Back in August I went to the Sissipahaw Traditional Archers summer's end fun shoot and gathering (if you live near you should try to make one of their open shoots) and got a chance to see Mike Ballenger of 7 Lakes Longbows and his new kid's bow design. I was immediately interested. I told Mike we'd be talking along about Christmas. I sometimes have memory lapse but always try to hold to my word and less than a month ago I wrote Mike and we talked about a bow for my grandson, who is new to my family but will be 7 this January. My oldest daughter married a great man who had an adopted son already and who has done wonderfully well raising Aiden as a single dad, BTW.

I had already introduced Aiden to archery and trad shooting, but the bow he's shooting is the bow I usually  take to local 3D shoots in case there's a kid without a trad bow there and maybe I can let them shoot it and plant a seed that will grow...(and maybe convert their compound Dads and Moms        )

Mike sent me an email last week projecting a finish this week. Today was pickup day. Mike lives less than an hour from me.

I arrived and found Lucy (his German Shorthair Pointer) more excited to see me than I was to get to take a look at the bow. Now that's a hard task to accomplish if you know me and my love and obsession with trad archery, but Lucy is a great dog and loves people. Anyhoo, here it is.

         

If you're into Hill style shooting and want a mini Hill style for a young archer in your life, give Mike at 7 Lakes a shout.

Hopefully Mike will jump in here and tell you about his Dec special, or just search Mike's recent post about his Dec sale.

And I got to shoot one of his lefty Carolina Night  American Semi Longbow models. I shot it from ten yards with arrows I had brought along in hopes to test shoot one of his bows. It was like it was tuned for me especially by Mike himself. With no adjustments my shots were on center of the target and flight was perfect. What are the chances. AND THERE WAS ZERO HANDSHOCK. PERIOD!

Mike and I will be talking again in the future.      

Hope you enjoy the pics. Aiden will get it Christmas morning. I'll post up some pics of him shooting the bow after Christmas.

Thanks Mike.

Bud

Nice looking bow for sure!  Good on you for doing what you do Bud!!!  

Sweet bow Bud, the little guy is gonna love it!

Very nice looking young person's bow!!

Very nice. I had a guy just today ask me about kids bows, I'm sending him the link to them.

Nice looking bow,way to start him out sir.Neat looking quiver also.

You are a wonderful grandaddy bud!!!

That's a beauty.  I'm generally not a fan of locators on Hill-styles but Mike B. did a great job with that locator/deep core grip design...it looks good.  The string follow is a nice finishing touch.  Your grandson will be tickled, I'm sure.    

Bud-

When I saw the bow, it looked like you got a new bow for Christmas. Great story and beautiful bow!

Darren

I'm amazed at how much it is in detail to a full size locator semi-longbow. Mike hit a homerun with this design.

Osage riser. Maple lams. Black glass back/belly.

Very nice! My granddaughter will be needing one of those when she gets a little older, she's only 8 months old now. I'll have to bookmark this info.
Thanks Bud.

Cool. I'm gonna get my oldest daughter a longbow this Spri g so we can shoot together at the cottage. The 7 Lakes offering is looking GOOD!

SWEET!

Nice!

Nice. You're a great grandpa.  I can't wait to do the same for a soon to arrive grandson.

Dave

I love good news!!!!!!!!!!Merry Christmas ...mark

That is sweet! I can't wait to see it in person. I think Hunter may have one of these in his future.

I have to give Mike a big  

Gonna be a happy little Guy come Christmas time. Maybe he'll get a squirrel...

Bud, it was great to see you again and glad I could help with a bow for the little fellow.  I'm convinced the future of traditional archery depends on how kids are introduced to the sport.  That's why I wanted to build a real bow for them at a fairly reasonable price.  

PS
I still have the twin of that bow in stock if anyone wants it.