Well, I gave it my best effort, but...

[Mike Bolin]

I posted a few months back that I was planning to hunt with short r/d bow this season as part of dedicating my season to my good friend Richard Jackson, who passed away from cancer. I tuned a set of arrows to the bow and shot it exclusively for 2 months. I just couldn't gain the accuracy and confidence to hunt with it. Great little bow, pulled smooth and shot quick. Just not my "cup of tea" as they say. I was feeling pretty down as my old friend shot short r/d longbows and selfbows exclusively for many, many years and I wanted to hunt something similar in his honor.

Cruising through the classifieds one evening, I ran across an ad for a Black Widow PLIII that had the exact same specs as one I had sold before my shoulder issues forced me to sell it. At my last appointment, my doctor told me that my shoulders had progressed and he felt I could start shooting bows in the 50# range again, so I contacted the seller. He sent me some pics and lo and behold, it was my old Widow! We struck a deal and after a long drawn out wait, the Widow arrived. It was like an old friend had came home!

After having the bow back for only a week, I attended a local shoot and shot better than I had all summer long. I am sure that Richard is fine with me hunting with the old PL and I hope to make him proud! I figure  I will be carrying a bow that is like and old friend to honor my old friend. I will miss him even more this season than I do now. There won't be any late morning texts asking me what I'd seen and no one to console me when I pull a stupid move and mess up. When things came together on a shot, Richard was usually there to help me track and then drag back to the truck. I do find comfort in knowing he'll be watching me from up above. Have a safe season everyone!

[JonCagle]

I’d say giving yourself the best chance to make a quality shot on an animal is the best way to honor your friend, good luck this season

[achigan]

I’m pleased to be a close observer to this process.

[Hud]

Very Nice Tribute to Richard. Since you were such good friends, do you have any of his arrows, ones he made, that you could use in your BW?

[Mike Bolin]

Hud-I do have access to some of Richard's arrows, but he shot a lot more weight than me. I am thinking that his wood arrows are all in the 70-80# spine range. When he switched to carbons he was shooting 340s. It would be cool to carry one in the quiver though.

[Bowguy67]

I wish you luck

[fmscan]

Mike,
Your buddy would want you to shoot the bow you are most accurate with. I gut my deer with a knife an old friend gave me years ago, I always feel moved when I take an animal and using his knife makes it more special. Also I like the gentlemen's idea of carrying one of his arrows in your quiver.

[Dave Lay]

Mike, it’s really cool you thought enough of your buddy to try that, but like others have said, shooting what you can shoot best and your comfortable with is what he would have wanted. When I was in the hospital on opening day of bowseason a few years ago a good hunting buddy drove 4 hours one way missing opening weekend and spent all day sitting by my side, he gave me a very nice knife  and it’s cleaned countless animals. He passed away a few months ago and now that knife is a reminder of him and his friendship .  Your buddy is still with ya Mike , he may not be in body but his spirit is along on your hunts

[Hoosierarcher88]

Mike, was that the same PL that you were shooting at Cloverdale when i shot with you and achigan?

[Friend]

The quarry we are so gifted to pursue always deserves our best.

You made the absolute correct decision.

[Mike Bolin]

Hoosierarcher88-No, I was actually shooting a 42# loaner from Widow then. I was really fighting my shoulder issues when we we shot together at Cloverdale and I sold this bow shortly after we shot. Glad to have it back where it belongs!

[Hoosierarcher88]

It always feels good to get an old bow back. Im still on the search for that great northern shadow that i was shooting. Hope you have a great season this year Mike

[1Arrow1Kill]

Great sentiments Mike.  Sorry you lost your close friend.  Maybe using a Sharpie to write RJ on your arrow and/or bow would be a nice way to also pay tribute to Richard.  I'm adding my father's initials to my arrows this year as he just passed at age 91 on August 18.  He remains my hero and is the man responsible for inspiring the hunting spirit I continue to follow into the forest.

[gordydog]

Touching. Reading this before heading out to hunt. I lost my brother to cancer in 2019. Used his bow to shoot several deer now, one was a really nice buck. I taped his picture to the belly of bottom limb smiling at me. I wear his wool I couldnt afford. It all has so much sentiment and hunting has me reflect on countless hunts, harvests and our shared lives.