Tempted by Another

[Wary Buck]

A preview of a chapter from an upcoming book of mine may find interest with readers here.  It previously appeared in my weekly outdoor column here in Fremont, NE...

TEMPTED BY ANOTHER  

The look of longing I was getting from across the room from my ex could not be mistaken.  It was being telegraphed so obviously that I began to feel self-conscious.  Especially since we were both in the same room as my current love.

Of course it's true that I'd been getting these strong vibes ever since I'd moved on, but what could I do?  Yes, I still had feelings for her, but you have to make a choice.  

Don't get me wrong, I am extremely loyal.  Still, it was tempting to stray, to hold her in my arms and once again feel her familiar curves, and breathe in her scent.

But the bottom line is simply that you can only hunt with one bow at a time.

A bow?  Sure.  What did you think I was talking about?

I don't know if the compound guys have the same issue, but I know for a fact that many traditional bowhunters struggle with this.  Do you settle on one bow and learn her secrets and develop your skills to the utmost?  After all, the old adage warns you to beware the man with just one bow (or gun) for they are likely to be quite good with it.

Or should the hunter take turns, giving them all some action?  In other words, play the field.  That would seem to be a great strategy to the romanticist, but in jumping from bow to bow does one hurt the consistency of their accuracy?  I mean doing this with one's shotguns and then missing a pheasant is one thing; missing a shot at a big deer is another thing entirely.

Speaking of shotguns, I have the same dilemma.  I am just as enamored with the fine lines and quality workmanship of a good gun as I am those of a custom recurve or longbow.  

Not only are they all functional pieces of sporting equipment, but also works of art.  They're almost too pretty to take hunting.  Almost.

I cannot summon the same love or admiration for modern compound bows nor today's composite-stocked, camouflage clad guns in their various cutting-edge configurations.  Don't get me wrong, I readily admit they perform their sporting tasks with precision.  

And there may be a "cool" factor with the space-age designs, and even increased function or wear.  Indeed, the new age guns can buck brush and come back no worse for wear, while the old walnut-stocked guns of yesteryear will show scratches and gouges when treated roughly.

But the modern models are missing out on "mojo."  For it is those very character marks that speak volumes to me.  The worn bluing similarly tugs at my heart strings.  Such handmade, wood-handled weapons wear their mileage proudly.  They tell stories of circling ducks and thunderous flushes of pheasants, and smell of Hoppe's No. 9 solvent and the burnt gunpowder from paper-hulled Peters, Remington, Winchester and Western shells.  They carry the sweat of their makers as well as the hunter.

So bear with me as I struggle with my devotion to my old Pronghorn take-down longbow.  For the new one that just arrived in the mail is virtually the same weight and length, but a lighter curly ash instead of green laminate.  

A younger woman indeed, and blonde to boot.

[Two Arrows]

Bryce's words are true. His love of the green machine is such that when I had the opportunity to hunt with the Little Delta Bow for a week 3 years ago, I called him to see if he'd like to see it, and take it on a hunt on the days I had to work. No way, couldn't switch bows in the middle of the season. I had to admire your devotion! Good luck with the new blonde!

[CRS]

Thanks for posting.  I understand, I have 4 goto bows.

A longbow and recurve 60@28.  My hunting bows.

A longbow and recurve 50@28.  My play around, light poundage fun bows.  I also have a bunch of other bows that I never shoot anymore.  They are "retired" and have earned a spot on the rack with memories of heartbreak, blood, and good friends.

But come every July I decide which hunting bow I am going to use that year.  The others get hung on the rack.

[jonsimoneau]

Great article Bryce!  Let's see some pics of the new blonde!

[Eugene Slagle]

Very good article, I too have this heart wrenching effect when I decide to take another bow instead of my ONE but alas there are times I should give one of my others a chance to show me the love that has drawn us to one another.

[Manitoba Stickflinger]

Blonde???....I'd bet she's a DIRTY blonde!

[maineac]

I can truly identify.  I like to think of myself as being at heart a one weapon man, but my gun cabinet and bow rack show a different truth.

[Steve O]

That's it.  I'm talking to the PBS bosses and Jerry Brumm.  We need Bryce as a speker in Portland or Kalamazoo in 2012!

Put me down for a "limited" edition of the new book BL.

[Shedrock]

That was nice!

I'm tempted by another here lately myself. She may be a sister to Green Machine. She will be 58-60" long, weighing in at around 55#, green actionwood riser, and green glass, foam core limbs. She may get dressed up in some prairie rattler skins for a day out in the hills.

[wapiti792]

I like it Bryce! I am tempted weekly and usually cave in to their advances    Luckily I am able to love 'em and leave pretty easy as well.

[Elkchaser]

Originally posted by Manitoba Stickflinger:
Blonde???....I'd bet she's a DIRTY blonde!

NOT a Dirty blonde at all, but rather an exquisite example all that is good and right, I couldn't hold on to her, Wary Buck saw her, wanted her and won her over. She slipped from my arms into those of another that would cherish her.   :(  

    When's the book due out Bryce? I need to get in line.

Ron

[Herdbull]

Some people think of their bow as a wife and can't part with it, while others think of a bow as good friends and surround themselves with many. Very nice Bryce. I too will be getting your next book. Mike

[katie]

I sure don't think of my bow as my wife:)

Great story Bryce.  Always like your stuff, thanks for the post!  Now I do not feel so bad that I had to dust one of my longbows while cleaning today.

[Shedrock]

When is that new book of yours coming out? I really liked the last one Bryce.

Did you get the skins on that bow yet? Would like pics if you did.

[Ben Maher]

Nice Bryce ... look forward to the book .

[Over&Under]

Excellent read!  I bet the whole book would be worth reading.

Thanks for sharing!

I think we all struggle with the decision of which bow to shoot and when, but only having one bow just doesn't seem right to me.  If they are really considered art, I would venture to say that most of us have more than one picture or painting hanging on the wall.

[Steve H.]

I know the code words....