Killdeer, you shoulda been there...

[Forester]

I stopped by the local sporting goods shop today.  This is the kind of place with an old woodstove on slow burn in the corner,  a hodge-podge of hunters and shooters sitting around in various odd chairs drinking coffee and eating Nabs, and five different disjointed conversations running at once.  The woman that runs the shop is in on every conversation while she fixes arrows, bore-sights a scope, or horse-trades guns with customers.  It's the kind of place that I think of when you mention your weekly "meetings" with the crew.  There is one wall with assorted archery gear and none of it seems to be too organized.

Well I walked in today for an iced tea and a catch -up.  The proprietor smiled at me and said "I have something for you to look at."  She pulled two Bear bows out of the corner and headed my way.  I thought she was going to cut herself on the exposed Razorheads in the old arrow holders/quiver when she stopped half way to answer the phone.  She finally handed the bows to me and asked if I was interested or if I could tell her a fair market value.  One was a Cub that seems to be a late '50s model and the other was a Kodiak Magnum that might be a 1976.

I looked them over with glee as I tried to make notes of distinctive features.  I know little about dating and valuing these without looking up the info each time.  The Kodiak Magnum had a string and stringer wrapped around the Bear quiver.  After a little inspection I braced it and inspected again, but made no measure of fistmele.  I went out to the truck and pulled three arrows from my own quiver and snuck behind the shop for some fun.  That little bow is marked 45# but it put my 720 grain arrows in the same place that my 60# bow does after just three shots.  I centered a 2X4 at 29 yards - lucky shot but it made me like the little bow even more.  I'm not sure I would want to shoot it with the Bear quiver on it but it made the whole green package look complete.

I went back inside to finish my tea and hear a few more stories.  I departed with just enough time to chase a rabbit around the thicket after getting home.  I reflected on an enjoyable afternoon and thought that you would have liked it, so I figured the least I could do was tell you about it.  There are still places like that around and the tradition continues.....
 

[4runr]

Sounds like a great day!

[highnoonhunter]

Forester you're killin' me!

I love finding places like that!

hnh

[Danny Rowan]

So, did ya go home with the Cub and Mag??? Great story.

Danny

[LEOPARD]

Sounds like you had a great day! Thanks for sharing!    

[Bowferd]

I live in the center of Nebaska which is Damn Near the center of the country and we have no trad shops available. I am now 58 yrs. old and my goal is to open one at 6:00 in the morning until sunset. Any backers out there? I have 26 acres up NW with a 30x60 building ready to accomodate early morning coffee drinkers. Target ranges would be simple to set up. Spring fed creek winds 3 times through this little 26 acre plot. I would offer used trad bow equipment and set up a training camp for the kids. If interested? farnold@msn.com I hate to say this but I think he inherited his grandpas ears       Proof is in the puddinghttp://s190.photobucket.com/albums/z314/Bowferd/?action=view¤t=Picture1-15041.jpg" target="_blank">http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z314/Bowferd/Picture1-15041.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

[Killdeer]

I want to move to Sinking Creek!
That does indeed sound like my gunshop in its day, except our wood stove wasn't functional (and we couldn't shoot out back!).

An afternoon like that stays with you for a lifetime, warming you again and again. I hope your shop stays open forever. I have some more Quickee quivers if you want 'em. When I hunted with the "gift Grizzly" that is what I used. Just be careful, remember that you have REAL arrows on there, and carry Band-Aids.    

Thanks for letting me in on a great afternoon with good people.
Killdeer

[Doc Nock]

We all want to live there Killy, but bet it'd be hard to rustle up a good paying job to support your or any of our fierce hobbies, let alone sufficient grub!    

We used to have a ton of them type li'l hole in wall shops...now Lancaster County is more yupified than ..well, never mind... :(

[Forester]

It would be nice if it stayed open forever, but I'm guessing chances are slim, in the brick and mortar form anyway.  Doc Nock is half correct, jobs are a little tough to find but we do have sufficient grub running around the hills and growing in the gardens     Y'all are welcome to visit though, plenty of public forest to roam and camp.

I have not brought the Cub and KM home, yet.  But I'm trying to help them determine a fair price and then I'll look at my budget.  We'll see what develops.....I'll at least have to go back for another iced tea later this week  

[Izzy]

Sounds like the shop I shoot at here in Albany.They are indeed a rare find in this day and age.Nice place there Bowferd.