Who is Vern Butler?

[Kingstaken]

A few years back I purchased a used 3pc longbow. It resembled a pronghorn which I've been trying to get my hands on for quite some time. (Apparently anyone who owns one will not part with it.  :(  )
It's a LH "Flipper Stick" 63# @28". It belonged to Vern. I know this because his name is on the bow.
When I received the bow I'm surprised it made it thru the USPS. The smell of smoke as if it hung above a cabins fire place was so intense I had to bring the box outside to fully open it. It would be some time before the smell dissipated.
With it's custom hand grip smooth shooting, a strap on quiver with Autumn Legends it's been my go to bow since I've owned it.
Can anyone tell me about him and is he still around?

[bruce]

vern ran a great trad shop in Evanston Wyoming, haven't seen him in many years.
bruce

[FerretWYO]

Vern is still around. He is a great guy. The bow you have is a pronghorn made by Herb for Vern's business. They chose the name flipper stick to sell them as together.

I have not talked to Vern in a good while myself. He is still in Wyoming. Vern hunted a lot with Jay Massey I know and many others. He is Traditional bowhunting icon in my book.

[Jack Skinner]

Didnt know Vern very well. Had met him a couple of times at Bowhunter of Woming annual meetings. He was a very likeable and very knowledgeable guy. I used to order all my trad gear from him back in the day. He made a flemish string how to video on making the jig and the strings. It was how I learned and still use that jig to this day.
Someone from Colorado bought his business from him and ran it out of Colorado for a while but not sure what happen to that shop.

[centaur]

I met Vern a few times, as well. I think his 'real' job was a barber, and he did the archery business on the side. He took some pretty good animals with the bow; yours probably has some serious mojo in it.

[Charlie Lamb]

Before compound bows started changing things Vern was a bit of a legend in western Wyoming.

He and I hooked up in the 80's and had many great trips together after bear, elk, muleys and small game.

I haven't heard from him in years. I heard he had had a stroke which slowed him down quite a bit. He was a lefty and a fine shot and even better hunter.

To many stories to tell, but I remember the last time we were together. We were chasing cottontails
on the desert south of Pinedale. I had just pulled a shot right out of my kiester and nailed highballing bunny.
It was late in the afternoon and the mountains glowed red from the sun sinking slowly behind the Wyoming range to the west.

I was two days away from moving my family back east and we both knew this was a last hunt for us.
Putting a hand on my shoulder and raising his bow tip to point towards the peaks he looked me in the eyes and said, "you're going to miss that".

He was right.

[Steve H.]

Vern and Claris his wife showed up to the PBS gathering in Salt Lake City in 2006. I hadn't heard anything about them in years before or since.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Charlie,  

That is  wonderful memory of a  good friendship.

[ronp]

Originally posted by Charlie Lamb:
Before compound bows started changing things Vern was a bit of a legend in western Wyoming.

He and I hooked up in the 80's and had many great trips together after bear, elk, muleys and small game.

I haven't heard from him in years. I heard he had had a stroke which slowed him down quite a bit. He was a lefty and a fine shot and even better hunter.

To many stories to tell, but I remember the last time we were together. We were chasing cottontails
on the desert south of Pinedale. I had just pulled a shot right out of my kiester and nailed highballing bunny.
It was late in the afternoon and the mountains glowed red from the sun sinking slowly behind the Wyoming range to the west.

I was two days away from moving my family back east and we both knew this was a last hunt for us.
Putting a hand on my shoulder and raising his bow tip to point towards the peaks he looked me in the eyes and said, "you're going to miss that".

He was right.

[centaur]

Putting a hand on my shoulder and raising his bow tip to point towards the peaks he looked me in the eyes and said, "you're going to miss that".
Charlie, just for you, here are those shining mountains.

[Charlie Lamb]

Thanks Pat. I still miss the mountains everyday... not quite as bad in January as in June, though.    

[DanielB89]

Charlie,

you have a way of telling a story that is a gift, my friend!  Glad I got to meet you this past summer.  I would love to share a camp fire with you just to listen to your stories.  

Can you tell me about your book?  Is that your hunting stories?  If so, send me payment details!  

[twitchstick]

Vern helped me get set up with my first traditional set up many years ago. I use to get all my supplies from Butlers until I switched to a compound in the mid 90's.

[Kingstaken]

From all the posts I see I purchased more than just a used bow that shoots great.
It came with a life time of memories shot by someone truly admired by many and apparently with lots of "mojo", more than I could ever dream of putting into any bow I own.
I guess that's why when I put the bow in my hand something comes over me, something I cannot explain that's free's me of the NY hustle and bustle even if only in my back yard to a place where everything is clear and calm.
For that I thank you Herb for the building of this bow and Vern for the "Mojo" you put into it.

[fujimo]

does anybody know how to contact Vern Butler?

[FerretWYO]

I think that I have an email for him. I will look. I know him and Herb still talk.

[Bill Kissner]

A friend of mine Milt Beens, purchased Verns business years ago. It was known as Wildcat Canyon Traditional Archery in Durango,CO. Milt also sold out several years ago.

[fujimo]

thanks guys!
much appreciated

[Archie]

What a great, interesting thread!

 

[Ron LaClair]

I haven't seen Vern in years. He use to show up at some of the PBS Banquets. A very nice man and a heck of a hunter.