Over the years I've learned a lot about myself because of traditional bowhunting/archery. I believe if you take the right approach, it may guide you to the path of life long learning. It could also instill key foundations for our younger generation.
Here's just a few to begin with.
Persistance, Being Positive, Determination, Humility, etc.....
Let's hear from the gang, how traditional bowhunting impacted your life or the life of another in a positive way!
Ryan
:campfire:
It allows me to spend a lot of time with one of my sons. Hap
I feel like having those virtues are the reason we take up archery. The guys who are with us a few years and then go on to other things do not have those qualities.
I am inclined to agree.
Here, here, Biggie! So true!
In my personal experience, it has built confidence in setting goals and working to acheive them. And to also challenge myself in other things!
I agree with the above + for me it brings back the simple/care free times when I was young. When times seemed to be slower and you had the time to enjoy life more. When your word and a handshake was all you needed.
I feel that taking up traditional archery tought me more about who I am and what is important to me, emotionally, and spiritualy and helped to reinforce the vertues that my father and mother tought or tried to teach me in my rebeliuose youth, and I have tried to pass the passion and vertues on to my son.
Using archery gave me another way to teach/pass on to him some of these vertues with out having to watch his eyes glaze over in that "I'm in my happy place and when his lips stop moving I'll say ok dad and it will be over" look.
I believe Traditional archery brings forth enrichment! It gives to us so many things that it would take a much smarter man then I to ponder and be able to put into words here. I know that it has enriched my life on so many levels and in so many ways that I can never find a way to express them all. :campfire:
I've used it to create confidence and a unique identity for my kids. They've been shooting 3-D since they were very small and have been on some successful hunts. Confidence is the key to success and traditional archery it is a great way to give them a unique opportunity to stand out.
We all know you must have pretty intense focus in our sport and that carries over to most of what we do. In addition to confidence it also instills humility. We've all experienced the frustrations of our sport as well. There is a direct correlation between effort and success. Again, a life lesson. Anyway, I'm fortunate to have 4 great kids and I have to believe that my wife is the biggest reason, but traditional archery was certainly a contributor.
QuoteOriginally posted by Biggie Hoffman:
I feel like having those virtues are the reason we take up archery. The guys who are with us a few years and then go on to other things do not have those qualities.
Or maybe they just found something they enjoy doing more.
Let's not make it more than it is, the same can be said for golf.
I do agree though, archery can foster all those things, in addition to a
sense of humor .
Yep...like Tiger..he has ALL of these qualities and more!
Over the years Traditional Archery has lead me to meet many folks of great quality I may have otherwise never had the opportunity to know.
Great thread...
For me, traditional archery has come to be somewhat of a metaphor for life. Specific character traits that have been strengthened include determination, perseverence, respect, humility, confidence, and many more.
Like Biggie I believe that the challenge of traditional archery does not create character, but it does reveal it. Those who remain life-long devotees are often special people indeed.
Claudia
Great thread.
Due to it's bare bones simplicity, I beleive trad archery gives us a jump on the path of the true hunter. In the true hunter I find most of the things I aspire to become. A good member of the natural world.
Looking foward to the lifelong jorney.
Yup there's sure nothing like it. Obviously trad hunting isn't for everyone, but for those who are made for it it brings out the best.
I also have to agree with Biggie. It seems these qualities are in all the traditional archers I've seen.
Sadly, I can't say this about other sports and clubs I've been involved in.
During the years that I was active in the traditional archery business, I was never, not once, stiffed by a customer. The closest to a bad deal was a credit card that was denied after I had shipped, but I ran it again later and it went through. Most of my business was over the phone, with a lot of trust involved, and I routinely shipped before the card or check cleared.
The same has been true since I started selling off my remaining shafts, mostly to Trad Gang members. A truly remarkable bunch of folks, I think. I guess that's why I keep coming back here. In this age of cynicism and declining personal and public values, it helps to keep me smiling.
I agree with most of what has been said. I'd like to add that traditional archery also promotes and teaches self-reliance. Having to count on yourself and knowing that it was YOU and not some mechanical piece of equipment.
I believe that lesson transfers over to life, for most traditional archers.That's one reason there isn't much money in traditional archery. We see an item then go home, build it and personalize it.
It's been said that golf doesn't instill character within a person......it identifies it.
I think the same could be said for the lifestyle we all love. As a former PGA Teaching Professional, I view golf and TARGET archery (the physical) as "twins - separated at birth".
I also see MANY correlatives in the 2 endeavors. Though I currently choose not to play the game......I respect the game for the beauty and simple-ness of it (when reduced to its' lowest common denominator. I view traditional archery in much the same light.
I'll continue to "play it as it lies" in both endeavors. And, I'm a better person for having experienced both.
"Golf is not just an exercise; it's an adventure, a romance... a Shakespeare play in which disaster and comedy are intertwined." ~Harold Segall
Examples of the correlatives.........
"One minute you're bleeding. The next minute you're hemorrhaging. The next minute you're painting the Mona Lisa." ~Mac O'Grady
"The object of golf is not just to win. It is to play like a gentleman, and win."
Phil Mickelson
"Do your best, one shot at a time and then move on. Remember that golf is just a game."
Nancy Lopez
"The pat on the back, the arm around the shoulder, the praise for what was done right and the sympathetic nod for what wasn't are as much a part of golf as life itself."
Gerald R. Ford
usally nothing dies while "playing" golf, things (animals) die when I "play" traditional archery
You're missing the point (of my post). I'm not comparing the two endeavors (hunting with any weapon....and the game of golf).
I'm speaking more to the philosophical side.
I don't hunt with a 3-iron, either. Conceded.
Good post GMMAT. Those who can't see the similarities are either not looking or they have never played the game.
As far as the earlier reference to Tiger Woods, if you think the traditional archery community is immune to such failings, you are sadly mistaken. People are people, regardless of their hobbies or professions.
It surely grounded me and made me a better man and hunter!
Golf is hitting a little white ball as far as you can...it's for guys who aren't physical enough to play football. There's NO comparison between the two. NONE.
That's like badminton and tennis...
Why would anyone waste time playing golf when you could be shooting a bow????
Football is for guys who aren't smart enough to play golf.
So, I'm taking it you don't play?
:thumbsup:
HahHHAhAHAhaHH good one!
:biglaugh:
No, I don't play...I'm a bowhunter!
I've spent just as much time in the woods playing a round of golf as I have on a good hunt.
Both sports are enjoyed when playing with good friends but in the end it's really all about you as an individual.
Traditional archery keeps me connected to the outdoors that I love so much. Not surprisingly all of my closest friends are traditional archers.
I've spent alot of time on a Golf course both as a player and a major sponsor.It seams golf in my area has got alot like the 3D compound shooting crowd.They both definately have their "Good,Bad and their Ugly".Their is so much more than that in Traditional Archery like everyone else has said .90% of my hunting is done alone on my pace and with no witness except for the Wildlife.Its a primeal endevour about a person and an animal with hopefully food for my family,besides have you ever tried to cook a golf ball ? GMMAT I do see your point.
Nothing at all against those who've ONLY chosen hunting as their life outside of family/friends/work. Nothing at all.
But there's also nothing wrong with experiencing many endeavors. I've learned tons from each.
Though I didn't take up bowhunting, until I nearly turned 40, I don't regret a single minute of life before it.
Having an almost 18yr old, I want him to experience everything. I don't want to get to my rocker thinking to myself....."I wish I'd done (__________). In other words, I don't wanna die wonderin'.
Would I have missed out on something wonderful, had I never picked up a bow? You bet. I can say the same thing about a few other things in life, though.
No regrets. If you have none.....you have my congratulations. Rock on!
Golf was invented by a bowhunter to keep more of the uncommitted out of the woods!
This is about trad bowhunting fellas, not golf :campfire:
My apologies, Guru. I could have easily used flyfishing; duck hunting or coaching my kids' as correlatives. My point was/is....MANY things in life instill our key foundations (with traditional hunting mindset holding a very special place). I didn't ever intend to compare the two endeavors.
If my points were off-topic...I again apologize.
QuoteOriginally posted by GMMAT:
MANY things in life instill our key foundations...
So true...
Heck, when you think about it, what teaches
"Persistance, Being Positive, Determination and Humility" more than posting on internet forums. :D
I'm saving golf for my old age, when I can't bowhunt any more. I'm only 61 now. :)
I love to bow hunt. I love to shoot my bow. I like to hear and talk about hunting.
I don't have a tradition lifestyle and neither do folks just cause they shoot a recurve or longbow.
I don't get, nor believe this "traditional" "religion" stuff. If it is fun do it. If not don't. Romancing it, or believing it is something more is just weird.
And Guru, agreed. But, I would argue that this thread has no more to do with hunting than it does with golf.
I don't know if traditional bowhunting instills core values or reveals them. I do know that there are a very small handful of folks I've met through traditional archery that I wouldn't invite to have dinner with my family.
Since golf anecdotes are taking a beating here, let's try a rock and roller instead...
"I'm not like this because I'm in a band, I'm in a band because I'm like this."
--David Lee Roth
QuoteOriginally posted by Jeff Strubberg:
I don't know if traditional bowhunting instills core values or reveals them.
I think you got it right.
Good post Ryan. I believe that it can do both really. Traditional archery is the sport we choose. With those is also self-discipline. Also a quality that is found in almost anyone who is successful at any endevor.
Im new to this and one of the first things I learned is that if I am angry about anything, or in a "bad mood" my shooting suffers greatly.
A very good barometer of "mood", or at least it is for me.
Matt you got the hardest part figured out :wavey:
Awe yes, the age old question, which came first the chicken or the egg.....