Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Ron LaClair on February 15, 2015, 09:17:00 AM

Title: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Ron LaClair on February 15, 2015, 09:17:00 AM
I took in the Deer and Turkey expo here in Michigan yesterday. Got to see old friends Byron and his wife Wanda. Byron is a good shot with his longbow but whenever he misses a shot he blames it on Wanda for making a bad throw. Being the good sport that she is she takes the blame but of coarse everyone knows better. 8>)

For many years now they have been promoting traditional archery, Howard Hill style. Not only at sports shows but on national TV. It would be hard to estimate the hundreds or thousands of people he has influenced to give traditional archery a try.

It was mighty cold here yesterday so that's why the beaver fur hat.

  (http://***********.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small61734303.JPG)
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: jsweka on February 15, 2015, 09:22:00 AM
That's a great pic Ron.  Two of archery's finest     :thumbsup:

I loved seeing Byron perform at ETAR a few years ago.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: smokin joe on February 15, 2015, 09:23:00 AM
Thanks, Ron, for the update. That's a great photo
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: david janssen on February 15, 2015, 09:24:00 AM
A big thanks to you Ron also for what you have done for archery.Love the turkey walking stick your holding.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Elkchaser on February 15, 2015, 09:27:00 AM
TWO very influetial people in the Traditional archery world.
Thank you both and thanks for sharing the picture Ron!

  :archer:      :archer2:
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Mudd on February 15, 2015, 10:29:00 AM
I am looking forward to meeting him in March.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Charlie Lamb on February 15, 2015, 10:52:00 AM
He's going to have his own signature broadhead that looks like a winner. Pricey, but what isn't these days.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Ron LaClair on February 15, 2015, 11:28:00 AM
Charlie, he showed me a couple of the heads. One was I think 175gr and the other 145gr. Very similar to the Simmons head and very high quality.

Yesterday Wanda reminded me of the first time we had met at the Howard Hill shoot in Wilsonville Alabama in the late 1970's. Since those days Byron has reached International fame with his shooting ability and story telling of Howard Hill's legendary accomplishments.

No single person since Howard himself has been able to do this better than Byron. With his down home southern drawl wearing his Hill style Safari jacket, he captivates audiences of young and old alike. In my opinion he is THE best traditional archery ambassador we have today.

At their booth at the Show they had a small archery range set up for people, mostly young people to shoot light weight traditional bows at small sponge balls set up on rods to give them the (feel) of shooting a bow instinctively without sights. It was busy constantly. I don't know why I didn't get a picture of that instead of my old mug. 8>)
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Ron LaClair on February 15, 2015, 11:58:00 AM
Here's the head. The larger one might be 185gr, I can't remember for sure. They're not pink like the picture shows I think it was picking up a color reflection, they're silver

   (http://***********.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small72413867.JPG)
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Tony Sanders on February 15, 2015, 12:50:00 PM
 (http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn230/SNUFFER8/ByronFergusonBroadheadbySchmeisserArcherySignature_zpstzf2qnks.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/SNUFFER8/media/ByronFergusonBroadheadbySchmeisserArcherySignature_zpstzf2qnks.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Hud on February 15, 2015, 01:05:00 PM
Byron is great to watch and listen too. Mother nature is just picking on you, Ron. Stay warm back there, spring is coming so they say.
  http://www.spaceandscience.net/
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Caughtandhobble on February 15, 2015, 01:06:00 PM
I am glad to see that he is doing well. I had the pleasure of meeting Byron back in the late 80"s. He is a hoot to visit with, he even blamed Wanda back then on the rare occasion that he would miss an aspirin. That's what see said anyways, I never saw him miss.   :archer:

HERE'S TO A GREAT GUY and GAL   :clapper:
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Duker on February 15, 2015, 02:12:00 PM
TWO GREATS     :thumbsup:   Thanks for sharing Ron   :archer2:
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: hitman on February 15, 2015, 02:56:00 PM
You have also influenced a few people in your time with your fine shooting Ron, myself included.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Ron LaClair on February 15, 2015, 02:56:00 PM
(http://schmeisser-archery.com/images/broadhead_ferguson.png)
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Blackhawk on February 15, 2015, 03:01:00 PM
Great stuff!

I have a ton of respect for both you gentlemen, your accomplishments, and influence upon archery.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: BRITTMAN on February 15, 2015, 03:31:00 PM
Two archery legends side by side
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: MikeNova on February 15, 2015, 04:18:00 PM
Looks like a great head. I can't afford $ 40 a piece heads but when I find me a nice girl about 90 years old with a couple of million in the bank and we get married I'm going to buy me some of those! I have Byron's book and read it a couple of times a year.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: 2fletch on February 15, 2015, 05:54:00 PM
I didn't get to see Ron shoot but I have seen Byron shoot. He is amazing. He is a southern gentleman who does not put himself above others. He will talk with anyone. His wife Wanda is very nice also. You have to remember that the shooter is only as good as the target thrower. She must be pretty good also.

Ron, I can't believe that you guys were able to get a southerner to come up there in the winter...,except to hunt. Lol.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Huntingnut on February 15, 2015, 06:16:00 PM
I've talked with Byron and Wanda a few times. They are good people for sure.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Ron LaClair on February 15, 2015, 06:52:00 PM
QuoteRon, I can't believe that you guys were able to get a southerner to come up there in the winter...,except to hunt. Lol.  
Don, they told me they were going to get on the road south as soon as possible on Sunday. It's been bone chilling cold here the last few days. It started out at -10 this morning and hasn't gotten above -0 all day    :scared:
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: finkm1 on February 15, 2015, 08:53:00 PM
I caught Byrons show this afternoon at the Expo. Also heard a couple story's about traditional muzzleloader camps with Mr. LaClair from Dennis Neely. Ron's an ambassador for a lot of sports.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: dhermon85 on February 15, 2015, 11:51:00 PM
I've watched a lot of his videos on the YouTube, pretty impressive for sure. Love the walking stick!
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Thumper Dunker on February 16, 2015, 02:38:00 AM
That's great . Cool picture two of the best side buy side.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Clint B. on February 16, 2015, 09:36:00 AM
Byron's Facebook page says his new BHs are 175 & 145 grains.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: David Mitchell on February 16, 2015, 11:02:00 AM
Fffffffforty bucks a piece!   :eek:  What in heck is going on with broadhead prices these days?  Great looking head though.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: bigbadjon on February 16, 2015, 12:56:00 PM
When you start getting into machining, knife steels, factory sharpening, and spin testing the price drives up.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: bigbadjon on February 16, 2015, 03:38:00 PM
Just checked it out. They are made by Schmeisser, who make the infamous viking broadhead. These will be top drawer knife quality broadheads for those of you willing to blow the cobwebs off your wallets.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Sirius Black on February 16, 2015, 05:05:00 PM
I met them last year and bought a bow from them. Very nice people.    :archer:
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Ray Lyon on February 17, 2015, 06:32:00 AM
Hey buddy. I'm surprised you didn't have your buffalo coat out for this colder weather.
Ron's decorative walking stick is more than what meets the eye. It's a tool for reaching things in the back of a pickup bed or reaching out and smacking Roger Norris knuckles if he's trying to take the last piece of pie at camp.    ;)
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Blaino on February 17, 2015, 04:38:00 PM
I'm one of thoes young people that Byron introduced into traditional archery. He was the first person I saw shoot a bow when I was maybe 6 years old.  It was at a cub scout gathering....  I was blown away when his son held a frying pan and Bryon shot through it with blunts to show the power of a bow. I'm 31 now and am still amazed at the power of a bow and arrow! Boys are always boys,they just get bigger...
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Beav on February 17, 2015, 09:01:00 PM
Two cool dudes!
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Bigmagic on March 02, 2015, 06:22:00 AM
Byron Ferguson was there. I live only a half our from the place and I missed it.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Clint B. on March 02, 2015, 12:47:00 PM
I plan to go see Byron Ferguson perform in St Clair, MO this March 27-29th. It's a large outdoors event at St Clair High School organized by Franklin Co. Baptist Assn. Ray Eye, the turkey calling champ, will be there as well. Just surf the internet or Facebook for Truth and the Outdoors (TATO).
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: cacciatore on March 02, 2015, 01:00:00 PM
Nice to see 2 Traditional Archery Legends together!
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: NoCams on March 02, 2015, 04:51:00 PM
That is just too funny Ray.....I can just see Ron taking a swipe at Norris with that stick and belly laughing him saying," Got your hand caught in the cookie jar there didn't ya Norris ! "

Seriously.....we too got to meet Byron several years back at Twin Oaks in TN for the self bow challenge. Byron went out of his way to impress upon Mason and Skylar all things traditional archery. A fine ambassador for our beloved sport. I travel by Hartselle, AL about once a week in my sales job and often think about Byron and what he might be up to next. A tip of the hat to a fine gent......  :notworthy:
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: outbackbob48 on March 02, 2015, 05:20:00 PM
No Cams, you still got the rock beatin fever. Byron was in Erie this past weekend. Tell Mason I said Hey. Bob
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Legolas on March 03, 2015, 01:08:00 PM
He said Wanda throws the best, his previous wives kept getting in front of the arrow.   :biglaugh:  
Byron is a gentleman and represents our sport as such.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: pdk25 on March 04, 2015, 02:33:00 AM
I won't be buying those heads.  I will stick with Simmons heads, which are less expensive.  The profile of these heads is clearly copying the Simmons Heads.  Plus they are made in the USA by an American company.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Terry Green on March 06, 2015, 10:48:00 PM
:bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: frank bullitt on March 07, 2015, 11:04:00 AM
Yes Byron is one of the Greats in archery!
As for the broadheads, its a compliment to Jerry from Byron, as they were good friends! Byron probably did more than any to promote those heads!
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: pdk25 on March 07, 2015, 02:50:00 PM
Whatever you say.  Not sure how much of a compliment it is to copy a design to compete with the guy who bought the company from Jerry.  There is more to the story than that, but I will leave it alone.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: stagetek on March 07, 2015, 03:54:00 PM
I met Byron once and had a chance to talk for a while, great guy. I bought one of his shooting gloves, nice looking and well made. The only one I use now.
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Ron LaClair on March 07, 2015, 07:07:00 PM
pdk25,  a well known bow maker told me years ago, "When someone copies my design I look at it as a compliment" I always try to remember that when someone makes bows that look like mine.      :goldtooth:
Title: Re: Byron Ferguson still doing his thing
Post by: Bassfisher on March 07, 2015, 10:44:00 PM
I'll never forget when I was young and we lived in North Alabama.  Dad told me he was getting a longbow made by Byron Ferguson.  Of course then I didn't have a clue who he was, but we rode out to his house and met him and Dad told him what he wanted.  I remember how nice a guy he was and all the stories he told.  Dad still has that bow... a 50# Redhawk.  A childhood experience I will never forget and the beginning of my fascination with traditional archery.