A few years back I purchased a used 3pc longbow. It resembled a pronghorn which I've been trying to get my hands on for quite some time. (Apparently anyone who owns one will not part with it. :( )
It's a LH "Flipper Stick" 63# @28". It belonged to Vern. I know this because his name is on the bow.
When I received the bow I'm surprised it made it thru the USPS. The smell of smoke as if it hung above a cabins fire place was so intense I had to bring the box outside to fully open it. It would be some time before the smell dissipated.
With it's custom hand grip smooth shooting, a strap on quiver with Autumn Legends it's been my go to bow since I've owned it.
Can anyone tell me about him and is he still around?
vern ran a great trad shop in Evanston Wyoming, haven't seen him in many years.
bruce
Vern is still around. He is a great guy. The bow you have is a pronghorn made by Herb for Vern's business. They chose the name flipper stick to sell them as together.
I have not talked to Vern in a good while myself. He is still in Wyoming. Vern hunted a lot with Jay Massey I know and many others. He is Traditional bowhunting icon in my book.
Didnt know Vern very well. Had met him a couple of times at Bowhunter of Woming annual meetings. He was a very likeable and very knowledgeable guy. I used to order all my trad gear from him back in the day. He made a flemish string how to video on making the jig and the strings. It was how I learned and still use that jig to this day.
Someone from Colorado bought his business from him and ran it out of Colorado for a while but not sure what happen to that shop.
I met Vern a few times, as well. I think his 'real' job was a barber, and he did the archery business on the side. He took some pretty good animals with the bow; yours probably has some serious mojo in it.
Before compound bows started changing things Vern was a bit of a legend in western Wyoming.
He and I hooked up in the 80's and had many great trips together after bear, elk, muleys and small game.
I haven't heard from him in years. I heard he had had a stroke which slowed him down quite a bit. He was a lefty and a fine shot and even better hunter.
To many stories to tell, but I remember the last time we were together. We were chasing cottontails
on the desert south of Pinedale. I had just pulled a shot right out of my kiester and nailed highballing bunny.
It was late in the afternoon and the mountains glowed red from the sun sinking slowly behind the Wyoming range to the west.
I was two days away from moving my family back east and we both knew this was a last hunt for us.
Putting a hand on my shoulder and raising his bow tip to point towards the peaks he looked me in the eyes and said, "you're going to miss that".
He was right.
Vern and Claris his wife showed up to the PBS gathering in Salt Lake City in 2006. I hadn't heard anything about them in years before or since.
Charlie,
That is wonderful memory of a good friendship.
QuoteOriginally posted by Charlie Lamb:
Before compound bows started changing things Vern was a bit of a legend in western Wyoming.
He and I hooked up in the 80's and had many great trips together after bear, elk, muleys and small game.
I haven't heard from him in years. I heard he had had a stroke which slowed him down quite a bit. He was a lefty and a fine shot and even better hunter.
To many stories to tell, but I remember the last time we were together. We were chasing cottontails
on the desert south of Pinedale. I had just pulled a shot right out of my kiester and nailed highballing bunny.
It was late in the afternoon and the mountains glowed red from the sun sinking slowly behind the Wyoming range to the west.
I was two days away from moving my family back east and we both knew this was a last hunt for us.
Putting a hand on my shoulder and raising his bow tip to point towards the peaks he looked me in the eyes and said, "you're going to miss that".
He was right.
:campfire:
Putting a hand on my shoulder and raising his bow tip to point towards the peaks he looked me in the eyes and said, "you're going to miss that".
Charlie, just for you, here are those shining mountains.
(http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac67/peastes/IMG_1788_zpsrx4elwqp.jpg) (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/peastes/media/IMG_1788_zpsrx4elwqp.jpg.html)
Thanks Pat. I still miss the mountains everyday... not quite as bad in January as in June, though. ;)
Charlie,
you have a way of telling a story that is a gift, my friend! Glad I got to meet you this past summer. I would love to share a camp fire with you just to listen to your stories.
Can you tell me about your book? Is that your hunting stories? If so, send me payment details! ;)
Vern helped me get set up with my first traditional set up many years ago. I use to get all my supplies from Butlers until I switched to a compound in the mid 90's.
From all the posts I see I purchased more than just a used bow that shoots great.
It came with a life time of memories shot by someone truly admired by many and apparently with lots of "mojo", more than I could ever dream of putting into any bow I own.
I guess that's why when I put the bow in my hand something comes over me, something I cannot explain that's free's me of the NY hustle and bustle even if only in my back yard to a place where everything is clear and calm.
For that I thank you Herb for the building of this bow and Vern for the "Mojo" you put into it.
does anybody know how to contact Vern Butler?
I think that I have an email for him. I will look. I know him and Herb still talk.
A friend of mine Milt Beens, purchased Verns business years ago. It was known as Wildcat Canyon Traditional Archery in Durango,CO. Milt also sold out several years ago.
thanks guys!
much appreciated
What a great, interesting thread!
:)
I haven't seen Vern in years. He use to show up at some of the PBS Banquets. A very nice man and a heck of a hunter. :archer:
Charlie's book is a must read! I finished it in two days!
Yep, Butlers was a great source of archery equipment back in the day. I owned a Flipper Stick and it was a lefty, for a few years. Bought it off a friend who got me started into trad archery and building bows way back when. Sold it on here I think, or the old trading blanket before TG, if anyone remembers that. Just a Pronghorn made for Bulters. Great shooting bows!
One more shout out for an old friend. Haven't seen him in years, but have good memories of shoots with him.
would surely like to contact him.
:campfire:
I bought Vern's string making DVD at least 20 years ago. I still have my first string jig I made from the video plans. I made at least a dozen more jigs to give to friends after I taught them how to make their own strings.
A few years ago I decided to send the video on a loner trip around the country. I compiled a list of interested folk and sent it on it's way with the next recipients name and address in the box so it could be passed on.
The second recipient "lost/stole" the video so my good gesture was in vain.
Don't want to steel this thread, however....
Eric,
Unfortunately, I have had similar incidences happen to me. About 20 years ago I quit worrying about it, and like you, decided to try to keep sending everything forward ....regardless.
Back to Vern and Claris, they were the only Trad Dealers in the late 80s prepared to send my first long distance order to AUSTRALIA.
Needless to say I got heaps of gear and a One piece Flipper Stick-- damn nice bow.
They were both nice friendly folk who made it easier despite my apprehension.
Where have all those kind of dealers gone nowadays I wonder """"""""
QuoteOriginally posted by Eric Krewson:
I bought Vern's string making DVD at least 20 years ago. I still have my first string jig I made from the video plans. I made at least a dozen more jigs to give to friends after I taught them how to make their own strings.
A few years ago I decided to send the video on a loner trip around the country. I compiled a list of interested folk and sent it on it's way with the next recipients name and address in the box so it could be passed on.
The second recipient "lost/stole" the video so my good gesture was in vain.
I also bought that same video from Vern and still have it. Haven't looked at it in many years but I remember his quiet steady way of describing the process.