2008.08.23
Ethan Davis with his first Robin Hood
Things are much busier at the outdoors show today. I saw more people by 10:10 a.m. (10 minutes after the show opened) than I saw all day yesterday.
Ten-year-old Ethan Davis of Bedford stopped by a while back. He was proud of the Robin Hood he shot in the Parker demo area. He shot it with a crossbow on his first shot. There was one arrow already in the target.
"I didn't even see it," he said.
Clearly this kid is not an experienced outdoorsman or he wouldn't have been so honest!
Ethan loves to shoot -- shotguns, baskets, the breeze with his grandparents -- and now apparently the crossbow. Don't think he'll ever be a fib-telling sportsman; at least, he'd better not let his Mom find out!
Comment by Melissa Davis (aka Ethan's Mom) — August 23, 2008 @ 6:34 pm
Nice to finally meet you today! Maybe next time we'll be able to talk longer! It seems you're a really popular guy, that's what happens when you do great work!
Comment by Tommy Nunley — August 23, 2008 @ 9:22 pm
Congrats to Ethan,This doesnt happen very often, I been bow shooting for 10 years, best ive ever done was just break the knock off an arrow, worder if he knows just how rare this is ? any ways, way to go Ethan
Comment by Joey Hambrick — August 23, 2008 @ 9:28 pm
Ms. Davis
Lighten up, from my under standing last hunting season no one got that 14 point buck with 18 inch brow tines and that gnarley cork screw drop tine may be in your sons sights.
Oh I forgot if you see it on a frosty morning, you'll swear it breaths fire with the gleam of anticipation of a fight with man or beast in it's eye.
These are days hunters live for Ms Davis these are the days.
Comment by Backlash — August 24, 2008 @ 8:54 pm
what the heck is 'shooting a robin hood'??
Comment by Aunt Kalisa — August 24, 2008 @ 9:05 pm
First, to answer Aunt Kalisa's question. Sorry for forgetting that not everyone is fluent in archery lingo. A Robin Hood is what you see here -- one arrow that sticks directly into the back of another one.
Like Bobby, I've been shooting bows since I was a kid and, while I've broken plenty of nocks, I've never had a Robin Hood.
Backlash -- I'm pretty sure Ethan's mom was kidding about the fibbing part. And where were you this weekend? I figured I might finally get to meet the mysterious Backlash!
Thanks for stopping by, Tommy. I'm sure we'll get to do some more talking somewhere down the line.
Joey, I'm still working on that question you asked me. I'll get back to you soon with an answer.
Those of you who stopped by to say "Hi" this weekend, thanks!
And thanks, everyone, for reading and taking the time to comment.
mt
Comment by Mark Taylor — August 25, 2008 @ 1:22 pm
This Grandmother would indeed be bragging, IF, like Kalisa, I'd even known what that meant. All I do KNOW, is MY Grandson is Quite the BOy!!
You go, Ethan. See how many "good" records you can set before you are "of age".
Comment by Teresa Polzin — August 25, 2008 @ 4:51 pm
Just wanted to say that I had attended the Sportsmans Show last year and was not impressed at all. For $15 (i think that was the price), the show was a rip-off. $15 or not, I went there with four other buddies and we all decided that we would not attend this year's show. More than anything, I feel that's the reason behind low attendance - if the show is good enough, people will come regardless of gas prices. I believe it was discussed earlier that the show was expected to draw a larger crowd, but based on everyone I had spoke to, the lack of attendees wasn't surprising.
Comment by Matt — August 26, 2008 @ 8:47 am
Interesting point, Matt. I don't think the show was $15 last year, but it was more than the $9 it was this year. I want to say $12 (or $10 if you had the coupon).
Whatever the admission price, after the novelty wears off it's got to be a great show to get people to come back year after year.
Producing a great show year after year is tough even when you can promise crowds of attendees to vendors. How do you promise good crowds coming off a debacle like this? It's going to be tough.
Thanks for taking the time to comment on the topic.
mt
Comment by Mark Taylor — August 26, 2008 @ 11:39 am
Dear Backlash,
You misunderstand me -- I'm glad that Ethan wants to follow in the footsteps of his father, grandfather, great-uncles and great-grandfather and be a hunter and fisherman; I think that his exploits, see above, may be so extraordinary that he won't need to resort to telling fish stories ...
Comment by Melissa Davis — August 26, 2008 @ 7:53 pm
I'm extremely proud of my brother, he's already proven numerous times what a good shot he is with a gun. It looks as if his talent is more widespread, ad I can't wait to see what he does with it.
Comment by Ethan's sister — September 1, 2008 @ 11:47 am
Way to go Ethan!!! I know a few men in this family that are really going to be jealous of this accomplishment. And by the way, what happened to that little boy I saw last???He’s a young man!
Comment by Aunt Melissa — September 2, 2008 @ 4:44 pm
Well, I for one am impressed. I've taught archery, repaired, and sold bows. Out of all the shooters we had on the range trying out their new bows or testing the ones I had repaired, I only had one guy (who also had never shot a bow) shoot a Robin Hood. Like Ethan, he didn't know just what a special shot he made. I offered him the arrows and he politely declined. My other customers said they would take them, though. Not!! Me,, I've been shooting all my life and never shot one. I've blown many nocks off, but no Robin Hoods,, yet.
Comment by Uncle Bill — September 2, 2008 @ 9:58 pm
Melissa Davis men sitting around telling the truth and stretching it a bit is all good fun.
I have met some really good people over sea stories and hunting exploits since moving to Virginia.
A man rabbit hunting came across a bobcat hunting a rabbit from a tree, he was able to shoot both the bobcat and the rabbit while using beagles. It was a nice story to hear yet I feel the beagles treed the bobcat and the rabbit makes it sound better to boost of ones skills.
Please except my apologies if you took my comment as admonishment.
Backlash in Christiansburg
Comment by Backlash — September 3, 2008 @ 10:08 am