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Monday, July 8, 2013

What's that for?



My 6 year old granddaughter pointed to my recurve bow hanging on the wall and asked what it was. Well it wasn't too long before we had rounded up some arrows, quiver, arm guard and shooting glove. I've a simple bow range on my land across the street.

I thought she'd might be satisfied with a quick demonstration, but no. Before long she had me shooting further and further distances. I was happy just to not lose any arrows in the woods, but the kid had higher standards. She wanted bullseyes. Good thing I hit a few.

Archery stirs something primal in me. Maybe it's in my genes. Take your pick, Native American or Scottish, there are bowmen in my ancestry.

I've a couple recurve bows and a compound bow. They all have more than a few years on them. Even my “modern” compound bow is a relic. That doesn't matter to me, as it works just fine. Sure, the new ones are lighter and faster, but they don't give them away.

Modern bows are long long way from the bows constructed with stone tools. However, there are still plenty of archers building and using traditional bows, right down to knapping their own stone tipped arrowheads. Deer still fall to these old style bows, so who's going to argue with success?

After a trip to my range I see I'm going to have to keep my eyes open for some good kid's bows. It won't be long before the grandkids will go from watching to doing.

-Sixbears

23 comments:

  1. Showing is always so much better than just telling.

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  2. Nightshift here....Great post. I bought a newer compound recently with all the toys and have an older compound and a recurve. When I used to shoot alot....decades ago I was stupid accurate. I hope to regain some of that. Bows are a great tool. You can't build a rifle from scratch but a bow is doable.

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    1. It comes back quick. Feels right when you settle into the zone.

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  3. Good for you! Kids should learn these 'lost' arts and she's lucky you are there to teach her.

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    1. Kids need to get outside and actually do stuff.

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  4. I got stupid addicted to bows here a few years ago. To the point of having three recurves and 5 compounds. Now I'm down to just 2 compounds he he. I consider them to be the ultimate survival weapon ! Great exercise of the mind and body...

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    1. There's a very well equipped archery store just 20 miles up the road from me. If I let myself, I could make them rich.

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  5. That sounds like a great way to spend some time outdoors and get some exercise, the arms for pulling the bow back, the legs for chasing them down :^). You are both lucky to have each other taking a common interest - that doesn't happen in our Nintendo video game world we live in now.

    I was lucky enough to have an Uncle who worked in a high school P.E. facility in the '70's. He passed on two old green-yellow (snot color is accurate I guess) fiberglass recurve bows to me - they are cool! One of about 25# pull (or so stamped), the other 45# (guessed at). I shoot them from time to time at Mom's house (no room in my backyard and a public park in front - Homeland Security would be tasering me in no time!).

    I do need to take some care though, rotator cuff seperation years ago, so if I feel some pain coming on, I back down.

    Crossbows are cool too - my brother has one and its lots of fun to shoot.

    Thanks for the post.

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    1. You are welcome. I sprained a hand a while back and it took me a bit to get back into it. My lovely wife has a crossbow. Good fun.

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  6. Our daughter, who is 9, has taken an interest in archery. We approve.

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    Replies
    1. The "Brave" movie got a lot of kids interested. Not a bad thing.

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  7. hi.
    while you are vetting bows for your granddaughter could you scope out some bow recommendations for a weak old woman [64]?
    and comment when you get ready?
    $$$ are limited.
    thanks.
    deb harvey

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    1. A friend of mine has already offered a child's bow to me. Haven't seen it yet. You might want to look up any clubs in your area. It would work better if someone could physically work with you to get a good fit. Also, some SCA chapters are heavily into archery.

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  8. I have killed a few deer with a recurve bow and only one with a compound. I always prefered the old style bows. Like you said, it makes one feel one with nature. You have to blend in to get close enough for a good shot.

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  9. Might want to check out making a self bow (DIY) out of PVC pipe - several models have instructions on the internet and would be a good way to get into game with little $$$ cost.

    Ms. Harvey - I've seen low pull weight bows made by Barnett at Academy / Wal-Mart, maybe 20 - 25# pull. Cost maybe $25 - $20 bucks if I remember correctly.

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    1. Buddy of mine offered me a kid's bow, so that's covered for now. Might need a few more, as I've 5 grandkids now.

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  10. I see Anonymous beat me to recommending making your own PVC bows, but here's a link to check out some info on and videos of them - http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1761366

    Later,
    Dave

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  11. I'm not into archery but some of the members of the black powder club are and at our mountain man rendezvous' we have archery events, and knife and hawk events. Most of them make their own bows because they have to represent the mountain man era of the early 1800's.

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  12. thanks about the bows for old ladies. i've written the information and will look.
    deb harvey

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