Last summer I had the privilege of witnessing the creation of my Sunbear Longbow.  Charlie Lamb put together a beautiful bow for me, and I loved every minute of watching the process.  Since July, I have practiced like crazy and have been determined to take a deer with "Obit" this season.  Grab a cup of coffee and pull up a chair for a while for the story of her creation here:    
   
  Weekend at the Sunbear Bowshop  


My task for this season took some perseverance...I shot right over the back of a small buck at my brothers early in the season, and then have seen alot of scenery since, but few deer with no shooting opportunities.

Probably around 100 hours on stands, a lot of reading sign and trying to figure things out after gun season ended.  I moved into late season mode in mid December and started really concentrating on food plots to no avail.  

Southwest Missouri actually got some snow for a change instead of ice this week and I was out of school for a few snow days.  With the snow and bitter cold, I did some scouting and found an area in the center of the family farm deep in the woods with some turkey and deer tracks converging on broad flat heavily forested area.  It was near one our traditional rut stands right in the heart of the farm.  This evening I rolled the dice and tried a different strategy and sat the "Flying Squirrel" stand.  

About 30 minutes prior to dusk a group of 5 worked into the wind heading toward my stand leisurely digging around under some oaks and meandering my way.  3 mature does and 2 yearlings.  I knew I would have a brief window so I positioned myself as best I could and really tried to will them into position.  I knew with that many eyes it was going to be difficult, but the wind was in my favor and they were heading in the right direction.  They dug around under some blackjack oaks and one of the does presented a quartering away opportunity.  I waited for her on-side leg to move forward and took the shot.  
The arrow buried into the breadbasket and lodged into the offside rib.  The three blade VPA terminator did its job well.  I watched her go down in less than 10 seconds.

(Time-out for a brief side note...)  Almost a year ago someone dumped a beautiful sweet flat-coat retriever mix on the farm and we nursed her from a rough state back to health and through her awkward "not quite a puppy, but not a dog yet" stage.  She has proven to be a loyal companion and a great friend.  I decided that since I knew the deer was down I would try Raven out on the track.  (It is legal in Missouri, so long as you are not tracking with a weapon and I left my bow and quiver at the stand) Took her to the point of impact and let her go with some encouragement.  Every hair bristled and she was off with her nose to the ground.  Took me right to the doe in less than a minute.  She pointed about 10 yards off from the doe and waited for me to get there.  She was trembling like crazy and not quite sure what to do, so I praised her like crazy.  I removed the arrow and let her enjoy her find for a bit, and then we had to celebrate and roll in the snow.  What a wonderful happen-chance addition to the family and hopefully a good tracker for future needs!

Here is Raven with the post track celebration:

       


And here is a quiet moment of contemplation and thanks with the doe:

     


The completion of a season of perseverance and breaking in my Sunbear Longbow, Obit.  Thanks Charlie!

     

Congrats!  Great story and pics.  Looks kinda cold......

Congrats! Beautiful doe and companion.

Congradulations! Hap

Congratuations Bro!!!

I'm going to tip my hat to this guy for sticking it out and have some serious perseverance!

It took a while but he finally wrote that obituary in the snow.

Unfortunately it has been one of those "wrong place at the wrong time" or "just ran out of time with the deer close" type of seasons for my brother. He has kept trying to connect from November through December and now into January.  Their hasn't been too many Friday evenings or Saturday mornings I haven't gotten a text message of his stand location and sightings.  A lot of time in the woods and a lot of patience.

Most guys (including myself) would have gotten frustrated.  Andrew kept a great attitude and just kept trying different spots.

Good things come to those who wait!  Way to have some serious grit buddy.  What was the temp tonight...all of 5 degrees down there?

Proud of you for not giving up.

Good stuff! Congrats on a fine bow and doe!  

Andrew, well done sir! Good story, great dear, fine dog and a Sunbear!

Great stuff Andrew!!  That is very special indeed, all the way around.  Your perseverance was justly rewarded!

Just how cool is this? Way!! Good story Andrew and congratulations on your deer and more importantly on your new found friend.
God bless,Mudd

That's an outstanding accomplishment! Congrats Andrew!

Making me have second thoughts on taking the smokepole out tomorrow  :D

Congrats  

That's cool. Congrats.

What a story. You stuck with it and it work. The best part is that you enjoyed every minute of the hunting. How cool is it that raven got to help. A first for both of you. Thank you and congratulations.

Thanks for all the encouragement.  I didn't look at the temp, but it was in the single digits all day and below zero overnight.  Looks like another evening sub zero before we are back toward a normal pattern. Reminds me of the way it used to be when Chris and I were little and we were milking cows.  Nothing like what is happening in the Dakotas right now, but still pretty darn cold!  Thanks!

Great job Andrew!!

Anyone can hunt when the weather is nice!! A man's convictions are tested when it gets nasty outside.

Congratulations bud. That's just the first of many for "Obit".
I like the looks of those VPA Terminators as well. Deadly combo for sure.

 

Great job!!! Good story, and friendships is what "it" is about.

Great thread!!!

Thanks for posting it.

The photo`s are fantastic!

Many happy returns!  

Great story!!  A tip. of the hat to you.  How di the name Obit come to be?  Congrats Joe

Joe,

The full story on the creation and naming of the bow can be found here:

  Weekend at the Sunbear Bowshop