Hey Rob,
Does this bow look familiar?

 

This all started with my cousin wanting to get into traditional archery last spring.  He is 6'4" with a 30" draw.  

I did not have any bows in stock that would work for him.  I asked him/wife his budget and set to looking.

Well I found a Sarrel's longbow in the classifieds.  64" and 42 @ 28.  Figured it would be perfect for him.  After a some communication, I bought it, telling him that if he did not like he would be under no obligation to buy it from me, but he would have to shoot it, to make sure.

Smooth transaction, bow shows up.  Me and the boys take it out to "make sure" it is ok.  Well it turns out my youngest son absolutely fell in love with it, as did I.  We have all had the experience of a bow that just works you.

Youngest son asked me not to sell the bow to our cousin.  But I told him that we had bought the bow for him and he had first right of refusal, if he did not want it, then we would add it to our stable.

I was itching to get Ian (youngest son) into traditional as he had used a Razor compound for 4H shooting and to kill his first archery deer and turkey in 2012.  Whatever it took to get him into archery and enjoy it.

Sorry for he long winded intro, but fast forward to the St. Judes 2013 auction.  Starting going through the auction listings and Rob had graciously donated a Sarrel's Blueridge SR bow.

I placed a bid as soon as the auction opened and it held.  Of course I had to tease Ian a little saying the bow was for me, and he would have to use one of my other bows.  Well it shows up and he is a little envious.

 I take him out to start figuring out which bow he will use this fall.    I had three other lighter weight bows that he could get to the 40# South Dakota minimum. I am shooting the "new" Sarrel's (very well I might add)

He keeps rotating through the bows while I am watching his form and group size.  He keeps asking to shoot the Sarrels, and I string him along but finally give in.  He takes that bow and proceeds to stack arrows right on top of each other.  It's a no brainer, I finally tell him it is for him, but he has to pay for it, a reduced price of course.  He has no money but, he does own a Razor compound.  We quickly work a trade, and he is the proud owner.

We work together, to build arrows and tune the bow and he proceeds to shoot the heck out of it all summer.  Fairly well I might add.

After a couple hunts with no luck, we go out this past Wednesday after school.  Pretty soon we have deer in front of us.  A doe and two fawns, the doe doesn't quite give us a good shot presentation, and Ian easily passes the shot.  (I must have taught him  something right).  He asks if he can shoot a fawn if the shot present itself, I tell him it is his tag to do with it what he pleases and fawns are legal.

Well a fawn comes in and gives him a perfect broadside 5 yard shot.  I can hear him taking deep breaths trying to calm himself.

Well he draws back and releases an arrow.  The arrow hits high, but drops the deer in it's tracks.  I tell him to get another arrow and this one goes right through the chest cavity.

So here is my youngest son's first traditional deer, taken with a St Judes bow.  He still has another archery tag left, he is set on trying to get his first traditional buck.

 

A big thank you to Rob for donating such a nice bow.

Way to go Ian.....and Dad.  Congratulations.
Have fun getting the next one too.

       

       

Great story. Please tell that youngster we said "Congratulations!"

Fantastic story.  Congrats on a fine animal.  I also shoot a Sarrels Blueridge S/R and it is one great bow from a great Bowyer.    

Good stuff, thanks for sharing, and a big    for Ian. You did good dad.
Charlie

Great story. congratulations.

Great story. Well done to all three of you guys. I have no doubt that Ian will be tagging a Buck in the near future!  :D          

YB

That's a happy kid right there.  Looks like good eating.

As good as it gets!!!!

Nice job Ian.  That will be some of the best meat you will ever eat.
CONGRATS!  

Now that's how it's supposed to work. St. Jude's kids get monetary support and a young man get's his first deer!  Wooohoooooo!!!!!                  

Well done!

Love to see the youngsters with a bow in hand awesome.

Great story!  Congratulations to your son.

Man, that story sure warms my heart.

Congratulations Ian and good luck on that buck!

Very Cool!    :cool:        

Great story Congrats!  

Awesome all the way around...