Contributed by:  Vernon Sandel, Dollar Bay, MI  1/26/2007

Over the last several years of bowhunting I missed a number of opportunities to harvest a deer because I struggled to draw my bow. Being in my 70's with arthritis in both shoulders, I could still draw my 50# bow quite well in practice, but drawing it from a sitting position when cold and stiff in a tree stand was quite a different story. The struggle spooked the deer before I could get a shot off. Further lowering the draw weight of my 65# bow was not an option because the adjusting bolts only had a few threads holding the limbs at 50#.

I learned that the Michigan DNR had a license for "a modified bow that maintained a draw", a drawlock license. This is not a cross bow license. I do not qualify for the cross bow license as I am impaired, not handicapped. I made a draw lock, a trigger device mounted on a 3/8" aluminum rod with a fork at the other end that fit firmly on my riser. I found that my accuracy increased using the draw lock, probably due to the fixed anchor point. I cranked the bow back to its original 65# and found I could easily draw the bow with my feet on the riser and using both hands.

The problem with the draw lock is that a drawn bow is very clumsy to deal with. Using it with my Compound Bow Rest & Holder (www.bowstabilizer.net) was a natural combination. I didn't have to even touch the riser. Raising the bow by the trigger device and firing was accurate, convenient and effective. I ruined a few arrows hitting the first with the second at 20 yards!

The combination was used last hunting season. I shot two deer last bow season, both hit very well, and neither deer detected the slightest danger until hit.  This combination is an alternative to a crossbow license, and can extend the bowhunting capabilities of the elderly.

Contributed by: Kevin Proudy, Dollar Bay, MI May 16, 2008

About two weeks before rifle season last year I was hunting from a tree stand at the edge of a field.  I got to my stand about an hour before daybreak, and just at dawn a 4 point buck came out of the woods and walked the tree line heading straight for my stand.  While he was behind a tree I drew my bow, and waited.  He must have heard the draw because he stopped before he completely cleared the tree, but since I had a reasonable shot at his vitals I fired.  He turned, fell to the ground, got up and ran off in the direction from which he came.

I found my arrow on the ground, but the broadhead and about 4" of shaft were missing.  An obvious blood trail and tracks were visible as there was about 4" of snow on the ground.  A friend, Chris, and I tracked the deer for what seemed like a mile before the blood ran out--no deer!

About a week into rifle season Chris and I were hunting from a blind in the center of that same field.  just after the sun went down a huge doe came out of the woods.  We had crop damage permits so Chris decided to take her.  He made a good shot and she dropped about 30 yards into the woods.  Not more than two minutes later a four point buck ran out into the field. I shot the deer and we both went to find our kills.

We brought both deer to my place to skin and quarter.  I hung mine by the pelvic bone to skin.  I was almost done, one more pull down past his neck and I could take off his head.  As I made the pull I heard something hit the ground, it was a broadhead with about 4" of shaft!  Chris and I looked at each other and started laughing in disbelief.  This was the same deer I had shot three weeks before!  I had hit him in the neck just in front of his shoulder (what a horrible shot).  The arrow head will be kept as a keepsake to remind me of this odd coincidence.