Thank you Ron Waldron!! I picked up a Green Mountain Catamount Flatbow from Ron and the transaction was perfect.
Its 62" 55# @ 30" or somewhere around #48 @ 28". Zebrawood riser, 3 tapered Cherry laminations. 1 3/8" wide at the fadeouts and slims down to 1/2" at the limb tips. It has a reversed handle design
Typical Green Mountain perfection on the glue lines. Jim Duclos really knew how to make longbows. This is my second GM; I have a 64" reversed handle Zircote riser longbow with no shelf and can be shot left or right hand.
The Catamount is light in the hand and points so quick. Very smooth draw; release the string and its stable and quiet. The handle is comfy and places the arrow right on top of your knuckle. I have a non-stretch string on it and am impressed with its performance.
I have been wanting a Flatbow for quite some time. Getting one that was made in Vermont just makes it that more special. Welcome home Catamount.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/joevt/cc37747c-634e-4d1d-893e-ef95436c4400_zpsgysxcygc.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/joevt/media/cc37747c-634e-4d1d-893e-ef95436c4400_zpsgysxcygc.jpg.html)
I had a really nice visit with Jim at his shop(home) when I was first getting into archery. Fine bows; I wasn't quite ready for a custom longbow, though, at the time.
Jim was also very genuine, friendly, and helpful. Turns out we were both into rock climbing at that time too, and he was enthusiastic about that.
A couple of bows I looked at when I first got into it are examples of "wish I knew then what I know now".
Glad the bow is staying close to home!
That's a good looker .
I love GM bows. I probably have a dozen even a classic English longbow with horn tips...the only one I've ever seen...tippit
Joe, I'm pleased that your pleased :thumbsup: I had Jim make me that bow in 1996, my first custom. I met Jim at a NYB banquet and after a long chat I decided I needed a long bow. Didn't want a reverse handle but Jim said, "Draw it a few times"......that was it, the order went in. In hindsight if it was 5 lbs. lighter it would still be in New York......lol! I hope you take one of them long legged 200# Green Mountain bucks this fall or even a nice bear with the Catamount.
Very nice!
Beautiful bow
I love GM bows and have owned 5 over the years. I second that Jim made beautiful great shooting bows and is a great guy to boot. My favorite, with which I've taken the majority of my life-time game
is a forward handle Stingray. Alas, they were my heavy bows from my younger years and since retired.
Great Bow Joe, you picked a good seller too.
Glad you like it and hope it serves you well.
Joe, is that a canoe the bow is sitting in for the pic?
Sorry to butt in, but I really enjoy Jim's bows too even at age 70...tippit
Stingray reduced from 60# to 40# limbs narrowed and glass removed on my knife grinder. I don't sell any of my bows that I tinker with weight reduction...but it sure is fun to be able to shoot some of the bows of the past with my old body :)
Duclos/Tippit model Stingray...
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Thanks guys.
Greg, yes it's a 10.5' solo canoe. Made from the Wee Lassie design. (I did not make it)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/joevt/Wee-Lassie-10.5-1a-1024x791_zpslplt9jtw.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/joevt/media/Wee-Lassie-10.5-1a-1024x791_zpslplt9jtw.jpg.html)
Jeff,
A couple of years ago I tried talking you into selling me one of your Green Mountain longbows.....to no avail :(
Joe,
You can try again if you get the itch for another :)
I also had a Stingray for a bit.....bought it used and then sold it to a good friend.....he still loves it.
I never knew Ron to sell a bow, only buy! You feeling ok?
LOL......only when they get heavy.....plus I'm down sizing to get ready to move south.... :biglaugh: Sold 2 bows this week, now I just have to stay away from the classifieds.
Don't sell them, I will store them for you. I am on the way anyhow and then you will have them just in case you might need them one day.....
You'll store them....... :biglaugh: I don't think you know how many bows I have now...!!!!!
Old topic, but I have been looking for one of these bows for quite some time. I doubt Mr. Duclos will come out of retirement so does anyone who owns or has owned one know of a bowyer who is making similar bows? I haven't seen anything with a grip like the catamount's anywhere.
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Awesome lookin stick and canoe so tomorrow we can expect to see a deer!
Evan ,you could try to talk to Jeff ( Tippit) real nice,I think he's got some bows hidden away even he doesn't know about lol
Thanks Steve. I've seen some of Tippit's Green Mountain bows and they are beautiful (especially the one with the horn nocks), but unfortunately, the last time I checked, he didn't have an elusive Catamount that he was willing to part with. The search continues.
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Before I actually owned a custom bow I wanted one of his.
I was surprised to see this thread back up. Happily I own two GM longbows. My other is a 66" forward handle riser longbow with no arrow shelf. I have not seen another one built with no arrow shelf on it. Shooting off my knuckle is pretty cool.
Hi Joe - Do you ever run into Jim up in VT? I wonder if he is still doing anything trad.
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evgb, (another Joe here), I don't think Jim is doing anything with bows these days. I haven't seen him in many years, but fairly recently I came across his name and he was involved in some work serving the community. He's an interesting guy and I think he's been exploring different paths.
Hello Evan,
I own some Green Mountain longbows including two Stingrays ("regular" & flatbow versions), they are fine longbows. A few years ago I would have steered you towards a JD Berry Taipan as it was a very similar design to the Stingray (rounded forward-handled risers with the majority of the limb laminations on the belly of the riser & mild R/D design). They are no longer made but it would be another option to pick up used.
Northern Mist Longbows currently builds a model that is quite similar to the GM Stingray that they call the Whisper. It is not a R/D design however. I own a 62" Whisper with a locator grip and it is also a fine longbow.
There may be other options out there, these are just two that I know of.
I hope this helps a bit.
Take Care,
Tom
The last time I bumped into Jim (actually the only time) was close to 10 years ago. He was at a local trad shoot. At that time I had not acquired one of his longbows. I know building bows came up a couple of times from people asking him and he gave no indication he would ever build again.
Just stumbled across this topic if anyone cares Jim did make an another English longbow with horn tips it was out of Ostrya .
I just reread an article in an old issue of TBM about his bows. You can find it in the April '95 issue online. I wish I could find one of his bows for sale!
I collected a number of Jim's bows...still have probably a dozen along with two of his horn tipped English longbows. Still shooting three that I reduced...tippit
Jim was such a nice guy!! I wish he would start building bows again. A modest man with great talent.
That's all true about Jim shot with him a few times before he built my first bow, had his email we used to chat a bit but lost it when my account got hacked. would like to see how he's doing. As a side you don't see his work come up for sale too often. Great Craftsman!