Bow Hospital Lucky Contest Winner - Pics

[KSshrewman]

On a whim I entered the free bow refinish drawing and was lucky enough to have John draw my name.  This story and pics may be a bit long but I want to share it to say thanks to John.

The bow I had was an old Ben Pearson Colt recurve. While not a prize to some this bow has a story.  

I grew up bird hunting and rattlesnake hunting with my Dad as a youngster.  My Dad bought this bow used in the late 70's with thoughts of starting to bow hunt.  Just a couple of years later he was killed in a plane crash.  I kept the bow...it had limb twist, scratches, nicks, and the laminate finish on limbs was crinkled.  

Later after college, I began bow hunting and quickly moved to traditional longbows with thoughts of someday hunting with my Dads ole' Pearson recurve.  Fast forward 24 years....

After winning the contest...I sent the bow to John Rafferty at the Bow Hospital with an open mind and the desire to get a bow back that I could hunt with and a fitting tribute to my Dad.

Here is the bow I sent John.  Pics don't adequately show wear and issues.

[lpcjon2]

Congrats, I had an old colt, Nice shooten bow.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Hope you hunt with your dads old Bow!

I bet John Did a fantastic job!

[Mudd]

Any after pictures?

[KSshrewman]

For those of you who don't know John.  He's the real deal.  Hes genuinely interested in you, your bow, and quality craftsmanship.

After some discussion and knowing I wanted to hunt with the bow but it had white limbs...we decided a fitting tribute to my Dad would be to skin the limbs with diamondback.

John was sure to email me and call me every few weeks with progress reports and to make sure it was what I wanted.

Well....on Monday I received the box.  When I opened I was thrilled.  The limbs were perfectly straight, the woods sanded and refinished better than new.  And the rattlesnake backing was perfectly done.  Even the  original logo and markings were added along with my Dads name and scripture.

I think the bow is perfect and can't wait to hunt with it this fall.  If by chance I harvest a deer with it it will be a very special moment in my life.  

Thank you John for your craftsmanship and generosity.

Below are some after pics of the bow and I included one of my Dad since it will always be his bow.

[MR BILL SHORTY]

       

[J.T.]

wow looks great  

[tracker1]

Wow very nice.  John does great work and you won't find a better person to work with.

[Owlgrowler]

Lots of mojo there. What a great tribute to your Dad. I hope you have a child to pass it on to.

[Mudd]

Wow!

 

[GRAYBEARD]

Great job, great story, great tribute to your Dad!

[ron w]

Really cool......love the skins!!

[hedgerowhuntr]

That's a great story! Love the skins    

[rastaman]

Awesome!      

[kadbow]

Very cool!

[Pigsooie]

         
Great story Larry!!

Scot

[elkken]

That is truly special ....    

[mec lineman]

I'm here to tell you that John Rafferty, is a most generous human being! He is currently helping me out right now. What he has done to make me happy goes beyond.

[Knawbone]

Awesome, Awesome,Awesome, God bless

[Duncan]

That is beyond awesome!