibrating and quite out of sync with my knees.
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:coffee: :coffee: :coffee: This is gonna take a while........moooooore...............love it when old boxes are found. Ahhhhh....those memories.
OK Charlie...easy on the caffeine.......that stuff might make you forget some of the details!!!!!.............
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:campfire: :coffee:
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It's worth the wait I guarantee. Think I'll get some coffee and feed the dog.
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I know how you about the first kill!...Couple week ago durin' a hog hunt...my best friend pulled out his one piece recurve...Lord behold! It was the best bow I've ever seen! It just happen to be one my brother (shaft slinger) made for me and I killed my first deer with it! I had given it to Bill as gift a few years back!!!! I love that bow! Bill oftered to return it, but I know it's in good hands and will remain in his family forever!
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Charlie,
Cool stuff keep it comin !!!
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Originally posted by Charlie Lamb:
Been all gimped up for almost a year Dick. You know how that slows a guy down. :banghead:
I didn't know that. I just figured he was taking one of his long pauses during a story.
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A good story on Tradgang beats a TV show anytime!!!
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If this story takes a month, it will be the best month I have had in a while! One post a day is fine, and don't skimp on the details! You make me remember teaching myself how to hunt. (still doing that, by the way. :rolleyes: )
Killdeer~ Nostalgia ain't what it used to be... ;)
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Charlie, thanks again for sharing. Love these type and take as long as it takes.
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I have to smile a little when I think of my attempts to shoot my first deer ever.
I can remember the bow and arrows I was using to a tee. I still have the bow. A Ben Pearson Colt semi recurve (it would be called reflex/ deflex these days) 30# @ 28”.
The arrows were probably 28” long and were fine Acme cedar. No finish, to speak of, 2 gray hen feathers and a solid blue cock feather. There was a blue speed nock on one end and a Bear Razorhead on the other. Even then I knew that the broadhead had to be sharp and I’d done the best I could with a file and whetstone. They were at least sharp enough to cut my fingers with if I wasn’t careful.
They sat there on the side of the bow in a “Hush” bowquiver, which held four arrows and had no broadhead cover. Don’t know how many times I cut myself because of that. Nothing major… just enough to make you pay attention.
I watched the doe and fawns for a very long time when I noticed that they were paying attention in the direction the doe had come from. Out of the ivy strode a buck. Nothing special by record keeping standards but I knew he was going to get shot at if I got the chance.
Somehow between the knee bounce, arm shaking and heart pounding I got to my feet. Now I’d added an involuntary twitch in my right cheek. The whole group turned and walked my way as if on cue.
None paid any attention to my vibrating form up in that stand. Maybe my cover was that good or maybe they knew I was harmless. I have my suspicions but will leave that to your imagination.
As the buck approached I readied my bow. The wooden arrow was banging away against the side of the sight window and I’m surprised I didn’t scare the deer away by the clicking noise alone.
I’d have to say that buck couldn’t have been more than fifteen yards when I released my first arrow. It may have been a lot closer than that! Along with what was going on with my legs, bringing the arrow to anchor was problematic what with the facial twitch and arm shake not making it very easy to get my hand and anchor point together. Finally the unsilenced bowstring twanged loudly and for an instant time stood still. The buck, not willing to just give himself up for the cause, turned inside out as the arrow passed through the void where he’d stood so placidly just a moment before.
As the arrow stuck in the ground he whipped his head around to stare at it. Getting a second arrow to the string at this point was very difficult. I somehow managed to hit everything in reach with it except the nocking point.
Once again I sent the deadly missile on its way and once again I hit nothing but dirt. True to form the buck eyeballed that arrow just like the first, but this time he walked quickly another five yards before stopping. At that moment I’d have cried if I had had any control over my bodily functions at all.
Now he was looking around for the source of his distraction. I had the sense to duck down behind the low wall of pin oak as I readied yet a third arrow.
I doubt that it would be a surprise if I told you that I’d have been better off throwing that arrow. This deer was hip to my tricks by now and was at least improving his arrow ducking form.
The third time was not as charming for the buck as it could be and he walked purposely away from me. I sailed my last arrow over his back at twenty five yards and watched as he trotted out of my life forever.
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The realism is a painful reminder of personal encounters with whitetails. You were shooting good - 4 for 4 into Mother Earth. Of course, you did have gravity on your side.
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Good stuff Lamb!
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Anxiously awaiting another episode.... :thumbsup:
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:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
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For Christmas that year I received a new bow. I still have it too. My folks had decided that I just might stick with archery and upped the sixty-five bucks for a little Bear Kodiak Magnum 42# @ 28”. I loved that bow more than anything and over the years that I shot it, we shared many firsts.
It was decided to spring it on me early as a surprise.
It was before daylight and I was getting ready to head out the door to deer hunt. Dad was getting ready for duck hunting. We’d finished breakfast and I was tying on my boots when he brought out the little Magnum. Of course I about fainted.
What a beauty!!
I guess it didn’t occur to Dad that a little practice with a new bow might be a good idea, but I wasn’t going to complain. I probably wouldn’t see a deer anyway.
When I walked out the door that morning the new bow had the killer quiver on it and a pair of elastic camo sleeves that everyone in those days used to hide the shiny limbs. It would be years before you could buy a bow with a dull finish and who wanted to paint a beautiful bow.
It had no silencers, no nocking point and I didn’t have a clue about the brace height. It would do just fine.
By the time I got the quiver and sleeves on the bow, dumped about a quart of Pete Rickard’s deer lure on my pants legs and finished my other preparations it was starting to get light outside. I can’t say that I was bummed about that.
I was wearing out that old tree stand. It was the only place I knew to hunt. I climbed up in it again that morning, but I’d learned that every time I sat there I wasn’t going to see deer.
As the full light of day came over the pin oak bottoms, I sat there admiring my new prize. I knew it needed a nocking point badly and I set about putting one on the string.
A loose thread was pulled from my jacket and that would do just fine. I began wrapping it meticulously around the string at what I had judged to be the right spot. Intent on my project I was started by the faint sound of rustling leaves. I raised my head quite casually to see a mature doe feeding just yards from my stand.
I guess that deep down I knew I didn’t have a snowballs chance of shooting this deer with the new bow. The shakes had started the instant I saw the doe so it was going to be a crapshoot regardless.
The shot was made, the deer ducked, the arrow stuck in the ground, the deer walked away… simple as that!
It took a while for the adrenaline surge to subside and when it did I noticed that the temporary nocking point I’d been working on was gone. No problem. I’d surely find more loose threads in that old camo jacket to peel off. And that’s what I did.
In about three wraps of the thread on the string I was again hearing leaves rustling. Not thinking much of it (clueless) I looked up and received another overdose of adrenaline. It was another deer and a buck to boot!
Following the procedure that I was so used to by now I readied the arrow. I didn’t do any better on this animal than I had the doe. Once again I sat there alone in the tree vibrating on the black metal bucket.
That would be it for the first morning with the Magnum. But the adventure with that little bow was just beginning.
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Very cool story Charlie!!! Looking forward to hearing the rest of it unfold!!! :coffee:
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Thats great.
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Interesting. Folks like to talk about the "impatience of youth". And yet the basis of this great story is patience. Huh?
Great stories and life lessons...Thanks Charlie
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Great stuff Charlie! :campfire:
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:thumbsup:
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Charlie, if this story was in a book, I'd happily plunk down some hard cash to read it. I think you're giving us all a wonderful gift of your stories and shorting yourself in the meantime. Maybe you're not into the whole financial renumeration scene, but the stories are that good. Write a book, dude! :readit: :wavey:
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and we wait some more :banghead: :goldtooth:
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Just leave us hanging at a good part. Great story.
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So this is what, 1962?
Just trying to picture the K-Mag. Love those bows, every time I shoot mine, I wonder why I buy all the others.
Glad you are telling this story, it makes all us fumblers out here feel a little better. :D
Killdeer :campfire: :coffee:
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Great to read this 1st thing today after work. Thanks again.
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great story so far would love to hear more soon!!!! :campfire:
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Killy... I got the old KMag out today and took a picture or three just for you. Here they are.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/FirstdeerK-Mag1.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/FirstdeerK-Mag2.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/FirstdeerK-Mag3.jpg)
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After supper I'll get on with the tellin. Thanks for the patience everyone.
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Thanks for taking us along Charlie.
Live it up!!!
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To cool and with the arrow that started this thread :clapper: :goldtooth: I'm loving this.
Tracy
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:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Excellent story sir !!!!! It has caused a flood of memories for me. If you would ever consider writing a book, I'd pay my deposit NOW.
I love the small details that you recall. PLEASE continue.
Winterhawk1960
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The second year, by way of odd jobs, I’d saved the money for a dozen Herter’s, aluminum shafts. I can remember scrubbing and scrubbing them with Ajax to get them clean enough that the feathers would stick. Everyone who shot aluminum in those days before anodizing did. The aluminum oxidized so fast that you had to be right there with your fletching gear or at the very least dip them with a finish…Bohning finishes were designed with this in mind.
I’d taken my little Bear bow down to Earl Hoyt’s pro shop to have a bowquiver mounted on it. I just had to have a Bear four arrow screw on quiver. That was what Fred used and I wanted one. I was also tired of cutting myself on my own broadheads.
It was Owen Jeffries who took my bow into the shop for the installation. My little bow was in good hands.
I can remember how hurt I’d been when I discovered that not only did the bowquiver require drilling the bow for a bushing (I’d expected that) but also there were two little studs that dug into the wood of the handle.
So that first morning of my second year bowhunting I headed out to the woods confidently with my prized armament in hand. New arrows, new bow, new attitude! I also had a huge flashlight and a Thermos of something to drink. I’d learned that the big flashlight when employed like an aircraft search light worked pretty good for keeping monsters at bay.
The morning had been pretty uneventful and by 9 a.m. I was ready to get down and go for breakfast. With no haul rope for my bow and equipment it took several trips up and down the homemade ladder before I was ready to head out.
Holding all my gear as high as I could I walked the hundred yards out to the trail road through shoulder high poison ivy. I tried not to think about how allergic I was to the stuff and just did my best to avoid contact.
Finally I made the two track right where it crossed a culvert between two sloughs.
I was busy getting my gear arranged so I could more easily continue when I happened to look off into the brush beside the trail. There, not 15 yards away, stood four doe deer looking at me.
I stood frozen not knowing what to do. My hands were full and all of my arrows were in my bowquiver.
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I'll be back first thing in the morning to finish this up.
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Aaaaarghhh..... We've been Lamb-oed! :knothead: :knothead: :knothead:
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Very cool, thanks for sharing.
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I have been silently lurking during the telling of this story and I'm ready for the outcome of that little arrow. :D Can't even imagine the thrill you must have felt when you found it again. :thumbsup: Stay safe Charlie!
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Loving every sentence!!! :thumbsup:
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With no options whatsoever, I began slowly setting my gear down on the trail. The whole time I ignored the deer that were still watching as if mesmerized by my stupidity.
Finally with my hands empty I got an arrow out of the quiver and turned slowly toward the deer. To my amazement they were still just standing there.
What happened next was and still is a mystery to me.
I remember nothing of the shot once I put pressure on the string and started my draw.
My next conscious observation was the hind end of those deer disappearing into the poison ivy.
It’s hard to tell how long I stood there. It’s even harder to describe the emotions I was feeling. Doubt, joy, confusion, pride, was all there with the emphasis falling mainly on doubt and confusion.
I felt like I’d just shot a deer with my bow, but had no way of knowing whether I had or not. I decided that the best thing to do was to go and get my buddy since my Dad was out on the river fixing up the duck blind for the coming season.
Andy and I would come back and check it out. I wasn’t sure just how we’d do that, but I’d worry about that when we got back to the culvert.
It seemed to take forever to get back to the cabins. My buddy Andy was just rolling out of bed when I came in to his folks cabin. Trying to somehow seem cool I relayed the story and how I was sure I’d hit the deer.
Andy’s grandfather was sitting at the kitchen table as I told my story and seemed pretty skeptical about the whole thing and said so. Nope, didn’t happen in HIS mind.
Since it was apparent there would be no adult help in this matter, Andy and I returned to the woods alone.
I figured we would go over to where the deer had been standing and look for blood or something.
When we arrived at the spot the first thing I noticed was something bright red off in the brush by where the deer had been when I shot. My heart skipped a beat. Could it be? I didn’t even dare to hope.
How could I have not seen that red beacon after the shot? Hadn’t I looked things over quite well? Nothing my eyes were telling me was making any sense.
I soon was standing by what turned out to be my arrow standing straight up in the brush. The white fletch and cap was soaked in bright red bubbly blood. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but it looked good enough to me.
I struck out in the direction the doe had run. There was no apparent blood along the path she had taken and that disturbed me a little. I kept walking and soon was relieved to find a big splash of blood in the leaves and a little beyond that more.
We’d barely traveled 50 yards from the sight of the shot when ahead I saw the brown-rimmed white behind of my doe. She was down for the count. As I rushed to her side I could see the broadhead hole in her side right where I’d read that everyone shot them.
Rolling her over I found the same thing on the other side. The arrow out of that little bow had passed through without hesitation.
Again the emotions flooded through my soul. I felt like I’d done something wrong on the one hand and was a little sad about it. On the other hand I was very proud and happy knowing that this was the way of things in nature. As time would pass I’d learn that those feelings were deeply rooted in my psyche and would always be present at these personal moments. And that’s just fine with me.
Almost unable to contain ourselves and at a total loss as to what to do next, Andy and I drug the doe to the trail road. We’d leave her there while we went and got someone with a car. I wiped the back of my hand in the bloody wound for proof should we not be believed back at the cabin.
Even with the proof on my hand we had to do a little talking to get the help we needed. It just didn’t seem possible to any of the adults there that I could have killed a deer with a bow and arrow, but soon we were back at the deer and loading her in the back of Andy’s grandfathers, Chevy station wagon.
There was a big old pecan tree down by the river where the old man had hung his big hoop nets when he’d been a commercial fisherman. We’d do the field dressing there and put the offal in a number 2 wash tub.
As we worked to hang the deer, a crowd started to gather. I told the story over and over and each telling felt as good as the first time. Somewhere in the middle of the third or fourth telling I heard the hum of an outboard motor coming up the river from the direction of Dad’s duck blind. It was Dad and his buddy.
The look on Dad’s face was worth more than a million bucks to me that morning. He was almost speechless and I knew he too was full of pride and emotion. He didn’t know anything about deer hunting, but he knew this was pretty cool stuff and so did I.
The taking of that doe made the local papers and for a little while I got my time in the limelight. My local club, the St. Louis Bowhunters, had an awards banquet each year for those in the club who’d taken deer with their bows. There were only 3 of us that year. Earl Hoyt Jr., a guy named Don Fallon and myself.
The deer was processed and packaged and consumed with relish. The hide was tanned with the hair on and adorns the wall of my living room to this day. The front feet were preserved as hangers for a gun rack or coat hooks.
None of us knew at that time the impact that that deer would have on my life and I thank God for that doe. It’s been a great trip.
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:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
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Great story Mr. Lamb!
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Charlie great read.I killed my first deer in 1976 with a K-mag and have loved it since.You brought back some memories for me.Thanks Kip
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Great story Charlie. It sounds like this was also the beginning for the master story teller. Thanks for sharing.
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The details, the emotions, the truth shine through your words. I had a flash of that story when I asked about that hide on your wall last time I visited. You just said, "First deer" but I felt the depth of it. Thanks for the story Charlie.
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Thanks Charlie... :thumbsup:
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Charlie, Charlie, Charlie....if you ever decide to write the book, I'll find the financing. Simple as that. Mighty fine story and finely told. :readit:
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A fantastic & emotional story Charlie!
Well told Brother! :clapper: I'll help Joe out with the finances ;)
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:clapper: Just an awesome trip back in time Biggie, thanks for taking us along!!!
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:campfire: :archer: :clapper:
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Best story I've read in a long time.
:clapper:
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup: I can relate to that story like it was happening to me. Very cool :notworthy:
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:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
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Thanks all!!! I was in a fog this morning preparing the final installment and forgot to add the picture of my doe. Here she is.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/firstdeer.jpg)
Just as a side note I thought I'd mention that although I no longer have access to that property (I'm currently working on it) I live less than five miles from that place.
I still get out in the same river bottoms to hunt, though a few miles up stream.
I'm happy to say that through sportsmen's dollars and a fine management program by the Missouri Department of Conservation deer hunting is far and away better than it was in the sixties.
Where once it wasn't uncommon to go a month without seeing a deer, now it's unusual not to see at least a couple.
These ARE the good old days.
:help:
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I'll call you in a bit Charlie....we're dead serious....it's time for a book.
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Thanks Charlie!
God bless,Mudd
PS I thank God for that doe too!
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Please put me on that list and I will be glad to pay in advance :wavey:
Tracy
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Bloody awesome! My heart is pounding, my mind's eye on the mental image of you and Owen Jeffery in a little shop, and the lightning-charged wood of that little bow. Owen made the bow that killed my first critter, a little doe.
Your time for writing is now, as your life comes full circle, Charlie. I dunno if you know what an inspiration you have been to me, and to countless others like me. Seems you would have to. It is time to put all that into a book that will last for the generations to come, as pixels darken and files become corrupted. Nothing like a good book to touch somebody in another age. As I love reading vintage books of days long past, diaries of early American adventurers and explorers, so will someone in the far future treasure the pictures and words that you choose to tell your story. So many accomplishments, so many adventures...
Killdeer
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Charlie, my friend, I too relish every story you tell and a book is needed. You must tell your life story of bowhunting for the future generations. I will buy a couple for sure.
Danny
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Charlie, you've got everything you need: a lifetime of adventures, an excellent recollection of all of them, lots of great photos, time and desire to write (I hope!), a well-earned reputation as one of the great story tellers in traditional archery, and most importantly, a genuine talent for bringing those stories to life with humor and intelligence.
I'd bet dollars to doughnuts enough copies could pre-sell here on Trad Gang to enable you to walk into a printer's shop with cash in hand.
I'll put my money where my mouth is. You tell me what a book will cost and I'll send you payment in advance for three copies (signed, please, sir!).
If JC and Rob come up with a great way to finance the book, that's wonderful! I'll support them every way I possibly can, although they're far smarter and business savvy than I'll ever dream of. If you want to test the waters by getting a feel for pre-sales, like I said, I'm in for three!
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Great story!!!
We can all relate to the emotions you described, and we all saw the same thing in our minds eye.
You were alone when you released that arrow, but all these years later we were all there to relive it.
You`ll have no problem find those who want to hear more of what it is that made you who you are.
One more time...thanks for taking us along. :D
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Mr. Lamb,
Thanks for relating that great story to us. It's even better because I know those river bottoms in Missouri...even the old pecan trees, of which there are fewer and fewer these days. Living in Ohio now, I don't get back to Marthasville where my parents live and where I got hooked on hunting often enough. Your story was almost as good. :)
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What an honor it is to call you my friend buddy....a true living legend of the bow :notworthy:
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:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
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Charlie, Just can't thank you enough for sharing. As others have said: your gift for story telling is something that I know I too would pay to read. Add my name to the list of book buyers!
The recall of the details is uncanny and brought it all to life to me. Thanks again!
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Thanks Charlie! What a great story. Gives us reason to be thankful for what we have today! :thumbsup: :clapper:
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WOW!!!! Thank you for sharing Charlie!!! Not only did I get to relive your hunts with you but it also made me remember and relive some of my own hunts. :thumbsup: :clapper: :clapper:
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While reading your story it was if I was there with you during your hunt. Truly a great story of taking your first whitetail. I'll be watching for future posts from you. Thank you.
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Is the book out yet? How about a screenplay? :bigsmyl:
Killdeer :campfire:
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Man, I've sure been missing these story's. Now that Trad Gang is back to normal, where do we send our deposits for that book.
Thanks bud, great tale as always and you have no idea how many of us have been missing them :thumbsup: :notworthy:
:campfire:
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Good to see ya Robin!! The book is still in the works but I'm expectin a Nobel prize or something for it... those seem easy enough to get these days.
I think I may be elk huntin up near Kamiah, Id. this fall. It would be cool to see ya again.
;)
Killy... I think when the screenplay is done I'll insist that they get Brad Pitt to play me.
I know he ain't THAT good lookin, but will have to do. (since Chris Farley isn't available)
:D
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Very Cool!!
Thank You so much for sharing.
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Charlie...you truly have a gift, enjoyed your memories, thanks for sharing.
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You and your procrastinating! I woulda cast Gregory Peck, Gary Cooper, Jimmy Stewart... :D
Maybe Walter Brennan or Don Knotts. :knothead:
Killdeer :wavey:
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Thanks Charlie. You can count me in on a book also. :thumbsup:
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Charles, you are a gifted story teller. You have many fans. Thanks for sharing with us. :thumbsup:
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Great story as always Charlie.
"I can’t say I got used to those pre daylight trips for a long time and sometimes even today I get a little chill and straightening of the short hairs on the back of my neck."
"The shakes had started the instant I saw the doe."
"I’d learned that every time I sat there I wasn’t going to see deer."
I identify so much with each of these quotes. :)
Thanks for taking us along with the memories.