Primitive Archer

Quote from: superdav95 on January 23, 2026, 05:16:00 pm

I’ll let sleek answer your question Robert but as for the regular bow trade I participated in last few and they were run by kidder.  Not sure if they are a thing or not still.  I myself enjoyed them even though there were some hiccups as was always the case I think.  As for me I would be willing to participate in another if started up again.  The last one I recall was 2024-2025.

Honestly, I really like this trade more than the other. I think this junior trade represents the spirit of this community and advances its cause more so than a trade among the more advanced members. Its why ive decided to participate in the junior trades only when I join into a trade.

Originally, there was but ONE trade and it was run annually, and the rules varied depending on who stepped up to run the trade. But the spirit of that trade was always welcoming to anyone of any skill level. The True Spirit of the trade was about how good a bow YOU could turn out and send as a gift to someone else. However, it seemed every so often someone would get butt hurt that they got a bow they felt was beneath them. I helped run the trade now and again, and one individual TWO YEARS RUNNING claimed they received a broken bow and demanded immediate replacement. In both situations he claimed 1) he'd thrown it away, or 2) had already fixed it, but still demanded another bow. Far as I am concerned I'd never do a trade with him again, I'd ban him from all future trades, and3) nominate him to be added to Mullet's Dirty Secret Black Book (a place no one wants to be).

A vast majority of the people in the trades understood the mission and it was a source of many fantastic threads posting pics and videos of the bows being taken out to the range or hunting, etc. But some people felt intimidated and felt more comfortable doing a "junior" bow trade in order to take the pressure off. And that's perfectly cool.

Thanks, Pat. You may get lucky and the USF&W Agent is feeling generous that day and only confiscate. If you are charged and convicted you may get lucky IF YOU HAVE NO OTHER OFFENSES and get off with a long probation. And they always give a long probation. That means under the terms of probation that they can arrive unannounced and search anywhere they want, any time they want, and for as long as they want. And they will. Because once convicted you got a mark on you that can't be scrubbed off and you are under the microscope.

Seriously, there are just far, far too many legal ways to fletch an arrow or decorate a hat. If you REALLY, REALLY, REALLY have to have an eagle feather, get a hold of me. I specialize in immature golden eagle tail feathers. I start with a white farm raised turkey feather and carefully apply paints and stains to mock it up. They look good from 10 ft away, but there ain't a game warden in the world worth his salt that upon close inspection would confuse it with the real thing.

             Federal feather laws, primarily the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, make it illegal to possess, sell, or transport feathers, parts, or nests of over 1,100 native North American bird species without a permit. These regulations apply to molted, road-killed, or naturally found feathers. Key Aspects of Federal Feather Laws Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918): Protects over 1,100 species (e.g., hawks, owls, songbirds, waterfowl). It is illegal to possess these feathers, even if found in nature.Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (1940): Specifically protects eagle parts and feathers with strict penalties.No "Found" Exception: Picking up a feather on a hike and taking it home is technically illegal under federal law.Exceptions: Only legally authorized, such as for Native American religious and cultural purposes through special permits, or for authorized scientific/educational institutions.Penalties: Violations can lead to heavy fines (up to \(\$100,000-\$250,000\) for individuals) and imprisonment. Commonly Confused Points Legal Feathers: Feathers from non-native species (house sparrow, starling, pigeon), domesticated birds (chickens, ducks, turkeys, pheasants), or craft store-bought feathers (often dyed) are generally legal to own.Eagle Repository: Eagle feathers found in the wild should not be kept; they are typically sent to the National Eagle Repository for distribution to Native Americans.

 

Thanks Damon.
Stickbow, I need to downsize some photos then I will post them.

Stay Safe Everybody. Minus7 here this morning. Took this picture of a little Wren all puffed up this morning trying to stay warm. Clear skies today. Calling for about 12 inches on Sunday. I called off shooting with some Friends at Hawkeye Bowmen on Sunday. Guess I'm getting soft in my old age.