Folks heres a challenge for you. I challenge each and every one of you to introduce traditional archery to a child this year. Post pics to this thread of the youngster's progress and share a hunt with them if they're old enough. Every now and then when something strikes me right I'll send a mentor a reward for their efforts. Let's help Traditional Hunting and the next generation get off to a good start. I promise regardless if you get something from me or not, you'll be rewarded.
We have lot's of valuable experience here, let's share it!
Man, your something.Thats a good deal for all involved. :notworthy:
outstanding dave... i took care of a youngster last month and am giving another a youth bow thursday for his birthday... this is what needs to be done to keep the tradition alive... show these kids the ropes and take them hunting... and remember ...little girls like to shoot bows too!!!
Bravo!!!
I'm giving a presentation to the local scout troop in early March. I'll try to get and post pics of the event. I'm thinking of an overview of selfbow construction. I hope later to add string making (cording), and maybe my new passion knife building. It's only valuable if we pass it on.
-Brett
P.S. Any input or ideas would be welcome. Please PM me or send to my site. Thank you.
So who's up to the challenge? Anyone going to commit to give it a go?
I have given away quite a few little Green all fiberglass bear bows to kids in our neighborhood and shoot with them quite a bit. I try and pick those things up at yard sales and such whenever I see them.
Just the other day a latino family was walking together as they do everyday in our sub-division and my wife called to them to come and play. I got the little boy HOOKED, heck even his mother who speaks no english and had to talk with us through her kids got into it.
I suspect ALOT of guys on here do the same thing all the time but to get on here and tell it seems a little like tooting your own horn.
Great Idea Dave, everyone needs a little encouragment to get er' done! :thumbsup:
plan on possibly starting archery sessions at my church i am not the best at organizing i should have lots of help though Ralph
other than a huge desire to see archery grow i don't have any instructor qualifications just want to do it :thumbsup:
I'll be doing a presentation thursday night in front of 50 plus kids on my Homemade Traditional Royal Slam in Indianola Ms at the Methodist Church annual wild game supper. Hopefully I'll hook just 1 with 42 slides and homemade bows and calls strung across the table!! It will be all my pleasure for sure
I've got a Kid picked out already. He's the same age as my youngest Daughter 16, he's been in a little trouble but he really is a good Kid just needs some direction. We've got a bow fishing trip planned for spring. And everybody knows if You shoot one fish with traditional gear Your hooked forever!!!
Not really a kid, but I just got my brother shooting.
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Sounds like fun. I don't really know any kids per say but if I come across any I'll give it a go.
Is that someone different besides my 5 grandkids :scared: :biglaugh:
Vermonster. I got my 5yr. old granddaughter shooting 3 weeks ago.She had to go bunny hunting with Papaw.
We had a blast. Stayed in the woods all day.She is already making plans for the next weekend she comes over. This past weekend she took me bear hunting. She's so funny.This weekend My youngest grandson turns 6. His new bow will be here tomorrow.He's been asking for one for two years now.Finally found one small enough for him. He's a real little guy.Man are we going to have fun. When I get home this weekend I'll post pics of my granddaughters bear hunt and grandson shooting for the first time.
I bought my 6 year old grandson a recurve for Christmas. I've been taking him shooting as our schedules work out. I'll be going deer hunting with he and his Dad this fall. His Dad has the very first stickbow I bought. I gave it to him when I bought my second one.
Bill
I have introduced my girlfriend and her two boys to archery and hunting. They all have taken to it very well, and passionately I might add. I think of the boys as my own, and this brings a smile to my face as I type this.
The bug is so ingrained now, that we are currently building an archery range and "hunting/archery" room in our basement
Applause for all the above
And a special one to Todd. A caring man in the house makes "ALL" the difference too boys growing up. :clapper:
I'm already on my way. The little neighbor boy wanted a bow cause I am always out there shooting. I've been teaching him, but he's still pretty young, our sessions are short. He's gotten a good bit bigger over the winter, he should do well this summer.
I got all of my kids started last year. Just waiting for the snow to melt a bit and the temps to get above freezing to get them out there again.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/curtandpam/DSCN2193.jpg)
Shooting with them helps my own shooting also, there is a lot to be said about just "letten em fly".
1996 Niko (nephew of ayak & kpaul) with his "new" 1967 Bear
(http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f206/ayakub/Deer%20Camp/niko.jpg)
As soon as I tame this "tribe" I'll be ready for a new challenge! (http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh270/FJSchultz/fjs3021.jpg) (http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh270/FJSchultz/fjs3018.jpg) (http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh270/FJSchultz/fjs3023.jpg)LOL!!!
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii152/jacobsladdergrice/jan242008021.jpg)
my 12 year old
Great examples folks. Now lets rustle up some new blood this year. I am starting to line up some rewards(not that anyone does it for that but it never hurts to recognize folks who go the extra mile).
I'll be looking for a bow for my son this year at Whittingham. He currently shoots a compound that my father gave him for Christmas a couple of years ago. He asked me a couple of weeks ago if he's ready to take off the training wheels yet.
Great Idea, I've been seeing alot of youngster pics on here lately.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v365/ks_stickbow/Brenden%20Shooting/DSC00524.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v365/ks_stickbow/Brenden%20Shooting/DSC00530.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v365/ks_stickbow/Brenden%20Shooting/DSC00530.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v365/ks_stickbow/Brenden%20Shooting/th_MOV00525.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v365/ks_stickbow/Brenden%20Shooting/?action=view¤t=MOV00525.flv)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v365/ks_stickbow/Brenden%20Shooting/th_MOV00526.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v365/ks_stickbow/Brenden%20Shooting/?action=view¤t=MOV00526.flv)
The rest of the story HERE (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=056229;p=1)
Last summer my MBH governor Rob Kruko and I had the chance to teach a group of youngsters through the NWTF "Jakes" program. It was held at the Barry County Conservation Club.. The bows were donated for the day and we also had my kids trad bows on hand. We had a turkey 3-D target and a bear 3-D target. It's funny watching them fling arrows and get hooked on archery.
Figure on May/June to do a little award giving. So folks have lots of time to get busy with a kid. It will keep the flame burning bright in yourself when you help nourish it in another.
Here's a pic of my 4yr old son - Connor - with his little green Bear bow.
(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg295/j2adams/bowhuntinbuddies008.jpg)
And here is my 2yr old son - Ian - who is in charge of "bow security" while Connor gathers his arrows.
(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg295/j2adams/DSC01152.jpg)
Started my boys last summer...the oldest is six and the youngest three...we shoot in the basement during the winter and have a blast! I just have to patch the drywall in the spring! :bigsmyl:
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Up for Doc Ed.
Cher and I already got a 'date' to take Maggie, a pre teen Aussie cutie, out for her first 'big game' hunt, sometime this year. She will use her custom Glenn Newell longbow. We'll go for rabbits, and perhaps a bit of fox calling. I'm sure I'll enjoy the hunt as much as she, if not more. We'll let her dad come along too - just for kicks - but this hunt is all Maggie's. I'm just the giude!
Ed
TGMM Family of the Bow
Post pics Doc!
Another bump. I recently posted this on a state based sportsman forum, and hope it will be taken well here:
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I am not sure if anyone else does this, but the end of the hunting season is one of my favorite times to buy hunting items. Calls, scents, drags, clothes, etc are all on SALE!!
Yesterday my wife and I were at a Meijers in the Kzoo area and come across some insulated hunter orange jackets and pants that were 75% off... a heavy hunting coat or pants for $14.99. My wife and I have been hunting for several years so its not a big deal, but our nephew is turning 12 this year and is totally pumped about it.
Last year when he passed his hunter safety class, I bought him a "hunting" hat and I'm not sure if he takes it off to shower! My wife and I talked and what better way to support a new hunter, than buy him a set of hunting clothes? He was using my wifes old clothes when he went with papa, but being a growing teen they were quickly getting small. FWIW, I wish we were closer so I could take him out, but he is in the very good hands of my father in law. I am overly excited about our up coming trip to the UP where they will be delivered. I can not wait to see the pictures of him in them with his deer.
So if I may impart on those of you who know a new hunter who may not have "proper" gear to head out for the end of season sales and hook them up with some stuff. It may mean the difference between them staying hunters or not. Plus this time of year it will not hurt the checkbook near as bad as it will next fall.
Thanks for listening.
John
That is a great idea John. Nothing turns a new hunter into a truck sitter quicker than being cold/uncomfortable.
Dave, we have a decent size youth group at my church. you have any suggestions on how I would go about putting something together for them. we have a Awana program now, its for the younger kids up to about 12 yrs. I am interested in talking with my Pastor about this, but would want some advice before taking it to him. I think the kids would really enjoy it. thanks for advice and your time.
blessings, Froggy
Great challenge Vermonster13.
I teach 4h archery so its a little unfair for me to take the challenge. We usualy have 40 or 50 kids in our club shooting archery. Half are new or used to compounds. We show them how fun simple archery is without the sights and gadgets. The kids have alot of fun.
I'll post some picks sometime.
And for anyone who is interested in 4H shooting sports check with your county 4H office.
First you need to find men and women in your church who hunt and have an interest in passing on the tradition. Set-up some guidelines on responsible behavior with the children and such. Then put the word out that you have adults willing to help children get Hunter Safety Certified and to teach them the ropes and share their hunting experience with them. Don't be afraid to start small and have it grow over time.
thanks for the advice. will pursue it. and let you know how it goe's across.
thank you.
A couple pics from last years all day shooting sports event. I had a bunch of arrow shafts there for the kids to fletch. I also had several selfbows in several stages to show. The kids got to shoot thier arrows and had a good time.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/JasonLester/4HShooting/100_2895mod.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/JasonLester/4HShooting/100_2899mod.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/JasonLester/4HShooting/100_2911mod.jpg)
Jason take one of the kids out hunting this year and you're in as far as I'm concerned. I help out at the state camp during the summer here getting the boys and girls bowhunter certified myself(I'm a VT STate Bowhunting Safety Instructor) we usually get around 150 kids certified, but I consider mentoring more of a one on one thing personally.
I agree one on one is so much better. I got to take a kid from church and my daughter out hunting this year. Both had realy close encounters with nice deer. It wasn't trad archey but it was a blast for me. I'm hoping my daughter can pull 40 lbs by hunting season. if not I'll be taking someone. Its to much fun to be out with the youngsters. ...
My 10yr old Daughter just got into shooting a Longbow, and we plan on Turkey Hunting this spring.
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After the turkey seasons are done this year and folks post up some first time hunters here, I'll give out a few tokens of appreciation for the efforts. ;)
Not hunting but a good way to get children shooting their bows: help them build their own. Here's a little slide show of a workshop I taught last year with a friend. Arming the neighborhood... Yeaaaahhhh!
Click >----> (http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d60/Oarceas/bows/th_work1.jpg) (http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d60/Oarceas/bows/?action=view¤t=1175725148.pbw)
As far as hunting, next in line is my daughter. I'm looking forward to taking her with me this coming turkey season. I'm afraid I can't take much credit for introducing her to hunting, though.
:notworthy: :notworthy:
Here are eight ofthem ready for the hunt:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/huntrdfk/P1000242.jpg)
Hey David I think this is just excellent, like I stated earlier I am already working with my 5 grandchildren and this year we will be working with the nieghbor kids.
However after reading your post it prompted me to go beyound the shooting aspect. So last week I started with two of the oldest grand kids and started an arrow building time. We started with 1/2 dozen raw cedar shafts going through and straighting them out, then I had them stain them. Then every other week when they come to visit grandpa we will do the next step until they have built themseleves a 1/2 dozen cedar arrows.
Not only do we get to spend time togehter and I get to pass down what my uncle taught me. Maybe they will learn the value of an arrow so grandpa don't have to spend two hours in the woods looking for there arrows every time they come over :biglaugh: