There are very few days reference hunting that aren't memorable in one way or another. It may be the weather that day, something you saw while afield or just a conversation about which UV killer soap your using on your hunting clothes. I couldn't begin to recall all that has happened so I'm glad that God gives it to me a little at a time, a memory here and there if you will. I haven't forgotten, just improperly filed them. I suffer from "sometimers" disease and often need a kicker to set a memory in motion.
There are of course those days that stand out above the rest: your first rifle or shotgun. If your like me it applies to your: second, third, forth and so on rifles or shotguns as well! that in mind I'm thinking that yesterday will stand out as an individual memory for me, one that may never be duplicated, one that may not be matched in spirit.
As noted in earlier blogs it was my friend Rich who started me on my journey with long bows. He shared one of his so I could learn, invited me to join him on Thursday night shoots at the local club and encouraged me when I had questions, or should I say "humoured' me. Once the bug had bitten the compound was semi-retired and a long bow was the new future. As I also noted in prior blogs: a gentleman by the name of Leon Stewart, a bowyer, frequented the club and quickly gained my trust, soooooo, I did the only thing any logical hunter like me would do, I commissioned a Leon Stewart Long Bow!
I've struggled throughout my early life with all things spiritual, the idea of religion, Bibles and God were a bit out of my reach. Being born just north of the official "Bible Belt" you'd think that by virtue of reflection I'd become what those around me had become, but no. I often queried why it was that every Sunday morning the townspeople would split up into groups and report promptly to one of four churches in town. This might not seem like much of a deal to you however in my town there was a populous of 220 people and the four churches were on the same street within one block of each other. It was possible to wave to your school chum as he entered his church as you were entering yours. I just didn't understand why there needed to be a difference when we were all supposedly trying to obtain the same goal.
I've come miles since then, an alcohol addiction, failed marriage, early release from the Military only to fight back into my community by overcoming my addiction for over 20 years now, returning to married life-happily this time and by getting a God given second chance at the Military for which I am now retired. All thing spiritual in nature have been opened to me and the ride has been on ever since.
I tell you that story not to point anyone in a direction but more so to set up today's story-my Leon Stewart Long Bow.
Having received a copy of Byron Ferguson's "Become the Arrow" from Rich, I found in the reading a story wherein Byron was doing a show in front of a rather large crowd, many of which were Navajo Indians. As he spoke of his long bow they would nod slightly, until: Byron was asked "why a long bow and not a recurve or compound" he promptly replied in effect-a Long Bow has a spirit-A long bow was at one time a tree standing in the forest, and anytime I go back into the forest with Long Bow in hand, I'm actually taking it home again. That statement not only caught the attention of the visitors it began a long time relationship which included them inviting Byron to hunt with them on their reservation.
Unknowingly, during the design of my bow I picked "African Wenge" wood, the African Wenge is a fine grained dark wood. I coupled the African Wenge with Curly Maple to form the face and back of the limbs. The center of the limbs, which I refer to as the backbone of the bow are made of Bamboo and the riser-Coco Bolo. The intent was to create an eye catcher that could also remain camouflaged in the woods. The form was to be broken up yet the colors should compliment each other. I have to say that Leon out did himself on this one! I decided to do some research on the woods that I had chosen and found that the African Wenge wood is native only to certain parts of Africa. The wood is revered by the Africans as having mystical powers. It is used in the making of ceremonial masks that are deemed to have spiritual powers. when I called Leon to set a pick up date Leon stated, and I quote: this bow is a real Thoroughbred, end of quote! He seemed particularly fond of the bow and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. When I arrived at Leon's, Rich in tow, and set my eyes on the bow for the first time I was all but speechless. Somehow the only word I could muster up was-WOW-which by the way is the name of the outfitter that I'll be using the bow at for the first time. It's a real looker, distinct in nature, different from the norm and it just screams-shoot me! The bow design is a reflex-deflex lovingly named a "Slammer" by Leon. It is 64 inches in length and pulls 55 lbs at 28 inches AMO. To quote my 24 year old daughter: It's Sweetness!
This being my first, and possibly my last (NOT) Long Bow I find it hard to put into words the spiritual nature of a stick bow. I somehow feel that a whole new world of hunting has been opened to me, the commercialism is all but gone, the drive to shoot the biggest buck in the woods altered and the smell of fall seems just a little bit clearer. There is a spirit in all things Long Bow and it's something that you can't or don't feel until your committed to the sport. There is much practice required and shot choices to be made. You just can't shoot at everything that comes in, you truly have to pick ethical shots. It's an opportunity to trust God to provide you with opportunity instead of readying yourself to shoot anything within 60 yards. The realm of possibilities endless, the love of sport and measure of success altered and a spiritual connection felt with no other form of hunting equipment bonded. It truly is a settling feeling to have in hand a custom made Long Bow.
It is my hopes that this Blog is but a beginning of many to come reference all things Long Bow. Success' and failures shared alike. It's the feeling that I like to bring to the forefront, that feeling that only true hunters get, the "if it's brown it's down" venue is all but gone to me, it's no longer about all things ego, it's about all things spiritual, it's about the Long Bow!
No comments:
Post a Comment