Well...if you ever wanted to make a selfbow then you need to plan to attend MoJam July 19-22 in Marshall, Mo. This is the original selfbow jamboree that started 20 years ago this July. In honor of the 20th anniversary the Marshall Bowhunters have set up a new MOJAM Facebook page so that we can all keep up with this year's special event. I have already heard that lots of the 'old guys' will be attending, and we hope many new guys, gals, and kids come join in the family fun.

https://www.facebook.com/MOJAM-900707546777783/?hc_ref=ARTFERmqp3vJuLJQcwS5FH3liuzm0OnVJormo9-yi5s2UeuTJQrzaD8wZc6Bnj-zSyE&fref=nf -I tried to embed the link but guess I did it wrong...

I will see if I can make it. I have to limit myself to about 2 events a year where travel is involved. I am a zero so far this year.

man that would be great Steve. I'm afraid Sal has his hands full with two young children, but I'll keep after him. Maybe Rich and John can make it and bring Sal. :)

One of these years, one of these years.

I live in NH. I went to Mojam 2003...15 years ago. I don't think I could do the drive. It is just too far away.

I do hope someone takes and post some great photos so I can go vicariously.

Best to all.

George

Me and Sheila will have The Nocking Point trailer there! Terry

I was just gonna ask about vendors. See ya there Bob, Terry , and Sheila. I'm about to need bowstring material....

Don't do Facebook but which I could make it. IBO worlds has prevented me mostly the last 3-4 years. But it looks like my wife and I will be west this year. Arvin

I would love to go, but 1300 miles is a bit far to go and leave my wife with all the live stock to take care of. Maybe there will be one in Georgia or better yet Florida.

Don't count me out yet.

Bob, That's a fine looking group a fellas there!

Hoping to see you there Sal.

I searched for it got alot of Mohammed stuff what's the exact name of the FB page

Here you go Mike....

https://www.facebook.com/MOJAM-900707546777783/? hc_ref=ARS1yWGKlSifMmPFoeB- AXhDtIerfXGRoqmKPZKoun5YgDPFu1LRhT1HnZzx0U_6IWA&fref=nf

It took a little bit of searching but I found it by going to Marshall Bow Hunters on fb.

https://www.facebook.com/marshallbow/

thanks!

Sorry, here's a link to make it easier.

Sorry again....guess that didn't work. oh well, copy and paste.

I have the link posted above. I tried searching for MOJAM and it doesn't work but here it is again.

https://www.facebook.com/MOJAM-900707546777783/?hc_ref=ARTFERmqp3vJuLJQcwS5FH3liuzm0OnVJormo9-yi5s2UeuTJQrzaD8wZc6Bnj-zSyE&fref=nf

Familiar faces in those pics, some names have slipped me.

Does WillMO still come lately?

And who's that tallest feller in the pic with Sal and the other five? Really enjoyed his company, can't believe the name has left me. And is that Tim between he and Sal?

I've GOT to get back there this year.

gosh what great pics

The tall guy is Rob.

Will hasn't been back since I "loaned" him a sinew back osage that he gave me when it hinged... LOL That pic with Dean Torges and Joe Mattingly reminds me why I still go every year.

I would be interested in attending if my schedule will work and would like to make a selfbow. What would a novice like myself need to bring? What type of expense for a stave?

we always have tools to loan to those that need them...staves are plentiful and I picked some osage up last year for little as $10...I also got better staves for $25. You will not have trouble finding wood, tools, or help.

if you post up a pic could you add names? I can remember most but not all.

the last 2 pics were of Dina from Florida, with "Doc" in the background, and one of Dean shooting a 'hatchet bow' with JD, Wingnut, and others watching...

OK, guys you are going to make me cry...really.

Here's pics from 2002. http://web.archive.org/web/20080302181606/http://residents.bowhu nting.net:80/sticknstring/mj2002.html

Mickey, some of your pics I uploaded for you: http://web.archive.org/web/20070703085724/http://residents.bowhu nting.net:80/sticknstring/mj2002m.html

MOJAM 1: http://web.archive.org/web/20070703085724/http://residents.bowhu nting.net:80/sticknstring/mj2002m.html

Who remembers this guy? Hint - walkabout. Oh what fun!

Here's my favorite pic from MoJam 1.

Mickey, what's up with Bro Randy?

ok...since John posted pics, and one even had someone from another country...which we use to see quite often at MoJam...here's one I have of (R-L) Rob(England), Dustin(my son), and Walter(Germany). I think my favorite though was the guy that blew bagpipes at sunup each morning... :)

Great pics and memories.

John, the Aussie (can't remember his name though) stayed at my house and Bro Randy and I brought him to Mojam lol. What a character he was. He sent me some tanned gray Kangaroo hide that was some of the neatest stuff for wrapping bow handles. Thin, very tough.

Bro Randy is a retired fireman, riding motorcycles with me (currently riding a Triumph Bonneville), but recently his wife has been diagnosed with alsheimers and he spends alot of time taking care of her. Another terrible disease.

john your links don't work for me

Hey Mick. Shaun "Stickman from Oz" was his name. What a hoot he was. You'll have to copy and paste the addy's into you address line.

Tell Bro Randy I said hi.

Jeff Gibson from Arkansas with a really nice snaky bow...I think he was waiting for a hot dog... :) I have one with John in it but he may not want his young shirtless self made public... even though he was working and it does get warm at MoJam. LOL

Great photos, good to see all the folks from 'the early years' back again.

Names ae starting to come back to me, usually at odd intervals.

Will have to start looking through some of the old discs to see what's left.

Mickey - found of couple of you and I, "u goota be kidding me' and 'old hickory'.

Rusty, Dano, Wingnut and others, hope you all can find the thread.

John I tried that...didn't work. Will tell Randy hi for you.

I remember Jeff Gibson..fun guy!

Gifford, hot dog, good to hear from you. I have been smiling so much reading these 2 threads

The 3D shooting is always fun and open 24 hours a day... I seem to remember John doing some late night shooting... LOL

I remember that round Bob! Good times as always. My youngest, Ethan, is the little guy in the pic. He's as big as me now. Already warned Scifres we've got to reprise the night shoot this year.....what a blast!

If I remember right Dustin and Ethan did a little exploring and brought some frog legs back to cook over the fire. The boys still talk about those trips.

Darren that pictures still sits by my computer...it was one of the best times I ever had. I'm sure looking forward to seeing all of you guys this year.

Great pics Butch...as anyone talked to Gary Davis about coming his year? Pablo... Hooligan... Cooter... Dano... ???

In Butch's last pic, I think that's Tom Dickerson on the right looking at the table of bows. I'd dearly like to see him, too.

I only went once but seeing the names and faces gets me misty eyed. Jawge

Me too, Jawge. Sorry I missed your time there.

I'm sorry too, Buzz. It is just too far for me. I went 2003...almost 15 years ago. Jawge

I hear ya Jawge...especially when so many of the great people in the pics are no longer with us... Who could forget Bill Metcalf? He taught my son to knap at MoJam and always amazed us with his ability to completely build a shooting bow in an hour with nothing but his machete.

ha ha Muddville. Mudd still come?

Can anyone tell me do they still do the charity auction? If so will have to come up with something

yes we still have a big auction on Saturday night right after the wonderful potluck dinner! Maybe my favorite 2 events at MoJam... LOL

I will continue to post pics, but I would appreciate anyone that sees themselves in a picture please mention which picture and let everyone know who you are... it will make it so much easier on us old forgetful geezers when we meet again, if we can put a face with a name. Also, it would be great if anyone with some past pics would post a few of them to keep this going. I usually stay way to busy to take very many while I'm there. Here's mine from 2017... which reminds me...I had better get busy on that stave so I can shoot the bow in this year's Clout Shoot! Thanks!

Mickey,will let Roy know you'll be there. He doesn't stay but he only lives about an hour away.

Bowaholic,

I'll never forget this. As my wife and I were leaving, David Mims (DCM) came running up to us with 1/4 log of osage and stuck it the back of my wagon. Such a kindness. Eternal be his memory.

I remember giving a lecture on making arrows from scratch with Dean Torges watching and smiling (thankfully). Eternal be his memory.

I'm smiling a bittersweet smile through misty eyes.

Jawge

Mickey,Roy said he's going to be there.

Now THAT's good news!

good news...? Have you actually heard Mudd yodel at sunrise...? LOL

John's last photo...exteme right...Darren Tyrell (DRT). Jawge

thanks John... Jawge- I totally understand... so many of the gang that was there in 2003 are gone now....which is just one more reason why I'm trying to get us all together once again.

I know. It's a good thing. :) Jawge

One of my favorite folks(John) trying to outdo me at catnapping.

One of my favorite folks(John) trying to outdo me at catnapping.

Sorry for the double post.... proof once again that not much has changed with me....lol

I emails George Nagel yesterday. Looks like he might be coming now as well.

I still email and pm with DRT... he's on the ST1300 (motorcycle) forum as well. We were talking about Dean the other day and DRT told me his Torges bow is named "Mickey" lol

that's awesome about George and DRT!

(My ride is a Heritage Softail)

Late night string making.

Rachel with her back to you. Keith Lester getting schooled in foreground. Rich Saffold 3rd one back.

Tom Leemans, Dean Torges making rattan kids bows. 2002 again.

Keith giving a shooting lesson 2002.

Rich Saffold 2002

Anybody remember Cooter? 2002.

Baker schooling Ferret on making a linen string 1999.

Baker bandsawin'

Brad Smith painting.

John, I remember Cooter. That boy was crazy! :^)

i remember Cooter. Good memories. Jawge

I hope someone gets in touch with Cooter. He used some Russian Olive one year and gave my some some sort of diamond willow? to carve on. Tome Lemmons made my toothing plane. :) Has anyone contacted Dano or Timo... maybe Sal will get in touch with Rich too.

the Clout Shoot 2017 top shooters were from Arkansas to Denmark!

I went there years ago and started a bow with an old stave I had, a friend of mine Finnished it for me years later and I finally shot a deer with it last year with a cane arrow with stone tip. I would like to know what year it was if anyone has a pic that would tell me. I had a brand new white canvas tent beside the provillion. It's a strange looking tent that I made and they used it for a back drop for pic.at the end. If any one knows let me know I would like to put it on the bow. I'm going to try and get back this year sence I've got into primitive bows now.

I went there years ago and started a bow with an old stave I had, a friend of mine Finnished it for me years later and I finally shot a deer with it last year with a cane arrow with stone tip. I would like to know what year it was if anyone has a pic that would tell me. I had a brand new white canvas tent beside the provillion. It's a strange looking tent that I made and they used it for a back drop for pic.at the end. If any one knows let me know I would like to put it on the bow. I'm going to try and get back this year sence I've got into primitive bows now.

Well, some of those photos must have been stored in the way-back machine. Good photos of the 'really early' years. Thanks for posting them. I've got a few in somewhere place, now if I could just remember where it is.

Jawge did you send me an email? It came with your name but didn't look real so I deleted it.

Mickey

No, Mickey. I ended up changing my password. Jawge

ok thanks

So many great memories... this will be fun.

I was there about 12 years ago I think but didn't take any pics.

Steve, I guess we all just worked too hard when you were there and we didn't have time for pictures. :) I'll bet Sal took a few.

I think so Bob I need to make it back one day, I really enjoyed meeting all of you face to face.

This would be the year to do it. Sal is even talking about taking the trip this year. It would be great to see you again.

Yep, this is going to be a MoJAM revival. I recall Steve making a bow in short order. He's a rasping away and bingo he's got 'er done.

Sal, Rich, John & Steve - start saving up, collecting pop bottles, whatever, grab some cheap seats and before long, you're there.

Maybe Mark will come back from Montana...my son sure enjoyed playing and singing with him. I still listen to his CD while I'm making bows.

Great memories. Lots of good folks.L

here's some of the 'new guys' that keep the MoJam spirit going strong!

Mojam 2000, Loyd Lippert and Silvie and some of his knives.

Bring your kids! Marley will help them make a bow. I have one of her bows hanging above my computer and it's a beauty!

Hackbow- you have a pm:)

I'm pretty sure my daughter Laine, 17 yo, will be there.

Back from following the firetruck up the hill this group of youngsters are relaxing at "Muddville".

my bud Mudd... you have been know to follow that firetruck yourself... :)

https://www.facebook.com/MOJAM-900707546777783/

(DVS)Dave and his new uncle Rob... you had to be there... :)

I have to say i think the early days of mo jam were the best.all the old guys that dont come anymore are realy missed.ive made every one but 3 ,living 45 minutes away make it easy to come and go.i have to say one of my faverite times was sitting on a bench by the shelter watching brad Merkel do a demo, and the guy sitting next to me was Badger i didnt know it at the time but i wish i had.man so many pioneers have graced that place it brings back so many good memories.that is where my grand son and i shot our first shoot together he had so much fun he didnt want to leave.to all the guys that dont come any more i say thanks for the good times.

Kurt, Most shoot self bows but, you are more than welcome to come out and shoot. You might even be encouraged to try a self bow!

as far as I know, the only event with rules about bow type is the Clout Shoot... it's a historical kind of thing and we only allow wood bows to compete...but anyone with any kind of bow can shoot in it...all monies they make go to a very good cause...

As far as I know, any bow and arrow is OK except for the clout shoot...wood bows and arrows only. "Wood" bows don't have any fiberglass in/on them.

Mojam started as a result of the white wood wars. Might be kind of cool to have a competition between osage and the white woods each year. Each year give out a homemade trophy to the winner. You could either have them shoot through the chrono like the first year or just do a broadhead flight shoot with hunting weight arrows at 10 grains per pound.

That sounds like a great idea and this would be the perfect year to do it... we need to post it to the MoJam FB page so that Keith and them can work on it. :) Steve, are you going to try to make it this year? Sal is trying but I haven't talked to him. It would be nice to have the California group back.

I won't count myself out yet Bob, I would sure like to make it. If you guys want any suggestions on how you might set up for a shoot like that have them give me a shout. Depending on the space available you can alter the grain per pound requirement. At 10 grain per pound you might need as much as 240 yards. World record is currently at 230 but I wouldn't be surprised at a good bow breaking that. At 13 grains per pound you might only need 180 or 190 yards.

Steve, Sal said the same thing yesterday...he is trying to get the west coast gang to make it. I think the white/yellow wood war 2 is a great idea! I sent a message to the guys at Marshall and a couple of the new bowyers that attend. These new guys are making some crazy fast extreme d/r selfbows that may well set a new record. There's also plenty of time to set up an event like this and have bows made to compete. Let's get it done. :) I'm pretty sure that the hay field we use for the clout shoot is long enough to keep it at 10 grains per pound.

I think the osage cultists of days gone by should have to make a second-string wood (aka anything but osage, aka "whitewood") bow.

The second-string wood bowmakers have to use osage.

We can give handicaps to the whitewoods kinda like they do in golf. Say 20%? If the follow is more than 4" (likely), then maybe 40% handicap.

Whitewoods are allowed to break after the second shot without disqualification. Osage has to stay in one piece (as if that's even a question).

great idea John...those 'kids' at MoJam are making bows out of all kinds of wood...from fruit trees to crape myrtle.... most very short, hunting weight, and tillered to 28"...it's amazing.

Hmmmm. Don't they know what osage looks like? Maybe after they get through with those practice woods, we can teach 'em.

We can use the practice fruit wood bows to smoke some pork. Hickory will work too. Have you ever seen what that Marshall humidity does to a hickory bow? Unless you do what Baker did at MOJam 1 and store them in some hermetically sealed vacuum bags except when we were testing them.

Don't know about crape. I thought that was a really thin pancake. I like pancakes...especially with fruit or hickory wood smoked bacon.

I just pulled my first osage selfbow off the new D/R caul like the one at MoJam... it might be scary to tiller... :)

Looking good Bob!

Bob - That is a suuuu-weeeet looking bow. Nice shop decorations.

PS You planning on bringing that form along to MoJAM XX, hint..hint. I got the KB stave worked down and ready for a caul and heatgun.

The white wood osage wood comparison could be interesting. Guess I'll bring the old hickory flatbow I made before MoJAM I. It's still together and shoots an arrow slow enough you can easily follow it to target. The old osage ELB style bow that was shot in the official testing is coming along too. Man o man, that bow was made in the mid nineties.

Gifford, I have a sheet at home with all the stats on it from that event including names if I can find it.

Bring yours Dan and I will bring the caul and heat gun... Steve, that list would be cool...may be in one of the Boyer's Bibles? I have, and still shoot, a couple of Joe Mattingly's bows from that first year too.

Here's the bow I had tested at MOJam 1. It was the one I and a bunch of the folks here made online in what may have been the first online buildalong.

You can read most of that story here: http://web.archive.org/web/20070630141524/http://residents.bowhunt ing.net:80/sticknstring/sinew.html

that's a great link John. I couldn't get it to load until I realized there's a space between 'bowhunt' and 'ing' that needs removed... :) Nice bow for sure!

Anyone with ideas for MoJam please post them on the FB page or here. Steve's idea about some competition between white woods and yellow woods sounds very good. I'm thinking a flight shoot will work great for part of it. This might be the year for a new record to be set!

10 grains per pound was the original standard. I made 5 dozen wood arrows that all weighed exactly 500 grains spined at 50 pounds for that first Mojam Osage/whitewood bow testing for Tim Baker. Just so you know, I'm not doing that again.

10 grains a pound was not the first standard 500 grains regardless of bow weight was the first standard. Not a very good standard really.

Do you have enough room for a flight shoot?

I remember WillMO "makin' up a rule" that stopped me from trimming back my feathers before the final clout shot of the day, cuz I knew I'd need the distance. There's room for far-shootin'.

I still have one of Tim's hickory pyramids he made for that test. If I recall, its 47# and shot the arrow 161 fps that day. Its a perfect example of what an un-shot-in whitewood bow built for a speed contest will do - for a few shots.

Also traded a 70# Baker pyramid to Snyder. Wonder what happened to him?

BTW, is "hatchet bow" still a yearly thing there?

Buz, was that one of those 74" long pecan bows? He had a twin to the one I think you are talking about and I pulled it out to about 31". I was getting over 190 fps there at about 58# with a 500 grain arrow. At 28" and 50# I was getting 168 fps

Buz, you mean Snydley? Ed Sneyers? Just found him on Facebook. Social Media stalking :)

I think he is referring to our hatchet bow contest where all entries were made just using a hatchet...felling, chasing a ring, shaping, and tillering. It was a lot of fun, but not too many bows were entered. Here's a pic of Dean judging one of the bows.

Badger if I remember correctly (remember it's been 20 years) each bow was weighed and measured to a draw length that equaled 50# and a spotter (Jim Hamm?) stood beside the shooter (Tim Baker?) to make sure the bow was drawn no further, so each bow's speed was measured at 50# with a 500 grain arrow hence 10 grains per pound. The only fair way to measure the performance fairly on bows of different materials and draw weights, it was determined.

There is a chart someplace with the results.

What they did was use 500 grain arrows and handicap each bow based on 100 plus draw weight being a par shot. A 70# bow was at zero if it shot 170 fps. If the 70# bow shot the 500 grain arrow at 182 he would get a score of 12. Bakers 47# bow shot at 164 fps I believe. So his base was 147 speed 164fps gave him a plus 17 which won the tournament. This year I think we are going to skip the chrono and just flight shoot.

man oh man... this will be so much fun! I think the way we have it now...all bows measured to 28" and arrows matched to 10 grains per pound draw, it will be the best possible way to compare... EVERYONE get them a bow ready for this! Better yet bring several bows! I'm heading to OJam and will talk it up there...

No, Steve, mine (that one Tim made) isn't near that long. Probably 68" or so. Pecan, yes.

John, RE: asking us yeller fellers to make a white bow. Yeah, right. :-)

(Well, maybe if'n I wuz stuck in the swamps of LA , nekkid and hungry, for 21 days.)

John, now that you mention him, I'm remembering Ed, too. Fun guy! But different fellas.

Man, those hatchet bow contests were fun! I think I got 3rd out of 4 one year and second another time. All at the same time it was humbling and uplifting. Humbling due to the limitations and uplifting due to the realization that an effective weapon could be made with rudimentary tools and a little knowledge.

I gave one of the bows I made to my dad. I used a hickory sapling off our farm and it is still shooting today.....not great mind you, but it is still together 15 years later

Darren, there's a feller nearby that sells (try's to sell?) "fresh seasoned coyote meat" on CL. Ya want I should bring some for yer scouts?

How about you, Scott?

Sorry Buz, you no longer have my trust. Passing off a scrawny little deer quarter as primo coyote meat was just plain cruel. I now procure all my song dog meal makin's myself.

In fact I just saw a cute little reddish one out hunting mice not far from the house just an hour ago. If I can call him in he may be joining us for Saturday night dinner in Marshall.

After talking to lots of guys at OJam it looks like we will have a great turnout this year. Steve's Flight Shoot will just make it that much better. :)

I have a primitive bow that I would like to change a little. Make the limbs narrower and and put tip overlays on it will there be anyone there that can help me with that sort of thing. I started it years ago there and a friend Finnished it for me.

There will be lots of guys there that can and will help you do that.

Thanks then I will bring it.

an old MoJam flyer stated~

"Bring Your Bows- Bring Bows in Progress to Work On. Bring Finished Bows to Brag On. Bring Broken Bows for Advice On."

See you there.

Fun time for sure.

Just bumpin' this to the top. Can't wait to see those arrows fly!

Just about 3 months away from having our sweat sweat. Most miserable fun I've ever had.

We will be putting on a broadhead flight shoot where all bows will be shot at 28" 10 grains per pound. Loaner arrows will be available.

All the results will be posted and maintained on line and hopefully we can merge this with primitive events all around the country. it will create a great database and give a lot of guys opportunities to validate their work.

Distances will be recognized in all the classes separately, straightbows, recurves, D/r bows and elbs. Also separated for self bows or laminated bows. I think I figured there will be about 26 various records that can be established for the primitive archery society.

it's less than a month away and looks like it will be one of the best yet. The new Flight Shoot, old friends returning, lots of free demonstrations, a free 3D range open at all times, night shooting under the lights, bow building day and night...even the weather is looking like it won't be too bad... who could ask for more? :)

Really wish I could go, but I'll be on a trip in the opposite direction at the time. Would have been fun to meet some of the original crew. I followed the original issues on the 'wall and elsewhere.

Only attended done MOAM, in 2011, I think.

Really looking forward to it.

looking forward to visiting with you Butch!

I just got word that PA magazine will be doing a story on the new Flight Shoot! Bring your bows and have some fun...

I know I'm jumping the gun...but when Aaron sent a picture of the Flight Shoot trophies that he made, I just had to share a sneak peak... bring your bows and try to take one of these home!

I want the one that shoots right handed!

Looking forward to seeing you too Bob. Hope to see all the gang.

Can't wait. Missed the first . And never been there yet. I also like the trophys. Won't lay claim to one just yet. But we will see. Arvin

Looking forward to seeing you again Arvin...

Someday I'm going to make it there. Lots of good people. Bjrogg

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