Jerry Pierce Choctaw Recurve

[Rick McGowan]

I was at one of the PBS banquets the day before it really started and struck a conversation with a couple guys, I showed them the knife I made and then we went up to Jerry's room and he showed me the first bow I had seen with the "points" in it, I asked him what they sold for, Jerry said, I don't know, I don't sell em! I then asked him HOW he made the points and never expected an answer, BUT he told me how to make them! After his death, the family gave me all the remaining cutoffs from the bowmaking. I made a knife and box for PBS, but I still have a few pieces left which will resurface in a donation some day.

[SERGIO VENNERI]

Hi Rick; Have you given any thought to making a knife with Pierce points in his honour?? I think that would be a nice touch.

[Brandon Stahl]

Sergio,

You actually have a video of Jerry in action, building a bow?


I would love to have a copy if it's possible.  

Jerry's craftsmanship has been a big inspiration to me and it would be a great keep sake to have a video of the man in action.

If you'd be interested, please P.M. me.  

I would be happy to compensate you for your time, materials, and cost of shipping a copy.

Thank you,
Brandon

[Rick Perry]

I've seen that video  .......... it used to be available thru the PBS lending library....... maybe it still is ?????

[Rick McGowan]

Sergio, I hoped I could do that with the cutoffs, but a knife handle was to small to make it work. I may try it again and see if I can work something out.

[SERGIO VENNERI]

Rick; Did i say knife handle?? I meant KNIFE handle! Jusy kidding, would be nice if it could be done. maybe i'll pay with it after Christmas and see how it works out. let you know.  Merry Christmas!

[SERGIO VENNERI]

Where the heck is the Spellcheck on a mac???

[Kevin Bahr]

Rick, you just reminded me:  I have that knife and box!  I just went and looked at them in the disply cabinet.  Still as beautiful as ever.  You did a great job on both and the finger joints on the box really would have made Jerry smile if he had seen them.  Thank you!

[Kevin Bahr]

The Choctaw bow that Jerry made for John Rook has been donated to PBS, by John, and will be on display at the upcoming banquet in Pittsburgh.  It won't be in the auctions as John wants PBS to keep it for good for all to enjoy, not just who brought the most cash.  Thank you, John.  I know Jerry would have appreciated what you have done.

[Bill Kissner]

John is the most extraordinary person I have ever known. Donating their Jerry Pierce Choctaw is something very few owners would do. We were blessed with a donated Choctaw for auction at the UBI last year. These fellows deserve our alocades and deepest appreciation.

[Bill Kissner]

John is the most extraordinary person I have ever known. Donating their Jerry Pierce Choctaw is something very few owners would do. We were blessed with a donated Choctaw for auction at the UBI last year. These fellows deserve our alocades and deepest appreciation.

[Brandon Stahl]

After this thread started, I was digging around and found a couple of my old magazines that have Jerry's bows on them.  I thought I'd post pics of them as an addition to this thread.


 

 

[AkDan]

Sergio,

Shot you a few pms, curiuos if you're willing to dub the video of Jerry?

[Stringwacker]

When I was accepted as a regular in PBS in 1987, I shortly thereafter recieved a letter in the mail from a fellow named Jerry Pierce. It was a welcome to the club sort of thing, but outside the PBS infrastructure. It was individual to individual; and you can't help noticing such things. I knew the organization was fraternal...but that really proved it. At the time, I didn't know who Jerry Pierce was and I wasn't aware that he had grown up in the same small town that I had in Mississippi. I doubt he knew it either.

At the time I was much younger and I loved to quail hunt (we actually had quail back then) and a particular farmer that knew my grandfather had a place that I visted quite often. To make long story short, we got to talking late one afternoon and I was explaining my addition to bowhunting. He said that you 'ought to meet my nephew Oren, he really loves it as well'. He mentioned that years ago that he moved to Illinois. Just being polite, I asked him what Oren's last name was and he said "Pierce". The light bulb went off in my head and asked did anyone ever call him "Jerry". He explained that was what all the people "up north" called him but he was really "Oren!"

I introduced myself to Jerry who was working the PBS sign up table in 1992 at St Louis. I said, "how are you doing Mr. Oren". He looked up over his glasses and relied "you must be from Mississippi!"

His son and Jerry's wife (Ms Betty) resides just a few miles down the road from me and we vist from time to time. A couple of weeks ago I took one of Jerry's deer to be scored for Compton's new book to be published. Unfortunately it scored just a little under the minimum. Regardless, I couldn't help but think of the history and honor to have been asked to do that task by the family.

I only met Jerry that one time but I'm glad that I had the opportunity to meet him when I did.