The Owen Jeffery Bow

The 2007 SCBA Rendezvous at Rocks Pond marked the kickoff of the Owen Jeffery Bow program.  The Owen Jeffery bow is a one of a kind take down recurve made specially for the SCBA by master bowyer Owen Jeffery.  The bow, which features both a right hand and left hand riser, was presented to the organization for the purpose of establishing a new tradition.

Each year, eligible SCBA members may apply, with recommendation from fellow members, for the honor of being the bows hunting companion for 1 year.  The winner is randomly drawn from the applications at the annual rendezvous.  The lucky hunter may then use the bow in hunting, competition or just stump shooting. The only stipulation is that the hunter is expected to documents his or her exploits in the journal that accompanies the bow. At the end of the year, the bow will be returned so that another member may have the same opportunity.

The organization would like to thank Owen Jeffery and Jeffery Archery for making this program possible.

Kenny Kearse - May 2007 through May 2008

May 5, 2007

Won Owen Jeffery Bow for one year.  Bow was presented to me by my friend Owen Jeffery at the SCBA rendezvous at Rocks Pond.  Borrowed a finger tab from Owen and shoot 6 arrows at the long distance buffalo.  One arrow hit the buffalo.

August 15, 2007

Went deer hunting with the Owen Jeffery Bow.  Saw 10 turkey, a doe with fawn.

August 16^th, 2007

Saw bobcat.  Shot 2 arrows at a coyote, 1^st shot at 15 yds, 2^nd at 30, both missed. After that a 8 pt and a cow horn came out. Did not get a shot. After they left saw a grey fox. Did not shoot my last arrow.  From now on I’m carrying 6 arrows with me and the Owen Jeffery Bow.

August 18^th, 2007

Saw doe and 2 fawns.

August 23, 2007

Saw nothing

August 24, 2007

Saw 6 turkeys

August 27, 2007

Saw 4 does and 2 bucks.

August 29, 2007

Saw 5 turkey and 1 rabbit.

August 31, 2007

Saw 2 deer.

Sept. 1, 2007

Saw 4 deer

Sept. 5, 2007

Saw nothing

Sept. 8, 2007

Shot a dove, doves are fast.

Sept. 12, 2007

Went goose hunting, nothing close

Sept. 14, 2007

Saw 3 deer.

Sept. 15, 2007

Saw nothing.

Sept. 17, 2007

2 deer, missed doe.

Sept. 19, 2007

Shot at goose with Owen Jeffery Bow at 40 yds, clean miss.

Sept. 29, 2007

Got to the stand early afternoon with the Owen Jeffery Bow. Shortly after getting in the stand, I had birds, squirrels, and raccoons around me.  It wasn’t long before I saw 4 deer coming in.  I waited until a mature doe gave me a 10 yd broad side shot.  When I shot the arrow went in front of the deer.  All four deer walked away toward the hill.  I felt disappointment.  After a few minutes 3 more deer came in.  Waited until the biggest doe gave me a broad side shot at 8 yds.  Shot over the does back.  The 3 deer walked away toward the hill. More disappointment. I can’t believe I missed 2 deer so close.  I just knew my hunt for the day was over.  A few minutes later deer, deer and more deer, a total of 8 came out of the woods.  After a few minutes 8 were within 15 yards of me.  I waited a couple of minutes and one of the mature does gave me a broad side shot.  I drew and shot.  The arrow went under the deer at 11 yards.  Real disappointment.  All 8 deer walked off toward the hill.  A few minutes later I see 4 more deer coming out of the woods.  The first deer came about 30 yds from me and headed in the direction the other 15 had headed.  The second deer was another small deer.  The third deer was a mature doe and it followed the other deer. I decided I was going to shoot at the last deer when it was broadside at 30 yards.  I had already missed 3 shots the Ishi way, I figured shooting at one the Pope and Young way would not hurt.  When the dear got broad side I picked up the SCBA Owen Jeffery Bow and shot the arrow at the mature bow at 30 yards away and to my surprise the doe dropped in her tracks.  The arrow had hit her in the neck.  I had killed the 19^th deer I had seen that afternoon.  What a hunt, what a good ending.   

Oct. 20,2007

Had SCBA meeting at 466 Rokky Pt Road Blackville S.C.   After meeting Dewey Jones President SCBA went hunting with Owen Jeffery Bow.

Nov. 29, 2007

Had changed the SCBA Bow to left handed.  Went to local restaurant that night after I had hunted.

Nov. 30, 2007

Went hunting in the afternoon.  Got dressed outside of my car.  Went to get my bow and it was missing.  Went to get my other bow and it wasn’t there either.  Went back home to see if I had taken the bows out and didn’t remember.  Once I got home I realized I had been robbed.  Thief’s had taken the left handed SCBA bow, a PSE Dominator bow and a double barrel rabbit ear shotgun that dated back to the 1800’s.  Went and filed a report at the Barnwell Police Dept.

Dec. 3, 2007

Went to Jefferie’s Archery and borrowed a LH recurve bow.

12-4-08

Went hunting with loaned Owen Jeffery Bow.

12-4-07

Saw 3 does but they were on the wrong side.

12/7/07

Left hand SCBA bow saw nothing.

12-8-07 – 01-1-08

A lot of deer while hunting with the left handed loaner bow but all the deer were on the wrong side.  All my deer are right handed deer and it wasn’t meant for meto kill a deer left handed.

3-17-08

Went to Jeffery Archery and paid for a replacement SCBA bow.

3-19-08

Went turkey hunting with SCBA RH bow.  Missed a long beard at 12 yards.

4-07-08

Took a friend of mine on his first turkey hunt with a bow. I hand the SCBA bow and he had an old PSE Carroll Intruder.  I loaned him a vortex broadhead.  I told him he could get first shot.  Twenty minutes later two toms were coming.  He drew and shot harvesting the first bird. The second bird did not give me a shot. 

4-15-08

Carried another friend of mine named Jimmy Bolen turkey hunting with a bow for the first time.  He missed a big tom a 12 yards.  I didn’t get a shot with the SCBA bow.

P.S. on March 28, 2008

At the Sportsman Classic picked up the replacement SCBA bow that Owen Jeffery had made that was a replica of the stolen one.

5-02-08

Went to Rocks Pond Campground. Carried the SCBA bow and left it with Dewey Jones, President of the SCBA and long time friend.  I have never deer hunted with anything other than a compound bow until I had won the SCBA bow for a year.  It was a different type of hunting for me. My hat is off for anyone who hunts with traditional equipment.  Could have filled the book with the fun and pleasure I felt while in possession of the SCBA bow.  We saw a lot of deer, bobcats, turkeys and coyotes.  I hope that the operators of the SCBA bow keep the spirit alive.  I thank my friend Owen Jeffery for building the bow and Tom for helping make the dream happen but most of all I want to thank my friend Butch for drawing my name. 

5-03-08

Turn bow over to the new winner for a year – happy hunting.  New owner is Malory Oxendine

Thanks

KK Kearse

On May 3rd, 2008 Malory Oxendine was selected to become the new hunting companion of the SCBA Owen Jeffery Bow. Above, Owen Jeffery presents the bow to Malory as Kenny Kearse looks on.