Hey Gang,
South Cox of Stalker Recurves has graciously offered a brand new bow to a "new beginner" at the mere cost of materials and shipping. The model will be of his choice, but the recipient will be able to choose length and poundage. South will offer this bow to a "deserving" beginner. This is where Trad Gang comes into play.
1) The "beginner" needs to be referred by a Trad Gang member with a minimum of a 100 posts.
2) If you decide to refer a "beginner", please include some information about the individual as to why they would make for a deserving recipient. You must post their story on this thread for others to read.
3) The only requirements are that the one referring or the recipient must remain in contact with me and allow me to document their new endeavor on the blog. It doesn't take much, just a few pictures with some written information. They must also pay for the materials and shipping of the bow itself.
4) The recipient will be chosen based on the most votes. Anyone can email, pm me or post their selection on this topic. One vote per person please. All referrals and votes will be honored until midnight of March 25th. I will compile the recommendations and announce the recipient on the 26th of March.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you!
Ryan Sanpei
Sounds great. :thumbsup:
This is why I really like this site, generous of both you and South to take the time to introduce a newcomer in style. Good on both of your parts.
That's awesome of you guys :notworthy: :notworthy:
Pretty dang Cool!
Jason
Hmmm....maybe the 'new beginner' could get in on a free hunt....lets see what happens...
:campfire:
That is Awesome Ryan!!!
That is an amazing thing you are doing. And the free hunt sounds like a great idea. Hope yall find someone deserving.
This is awesome. I have seen Ryans kindness many times over my time here with Tradgang. I also spent a good while talking with South the other night. Guess who else has a new bow in the works.
Two finer men you may never meet. To see them teamed up in this project is exciting. I am certian a lot of great things will come from it.
Great job you two!! I willbe sending a pm Ryan. I'm thinking this new comer might need a hoodie and/or tshirt. :thumbsup:
I am not about to let this new beginner start off with souch a good bow.....with out a set of wood arrows to go with it.When the bow is ordered i will need an e-mail sent to Full.quiver@hotmail.com.I will offer a new set of 12 arrows,i will need the # of the bow,and a few of the beginner's favorite colors. The arrows will be shipped full length,so someone will have to be able to help tune and cut them.
This is souch a great idea...now we need to get some other shootin stuff rollin,lets keep it rollin folks.
Awesome! :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :campfire:
I am "floored" by the support of the "Gang". To be honest, I was a little worried about my approach to selecting a recipient, didn't sleep well last night.
I'm excited about the other offers to help a "new beginner". What do you guys think about "sharing the wealth", and not have everything go to just one recipient? If you're willing to help, as some have already offered, contact me and we can discuss options and ideas? It would be a great way to support others who want to start a "new chapter" in their life. What do you guys think?
Looks like we're off to a good start, can't wait to read the "referrals"
Thank you to everyone!
Ryan Sanpei
In truth,i was thinking of an ultimate beginner package...but this sounds like fun.
Jon, I appreciate the generous offer and building the ultimate beginner package is a great idea. Just wanted to "bounce" some ideas off of the others (like you) who wanted to support.
Once we find out exactly who and how others want to help, maybe we could discuss collaboratively how to best support this project?
Thanks Jon!
this awsome by the way ryan love the new blog!
What ever you want to do Ryan...as long as he's a new trad beginner....I'll see what I can do to hook up a free hunt.
Ry and South, Let me know if there is anything I can help with please. I'd be honored to be a part of this. :pray:
Hey Matt,
We need to talk story.
Terry,
Thank you very much for your support.
Thank you Curt! I would love to feature Cade and Mae on the blog. I have a catagory set up for them. Hopefully it'll inspire other children or families. I'll talk to you about the details.
Really appreciate the support bro!
Ryan
Cool idea Ryan !!! :thumbsup:
Bill
HUH? What'd you volunteer me for Ryan? LOL, I'm glad to see this thing getting some wheels! The more newbies we can get into our clan the better. I was thinking the other day about my beginnings in archery--started out shooting a recurve when I was about 5, got my first wheel bow when I was 13, hunted for years with one with some trad hunting sprinkled in before I came full cirle and went back to my roots. Now, the average bowhunter who goes and gets set up at a shop with a new bow and all the accessories to go with it, will likely never release an arrow with his/her fingers--let alone get that rush of satisfaction when they've released an arrow instinctively and see it punch the center of the bullseye. Don't get me wrong, any bowhunter is a good bowhunter in my book, but WE need to be introducing more of these bowhunters to roots and history of archery. With my connections in the "tech bow" world through my years of writing, I've been able to reach quite a few guys and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Thanks Ryan for spearheading such a great project! Such a resource is going to do wonders for our sport! :thumbsup:
S2 cool bra awesome,hey you know what bra Ill send you 40.00 bucks to cover the shipping and maybe other trad gangers might want to pitch in and pay for the materials.If were going to do it lets do it right TRAD GANG STYLE...With everyones (KOKUA)-(Help).We can make this a very unforgettable experience for this speacial person,Aloha Ron
S2 on your video in closing you were explaining MANA'O,how giving and sharing what you have being knowledge and wisdom or even financial blessings it could be anything.Mahalo Bra for mentioning that in the INSTINCT DVD.This is exactly what Sanpei was talking about GANG,Aloha Ron
Thanks again to everyone for all the support and kind words.
Hey South, didn't Steve give you the memo? :readit: Oh well, I guess you need to put him back on catwhisker tying duty!
Aloha Lonala,
Thanks the generous offer. Let me work out the payment details with South. I'll be in touch.
Hopefully we'll find a deserving recipient!!! :pray:
Aloha Gang!
Ryan Sanpei
this is a great idea and I would like to make and donate a new armguard and side quiver for the lucky recipient as well
Thanks Art!
We've got an amazing amount of support, all we need now is a "newcomer".
Let me know if you guys have any questions.
Aloha!
Ryan
Super idea/gesture Ryan. Will there be a list posted somewhere of all the new beginners that get referred. I'm thinking most candidates are just going to have the one vote of the person who refers them unless others know they have been referred. Did that make sense?
I'm hoping that the members will post their recommendation right here on this "topic" for all to view. That way anyone will be able to read their story and hopefully select one candidate. Let me know if I can add further clarification.
Thank You ,
Ryan
Awesome stuff guys - this will be great journey to follow
Checked out your blog, you look to have a pretty good handle on it but if you ever need anything technical (webhosting, photoshop, etc.) just give me a holler, I'll be happy to help out :)
Awesome thing you're doing :thumbsup:
quote:
Originally posted by JohnnyWayne:
Checked out your blog, you look to have a pretty good handle on it but if you ever need anything technical (webhosting, photoshop, internet stuff, etc.) just give me a holler, I'll be happy to help out :)
Awesome thing you're doing :knothead: That doesn't speak well of my technical skills lol :biglaugh:
LOL!
Thanks for the offer Johnny, I struggle with computers. Good think I have a smart wife. :D If this resource helps bowhunters, then I'll definitely need some technical support!
Thank you!
Ryan
Hey Gang,
We haven't received any recommendations yet, so I opened it to any Trad Gang member with a minimum of a 100 posts.
Thank you!
Ryan
Hey Gang,
I'm going to start with the first "newcomer"
#1 MATT WHITE
Here's an email that I received on March 10, 2012
"Dear Ryan
Im a young(17) aspiring traditional bowhunter. I just wanted to thank you for making your blog. Im really looking forward to learning from it. One challenge i face is that i got invovled in traditional bowhunting on my own so i have no friends or relatives to help guide me( i get all my info from books, dvds, and tradgang). I guess what im trying to get to here is thanks for making a blog that trys to help guide new trad bowhunters
Thanks again Matt White"
It's emails like these which inspire me to continue helping others. I received this email only a week after creating "Beyond the Ridge"
Matt White is currently a "cadet" member of TradGang who joined in May 2011.
Here's the link to his first "introduction" post. http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=103906;p=1
Matt is currently very busy with school, but during his free time we try to work together through emails. I also promised him to film a few videos on specific questions. Matt is currently working up to "hunting weight" and he is hopeful that his first "hunting rig" will be a Stalker Recurve.
I have a few other beginners that I'm currently working with, but I felt that Matt deserved some recognition for his "solo" attempt to the world of traditional bowhunting.
Ryan
Thanks Ryan! :archer:
Got a pm yesterday from maineac.
#2 WILLIAM MOOK
"Ryan,
I have someone I would like to recommend. His name is William Mook. I started him turkey hunting in 7th grade ( I was his science teacher). Came from a non-hunting family. His dad got into the turkeys and ducks heavy with im through his high school years. He is getting ready to graduate college. I gave him my old compound that he has been shooting some instinctively. I would pay for the materials for the bow as a graduation present (already bought him an old Browning take-down I'll have to sell ). He hasn't hunted with a bow yet but wants to.
If you have another candidae that works better I would be happy to make them a knife that matches the bow if South can send me some scraps from the bow making (Wily already has a knife from me).
Thanks
Mike"
I've got a young man name of Mike Collins I told you about Ryan. You should have his contact info now and hopefully he will come on and comment. Mike is pretty pumped about trad bows after hearing a few (mostly true) stories ;) from me and seeing a couple of videos from Ryan. Mike is a good guy and career Army living right here on Oahu.
Great things all you guys are doing here, thanks. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Sound good Doug and thank you!
If Karen was there, then I know the stories were true. :D
#3 MIKE COLLINS
Hey Mike you should join us one day at the Kapolei Range.
Looks like it is going to make someone very happy!
Here's #4 TREVOR PROBANDT
I'm met Trevor a little over a month ago. We were discussing things about Stalker Recurves. I had mentioned to him my idea about "Beyond the Ridge". Being relatively new to traditional, he agreed to help support by documenting his new endeavor and submitting those stories to my blog for others to read.
Here's his "story"
"I grew up on a ranch outside of San Angelo, TX and growing up in the outdoors. Our home pasture was 1,400 acres and my younger brother and I spent every afternoon riding horses, driving the ranch truck or walking along with our pellet gun, usually with a dog or two in tow. I grew up working cattle, sheep and goats for our family as well as the more monotonous chores of fence building, hay hauling, water trough cleaning and riding/roping on horses. My father enjoys quail hunting, but was never a hunter. This didn't stop me from having him take me many times growing up and I shot and killed my first buck around 10 years of age. I remember being excited and a little saddened to walk up to my kill, a feeling I always get when I kill another living creature, and one I hope I always have. Now that I think about it, it is that feeling that probably pushed me towards bow hunting. I received my first bow, a Reflex compound package out of Cabelas, on Christmas right after I turned 15. I remember having my uncle show me how to shoot it and tell me about his time hunting caribou in Alaska. I also remember not being able to hit much of anything at first, and bending a lot of aluminum arrows. But from that day forth, I never picked up a rifle beyond varmint hunting at night on the ranch with my brother. I instantly fell in love with the struggle of killing my first deer with my compound. After hauling hay all day, I spent all summer looking over the 200 acres or so of fields we have with my circa 1960 binoculars of unknown origin, and watching the bachelor groups of deer coming out in the evenings. I had to try and guess where these guys were going to come out and find a spot on the creek that they were crossing. I didn't want to sit on the feeders like everyone else did, I desperately wanted to be "like Chuck" after reading "Super Slam" by Chuck Adams. I even tried to wear the little hat, but October in Texas is a little warm for that. The third hunt I was able to get within 4 yards of a little six point that walked right by me and into drink, and that was the point that I lost my heart to bow hunting. I finally killed a doe that year, and was hooked from then on. I read everything I could on bows and arrows, and how to best shoot them. I spent several years hunting elk in the Gila, chasing deer back home and hogs in east Texas when I lived there for four years. I tried to get all of my friends into archery and even gave a couple of my older bows to friends, just so I could have more hunting buddies to go with me. However, it was during a DIY wilderness hunt in 2010 with my buddy, that I realized I wanted to simplify things. I had actually gotten tired of all the releases, sights, drop away rests, closed cell or self inflating pads, bivy bag or single man tent, etc. I had fallen for the trap. I was a marketing team's perfect customer!!! I spent more time talking, testing and dreaming about gear than I did hunting. So, this past summer I decided to sell my beloved Mathews and get into traditional archery. I found the traditional forum on the Texas Bowhunter website that I was a member of, and they sent me on my path. I then found out that my father in law had a Ben Pearson Cougar that he would lend to me, that hadn't been shot since 1980 something. With that I went to find a group to shoot with, and luckily San Angelo has a great group of guys who shoot trad, and one of them invited me to shoot at daylight with them. What I didn't know is that they would be so gracious with info and smart aleck remarks. But they made me feel right at home and I got to learn quite a lot. That is when I learned of Stalker Recurves from my years of following South Cox on Eastman's and watching over and over the Nevada mule deer hunt he shared with Cameron Hanes. I was playing on his website when I came across the story of Bart Schleyer and I was truly blown away. This is what I was yearning for, a gentleman who did it the "right way" as we say in my family. It wasn't about the gear or the sponsors, it was about a man who understood nature and was also an athlete and used his strength to help others and succeed in the woods. When I read of Bart and Paul Schafer's friendship I naturally looked up Mr. Schafer's bio and was yet again blown away by his skills as a hunter and athlete. It was like I was reading about who I wanted to become in the woods. I decided to simplify my life, not just in hunting, but in many other aspects as well. I even started training with weights using 1970s techniques, turned the TV off and the internet off as well when I'm with my family, and have begun to get more things done because of this. It might sound strange, but reading these stories and learning more about traditional archery has helped to make me a better husband and father. It has also allowed me to get back in touch with my play side of things, I now spent hours on end running around shooting prickly pear, dirt clods, etc and literally laughing out loud at myself. I haven't had this much fun in years, and it also allows me to chase my boys around on the playground in front of all the other dad's playing on their phones because I've gotten back in touch with the "fun side" of me. Three months ago I set the goal to save enough to buy myself a Schleyer model recurve from South, and though it is tough with two very young boys, I've learned from traditional archery that "the pleasure is in the process" and I hope to be carrying one with me this fall for mule deer in Arizona. Either way, I will make sure that I conduct myself in "the right way" as those who came before have done."
South and i went to high school together and had a class together called outdoor ed this is were you get to fish golf make your own fishing poles tie flys for fly fishing and shoot archery South introduced us to the world of archery in this class we all were beginners to say the least South bought this beginner his first bow 25 years ago and im still hooked to this day i can say he change my hole way of hunting and life in the outdoors i think this program rocks and im in so whatever i can do to help and return what South gave to me thanks South and Ryan you are a Stud! for starting this and you have my support
Thanks for the kind words Leonard! Too funny, I built fishing rods during my high school days too! Did it as a part time job through college.
Hey Gang just a few more days of voting. One vote per person, you can email, pm or post your choice right him. I currently have them all tallied.
Aloha!
Ryan
Put me down for # 4
#4, Trevor for me also.
Sorry, I only have 94 posts.
#4 - Trevor for me!
Thanks guys!
Lewis, anyone can submit a vote. Only the referrals needed to be by a member with a 100 posts. Thanks, Ryan
Wow! This is awesome!!! :thumbsup:
Thanks for all the votes Gang!
One last day!!!!!!!
I would like to vote for #1
Thank you,
Adam
Okay Gang,
This has been very interesting but also reconfirms the giving spirit of Trad Gang. I've gotten more request to help than referrals. I've received over a dozen request to support in one way or another. I'm truly amazed once again by the amount of support I've received. Thank you!
I just finished tallying all the votes which determined the recipient. Trevor Probandt is going to be the proud new owner of a Stalker Custom Recurve. Congrats Trevor!
Trevor is currently using a used third hand bow to learn the "basics". I'm sure that by the time South completes this bow, Trevor will be more than ready to upgrade to a new hunting rig that will hopefully aid him in first traditional harvest.
For those that asked to support, please pm me and we can discuss the further details. Thank you!
Ryan
I sure am glad I found this place.A better bunch of folks would be hard to find.What a wonderful thing you all are doing.Congrats to Trevor on a heck of a new rig.
congrats Trevor! and i think south and ryan deserve some :clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper: for putting all of this together!
Congrats!
My bow is being raised and my hat is being tipped to South and Ryan for taking the time to put this on you guys are true mentors and congrats to Trevor
This is Trevor Probandt and I just wanted to again that Ryan, South and everyone else for doing this. Spoke with South today and the bow will be a 60" #55 brown action wood bow with static tips. I can't wait to try and get my first animal with trad equipment. Thanks again to Ryan for the new blog and opportunity.
Trevor
Congrats Travis they are awesome got one for my son and wow they do smoke an arrow aloha
Guys, spoke with South the other day and I have on order a static tip, 60" 55#@28". This one is a brown action wood, and I can't wait to get it and hopefully a hog later this summer.
I also received a trad hunt hardcore tshirt from Mr Steadman, Mr Halverson is building me an incredible knife and Mr Ott is building me a dozen Texas Tech Red Raider wood arrows. Thanks again for everything!!!! I plan on hunting this summer with my stalker bow and wood arrows. While wearing my tshirt and cutting up critters with my knife.
Believe me, they will all have a special place on the wall or in the woods with me, for many many years to come.
Thanks again Ryan, any time you are in west Texas, you will be welcomed as family.
Hey Ron,
South told me you bought one for your son! Cool! :thumbsup:
Thank you Trevor! Glad to see you here on TradGang! I'll be in touch!!!
Aloha,
Ryan
Update!!! Just received emails from Mr Ott and Mr Halverson concerning the arrows and knife. I'm no good with photos, hopefully they can both send in updates for everyone. Thanks again from the bottom of my heart. No better group than trad hunters.
Trevor
Trevor,it's good to have you with us!!Grats on the new bow,as soon as I get your arrows finished I'll post a few pics on this thread......I hope you enjoy your trip in to traditional archery as much as the rest of us,and if you have any questions we will always be ready to help.
Jon
heres a pic of trevors not quite finished knife
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh264/oxbowsteelheader/015-3.jpg)
bttt for trevor
That's a sweet looking blade Kevin!!!
That is indeed a great looking blade!
Thanks for posting. The bow, knife and at least one arrow will have a special spot on the wall for the next few decades at least!
Kevin makes a great knife. I also have a Stalker bow and KH knife combo! Two fine craftsman right there, South and Kevin. Ryan is a pretty good guy in his own right! ;) :thumbsup:
(http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g359/tradhunter1/100_1531.jpg)
And finally,I have time to post a pic of what Trevor's arrows are.There are many fine craftsmen on this site that do a far better job in arrow building than I,but i will bet that they don't have any more fun doing it than me!!
I drive my wife crazy with all the arrows I have arround the house.....but I just can't stop makin em!
Those are some "killer" looking arrows Jon!!!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
oh my!
those have got to be some of the prettiest arrows ive ever seen
kevin
Hey guys, just got my Texas Tech Red Raider arrows from Jon. Great arrows. Hopefully he can post up some pics. I took a couple with my phone but they DO NOT do them justice. Thanks again Jon.
Nevermind!!!! I'm an idiot. ha ha ha
Trevor,your bow is in the works. I'll try to get some pics up to tease you along the way. Going to glue up some matching woods for the knife handle for you as well. This is going to be fun!
Hey guys, just wanted to let everyone know that I just got done tuning my new Stalker Static tip bow. A rough tune anyway. LOL
I will be hunting in the morning on the eve of my 30th birthday. I will get some pics of the bow and hopefully a nice west Texas deer. I just wanted to AGAIN thank everyone for the help and encouragement. It has been invaluable. I will be carrying my Stalker, wearing my Hardcore Traditional t-shirt and carrying my arrows, even though my broad heads will be on my Gold Tips.
A special thank you to South and Ryan, there are no words. But I am working on a project for one heck of a hunt down here in Tejas. :-)
Great work on the beginners package ryan maybe I can get on a free hunt? lol Ye I walk In the Valley Of Death I Fear No Evil For Thy Bow In Hand And A Quiver Full Of Arrows And Thy Lord By My Side I Shall Fear No Evil