Introduction & Today's Stump Shoot

[FlintNSteel]

Hello all,

I just joined Tradgang a few weeks ago and have made a couple of posts, but decided it was time to introduce myself.  Also have a few pics from a nice afternoon stump shoot I thought you might enjoy.

I have been involved in traditional archery for over 45 years.  While I have also shot modern equipment, I have never stopped owning and shooting traditional gear. It is a passion. I also got into traditional muzzleloading 16 years ago and build and shoot those as well.

I'm happy to be part of the discussion and look forward to reading and contributing here.

Here's a picture of me today in the beautiful Whitewater valley of SE Minnesota on an afternoon stump shoot.  My bow is a 68" 46# @ 30 1/2" Big River longbow I recently purchased.  I used to shoot heavy bows, but age and bursitis in the elbows has had me dropping weight. This bow is exceedingly smooth and stable and despite the low draw weight spits heavy arrows well.



Here's a closer picture of the bow:



There is one spot in this valley that is one of my favorite places to be.  It's so peaceful.  It's a plateau that looks down over a small stream.  Whenever I stump shoot there, I like to take a long shot or two way down by the creek.  It's around 90 to 100 yards.  Here's a view from the plateau down to the creek.  My target was a small log about in the middle of the photo.



It always amazes me what one can do with traditional gear and instinctive shooting!  Did I shoot another to see if this was a fluke?  Heck no!!!  When lady luck shines, I don't question her integrity!!!       After all, I was 2" or 3" high!       The arrows are tapered cedar shafts from 3 Rivers.  I have made my own arrows for about 40 years.



Thanks for having me.

Mike

[Cavscout9753]

Wow, great intro! That's all beautiful! The bow, the land, and the shot! Welcome, I'll be looking forward to seeing what you have to share, seems like you've been at this a while!

[BelegStrongbow]

Very cool. Love the pictures. Oh and welcome by the way. I warn you, this place is addicting.

[fujimo]

welcome friend , from up north!  

[monterey]

Welcome.

You sure that's Minnesota?  Where's the snow.   :confused:

[4dogs]

 Welcome

[Thumper Dunker]

Cool bow ,shot and place. Welcome.

[T-Bowhunter]

Welcome!

[Phillip Fields]

Welcome.

[Possum Head]

Welcome Mike, that is beautiful country. Do you hunt this are as well?

[Homey88]

Welcome from PA! Great pictures!

[FlintNSteel]

Thanks, all, for the warm welcome.

Monterey, not much snow this year in the SE corner of the State.  We actually had a couple of inches in the morning that all melted by the time those pictures were taken in the afternoon.  We've had several days already that hit 60's and 70's.

Possum Head, I used to hunt in the area a lot.  There are 10's of thousands of acres of public hunting land in the Whitewater valley, but each year the crowds grow larger and larger. Small game has especially taken a huge hit...so much so the DNR has a special study underway.  Four years ago I joined a handful of other guys in an 800 acre lease about 40 miles south.  They are all from the Florida panhandle/Alabama and generally only come up to hunt the 1st gun season, so I have the whole thing to myself for about 51 of 52 weeks a year.  :-)  This property is a paradise with a trout stream, crop fields, hardwood forest, cedar thickets, etc.  Topography is like that in my pictures.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Great Pictures and welcome to trad Gang.

John Builds a fantastic bow, at this time I own 3 as does my father.  My Family has a farm across the river from you in WI.

There is another fella from your area who contributes here.  His Handle is Littlebigman. Jim is a pleasure of a person to be around.

Welcome again to Trad gang!

[BenBow]

Sweet and way cool

[joe ashton]

Mike
Welcome.
Joe Ashton

[Whelen35]

Mike, welcome.  I don't post often, but I do love the area you live in.  Traditional archery is one of my many pursuits as is fly fishing in SE Minnesota.

[kennyb]

Welcome Mike...great intro and look forward to hearing about your experiences!

Kenny    

Welcome to the Gang!

Bisch

[DennyK]

Welcome Mike!    

Denny

[wooddamon1]

Welcome from western Michigan.