New to me, some Missoula nostalgia

[pinky]

So, I walked in to a pawn / 2nd hand shop. And, what should i see standing up between the rifles and shotguns but a longbow with no string. It happened to be an Aspen Longbow made by a local bowyer. A few years ago / decades, when Missoula had an archery shop, I  used to shoot with a few of these local bow smiths when they were crafting their Monarch bows. We used to shoot on a winter traditional league together. So, i hemmed and i hawed and waffled but finally i made an offer on the Aspen bow. Sold!
 

About a year ago, I purchased a Monarch "raghorn" that i found on the internet. This "Raghorn" was not made by one of the fellows that i had shot with. This new to me bow, the Aspen was crafted by Byron Schurg who is no longer building bows. Byron had started the Monarch bows and then went on to build his Aspen bows.
 
 

This Aspen "Vector', on the left, has more R/D curves to it. I like it.  I need to find a proper string. I was able to find a 56" recurve string at a shop 10 miles from here. The loops are too big, but i managed to fling a couple arrows and really Like it!
 
 
I got it because of the nostalgic reminiscing, and it is little lighter in poundage for my brother in-law to shoot on some stumping expiditions. Now i just need to find a proper string and some matched arrows.    

[njloco]

Lucky brother in law, nice find, there are good string maker's right here on this site, arrows you can order or make yourself as I am sure you already know.

Good luck with the bows.

[ron w]

Really nice find, I remember reading about those bows. Have fun!!

[Orion]

Nice find. A lot of the older Monarchs are heavier weight.  I had a few years ago after Monty Morovec took over the company from Byron. Still looking to reunite with a 60-inch Aspen I sold a few years ago.

[LA Trapper]

Wow, what a find!  Nice pick up.

[Robert Armstrong]

Some guys have all the luck. Sometimes you have to grab it when you see it.

[pinky]

Yeah, It was the lucky find I was hoping for.  I am looking forward to getting it set up and having some fun shooting with it.

 Orion, I have seen an occasional Monarch listed once in a while out here, and like you mention, they have all been a bit on the stout side so far,  64# at 26" or some such. I was shooting a recurve back then on those trad league nights. Monty and Byron would sometimes bring in a new bow to test, before the leather wrap and shelf went on some of those nights. Good times.
 Thanks for looking.

[V I Archer]

I shot an Aspen Elite way back when Byron was still building them.  I do regret not buying one then.  Would still like to add one to the rack some day.  Nice find!

[Carcajou]

Great history..I shoot Monarchs', and love the simple, pure lines..great bows.

[cmh]

I've revisited this thread several times..... Very neat  

[Shinken]

Byron is definitely one of the "good" guys!

I bought a few of his most-excellent longbow models (Monarch & Aspen) over the years and hung out at his basement shop on the hill launching arrows at his down hill target.

Those were some of the good ol' days of trad archery for me - early '80's.

Monty converted from wheels to the stick in that era and we frequented the 5 Valleys archery range up on the Blackfoot with our Monarch longbows....

Keep the wind in your face!

Shoot straight, Shinken

   

[pinky]

So Shinken, when i was just starting to bow hunt i got to accompany Monty on an evening Blackfoot river bottom hunt through a another friend, John. We hall had compounds. We all set up in some hay bale nests. I watched the deer come out and slowly meander toward us. I was so excited, like a dog trembling when the Ball is about to come into play. Those deer walked right by John's nest, he had fallen asleep. One of the does got to close to Monty's spot. I saw the group of deer jump and scatter. Monty had arrowed one of those does. After several minutes I saw Monty walk out to where the deer had been. I met him out there and then we went and woke up John. Monty had his big grin on.  That was the first bow harvest i got to be a part of. Shortly after that Monty was shooting longbows.

[pinky]

Another Aspen. I saw this Aspen listed on Craigslist a year ago. I met the owner looked at the bow, strung it and took a few days to think about it. I was ready to make the purchase and the seller had a change of heart. The same bow appeared on CL a couple of weeks ago. I met the same fellow today and he took my cash. He told me the bow had not been strung since I had strung it a year ago. The bow has a few scuffs and needs a little attention. It came with a Selway quiver and a dozen Gold Tip arrows.
 
I have more than spent my Bow allowance for the year in the last Month.
 
It looks like I will need another string. I picked up some Tru-oil, some fine sandpaper and steel wool on the way home from the purchase. A rainy day project.    

[Carcajou]

Double Whammy!! Good for YOU

[pinky]

My Aspen Vector now has a custom new string and a spare to boot. Thanks Allen.      
 
I'm looking forward to shooting with it.

[TOEJAMMER]

I have one of Byron's Monarch longbows, 66" and 64‹ @28 and one that Monty built, tulip wood lams with cocobolo riser, 64" and 62# @28".   Both are great bows by two great bowyers.  Monty's passing was a real loss.

[Panzer]

I have a Aspen "Elite". It's my favorite longbow.