Old Duffers were young once.

Philip Morris · May 25, 2005, 10:48:00 AM

I sit in awe of the great stories and photo's that have been posted here. Most were before my time. I would like to be able to post one photo and story as great as what each of you have.

Phil

Donavan Daniel · May 25, 2005, 09:14:00 PM

I love the story behind to photo! Awsome pics guys!

Cheers,
Donavan

stikbow · May 25, 2005, 11:21:00 PM

This thread has to be one of the neatest things I have ever seen. It really makes me step back and appreciate all my parents and grandparents did to get me in the woods and started down this road we call hunting. Again, great thread guys.

Ron LaClair · May 26, 2005, 08:54:00 AM

Here's a picture of some of the participants at the first Great Lakes Longbow Invational in Michigan in 1985. That white screen in the background is my shooting screen that was a backstop for targets tossed in the air.

Ron LaClair · May 26, 2005, 09:07:00 AM

Here's Fred Anderson, myself and John Lee discussing bow design at the 1st Great Lakes shoot.

Ron LaClair · May 26, 2005, 09:09:00 AM

Some folks enjoying the canoe shoot at the GLLI.

Hammerhead · May 26, 2005, 09:16:00 AM

This has to be my favorite thread so far. I hope someday I can look back at my life and have, oh maybe half, the good memories of friends and adventure that you "Duffers" enjoy.

Ron LaClair · May 26, 2005, 09:37:00 AM

Another picture from the GLLI. Maybe some of you old timers remember this 90 yd novelty shot across the pond. Everybody paid $1.00 for 3 shots and the closest arrow to the center of the kill split the pot. You couldn't believe the arrows floating in the water after a round of shots.

A good shooter could make enough to buy his lunch and gas for the trip. Of coarse it wouldn't buy nearly as much gas today :D

Ray Lyon · May 26, 2005, 10:27:00 AM

"Maybe some of you old timers remember this 90 yd novelty shot across the pond"

Dang, I remember that, but I didn't think I was an "old timer" yet! :rolleyes:

90 yards across the pond.....hmmm, that was before range finders. Who could hold their breath long enough to pace it off? :D

Ron LaClair · May 26, 2005, 10:52:00 AM

Ray, I remember you back then. Wern't you that kid that kept pestering me, wanting to try to pull my 85# bow. :p

Ray Lyon · May 26, 2005, 11:10:00 AM

Ron,

Sorry, I went right past you to the big guy himself; Denny Sturgis, Jr. He had a 100# bow there and at the time I was shooting my own 85# Howard Hill longbow. I drew his bow back to full draw! A few years ago, I drew back Steve Turay's (Northern Mist Bows)95# longbow that he keeps on hand at shoots. That was my last time being macho.

Of course I younger and foolish then. Now I'm (still) young and wiser, shooting my 58# Samurai.

Ron LaClair · May 26, 2005, 11:35:00 AM

Ray, I think you're talking about later years. I'm talking about when you and Denny Jr were both just snot-nosed kids. The first time I saw D. Jr he looked like the guy that got sand kicked in his face in those old Charles Atlas ads. :D That was a lot of boxes of Wheaties ago.

frankb · May 26, 2005, 12:43:00 PM

One of my favorite threads. Thanks, fellas!

TTT

FrankB

Olebow · May 26, 2005, 12:54:00 PM

Without a doubt, the finest thread I've ever seen on any web site!
Thank you -- to all you other old duffers out there who have lived the life of the bow.

Sincerely, Olebow

Ron LaClair · May 26, 2005, 01:05:00 PM

Olebow,...stop that your embarrassing me

RTR Dave · May 27, 2005, 12:26:00 AM

THis hast to be the best thread I have seen....To see the momories y ou guys have gotten to make really brings joy to my heart and the desire to quit my job move back home and HUNT

Dave at RTR

Holm-Made · May 27, 2005, 01:57:00 AM

I've been checking in everyday. This thread has been motivating. Cool stuff. Chad

ber643 · May 27, 2005, 06:50:00 AM

OK I've been looking at this and the other thread (a tad younger members) and I see pics of all nature so here is about 3 oldies of meinself for consideration (from my web site)

16 years old in 1951 - running my own riding stable in NH

1st buck - taken at Camp Pendleton, CA 1959 I was 24, the buck was 5 1/2 (I was a late starter)

Lunch break at Cherry Point, NC in 1965 @ 30 yoa

I didn't get into Bows enough for pictures until I was 56 and then not trad bows 'till after 2000 (Told ya I was a late starter)

(Oh, if the pics aren't suitable subject matter just pull the handle marked "Flush" - remember those?)

Ron LaClair · May 27, 2005, 08:43:00 AM

Bernie, if you were 16 in 1965, how could you be 24 years old in 1959 :confused:

That's really Leanardo DeCapreo (sp) in the 1st picture isn't it? :D

ber643 · May 27, 2005, 08:58:00 AM

LOL Ron, (My gosh, I did look a little like he would in later years, huh?) I knew I was flirtin' with the danger of runnin' out of fingers doin' all that cipherin'. It is just my multiple entities - ha-ha. Actually it was a mis-type mis-take (since edited) and I was 16 in '51 Thanks for cathing it, Ron.