I got to take the LDB out for a spin a few years ago and turn it loose on the local carp population. I've got to say, when I took the bow out of the shipping tube and sat there reading the names of everyone who'd hunted with it, along with the dates and animals they took, it was very humbling. I don't think I've ever before been so paranoid about shooting a bow.
That being said, it's not my bow. I don't own it, nor do I have a say in what happens to it. I'm glad Mike let so many people hunt with it. I think it's cool that he donated it to raise money for St. Judes too. And I'm also shocked that anyone would pay over $2,600 for a bow -- any bow -- and proceed to send it to complete strangers all across the nation so they could beat it up in the woods. If I paid that much for a bow, I'd probably wrap it in cotton and lock it in a room somewhere.
While I'm in awe at the generosity --of both it's previous and current owners -- surrounding the bow, it's not a piece of community property. I hope I don't upset anyone by saying this, but I just don't understand all the folks lately who seem to think they have the right to dictate what a man legally does with his private personal property.
The traditional hunting community doesn't own that bow. Terry Green does. If he wants to shoot it, hunt with it, hang it on the wall or cut it in half and use the stubs to stoke his fireplace, that's his right. And he doesn't owe me or anyone else an explanation.
I'm glad to see he's sending it out for more adventures, and letting other's enjoy carrying it afield like me and so many others have in the past. It's just unfortunate to see something that's a symbol of brotherhood and friendship turn into the centerpiece of such and ugly and bitter display as we've seen over the past few days.