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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Wudstix on October 18, 2023, 09:26:20 AM

Title: 94th Anniversary
Post by: Wudstix on October 18, 2023, 09:26:20 AM
Today is the 94th Anniversary of John C. McDonald's birthday.  Quiet man who made excellent bows, Big River.  To my knowledge John never had a computer and only in the last handful of years had a cell phone.  His business spread through word of mouth.  My first Big River was a Kodiak clone recurve in 1996, throws a heavy arrow very well.  Followed by a 21st Century clone longbow in 2014 that is one of the best shooting bows I've run across.  Happy Birthday John and may you and your wife Rest in Peace.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
Title: Re: 94th Anniversary
Post by: Wudstix on October 18, 2023, 05:26:55 PM
Gonna miss calling John on his Birthday.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
Title: Re: 94th Anniversary
Post by: Terry Green on October 18, 2023, 05:50:45 PM
Nice tribute, Michael, although I've never heard of him. That's great that you posted for him.
Title: Re: 94th Anniversary
Post by: Wudstix on October 18, 2023, 06:31:22 PM
Big River bows, Wisconsin.  That was the recurve I had at LTR.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2:
Title: Re: 94th Anniversary
Post by: Bigriver on October 18, 2023, 08:27:25 PM
Yep, I think about that  cantankerous old fart every day, and miss him greatly. He blessed my taking of the Bigriver name for my knife company, ill carry that on best I can. All I have are his bows, I guess that helps in remembering. Gonna kill some deer with the SK replica this year, he would like that.
Title: Re: 94th Anniversary
Post by: Wudstix on October 18, 2023, 09:21:43 PM
Brian, I'll be hunting the longbow hard this season, as well.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
Title: Re: 94th Anniversary
Post by: mnbwhtr on October 19, 2023, 11:09:35 AM
Yes, it was a treat to sit around a campfire with John and just listen. I had Kodiak replica also.
Title: Re: 94th Anniversary
Post by: Wudstix on October 19, 2023, 08:18:54 PM
I never met John in person, just phone conversations.  Those who did are truly Blessed.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
Title: Re: 94th Anniversary
Post by: Steve D on October 19, 2023, 08:24:27 PM
 Remember shooting with John at the then. Wakoda archery club near Tomah back in the 90's with his friend Mel
we would shoot all day mess with chronograph and just have a good time talking shooting, bows  etc.
It was back then when John mentioned that he was thinking of and going to start making bows.

Good guy who always had time for a talk and a  handshake whenever we  would meet. He would/willalways be welcome at my
campfire here and beyond. Good man