I posted most of this in another thread - and it was recommended that I introduce myself in a separate post, so here it is. I've been hangin' around Trad Gang for a couple of weeks now and wonderin' if this was a place that I really wanted to invest in ("invest" meaning time, effort, and money). I have been into archery and bow hunting for many, many years, but concentrated on those wheel and string contraptions with sights and scopes and all sorts of unholy stuff. I was looking for a place to help me migrate back into the traditional and instinctive side of archery and Trad Gang seemed like one of the really good places to find that help.
The information available here is wonderful, but frankly there are many places around that can provide just information. What kept me coming back to Trad Gang were the open and friendly discussions - more family like than an on-line forum. There weren't many trolls lurking about, and that is a very good thing. Another important point for me is there is a very active Prayers/Concerns/Honors forum where folks actual ask for help with real life issues (and receive help), and there are people openly expressing their faith in God in many posts.....and yet others who are free not to - that is good as well. But while all that is good, what finally showed me that this was a place for me was when folks got together and paid for Mudd's "Family of the Bow" membership - that is what made me want to commit. That wasn't the only placed I'd seen something done like that around here, but it was another unprovoked act of kindness - a degree of fellowship that seems to separate Trad Gang from other forums.
So sorry to say folks - I think I want to hang around here for awhile. I've always enjoyed the Groucho Marx quote: "I don't care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members" - but I think I'll try to stay for a while if you all will have me.
I still have my first bow that my Dad bought me (a fiberglass Bow that came from Wards) nearly 45 years ago. I also own a couple of compounds that I shoot on rare occasions when I need to rebuild my confidence (I'm sorry to admit that), but I'm trying to shoot my Martin Hunter Recurve, and my Tomahawk Diamond SS Longbow daily to develop the form and eye to shoot well instinctively. I do love to collect hardware, so I've recently added a pair of used Bows to the collection (a Whisperstick Voodoo and a Belcher Thunderbird) that I picked up here in the Classified forum, and should receive next week. To keep the pipeline of Bows full, I'm looking to have Big Jim build me a custom Bow or two as well (yes - I see that I may have a growing addiction problem here). While it sounds like a lot of Bows, I have a few Sons that I need to supply bows for as well (at least the ones I decide to part with). So that is a bit of my story - I look forward to getting to know folks around here!
Thanks for a great place to stay and learn - God bless you all!
Welcome
nice to have you.
Welcome to the Gang! :campfire:
Enjoy and welcome :)
Welcome to the Gang! Pull up a log and join the fire. Glad to have you!
Welcome to the gang!!!
Welcome!!!! :archer2: :archer2:
Mike, Welcome aboard. Great site, with awesome people. Enjoy
Welcome! It is a great group of people with a shared common intrest.
Looks like you will fit right in.
Welcome from Kentucky.
Yep already buying bows,the addiction just gets worse the more time you spend here.Welcome aboard nice to have you here.
welcome!
Welcome to Tradgang,you will fit right in. :)
A BIG thank you to all of you that offered a welcome. You all really know how to make a guy feel at home!
Mike I am very glad that you opened a thread introducing yourself.
I sure look forward to hearing a voice of reason coming from the great state of California...lol
Enjoy your journey along with the rest of us.
Thank you for giving us a chance!
I don't think you'll be disappointed.
God bless,Mudd
PS: Keep me posted on(well you know)...lol and welcome to the TGMM family of the bow as well.
Hallos! From the center of the universe ... or something.
Welcome to the gang! Glad to have you on board.
Welcome, and i am sure you won't be disappointed, there are tons of great people here.