The Travels Of The Bow Sacagawea

[KenWood]

Thanks for the update! I get this worry in the back of my mind every time I send something. It's there till I know it made it.

[DRT]

Glad it got there before your shift.

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[CRM_95]

No worries Ken!! She made it fine!! Well, a little about me. My name is Ryan Martin and I work here at the local Sheriff's Office in my hometown. I've been a hunter all my life, literally as long as I can remember. I was fortunate that I grew up in the country, with a hunting family, and I don't really ever remember hunting and fishing not being a part of my life. I'm relatively new to traditional archery. When I first joined TBH, I found the trad forum right away and was always very impressed with the trad harvest threads, and in the back of my mind I knew I wanted to try it. But I never really took it seriously I guess, because it looked hard to the point that it was somewhat intimidating.

In 2014, I was at First Point in Uvalde. There was an older guy there named Tom, and I can't for the life of me remember his last name. He was shooting a longbow, and I remember thinking that it was so cool...I really started getting interested, he answered a lot of questions I had, said he'd help me find a bow and get started, and gave me his number, which I of course lost.

But I guess the spark was started there, and it rocked on and I started cruising the trad forum here even more. Then one day on FB I saw a Clay Hayes video, I think maybe Untamed, and it was a done deal then. I posted on here asking questions about getting started, and in December 2015 I bought a Samick Sage. From the first wobbly, horribly placed 5 yard arrow I shot out of that bow I was hooked. It's taken off since then.

I started asking questions, bothering Bisch, Ben, Scott, Jeff, Buff, Rusty, Corey, Rick and probably a few more I missed non stop trying to figure out what I was doing. I finally started getting it all together, got a couple more bows, managed to kill a few critters, and now it's pretty much all I think about. It's been so cool learning about trad up to this point, and I know I'll never stop learning, but I look forward to shooting my bow every day. I've made a ton of new friends through trad, and everybody has helped me so much that I really can't ever begin to pay them back. I've yet to meet a trad hunter that wasn't willing to help, give advice, and try to steer me in the right direction.

With all that said, I got Sacajawea strung up and started shooting almost right away. The same arrows I shoot in my other long bow are flying good, and I'm already shooting some pretty good groups!! I'm looking forward to the next few weeks I'll have her, and we'll try to keep you guys entertained!! I feel honored to be a part of this, and appreciate the chance!!

[CRM_95]

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[caughtandhobble]

Nice write up my friend... I say friend and we have never met in person. You ask good questions and understand shooting. I knew you'd be stacking up critters like cord wood sooner than later.

This little bow has brought many good people together. Thanks again to everybody that has started this thread and those who have contributed.

[SwampRabbit]

Sharp writeup Ryan.

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[Phillip Fields]

Nice writeup.

[spidermonkey]

Great writeup Ryan! And, as I told ya on the phone... Good Shootin!! As far as my name being mentioned as "someone who helped"... Bout the only thing I may have done is tell ya ALL the ways I mess up, so you can put those on your list of "things NOT to do"! Good Huntin, and God Bless, Rusty

[CRM_95]

Ever since going to Chester with me my son has been shooting trad also...he has an old Shakespeare recurve and he's coming along pretty good. Since Sacajawea is ambidextrous he came over and shot a little with me today and he was able to shoot her pretty good as well.



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[DRT]

Nice!

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[SwampRabbit]

Originally Posted by CRM_95

Ever since going to Chester with me my son has been shooting trad also...he has an old Shakespeare recurve and he's coming along pretty good. Since Sacajawea is ambidextrous he came over and shot a little with me today and he was able to shoot her pretty good as well.



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Awesome!!!

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[TP3]

Wow, I just realized I am next in line.

Which caused me to read the entire thread (again for the most part).

Enjoy your time with her in East Texas, CRM95.
I'm planning on taking her to the West Texas desert come September 1.

What a cool idea this has been.

[CRM_95]

Well I'm off today, so I've been shooting a little this morning. Shot a couple broadheads just to make sure they grouped with my field tips and they did. So, this evening I'm headed to the deer lease. I'm looking for a good spot to hang a south wind stand for deer season, but I'm taking Sacajawea with me because you never know when you may run across some pigs or rabbits!!

[DRT]

Must be nice living that close to your hunting ground's.

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[CRM_95]

Originally Posted by DRT

Must be nice living that close to your hunting ground's.

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It is this time of year, when nobody is down there. It's nice being close during hunting season too of course, but since I'm the lease manager and I'm close every time something breaks in camp I get a phone call too. Most of the members are older folks so I feel obligated to take care of it. Everything from broken water lines to stray dogs to being out of light bulbs in the showerhouse lol. It has it's ups and downs!!

[DRT]

I'm that guy on many of the leases I've been on Ryan. But with my work experience and natural inclinations it was a good way to make up to the other members for me being a natural jerk as well. You're planting good seeds being there for the older members. May God repay you with a younger member to be that guy for you in your later years.

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[CRM_95]

Time for Sacajawea to take a little stroll in the pines. Don't get your hopes up, it's a scouting trip...but I don't have any qualms with making it a hunting trip if I see any pigs or bunnies.



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[SwampRabbit]

Originally Posted by CRM_95

Time for Sacajawea to take a little stroll in the pines. Don't get your hopes up, it's a scouting trip...but I don't have any qualms with making it a hunting trip if I see any pigs or bunnies.



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Good luck... hope you scout up something to shoot

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[TP3]

Good luck, sounds like a nice evening in store for you.

[CRM_95]

Had a great evening with Sacajawea!! Got to the lease and headed to the area where I wanted to put my new tripod. I wanted to set it up for a south wind. I found a spot that I think will work great. I'm gonna shove it back in these saplings.

And then this will be the view looking out. A couple pretty good trails converge right here.

After getting that out of the way, it was off to see what I could shoot. It was slow going because every 50 yards or so I'd have to kick 10lbs of red mud off my boots.

I slipped down to the pond, because a lot of times pigs will lay in the edge of the pond in this hot weather. Didn't find any pigs, but this is a great little place to kill a few minutes.

Then it was back to camp for a water break and to let Sacajawea rest a little bit.

Then I headed down the highline that runs along the county road. I figured I might see some pigs I could sneak up on, or at least a rabbit.

I didn't see anything to shoot, but did slip up on this little guy getting ready to cross the road into our place. We had a brief stare down and I was able to get a quick pic.

Then I cut off into the woods for a little bit itching to sling an arrow. I stumbled across an old water bottle and managed to smack it from about 15 yards.

Then I headed back to the highline in one more attempt to find something to shoot. No critters were out, so I took another break and finished off a can of snuff. Those silver lids make good targets too...

Then I headed back to camp, and heard a rustling in the woods. I crept in and this is what I found. They got a pass though, because for one thing they're hard on arrows, but mainly because I'd had a nice evening so didn't feel a need to ruin theirs. A quick pic and I was back on my way. I had a great time getting out and felt great to be in the woods with a bow in my hand!!

Oh and figured I may as well use the timer on my phone for a full draw selfie!!

Really enjoying Sacajawea!!


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[SwampRabbit]

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[Bisch]

Sounds like a great time at the lease!!!

Bisch


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[CRM_95]

I hated for Sacajawea to come to East Texas and not get to see the Davy Crockett NF...and I had an area I wanted to look at a little closer. So this evening we headed out. There was a light rain falling by the time I got there. I waited on it to pass, then we headed out. I marked the gate as a waypoint on my GPS, because these cloudy days it's easy to get turned around in the thick woods. Looked around a little and found a spot that looks promising, snapped a few pics, but the thunder was getting closer so I cut it short. I'm not a fan of lightning storms in these pines!



And of course we found a few targets along the way left behind by other people..I won't call them hunters because hunters don't leave their beer cans everywhere...but anyway, I never missed a shot today!!



I walked up on a bachelor group of bucks in this area and one was a good deer for sure. It's heavily traveled but close to the road. I'm gonna go back and follow a trail back to the backside of it and look around here pretty soon.

All in all another great afternoon in the woods!!! I'm going to start doing this at least once a week. I work out a lot anyway, so this is a good way to workout and unwind and sling some arrows at the same time.


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[Bisch]

Looks like an awesome day in the woods!!!

Bisch


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[Bud Ellis]

Man I think I know that spot !
Lol

[CRM_95]

Originally Posted by Bud Ellis

Man I think I know that spot !
Lol

Haha you might!! I know a couple guys on here will for sure.

[SwampRabbit]

Originally Posted by Bud Ellis

Man I think I know that spot !
Lol

It's East Texas... it all looks the same. You've seen one pine tree, you've seen em all

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[spidermonkey]

Looks like a good time Ryan! And some good shootin as well! And I'm like you, I hate being in the deer woods (any woods for that matter) and finding trash some lazy-good-for-nothin left behind! Good Huntin, and God Bless, Rusty

[DRT]

Originally Posted by spidermonkey

Looks like a good time Ryan! And some good shootin as well! And I'm like you, I hate being in the deer woods (any woods for that matter) and finding trash some lazy-good-for-nothin left behind! Good Huntin, and God Bless, Rusty

Leave no trace. A scouting principle we try to hammer in.

As an American I will do my best to be clean in my outdoor manners, to be careful with fire, to be considerate in the outdoors and to be conservation minded.

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[yleecoyote23]

Great write up and great pictures!!! Back when I was a truck driver I went thru the Davey Crockett National Forest....always wondered how the hunting was!!

[CRM_95]

Originally Posted by yleecoyote23

Great write up and great pictures!!! Back when I was a truck driver I went thru the Davey Crockett National Forest....always wondered how the hunting was!!

It can be tough, but there's some big deer killed in there every year. I don't hunt it as much as I should because I spend a lot of time at my lease, but I enjoy getting out there from time to time. Especially late season.


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[Briar Friar]

Ryan...you are not just maintaining the spirit...you are stoking the fire. Fantastic.

[millertravis07]

That is awesome.

[yleecoyote23]

Originally Posted by CRM_95

It can be tough, but there's some big deer killed in there every year. I don't hunt it as much as I should because I spend a lot of time at my lease, but I enjoy getting out there from time to time. Especially late season.


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That's awesome!!

[CRM_95]

I had a great time with Sacajawea!! I really appreciate the chance to be a part of this, and thanks to all the guys who started this originally so that we could all participate. TP3 is up next, and I will be sending it on to him. I hope that he, and all the guys in line enjoy their time with her as much as I did!!

[spidermonkey]

Good going Ryan! Great travels, and pics, with Ol Sac! Good Huntin, and God Bless, Rusty

[Bisch]

Glad you enjoyed her Ryan! Can't wait to hear from TP3!

Bisch


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[Bisch]

Just wanted to bring the current list back up so it will be easier for folks to find!

1) Bluegoose
2) Pigthumper
3) CRM 95
4) TP3
5) SwampGhost
6) Featherflinger
7) yleecoyote23
8) Danielb89
9) Hunter Todd
10) txpitdog
11) Graysonhogs
12) RS3
13) TX CHICKEN
14) Randy Madden
15) PineyWoodsBow
16) Tx Mark
17) DCT
18) DRT
19)bowtechmike
20) spidermonkey
21) Stone Cold Bobby[/B]

Please remember to comment on the Sacajawea sticky thread and tell us a little about yourself and your time with Sacajawea.

Thanks!

Bisch






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[CRM_95]

Uh oh...Corey and Jeff have her during hunting season!! Something's gonna die!!

[SwampRabbit]

Originally Posted by CRM_95

Uh oh...Corey and Jeff have her during hunting season!! Something's gonna die!!

Most Definitely!

I will say, given the heat and the lack of much to kill this time of year... you showed that bow a lot of love. Enjoyed following along

[TP3]

Stay tuned for more of the traveling Sacagawea show.

As soon as I return from my LA fishing trip Ryan is sending her along. We will be headed to Val Verde county at least once while I am in possession!

[spidermonkey]

Looking forward to your adventures too TP3! Don't know if my math's right (can't count that high!), but I think I'll have it at the tail end of deer season 2018. Now whether anything will die... Maybe a leaf, or two, a gopher mound, who knows... Good Huntin, and God Bless, Rusty

[TP3]

Hey guys, Ryan (CRM95) has sent Sacagawea on her way to my house. According to tradition, here is my biography.

My name is Trey Preslar. I was born and raised in Dripping Springs, TX. I do finish carpentry, namely countertops and cabinetry with my brother for a living. Hunting and fishing are the things I really enjoy, and most of my disposable time and income go toward them.

Around age 8 my dad got me a bear compound bow. I remember how awesome I thought it was (it was camo). I was fortunate enough to grow up on 40 acres, which afforded me plenty of pellet gun and bowhunting opportunities. No bird or rabbit was safe, only mockingbirds were off limits. I stayed out in the brush most of the day. After getting a .22 and a shotgun and subsequently outgrowing my little bow, I didn’t pick archery back up until I was about 16 and could pull back my dad’s bow. I took a couple of doe and a spike with it in high school.

After graduation I was more interested in hunting different types of doe. Which lasted a number of years. While attending SFA I bought myself a new Bowtech and met a great TBHer (nimrodAJH). He and some other friends with access to some property allowed me to tag along on some bowhunts. I was lucky enough to take a few more deer and hogs, and am forever grateful to all of those guys. They re-ignited my passion for bowhunting in a big way. Every kill was as exciting as the one before it, and I couldn't get enough of it.

Sometime in 2009 I became interested in traditional archery, mainly wanting to make a bow. I worked in a fancy woodshop (not my own) and figured I should be able to build one in a day or two. HA, joke was on me there.
After an original failed attempt at a tiger wood selfbow, I decided to do a little research. I soon found myself deep down the rabbit hole of laminated bows.

I built my first recurve bow, 74# at 28”. Overbowed much? That one is on the wall now. Since then I have built about 70, mostly for friends, family, and friends of friends. I would like to thank Mark Bowles of KC archery as he was a wealth of good information when I was a total novice.

For a season or 2 I would still use my compound as I was more confident with it. I would break out a trad bow after I had some meat in the freezer. Finally I began leaving the bulky bow case at home and concentrating harder on my setups to be more effective at traditional ranges. It took me almost 3 seasons to get my first whitetail with a bow I built. It was a one horned spike, and I was tickled to death with it. LOTS of misses and close calls, just couldn’t make it happen until then. I fortunately have ample pig hunting opportunities, and nothing helps my confidence like a good live target. Since then I have become more proficient, and last season I was fortunate enough to take a nice 8 point with one of my bows.

I enjoy this forum and sharing yalls kills, misses, and experiences is great. I plan on taking Sac out to west Texas in a few weeks. If the hogs won't cooperate maybe the jack rabbits will.

[CRM_95]

Great write up Trey!! Have fun and good luck!!

[Phillip Fields]

Good write-up Trey.

[DRT]

Nice to meet you Trey. Looking forward to the next few weeks.

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[Bisch]

Awesome, Trey! Have fun with her, and tell us about any adventures y'all get to have together!

Bisch


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[TP3]

Got strung up and headed outside as soon as I got home from the shop. (My wife wouldn't allow me to open up my 12 yard "indoor range" last night. ) Adjusted my nock point a little bit and hit the ground running.
Wow, what a cool little bow! Very quiet, and will spit that arrow very well. I am really excited to do some walking around with it, only weighs about half of the bow I'm used to.

[spidermonkey]

Looks like you and Sac are off on the right foot Trey! Good shootin! Good Huntin, and God Bless, Rusty

[CRM_95]

Good shooting Trey!! And she's light for sure. Easy to carry around and maneuver.