To give a bow a name.

Come on in and sit a spell. There's a seat for you around the campfire.
Forum rules
Please keep hunting posts to Traditional Bow Hunting. No canned or high fence hunts or stories allowed. Please be respectful of fellow members and helpful to those with questions. Treat others like you like to be treated. There is a Japanese word that I try and model my life after.
GAMAN: patience..dignity..restraint.
Message
Author
stumper
Posts: 2688
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2016 7:40 pm

To give a bow a name.

#1 Post by stumper »

If you came to this thread looking for a quick answer, wondering if I shot or saw a deer the answer is no. This deer season is over and it was my best yet!! Two seasons ago I saw two deer in one outing approximately 50 yards out and passed even making an attempt knowing there was no way I could ethically make the shot. Last season I didn’t even make it to the woods once, which did no favors for my moral. Which brings us to this three part post: the season, the day, and the bow.

The season: This season I saw more time In the woods than ever before. I gained a hunting partner, brought two archers into the fold of traditional archery, got my first trad harvest (squirrel), and acquired several new bows. When I forsake this concrete jungle that I live in and I find myself in the woods, I feel as though my senses come alive and my innate desires to wander and explore teem with excitement. One could only be so lucky as to walk in beautiful woods, in the company of friends (god, hunting partner, and bow). I learned this season that success is not measured by the size of a rack, rather it is measured in the lack of distance, which is the intimate bond between man and nature. Adam was given a charter by God to explore, name, and protect the land. When we enter the woods we go back to that original charter. In this way, my season was most successful.

The day: Today I hunted on private property with no prior scouting. My friend's deer feeder has been out of corn for weeks and with no time to properly prepare I scouted the best I could on my hike in and began my wait. As with most Saturday morning hunts, they start with me getting off work at 0100 hours and attempting to make it to the woods by 0600 hours. This usually leaves me extremely exhausted and I inevitably fall asleep against a tree as soon as I sit down. I am very comfortable in the woods and sleep like a baby up against any tree that will support me. Today was no different, other than I had a left-handed bow with me for the first time. I sat for a few hours and seeing nothing, drew out my rubber blunt tip arrows and begin to stump. Oh, what fun my wild imagination has, as I hunt the imaginary quarry that so vividly transforms in my mind from rotten old pieces of wood. Shortly thereafter, I attempted to find some squirrels but also struck out on that venture. Between the light drizzle and the temperature between 45 and 50°, Today was one of the most beautiful hunting days I have ever had. It ended with a conversation between me and the friend that let me hunt on his property. We began making plans for next season in which we will build some stands on his property, put out more corn, and even set up a game camera or two. I have no doubt that success in the sense of a traditional deer harvest will be coming my way sooner rather than later.

The bow: It is hard for me to pick up any other bow in my collection. In fact, since I got the cardiac arrest from Jose, I have not shot any other bow that I own. I am truly satisfied with it and it fits me in every way, which unfortunately has delayed my review of the widow maker, as I have not been shooting it (good problems to have I suppose). Without thinking, whatever I look at while holding this bow magically has an arrow in it seconds later (a feeling unique to this bow, or maybe just left-handed). I hear and see many say that they can’t justify getting a custom this or that.... and there is nothing wrong with a production bow, but between the buying experience and the bow received I am left without want. I'll be honest and say that I thought l would never feel this way. It is the bow I will compare all other bows I shoot against. Does this mean I won’t ever want to try other bows, no. Does this mean that I will never buy another bow, no. In fact, I already have the next bow I want from Jose thought out. But that bow will simply fill the need of minimum draw weight for game that is bigger than deer, as required by some state hunting regulations. But if you told me right now that I could have no other bow or shoot no other bow I would not be sad.

The name: I love naming my bows after constellations, stars, or other space things because when I look at the night sky it captivates me much like the wilderness. I initially searched and searched for a name that seemed to capture the essence of the bow without success. However, when hunting with this bow it’s swirling grain and gentle waves captured my eyes, mesmerizing me much like staring into a fire does. Two constellations of fire came to mind, Draco (the dragon killed by Hercules in the 12 labors) and Phoenix. Based on my hopes that this bow will accompany me on my every adventure till I’m old and gray, I chose Phoenix. I hope the wonderment that is the wilderness, that is my desire to explore, and that my adventures will follow me all of my days only to be carried on by the next generation.

Sorry for the bad grammar, this was composed on my phone.
Nothing clears a troubled mind like shooting a bow.

stumper
Posts: 2688
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2016 7:40 pm

Re: To give a bow a name.

#2 Post by stumper »

Pics
Attachments
6A0FF327-E5A1-4784-82CB-18352C3FA9D9.jpeg
6A0FF327-E5A1-4784-82CB-18352C3FA9D9.jpeg (231.58 KiB) Viewed 137 times
65F17990-4419-4C7D-9297-70651FF0A17F.jpeg
65F17990-4419-4C7D-9297-70651FF0A17F.jpeg (191.28 KiB) Viewed 137 times
48DA480B-ED4F-4F84-97AD-684C4BE38758.jpeg
48DA480B-ED4F-4F84-97AD-684C4BE38758.jpeg (161.55 KiB) Viewed 137 times
D3942099-214A-43F4-A066-95C96F9CCA60.jpeg
D3942099-214A-43F4-A066-95C96F9CCA60.jpeg (200.14 KiB) Viewed 137 times
Nothing clears a troubled mind like shooting a bow.

stumper
Posts: 2688
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2016 7:40 pm

Re: To give a bow a name.

#3 Post by stumper »

More
Attachments
94424598-5A9E-450E-849A-218615B74CEF.jpeg
94424598-5A9E-450E-849A-218615B74CEF.jpeg (211.24 KiB) Viewed 137 times
1948582F-6E62-4016-B0D6-42AC1B596FE0.jpeg
1948582F-6E62-4016-B0D6-42AC1B596FE0.jpeg (214.13 KiB) Viewed 137 times
05C615A8-FCF5-4169-92B5-45078794000A.jpeg
05C615A8-FCF5-4169-92B5-45078794000A.jpeg (182.13 KiB) Viewed 137 times
EEC4BD5D-D82D-40FA-AE5D-199490574D20.jpeg
EEC4BD5D-D82D-40FA-AE5D-199490574D20.jpeg (224.66 KiB) Viewed 137 times
2FE7289F-5220-4BE4-9190-E1FA57014974.jpeg
2FE7289F-5220-4BE4-9190-E1FA57014974.jpeg (126.94 KiB) Viewed 137 times
Nothing clears a troubled mind like shooting a bow.

stumper
Posts: 2688
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2016 7:40 pm

Re: To give a bow a name.

#4 Post by stumper »

Tracks
Attachments
C320731B-A68F-487E-BA61-DA9703E1FA59.jpeg
C320731B-A68F-487E-BA61-DA9703E1FA59.jpeg (180.9 KiB) Viewed 137 times
Nothing clears a troubled mind like shooting a bow.

User avatar
Graps
Posts: 6696
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2014 8:39 pm

Re: To give a bow a name.

#5 Post by Graps »

Good choice of name, I like it
"Maybe the truly handicapped people are the ones that don't need God as much." ~ Joni Eareckson Tada

Captainkirk
Site Admin
Posts: 12787
Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:19 pm

Re: To give a bow a name.

#6 Post by Captainkirk »

You have found a soul mate in that bow. Incredible write up. Thanks for sharing.
Aim small, miss small!

User avatar
Shadowhntr
Posts: 4614
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 4:47 pm

Re: To give a bow a name.

#7 Post by Shadowhntr »

Gorgeous bow. Great write up and pics too..looks like good country
The element of surprise can never be replaced by persistence.

Carpdaddy
Site Admin
Posts: 9469
Joined: Tue Dec 31, 2013 7:36 pm

Re: To give a bow a name.

#8 Post by Carpdaddy »

Very well written Dave, good stuff, had me captivated. I know those feelings of being out there, away from everything, and enjoying Gods creation.
Much better name than the Carp bow names I use! :lol: :mrgreen: :oops:

User avatar
Graps
Posts: 6696
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2014 8:39 pm

Re: To give a bow a name.

#9 Post by Graps »

Thought I should show you this.
Sometimes Jose will name your bow for you before it leaves his shop.
Attachments
20180121_120402~01.jpg
20180121_120402~01.jpg (88.46 KiB) Viewed 104 times
"Maybe the truly handicapped people are the ones that don't need God as much." ~ Joni Eareckson Tada

stumper
Posts: 2688
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2016 7:40 pm

Re: To give a bow a name.

#10 Post by stumper »

graps wrote:Thought I should show you this.
Sometimes Jose will name your bow for you before it leaves his shop.
Love that name. Would like to see more pics of that bow! Our specs are almost identical btw. Mine is 66" amo with 43# dw. Since I have the custom length riser (2 inches shorter) the limbs are the same as his 68" bows.
Nothing clears a troubled mind like shooting a bow.

Post Reply

Return to “Campfire”