February 1931

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20c per mpg

It takes real bows and arrows to do this. New line of 70 to 85 pound New line of yard 70 tobows, 85 pound bows, shooting over 380 yards, $25.00. Four hundred $40.

Distance certified. Regular stock flight arrows, 3 for $5.00. Ex­ arrows, 3 for hand $5.00.turned, ceptional arrows, $5.00 Flight shafts of my own model, pointed and nocked, at 75c each.

L. L. “Flight” Daily, 2057 Willamette, Eugene, Ore.

ULLRICH YEWWOOD

Not merely good, but the BEST BOWWOOD to be obtained.

Performance at a National Tournament in competition with other bowwoods, might be called a criterion, by which tackle may be judged.

High altitude, air seasoned, winter cut staves and billets, largest stock in the country. Prices reasonable, satisfaction guaranteed.

Port Orford Cedar Arrow squares, $.05 each in small lots, $.04 each in quantity. White turkey feathers at $1.50 per pound.

Yew wood (E. L.) Ullrich 204 Commercial Avenue Roseburg, Oregon Some Facts About Wood and Bows (1.) Graphs and tables from government bulletins show that scientifical­ ly seasoned wood is stronger, tougher and more elastic than any air dried tvood.

(2.) The common belief that yew-wood needs years of seasoning to harden the gums and rosins is a myth.

(3.) The cast in a yew-bow is inversely proportional to the moisture content of the wood. (4.) Air dried wood cannot safely be used much below 10%.

(5.) Kiln seasoned wood, because of automatically controlled, even shrinkage, which protects the cell walls from strain and rupture, retains its toughness down to 6% or 7%.

My ad in the last issue describes a kiln in which 200 fine billets have been seasoned and which is now running with another 200. A 97-lb. bow of this wood was shown to several expert archers who guessed its weight at 50 pounds to 60 pounds. The first target bow I made, after shooting for two months lost no weight whatever and followed the string about % inch. The tillering of these bows seemed 50% easier than my 5 year air dried wood. The low prices are possible because it is no longer necessary to carry a 5 to 7 years stock of wood to insure seasoning.

Seasoning Service—Seasoning of green billets, $1.50 per pair; splicing and roughing out, $1.00. Next charge goes in kiln about Dec. 15 (5 weexs required.) Men’s target bows, $20.00 to $50.00; ladies target bow , $15.00 to $35.00; spliced billets, $5.00 to $15.00.

W. H. (Wally) Burr 8202 14th N. E., Seattle, Washington

Lemonwood StaVfiS 'ote/Norwegian’Pine shafts'—per dozen, % inch ?2>25; Pie?o-nsame tested for spline and weight, dozen, $2.50; footed round, $1-0 » $500 (Wings not removed. State length.) Buffalo and nocked, dozen ?5 00 ( w{Jg stamped Parallel Points, H°rn Nocks dozen75^pei h"“tel.’sLassorted colors, dozen, 35c; 3 1100- cross $3 50. Cordovan Shooting Tabs (2 sizes, mens or idn°Xs)?1each g50c. Imported Flemish Bowstrings (2 sizes, 5 V2 and 6 foot), each $1.00. Broadhead Hunting Points, dozen, $1.50. Send

Hazel Crest, Ill.

for k.

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“Archery”

By Robert P. Elmer, Ma D. This thorough and exhaustive book on Archery should be in the library of every archery club, 456 pages, 30 half..... Price $5.00 tones, many line drawings

“Bows and Arrows”

By James Duff Every archer who knows of Jimmie Duff (and where is an an archer who doesn’t?) realizes the value of anything this experienced archer has to say on the subject. At this rea­ sonable price every archer should have a copy of this book Price $2.00 Send orders to

YE SYLVAN ARCHER Box 156, Corvallis, Oregon X

REMEMBER THE NAME

McKinney brothers It Stands for the Best

YEW WOOD STAVES AND BILLETS

Seasoned $4.50 to $9.00

c $2.5OT to $5.00

REED, OREGON

SYLVAN ARCHER VOL. IV., NO. 6.

CORVALLIS, ORE.

Entered as second-class matter November 5, 1927, at the post office at Corvallis, Oregon, under the Act of March 3, 1879.

Published monthly by Ye Sylvan Archer Publishing Co. 1210 N. 33rd Street, Corvallis, Oregon.

J. E. DAVIS.......... ............................................ Editor B. G. THOMPSON...................................... BusinessManager Subscription Price.......................... $1.00 Per Year Foreign Subscriptions................... $1.25 Per Year Single Copies................................................ 20 Cents Advertising rates on application.

Copyright, 1931, Ye Sylvan Archer Publishing Co.

Table of Contents The Last Twelve Pears

By Clark. E. Schur man

3

Effect of Rigid Middle Section of Bow on Static Strains and Stresses

By Dr. C. N. Hickman

5

Archery Club Holds Tourney

8

Joe Gets His Deer

By Jos. M. Sandusky

9

Turkey Shoot

By Jos. Kerchcn

.11

Fancy Fletching By "Petit Jean” Axel

13

Shall We Despoil Our Natural Resources?

By H. E. Nibler ........................—..... —14

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February, 1931.

YE SYLVAN ARCHER

8

The Last Tsuehe Pears

By Clark E. Schurman, Seattle, Washington When Sual Kronann cleared nearly ninety acres without working through the giant trees to Bear Lake as one would think he should have done, he probably did not affect the habits of the bears at all. When he planted ten rows of fruit trees in each direc­ tion from his house, he became mea­ surably responsible, with other white men, for the introduction of nightlife in the region between Bear and Gig­ gling Tom Lakes. But this was al­ most as long ago as the lifetime of cedar shakes in a barn roof.

Kronann’s own habits and habitat have changed. His clearing is going back from boulder-crops to wilderness —some folks think it should go fast­ er—but the bears have held to a route from the Mickelth place on the lake, to Kronann’s. That is to say, in the Fall, and at night.

A modern farmer, in a valley Kron­ ann ignored, was moved to release a toothless horse from an unhappy old age this last September. Nightly thereafter bears, up to three in num­ ber, undid his shovelling. The present cabineer on the old Mickelth place added to the rumors, and obtained a huge trap which was set under his best pear tree after it was sadly mutilated. The trap required what might be called -J machinery, to set; and as wany signs as a grocery box would >nake, to warn human trespassers away from its location, It would hardly be human to come upon that sign area r— and not add to the number °f bears in the census, Nor human for an office-tied archer to decline the week end possibilities as a substitute for a <sufficient hunting trip.

That night frosty wraiths of fog

lay in the low corner near the spot where a woodcutter had seen a bear the year previous. Except for the fog, this was the place to watch the main pear tree. Two lesser trees had lost their last arms trying to withhold fruit from the hibernation-hunger of the nocturnal visitors. The apples were all gone, such as they had been.

The main tree still carried twelve pears, of sorts. These would be enough, because there would be no more Saturday nights in the season.

The bowman moved only infrequent­ ly and furtively about the ragged fringe of thicket debating a new van­ tage point outside the mist. The long grass was wet, assisting silence at the cost of shivers. He had left behind the slight companionship of a pipe— slight in the darkness—in the hope of being more impersonal.

The man muffled his quiver of fea­ thers as he tested the footing. Some­ times, when he stopped, he stretched the bow string a bit, and made sure the aiTow bided upon it. Ultimately he came to the old house, lifted the vines from the rotten stoop and chose the place between the door and win­ dow, to lean against.

The Sual Kronann story had been gone over each previous Saturday with whoever hunted with the archer.

The prodigious lifetime of long hours and of weary clearing; the strange marriage to the Mickelth girl, when he was 59, made, as folks said, because old Mrs. Mickelth got some cows in trade for the girl. Kronann died while milking his other cows. They found the ax, but no one was prosecuted.

The excitement died down. Only the spook remained to jinx the farm. Sue-,

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YE SYLVAN ARCHER

cessive still operators had leased it “to raise pheasants.” But it wasn’t a habitable place. All this history had been gone over each preceding Satur­ day night with some fellow archer— usually at the lakeside cabin. All the usual night noises had been smilingly related to the history as these men had waited silently together for the bear.

This last night, the man was alone.

Therefore he yanked his mind back to bears when it wandered speculatively away. That week the cabineer had caught one bear, and had his toes left in the huge trap. They carried some length of ligaments—not pleasant to contemplate. So the trap was taken up, the signs taken down and the bear was welcome to the pear- tree. Nat­ urally he wouldn’t come for it. He might not come for any other pears, even here.

But some bear had been to this or­ chard the previous night.

The man decided to shake down part of the pears and kick them into a heap to detain his target. Returning to the house he saw a black something near it and his heart began to pound.

In a matter of minutes and one ar­ row, it resolved itself into a berrycovered stump, though it had seem­ ingly never been present before. Later the man flattened motionless against the house; a civit cat let well-enough alone. Two more hours passed. An undernourished moon that had glowed mistily faded behind the tree-line and left the sky as lonely as the orchard, and the farther barns.

Some kind of action seemed neces­ sary — perhaps another walk around the whole place. But why go so near the woods? Also why go to those barns at all? Would a pear-eating bear loiter around ---------a barn?

—! Silly, of course. Furthermore, why go again

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February, 1931.

to that house? No, the old log near the woods was out of the mist now.

It would be better. One should not abandon his pipe at his cabin. It would help just to spend ten minutes filling it noiselessly and tamping the plug cut into place. It would take ten minutes, maybe, to pick the way to the cabin, and very few to build a fire and thaw one’s joints. It seemed a better than usual idea.

Next forenoon two former compan­ ions walked into the cabin and woke the bowman, demanding a chance to “clean” him shooting rovers.

“I just barely missed getting that bear last night,” he told them as he pulled on his stiffened boots.

“You usually just barely miss,” said the poorest shot in the world.

“How close did you come?” asked the reasonable one.

“Well, I stuck until nearly four this morning. If he had come for the pears I had piled under that tree, I’d have got him, sure—” you know the inflection when one hopes to see con­ firmation in the faces of the listeners.

As the trio cut into the sunlit or­ chard the poorest shot in the world opined, “I could do with those pears you have piled up. Just where are they, Old Socks?”

“That’s easy. Last night was my last crack at him this year. And I’m not so hot for sticking it out all night in this particular spot any—well, I’m a bow-legged, knock-kneed son of a cross-bow! And here I turned in for a smoke and say — there’s my pile of pears—GONE!” “No kidding?” asked the poorest shot.

“No kidding! Would I kid when resident licenses cost $7.50? No kid­ ding. They were right here at a quarter to four.”

(Continued on Page 10)

February, 1931.

YE SYLVAN ARCHER

6

Effect of Rigid Middle Section of Bow on Static Strains and Stresses

By C. N. Hickman, Ph. D., Long Island, N. Y.

(In order that there may be a bet­ nock as the bow is being drawn.) The draw in all of these articles will re­ ter understanding of the nature and present the distance from the center aims of Dr. Hickman’s articles we of the bow handle to the string, where quote the folowing from a letter ac­ the arrow nock rests. companying this article: “I have received some correspond­ By using these formulas, we may ence regarding the previous article show the effect of bow length, brac­ that leads me to believe that I did not ing height, shape of bow, reflexing, make it clear that the treatment given follow of string, etc., on the static is not supposed to apply to all bows. strains and stresses.

“The article was intended as a tool In this article we shall show the by which we may compare different strains and stresses of a bow, which types of bows. I realize that most does not have a rigid middle section. bows do not bend in the arc of a cir­ The curves shown in the previous ar­ cle, neither do I contend that they ticle were for a six foot bow, which should. I only wish to compare dif­ has a section eight inches long at the ferent types of construction and to do middle, which does not bend. so I assume that each type bends in We may proceed as explained in the this manner. In later articles I shall ’ previous article by tabulating the make all this clear. In the mean time various values for a six foot bow in ihipe that the readers will digest the which all conditions are kept the same articles so that they will be ready for except that the middle section does the more important ones hat are to bend. In other- words all the the con­ conic. ditions remain the same except L = “My third article will deal with a 0, instead of L = 4 inches. very interesting feature and will con­ We shall-not print the table here, tain experimental data to verify the but shall show the curves which were theoretical work. The article accom­ obtained from the tabulated values. panying this letter does not contain All of these operations are explained much meat but does show the effect in the preceding article. of ihe bow that bends at the middle In graph 2, the broken lines give I would not include this article at all the values of the functions for a six except it will be very valuable as foot bow having a middle section that reference when we deal with the does bend. In this case, B = 36", dynamic conditions.” Editor’s note.)

L — O, Ho = 6", Ao = 19.250, and S In our first article we developed = 35.33". As explained in the pre­ some formulas which enable us to ex­ ceding article, B — Yz length of bow, press the strains and stresses of a L = Yz length of middle rigid sec­ braced bow as functions of the draw, tion, Ho = bracing height of string, (i.e., the value of these strains and Ao = initial angle made by tangent stresses for any position of the arrow to bow (at tip) with string, S = Yz

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YE SYLVAN ARCHER

length of string.

This type of bow was used exten­ sively at one time. It still may be seen from time to time on the tourna­ ment ranges. The introduction of the “dip” (which is credited by Mr. Duff to John Buchanan of England) gave us a compromise between the “whip ended construction” and this type which is so shaped that it bends throughout its length in the arc of a circle. As a rule this is not a pleas­ ant bow to shoot. It is likely to have an unpleasant “kick.” The “dip” con­ struction decreases the “kick” and makes a sweeter bow to shoot. The reasons for this will be discussed in a subsequent article dealing with the dynamic conditions.

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Since we wish to compare the bow with a rigid middle section, with one that is not rigid, we are reproducing the curves for a bow which has an eight inch unbending middle section.

These curves are shown by the solid lines. As explained before the brok­ en lines give the corresponding values for a bow with non-rigid middle sec­ tion.

The curves marked F/C show the force on the fingers for any position of the draw. The force in pounds may be found for any position of the draw by multiplying the number as read from the left of the graph by the value of the constant C. The value of the constant C may be found by measuring the weight of the bow (i.e., the force in pounds to draw the bow) for a particular draw, and dividing this force by the corre­ sponding number at the left of the graph as read from the proper curve.

For example, suppose you have a bow which corresponds to the type shown by the solid curves (i.e., having an eight inch section in the middle that does not bend) and suppose you mea-

February, 1931.

sure the force when the bow is drawn 25 inches and find this force to be 44 pounds. If you follow the line cor­ responding to a 25 inch draw up from the bottom of the graph until it meets the solid line marked F/C, then fol­ low the corresponding horizontal line to the left, you read the value 36.3.

Dividing 44 by 36.3 you get 1.21, which is the value of the constant C for your bow.

The broken line marked F/C shows smaller values than those for the solid line. This is due to the fact that the bending at the middle of the bow weakens it. The fiber stress in this type bow is therefore less than in the type shown by the solid line curves, which has the rigid middle section. However, if we increase the weight of the bow by stacking it, we shall stress the fibers more. Suppose the value of the constant C for the type of bow corresponding to the solid curve is equal to unity. The force in , pounds may be read directly from the figures at the left of the graph. If we increase the weight of the other type bow so that it has the same num­ ber of pounds pull for a full draw of 28 inches, (i.e., 47 pounds) the value of its constant C wil lequal 1.12 as found by the method described above.

Therefore, if we multiply all of the values F/C for the broken line curve by 1.12, we shall obtain the force F for this bow in pounds. You will find that these values correspond very closely with those read from the solid line curve. We may conclude that the “force curves” for these two types of bows do not differ greatly, provided they have the same weight when fully drawn. If the unbending portion at the middle were made quite long, the difference would become more marked.

The curves marked W/C show the work done in making any draw. The value of the work in foot-pounds may

YE SYLVAN ARCHER

February, 1931.

be found by multiplying the values at the left of the graph by the con­ stant C. For equal weight bows of these two types, the work for any draw will not be very different.

The curves marked T/C show the tension in the string for any draw.

The tension in pounds may be found by multiplying the left hand numbers of the graph by the value of the con­ stant C. For equal weight bows of the two types, the tensions for any draw will not be very different.

The curves marked A show the

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YE SYLVAN ARCHER

angle between a tangent at the bow tip and a line joining the two bow tips. The values of this angle may be read in degrees at the left of the graph for any position of the draw­ ing fingers. The values for the broken line are all smaller than for the solid line. Since the value of this angle is a measure of the stress in the fibers of the bow, we may conclude that the fibers are stressed more for the bow with a rigid middle section. How­ ever, if the weight of the bow corre­ sponding to the broken lines is in­ creased by making the bow thicker, the fiber stresses will be changed.

The curve marked N shows the mo­ tion of the bow tips along their curved paths. Their displacements in inches may be read at the left of the graph, for any position of the draw­ ing fingers. The broken line was not drawn because it would nearly co­ incide with the solid line. We may, therefore, conclude that the displace­ ments of the bow tips for the two types are almost identical.

The greatest difference between these two types of bows is due to dynamical conditions, which will be treated in a subsequent article.

The Tacoma, Wash., Archery Club and Metropolitan Playground Depart­ ment have a new Indoor Target Range this winter. The schedule takes care of Boy Scous, Girl Scouts, Business and Professional Men, Employed Girls and the Archery Club. J. M. Morgan is in charge of the range.

William E. Burnham, of the Pine Bluff, Ark., Archery Club, writes us “Our club here is going nicely and we anticipate a very pleasant spring for shooting. We have about 30 members and plan to shoot at our Airport Club.”

February, 1931.

ARCHERY CLUB HOLDS TOURNEY The Portland Archery club held an informal tournament Sunday at their outdoor range. The men shot the Metropolitan round and the women the National and Columbian rounds.

Scores without hits follow: Men—Adcock 672, Becker 582, Rob­ ertson 521.

Men’s flight shoot—Drs. Cathey and Tawney tied for first with 360 yards; Proudy third, 351 yards.

Women — National, Miss Hodges 299, Mrs. Cook 206; Columbian, Mrs. Cook 411, Miss Hodges 382.

ARCHER KILLS DEER Reported by Lloyd Parsons, Truman, Minn.

Duluth, November 20-(AP)-Charles E. Browne, St. Louis county deputy sheriff returned from Lake Kabetogema, near the Canadian border, where he killed a 150 pound buck deer with a bow and arrow. The buck was killed at a distance of 25 feet as it passed deputy Browne’s hiding place along a deer trail. When the animal dropped after running 100 yards it was found the arrow had passed just above the heart. Browne is the first of a dozen men who entered the north wood to hunt deer with bow and ar­ rows to report a kill.

Mr. Harvey L. Freeland, who now lives in Honolulu, still reads Ye Syl­ van Archer. We recently received his renewal for two years.

J. H. Curd, secretary of the Mis­ souri Valley Archery Association, writes us that the Fourth Annual Championship of that organization will be held in S. Louis on May 30th.

An Archery Golf Tournament is also scheduled for May 31st.

February, 1931.

YE SYLVAN ARCHER

9

Joe Gets His Deer

By Jos. M. Sandusky, Pulaski, Wisconsin I had planned a deer hunt with bow and arrow for a whole year but did not know for certain how or where.

I was going to go. At last my big brother was kind enough to agree to go along and haul my “grub” and tackle. We loaded the “grub,” the blankets, and of course my “junk,” as my brother called my bow and ar­ rows, on his new French Ford and Sunday noon we started for the deer country.

Five of us were in the party, fourcrack riflemen and, as my brothercalled me, one cracked in the head fortrying to stick a deer with an arrow and kill him. All the way up to the deer country I was the target of mean “jabs” which I took as best I could but I was not in the best of spirits.

It hurt me and all I wanted was a

chance to show that the bows and arrows of today are not toys.

After nearly five hours of good, rough, rocky and hilly roads we turned into a side road which was just a trail through the brush but it led us to the camp. The “shack” was a two-room frame house with an old cook stove and a box stove and plenty of wood ready for the stoves. We made fires and supper was nearly over when Wayne, our guide, came in telling us that deer were plentiful.

We went to bed with high hopes for the morrow.

After- an early breakfast, Monday, December 1st, the first day of the season, the boys took out their guns, two 30 U. S.’s and two 38-55 Winches­ ters, and I my 70 pound osage bow, five feet eight inches in length, my

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“Oh Boy! Was I tickled!”

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quiver full of Yorkshire broadhead hunting arrows and a heart full of hopes.

The first day gave me only a lot of waiting and walking. The second day John plowed down a big buck and that night we had liver and I was quite forgotten.

The third day the boys were mak­ ing a drive, so I took what I thought was a good position between two deer runways on a nice hogback. As soon as I heard the drive start I heard deer in the brush but could not see them. I was just about to take an­ other position when out came two fawns and a nice big doe. I held my breath for I knew the buck was some­ where nearby and would follow soon and he did, not one but three of them.

About then someone started shoot­ ing not far away and the boys came along at a fair clip. The two bigger bucks saw me, I guess, for they turned to the right and went past about 150 yards away in a thicket.

The smaller one came straight for me and turned on the runway to my left.

I waited with the bow half drawn as ne came on at a good gait. When he was broadside of me and 45 or 50 yards away, I raised the bow, drew til.’ rhe barb hurt my left hand, led him the whole neck, and released. I never saw such a perfect hit — right behind the left shoulder. The deer finished the bound he was in by fall­ ing to his knees. I drew another' ar­ row and let fly as I saw him trying io get up. The arrow went high for he never got up. He only drew all four legs under him and lay still.

I ran as fast as I could, watching and ready to shoot again. He did not move until I got to him when he stretched his neck out and was dead.

I dressed and tagged him. I found that the arrow had cut two ribs, gone

February, 1931.

through his heart and lodged in the ;ight shoulder blade.

Boy! Oh boy! Was I tickled? My first deer with bow and arrow and two of the members of the party saw the shooting and the way the arrow cut its way in! The fun stopped and I was a full fledged deer hunter. The boys signed an affidavit stating that the deer was killed by me with bow and arrow.

THE LAST TWELVE PEARS

(Continued from Page 4) “You don’t know how lucky you are, Old Socks.” The horn-spooner searched the bowman’s face as he spoke. “It’s lucky you went to bed. Yes, it is very lucky. You have nearly all the luck there is.”

“Yeah. I’ve got it coming, for get­ ting cold feet, go ahead, as if figgitting here ten dark hours wasn’t enough.”

The other was counting trees with his gloved forefinger. “Yep, the sev­ enth tree west of the pump, at the morning milking, a little after four o’clock—” “You mean? Nonsense!”Nonesense, huh? How many pears did you leave in the tree, here?”

“F-i-v-e, and seven on the ground.”

“And I suppose a bear picked those other five, one by one?”

The archer looked up to a pearless tree. “You mean?” He asked, some­ what palely.

“He means,” broke in the reason­ able one, as he reached into his cruis­ er shirt and brought out a couple of scrawny pears, “that we nearly had you guessing. Kronann was croaked in the cow shed, in the evening. We gathered up the pears while we were doing a practice round so we could clean you, today. Let’s shoot.”

February, 1931.

YE SYLVAN ARCHER

11

Turkey Shoots

By Jos. Kerchen, Seattle, Washington

Early in the Autumn of 1929 some one, maybe it was our energetic Tak­ ahashi himself, suggested that the imitators of Robin Hood living in the environs of Seattle be given a chance to put their skill to good account in open competition for the famous and much desired Thanksgiving Bird so popular with all American people.

For the initial shoot fifteen beau­ tiful birds, weighing from ten to twenty-three pounds, were selected and brought to the field of contest, Mapleleaf Range, where they were hobbled and spread out over the land­ scape in full view of a goodly number of nervous but determined arrow flip­ pers.

Before the shoot there was much discussion about what should consti­ tute a win in the contest. That, no doubt, will be a surprising statement to all archers. They would naturally say that the birds should go to those making the highest score. That is just what the writer thought. But, fellow archers, the writer has learned things about shooting for turkeys with the bow and arrow.

The thought ofa highest score for a win somehow didn’t appeal to several of the prospective contestants. Among those who longed for turkey meat, you see, were, first an ex-Northwest Champion, the man who won the cup at Sedro Woolley the year before. You would think hi he would favor- giving the prize to the one getting the high score. Another prominent shooter present was the then state champion of Washington, and the enthusiast who lives on No. 8 Hill avenue, fam­ ous for the proficiency with which he

hurls his special long-eared arrows.

And there was the elongated North­ west Champion from up north and the popular scribe of our club who had won turkeys before by counting the score. And there were others.

This motley assemblage had in se­ cret conclave, decided that the cost of each fowl was to be shared equally by those who chose to enter the con­ test. For example, a turkey costing $4.00, with ten shooting would cost each contestant 40 cents. Each man was allowed six arrows at forty yards.

Instead of counting the score in the regular way, a 20 yard pistol target was fastened to the center of each of the four foot targets.

We shot at the little black spot in the center. The man who was lucky enough to have an arrow, any one arrow nearest the center of that black spot was declared the winner of one famous New England Bird. Ladies and juveniles were in the contest, too.

They were allowed the same privileges except that they were given thirty yards instead of forty.

I wish it were possible to describe that first shoot and do it justice. I can assure you it was very interest­ ing. Of course it was right and pro­ per that the state champion should further distinguish himself by win­ ning the first gobbling promise of a joyful Thanksgiving. You should have seen his target. A couple of ones, a three, a five, one arrow in the bank behind the target and in one of his shots he sneezed and the arrow land­ ed in the center of the black. He didn’t even blush when he accepted the prize for that center stray arrow

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but was as cool and solemn as if he were conducting a funeral, retaining all the dignity of a true champion.

One nice thing about the arrange­ ments was that the winners were barred for a while. That was to give the good shots a chance to have turkey meat to carry home to their wives.

The next feathered victim was tak­ en home by Wally Burr, who had a target very similar to the first win­ ner except there were probably two shafts in the bank instead of one. His total score in a regular shoot would probably have been about fourteen.

Wally took Mr. Gobbler with an air that plainly said: “If the breaks weren’t against me I’d have had the first.” Well, he, too, was barred and the shoot proceeded. I think the next was won by one of the ladies who got a bum release on one of her arrows and so replenished the larder without assistance from her spouse. I have seen my wife put four arrows out of six in a four foot target at ten yards.

I wish she had gone to that shoot.

In the following trial I was sur­ prised to see one of my shafts cut the edge of the little black mark. I glanced over the targets and was gratified to note no others that looked nearly so close.

Immediately I had visions of a trussed up carcass, deep brown color, giving forth that rich aroma which once encountered can never be for­ gotten. But “alas! the best laid plans,” etc. The methodical Clarke E. Schurman was still shooting at the target to my right. A breeze sprang up as he let go the last arrow and my vis­ ions faded.

These winners were barred, and others, but we hopeful ones carried on. The Northwest Champion after losing by a hair several times got his.

Finally Prof. Berry and I were left

February, 1931.

without. The master of ceremonies gave us the choice of shooting for the next between us, or allowing the win­ ners another chance. I put it up to the Prof., hoping that he would quit and give me a chance to buy the bird outright, but he had more than the usual Scotch qualities, and planked down half the cost of Mr. Turk with­ out blinking. I finished shooting my end and was again feeling quite hope­ ful for one of the six was again in the black. When I glanced at Mr. Berry's target he had shot five ar­ rows with probably none within a foot of the center. The last landed in the black nearer the center than mine!

The shoot was such a grand suc­ cess that it was decided to repeat this year. On the day appointed the weather was very cold, so the contest was held at the inside range of the Seattle Club. Rules were the same as last year except that we shot at thirty yards for men and twenty-five for the ladies. My wife was not so enthusiastic about my attending but I assured her that lightning had a way of not striking repeatedly in the same spot and that the reason for my poor showing at the first shoot was the cold weather.

The first bird up was a nice eigh­ teen pounder. My group was nice, two shafts in the black with a fifty score. Duryee was plugging away at my left getting threes, fives, etc. We went up to check. An eighteen pound turkey! Wouldn’t I be proud to carry him home, and wouldn’t the family be pleased with my success! And what a kick I would get out of showing it to the neighbors! I went up confi­ dently and checked to my satisfaction.

Thought to myself, “Now I’ll show some of these lucky boys how to win.”

In checking I had not even glanced at the scattered arrows on Duryee’s

February, 1931.

YE SYLVAN ARCHER

target. My son, who had come to watch his dad win, called and asked how I stood. “Guess I’m first.” Then I heard a remark that lowered the temperature of the place several de­ grees. Duryee with the scattered shafts. “I believe I’ve got you beat,” and he had one smack in the center!

And the shoot proceeded. Dr. Shultz, a new member of the club who had been shooting less than three months won the next time. Burr took the third. In the trial for the fifth bird I had three arrows in the black.

That one was taken by a man who had never shot a half dozen times at a farther distance than twenty yards.

I was second four times. But second did not win birds. I was in the black again when the last bird was up. The first winners were shooting again, and I was nosed out by my neighbor at the left with his last shaft. He had won three times with four trials.

To show what a good sport an archer can be, will state here, that he as­ sured me before we measured the last score that if he did win the bird was mine. At the first shoot Jack Adams won a turkey and so did his wife. He was a good sport, too. So after all we had turkey at our house! for Thanksgiving, Free turkey? Well, not exactly!

But really I can recommend these archery-turkey shoots. They are interesting, and fair. All you have to do to win is to get your shaft nearer to the center than any of the other contestants.

They have proved quite popular with several of the archers in this vicinity. Don’t be afraid to try your skill (or luck) if you ever get an op­ portunity. No matter if you are a novice, It is quite possible for you to win. I KNOW.

13

FANCY FLETCHING By “Petit Jean” Axel, Lakewood, N.J. Back in the time of Robin Hood the favorite feather was that of the grey goose. At present we have the tur­ key which far outshines the grey goose. The reason for this is that the vane is much stronger and it strips easier. There we have the two essen­ tials of a good feather, easy strip­ ping and a strong vane. By a strong vane I do not mean stiff, This will be discussed in its place.

Many fletchers have- sought for diversification of feathers. I am one of these fletchers. Recently I have collected the pointer feathers of many birds that have been discussed, con­ dor, eagle, buzzard, pelican, heron, peacock, guinea hen, goose, duck, green parrot, piegon, hawk, crane and stork.

These feathers were stripped, in the “ripping” method, that is, the vane was gripped in one hand and the quill in the other, the vane being torn from the quill by pulling. This method is the easiest.

The guinea hen came out best. The other feathers came in the following order: Condor, eagle, goose, crane, parrot, hawk, buzzard, pelican. All the others were failures.

The test for lasting and strength was more difficult. There is consid­ erable difference in the textures of the buzzard and guinea hen feathers.

The former is soft and silky while the latter is as stiff as a turkey pointer.

These are examples. In order to test these feathers it was necessary to fletch flight arrows with the buzzard, parrot, goose and hawk feathers. The others were used to fletch target shafts.

The following were the results after the flights were shot twenty-five times from an eighty pound, long

14

YE SYLVAN ARCHER

draw, osage bow: Buzzard, excellent; hawk, good; goose, good; and the par­ rot lasted only ten shots.

The target arrows were shot in two York rounds on two successive days, The crane only lasted eighty shots. The results after the second round were as follows: Guinea hen, ready for another ten rounds; condor and eagle, highly serviceable; the pelican just about lastea.

Now what about appearance? The guinea hen feather puts forth a nice appearance as there are white feath­ ers that may be used for cocking. The eagle gives a striking effect; one side is black and the other is white or gold.

The condor is jet black. The pelican has a shiny, metallic appearance.

On the flight arrows the buzzard is really nice. The spots show against a dark shaft. The parrot really looked good but “beauty is only skin deep.”

For roving and hunting the guinea hen feathers will stand with the best turkey. The white guinea will take dye.

This is an interesting field for ex­ periment and endeavor. I will be glad of any correspondence on the subject.

Here’s hoping I’ve started something.

(We wonder how the scores made with the arrows fletched with the dif­ ferent feathers compared, that is, how the relative stiffness of the feathers affected the accuracy of the shafts.

Accuracy is what the archer is striv­ ing for first and then durability and beauty.—Editor’s note.)

SHALL WE DESPOIL OUR NATIONAL RESOURCES

Editor Ye Sylvan Archer, Corvallis, Oregon.

Just a few lines which may be of interest to archers, if only I can get

February, 1931.

half into these lines that I feel.

On Labor- day I made a trip up the river, a most beautiful drive, taking some of my archery tackle along.

When we reached a nice place to lunch we pulled in and were surprised to see a camp of Indians. One old Indian I spoke to seemed to be very sociable and it wasn’t long until the talk was centering on archery tackle.

I brought out some of my arrows and showed them to him. He then be­ gan to describe the way he made ar­ rows and offered to make me up a few later. I did not take him up as I was able to stay only a few hours, but I got a good description of how he made arrows, which I will attempt to pass on to the reader.

They make shafts of arrow wood shoots which he said were heavier than my Port Orford cedar shafts, straighten them, and use them a little longer than 28 inches—about 30 inches I think. He then ties feathers on with deer sinews softened by chewing. He ties the small end of the feather on nearest the nock with the large ends of the feathers extending out past the nock. Then taking the large ends of the feathers he pulls them down towards the point of the shaft and binds them, leaving about four inches of feathers on the shaft and paints the shaft around the feathers only but does not cut any nock. He has a relase which I think is equal to ours in every way. Using four fingers he holds the shaft between the thumb and first finger, using the first, sec­ ond and third fingers to draw and holds the arrow on the opposite side of the bow from what we do. I do not know why he does not use a nock, but think he has a very powerful re­ lease and by using he thumb on the arrow steadies the release. He only uses sharpened wood points hardened

YE SYLVAN ARCHER

February, 1931.

in the fire and seemed to think I would be unable to kill a deer with my tackle.

I did not get a description of how he made bows, which I would have liked to have had even more than the arrows, and his brings me to the sad part of the story.

They were seining salmon for the hatchery and my friend, the Indian.

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.

Oren Helvig of Minnesota After a Gray Gopher Hunt had to leave to get a few fish. I went along with him and watched the sein­ ers pick out the “ripe” ones, kill them with a club by hitting them on the head, slit them open, take out the eggs, fertilize them with milt from the male salmon, and then take the eggs to the hatchery.

I asked the Indian, “Which are your fish?” and he poined to the ripe ones

15

from which the eggs had been taken —fish with festering places on them from rock bruises.

Here we have the remnants of a mighty people who once took and ate these fish as their right and had plen­ ty for all, now begging a few miser­ able fish—a fish which once over­ flowed our streams by the millions now coming up a few at a time, in spite of hatcheries, laws and restric­ tions. I felt a deep disgust at this egg taking, too. There should be something akin to justice for this most noble of fish. He has been near­ ly exterminated by criminal waste and now to keep even a few of his kind he is deprived of the ancient birth­ right of every salmon to battle the rapids and spawn as nature intended, and to be subjected to such indigni­ ties as this and then to see the rem­ nant of the other once mighty people, they also despoiled of their right to take what fish they needed, by the greedy white man, and to make up for this, to be given a few festering fish.

It was too much for me and with something misty in my eyes, I came away and never again do I want to see this.

What I would like to see would be a game and fish refuge where the deer could roam with no sound of a rifle shot to alarm them, and where the salmon could battle the rapids without being netted or penned, and reproduce their kind as is the w’ay with salmon from time and ages past, and where no ax would chop and no saw cut the cool forest, and where archers and archers only could take a surplus buck in the proper time.

That is the way at least part of our immense forests should be used.

Brother archers, let’s put our shoul­ ders to the wheel and all pull for a refuge of this kind, we have plenty

Tool for feathering arrows, $1.50.

This tool has been giving satisfaction for over two years. H. Wayte, 919 Hay’s Park, Kalamazoo, Mich.

of examples of what it will be if we leave it to the tender mercies of the greedy.

Very truly yours, H. E. Nibler, Gervais, Ore. Colin J. Cameron announces the in­ vention of a bow which “enables one to shoot an arrow absolutely direct through the bow with out the feathers touching an obstacle.”

GEO. BROMMERS Box 1164—San Pedro, Cal. Raw Materials Exclusively.

— Write for new list of Specials! —

Classified A ds

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A Good Hickory Bow

Manufacturer of the finest Archery Targets. Maker for the National, Eastern and Metropolitan tourna­ ments, also for Mr. James Duff of Jersey City. Wholesale and retail.

John Smith, 209 Bowers St., Jersey City, N. J.

Any Weight to 35 Pounds

LAYALLOY (aluminum alloy) AR­ ROWS. Weight 360 grs. Suitable on bows from 25 to 65 lbs. Uniform in every particular. Price $13.00 per­ dozen. Unfletched, $10.00 per dozen.

Nat. Lay, 2801 Big Bend Bl., Maple­ wood, Mo.

— OUR LEADER — Lemonwood bow, five to six feet, any weight to forty pounds, horn nocks, gimp handle, linen string — $8.50.

Frank Kindle 303 Pearl St.

Pendleton, Ind.

Only $5.00 The Old Archery Shop 4016 N. 27th St., Tacoma, Wash. k ------------- —---------------------------------- \

OSAGE ORANGE Logs, Staves, Billets Wholesale—Retail Dr. Rawlins Spine Tester Feathering Tools Everything in Archery Tackle & Supplies ARCHERY SALES and SERVICE Co. 510 Van Buren St., Chicago f^r Dozen

THURLOW COLTSKIN SHOOTING GLOVE

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. Allows Smoothest Release Known

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RATES—5c per word.

'

I

February, 1931.

YE SYLVAN ARCHER

16

V,

Portaland, Ore.

fostaje N

— BARNES —

Maker of fine archery tackle.

Making bows for expert archers everywhere. Made at BARNES ARCHERY SHOP 601 N. 4th St., Sturgis, Mich.

R-epai-4.

A light weight yet rugged allpurpose hunting point, 25c each.

Satisfaction guaranteed.

Wholesale prices on request.

HUGO BUCKNER 115 W. 8th St., Hanford, Cabf.

THE SPECIALIST Oregon Yew Bows—Port Orford Cedar Arrows—If you wanted a box of oranges you wouldn’t send to the North Pole to an Eskimo for them—so when you want Archery Tackle why not send to Hobson in Oregon—where Port Orford Cedar, Airplane Spruce and Oregon Yew grows in abundance ?

To the secretary of any club I will send samples of the finest Port Orford Cedar arrows, made to order at lowest prices. And the next 60 days I will make any archer a sample set of exact matched spine cedar arrows—any length for $5.00—beautifully fletched, unpainted cedar ar­ row .three for $1.00. Hunting arrows, specially tapered Port Orford Ce­ dar, hand-made heads, $1.00 each. Oregon linen bow string to match your bow, 75cents. Bullet points, 25 dozen. Parallel points, 40c dozen. 1 dozen full length ground feathers, 40 cents. Sample free—make me an offer for absolutely perfect yew bow stave, mate to one used in $150 yew bow.

This stave is one in a life time and for sale—sent to any responsible archer or to any club secretary on approval—if offer is satisfactory.

We have just completed a feathering clamp that enables any archer to fletch perfectly—price $1.25. Particulars free. Don’t forget, we are always glad to hear from any archers. Send name for big list of specials.

Lyons, Oregon

Harry D. Hobson

Premiums to Archery Clubs Ye Sylvan Archer offers the following premiums, especially for the consideration of clubs: For 12 subscriptions will be given a bronze plaque mounted on hardwood base, very suitable for presentation for club championships.

We are so sure these plaques will please you that we will send one on approval to any club secretary. Then, if you are pleased with the plaque send us the 12 subscriptions, if not return the plaque.

For 10 subscriptions we will give a copy of “Archery,” by Dr. Elmer.

For 30 subscriptions we will give a good yew bow made by an experienced bowyer.

For 5 subscriptions will be given a copy of Duff’s “Bows and Arrows,” or of “The Witchery of Archery.”

Address:

Ye Sylvan Archer Box 156, Corvallis, Oregon

JAMES DUFF Archery Manufacturer The foremost experienced Archery Maker living, trained in the best Archery schools of the past century, and making archery tackle since 1892.

Retail Only 130 Zabriskie Street

Jersey City, N. J.

STYLES YEW BOWS Steadily Improved Since 1923 Yew bows: faster and smoother shooting by far than any others; each archer who achieves success finds this to be a fact. The virtue is in the wood; an exceptional yew bow is found, not made. In mak­ ing a weapon of highest quality it is often necessary to make up five of my choicest staves. Fortunately I have 2,000 practically perfect staves from which to choose. Yew bows are priced at $35 to $150.

There is nothing in my tackle except good timber and careful work.

Andrew Brush, Instructor in Archery, of New York City, says that the Styles yew bows are thes best in the world, and last forever.

Lemonwood bows: proven the best hardwood weapons. Inexpen­ sive, $15.00 to $25.00.

The Tyrell Arm-Guard: one piece of gear that is PERFECT, $1.50 each, plus 10c for postage. Men’s or ladies’ sizes. Satisfactory for both hunting and target use.

Write of what you need. Circular on request.

CASSIUS HAYWARD STYLES 75 Roble Road, Berkeley, California