The Feathered Shaft, Rick Stillman, and the 2009 ST JUDE'S Auction

Shinken · February 06, 2010, 10:07:00 PM

Well, Doug Campbell told me I got a bargain when I just happened to back into the winning bid for the 1 dozen custom arrows generously donated by Rick Stillman, owner and fletcher of The Feathered Shaft for the 2009 Saint Jude's Childrens Research Hospital Auction.

After the dust from the auction settled Rick and I began a process of communication that would eventually lead to a set of new hunting arrows for my daughter.

2009 was filled with travels and my family just happened to spend most of last summer in Montana working on the wheat harvest. My daughter had her bow along so Rick created a very nice set of test arrows for her to shoot under controlled conditions.

Now one needs to understand here that Rick was going WAY BEYOND the call of duty here for a donation --

Rick built the test set of arrows based on some feedback that he got from me. Shipped the arrows to Montana so my daughter could shoot them under some semi-controlled conditions and do some paper tuning. He spent time on the phone with my daughter trying to figure out which shaft was going to be optimal for her. My daughter really shot the *stuff* out of those test arrows in order to determine what was going to be the best decision.

My family returned from Montana and my daughter convinced me - with a sound demonstration of shooting - what shaft was flying the best from her bow.

Well, we got the word back to Rick and he ordered a special set of *heavy* shafts at my daughter's light spine and short draw. Again, here we see Rick going to what I thought was way beyond the call of duty working to get the optimized hunting arrows for my daughter.

It was decided that Rick would finish the custom FULL DRESS plus arrows for my daughter and ship them in time for her birthday last month, January 2010.

They arrived on time....

Shinken · February 06, 2010, 10:24:00 PM

My daughter's birthday has come and gone. She was *delighted* with the FULL DRESS arrows that Rick had made.

We finally had time and the weather cooperated to get some photos of these beauties to share with everyone....

Here you go....

Shinken · February 06, 2010, 10:35:00 PM

Still workin' at puttin' these pics up....

Let's try that again....

Shinken · February 06, 2010, 10:45:00 PM

Once the B-ball season comes to an end my daughter will pick up her bow again and start shootin' on a regular basis. We'll have to get some pics of these beauties in action, add some broadheads, and make some preparations for the 2010 hunting season.

Thanks again to Rick Stillman of The Feathered Shaft for going the extra mile with his very generous donation of one dozen custom arrows for the 2009 Saint Jude's Childrens Research Hospital Auction here on Trad Gang!

Have a great 2010 hunting season everyone!

Shoot straight, Shinken

FerretWYO · February 06, 2010, 10:45:00 PM

Way to go Rick!!

Bill Kissner · February 06, 2010, 10:54:00 PM

Rick is one of the good guys! And he certainly knows arrows,

Bill Kissner · February 06, 2010, 10:55:00 PM

Rick is one of the good guys! And he certainly knows arrows,

DesertDude · February 06, 2010, 11:38:00 PM

Sweet.... Gota love a classy set of wood arrows..

Jack Guard · February 07, 2010, 12:05:00 AM

Oh my, i like the way those look.

lpcjon2 · February 07, 2010, 10:17:00 AM

Wood it accents paint and feathers wonderfully.Great job!

Hot Hap · February 07, 2010, 02:30:00 PM

Bill-You can say that again. Those are something else!! Hap

Fletcher · February 09, 2010, 12:04:00 AM

Dave, it was a pleasure working with you and your daughter on these arrows. In the end, the important things are that she likes them and they shoot well. Now she just needs to find that elk.

Thanks for the kind words. Rick