TradGang Bear Quest # 4 2010' Unpacking & Wheels are Turnin for BQ # 5 JUNE 2011'

[Barry Wensel]

Me three

[d. ward]

now myself I'am a real PBS'er but maybe not the one your all talking about.bd

[Curveman]

Originally posted by the real bowdoc:
now myself I'am a real PBS'er but maybe not the one your all talking about.bd

I'd rank you both "Executive President" and "Hall of Famer" of that society BD!"  

[d. ward]

I figured that one would be coming Steve bd

[tippit]

PBS Associate...Doc

[Bill Kissner]

Me also!

[tippit]

For some reason I seem to make different rules or challenges for myself on this hunt. This years Quebec Quest will be have a new goal for me. I've been very lucky/blessed in the past to have taken I think eight bears by different means...selfbows(my own and a beauty by Eric), stone points by Woody, my own forged Team Tippit points, Little Delta Bow, etc. Plus last years Mr Big of over 300 pounds.

Bear Quest IV, I have an old promise to hopefully fulfill. I'll be shooting one of a couple of Mike Churney's exquisite Osage selfbows. This story goes back a bit so bear(pun intended)with me.

I first met Mike at Denton Hill on the swap blanket gathering. If you've never been to Denton, at the end of the day anyone can take anything archery related to the main lodge, display your goods on a blanket, and swap/haggle/buy from your traditional brothers & sisters. I don't think there was ever a bow made that at one time or another wasn't on a blanket at Denton!

Anyone who knows me, knows I love bows---collector bows, longbows, recurves, selfbows...the stranger the better.  Plus the fun of it is to haggle over asking price or trade. About eight years ago I met Mike sitting on his blanket with a couple of really nice selfbows. It was a hot evening so I sat down with him admiring his bows and just started talking about bowhunting, how he made his bows, what was he asking, etc. I really wasn't intending on buying one just being friendly. Finally he said he hoped he could continue to bowhunt and make bows as he was just diagnosed with a brain tumor and he didn't have any health insurance!

Well my best friend's wife is a brain tumor survivor and I knew of the long road ahead for Mike. She was luckier in that her medical bills were totally cover as she had been Secretary of Housing for the Sate of Massachusetts under three governors. She was also a Chair person for the Brain Tumor Society. I said I try to get her to help and then I purchased a bow. I still Haggled over the Price of the bow although there was now a different twist...saying it was way too cheap and added an extra $100. I'd never been in a situation like Mike's and thought a little extra money would help if for no other reason than to have a bit of fun.

Every Denton after that I looked for Mike to see how he was doing. We sit and chat. I'd ask the price of his latest bow and Haggle some more about how he needed to up his price. I bought RH or LH...anything he had. One year Mike wasn't there...he had lost his battle.

I knew very little about him except for the time we shared on his blanket. We never hunted together but he was definitely a Brother of the Bow to me. I also said I'd try to fill my tag someday with his bow.

That time has come...Two of Mike's bows, Benjy's hand made Tonkin cane arrows that he just made for me, couple tippit knives...plus I'll tip the arrows with a new design Team Tippit broadhead.  Hope I'm up to the task cause this one is in honor of Mike...Doc

 

 

[Tom Phillips]

Doc,
That is a touching story,really cool you will be hunting with Mike's bow as well as arrows from Benjy.

[Grant Young]

PBS member here; irregular for life.  Grant

[Bill Kissner]

Jeff, you old scalawag, you ain't nearly as honery as you try to act! The facade is gone forever!   That is one of the best stories I have read on Trad Gang.  Actually, we all know how good and giving you are and this just reinforces it.    I can not wait to see the bow and arrows at Bear Quest IV.

[cacciatore]

Tippit,you have all my respect,I am humbled to be in these site with people like you.

[tippit]

I didn't do anything special...just tried to listen and help a little.  Everyone has their own St Jude's Moments...good and bad pending which end your on.

[Benjy]

Jeff, I am humbled by your generosity! I knew 5 seconds after you pulled up in my driveway that I had a new friend. Now we just have to get you a gator quiver to carry all that cool stuff in! I enjoyed making those canes for you and I am honered that you plan on using your canes with one of Mikes bows!  WOW
   

Benjy

[meathead]

That looks like some good bear medicine Jeff.

[Dick Langer]

Jeff, what goes around comes around and you being very lucky/blessed has a much more profound meaning

[d. ward]

OUTSTANDING Doc looking forward to seeing your set up bd

[Bonecracker]

Thanks Doc for the heart/felt story! When your days are too short, chances are you are living at your best!    

[Hill Hunter]

Very touching story, I was beside my wife for the same battle with no insurance, but by the grace of GOD she came out of it (10 years now) so when I hear of someone else who has faced that battle it hits home. best of luck and I agree "good medicine on that bow"

[Curveman]

Having known you for a while now Doc, I can say you are special! You seem to always offer up a generous spirit whether you like someone or don't even know them. (I didn't know you very well at all when you spontaneously offered to fix my bow limb tip for example). The Bible says that even thieves help those they care about but it IS a rare person who will help those "Samaritans" they don't know. Salute!    

[Tom Phillips]

I'll second that one Steve.