Why I've been so PERSISTENT with tuning over the years & the reason for sharing...

[Ryan Sanpei]

Hey Gang,

I wrote this story for another venture, but wanted to share it with you guys. It's basically a "snapshot" into why I became so crazy about tuning/shooting a stickbow and the reasons as to why I wanted to share my personal traditional bowhunting information.

Be prepared for a lengthy story, but trust me, it's just a snapshot. The entire journey has been much, much longer. I tried my best to condense it...

This obsession started from a very young age and sustenance drove every minute of it. I was very fortunate in that my grandmother lived minutes away from the ocean. At that time, the ocean provided us with fish, shrimp, lobsters, octopus, crabs, sea urchins, limpets, sea cucumbers, etc... Nothing made me happier than being able to harvest fresh food for family and friends. Given that, it was inevitable I would eventually get into hunting. The only problem was, at the time I didn't know anyone who hunted.

After asking around, I found some guys who were willing to take me boar hunting with the use of dogs and knives. Although I appreciated them allowing me to tag along, in a short time I found that it was just not my thing. For me, it was always a "one on one" kind of thing. Even when I harvest fish, I prefer not using lay nets or spearing at night when the fish were sleeping. I have nothing against any of those legal methods, it just wasn't for me. Soon after, I found others who offered to take me on rifle hunts, but it was the bow and arrow that always intrigued me and at the age of fifteen, I saved enough money to buy my very first Hoyt bow.  Here is where the story begins...

As I mentioned, there was no one that I knew with any experience at all when it came to bows and arrows. During those years, I was computer illiterate and the only resource I had was the Easton tuning guide. So I proceeded to follow the instructions. I built me a paper tuner, fletched and cut my arrows and began the tuning process. With the paper tuner set, I drew back, aimed for the center and fired away. From the entrance hole, I clean ripped that paper in half! Talk about years of tuning frustration!!! I could easily group my arrows at thirty yards, but when I screwed on my broadheads, I was off on every shot. Totally unacceptable to hunt with. I could stalk animals up to thirty, shoot out to thirty, but just couldn't shoot a fixed blade with any dependable accuracy. Given that I tried everything I knew, I just had to put the bow on the side and pick up the rifle again. I refused to launch inaccurate arrows at an animal.

Lucky for me, I had an extensive background in fishing, to the point where I was even building custom fishing rods for a local fishing store. This is where I met the first guy that influenced my bowhunting journey. He went by the name "Bull" and I was soon to find out why! He lived on the neighboring island where he was a hunting legend. After a quick chat we decided to trade hunting strategies for fishing strategies. Over the next few years I flew up at least once a month where he taught me everything about bowhunting and I taught him everything I knew about fishing. He taught me how to tune, shoot, and hunt with my compound bow. It was a great relationship and I was well on my way to a successful bowhunting lifestyle.

But one day while shopping at the local pro shop, I noticed a picture hanging. It was a harvest pic with a recurve. Out loud, I said "you can hunt with those bows"? The owner answered "of course" and the very next minute I told him that I needed one!!! I left the shop that day with the cheapest recurve they had.

Talk about reoccurring nightmares, I couldn't even hit my old foam body board at ten yards! I couldn't figure out if it was my tuning or shooting. I didn't know where to begin! Hours and hours of practice and I still couldn't progress. At the time, I was just a "back yard" shooter. Being young and inexperienced, I was intimidated of the local archery range, but I figured it may be the only place I could learn more about the traditional bow. So every weekend I drove down. For the first couple weeks no one showed up with a recurve or longbow. Not wanting to give up, I kept going. Finally I saw someone with a longbow! I went up to him, introduced myself and asked if I could ask him a few questions. He said "sure". The first question I asked was "I think I'm aiming straight, but all my arrows are ending up on the left. What's happening". He responded, "just aim more to the right". I didn't know if he was being a smart guy or if that was his true answer. After a few more questions, I knew that this wasn't the guy for me to ask. Once again, I had to put down one weapon for another because I was uneducated. From there on out, I hunted with my compound and picked up my stickbow just for fun. I was disappointed, but still stoked that I was able to bow hunt.

As years went on, I had a better understanding of computers and soon found out about hunting forums. I started to stumble upon more and more information about bowhunting, specifically traditional bowhunting. Although I visited a few sites, TradGang was where I hung out. I met many great people and learned a bunch. At the same time, I was purchasing every traditional DVD out there and it was the first Masters of the Barebow that impacted me. Thanks to Denny, I met Rod, another guy who has been a huge influence in my shooting and tuning. This was a traditional turning point.

So finally when I thought I had the tuning and shooting down, missed shots in the field became my next nemesis. I can still remember my first heart breaker shot. I climbed to one of the highest ridges, pulled off the perfect stalk on one of the biggest billies and at ten yards I shot two feet over it's back! It took everything in me to not toss that bow over the ledge! Let me tell you, there were many more heart breaker shots. Some that still haunt me till today!

As I soon found out, reading and talking about it was one thing, but trying to apply the strategies in the real world was another ball game. Lucky for me, my wife Staci was along for the ride. She's been a shooting partner, sounding board, and supporter from day one. I've had many sleepless nights and have talked to Staci about the same thing over and over again! Together we worked tirelessly on our shooting, tuning and hunting. I finally feel that we're making some headway and definitely learning, not only about bowhunting, but about ourselves and our lives.

Although it was probably the biggest hindrance in my bowhunting career, you can say I've grown obsessed with tuning and shooting a stickbow. It was either going to make me or break me as I wasn't going to knowingly fire a misguided arrow at an animal. I've never been one to make excuses. If I failed, I wanted to know it was all me and not my equipment. With hunting, there are times that you have just one shot and I say, "Make it Count"!

Because I struggled so, so much. Because I spent many sleepless nights. Because I appreciate those who have helped me. I've decided to try and help others with what I can. I feel that I've found things that have worked for me and used those strategies to harvest numerous Hawaiian game animals with a stickbow. Now keep in mind, there are many great ways to shoot and tune. I've just decided that I wanted to share what has worked for me over the past years. I've still got lots to learn and I'll continue to do so as this will be a never ending journey for me. Take it from me, to become a traditional bowhunter, you don't need to be "good", just "dedicated"....

[damascusdave]

I thought I knew a bit about tuning until I met my friend Cameron...as you imply sometimes all it takes is one other person in the mix...thanks for posting Ryan

DDave

[FerretWYO]

Awesome story my friend. Would be fun to get together and learn a few things from one another.

Randy

[CRS]

Great journey!

I have had my share of ah ha moments where this  :confused:  turned into this  

It has been a great experience.

[kiamichi kid]

Ryan, you have no idea who I am but your hard work and instruction have had a big impact on my shooting and set-up this year. I appreciate your honest, straightforward. informative instruction on everything stick bows. I will always be a y**t*be follower and l always look foreword to your posts here. Thanks again for all your hard work and perseverance.

Trey

[KentuckyTJ]

Good stuff Ryan. Your humbleness is appreciated and admired my friend.

[Steve Jr]

Excellent storie Ryan thanks for sharing, by the way your DVD is great    

[Ryan Sanpei]

Thanks for the kind words Gang!

Agreed Dave, glad I've had help along the way...

Randy, maybe a future trip to the islands? Better hurry before I'm gone...

CRS, I had way to many    :confused:        :mad:      moments!!! But yes, it turned out for the best in the end.

Thank you for the kind words Trey. I'm currently working on some new stuff for the new year. Feel free to email me with any questions. rysanpei@gmail.com

Mahalo TJ. One day when Staci and I move to the mainland, we'll need to get together.

Thank you Steve!

[Dirtybird]

Great stuff Ryan.  Willingness to always keep an open mind and learn is a very important key.

[Birdbow]

Ryan,
Great post and thanks for stirring up great memories for me from life in HI! My first trad kill was a boar taken from the bowhunting area along the Pali, shooting weekly at the range outside Honolulu, trips to the other islands, etc. etc. Keep up the good work, many of us enjoy the journey with you.
                Aloha,
                    Todd

[Jake Scott]

Dang Ryan,
That was like reading about my own experience in the trad journey.  I too have become obsessed with shooting and tuning.  Shooting because I just LOVE to shoot a bow and arrow, and tuning because it helps my shooting.

Last year I missed six deer with my recurve.  SIX!!!!!  IN ONE SEASON!!!!  I learned from every failure, so in essence, they were all a giant step forward.  I think it is great for guys to read such a great article because I think there are a whole lot of them out there who have had had a very similar experience.  Make no mistake, traditional bowhunting is hard.  It isn't one bit easy, and not just anyone can do it.  I have watched all your videos, so thank you for taking the time to help people with things that you had to figure out for yourself.  It is that kind of selflessness that makes trad bowhunters such a wonderful, close knit community.  Keep it up, traditional archery and bowhunting is better because of you.

Happy hunting,

Jake

[DennyK]

Amen Ryan! Traditional bowhunting and shooting is a continuing pursuit of perfection. Thanks for the story.

[Ryan Sanpei]

Agreed David! Open minds will open doors...    

That's awesome Todd!  I'll be spending more time in that specific hunting area in a few months!!! Mahalo for the kind words!

Thank you for taking the time to comment Jake! Let me tell you, it has been a roller coaster of emotions. So many times I wanted to give up and throw in the towel. Just when I think I've figured everything out, I hit the hills and flub a "give me" shot! I'm just lucky that I'm able to hunt year round in Hawaii. It has given me more than my fair share of practice. I'm in hopes that by sharing stories like these, beginners to traditional bowunting will understand that even "successful" hunters fail and fail miserably...

Thank you Denny! Something I'll be chasing for years to come!


Aloha Gang!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Great story Ryan.  You have helped a lot of people through your posts. Me being one of them, For which I am grateful.

[Ryan Sanpei]

Thank you Charlie! This journey has been a great learning experience for me!

 

[warbird]

The sharing of knowledge is one of the greatest gifts a person can give. Stay open minded there is always something to learn.

[Longbow58]

Ryan, your last sentence in your opening really says it all for me. Thanks for your help and suggestions.

[Caughtandhobble]

Ryan thank you for the continuous effort to help all of us through your trial and error. You and folks like you sure help in the learning curve for many of us.

Personally, you have taught me how to make a bow string. I have referenced your string video countless times, I am truly grateful for you taking the time to help out!!!

Tuning in my opinion ranks at the top of the "must learn" aspects of traditional archery. I know that traditional archery is a never ending puzzle with many pieces. When I learned to tune a bow and an arrow it seemed as if the rest of the pieces got a lot smaller.

Thanks again!!! I always enjoy your helpful and positive post. I sincerely hope to meet you someday.  

[rastaman]

Thanks for all your posts Ryan! They have helped me tremendously!  

[beaunaro]

I enjoyed your story. Thank you.

I also enjoy your dedication and sincerity in helping all of us through your videos and posts.

I learned how to tie on a nock by your very informative video.

I'm looking forward to learning more, so I encourage you to keep sharing.

I applaud you in your friendship with good folks like South Cox. He is a fine guy and a very accomplished bow maker.

Someday I hope to buy one of his custom bows.

Thanks again for sharing.