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    • Stephen Graf
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        This year’s beach trip will include my sisters family. Her two boys are about the right age to get drawn into archery. They’ve shot at our house on the last several visits and seem like they are ripe for the bug.

        So I’m bringing stuff to make PVC bows. Hopefully they will want to make / decorate their own bow. Between making and shooting the bows, that should make the week go by pretty fast and fun.

        These pictures show the bow I am bringing to get the skids greased….

        It pulls about 22 lbs at 25 inches and shoots as fast as my kids 22lb samic recurve.

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      • David Coulter
        Member
          Post count: 2293

          It’s the beginning of the new traditional bow. Love it. That’s actually a pretty nice looking bow. Good luck with the projects. Uncle Steve is pretty cool. dwc

        • Greg Ragan
          Member
            Post count: 201

            Dang that is a nice looking bow. I need to do that for my young one!

          • Stephen Graf
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              The inspiration for said bow came by watching video’s from the Backyard Bowyer on youtube.

            • Ralph
              Moderator
                Post count: 2580

                What kinda snake that y’all got around there???:D

                Nice work Steve……..Don’t tell me “bow snake”:roll:

              • Stephen Graf
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                  Post count: 2429

                  Why Ralph, that there would be a margarita snake 😀

                • Ralph
                  Moderator
                    Post count: 2580

                    Ah, so where’s the Mexican cutie?? 🙂

                    She lookin’ for the lost shaker of salt?

                  • Stephen Graf
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                      I’m not old enough to know about Mexican cuties I’m sure 🙄 Besides, my wife said something about “out of my league” or something. Not sure what she meant by that 😳

                    • Ralph
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                        I wonder if Jimmy Buffet is a trad archer???:D

                      • Stephen Graf
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                          Well the beach was crazy hot and humid. I came out in the morning and evenings, but stayed under my rock during the day. Got a bunch of reading done, and had fun making bows with the nephews and a few other kids.

                          Continuing the long tradition of archery mischief started in the days of robin hood, we made bows where we shouldn’t have, painted them where we shouldn’t have, and shot them where we shouldn’t have. What fun!

                          After all was said and done, there was only minor damage to the fence 🙄 from a few missed shots. Each kid went home with a bow, a half dozen arrows, armguard and glove.

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                        • smiley1
                          Member
                            Post count: 102

                            Great way to spend a family vacation. Keeping the tradition alive. I’m sure your nephews will remember their “archery” vacation with Uncle Steve for a long long time. My stepsons are adults now and they still talk about the fun they had at traditional shoots we attended 20+ years ago.

                          • David Coulter
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                              Post count: 2293

                              Looks like a great time! Thanks for the photos. Best, dwc

                            • Stephen Graf
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                                I made nine of these bows this summer for kids. PVC sure makes a good kids bow. I ended up making a couple extra bows to leave at the house. Then when folks come to visit and their kids want to shoot, they can go home with a bow if they like it.

                                It always hurts a little to see a kid shoot and have fun and then go home empty handed knowing their parents probably won’t follow up. Now I can send them home fully equipped for mayhem 😯

                              • Stephen Graf
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                                  So the nephews came for Christmas and brought their bows.  All I can say is WOW!  I took some pictures and video of their shooting it was so impressive.

                                  I have a Rineheart cube target that the boys were using.  Watching them play was a joy:

                                  • They ran by the target at full speed and let fly 4 arrows on the run.  All arrows in fist size group.
                                  • They climbed up on the well and jumped off while shooting.  Target 30 yards.  Hit every time.
                                  • They rolled around on the ground shooting from every conceivable position and nailed the target almost every time.
                                  • They were up before the sun and outside shooting in 20 deg weather the next morning.  Stayed out there all morning.

                                  It’s like they had watched a hill video and were emulating him.  But the fact is they have never seen a Hill video.  Man it made me happy to see them go at it.  That right there gives me the enthusiasm to make bows for every kid I meet.

                                  It’s also a proof test.  Those bows have been shooting for 6 months and show lots of wear and tear but are still going strong.

                                • David Coulter
                                  Member
                                    Post count: 2293

                                    I that’s just beautiful. When the gifts give back in the way they are there, you know you did the right thing. Awesome! Dwc

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