"Herd Bull" KIA @ PBS Odd Year Shoot !!

[Scarne]

It's true..."Herd Bull" the hand made bow by Mike Mitten of "Primal Dreams" and featured on page 239 of "One with the Wilderness" was killed in action at the PBS Odd Year gathering late this afternoon.

All witnesses (see below) to this tragic event concur on the time line and cause of death.  From the preliminary reports it would appear that "Herd Bull" finally "cracked under pressure".

Services are to be held at the Ojibwa Bowhunting Club in New Berlin this Sunday.  Services are to be held Sunday afternoon just prior to the raffles and auctions.  Please hand deliver all cards, flowers, and new bows to Mike Mitten this Sunday in New Berlin.  Bring your gear you can shoot a round or two while you are there.

Steve Osminski
Bob Daigel
Kevin Bahr
Greg Darling
Nate Flickert
Brian Scarne
Joe Lasch
Greg Szalewski
Kevin Winkler

[Scarne]

To the top!!!!

[mparks]

Guess Mike will be needing those lams Steve-O was getting from Lefty Fred a little sooner than he thought!

Have Steve-O or someone e-mail me a pic and I'll post the wreckage here: [email protected]

[Scarne]

Actually the crack is in the hamdle...I'll tell Mike to take a pic and send it to you.

[Greg in Delton MI]

The sound ws sickening and you should have seen the look of shock on on Mikes face..It was a sad couple of minutes.

However Mike took Joe Lasche's 3 pices longbow and actually shot it better than the old Heardbull.... Giving all the rest of us guys a good old ass kick'n.... The man truly is a legend....LOL!!

[Steve O]

Pictures will not heal the pain...HerdBull went down in a blaze of glory; one moment previous Mike was faced with a near impossible shot.  HerdBull drove a 2219 thru a 6" dia Ash tree to reach the heart of the elk!

[Greg Szalewski]

Regrettably I witnessed this most tragic event of the demise of the now legendary "Herdbull" bow. As Steve mentioned only moments before that final shot Mike was shooting from the far stake only to make it fair to his shooting companions and drove that arrow into the tree even to his surprise. After unbracing and shouldering his fallen hunting companion he went on complete a perfect round with the spirit of the bow at his side. A truely amazing performace.

 

 

[Whip]

Nice job photoshopping the tears out Greg.
It was a sad day....  :(  
Herd Bull the bow was a killing machine, now RIP.  Herd Bull the man will continue to paralyse animals with fear..

Mike, while you were shooting this afternoon I was looking at the carcass.  (Of the bow, not your brother)  Why not make a new set of limbs, make a new back, and turn Herd Bull into a 3 piece takedown  

[Guru]

RIP    

[Steve O]

You know, Mike is a VERY good sport.  If that was the bow I made with my own two hands, I would have NOT taken any of this good natured ribbing so well.  

I am just a little bit jealous knowing my friend will take the knowledge he gained from this mishap and be able to build a new, improved bow.  I was able to shoot HerdBull on a couple occaisions and was always impressed with how smooth and silky it shot and how beautiful it was. I've always dreamed of making my own bow, but I am not much of a craftsman.  Mike is, not only with building the bow and shooting under pressure, but with his words and actions.  We are all lucky to have him on our side.    

[Herdbull]

This was the second bow I made. I hunted with it for two seasons. I showed this bow the world. I learned a lot from its "passing" and its "necropsy" gave me a chance to talk to many tallented bowyers. I will close with a few photos of our short 2 year journey. :>) Mike
 
 
 
 

[Scarne]

Gents...

I had a great time shooting with you guys on Friday afternoon!  Although not happy with the demise of "Herd Bull" Mike certainly held his head high and continued on with the charm and grace of a true traditional sportsman.  It won't be long and there will be a "Herd Bull II" in MIke Hands sending arrows down range at light speed!