The Reason to have a quality Bow

  Yesterday I was up in Bakersfield, CA running some errands when I decided to go into the local bow shop to see what was going on and to introduce myself (Remember local shops are the lifeblood to our sport, see My local bow shop is closing and its our fault ).  Upon walking in first I was blown away. If you wanted a Matthews Helium they had it in your size and in whatever color you wanted, same went for Hoyt, Bowtech, Elite, G5 and more.  That was impressive to say the least.  I spoke with owners mother who was running things behind the counter and the uncle who was helping a young guy with in (XXXXXXX) bow, sorry don't want to give any details til I know more about what happens next.  Good shop and I was just cruising looking at photos and product thinking up what I need to waste more money one, beside the Matthews Helium of course.
 
  As I was talking to Mom, the had put the guys bow in the press and changed his draw length of his brand new bow that he had purchased a few days before.  First shot you here a noise, that was weird. Second time a round....this is the point where everyone is holding their breath and thinking of arrows going through hands, strings flying around and cutting faces and arms and general mayhem unleashing.  Well you are right, as the young guy got about half way through his draw snap! Strings and cams everywhere, arrow goes flying in my direction and I am ready to apply pressure till paramedics arrive. Luckily no one was hurt, only the bow.  The bracket that held the upper cam in place had completely sheared off and caused a train wreck. Needless to say that was exciting.

  So long story longer the Unnamed company wanted the bow back for testing and the young guy is being sent a new bow today.  I will say, good customer service, but I don't think I will be buying a bow from the company anytime soon.

So all in all, don't buy a XXXXXXX and head over to The Archery Shop if you are ever in Bakersfield, CA. They have a great selection of Hunting, Bowfishing and Camo products.  Plus they are good people too.

  On a side note they did have a bow from the movie Scorpion King staring The Rock, I didn't expect that when I went in there.



Talk to you later all,

The Bearded Boar

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Good News, MY LOCAL BOW SHOP HAS BEEN SAVED!

Yes sir, my local bow shop, Archery Sports USA, has been save on the brink of extension.  From the depths of despair and destruction they have been pulled out of the muck and mire to be place on a street corner with a new location and new vigor. Out of no where a local propertry owner and businessman came in and wanted to help run the buisness and expand the shop.  So not only is the shop staying open, they are growing! It is American Capitalism at its finest.  With him injecting some money into the shop it helps them stay open and even expand to have 15 indoor shooting lanes.  Not a bad deal!
 
  And the best part about it is, the owner of the shop asked me if I would think about guiding for his Outfitting business in Montana a few months a year for Elk, Deer, Bear and Antelope.  Umm....let me think about it.  Sure if I have to spend some time there and hang out with guys who love to hunt. So all around a good time if you ask me, I keep my local shop, they expand and I might be headed to Montana to guide and hunt. Not bad.

Man I love the free market and entrepreneurship, it made and still makes America great.

Later All,

The Bearded Board

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My Local Bow Shop is closing and its our fault......

  I am really bummed today, my local bow shop is closing its doors at the end of next month.  If you needed a dozen arrows the night before opening day or your bow is creaking, for me it is/was the place to go.  Nothing spectacular, it doesn't have everything the larger retailers have, but is has what you need 75% of the time and there is always an open bow press for repairs.  But no more. Last night the President of the United States gave the State of the Union Address and spoke about how to improve the economy and a few other gentleman are debating on how they would do it differently, unfortunately their plans will not help Don the proprietor of Archery Sports USA. It is simply to late.

 There are lots of reasons why businesses fail and truly most do, rental costs, employee wages and taxes are all overhead costs that all put a business in the hole before they even open the doors.  The next thing that will close a business in not making sales or not having having customers, obviously.  Before I was the manly construction manager that I am today I worked for the largest grossing bicycle shop in Los Angeles and the thing that killed us were the people who would ask us what products, bikes or clothing we recommended and then buy it online.  I understand that there can be cheaper prices online, but at the cost to the business and possibly your pocket book. Because even if you saved 20 bucks you still have to drive to a shop and pay someone to install it.  Savings gone for the most part.

  Okay soap box time.

  I believe in keeping the economy going on a local level.  Buy American and more importantly buy local and that will help us all out.  It is plain and simple if you want to be able to have a place and pick up something real quick or actually get someone who knows something about the product they are stocking you need to invest into their business and help them stay around.  I know some of the big stores have really cool stuff, boats, blankets, boots, BBQs, lots of different types of broad heads and rows and rows of fly rods.  Good luck finding someone who might have an understanding of the product or may heaven forbid actually use it. In most cases you are a number and a dollar sign, a piece of meat in the food chain.  Not saying don't shop there, just be careful not to take business that can be had at your local shop.   Mortal sin of the consumer in the small business arena is to ask your shop what to buy, buy it online and then take it to them to install. Do that and you might find a broadhead or a #8 hook in your back on the way out.

 Remember when you help out a local small shop they just might give you a few bucks off, a tip on honing your skill or maybe invite you onto private land to finally bag that trophy.  We are all struggling in one way shape or form, but remember is you want to improve the economy don't wait for Big Brother take action and do it yourself.  BUY AMERICAN-BUY LOCAL!

Just saying think it over,

The Bearded Boar

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