Thought I would share this little bit or nostalgia with ya'll...
Over 30 years ago I had the fortune (maybe it was misfortune) to be shooting at a friends’ house. I always thought myself to be a very good shot. Had won many tournaments barebow style with compounds. (2 years only.. have to qualify this first off) anyhow I digress.. I had been shooting very well this day and my buddy told me he had a bow that he doubted I could even hit a target with at 15 yards. Now, this was a challenge if I ever heard one! Being as cocky as I am, I told him I could shoot any bow after a couple of quick shots to feel the bow out. I would show this guy he was out in the field all alone on this one.
He went in the house and came back out with a HUGE!!!!! longbow – this thing was 72 inches long – 68 lbs. @ 28 inches and WOW! Now I could handle bows in the 85# + range so I wasn’t worried at all. I pulled out an arrow and drew – man it drew easy – no let-off or break in the draw. I anchored, then released. Hit 5 yards in front of the target. took out another arrow and drew back – released -DANG – over the target this time. OK – I got this thing figured out! Nocked another arrow – drew and released – hit 3 feet to the right this time. Closer to the target but no cigar.
To make a longer story short – I shot over 50 arrows at that target and hit it once! I was humbled to say the least. I looked at my buddy who was in hysterics (Real Funny) I asked him if he could hit the target – he drew and smacked it dead center. MAN THIS INFURIATED me. Not at him but at myself. I looked at him and asked him to sell me the bow – he laughed and told me no. I kept on him and finally he gave in. I gave him my compound and told him to sell it. I went home, and for the next 6 months I shot 150-200 arrows a day out of it. By the time spring came around I was ready and entered in several archery tournaments locally. Now here is the kicker – I was the only one shooting a stick so I had to compete against the compound guys (barebow) the same guys I shot against with my compound. My first shoot I came in second place!!! Man did I feel good. It was a heck of a lot of work to get there but I never ever regretted it nor have I looked back since.
Over 30 years ago I had the fortune (maybe it was misfortune) to be shooting at a friends’ house. I always thought myself to be a very good shot. Had won many tournaments barebow style with compounds. (2 years only.. have to qualify this first off) anyhow I digress.. I had been shooting very well this day and my buddy told me he had a bow that he doubted I could even hit a target with at 15 yards. Now, this was a challenge if I ever heard one! Being as cocky as I am, I told him I could shoot any bow after a couple of quick shots to feel the bow out. I would show this guy he was out in the field all alone on this one.
He went in the house and came back out with a HUGE!!!!! longbow – this thing was 72 inches long – 68 lbs. @ 28 inches and WOW! Now I could handle bows in the 85# + range so I wasn’t worried at all. I pulled out an arrow and drew – man it drew easy – no let-off or break in the draw. I anchored, then released. Hit 5 yards in front of the target. took out another arrow and drew back – released -DANG – over the target this time. OK – I got this thing figured out! Nocked another arrow – drew and released – hit 3 feet to the right this time. Closer to the target but no cigar.
To make a longer story short – I shot over 50 arrows at that target and hit it once! I was humbled to say the least. I looked at my buddy who was in hysterics (Real Funny) I asked him if he could hit the target – he drew and smacked it dead center. MAN THIS INFURIATED me. Not at him but at myself. I looked at him and asked him to sell me the bow – he laughed and told me no. I kept on him and finally he gave in. I gave him my compound and told him to sell it. I went home, and for the next 6 months I shot 150-200 arrows a day out of it. By the time spring came around I was ready and entered in several archery tournaments locally. Now here is the kicker – I was the only one shooting a stick so I had to compete against the compound guys (barebow) the same guys I shot against with my compound. My first shoot I came in second place!!! Man did I feel good. It was a heck of a lot of work to get there but I never ever regretted it nor have I looked back since.
. I thought my cataract surgery/new lenses would do the trick for me, but the macular degeneration they found keeps me from ever having 20-20 vision. Much better than before though!
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