It's been just over 1 year since I made the switch from wheels to traditional(17 years late) and I've been thinking back over the last year.
I have learned more about archery and shooting a bow than I did in the previous 17 years with training wheels. I still don't shoot as well as I hope to, but I have more fun shooting than ever before. Anybody else ever late to work because you just had to get in 15 minutes of shooting after breakfast?
I have owned 7 bows in the last year(still have 3) and am currently saving and looking for a Widow or Morrison. I owned 5 compounds in the previous 17 years. I'm starting to think there is something to this term "bowaholic".
I have met lots of great people both in person and on this site, and look forward to meeting many more and hopefully getting to share a hunting camp with many. Also, 3D shoots were never this fun before.
I didn't kill a deer last year with my bow, but it was not because of the bow I carried but rather the result of not being able to spend nearly as much time in the woods as well as just an overall "sucky" deer season where I hunt.
I tried to switch several years ago but after buying a bow that was way too heavy and some arrows that were no where close to correct in spine I spent several weeks shooting like crap(surprise, surprise) and went back to the wheels. After taking the plunge again last year, I wondered if I would stick with it this time or if it was just a passing fancy. Well, one year later and I'm more excited everyday. I think I have found my home in archery.
Well, that's my story. Anybody else have a similar story?
Just keep after it and it will all come together. Hap
Welcome to the club, we have jackets... :D
Great post!
There are several hidden messages new guys could learn from your post.
To other new guys, read his post carefully, then think about the words. You might learn a few things!
:thumbsup: :campfire:
I have a very similar story. I finally sold my last compound in July. I took my first animal with traditional gear that same day. A nice boar hog with a Robertson longbow. I have since killed a nice 7 pt buck and young boar with my Ghost recurve. I killed a nice sow yesterday with my Savannah longbow. I am addicted for life, and a different person since July! I shoot most every day, but try not to be late for work!
You sure bring back memories.
Sorta sounds like me in '95. I identify with your thoughts and feelings. Glad you're a Trad Ganger
:wavey: :thumbsup: :campfire:
Mine was back in the early 90's while I was visiting my brother in GA.We drove over to Dan Quillian Archery Tradition's and shot some trad bows.That was it for me when I went back home sold my compound the next week and haven't looked back.There is just something about traditional archery that gives satisfaction.
There is definitaly a satisfaction that one can not get anywhere else. I to am guilty of the shooting before work and being late!
Heya bud glad to see ya stuck with it...come the end of april it will be 1 year for me. Shot the wheeles for a while then the urge came when I went to a trad only 3D shoot with the guys just for breakfast and to watch.
Well when i saw how much fun it was i bought a bear then a custom bow now on to a widow.
The first 3 months were rocky for me I gave up ALOT!!! I was all over the place with form and style and this and that and just thought of hanging it up. Well after being a stubbord bugger I had to master it (hahah yea like that will ever happen)
I loved shooting the recurve so much thats what kept me going...even though I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn there is just something about the flight of an arrow no matter where it was hitting. I started to progress from 5-10-15 yards little by little then it just all came together.
There have been many of days spent telling the boss i was stuck in traffic or had car problems b/c I just didn't want to stop shooting LOL.
But more so then the shooting the friends I have made along the this trip have been amazing! I counted out any good people left in this world prior to switching to trad but once I picked up a stic it was a whole new world and a whole different clan of people and they are awsome!
I know how you feel. I was a good shot with a recurve when I was a kid and when I needed a new string the owner of the archery shop convinced me to get a good bow[compound]. Well tat was about 25yrs ago. I picked it back up again 3yrs ago. After strugging with too high of poundage and stiff arrows I am finally making it come together. My family thinks I'm nuts because I shoot so much. I too am almost late for work on a regular basis when the weather is good. I gave my compound away last month.
great post! I'm 3 years into traditional after about 30 with the wheels and I LOVE IT. In the past three years I have learned a lot (owned a LOT of bows) but most important I have made some great new friends. My shooting isn't what I'd like it to be BUT, in the past 3 deer archery seasons I've filled all my tags and actually won the Big Buck contest in our local traditional club the past 2 years. I get more satisfaction out of hunting with this simlpe 'stick & string' than any other weapon I've ever carried. like the tag on the front of my Silverado says....
"traditional archery excites the spirit"
pseman, I know exactly what you mean. I've had a bamboo backed osage for three years now. I hunted with it last year, missed a good buck at 10 steps and shot a doe the same day that I didn't find. I hate shooting a deer and not being able to find it. So, I went back to compound this year. Killed one doe. But next year it will be Traditional only. Im scraping and saving to try and have a bow built by a guy on this site in hopes of having it by next deer season. I've heard of being bit by the traditional bug, but man I think i've been sat down in a pile of fire ants, cause i'm eat up with it. I've been shooting my BBO everyday, and I only have one arrow. (i'm getting plenty of excersise as well.) I had a bear recurve but I gave it to a young kid who kept showing some interest in the bow and wanting to shoot it. So I gave the recurve to him with about 2 dozen arrows.
Now I'm back to square one. Got to get me some more arrows and I GOTTA GET THAT NEW BOW. Good luck on your venture as I will need good luck in mine.
Dannon
Thanks for the comments and stories guys. It's great to have this site where guys from all backgrounds and experience levels can talk and share advice, ideas, and stories.
I know for myself, I love to hear from guys with years of experience sharing some of there knowledge with those of us who are trying to learn all we can. At the same time, I love seeing threads showing the successes of new guys like myself. They give me lots of motivation.
For years I struggled with the idea that I could ever shoot a trad bow with any proficiency. I still remember watching Bowhunting October Whitetails in the early '90s and thought how cool shooting a recurve would be, but self-doubt led me to believe only guys like the Wensels, Fred Bear, or Howard Hill could really do such things.
Well I am certainly nowhere near the archer/hunter of any of those guys, but I now see that "regular Joes" like myself can and do enjoy much success with traditional equipment.
If success is measured in enjoyment, I just had my most successful season ever.