well theres an even longer story to this one, but i wont bore u guys with the details. Basically i had a vixen on order and since James was building himself a morning star he decided to sell me his vixen since it was basically the exact bow i had on order. James had been talking to roy "mudd" about a vixen and sent this one to him first to try out, before its final trip south to me   . this is my second vixen and fifth berry bow, so im obviously a big fan. so enough of the boring stuff. this is my 68" vixen it draws 46# @ 28" and is smooth as butter. 5 lams of bamboo and brown glass back and belly with an amazing myrtle riser. what can i say about this bow that has not already been said. its silent, smooth, and completely dead in the hand also the cast is amazing on this bow. the grip is the best i have felt and seats in the same spot everytime without effort. the balance of the bow is amazing and is one of the most pointable bows i have ever shot. literally point and shoot and its where it was suppossed to go. its hard to explain what makes these bows so magical. there is just something that sets them apart from the others imo. like i said before this is my fifth berry bow and most certainly not my last. already have a morning star on order. lol  the attention to detail alone is amazing. with a sense of refinement uncommon in american style longbows. the smooth simple flowing lines make this a very appealing bow to my eyes. one really has to be seen in person to appreciate the refinement that has went into this bow design. guess that comes with 33 years of building them. the vixen from what i understand has went through subtle changes  over the last 30 or so years. and i am convinced it is finally at its pinnacle. but im sure if anyone can find a way to improve a perfect bow, james is the guy. Brian should be coming through and posting some pics i sent him. i am not very good with such things.

Shawn,
As you already know these Vixens are amazing. You'd be hard pressed to find a better bow, unless it's another Vixen. Ha.

I tried to get pics posted up, but I'm in Indy with family and I couldn't get acces to my pics. I'll post them tonight

Query ... Why do you have a beer can tab hanging from the string?

Mudd uses that as a target. By hanging the small focal point, it Allows for easier focus. The whole "aim small, miss small " theory. Plus it's cool when you shoot the arrow right thru it.

Nice, Shawn. I was admiring it when Mudd had it. I'd sure like one some day...and a Morning Star. Great bows. Really enjoying my Misty Dawn.

Very nice looking bow..!
 Are the limbs trapped slightly from back to belly?  If not too much trouble could you post a picture of it unstrung?

 Thanks, Pat

Pat,
Shawn has had some Internet issues as of late so I hope that he doesn't mind but I'll answer.

James puts alot of belly trap on the Vixens, my vixen almost looks like an English longbow with a "D" shape. It is absolutely phenomenal the trap that is present. Makes for a fantastic bow.

My vixen

Thanks for the pictures.  The old Bighorn Longbows and my Northstars, have the heavily trapped limbs, back to belly, they draw really smooth and shoot well. Most feel lighter they actually scale.

Pat

Pat,
The same is true with the Berrys. Very smith and fell lighter than they actually are. I had a ram hunter that I'd like back!!!

Nice socks!!!! I ordered my vixen today with the signature Shawn Rackley grip.

awesome mike glad u took the jump.    and brian thanks for posting the pics.

Shawn i need to get up your way soon and shoot that new one. I have to decide on what grip i want on mine. Give me a call of you get a minute.

I spoke to James today and since my Vixen is 13yrs old, I put him on notice that I want to get another before he retires. I have alot going on right now but hope to have another on order in the near future. We spoke at length about my brother's condition and he truly is a genuinely great man. I have found the bowyer for all my future bows.

Midd, those are first class socks, only to be worn in the finest of shoes. LOL. HA

Anytime Shawn.

Okie, I figured out my bower for all future bow purchases about the 2nd arrow out of my vixen, and have ordered two more bows since then.  James and his bows are top notch

James berry's american longbow is top notch.

Congratulations Shawn on your Vixen. It seems that more people are shooting JD Berry Longbows since I've been on vacation. Do you know if there is a difference between a 66" & 68" vixen?