A lot has been written and/or said about Howard Hill. Some of which has been straight as an arrow, but so much has been so far off the target, that it appears somewhat comical. There have been many that have had the privilege of sharing his campfire or sat at his side or stood beside him while shooting, that have now died. This writting is does not include the thousands that are still alive that had the opportunity of meeting him, or have ask him a thing or two about his way of shooting. It is meant to bring to light at this time within our sport, the last three remaining archers that spent countless hours with him that truely know the truth. This is a great time in our sport for those that participate, to be able to ask their questions to the remaining three and receive their answers as truthfully possibly can be had. These questions will continue to be ask as time goes by and it is our hopes and desires that our words of wisdom will remain in tact. The last Amigo's are JOHN SCHULTZ, JOHN LEE and myself JERRY HILL. I list our names in this order and manor as how we evolved in Howard Hills life.I begin my first writting on John Schultz.
John Schultz is known for his bowmaking abilities and the authoring of his two books and DVD. He is also known by his ability as a showman and speaker. He could have chosen to do only his thing within the sport years ago, but was drawn to the name, charater and true sportsmenship associated with Howard HILL. The early years while in California, he and his brother Dan, we're young and interested in anything to do with the outdoors. They had heard of this man that shot the bow and arrow, and had seen him in movie short films. They learned that he lived in California and made it a point to try and locate him. After doing some checking they went to his house, not knowing what kind of reception they would receive. Upon arrival, It took only seconds to realize that this magic of of an archer was down to earth and an easy person to get to know. He welcomed them in as if he had known the two young boys forever. This first visit was the lead to many visits that would follow. The boys were hooked on the sport of archery from the start and Howard Hill had set his hook into each of them as If they were marlin fish on the end of his Lilly Iron arrow. The more visits that followed only grew with more and more visits to come. The first visits were mostly story telling with some shooting advise and instructions. John related to me that he remembers the first practice as if it were yesterday. He and Dan were shooting their bows in front of uncle Howard, when aunt Elizabeth walked out and stood their watching. She called out to John and told him that he wasn't holding his drawing arm up enough before releasing and that his stance was that of a target archer. Uncle Howard agreed and showed him how it was to be done correctly. This he never forgot and it became part of his shooting forever more. After some rabbit hunts and deer hunts that they were invited to go on, it became only natural that the boys would want to build a bow of their own. There is something special about shooting and the taking of game with a bow of your own manufacture. It takes the archer one step closer to feeling as though they are more on a one on one level with the game one goes hunting far. As their bow making skills improved, with Howard's watchful eye along The way. It wasn't long till the two young archers felt that maybe they could sell a few. The name of their business was, LONGBOW COMPANY. The name chosen informed would be buyer's what type of archery equipment they had to offer for sale. Sales were slow, but every order was appreciated. It gave the boys some extra money to buy what they needed for their own needs. At some point, uncle Howard even allowed the boys to make a few for him, which he would sign and then give them away to some admirer. This too helped them move their business forward. They both considered this a great honor, to have such a famous archer trust in their making. Even though uncle Howard still made his own equipment and for a very few close friends, such as Rory Calhoun and Guy Madison. His time was limited with motion pictures, sports shows, speaking engagements and other guest appearances. Namely one at Pebble Beach golf course, whereby they held a celebrity golf tournament. Howard Hill was a good golfer as well and would have been considered great, but he had problems at times with his putting. At this event, in demonstration of his archery. He stood on fairway number one and the owner, Bing Cosby teed off. As the golf ball flew over Howard's head, he knocked the ball out of the air. The crowd went wild. Howard was late joining his group of golfers, as everyone had to shake His hand for a job well down.
Toward the end of the LONGBOW BUSINESS jointly, Dan had an archery accident. While the two boys were over at uncle Howard's house, shooting their bows in his backyard, Dan lost one of his eyes. He was shooting a recurve at the time and while in the process of stringing it, his hand slipped, and the upper bow tip came back and punched His eye out. This terrified uncle Howard and aunt Elizabeth to the core. After going to the hospital it was found that his eyesight could not be restored. Uncle Howard and aunt Elizabeth felt very bad about the accident, and uncle Howard begged for Dan to sue him, as he had homeowners insurance. Dan, wouldn't do it as it was his fault, not Howard's. As time went by Dan got into another business and John was called by God to become a preacher. He married a wonderful lady that supported him and bore him many find children, some of which I remember meeting in years past. A close proud family that loved their mother and father. Two people that became the GREATEST roll models for them to follow. Ted Ekin had moved from California to montana and set up his operation. He was in need of someone to make bows. He ask Dan Schultz if he would do it for him, as he too had relocated to the same area in Montana. As Dan already had a way of making a living for himself and family, He suggested the possibly of his brother John doing it. He would check and see, and for the meantime he would do what he could to help out. Now I do not know if Dan ever made a bow for Ted, but John could answer that. John took the job, and in no time many bows followed. Orders were slow, but something was better than nothing. As with any bow maker, each bow is a learning experience. And as time goes by and orders increase, a bowyer has to come up with new ideas and ways of making such, in order to keep the quality up. Materials change with the times and this within itself dictates as to what is possible and what is not. John with many many bows under his belt, felt that what he did was for the best, and he felt in his heart that uncle Howard would approve. Who is to argue, as it was John that was in the drivers seat. This continued until John's name became associated more and more with Howard Hills and his produced bows became as excepted as such. The Howard Hill pride and respect was deeply rooted within John's own self and his everyday way of living. Finally it progressed to the point whereby John decided to once again return to his roots and go it alone, with the help of his children that had grown up. This continued for a time, till age catches up with us all, and he retired. From time to time we all would hear from him. He never went any place, as he has always been there. Now from out of the dark he has reappeared, to produce what he calls The Parting Shot limited edition longbow. A tribute to his legacy that will be treasured buy its beholder. A bow that holds a piece of his life within, never again to be had. A time will come that John Schultz will be gone, but never forgotten. For myself I send him a personal message, "when we leave this planet, I'll see you in heaven, MY FELLOW AMIGO".
The next archer deserves all the credits one can bestow on one. His name is John Lee. During Howard Hills retirement years John made countless trips to Alabama and stayed in the home of Howard HILL. One question always lead to another for uncle Howard, not only about shooting but mostly about how he made his equipment. John has spent his lifetime collecting anything he can find on Howard HILL. He has literally taken a personal built Howard Hill longbow apart and then put it all back together. This is something that I would never do myself, but John has learned so in depth about such things, that he has no fear. John Lee is the scientist when it comes to the design of Howard Hills personal bows. There comes to the sport of archery no better. John Lee is an excellent archer. I have enjoyed many flights of arrows shot along side him over the years. Howard HILL introduced us both to each other. Our friendship has and forever more been inseperatble. John Lee has been like an older brother to me. He has helped me in so many ways, while in business. When one desires to build a bow for themselves, and wants it to be exactly like what Howard Hill made and shot himself. There is no one alive that knows more about the ends and outs of uncle Howard's bow. He knows bamboo heat treating, handle shape, limb width and it's tapering, string knocks, handle wrappings, various backings used and strings including finishes and glues. He has continued to make a longbow from time to time for a chosen archer to receive, that always brings on praise from its receiver. He has done this all his years thus far, never selling a single one, his only requirement, is to shoot it. Only Howard Hill and John Lee have been known to do this for the love of the sport and the friendships that have come their way. His first two bows were sent to Howard Hill himself. I returned them to John a couple years back, so he could show them and add to his massive collection. John Lee is a very straight forward man. When ask a question he will give you an honest answer. If one in return comes across to him with a doubtful statement about what he has said. He will not hesitate to change to a serious look, and will only repeat himself one more time to a doubter. After which his question will be, "you got it"? He has no patience with a doubter or time to waste with such a person. In his mind, he is not out to win the trophy, he is only in the spotlight for the representation of his knowledge learned and as a spokesmen for a man he admired with the up most respect. This being a calling that he has felt like no other archer before him. No other archer has ever In the sport of archery devoted so much effort and never tiring interest in another person, as John Lee has on the subject of Howard Hill. He has gained over the years a mountain of admiration from myself, and I know I can speak for uncle Howard In saying that Howard Hill respected John Lee as well. Uncle Howard knew a good man when he met one. And I remember him telling me, "John Lee, is a good man, stick with him". When it comes to Howard Hill, I have listened to his advice, and stand behind John Lee's comments to others, one hundred percent. John Lee represents the second of Howard Hills Amigo's.
Its hard to write about myself, for fear that the reader may take things wrong. It may come across as bragging, but seriously it is not. I didn't have a choice as to what or which color of family I we're to be born into. It happened by chance. I'm very proud that I did, but have never allowed it to go to my head, as I'm sure that some others would have if it had been them instead. It would have been nice to of been born Howard HILL and to have done the things that he enjoyed during his life. His life story was truely a lifetime story of rags to riches, that by luck of the straw, placed him at the right time and the right place to expose him to a sport that he loved and be able to show off his GOD given gift.
It was my pleasure to have lived during a time that exposed me to Howard HILL. To have had the opportunity to ask my own questions to him about shooting, bow building, arrow making, quiver & armgaurd making as well as string making. I remember him telling me he could make a string in ten minutes. My first one took me two hours. Later I could as well make a string with my eyes closed while carrying on a conversation at the Pennsylvania. Bow festival in ten minutes. I only charged six bucks back then, and the archers standing in front of my table kept placing an order for another one, till I thought there would not be any skin left on the fingertips. Looking back it's a good thing I kept telling one Howard Hill story after another, not paying any attention to my finger pains.
I remember only yesterday the first backquiver. I got the leather and uncle Howard played it out, along with a armgaurd. We put it together and when finished he said that if in fact he had a deluxe model, this would be it. His armgaurd had lacing hooks on one side. I changed mine later to hooks on both sides. It allowed it to be used by both left and right hand shooters. We spent long hours together, not just making stuff but hunting as well. We not only hunted with the bow, but also with guns, something we both enjoyed. When spending the night at his house or at my parents home, we would sit up late at night talking. He would do most of the talking, and I gladly listened to much of the stories and information I have shared here. I would share my own childhood adventures with him and he would listen closely, I could tell, with a never ending smile. Our time together included arrow making, bow making, and shooting and stalking of wild game. Stalking was very serious to him, and his expertise showed by his successes. He felt that if an archer could become a descent archer, and excell himself as a great stalker, he would bring home the bacon more often, than just a great shot would. His teachings I have shared with others over the years with much pride. I have strived to live up to what I felt in my heart was expected of me by him. He said I was as close to him as only a son could have been. I have strived to keep my promise to him, as not allowing his name to be drug down in the mud, but on top where he had worked all his life to keep it. He said it was easy to get on top, but a hell of a lot harder to stay there. This I know to be a true statement, as I have had my own ups and downs as he did. But the wisdom of Howard HILL has always showed me the way. No matter What other archers may think of themselves while shooting exhibitions or hunting in the field, these remaining archers mentioned will always say that our teachers shoes will never be filled.In representation of the Howard HILL family , I am the third and last Howard Hill Amigo. JERRY HILL.......
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