One year ago I lost my favorite bow off the back of my motorcycle. It's a 2pc BamaBows Royal, Nate's top-of-the-line model. Beautiful Curly Maple in a gloss finish. I hadn't even gotten her tuned in yet as I got it just before my motorcycle accident.
I stupidly took off from the cleaners forgetting she wasn't strapped down. When I got to my next stop I reached for her and my heart dropped a good foot when I realized what I had just done. I immediately flew back over my route and found no sign of her. The area has a lot of traffic and I assumed someone scooped her up.
I've never come so close to crying over an inanimate object! I watched craigs list and the auction site for awhile then gave-up on ever seeing her again.
Well, it turns out a fellow bow hunter, a compound shooter, had stopped and dodged traffic to recover it. Matt is his name. Matt posted flyers but I never saw them. He tried everything to track me down, but the BamaBows logo looks like BanaBows so he hit a dead-end.
Recently while sitting in his truck at a Home Depot waiting for his wife, Matt was approached by a rep from a local archery club, (Black Knight Bowbenders), due to his bow hunting stickers and camo. Matt thought to mention my bow and ask him advise on tracking the owner down. He was directed to Doc DeCaro, of the 'Traditional Archers of New Jersey'. Doc called our Rob D, who is very familiar with Nate's BamaBows and passed on Nate's number.
Doc confirmed that Nate built the bow for me, then emailed me. I was floored! I couldn't believe my Bama Royal was coming home. What are the odds that after a year of being lost on a busy roadway a bow would ever be returned? The bow is still absolutely mint too.
I can't thank Matt enough for rescuing my bow from that roadway and his dedication and efforts to return her to her rightful owner. He even turned down an offer to sell her. He is a true gentleman and man of honor. My hats-off to you Sir!
I also want to thank Doc and Rob D. for "Sherlocking' the bow to me. I'll see you guys at the Whittingham! Guess what bow I'll be shooting? This bow was obviously meant for me and she's just got to have huge MOJO!
Here's a couple pics of the bow and one of Matt returning the bow to me. Matt is on the right.
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Great story. X2 on the huge mojo, I bet.
Tom
Great story. Lucky for You there are still good people around. Hats off to Matt. :clapper: :clapper:
bretto
Awesome bow and awesome guy. I'd try to hook up with Matt again come hunting season. Sounds like he might make an excellent friend and hunting buddy.
Great story!
My hat is off to Matt! Honesty and integrity are getting hard to find these days, and that gentleman is a fine example of both! Congrats on the return of a fine bow as well as the making of a good friend! :thumbsup: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Thats just too cool. :thumbsup:
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Nothing like finding a bright star in an other wise dark world. Three quarters of the worlds problems would vanish if we had all Matts.Thanks for sharing that. You made my day and I'm so glad you got your bow back. Enjoy it.
That's awesome! Matt's one of the good guys. Did you let him shoot it yet? :bigsmyl:
great share and beautiful bow! can't beat a happy ending.
Just shows to go ya--not all wheelies are the enemy (and I'm not a wheelie fan)!!!
How cool is this?... Way!!... I'm saying.
:archer:
Tell Matt his faithfulness in being honorable will have a payday!
What a great story!
Very nice glad you got her back. :bigsmyl: :campfire:Kip
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That's both thumbs up X2 for you Matt!
Matt sounds like a tradganger or a man that has tradgangers honor. My hats off to you Matt. :notworthy:
Wooddamon1--Matt sighted her in for me out to 20 yards, which is as far as I can see anyway. :bigsmyl:
Even though I got her about 18 months ago, due to getting busted-up in a motorcycle accident I never really got to shoot her except a few arrows. I was taking her for her first real session when I lost her.
Did ya convert him yet? Truly great story, makes the world seem a little brighter. :clapper:
Matt is an "Honorary Tradganger", regardless what he shoots. :thumbsup:
Great guy to hunt you down like that. My hat is off to him. Great looking bow as well. Keep your eyes open for that 200 class 12 pointer, sounds like the odds are pretty good he is heading your way.
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Wow! A hearty Cyber-handshake and Bro Hug to Matt. That story made my day, thanks for sharing it with us!
Now, use that Mojo! :archer2:
South MS Bowhunter, excellent point.....AMEN
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If you catch up with Matt again, Buy him lunch and send me the bill.....seriously! That's a GREAT (and refreshingly positive) story!!!
That is an awesome story. Good luck with her the rest of the way. Methinks that some critters are going to fall to that mojo-laden bow :campfire:
That is the coolest story I've heard in a loooong time. Good for you Danny! You left out the craziest part though... all this happened in New Jersey! Incredible. I lost a small toolbox off the back of my truck on a back road a few months ago, re-traced the 1 mile route within 10 minutes and it was gone.
Doc and Rob are two of the best! and Matt is truly an honerable man. Still shakin' my head... awesome! :thumbsup:
Ron
QuoteOriginally posted by DannyBows:
Matt is an "Honorary Tradganger", regardless what he shoots. :thumbsup:
Just because a man shoots a wheel bow doesn't make him a bad man as this story demonstrates so well. Kudo's to you Matt! :clapper:
Crazy story. Great ending.
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Wow, I don't hug and kiss many guys but him I would lol.
Wow! That is awesome :clapper: :clapper:
Good things happen to good guys Danny boy :)
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What an honorable deed. I'm glad.
Great story to start my day!! :clapper: :clapper:
Nice story, Matt sounds like someone I'd like to be around.
Unbelievable, things like that really dont happen anymore..What a man of honor. I am glad to know there are people who live by a code of honor and honesty.
:thumbsup: One heck of a person!
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That's just the kind of story that I needed. In today's world it is nice to get a reminder of these kind of people. Congrats to all who came together to make this a truly happy ending.
Very cool. Good for you too.
I have to be honest. I would have tried to look for the owner too, but after some time and effort, I would have just given up and except that it was mine. It is just amazing how long Matt kept at it.
Good thing he was a compound guy :-)
Thats awesome! One heck of a good man!!!
Oh by the way those maple limbs are a real beauty : )
awesome story, matt is one stand up guy. nice to see someone with integrity like that.
Good for u Danny,,,this show just how good of a person u are at heart,that a good thing was done for u in return,,,Now take to the woods and enjoy your beautiful bow,,,One story, two good men,,,The mystery of Hunters and Archers,,,
We need more Matt's in this world :thumbsup:
Can hardly watch the news these days. This site is one of the only places that still gives me faith in humanity.
I could live with a brownie chewing my Bama into toothpicks, but on a roadway Dan... :campfire:
Looks like you really deserve that bow Danny!!
Cool story!
OUTSTANDING. Good for you for getting your bow back and Great for Matt.
Beautiful bow and a great story. The world need more Matt's... :thumbsup:
Danny,
Incredible....good things happen to good people...
God Bless, Pierre
With all the bad stuff we hear of people doing, it is really refreshing to hear of somebody going out of their way to do good. Now, that the serious point has been made, what are the chances of getting Matt to try some trad shooting?
Good to know Matt stayed on the trail and found the rightful owner ..Who know's maybe Matt will one day want to learn the Traditional way's and remember that bow and contact you ... People are put in a travel route of life here on earth for a reason that only God understands ...Great story and happy ending...The way we are supposed to be and a good reminder to us all that just cause somethings found doesn't mean it was always laid there for us to keep but to take care of untill we find it's rightful Home... :thumbsup:
I say vote him into office... but then again, he probably has to many values to make it! :-)
Good on you Matt!
There are alot of very good people in the world its just that we see so much negative news that we tend to forget. You are either honest or your not. I see that this gang of traditional bowers has more than its share of really good people. I am very proud to be a part of this group of gentleman, as I see kindness that is well above the norm from its members. Thanks for letting me be a part of it. Gene C
Matt enjoyed shooting the longbow and has a recurve hanging in his garage which he says he just might dust off and start shooting. I've invited him to the Whittingham.
Congrats on getting the bow back, and a big tip of the hat to Matt! :thumbsup:
Chromebuck--you're right, shame on me for doing a bow like that. Chronic fatigue makes for a very numb brain. That's why I didn't advertise the loss too much, I was really embarrassed by the dumb move.
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Awesome! So glad to hear good things still happen to great guys!
Hopefully Matt will find this site and come on over. Either way, I'll bet he's a fine gentleman in all walks of life. True character and integrity.
Congrats on the return.
That's very good to hear. Next time please put your name on your bow limb. You'll live longer!
Beautiful bow and a awesome story. You have been blessed. :thumbsup:
Great story...just goes to show ya' what kind of heart sportsmen have...! Fully understand the value of an impliment that's SOOOO personal....well done Matt..
When I left my longbow and tree seat behind when I had my heart scare, someone nabbed it in a hurry. Apparently, we don't don't have such nice people where I hunt.
Bowhunting brothers rock!!!!!!!!!!
Nice to hear about good deeds when the news focuses on bad deeds.
What a great ending to a tragic event!
Glad you got her back.
Bisch
Man that's amazing, what a true gentleman!
Ernie
Now that's the kind of story I like to read about in this "Fallen World". Thank you for sharing that, and yes, I'm sure your bow is overflowing with MOJO!! :clapper:
It simply soesn't get any better then that. You should invite him out to shoot a stickbow with you sometime to see why you love it so much.