Giving a "new" bow a chance and a tribute to my friend!

[Mike Bolin]

For several years I have shot a recurve and longbow from the same bowyer and have been quite happy with them. I had a hankering for a hybrid longbow, wanting something in the 58" range and in the mid 40s#@28". I found a decent deal on a Java Man Elkheart that pulls 45# so I snagged it up. I took some arrows that I thought should work and took it out to my backyard range. It shot ok, but overall I wasn't too impressed. I hung it on the rack thinking that I would sell it either at Cloverdale or Compton.

During this time I was trying to come to terms with the fact that my good friend and hunting buddy was fighting cancer and probably didn't have much time left. Along with some other friends and church members, we took on his home chores, built a wheelchair ramp and whatever else needed to be done to take pressure off of his family. As I posted previously, my friend Richard passed away and we held a Memorial Service for him at our church. A group of young men that Richard had mentored in building and shooting bows and hunting decided that they were dedicating the upcoming deer season to Richard's memory and were planning to hunt with equipment similar to what he would've used.

I decided that I would hunt with a hybrid longbow this year as well and got the Elkheart out for a shooting session. I started tweaking brace height, nock height, arrow length and point weight...taking my time and enjoying the process. Within a hour I had the Elkheart throwing arrows down range as good (or maybe even better!) than my favorite recurve! I hadn't given the bow a fair chance before. I ordered a dozen shafts and some white feathers to kind of match what Richard shot. I hung my recurve on the bow rack and will only shoot the Elkheart for the rest of the 3D season and will take it to the woods this Fall.

Whether I kill anything with this bow or not doesn't really matter. When I head to the woods in October I will be hunting to honor my friend's memory and I know he will be there with me.

[Roy from Pa]

That is awesome...

[Terry Green]

I don't have a brother, but my best friend was like a brother to me.  Lost him at age 17, and to this day it is still the worst day of my life.  And he hunts and fishes with me still. God bless you Mike. 

[mike g]

    Outstanding.. 

[kennym]

Most excellent Mike! I'm sure Richard is smilin!

[rastaman]

Good luck to you this season! The memories you make this season will be special!

[fmscan]

What a nice tribute to your friend, you and those young men will have a meaningful fall...

[Petrichor]

Wishing you the best of seasons.

[cacciatore]

 :clapper:Great tribute.

[Tradcat]

What a great way to honor your friend !

[elkken]

Good luck to you in your season of Tribute 

[PrimitivePete]

Great luck to you and a fantastic way to honor a friend !!!

[vaguely]

I'm sure Richard is smiling down at you Mike!! Excellent

[beemann]

Good work bud.  That's a hell of a tribute.  I bet after you spend the summer with that bow it will be full of Mojo.....  Good luck and keep us posted....