How many are lucky enough to have a traditional only archery shop or at least one that most of what you need? The ones around here only have a few things but don't have anything that is only trad related.
In many areas there is just not enough traditional archers/bowhunters to support a shop that is all traditional. The X bow dealers usually don't want to fool with it because there is more profit in the other bows. I get lots of referrals from these shops and I appreciate it.
Have you considered starting a trad. archery shop?
I have a lot of fun with it (especially working with the kids) It's not a way to make a lot of money, but it is satisfying.
I have a number of relative in Owensboro. I have lived in Reed, Earlington, and Providence, Ky, and across the river in Evansville, In. I have roots on both sides of the Ohio River.
There's a Catch 22 about Trad archery.The main reason most love Traditional archery is we're not gadget freaks.This makes an Archery shop profitable,selling the latest gadget be it the newest sight,arrow rest,stabilizer,release,$130 bow string or the latest super duper carbon fiber limb bow with the most aggressive cams on the planet.I'm not knockin' this.A business has to show a profit to survive.I'm thinking a solely Trad shop would have a hard time making ends meet.We all like to make our own gadgets if possible.I would think that most Trad archers spend less money on archery equipment in two or more years than a compound archer spends in a year.I may be wrong.
Here in Denver, we have Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear run by Tom Clum, Tommy Clum, and Danny Clum; great store with even better people. I can validate their wood arrows, custom strings, great bow selection, and legitimate help. Give'em a call.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Gang!
Andrew
I have one about 25 minutes from my house that stocks a decent supply. Also has a small selection (Comparatively) of compounds, firearms, waterfowling equipment, and some steelhead/trout stuff. I really see it more as an outdoorsmans niche shop.
I will say they are the only ones that really could help me out as a newbie when it comes to answering questions, and as a result they have about a thousand bucks of my money since I started this venture a few months back.
Dan
The closest thing I know of is the Footed Shaft, which is an hour and 3/4 from my house. They are as close as my computer if I can wait a few days, same with 3Rivers.
I buy from both, but it is fun to actually look stuff over before buying it at the Footed Shaft. I usually walk out with far more stuff than I (thought) I needed though.
Maybe it's a good thing they aren't closer; I'd be even more broke than I am now, LOL!
Luckily I live In Indiana and the drive to 3 Rivers is not bad.
I am lucky, Tollgate Bowhunting Supply, a sponser here, is located not too far from me in central NY. They have a very good selection and supply of traditional archery stuff. Great folks to deal with, too. By the way, their shipping is as fast as anybody's.
There is a certain irony in the fact that the single biggest boon for the commerce of traditional gear has been the internet. Without it, it would be impossible for most small-time craftsman to reach such a large audience.
House of Arrows sells confound mes, but he is longbow shooter. The money is in stuff, not tradition. Matters not, as he has the essentials and will order for us. I spend enough as it is, but it is nice to touch and feel before buying. We also have Cabelas, Schields and Sportsman warehouse, but trad guys and gals end up at Ricks
I am blessed. Bigfoot is just down the road. Wes Wallace is 30 minutes from my front door. Raptor is a hour away. Life is good
we are fortunate to be 25 minutes fom Lost Nation archery and 30 minutes from Three Rivers
I am lucky too..............Raptor Archery has everything I want. They are a phone call or mouse click away and that is perfect for me.
We are lucky here in CO with RMSG. There used to be Bobs in Castle Rock,CO but Bob retired and the new shop wants out of trad more money in gadgets and gizmos.
I too am lucky to have Raptor Archery only 45 minutes away. Ted is top notch to deal with and very generous with his knowledge. It's the only place that I know of where I can spend money yet still feel richer when I leave, no joke.
Where I live there are only a couple of shops in a 35 mile radius and they usually have only basic things,big compound area, so 95% of stuff I need is shipped to me.
It's a long way from me, but I second Rocky Mt. Specialty Gear in Denver. My son lives in the Denver area, and whenever we visit, I go snoop around in the store. Good folks, and great service. They have a huge selection of bows, and they are fun to chew the fat with, as well.
I have 1 an hour from me. Usually make it there once a year. Just have to buy extra stuff when I go.
I don't have anything remotely close as far as I know here in western Kentucky but I have had nothing but postive experiences from shops I have found on here or TBM. I have bought everything from new and used bows to nocks, etc. In fact, I haven't bought anything related to trad archery here in store, everything has been via phone/internet since I started shooting traditional gear. It's been an amazing journey so far, I have met exactly one other trad shooter since I started 12yrs ago. I hope I get the chance to meet some of you guys soon, would really like to head to west coast and meet some of the bowyers and shop owners and maybe hunt blacktails someday.
If I need something right away I have ********* Archery about 30 min. away.
Miss my local pro shop (best friend owned)... he was a modern shop but could get just about anything I needed or wanted... The new Bass Pro did him in... now I have to order online and pay some outlandish shipping charges for just about everything...
Jonathan
My son LimbLover lives in Belmont Michigan, just outside of Grand Rapids Mi, Black Dog Outfitters as mentioned in an above post is just down the road!They carry a nice selection of Trad gear, in fact I was there over christmas, we shot the Techno hunt and I bought some pine shafts, points and feathers! i always make a purchase from their store whenever I visit my son!
I'm with ronp, Tollgate Archery is not to far away and good folks to deal with and support the sport ....also a sponsor here. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
For those who live near a trad shop, be very thankful b/c where I live (N.E. Arkansas) NOTHING; for alot of us, if it wasn't for the computer, we would be out of luck; my suggestion is to save as much money as possible during the year and make a point to attend at least one traditional event like kazoo, and others like it, and be prepared to buy what you need for the up-coming season; it is places and events like mentioned that allows me to stock up on what I need; I am one who likes to see and handle before I buy and the only way for me to do that is to attend a big trad event where alot of trad vendors attend and shop that way........ :campfire:
QuoteOriginally posted by MountainTool21:
Here in Denver, we have Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear run by Tom Clum, Tommy Clum, and Danny Clum; great store with even better people. I can validate their wood arrows, custom strings, great bow selection, and legitimate help. Give'em a call.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Gang!
Andrew
Ditto on that. Very fortunate to have them in our areas They do business over long distances too.
Joshua
Lucky enough to only be about 35 mins. from the Nocking Point. I'm only 20 mins. from Cabella's but don't go there much.
DGF, you must be talking about Black Dog Outfitters, used to be in Sand Lake; now in Rockford. Or is there another near you? Must be more than a couple of us retro types here in western MI.
Between being able to get the info one needs/wants on web sites like this one,(my favorite), and, on line trad equip sites to purchase from, what else could one want? For most of the country, trad shops just aren't available. The truth is that unless a trad shop has a large population to draw from, there just isn't enough money in trad equipment to be profitable. Once a man owns his bow and tab and armguard and some arrows, there really aren't many more "gadgets" to be needed. As far as bows are concerned, most guys deal with either big production manufacturers like Bear or with custom bowyers. It is really hard for a trad shop to be able to carry a varied assortment of bows in stock.
QuoteOriginally posted by Bladepeek:
DGF, you must be talking about Black Dog Outfitters, used to be in Sand Lake; now in Rockford. Or is there another near you? Must be more than a couple of us retro types here in western MI.
That's the place. I'm starting to wish it was a bit further away so I wouldn't spend so much. I swung by thinking I'd pick up some small game heads and a pack of broadheads to try... Walked out with those and a back quiver.
Teamfudd and I are lucky to have two shops ,woodland outdoor, and Twig archery that carries enough stuff to get us by. Other than that I rely on 3 rivers and usually try to stock up at any of the traditional events I make it to throughout the year