So like most of the rest of us, aside from my bow hunting efforts, I'm a bit of a tradbow addict. I enjoy all the various types of arrow slinging stickbows that talented bowyers offer up.
I cruise the big auction site from time to time like many folks hunting a hard to find item or a good deal.
Well, a handful of weeks ago I REALLY got a good deal for this year when it comes to bows. Might even call it a 'steal'.
I won this little ol' bow for $320 shipped:
64" 43@28
I couldn't believe it. I did a general search for 'takedown recurve' which usually generates hundreds of results. I sifted through quite a few just for fun when I found an ad titled "Custom Dakota Pro Takedown Recurve Bow by Rick Welch" I figured it would be a RH bow, and to my shock when I opened the ad it was a lefty!!
I tried one of Rick's 3pc longbows a couple years ago that I found over on AT, it was a long setup, at 68", and in the end I did not care for how it shot at all, it just didn't have enough cast with anything but super light arrows. I just don't think the long length flattered the super high brace height design one bit. I also heard personally at the time from a number of Dakota fans that his recurves were his real forte, and that his recurves were what made his reputation as a bowyer. I actually was refreshed by some of the testimonials, because folks were very up front that while his bows weren't necessarily the prettiest or most painstakingly finished, they made up for it by being really sweet shooters. This is contrary to some bowyers and fan groups out there who promise the whole package but then don't measure up. Needless to say, I was intrigued and told myself I'd keep an eye out for a Dakota recurve to come up.
Well there she was. Opening bid 300. I said well yes thanks I will give it a go but I'm not holding my breath, someone will probably outbid me with as much of a cult following as these bows have. Well, a week went by, no one else bid. I began to realize that the seller may have made a strategic error in titling the ad so specific on a site where hundreds of thousands of items were for sale. I couldn't believe it when the no reserve auction closed on the last day and it said I won! For $300 + $20 shipping. I was blown away even more when the seller contacted me first and said "I need your address for shipping you your new bow."
I messaged him back and said "whoa there, you're really going to honor the bid?! you realize that you could be getting almost twice that on the open market for this bow?! I totally understand if you want to back out of the sale, heck I'm not even sure I feel comfortable with this" He politely replied that he knew what he had and appreciated my enthusiasm, but that he didn't mind honoring the bid, that it was his recently passed grandfathers bow, and he couldn't shoot it cause it was lefty and he just wanted it to go to a good home where someone knew what it was too. Wow. Just wow. Here's "grandpa's bow" that goes for 1100 new with a 1 year+ wait and it's getting passed to me! Talk about "winning" an auction.
The bow was advertised as being in excellent condition to boot, with just a few surface scuffs. I am pleased to report that the ol' Dakota was in fine shape, real close to a 9 out of 10, and a Magic Eraser buffed off the majority of the few light marks on the bow. The shelf, which pretty well looked original, indicated a bow that had been shot very little.
I'm pleased to report that she is indeed a shooter! I'm really impressed actually. Like the 3pc longbow I tried the build quality is more leaning toward a solid workhorse style..though it really is a handsome bow in a way. They do look unique. Very recognizable if anything. I really enjoy the forward riser and the pretty Bocote. What really is nice is how easy it is to nail your mark with this bow. I found myself easily hitting the center of my 3D deer with minimal tuning. Another surprise was how smooth this recurve is. I mean really springy smooth. It almost feels like the #/inch drops at the back end of the draw. Pretty neat. She's also real quick and very very quiet with only minimal silencers and Velcro in the string grooves. All this with hunting weight arrows. That 3pc longbow I had did not shoot well with 10gpp arrows. It was kind of a dog. This recurve however is a revelation. Complete 180. Pretty sweet. And no 19 month wait time! LOL
Bottom line, holidays came early!
With this deal and being a passed away old timer's bow I think it is my DUTY to take this bow into the woods a bunch this season!
Topic: Dakota Pro Hunter lucky lefty auction site win! Early Xmas (Read 414 times)
