When I was a little kid I wanted a recurve like the one the guy carried in a picture I cut out of a catalogue (fred bear and glenn st charles on the little delta, I would later found out). I used to go with my dad to dixie archery and we would hang out there all the time. George Whitehead was the owner and although he sold primarily compounds he had several recurves on the wall in the back that were his personal bows. I was infatuated from the start. George would let me play with the recurves and fling junk arrows on the range almost every time I was there, I loved it. I would borrow videos from George to take home and watch over and over...videos like "legendary hunts of Ben Pearson" (my favorite) and Howard Hill. George was even nice enough to let me know when he had a new video that had a recurve or longbow scene in it and would send it home with me. After what seemed like a lifetime of wanting a stickbow I was out in the backyard one summer day and my dad pulled in the drive from work and to my suprise he brought home a bear kodiak hunter that he got from a friend at work. He handed it to me and said "here you go buddy, is this the kind you want?" It was beautiful!!! 45lbs and the greatest present I had ever received. Life as I had known it was over!!! I took many rabbits, squirrels, groundhogs and blackbirds with that wonderful bow. The imaginary safaris that I went on in my backyard are priceless memories that I will keep forever. Thank you dad.
Anyone else got memories like this?? Let's hear them!!!
-- Edited by Cylyntone on Friday 19th of April 2013 11:19:37 PM
Too many to count...first deer, first deer with a bow. Freezing my butt off along side my dad who, even though he wasn't a deer hunter, took time to take me out during gun season when I was 12 years old. I still can't imagine what we would've actually done if either of us had shot a deer! My daughter's first deer, my son's first, and on and on...Like Mr. McIntosh said, still making memories everyday with the kiddos. My time with Liv is getting to be less and less as she prepares for college, but I hang onto everything we have done together and most of it centered around the woods or a pond. Good post Chris! I'd like to hear how everyone got their start in traditional archery.
With My boys when younger the things them two did too many too mention when hunting & fishing was " The Best Of Times " Lately have also been Remembering alot the Hunts wth my Dad been gone 2 yrs now & Brother that passed at 20 yrs of age 2 years younger then me (we got in alota Trouble) and Rabbit Hunts wth The Good Dogs we had & deer kills I miss Them so Much ! These Times Always come too mind while Iam Hunting in the Blind on The Stand or Glassing for Game GREAT MEMORIES will Last all my Days Also The Day my Dad Gave me "OL Baby" The 1966 Kodiak when i was 12 yrs Old 64amo 50# I strung it Bout Rupterd meself hahahah lost a thousends of K mart arrows wth it & 1st deerkill wth That Bow is a Great Memory too made me feel Dad would be Proud Sometimes feel he is with me when iam Afield Now ~~~J.R.
