The Old Phartt, The Big Bad Wolf and The Three Little Pigs

A Continuing Saga...

Once upon a time, down in West Texas, there lived three little pigs, Oinky, Snuffy, and Herman.   These pigs were fat and happy down there, living on a ranch called "7th Age Bowhunting", where there was enough water and plenty to eat.  There were gullies and brush to hide in, and they figured they had it made.

However, up in Seattle, WA lived a weak, out of shape old man called The Old Phartt.  In a very unlikely combination of circumstances, Old Phartt got a chance to go down to West Texas to hunt pigs with 7th Age Bowhunting in late October.   In an even more unlikely set of circumstances, his wife not only agreed but said she'd finance the trip!  The happenings were made even more incredible by the fact the OP wasn't a hunter!   He had never even seen a wild hog, never bowhunted for deer, hadn't even bowfished for carp!   In spite of this, he set his mind on Oinky, Snuffy or Herman.  

Unfortunately, OP knew his chances of success were diminished by his circumstances, particularly the fact that his normal draw weight was only 27#.   He wanted very much to get Oinky, Snuffy or Herman with a bow of his own making, but the heaviest one he had was still only 32#.   He started his walking program back up and did some light weight exercises, to get into slightly better shape in a month, or at least as "good shape" can be defined for a more than 70 year old retired desk jockey and storyteller.

Another of OP's problems was that he wasn't really a good shot.  Oh, he made it around many a 3D course and hit most of the targets, but he'd lost a lot of his form when he was weakened by health problems and wasn't as consistent as he wanted to be.   Plus, he'd been so busy building bows he had neglected his shooting for several months. Of course, he started practicing, shooting at a javelina target.  He even put screw in broadheads on the 1716 arrows he used with his 32# bow and made sure they flew well.  He settled down and started doing better, in just a few days of serious effort.

In spite of some improvement, OP was still concerned about the bow weight.  If he did get a shot at Oinky, Snuffy or Herman, he wanted to get a good solid hit, preferably a pass through.   He tried some heavier bows he owned, even though he hadn't built them, bows in the low to mid 40# range.   He became satisfied that while his weight was limited when going out to shoot a good practice session in the yard, or a 3D round, he could get a few good shots off with a heavier bow, and he did like the fact that they let him shoot a heavier 1916 arrow that hit the target with a good bit more authority.

OP decided that what he needed was some mojo... some serious mojo.  What  he needed to deal with Oinky, Snuffy and Herman was a Big Bad Wolf!   However, Big Bad Wolves are kind of hard to find in a North Seattle neighborhood.   There was no choice, if he wanted to shoot one of those pigs with a bow he'd made, he'd have to make a Big Bad Wolf!  While the 40# range he'd tried was a strain, maybe about 38# would be doable.

Fortunately, OP's wife was going on a trip and he'd be alone for ten days.  Not only would this let him eat real man food, like jalapeno hot dogs and hot chili every night, he'd be able to work in his shop all day every day, with no one around waving a daily errand and chore list!  "Oh, boy," he thought, and headed down to the shop to look over the wood and glass supply.   After the first day's work, wood rustling and decision making, he had cut billets, resawed out lam blanks and cut out a riser for The Big Bad Wolf.

BBW will have a zebrawood back veneer, two tapered lamboo cores and a belly of honey locust, with a zebrawood riser.  With a little luck, it'll come in at close to 38#.

To Be Continued....

Lets see that big bad wolf huff and puff....  

Pictures please....

Shoot straight, Shinken

There will be pictures of the bow when it's done (I've already done two buildalongs) and LOTS of pictures of the hunt, which will take place Oct. 22 -25.    Probably a couple of reports on the practice.

You've got my vote Dick. Best of luck. Wear snake boots.

can't wait for the rest of the story Dick!

September 27, 2009 - Practice

For last night's practice session, it occured to me to check over my bows again. I have two Hill Longbowman's Choice bows, and, sure enough, as I recalled, one is 38@25... just what I plan for The Big Bad Wolf. So I strung it up. Wow! Kind of a stiff 38#, but I could string it by hand. I grabbed my 1916's and went out and did really well, so I was very pleased.

I took it out again for my morning practice this morning. Practice consists of shooting from various points walking around the yard, including kneeling and sitting on a stool, and from distances of 8 to 15 yards. I had been shooting from out to 20, but the guy in charge has assured me that if I get a shot from 15 yards, it will be unusual, so I'm concentrating on that distance and in. That's a relief, because I hadn't been doing that well at 20. Within this range, I think Oinky, Snuffy and Herman may be in trouble:


 

That looks like a hurtin' piggie, and I'm doing this pretty consistently.


 

Those two by the nickle are as tight together as they could be without damaging the first arrow. I could hear it twang when the second one went in. Oddly, they weren't from the two closest distances.


When I went back in and unstrung the bow I was again hit by the feeling that this was a mighty stiff 38#. I hadn't shot this bow in maybe two years. I strung it back up and put it on the scale. It showed between 40 and 41 pounds. That showed me why I hadn't been shooting it. If I can bring BBW in at a true 38# I'm going to be a very happy camper.


No work done today, and maybe not tomorrow.   Ann isn't actually gone yet.   We drove some 200 miles today to visit a friend, and will probably spend tomorrow visiting another.   Ann leaves Tuesday morning, so further progress reports will have to wait till later in the week.

Go get em Dick!!  Good luck!

Good for you Dick. Get after them.

Off to a Texas adventure you will never forget! Great for you Dick! Lots of good memories await you and thanks for a good start on a good story. Ken

You're going to have a great time Dick!  And as you are finding out right now, the anticipation and preparation is half of the fun!  Keep us posted....  

I love it Dick! Your pig will be the tastiest pig ever shot in Texas, and perhaps the best earned.

That's awesome buddy!  Please keep us posted.

Dick, what part of Texas are you going to? I'm going in April of next year to one of 7th Age places in Crane, by Odesa......

Love the story telling. I can't wait to hear more. Good luck with the pigs.

I have always liked your build alongs. Anxious to follow this one too!!!

Hi Dick! Looks like the Rod Jenkins' shooting clinic has been ingrained in your shoot sequence...looks good! I look forward to hearing how the hunt goes. Keep up the quality practice!

Desert Dude... I'm going to 7th Age, same as you.  When I get back, if you want to call and really chat about the whole experience, please feel free.

jcar 315...  This won't be a buildalong.  I've done two of those.   I'm just going to show the bow in stages... wood - saw out - sand out - layup - rough blank - first tiller - finished bow.   Just finishing the sandout now.

i'm betting you have some of the best bacon in town!
happy hunting

Can't wait to see it. Work late if you have to Dick. Honestly, we won't care.