The Adventures of Miss HOPE & FAITH 2010 - 2021

Bisch · December 15, 2019, 10:42:34 AM

Don't sweat it , King!!!!! Take care of things and get out when you can. It's all about the experience anyway, whether you get a critter or not!!!

Good luck during the rest of your time with her!!!!

Bisch

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Wudstix · December 15, 2019, 11:16:26 AM

SBK;
Camp Bullis is the lease I can afford. This year got drawn, bought permit for early season and then didn't get out. Hope to do some hog and exotic chasing with the permit I have. Both with my bows, probably Big River 21st Century clone, Kota LB I picked up from PBS Auction and Hope when she gets here in March.

SlowBowKing · December 22, 2019, 10:31:50 PM

Well, finally got Hope out for a couple of hunts this weekend. No deer spotted, but it felt good to just be out there. There were about a zillion squirrels on the move. Wish I had some flu flus and small game points set up...I woulda forgot the whitetails and gone after the bushytails!

SlowBowKing · December 26, 2019, 10:07:54 AM

After hunting every day recently except for the 25th, I've determined our small woodblock just doesn't hold deer this late in the year. Last night I found some old cedar shafts my dad has fixed up with flu flus and blunt tips...these arrows are OLD. Like, I can't remember them not being around. But I went out in the yard and dang if they didn't shoot really good out of Hope!

So this morning I decided to go squirrel hunting. Every day I've deer hunted lately there have been tons of squirrels, all very active. Today I go out and—guess what—next to no squirrels. I did stalk up to a big fox squirrel and take one shot. It was a long shot...over 20 yards...and I watched those big yellow fletchings all the way to the spot I was looking. It was one of the best shots I've ever made! Unfortunately, that dang squirrel was watching it too, and juked around behind the tree right before it got there. Oh well, it was still a lot of fun. I stumped my way back to the house afterwards. Tomorrow morning's my last hunt with Hope before I send her on...wish me luck!

caleb7mm · December 26, 2019, 10:53:19 AM

Much luck sir! Take some pictures.

SlowBowKing · December 29, 2019, 10:08:03 AM

Well, my time with Hope ended with no blood drawn. I wish I could have gotten in some more hunting and had a shot opportunity or two on a whitetail, but it was still a great experience. The JT Traditions Apollo is a heck of a bow. I quickly learned that the only limitation on this bow was the shooter himself! This was my first time shooting a longbow, and as much as I love my vintage recurves, I'm really, really going to miss this bow. If my finances allowed, I would be ordering one of these right now!

I shipped her out to Randy on Friday. She should arrive on New Year's Eve. Best of luck with her, sir.

[attachment=1]
Taking Hope out for one of a few whitetail hunts. No deer were spotted.

[attachment=2]
Took Hope out squirrel hunting a couple of times. The last day I had half a dozen shots, but couldn't connect on any of them. Those tree rats provide a very small target! A shot that would be a quick, ethical kill on a whitetail can easily be a clean miss on them.

[attachment=3]
Hope is not only a shooter, she's easy on the eyes as well!

Thanks to Terry for organizing the Hope passaround, and JT Traditions for the bow donation. This is a really great deal, and glad that it will be able to help out a worthy cause after we've had our fun! Good luck to all the other Trad Gangers who are going to be taking out Hope!

Bisch · December 29, 2019, 11:46:46 AM

Looks like you had a good time with her King, and experiences the same as me about how good the bow is!!!!

Good luck with her Randy!!!!

Bisch

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Terry Green · December 29, 2019, 03:31:33 PM

Great stuff!

caleb7mm · December 29, 2019, 07:03:33 PM

Great pictures man!!!! Looks like a good time had.

Cyclic-Rivers · December 30, 2019, 07:43:51 AM

Good stuff guys. Keep it coming. Hood to see Dave aka vermonster posting again

Alexander Traditional · December 31, 2019, 12:40:11 PM

That's a good looking bow,can't wait to give it a try in February.

Terry Green · December 31, 2019, 03:22:17 PM

YES....we are going to kill something with her in TX!!!

Crittergetter · December 31, 2019, 06:40:37 PM

That's the plan!!! I need some mojo cause mine is obviously gone for the season!

Crittergetter · January 02, 2020, 07:46:22 PM

Hope arrived in Texas today!!
I finally shut the shop down just before dark and was able to get her stung up.
The card tube was crushed a little in one spot so I was Worried but the bow was safe and sound! I will replace the tube with a 4 inch PVC tube when I ship it to the next person in line.

I was able to get a few shots out of her before it got completely dark. Here are the first 3 shots from only about 10 yrds

Crittergetter · January 02, 2020, 07:47:52 PM

..

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Crittergetter · January 02, 2020, 08:13:25 PM

First impressions.... and folks, I believe in complete honesty and will tell you exactly what I think regardless of who's bow I'm shooting or reviewing! I will not sugar coat anything just because someone is a sponsor and I expect the same honesty from everyone else should they review one of my bows.
So here goes!

Craftsmanship is top notch! All glue lines are perfect, fades are perfect, overlays are blended in perfectly! Finish is top shelf as well.
I am Very impressed!
I initially was thinking I wouldnt like the grip but after a few shots that went completely away. Grip is very comfortable and repeatable. A little lower wrist than I personally prefer but it will fit a wide variety of shooters no problem!!
After the first shot I was completely blown away how quite this bow is and how very very little handshock it has. ( no bow is completely shock free I don't care who's it is or who says differently)!
The draw cycle is very smooth as well! It felt a little lighter to me than the marked weight and I checked it on my scale and it was a few lbs lighter than as marked but don't worry about that cause it shoots my fmjs with authority and no slouch in the speed department!!
Now I've only shot it about 9-10 times but I will tell you this.... this bow is in the top 4-5 bows I've ever shot from any other bowyer as far as over all feel and performance! ( I have shot dozens and dozens of bows from other bowyers because I also do weight reductions and re-finishes)
I was really skeptical at first and honesty didn't think I would care for it because it is quite a bit different than what I build but I admit I was wrong!! This bow is amazing and I'm sure it can only get better the more time I spend with her!
Just goes to show you that you never stop learning!
My season closes on Sunday And I plan to set my bow aside and hunt with hope the last 2 days of season and I (Hope) she will bring me some much needed mojo!!! I will be posting more as my time with her moves forward!
GREAT BOW!!!!!

caleb7mm · January 02, 2020, 08:57:55 PM

What an awesome first impression! Can't wait to get my hand on her in April.

SlowBowKing · January 02, 2020, 09:02:07 PM

Glad she made it to ya ok, Randy! The tube was a little banged up when I received it, which I'm sure didn't get any better during shipping...PVC replacement is a good idea.

I agree with all your initial impressions...she's a sweet little bow! Good luck as you finish out your season—May your blood trails be short and all your drags down hill!

Bisch · January 02, 2020, 11:20:00 PM

Good luck with her Randy!!!! She sure treated me well.

Bisch

Crittergetter · January 04, 2020, 09:07:29 PM

Didn't get to hunt today. :( Wind was wrong for where I wanted to hunt so I stayed home and Helped the wife cook for a bday party and snuck in a few hours in the shop.
Tomorrow is the last day and the wind is supposed to be good. Going back to one of my honey holes and try to end the season with a kill.
Same place I doubled on a buck and a doe on the last day of season last year.