Bow camo, to pass the time

[Dr. Ed Ashby]

Well, I'm in New Zealand, just killing time until I head off to the airport and back to Aussie and another month in the outback. For something to do, I decided I'd stick a few pictures of a couple of my bow camouflage paint jobs. It's absolutely amazing what one will do to pass the slow minutes prior to a hunt!

This first picture is in the shade of the tree.

 

Here's the same bow in dappled sunlight.

 

This third one is a close-up of a different bow.

 

Ok, for whatever it's worth, that's how my hunting bows look. Dang, that didn't pass much time! Time for more    

Ed

[bm22]

they look great !!!!
did you kill anything in new zealand, how bout some pics : )

[Dr. Ed Ashby]

I've been over here in cold, wet New Zealand for a month. No, it wasn't a hunting trip this time. Periodically I have to sequester myself and devote full time to recording and collating the Study data; trying to get it all figured out and written down. That's what this trip was - seclusion. There will be seven new updates coming, starting in September.

Man, will I be glad to get back to beautiful, warm and dry Aussie outback. Getting too old for wet and cold!

Ed

[TaterHill Archer]

Looks great to me.  How'd you do it?

[Dr. Ed Ashby]

Well, it took me two full articles in Archery Action to explain that! However, bow number one has temporary camo, done with Turtle Wax. The last one is  semi-permanent, and done with acrylic artist paints; and is several years old.

Ed

[beleg]

Looks pretty good!!
Would you please explain it a little more for us who can not get Archery Action?
Thanks
Martin

[madness522]

Wow that is impressive.  You just have to pay attention to where you prop your bow of you'll loose it for sure.

[Kip]

Very nice could you please explain the turtle wax job.Thanks Kip

[Dr. Ed Ashby]

Here's a bow done in fall color, for a sub-tropical area. It's also in acrylics.

 


Here's everything needed for a paste wax camo; paste wax, food color and an applicator.

 


Mix the color you want.

 


Dab it on. Apply one coat at a time and let it dry before adding the next. Hardest part with a past wax job is that the color changes a bit as it dries. Takes a while to get a feel for what color it will be after it gets dry. It's also not very durable or waterproof. Its best use it for dry area. I use it mostly to alter a permanent acrylic camo paint job so that it matches better as the season changes.

 

There is a lot to understand about what it is you're trying to accomplish with camo, and how to achieve that effect. However, it takes pages and pages to explain that - two long articles worth!

Ok, I'm about to head off for a month or so of hunt'n. Back ... whenever!

Ed

[Kip]

Thank you I guessed it was kinda like that .I will try it.Kip

[beleg]

Thank you very much.
Martin

[beleg]

Dr Ashby,
I know you are leaving at any moment, sorry for asking:
How can I get your articles on Archery Action magazine?
I tried to find then on Internet and can not find a site.

Thanks
Martin

[Frank V]

Dr. nice pictures, but if you lean that bow against a tree & walk away your'e going to loose it. Frank

[Dave2old]

Bows? What bows? I don't see no stinkin' bows!

[Bishop]

I agree Dave I had to look very hard!

[DiamondD]

That puts a whole new meaning to the term "BOW Hunting"!

[Dr. Ed Ashby]

Martin,

Just caught me! I'm all packed and waiting for the plane.

The magazine's full title is "Archery Action with Outdoor Connections". It's the official journal of the Australian Bowhunters Association. Their web-site is:

 http://www.bowhunters.org.au/
Australian Bowhunters Association Inc.

From there just click on the "Archery Action" tab, on the left-hand side.

You can also subscribe through Amazon.com.

Each magazine has something from me; either a Study update or an "Old Derelict Bowhunter" article. I stay at least a year or so ahead of publication. That's what time alone in the bush does; no radio, TV or phones to waste time on!

I've been putting all the articles together into a couple of pretty sizable books, but have to find someone who wants to publish them. Tradition bowhunting is not a big market for the publishers. If I ever stop spending all my money on the Study, I'll self-publish them ... assuming I never find anyone else willing to do so.

Ed