I know that I've been here since Moby Dick was in a fish bowl but we have added a few more members since I joined at number 184. I'd love to get to know you better, so please tell us a little about yourself. I'll start....
My name is Roy L "Mudd" Williams. Why Mudd.. well if you've ever heard.. "Boy! Iffen you do your name will be Mudd, or Boy! Iffen you don't your name will be Mudd!" But dads' most serious threat was "I will stomp a mudhole in your rear and walk it dry!" So when asked my name, my stardard answer was "Bout half the time it's Mudd". It has been that way for so many years I can't honesty tell you how long that my name has been Mudd.
I owe my life to Christ, as He and He alone is my savior.
I am 59 years old and have been married 3 times. My current wife Val,is my trophy wife and has been my partner for the last 26 years now. We have two daughters, one by her previous marriage. Heidi, 40 has been married going on 2 years, a really good daughter and a great christian woman. Our youngest Marijane is 21 and is a work in progress..lol Mj will be giving us a grandchild sometime in July. I wish it were different or at least under different circumstances but it's not, so I'll love and support her in any way I can.
I love archery and hunting. All of my hunting is now with the bow and arrow. It doesn't matter what the critter is I'm after, it will be with a bow or not at all.
I spent years trying to make bows but the best I could do was sticks with strings that would fling an arrow. I gave up trying to build them. There's a bunch of pretty bows out there that are faster, sweeter and more durable than anything I could hope to make.
I don't try to make arrows. I love a good arrow and love a pretty arrow that flies like its supposed to but none of that kind were ever made by my hand. I hate making arrows! Enuff said!!
I've been told I'll talk to a doorknob and I can be a crowd all by myself. I'd rather work a trade than eat when I'm hungry. That said, I think if you saw me you'd know I don't miss many meals. Not that I'm not in shape, as long as round is a shape.
I am grateful for all the blessings in my life and I count this site as one of them.
Mudd, you sound like a man I'd like to share a camp with. I think we all have been and actually still are a "work in progress". I am sure you standing with her is a great comfort and your testimony will have an effect on her. I accepted Jesus as my Savior in 2003...late bloomer! I am not perfect, but I am forgiven.
I have two daughters that are married to good men. One has blessed us with a 2 yr old grandson that loves it when I pull out the recurve and "shots arras".
I gave up my compound when I discovered how much simplier and more fun it was to shoot a recurve. This happened about 5yrs ago I guess...time flies.
I love making arrows and do so for guys like you. So I guess we all have our own talents and it is great when we can share them with each other. That is why this site has been so wonderful for me. A lot of great people who are willing to share what they know.
Bryce Lambley of Fremont, Nebraska. 47 years old, have hunted since I was quite young. Married for almost 10 years. Two daughters, Hayley and Emily (9 and 7) that love hunting, fishing and running...things their Dad does. :) I'm probably most proud though that they're doing great in school and love Sunday School!
I'm a high school teacher/coach and also do a little writing when I can find time, mostly for TBM, BHM, and PBS as well as a weekly outdoor recreation column for my local paper. Also put together a book in '08 (My Neck of the Woods) and am closing in on a second one.
Big game bowhunter the last 30 years, the last 23 with traditional bows. I still have my old shotguns and a couple very cool lever-action rifles but 99% of my hunting is with bow, but every now and then enjoy walking for upland birds or spending a day or two in a waterfowl blind if the opportunity comes up. Have carried my bows to IA, SD, CO, MB, AB, AK and South Africa and Zimbabwe in addition to my home state of NE.
I've got a couple Pronghorn TD and White Bison longbows and a Schafer Silvertip TD recurve that are my 'varsity.' I shoot best in the 55# range.
Hunting is important to my entire family, and has been a binding agent for us I believe. Enjoy the company (here or in camp) of like souls.
I'm 61 and never did decide what I should do with my life. Along the way, I worked as a machinist, farm laborer, construction worker,writer and copy editor. Took a buy-out from my newspaper employer last August and am trying to find other ways to earn part of a living.
I picked up a copy of "The Traditional Bowyer's Bible," Vol. I, back about 1997 and have been making wood bows and arrows ever since. I had bowhunted with a solid fiberglass recurve before that, but it's been more fun since I started building my own tackle.
I too am a believer in the work of the Christ. I and each member of my family are works in progress. I'd be thrilled to forget about archery in the glory of His return!
I found this site in March of 2004. It's a great place to keep track of who's doing what and what's going on.
Great bunch of archers here.
Jim (soon to be in Kentucky!)
Brad Cayton from Buckhannon WV. I'm 49 and have been married the second time to my wonderful wife Vicki for almost 16 years. We have 5 children total, hers, mine and ours. We both feel strange saying the word step as in step child so we don't use it. Our 15 yr. old daughter, Beth, is the only one left at home. We have one grandson.
I am a operations manager for an oilfield service company and Vicki is the office manager for a oil and gas drilling company.
My 3 sons all love bowhunting and 2 of the 3 shoot traditional. My 2 daughters used to go hunting when they were small but don't really care to go after they got older. They do understand the role and importance of hunting even though they no longer hunt themselves.
I had just about quit hunting until I found my old recurve a year or so ago. It put the zing in it for me. I took a small buck this season and felt the excitement that had been missing.
I enjoy making arrows but can't seem to be able to grasp the bow building.
I have a new found love for hybrid longbows and shoot these more than my recurves.
I think this site has the best group I've ever had the privilege to be a associated with.
Well, my name is John Berry. I turned 50 last October. I met my current and only wife when I was 18 in 1978. We were married at 18 and still happily together. I was born in southern Illinois in 1959, but grew up in south and central Florida. My dad was a thoroughbred horse trainer and this is where his job took him.
I am currently a farrier (horse shoer) and have been for 27 years off and on. I was a U.S. Marine and Regular Army, as well as Army National Guard, and Army reserve. I went to college in Colorado at Colorado State and double majored in Animal Science and Wildlife Biology, I have an MPS (Masters of Professional Studies) in Wildlife Biology from the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
I live to hunt and fish, I hunt with rifle, handgun, and a longbow or recurve.
I tend to hunt more with the bow or pistol than modern rifle, but I still love to shoot.
I currently shoot a Black Widow PLV 46# @ 27 most often, I also own a Tomahawk Diamond Series Desert Fox, a Martin Serengeti 50@28 and a 2007 Bear K-mag 50@28.
Like a lot of others I imagine, I shot a compound for a long time. I bought my first Bear Polar II in 1976. I never shot a compound with sights, a mechanical release or mechanical rest. I always shot a compound with fingers and a stick on flipper rest. I got out of archery for quite a few years as compounds got shorter and more difficult to shoot "instinctively" and with fingers, (and more expensive). I finally had enough, and about 3 years ago, went to the Bear factory in Gainesville and bought the K-mag, mostly for nostalgia, picked up a copy of Traditional Bowhunter magazine, and a demon was re-born!
Now I have fletching tools, arrow saws, etc..and my garage is a mess!
I live near enough to to the Gulf of Mexico that saltwater "flats fishing" is my other passion.
Been married nearly 32 years and no children. My work, study and hobbies/sports take up too much time I guess.
I love to hunt deer and am fortunate enough to hunt a private lease that allows me to hunt hogs year round, and I would rather chase them than another animal.
My dream hunt would be caribou in the far north!
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/sendero25/100_1339.jpg)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/sendero25/ocala_hunt_010.jpg)
Michael Golden a Sinner Saved By Grace. I have been married to the love of my life 30 years in about 3 weeks-Lanette. We have two daughters (22 and 19) with one grandson Hayden. I am 49, and have been hunting appoximately 44 of those (mother has pictures) with 29 behind a stick and string.
I have made a few longbows - never good enough for me - selling 20 or so. But mostly I shoot recurves, a Robertson, Rocky Miller, and Chastain in the Rack now with the Vision Falcon as a go to.
Mudd and Leatherneck recently "flung" a craving on me for a MOAB, and with that fever came an order. Should arrive in June.
I really enjoy this site as it relieves stress from teaching 5th graders all day.
Nice to meet ya.
Michael
Hey, I am Matt Hamilton
I live in Round Rock Texas. Military brat and was born in Germany. Scottish and Chickasaw Indian by decent. I love anything traditional, bows, knives, swords, Kilts.
I have been in Martial Arts since I was 12 yrs old. Golden Gloves Boxer and hold a few titles. I am also hold a few Black Belts in various disciplines. I like to throw leather whenever I can get the chance. Also, I am pretty handy with a knife, stick, bare hands or gun. I can't stand a wife beater and/or freak. I regularly teach Woman's Self Defense and Stranger Danger.
So, if you know anyone Jack***es like that, I'd be glad to meet them. And, show them how the cow ate the cabbage.
I have been married to a fantastic woman for 25 yrs. She was my Sweetheart since I was 17 yrs old and is a Cancer Survivor.
Currently, I work for a Custom Home Builder helping other folks build their dream home.
I have been out of hunting for many years. I lost the taste for it, with guns, here in Central Texas. I don't see the sense in feeding deer corn and then shooting them with a rifle from 100 yrds. Where is the sport in that?
I have a rekindled love for hunting with Trad Bows. Since, I am new to the Trad Bow Brotherhood; I recently discovered 3 D Shoots and just love them.
My Dream Hunt would be a Buck in a Box Canyon and me with a knife. Best one wins!
See you around the Campfire. Door is open, come on down.
Matt "Raging Water" Hamilton
(http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/hemdell/Trad%20Pics/MattAvatar-2.jpg)
Washed in the blood, 54 years young ...Im still learning everyday , Im blessed with friends and family , I miss a lady in Texas to this day, looking for companion a ( dog) right now... :) :campfire: :coffee: :goldtooth:
Hi, all. I'm Dave Mitchell--a pastor in Charleston, WV. I'm 66 years old on the outside but only 10 on the inside when I have one of my many bows in my hand :D I grew up in west Kentucky--son of a coal miner who was saved by God's grace at the age of 30 and later entered the ministry so I'm a PK (preacher's kid). I have served four churches over the course of my 44 years in ministry. My Wife, Ellen, is the joy of my life and my treasure. We have been married for 45 years. We have two children by birth and one by "adoption" as a young adult. They have given us seven wonderful grandkids ranging from 3 months to 17 years. Boy is that fun.
I started shooting bows waaaaay back when I was about 12. Got a lemonwood longbow from Indian Archery that I couldn't even string by myself. But I had fun and it got in my blood until this day. I love to hunt with my bow and have been privileged to hunt in my home state of WV, northern Ontario for moose, Colorado for elk, Florida for hogs, and Maine for bears. I had the joy of introducing my son to bowhunting and now my grandsons.
(http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy241/davidmitchell_6466/Empty/Maine%202009/Maine2009036.jpg)
(http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy241/davidmitchell_6466/Empty/Maine%202009/Maine2009003.jpg)
MY name is Sam Koger,hence my handle here. I am 47 years old, married to Paula Koger, love of my life, married 29 years this July. We have 2 children, Tara 25, who teaches in Col. OH, and Reuben who lost his life at 19, nearly 8 years ago. My wife and my children are Christians, born again and saved by grace, look forward to seeing my son again in the future.MY wife is a true hunter, has taken 16 deer, her 2 biggest archery hunting and a 4x4 elk here in KY this year. I was blessed to grow up around several skilled people who taught me a lot of blacksmithing and gunsmithing skills at an early age, I suspect to help keep me out of trouble. I have competed on a local, state, and national level with trad. Muzzleloaders, have medaled 31 times at the NMLRA events and won the state championship and second in state also.I have built over 100 custom rifles, several ML's and 2 longbows, one for me and a buddy. I figured out quickly that I am better off buying quality bows and enjoying shooting them than making mediocre bows. I have shot trad bows off and on my whole life, have been a pretty sucsessful hunter, but since going strictly trad archery the last few years I have had more fun, and accomplished things I never thought possible. I work as a counselor for the Dept. Of Juv. Justice here in KY, at a group home with youth, 10 of them, that have been committed to the state. Hard work, but very rewarding. We have a high success rate, and along with the treatment for addiction, we learn the youth a work ethic, independent living skills and giving back to society along with taking them to church every chance we get. In my spare time I coach 4H archery, farm some, play with my bows a lot and pester all manner of wildlife in my neighborhood. I enjoy reading, making knives, and rehabing old knives. Great thread, keep posting guys.
JAG, aka Johnny Gottler checking in.
Southern Redneck. The Lord has spared my life on three occasions. I used to ask why, but a friend once told me, that I would know, when the time came.
Married to my bride, Angela, going on 29 yrs. One son, who was a handful. But now hes a Sgt. in the Army, fixing to deploy to Kores. (already a veteran of the sandbox)
Angela is my favorite hunting parterner.
Worked for Alabama/Usda Depts. of Ag. for 27 plus years.
Was a Rodeo Clwn/Bullfighter fo 20.
Worked as a Farrier fo longer than I care to remember.
Had some great mentors, when I started Trad. Bowhunting. Sterling and Krista gave me my first self bow. Russ, RIP, helped me build my first selfbow.
My wife raises and trains horses. I ride a wicked mule!
Drive Big Rigs, for fun, and a little cash.
Bunch more, but my wife says I'll argue/talk to a stump, so I'll let it go.
One last thing, been teaching the IBEP courses for a long time.
Johnny/JAG
I'm Don Ward. I was born in Reed, Kentucky a little over 66 years ago. I lived in 3 different locations in Kentucky, then Tenn., Ill., and Evansville, In. before ending up in N.C.
As a kid I hunted squirrels and rabbits in the fields of Ky and the hills of Tenn. I made sling shots and sapling bows as a kid. (In basic training I knew that I was going to do well on the rifle range when the rifle instructor spoke of Kentucky windage and Tenn elevation.)
Toughest (and most foolish) thing that I ever did was to swim across the Ohio River (over a mile wide) and then had to swim back in the dark.
Luckiest moment was winning the "Eagle Eye" competition at Denton Hill in 2008.
Dumbest moment..., I'll pass.
Some of the most satisfying moments were getting some letters published in the local paper which I had written after praying for His oversight and inspiration. I also signed them, prefixing them with "In His Name".
I truly believe that life is all about our living according to God's plan. If we forget that then our lives are for nothing.
Hey Gang,
My Names Edward and I go by Ed, Eddie, Edward and a few other alias`s. I am Dutch, Danish, Irish and Castillian. I rightly don't know why I joined this forum. I think because I don't know anyother traditional archers. Perhaps maybe to answer some questions I might have. I for the most part arch for my own pleasure and try to keep it simple. Meaning I don't know all the parameters and technical stuff I now see that can be involved after joining this forum. I just make sure my spine is close to my bow and throw 125gr's on the tip. I do enjoy bow fishing and the occasional land and sky game I take.
I grew up in N. California and have been fortunate to move about and see my great country of the U.S.A. I am now stuck in the swamp of S. Florida and hope to make it out of here someday. I work real hard in the outdoors and have been a laborer for all my short life of close to thirty years I think. I don't have any good luck to speak of but have quite a few hobbies and skills I am proud of. I long to live a long way from other people and live.
Hi My name is Joe Ashton, I have been helping people regain thier lives and health with drugs as a Chiropractor for 34 years. What a great job. Been hunting for 34 years. Picked up a bow 17 years or so ago and hunted with trad gear ever since.. Long bows are my passion they are a dis-ease for sure. I've gotten 3 Elk, 6 mule deer, a bunch of white tails and a bear. And buckets of small game. Married to a great wife 3o years and have two grown kids.
Also I am crazy about kayaking (40+ days / summer)
Joe :campfire:
HELLO MY NAME IS WINDELL HENRY AND FAIRLY NEW TO THE GANG. FIRST OFF I AM A CRISTIAN. BORN A SINNER AND SAVED BY GRACE.
MY PASSION FOR TRAD ARCHERY BEGAIN WHEN I WAS AROUND 5YRS OLD WHEN MY FATHER GOT ME TO SHOOTING WITH HIM AND HAVE LOVED IT EVERY SINCE. I AM 43YRS OLD NOW AND STILL LEARNING EVERYDAY ABOUT TRAD ARCHERY.
I JUST MARRIED MY FIRST WIFE BETH JULY 11 2009 AND SHE IS THE BEST THING THATS HAPPENED TO ME OUTSIDE MEETING MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!
I DONT POST ALOT ON HERE, I JUST LIKE TO READ AND LEARN FROM EVERYBODY ELSE ON HERE AS I DONT FEEL LIKE I AM AS KNOWLEABLE AS MOST OF YOU ON HERE. I LEARN SOMETHING EVERYDAY ON THIS SITE.
I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH HUNTING WITH TRADITIONAL BOWS AND SOME DAY WHEN I FIGURE THIS COMPUTER THING OUT I WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE SOME PICS WITH YOU.
MY DREAM HUNT SINCE I WAS A YOUNG BOY IS TO GO HUNT MOOSE WITH A TRADITIONAL BOW. MABE SOME DAY IN THE NEAR FUTURE IT WILL BE POSSIABLE.
GOD BLESS
WINDELL
Hey ya'll, names Kiefer Mogensen. Have no real aliases. Went by I'm Not Ted for a while but this place feels like home so I went to my name.
I'm part of trad archery's youth at 15 ripe ol years of age. Have two of the greatest parents in the world. Ain't real religious, just ain't. And I my best friend is my dog named Parker.
Been shootin for aboue a year and half now. Got started because I wanted to try something different than a bang stick like everyone else around here. Last year was my first hunting season, but I didn't get anything.
I learned about this forum from Chad's (LBR's) website, and became a lurker. Then I finally joined, and here I am. This website has helped me more than you can imagine, and the people are the kindest I've met. Very generous.
I have a Savannah longbow, X-150 recurve, and my grampas Asahi longbow. I got a Check Mate Raven Recurve on the way that I hope to be my new go to bow also. Gonna have Greybark limbs and a Zebrawood riser.
That's about it.
My name is mike king and am 33 years old. Gave my life to Jesus when I was 14, had a few "hard times" but am going strong now. Married my second time to my wife Patricia and we have two sons who are 7 and 5. I grew up with out a dad so did not get into hunting until I was 20 years old. Started with a compound and used it for about 10 years. Then for some reason I picked up a copy of TBM and had a very strong desire to "try out" traditional archery. I had a very rough start, just could not figure out why I could not hit the target. So I searched out some info on the net and low and behold I found TradGang. I put a few videos of myself on the shooters forum and JC provided me with a lot of valuable info. well that was about 3 years ago and since then I took my first "trad" deer 2 seasons ago and am going to try my luck with the turkeys this year. I'm now longbow only and would not have it any other way...
P.S. Only have two bows, both are Thunderstiks and yes one is a MOAB.
Mudd, Thank you for starting this thread its nice to hear a little about everyone.
My name is Bob Lamonte Jr and I am 30 years old. I have a wife Lacey and my little girl Lilly who is 4 years old already. I was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV until moving to a small town in Oregon a year and a half ago. It has been a huge change for me and has been hard adjusting here but I Love the outdoors so that has made it a little easier. I have been in the Real Estate and Lending industry since I was 18 years old.
About 2 years ago for whatever reason(I didn't know anybody who shot stickbows)I was intrigued by trad archery and my father bought me a used Ben Pearson Colt. I fell in love with shooting that bow and the rest is history. I now have a Toelke TD Recurve and a Whip Classic. I only shoot my whip and am facinated with the longbow right now. I love tinkering with trad archery and enjoy making arrows etc.
God Bless
Bob
Hello, my name is Gordon Jabben and I live in Bartlesville Oklahoma. I have been married 28 years to my wife Debbie. I have always had a love of history, especially of the American Indians and I think this where my love of archery first started. I have been shooting bows for most of my life and I am 56 years old. I bought my first longbow in 1983 and have shot one ever since. I do a lot of small game hunting with my bow and squirrel dog named Molly. I started a hunting journal when I bought my first longbow in '83 because I had read where Howard Hill had one. Now that my memory is fading, it is enjoyable to read back on all the great times I have had hunting. I enjoy the traditional shoots and the seeing old friends at them.
Hey Everyone, my name is Mark Eddings I am 42 years old, married to my wife Traci for 16 years. We have a 15 year old daughter, a 11 year old son, and a new 2 month old son. I am blessed beyond belief. I was born and raised in Providence, Ky. in the western part of our state, but now live in Madisonville, Ky. I am a Pastor and also work in the R&D department for a local company. I am so grateful to God for allowing me to enjoy His great outdoors.
Hi my name is Jerry Wald (named after a hollywood director. My ma said she was at the movie and pregnant with me and saw the name in the credits).
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg163/jerbearyukon/BC%20Pinz%20trip/juneaugang.jpg)
That's me kneeling with the yukon sweater on - we just lost a tennis championship to Juneau Alaska.
I live in the yukon now for the past 23 years. I am an electrical instructor and journeyman electrician.
I am 53 this year. I enjoy life that is my only real goal. I try to live everyday to it's fullest. I have been doing trad since I was 12.
I was born in New Westminster - NEAR VANCOUVER BC. Lived in 25 places by the time I was 11. My dad left when I was two and left my wonderful mother with five of us...what a tough life she had so we moved lots to stay ahead of the bill collectors.
I am not waiting until I retire to get the most out of this life. i will do them now and pay as I go. I hear way to often ppl wishing they did this or that and by the end they have ONLY WISHED THEIR LIVES AWAY...NOT ME.
Like this spring..i am jumping on my bike and heading east...rain - shine - thunder and hale I am coming. Then I am coming south to florida and then west through the southern states.
I love bowhunting - hockey - horses - Tennis - ping pong - and of course my wife Deb. We have three wonderful kids from 21-27 and we have been married for 28 years.
I try to treat ppl like I would have them treat me...that is my church...hope that is good enough.
I really hope to meet some of you this summer on my trip..I will try my darndest to stop by if i get a reply...i will fill up the blackberry and try to adjust the route some.
Anyway I should get outta here so someone else can post theirs
Cheers and happy hunting - Jerry Wald.
Hey everyone.
My name is Caleb A Chambers, nicknamed Stumpy. I am 26 years old. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, but as soon as I hit 18, I got out of there. Now live about 30 miles outside of there. I work as a facility maintenance tech for the military. I have a dog, a truck, some guns, and a couple bows. No lady as of now, but I like my money anyway. I have been a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical tech for the past 7 years. My pop and I enjoy camping, mostly packing in. I am in the process of getting my pilot's license. Not much else, although I am moving to Alaska this summer. Have met alot of good people on this site, and hope to continue doing so. See ya'll around
A big "Hello" to everyone here from Manitoba Canada. My name is Ryan Derlago, nearing 37 years old, and been "flinging sticks" for 34 of those years. I grew up in a bowhunting/Christian family and was blessed to have this wonderful province as my backyard.
"BEAR" was my 1st word (no lie) having the walls covered in dead stuff as long as I can remember. Took most of my first's with Trad gear and eventually got caught up in the #'s game, company sponsorship, and establishing a name for myself and began shooting wheel bows.
Married a wonderful Christian girl (Kirsten) 6 1/2 years ago and now have my son Maddox who is 4 and Ruby who is 3 today. Those kids can pop balloons with arrows like there is no tomorrow.
Bills get paid from being a Firefighter/Paramedic.
Sold the last compound this past year and am more about the method than the results. I guess I've already gone full circle. Man...do I love this sport!!!
My handle "Manitoba Stickflinger" is the name of a small business I started a few years back...Bowhunting only hunts here in Manitoba. I put it on the backburner for a couple years now but might be owning a bear camp by the end of tomorrow. This will be the 1st place I advertise!
One more thing...Tradgang has been a real blessing to me over the last while. The positive attitudes, the support, and all the wonderful down to earth people have really been refreshing...especially after being on "other" sites. Thanks guys....Ryan
Hello all my name is Brian Oden. I am first a Christian tying to do the best I can. I have an awesome and loving wife of 13 years and two of the most beautiful daughters you've ever seen and yes they both shoot stick bows ages 3 and 7.
I am a full time Captian for the fire dept in Jonesboro Ar. and love every minute of it. I have WAY too many "irons in the fire" including but not limited to archery, hunting, making bows, flintknapping, photography, coaching, and being a dad. Lots of "drama" in a house with three ladies.
I have often thought that I was born about 50 years late as I Dream of a simpler time when life was slower and family and friends are what got us through life and not all the cell phone, Blueray, HD stuff that we just "have" to have now or we are lost.
I love this place called Tradgang and look forward to lots of years of learning and laughing with you all.
Brian
Well as you can see I go by Stiks-N-Strings cause that's how I like it these days.
Been a faithful servant of the Lord since I was fourteen all except those few years I got selfish and ran from Him but I already new you can't out run God. So I finally gave in for the long journey about seven years ago. Play the Bass on the praise team and am involved in the ministry. Guess I'll have to start preachin one of these days.
My friends tell me I'm crazier than out house rat and I tell them "that's right" they all tell me I'm as hillbilly as they come and I say "wouldn't have it any other way". Was born and raised in KY and ended up in Pike Co, IN about 20 years ago. Got a wonderful wife and three beautiful girls 14, 11, and 8. The two youngest ones like to sling some arras with ol'dad and the oldest likes to hunt with a gun but I figure I'll take what I can get.
My Bride is my #1 turkey hunting buddy and I wouldn't have it any other way.
I'm an uderground coalminer and love it everyday and as of the last several years or so I catch myself leaning to a more simpler way of living off the land and wanting a more primitive type life style so to speak.
Oh yeah,almost forgot my wife says I have to may hobbies like making turkey calls, Bows, Arrows, about anything I can make home made. Raise rabbit dogs and just like to do anything with making hunting gear or being in the woods or fields. I told her it ain't to many hobbies' it's just one great big one. LOL
Well I'm about like Mudd, I could talk to a doorknob and ain't never met a stranger. Look forward to putting some faces with these names someday and sharing a campfire or two with you fellers. some of the Best guys I've come to know and never met have been right here on the Gang and I'm proud to be a part of it.
God Speed Gang, Kris
Craig Schoneberg from Nebraska. Will turn 62 in a very short while. Have been shooting bows since I was 8. A family friend was a target archer - gave me a lemon-wood longbow and kept me supplied with arrows. Every time he would break an arrow he would cut it down and give it to me. Lived on a farm - think our egg production dropped considerably when I started shooting. Never killed one of the chickens (that I'll admit to) but I sure harassed them.
In 1963 at the age of 15 I lost my right eye while shooting a crossbow my father had bought. So switched to shooting left handed. No problem for me to figure out which eye is dominate - ha!
Bought my first archery deer permit in 1966 and haven't missed a year since. In the early 70's I bought a Bear Alaskan compound. Shot it maybe 5 months and sold it - just wasn't for me.
My wife and I will celebrate 40 years of marriage in October. We have one daughter who lives in Nevada with her husband and our 5 month old granddaughter. My daughter started bowhunting with me when she was 15 - she also shoots traditional. Life is good! Oh, by the way, I been a Dispatcher and Dispatch Supervisor for the Nebraska State Patrol for the last 37 years.
Craig
My name is Kyle Betts. I am a 33 year old Senior Water/Wastewater Operator in Delaware. I've been shooting a bow since about six. I toyed with a recurve for all my years but finally put the wheels away for good about this time last year. So far, two deer and a turkey have fallen to one of my two Widows. I am captivated by the flight of an arrow.
I have a beautiful wife Lisa and a wonderful daughter named Isabel. At one time, I fished as much as I hunted, but as i get older my hobbies seem to narrow. When I'm not shooting a bow, I'm either thinking about deer hunting or trying to find some ducks to shoot. My eight year old lab Cole never ceases to impress me. Now that he's slowing down (only very slightly) I think I may have a real antler dog on my hands.
Ok now hold on this could be boring!
My name is Tim Jones I am married to a gorgeous loving blond hottie named Richelle,I have 3 awesome kids Michael,Tucker,and Kylie.I live in Northfield N.J. which is 10min from Atlantic City.I currently work for the State Medical Examiners Office.I am a certified FF/EMT, rifle and pistol coach,CPR and first aid instr.,Haz Mat instr.All of which doesn't make me more money :confused: My wife considers me a redneck(ok with me). I went into the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 and found the values and knowledge that makes me who I am today. I believe in God,Country,Corps,respect,honor,trust,and freedom. I have been hunting since I was a kid,and spend a lot of time teaching my kids what I learned and still learn.After dealing with death every day at work I have become somewhat hardened with death and try to live each day as if it your last,because you may have plans but but death doesn't check your calender.
My wife is the best mother and friend I could have ever hunted down(total spot and stalk).And my kids keep me smiling every day and keep me scratching my head as well.
I view myself as the kind of friend that you can call in the middle of the night in need, and no matter what I would be there for you. I have a sense of humor that takes some getting used to. I like to make people laugh it heals the body. I like to better myself in some way every day and to be thankful for what I have. Someone always has it worse than I do and I try to think of that.
I am grateful to this site and the people who run it and the guys and gals on it.For this is the kind of place that can take some of those depressing issues and people you deal with on a daily basis and put them out of your mind. For this place holds people who have the values that the rest of the world has lost.IMHO of course
So thats me in a nut shell thank god not a straight jacket.
:campfire:
George Stamps here. I love my savior, family and traditional archery and fishing in that order. I also love to write and have done some articles for TBM, Bowhunter and Ky Bowhunter. Am planning a book now. I do not gun hunt at all (by choice)but do enjoy shooting trap. I shoot longbows and love to stump with my daughter. My dream is to hunt elk someday.
Great thread,
The name is Joe Flikkema and I am a furniture maker and wood worker. At 45 I am married to my best friend (second try) , Melissa and we have almost 8 children between us (Austin 25, Tara 21, Samantha 18, Alana 16, Angus 9, Colin 7, Tess 2, and we are due for our last in mid April. Making furniture is not the fast track to wealth (of the material kind) but the family believes in me and so far so good. I have been hunting since I was quite young started with traditional gear then left due to the urging of my peers only to return again 5 years ago when I grew tired of having so much gear to keep track of and around my neck. I made the switch back and have been lucky enough to make a few traditional friends along the way. I live in rural Upstate New York, a little town named Ripley. Loads of snow each year, not bad hunting either, right on Lake Erie and I really can see another country from my bedroom window. My oldest two children live on their own my two teenage girls are away at boarding school (on scholarships) the three at home keep me on my toes and love being in the out of doors. I hope that my brood will help keep me young (at least at heart). We, for the most part, raise or hunt for what fills the freezer a great way to live if you have the room. I love to hunt for what ever I can and the recurve is my bow of choice and so are wood arrows. I was lucky enough to get a Robertson Stykbow a few years ago. I do hunt with my rifle and shotgun from time to time, but the bow is my go to. I love to go out to the Rockies to hunt when I can, Idaho and Colorado and have goals to hunt other wilderness but have not had the good fortune to yet. My house and small farm is my other hobby and so I am either in the shop or at home working on it, gives me a chance to be with family. Not a very exciting guy but I have a great family and turn out some nice pieces of furniture from time to time and I hope to keep meeting more traditional archers and making more friends as I move along, as stated several times on this thread; a work in progress
My name is Glenn Hickey, 55 and live in a small town in south central Kentucky, Monticello. It's bordered to the west by Lake Cumberland and to the east by the Big South Fork National Park, truly a sportsman's paradise. I've been married to my childhood sweetheart and the mother of my children for 35 years. My daughter is 26 and my son will be 28 in April.
For a livelihood I own and operate a Funeral Home, enough said about that because my job does not define me. I'm a blood-bought born again Christian who has been given the gift of teaching which I do in my home church and in several other venues. I believe in doing missions, and lead groups into south west Russia a couple of times a year and serve as an initial responder with Baptist Global Response which has taken me around the world. Most recently I was able to take a medical team into Haiti and may return in April.
I have had a life-long love affair with Motorcycles and presently own two, a 2003 Goldwing with just under 100,000 miles and a 2007 DL 1000 that I plan to ride up the Haul Road to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska then Key West on the return trip. I belong to the IronButt Riders Association and really enjoy endurance riding (ironbutt.org), my wife says I'm still trying to prove my manhood, she may be right.
I took up archery at the age of 12 after attending a summer camp operated by KY Fish and Wildlife and took my first deer at the age of 17, a small 3 pointer with a 45# Shakespeare Necedah. As family responsibilities took over my life I got away from hunting and only returned about 5 years ago. I now only hunt traditional after a very limited encounter with compounds.
In reality I love to be outside if its calling a turkey, watching a doe nurse her fawn or traveling a curvy mountain road on a motorcycle is makes no difference to me. Like it is so well said in second verse of the great song "How Great Thou Art"...
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Hello Fello Brothers and Sisters,
My name is Keith and I got my handle from my Old Pastor from my local Church...I accepted Christ and I attend a local Baptist Church ...I have a Great Wife I've known for 25 years but been married to for 23...I am 46 years old and my wife is a hair bit more mature then I... :D We adopted two abandoned children ..The first daughter we named Ande cause we took my Grandmothers name that was Edna and flipped it around to "Ande" ...We were told she was 5 months old when she was found abandoned and we got our first picture of her when she was around 10 months old from our adoption agency and she was found outside near an animal hospital where they Quaritine sick animals...By the time we got to meet her for the first time she was then 15 months old and became our first daughter Phraise the Lord...Our second daughter that we just adopted late Oct. and became an American citizen on Nov.6th we named " Kaci " was found at around 2 months of age on a side of a road...She has special needs and one of the needs was a cleft lip and palet that have been repaired and will need updated surgury later and the other is a heart condition that may need a valve inlarged at a later date...Kaci will turn 3 in July and spent most her life in an orphanage till God answered our prayers again...The Lord has Blessed my wife and I with these two girls and a world of friends who welcome them with open arms...I walk around with one Big Grin on my face whereever we go cause people sometimes think I'm their "GRANDPA" but I say no I'm their Father and then the oppogize's start....I love to spend time in the "Creation" that God has made!...I also like to look for stoneheads,metal detect and spend time with friends and share coffee with anyone who likes real coffee and none that what I call "Sissy" (flavored) coffee ! :knothead:
Hello Traditional Bowhunters,
Name is Chris Shelton, 18 years young. Been a Catholic for the younger part of my life, but without stirring the pot to much, I simply dont agree with Catholic Ideals, but I am still definatly a Christian. . .
Still live at home, have a brother who lives in OK and a younger sister, a regular mom and dad, we all have the same last names, lol. And I suppose you can call us traditional. We eat meals together, and that about explains it all.
Dad is my best freind, even though he sometimes sweats the small stuff. But that is what a ex marine is suppose to do. He is also my best hunting partner, after all he is the one that brought me into this wonderfull sport.
Started hunting at age 12, we still lived in the city of Baltimore, what a wonderfull place(not), and now we live in the western part of this lovely state. Without stirring this pot to much, our game officials have no clue, period.
Anyway, been into traditional archery for just about 4 years, started with a little 20# fiberglass recurve, then moved up to a bycicle and back to a 40# recurve. After 3 months of shooting that recurve it was time to hunt with it. I was finally to the point that I was hitting disks in the air, at age 15. That first hunt was definatly one I will never forget. Because that day we didnt come home empty handed, I had made a perfect 22 yard quartering away on a mature whitetail buck.
Ever since then I have been hooked. Year before last I started self filming. To add to the challenge, and adventure, I have a mini show on youtube called Instinctive Adventures. If you want to check it out it is www.youtube.com/user/Guitararcher (http://www.youtube.com/user/Guitararcher)
Other than that I love music, play the guitar, piano and a bit of harmonica.
I tan my own leather, and made my own guitar. Love working with my hands. And enjoy learning new things. Love this site, and all the folks and lessons contained within! And that is all Ive got to say about that, lol
Hello All my name is Dean Lintz I am 48 years young. Home grown lived on same block for 47 years. Only moved up the block when I got married. The wife is understanding of my outdoor addiction. Always working or shooting,new to trad. only been at it for a year. I love the challange when not frustrated. I swiched from wheel bows. Have 5 children 3 girls 2 boys youngest on is 20. I like tinkering and building arrows. Have worked doing industrial maintenance for 28 years. Will hunt anything that walks,jumps,or crawls sometimes swims.
Hey Gang, Name is Kyle Mongold. I am currently a senior at Penn State majoring in mechanical engineering. I recently got engaged to my high school sweetheart. I was born again three years ago and now trust the Lord with everything in my life. I have been hunting since I was twelve and made the switch to traditional archery only a few years ago. Last year, in large part to this site, I started making my own bows. I hope to start making my own arrows soon as well. To go along with hunting, I enjoy fishing, trapping, golfing, and baseball(playing,watching or coaching).
I just want to let everyone know how much i enjoy this site. I used to hang around on a lot of other forums but after i found this site, this is the only one i visit. The people on this site are so generous and wealthy with knowledge. I would just like to thank everyone who makes this site possible!!
What a great post. My name is Tom Williams. I am 59 and have been married to my childhood sweetheart for 37 years. I pastor a Baptist church in Bryant, AR. This is my 3rd church and we have been here for 14 years. I grew up in a Christian home but my 20's were a little rough. God reclaimed me around 30 and called me into the ministry when i was 35. Before that i was a sales manager in an oilfied company. We have two children. My daughter lives in Jonesboro, AR and married to a great guy and have 2 wonderful boys. My son and his wonderful wife are missionaries to the nation of Macedonia. They have a daughter and one on the way. I am blessed.
I love my Lord, His church, my family, my country. I love to shoot traditional bows and gave up gun hunting years ago. During the spring and summer i ride a bicycle as much as i can. I read and just wrote my first book. Would love to have more time to write.
I have met some of the finest guys on this wall and the Black Widow Wall.
I am burdened for my country and pray for a return to the Lord; but I rest assured in His grace and His security. Blessings to you men.
Hi I'm Chuck Brake and reside in Kingsport,TN with my wife and 2 dogs. I started in trad in 1983 when I was dared to see if I could hit the target with a LB, did and have never looked back. I love to hunt,fish,track,photography, and the outdoors. I am 61 yrs young and had to drop a lot of weight off my bows but at least I'm still shooting! The most exciting thing about archery to me is the flight of the arrow. When you let it go and if everything is right, watch as it arcs thru the air and hits its mark. If that rush ever stops I will put down my bow and sit by the fire in my warm teepee and remember that thought. May the Great Spirit look after all of you and keep you safe! :campfire:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f138/bill_schultz/IMGP0452.jpg
Hello fellows, great idea for a post Mudd. My name is Bill Schultz, aka Willy.
Many of you may have known me as the owner or New Jersey's Traditional only shoppe, Renaissance Archery which I ran for eight years until regular job and family demands forced me to close.
Born in Virginia and raised in NJ. Loved Cowboy and Indian movies and especially Robin Hood growing up.
One summer I fell out of our tree fort and broke my left arm, was in a cast from my bicep to my thumb.
My Dad wanted me to do something to keep it active so he bought me Pearson fiberglass bow at Two Guys and a dozen of cheap arrows to keep my entertained.
I never stopped. My folks were not hunters but our next door neighbors were big game hunters with rifles and bows and I ended up with throw away stuff from them and vowed when I was old enough I would do it.
Well when I was 18 joined the Army and my hunting days began around the country for a few years and then I came home and got to work
Married above my pay grade 29 years ago. Four of the greatest kids you can have, two still in high school and home. Two sons that hunt, the second one loves it big time.
Thirty year Lawman, retired from one version and started last year as a different type.
Love traditional archery, love flintlock rifles in which I have built a few..love fly fishing, fishing in general salt and fresh. Love being a good rifleman, believe every American should be one. Love hunting with all of it but main enjoyment is my bows of which I have had a passle over the years.
Respect Traditional type men, like to hang out with them, hunt fish and share a campfire with them. Been blessed with some good ones as friends.
As a matter of fact I have been blessed in general in my life.
Hope it goes on a lot longer.
Bill
Hi. Doug Key here from Southeast Texas. I've been around this earth for some 60 years now and have loved archery since I was 5. Shot ol Willow bows and arrows until I was about 12 and then bought an old Shakespear Neceda recurve. Hooked on Trad ever since.
Been married for a mere 40 years to my high school sweetheart. We have one Son (Chris, 34), a graduate from Texas A & M (that was a 7 year ordeal but worth it), whom is married to a wonderful young lady (more like my own daughter than a daughter-in-law) and two wonderful Grandchildred; Summer 7 years and Traiton 4 but soon to be 5. I am a Viet Nam Vet and proud to have served my Country (even though that was such an unpopular war).
I have been a Christian since I was 16 and thank God for his direction and his everlasting love for humanity. I am still working in Sales but my Bride has retired from the Phone Company. We moved to our country home in 2005, lived through 2 hurricanes (Rita 2005 and Ike 2008) and have an old farm and home to constantly work on and remodel with 75 acres of pine and hardwood timber. The Kitchen is my current rebuild project.
I enjoy archery (no question here), Bass fishing (I'm only 10 minutes from Lake Sam Rayburn, golf (I love this game but it doesn't like me at all), and spending quality time with my family. As I have gotten older and without the responsibility of raising a family, life has taken on a new meaning for me. I enjoy each day as if it is my last, savoring every moment.
Even though our economy and current political admistration has taken downward spirals, I have the hope and confidence that our Lord and Savior will keep those that love him and live true to his name. God bless.
Hi,
My name is Clay Walker, I am a happily married man with a wonderful wife ( NWTRADWIFE ) and two teenage daughters. I have a BS in Civil Engineering and work for the City of Gresham, in Oregon. I run a fishing guide business in Washington State, and also have a forge where I make Tomahawks and Knives in my garage as a hobby.
I spent 8 years of my life seving in the WARNG. I loved serving my county and still miss it a lot. I spent 12 months in 2003 / 2004 blowing up enemy equipment and munitions, walking up to roadside bombs, and defusing / destroying them during that time frame. If you have seen the movie, The Hurt Locker, remove the bomb suit and the robot and just make that me with my helmet, flack jacket, and anywhere from 1.5 lbs to 60 lbs of C4 and you get the picture. I was a 12B Combat Engineer ( light ).
That year was exhilirating, terrifying, sad, happy and at times awesome all rolled into one crazy year. We saw our first EOD detachment at month 9 as they drove by us going the other way on Highway 1. Did you know a tank turret will flip up to 3.5 time while flying into the air from a 40lb crater charge? Who knew?
I have hunted just about everything that is legal in my home state all of my 42 years on this big blue ball. I have traveled around the world twice and have been on 4 continents. I switched back to trad from compounding about a year ago and will never look back. I am back in love with archery now.
The good lord has blessed me with a wonderful family, a wonderful life, and great friends. I figure every day you wake up is a good day. I have not had a bad day since I got back home in 2004 and don't see one coming anytime soon.
Great thread Mudd.
My absolute pleasure in meeting all of you that have chimed in so far! What wonderful people we have here!
John
I am Waldo Strickland. I'm a JR so I have always gone by Wally. I'm 33 and I've been happily married for going on 12 years. I have a 4 year old named Ezekiel who is my other Love. I'm a blood bought beleiver and try to live by the golden rule. Sometimes I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut and pointing out the obvious.
I use Hatchchaser as a handle cause I'm a bonified Trout Bum. I have hunted and fished as long as I can remember. I picked up a compound about 12 years ago only to lay it down a few years later. I got real bored with it. I picked up my first trad bow back in 2005. The only hobby I have enjoyed as much is my flyfishing. I just like the idea of making things more challenging and doing it oldschool. The closest thing to flingin an arrow with a longbow is painting a fly on the water with a slow action fiberglass rod and a double taper line. I enjoy the journey. To me a successfull hunting trip is the comrodery at camp and helping a freind drag out and dress a critter. If I get one that is fine too. I can honestly say I'm a tradbow junky and wouldn't have it any other way.
I love this place and would be proud to share a real campfire with yall anyday. God bless.
Hatchaser,
Ever notice how similar the shape of a trad bow, a fly rod, and a canoe are to each other?
Or is it just me that gains great pleasure from these simple, graceful shapes?
Hi, I'm Gene here in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania. I love my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ and my greatest blessing in this life, my family. I've been a semi-professional musician all my life and work in the computer industry. Currently, I direct a choir and play piano in church. I was a late bloomer when it comes to hunting... not 'til I was 45 did I kill my first deer - with a compound bow. I've been hooked ever since! This is the year that I plan on abandoning the "training wheels" and take my first deer with a traditional bow! I'm presently shooting a 45# osage selfbow.
I'm also into 18th century reenacting, hunting with flintlocks (.50 rifle, .62 & .75 smoothbores), and enjoy fly fishing. My 18th century personna is that of a German immigrant (hence Der Musiker).
I'm a newcomer to this board... spend most time here lurking and learning... and look forward to getting to know some of ya.
(http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs033.snc1/2593_1126894932522_1231622728_365546_159795_n.jpg)
Well, here's Mud in your face! I'm a retired Army guy, rode hard and put up wet for near 25 years! I've been retired (semi) since 1994. Run a small business to support my drinikin' and huntin' and travel! Been married for almost 30 years,and almost as many conflicks! Nora (my wife) and I have two great girls, aged 27 and 25!! I enjoy huntin, fishin, and campin' and most of all just wakin'up on the green side of the grass! I love traditional bow huntin' and want to thank my my brothe (shaft slinger) for gettin' me started! Just wish we could get more bowhunter together! See you all at Compton!! :campfire:
Good observation sendero. Simple traditional lines are very nice. I think it is a certain type of people who take up these styles, trad archery, fly fishing. It's my kinda folks.
Hello! I'm John Kelley. I'm 34 years young. I've been happily married for the last 6 of em. I have 3 great kids. Son 6yrs, and two daughters 3yrs and almost 1yr. I live in Shelby, MI. Shelby is a small town of 1900-2000 people. It's located about at the "pinky knuckle" area of Michigan. I've worked as a crystal growth engineer for 20yrs at the Shelby Gem Factory. I actually "grow" rubies,emeralds, diamonds and such. I started hunting when I was 14. First bow was a darton compound. In 2001 I picked up a hoyt compound. I was fairly successful hunting with both. In 2007 I switched to a recurve....no looking back now. I really love it. I like the fact that it is simpler yet more difficult.
I like firearms a lot. Do a bit of gunsmithing. I reload for everything I have cept .22. My favorite gun is my .58 cal muzzle loader that was given to me by a great friend.
Besides my family and hunting stuff my other biggest interests are motorcycling and the American Lemans Series.
My name is Jimmy Twitchell I am 38 have two lovely girls my wife Maria and daughter Amanda who is 17. I have been married for 15 happy years and I met my daughter(wife's) when she was 9 months. They are my pride and joy. I live in southern Utah in Cedar City. I spent most of my life in some form of management and the last few years in sales which I quite in october to keep my morals. I have lead a blessed life never rich but rich in life and in the outdoors(thanks dad). I work hard and play hard. I spend as much time hunting,fly fishing,skiing,hiking,scouting as possible. A 3 day trip is a long one by my standards so my adventures are usally close to home but will hunt almost every day of a hunt. I like the simple things in life and traditional ways of life. Most of my hunting has been with a bow in my hand and still do some waterfowl with a shotgun mainly for my other blonde girl friend my lab Abby. I started with a fiber glass long bow at 12 bought a compound at 15 for the first two years of big game. Went to recurves and longbows in the late 80's until the mid 90's. Shot a compound in barebow style until year ago. One year with sights and release and that what did me in. Always would pick up the long bow here and there and was always lerking in my thoughts. I will hunt with traditional gear now until my body fails. I enjoy intoducing people into the outdoors ecspecaly flyfishing and archery,just ask any poor soul who has worked for me. It is what saved me form becoming a looser so I like to help others find there way. I have even converted several veggies. I also have a artistic side to me enjoying painting and photography which I'm taking my life in that direction now. Most of my artistic work has be in oil paints(landscapes and wildlife) and now playing with acrylic paints. I have had some of my art work published and some photos in fishing mags,you would never know with the pics I put on here. Thanks for letting me share a part of my life with the good people here. Good thread Mudd :campfire:
I am Tony Lail from Vale, North Carolina , am 51 years old and have been married to my wife Anna for the last 27 years....we have a son, who is in seminary and a youth pastor here in NC and our daughter who will graduate and take her nursing boards in May.......have shot a bow and bow hunted since I was around 12 years old......love to squirrel hunt and my favorite big game is pigs.......I am a technical service rep. for printing equipment but am really a full time kid.....also hike and camp A LOT and am fairly content any time that is spent outdoors.....met Fred Bear ounce and still have his autographed picture on my book case.....
Danny Rowan here. Born and raised in West Texas, San Angelo,Odessa and Ozona. Went to college in Nacogdoches Texas and then joined the U.S. Navy.Spent 21 years traveling the world for my country and retired with honors in 1993. Worked for the Government of Guam for three years in a powerplant as an underpaid Instrument Tech. and in 1999 went to work for Uncle Sam again as an Immigration Inspector. Still working for Uncle Sam as a Supervisory Federal LEO and certified Firearms Instructor, only now we are called US Customs and Border Protection. Married to my lovely wife Julie for 22 years and we raised 5 wonderfull children, a son and 4 daughters who have given us 9 awesome grand kids.
Started shooting bows when I was 15 years old and have never stoped. Started with longbows on the heavy side,up to 80#, but now shoot recurves from 56 to 64 pounds. Tried a compound once, not for me. Used to gun hunt but have not hunted with a gun in over 10 years, strickly my recurves now. I live on the Island of Guam, a US Territory in the Pacific. I am 59 years old and plan on shooting and hunting as long as I can pull a bow, hopefully another 20 years or so the Lord willing. I love archery, bow hunting and fine knives as well as a fine bow as most of you know, I go through a few,LOL.
Danny
My name is Murray Landry. I use the handle "Trooper" because I've been with the Louisiana State Police now for 26 years. I've been married now for 23 years and we have two daughters, 16 and 19. My passion is hunting the whitetail deer with recurve or longbow. I'm a Fred Bear fan and hunt with my F/B T/D or St Charles longbow. I haven't hunted with a rifle in about 10 years. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and I try to live my life in a way that glorifies His name.
Hello Gang
Name is Mark Sharpe I am 55 years old started out like most with one of those old red long bows way back when, shooting at any thing around the fields in the old neiborhood with little acuracy but had alot of fun trying. In my late teens picked up a set of wheels and fell in love with the sport target shooting and hunting,it took a few years to figure out what the heck I was doing but our gang had a good time doing it. In my mid twentys began to get some skill and luck in the sport.We shot every Sunday at the many clubs in our part of the country they set up courses of 30 targets on hay bales and slowly moved to 3D targets making things much more enjoyable!Things went very smooth untill marages children and parts of the gang moving away,we slowly broke up in our late thirtys.Well about 8 years ago I was heading for a docters appoitment and passed out causing me to total a brand new car and ending up stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of my life.After learning how to live with the stinking problem I stopped at a local archery shop to look around and try my hand at things from the chair,well my old form of shooting with compounds did not work.I was leaving the shop very dissapointed when I seen a man shooting a very strange looking traditional bow.I was watching him and was quite amazed at his accuracy.Took up a conversation with the gentallman and he offered me to try my hand at it.I shot a half of a dozen arrows and right then and there I fell in love with the sport again.I found that the bow was a Saluki horse bow got Lukuses internet sight and told my new found friend I would be ordering with in the week. Well I had an old Howatt recurve at home and began showing up at the shop when ever I could. With the help of my new friends I slowly began to pick up the idea of what I was trying to do. It has been a diffucult time learning the sport as I was going right eye blind and would not give up but finally I gave in and went left handed ,it was not to long and things started to turn around.Well I have become a regular member at this indoor shop and enjoy every moment of the sport.I even went as far as to pick up an ATV to hunt from and got lucky in 2008 and harvested my first traditional deer.I do not think I will ever give up this fully enjoyable sport target or hunting!!
Glad to be part of this great bunch of memmbers!! MARK
Wow, I am impressed Mark. Sign of character for sure.
In fact I am very impressed with the entire crew I have read so far on this post.
I also see we all have a lot in common, brothers by different mothers I think the kids say.
Howdy,
John Nash here, 45 years old. Born and raised on a farm in Palmer Alaska. Seen a lot of changes in Ak can't say for the better. Been married for about 14 yrs now and I have 6 yr old triplets A boy and two girls. As far as my affiliation I'm a confirmed agnostic. Just been bow hunting for about a year now, so far my biggest kill is a snowshoe hare. I do believe thats probably the funniest hunting I've done yet. I started bow hunting probably for the same reason as a lot of us, to find the fun in hunting again. Hunting just got to be where I'd go out, find a critter, blow their brains out and then the work began. Loving this traditional archery though, couldn't quite see the point of these new compounds, seems like there just a vertical crossbow to me. Anyhow now I'm thinking about heading south maybe to Colorado so I can spend more time out riding my mule and less time plowing snow. Plus there'd be a lot of different critters to hunt !
hello iv been loyd lippert for 65 years now, raised up in so central mo.hunted with bow and gun as a kid, still a kid but most of my getup and go has got up and gone. still like to make bows especialy for kids.make a knife now and then, always making something new. been with the same woman since i was 18 she puts up with a lot, gota love her. have 8 greatgrand kids that keeps me making bows. the wife and i will be taking our first vaction this tear in a teardrop camper that i built, told you she puts up with a lot. loyd
I'm 49 been with the woman for 20 years.2 sons HUNTER 15 and BRIER 10.Started hunting with my grandad at 6.He was a turkey hunter but I didn't start turkey hunting untill I was 9 till then Ijust tagged along.Deer hunting at 10.Unill my late teens I traped everything from muskrats to foxs when I became a serious BUCK hunter.That year my granddad died this is when I started seriously spring turkey hunting.
For my grandad that was 90 and spring hunted 82 springs in a row.He quit counting at over a 100 that was 1960.Probely over 300 he thought.Sence I stared I've killed 31 with shot guns 13 with bows,9 of those with selfbows 3 of those with knaped heads.
I switched to a recurve for a compound after 10 years.Shooting a recurve for 5.Then in 89 I started building and hunting with selfbows.
But my main hobby is bucks.97 in all,33 With my own selfbows.I have many other hobbys fly fishing a close second then theres Ginsang which turner in to a little bissness.
I craft everything primitive from cain arrows to knives.I grew up doing anything survial and primitive you name it.I hunt from 50 days to 118 which is my record.That was in 4 state's that year. I've hiked in 11 country's and 1000's of mile's in the US.
Untill 05 when I had 2 STROKES.I missed 05 and 06 hunting seasons.Could'nt walk or talk for a year.I've pushed hard I could'nt spring hunt in 07[ by now I only bow hunted] for gobblers but by falL.I still had suckie corration on my right side,Still can't walk in the dark if I can't see the ground,dizzyness.But I slowly gotten better.and shooting better as time go's on.Even though I was all ready a ground hunter it's made me a total ground hunter for life.Which is fine.
I still killed a 6 point my close's at 3 yards in 07 of that year.God must have sent him to me.The following spring I missed one and then arrowed a 3 year old.11"beard with 1 1/4 spurrs.I've slowly gotten better.Can now shoot fairly good at 20.I never shot a buck over 15 in my life.Shot and 8 point with a recurve was my longest shot ever with a bow.
I was lucky and I know it.Now I've slowed down not by my choise.But thats OK it's made my out look not just on life but many other things totally different.All totally for the best.
It's took me alot of hard work and a long time to get to where I am today now I still do all things I did before almost.But all a little differently and have a great time doing them all.
Hey guys and gals. My name is Jerome c. Bauman (Jerry) and I'm 68 this month and some days I feel 168 but that's another story. My brother and I got Beebe guns at age 5 & 6 and promptly shot the windows out of grandpa's shed and lost our guns. The next Christmas we cried until Dad got us some bows and arrows and that started a love affair with the bow and the flight of the arrow. My first bow was a 30# @ 28" lemon wood longbow. A few years later I moved up to a Ben Person old Hickory 40# @ 28" and hunted small game because there was very few deer around at that time. I hunted with that bow until I went in the Navy. I was discharged in Nov. 1964 came home and started with the bow almost from the first day. The next spring I got my first real recurve a Ben Person Pinto 50# @ 28" and started deer hunting the same year. In 1971 I went to the dark side of archery and shot a com@^%* until 1976 taking a deer every year and winning the state indoor pint sight division. It stop being fun so I went back to the long bow and started having fun again.
I found this site when on another site people started getting smart-alecky and I lost interests. I am a Christian tying to do my best. I love the fact a man can talk about his Christian side on this site without people giving him or her trouble. I love all the help one can get here. Yes at times old men need help too. Just good people that hang here.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/graybuffalo/brokenbow2.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/graybuffalo/jerry%20archery/Buff.jpg)
Mudd, this is one of the best threads I've read since joining a couple of months ago. It was a good day when I stumbled onto this website.
My name is Stan. I live in El Dorado, AR (pronounced "L Doe Ray Doe"). I've worked in public school education for 25 years now. Been married to Belinda for 27 years (also a teacher) and have two sons. Logan is 19, Heath is 17.
My daddy took me deer hunting when I was 5 and I've been in love with hunting ever since.
As a kid living in the sticks my cousins, younger brother and I made bows out of sticks and string to play "Indians". But when my daddy whittled a bow out of an ash sapling for me, I became curious about making my own bows.
After several unsuccessful attemps over a spread of many years, I recently stumbled onto poorfolkbows.com. So far I've made 4 board bows. The first broke but the last three are still shooting.
Now I am attempting a stave bow out of a hickory log I found on my last firewood gather. I'm afraid it isn't going to work out because the hickory wasn't cared for appropriately.
I've been hanging around the fringes of this site like several of the rest of you and have learned a tremendous amount about making selfbows. I also see many similarities among the respondents to this thread as well as between traditional archery, fly fishing and canoes.
This world is forever getting smaller.
Glad to get to know you guys.
Stan
My name is Scott Moore I live in Bucks Co. Pa. I'm 54 yr.old. I've been hooked on trad. archery since i was in 3rd. grade when a new fiend in school gave me a little fiberglass bow. my next real bow was a Blackhawk Scorpion I got for Christmas 2 yr. later which I still have. I went thru the compound period like a lot of guys. Now I'm back to trad. only. I shoot anything from selfbows, boobacked and fiberglass. I've made several selfbows and boobacked but would like to try a glass lam.bow. I shoot and collect alot of vintage Bear bows. My first trip to Denton Hill Trad shoot 10yr. ago really got me back to trad and away from the compound. I've been married for 33yr. to my wife Maureen, have one daughter and one 2yr. old grandaughter and a grandson due in May. Most of my hunting is for whitetail deer in Pa. I'm a life member of the United Bowhunters of Pa. Belong to the Bucks Co. Fish and Game Assoc.
Hi, everyone, I would like to introduce myself. My user name is slingarrowbill in public I go by Bill. I am new to the traditional bow, and would like to thank my good friend longarrow for getting me into this sport. I have hunted with rifles and that other bow we will not mention. I did 28 years in the Army and you go in young and come out old. I currently work at Fort Bliss as a DOD civilian. I look forward to learning about traditional bows and with longarrow helping me, it shouldn't be to long before I am in the hunt. That's how I received my name from longarrow, because I can sling arrows....
Cherish every moment life is too short!
My name is Elmer Servis 57 years old lived in the state of Illinois then state of Washington and then back to Illinois.
I have been married since I was 18 to the same woman. Have one child a son who is 36 now, but still acts like a teenager frequently.
I started shooting an old Ben Pearson at 12 years old. I then got a recurve until, I got into dating the girls. I quit bow hunting for a few years then got back into it after being married a few years. Made the move to compounds for about 5 years then back to traditional for more years than I can remember now. I started my son shooting at about 8 years old. We spent most of my spare time at the local archery range shooting together. I guess I pushed him to much at a young age because he chose not to hunt after a couple years. That was one of my biggest disappointments in my life.
I retired last years after working at Caterpillar for 37 years as an Experimental Mechanic. Basically it amounted to doing repairs and testing on how much misuse the equipment would take before busting.
Looking forward to spending some long hours hunting now since I have lots of time.