What to you guys think the average age of the trad bowhunter is? I know that traditional hunters are the minority but at 30 years old I really feel like the minority.
I am 35.
I'm 58.
41
I'm 33. I also have a 4 yr old who shoots at mice in our field.
started shooting recurve at 13 went full time trad when i was 31 36 now
Turned 24 yesterday
34
I am curious Chris...~.... Why at 30 do you feel like you're in a very small minority?
I'm no math major but a good random sample can most likely be found here on TG if your willing to do all the work it would take to look up the the numbers and do the math.
I think the real difference won't be found as much in a person's age as in what the importance of what they want to get out of their hunting experiences.
It has been said that "Sometimes with age comes wisdom.... but sometimes age comes by itself"...lol
God bless,Mudd
PS: I've shot every kind bow I could put my hands on but completely traditional for a very long time. True confession compels me to admit even shooting an X-bow at a target last year. (two arrows was enough of that)....lol
Will turn 62 next month. (God willing)
45.975, 46 in 9 days.
I'm 18. Been shooting for a bit over 3 years
My 22 yr old son is trad only, my 20 yr old is about 25% trad, and my 18 yr old is about 75% trad.
50 & 1st year trad guy & loving it!! Hope to be posting 1st time trad kill this year as well!!
Dave
41 now and trad only for 16 years.
41
A ripe ol' 20 here
Im 24 but have been shooting trad since 18
Turn 31 in dec... 4 th hunting season to be trad only. No way will I go back
Interesting question. I am 33, but the older I get the more I lean toward trad over "modern" bowhunting. Age/maturity might definitely have something to do with it for a lot of people in my opinion.
48 yrs old
I am 33. Been shooting a stick for about 12 years.
God Bless,
Nathan
Made the switch to Traditional Equipment on my 50th Birtday. Now 53 and still at it.
31, shot trad for 7yrs.
Started Traditional bowhunting at 25 now I am 44.
41 and went trad only this year after 20 years of bow hunting. It has changed my life. Should have done it 20 years ago.
61. Archer since 6.
I'm 70. I started shooting the recurve in 1960. I bought a Jennings compound when it first came out and shot compounds for a number of years, but never lost interest in "traditional" bows. I love archery and still shoot recurve, longbow and compound bows......DaveMP
Interesting numbers. When I go to local shoots, I would guess the average age to be 50 or so. I am working on 65, in the spring.
60....I'll never be as old as KAT :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
im 37. ive actually noticed, at local 3d shoots lately, more tradtional shooters and in a much more varied age group. liking that!
I am 48, got a 17 year old son who is nothing but traditional and a 26 year old son who is "wheels", but after a shoulder surgery in August, is crossbow this season.
46 years young and I too have noticed more "variety" in ages at shoots.
I'm sure most of us have seen or heard about the "stages of a hunter" and I wonder if this has anything to do with it: (As written elsewhere)
The Five Stages of Evolution of a Sport Hunter
As with all things in life, a hunter's perspective of his sport changes as time goes by. According to the Hunter's Education manual used by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the five stages of a hunter's life are (a) the Shooter Stage, (b) the Limiting-Out stage, (c) the Trophy stage, (d) the Method stage, and (e) the Sportsman stage.
As the sport of hunting itself changes through the years, so do the factors that determine what "successful hunting" is. Add to this the changes that take place in each hunter's life, and things can get a bit confusing. Some of the factors that can determine or influence what kinds of hunters we become are (a) the hunter's age, (b) his hunting companions, (c) his role models, (d) his personal ethics, and (e) his and years of hunting experience. All of these affect our ideas of "success." Where a hunter fits into one of the five groups may change as he progresses in his hunting career. What stage are you in now? What stage would you like to be in?
The Shooter Stage
A hunter who is in the Shooter Stage talks about satisfaction with hunting being closely tied to being able to "get-in some shooting." The beginning duck hunter says that he had an excellent day if he got-in a lot of shooting. The beginning deer hunter talks about the number of shooting opportunities. Missing game means little to hunters in this phase. A beginning hunter wants to pull the trigger and test the capability of his firearm. A hunter in this stage may be a dangerous hunting partner.
The Limiting-Out Stage
A hunter who is in the Limiting-Out Stage still talks about the satisfaction of shooting. But what seems more important to him is measuring success through the killing of game and the number of birds or animals that he has shot. Limiting-out or filling a tag is his absolute measure of success. Do not let your desire to limit-out be stronger than your concern for safe behavior at all times.
The Trophy Stage
The satisfaction of a hunter in the Trophy stage is determined by the selectivity of game. A duck hunter might take only greenheads. A deer hunter looks for one special deer. A hunter might travel far to find a real trophy animal. Shooting opportunity and skills become less important than finding and shooting the coveted trophy.
The Method Stage
When a hunter has reached the Method Stage, he has accumulated all the special equipment that he could conceivably need. Hunting has become one of the most important things in his life. His satisfaction comes from the method that enables him to take game. Taking game is important but secondary to how he takes it. This hunter studies long and hard how best to pick a blind site, how to lay-out decoys, and how to call-in waterfowl. A deer hunter goes one-on- one with a white-tail deer — studying sign, tracking, and the life habits of the deer. This hunter often handicaps himself intentionally by hunting only with black-powder firearms or bow and arrow. Bagging game, or limiting, still is a necessary part of the hunt during this phase.
The Sportsman Stage
Finally, as a hunter ages and after many years of hunting, he tends to "mellow out." He now finds satisfaction in the total hunting experience. Being in the field, enjoying the company of friends and family, and seeing nature outweigh the need for taking game.
Not all sport hunters go through all these stages, or go through them in this particular order. It is also possible for hunters who pursue several species of game to be in a different stage with regard to each species that he hunts. Some hunters feel that role models of good sportsmen, training, or reading books or magazines helped them pass more quickly through some of these stages.
There you have it, two studies with two very different ways of looking at hunters and how we approach our sport. Does one of these categories describe you? Where are you in your hunting career now? Where would you like to be? Each of us has to decide for himself what kind of hunter he wants to be, and to be the best hunter that he can be.
Qualifying Statement: Please know that I'm not a "everybody fits in a box" kind of guy but I'll admit to passing through a few of these stages to get where I am now.
Regardless of your age or where you are / aren't in these "stages" I'm glad we're a part of the trad group!
I started trad when I was 20. That was all I shot for years. Then I went to compounds and am now dabbling in trad again. Im 42.
61 - Old enough to know better, but still too young to care.
I'm 61 I have to sons 38, and 34 Who both shoot nothing bu tradational. I started shooting at 15. did Compound for less then 1 year before coming back to traditional. "Train them up in the way they should go...." :thumbsup:
41 here but don't look a bit over 1 :knothead: 8. Feeling it though.
I'm 45 and been serious about this for 21 years.
44 here. I would have thought I would have been on the "young" side of the group. Guess not... :knothead: :knothead: :biglaugh:
44 with 45 coming in December...
WOW! am i that old 73 years all ready.
I am 47
Bob.
I'm 55,
Started shooting my dads fiberglass recurve at age 7.
I've been shooting off and on since.
I spend time shooting compounds but got bored with them and went back to full on trad several years ago. I have a beautiful tricked out compound that I haven't looked at is four years. I guess I'll sell it one of these days but I hate to give up any of my shinny things.
For now I shoot a long bow and am on the list waiting for one of Kirk's Sasquatch recurves
Im 53, was shooting a bow when 5or6 and have shot only trad since 1983 and still love watching arrows fly.
65 but don't feel a day older than 64.
I'm 42.
38. I've only ever shot a compound bow at a target. All my bowhunting has been with recurves, which started about 15 years ago.
Its who you hang out with....Thanks Tradgang!!!
I'm 61, still going strong:)
I'm 40.
36 years young.
Just turned 37 last month. Started off with a recurve years ago (never hunted with it), then made the switch to compounds, which I hunted with for a long time.
Just made the switch back last year.
I would guess that the percentages of hunters who shoot trad are relatively constant along the spectrum.
In other words, 5% of 45-54 year-olds are trad and 5% of 25-34 year-olds are trad. There's just more 45-54 year old hunters. That's partly because of demographics and partly because a higher percentage of participation in hunting in general from that age group.
46 now, been shooting trad only for about 18 years. I started with a recurve when I was 10, got caught up in the compounds until I was in my late twenty's. Never been one to judge someone on what they shoot, more on what they believe!!!! I too have noticed a wider age range of shooters at the local trad shoots, good thing to see. My 20 year old son shoots trad, 15 year old son shoots both and twin 12 year old daughters are getting into it more and more. One just wants to bow hunt, the other wants a recurve. I like what I see for our future, more young people getting into trad instead of getting caught up in all the technology!!!!
I switched to the stick when I was 21,I am 45 now..My son is 17 and he has shot a longbow since he about 8..
39
Well I'm 60 now, feel 80 most of the time, damn arthritis.....
Shot recurve anD longbow when a kid. Shot cmpnds for about half a dozen years then came back to REALity.
Got my wife to shoot Trad, my son 42 shoots Trad only and his 2 daughters 16 and 14 shoot trad. At least I've passed on something worth while..... :archer2:
35
Started shooting trad only when I was 42. Will be 47 next month.
I'm 44 and at the shoots I have been to in my state it used to be guys in their 30's and up. But now starting to see a lot of 20 something's and even younger shooting trad. Guess they see us older guys laughing and having a great time. Don
34. Started shooting Trad when I was 20.
I am 50 traditional only bowhunt only 28 years or so. My son is 17 two years traditional only for him. He progress from gun, compound, recurve.
I am 21, I'm a college student, and I hunt every weekend I get a chance.
Picked up my first recurve when I was 13
19. Never shot a wheelie and I never plan on it haha.
Oh yeah, I'm 45. Been trad only for 12 years.
My kids shoot trad for now. They are 12, 15, and 17.
I'm 43. Started shooting trad in 2006. This will be my 33rd year hunting.
should start a poll...may have been one recently..
I'm 37
60 years old but feel like 40!!
Be 71 in 2 months and and only shot a Trad bow.
64 here ... I would guess the average age of all trad bowhunters to be in the early to mid 40's
36, Been seriously shooting recurves since I was 12.
Im 26... been hunting trad for 6 years or so
44, been hunting trad about 22 yrs
QuoteOriginally posted by jcar315:
46 years young and I too have noticed more "variety" in ages at shoots.
I'm sure most of us have seen or heard about the "stages of a hunter" and I wonder if this has anything to do with it: (As written elsewhere)
The Five Stages of Evolution of a Sport Hunter
As with all things in life, a hunter's perspective of his sport changes as time goes by. According to the Hunter's Education manual used by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the five stages of a hunter's life are (a) the Shooter Stage, (b) the Limiting-Out stage, (c) the Trophy stage, (d) the Method stage, and (e) the Sportsman stage.
As the sport of hunting itself changes through the years, so do the factors that determine what "successful hunting" is. Add to this the changes that take place in each hunter's life, and things can get a bit confusing. Some of the factors that can determine or influence what kinds of hunters we become are (a) the hunter's age, (b) his hunting companions, (c) his role models, (d) his personal ethics, and (e) his and years of hunting experience. All of these affect our ideas of "success." Where a hunter fits into one of the five groups may change as he progresses in his hunting career. What stage are you in now? What stage would you like to be in?
The Shooter Stage
A hunter who is in the Shooter Stage talks about satisfaction with hunting being closely tied to being able to "get-in some shooting." The beginning duck hunter says that he had an excellent day if he got-in a lot of shooting. The beginning deer hunter talks about the number of shooting opportunities. Missing game means little to hunters in this phase. A beginning hunter wants to pull the trigger and test the capability of his firearm. A hunter in this stage may be a dangerous hunting partner.
The Limiting-Out Stage
A hunter who is in the Limiting-Out Stage still talks about the satisfaction of shooting. But what seems more important to him is measuring success through the killing of game and the number of birds or animals that he has shot. Limiting-out or filling a tag is his absolute measure of success. Do not let your desire to limit-out be stronger than your concern for safe behavior at all times.
The Trophy Stage
The satisfaction of a hunter in the Trophy stage is determined by the selectivity of game. A duck hunter might take only greenheads. A deer hunter looks for one special deer. A hunter might travel far to find a real trophy animal. Shooting opportunity and skills become less important than finding and shooting the coveted trophy.
The Method Stage
When a hunter has reached the Method Stage, he has accumulated all the special equipment that he could conceivably need. Hunting has become one of the most important things in his life. His satisfaction comes from the method that enables him to take game. Taking game is important but secondary to how he takes it. This hunter studies long and hard how best to pick a blind site, how to lay-out decoys, and how to call-in waterfowl. A deer hunter goes one-on- one with a white-tail deer — studying sign, tracking, and the life habits of the deer. This hunter often handicaps himself intentionally by hunting only with black-powder firearms or bow and arrow. Bagging game, or limiting, still is a necessary part of the hunt during this phase.
The Sportsman Stage
Finally, as a hunter ages and after many years of hunting, he tends to "mellow out." He now finds satisfaction in the total hunting experience. Being in the field, enjoying the company of friends and family, and seeing nature outweigh the need for taking game.
Not all sport hunters go through all these stages, or go through them in this particular order. It is also possible for hunters who pursue several species of game to be in a different stage with regard to each species that he hunts. Some hunters feel that role models of good sportsmen, training, or reading books or magazines helped them pass more quickly through some of these stages.
There you have it, two studies with two very different ways of looking at hunters and how we approach our sport. Does one of these categories describe you? Where are you in your hunting career now? Where would you like to be? Each of us has to decide for himself what kind of hunter he wants to be, and to be the best hunter that he can be.
Really good points! It seems that I have almost gone through all of your stages.:0 I would say I am at the "sportsman stage". I am 52 and have taken numerous deer and one elk with various equipment. I took up the recurve again about 10 years ago going full circle from recurve, to compound, back to recurve and longbow. Funny thing is I have never taken a deer with traditional equipment. A combination of busy fall schedules and depleting deer populations has left me in a dry spell. I have literally had 3 shots with a recurve/longbow. I hit a branch in front of a nice buck working a scrape line right towards me...flat out missed a fat doe and had what I thought was a very solid hit last year that I could not find in over a day and a half of looking.
My success ( or lack thereof ) is not gauged by the game I take. I like the preparation, the time spent in the woods and with good friends. Any game taken beyond that is a bonus.
I do not consider it a handicap at all to head to the woods with a recurve or longbow. I shoot instinctivly and remember all those days with a compound coming in right when the daylight was perfect because I could not see the pin/target through my peep sight. I am convinced that my equipment is more than up to the task.
26 here been complete archery since I was 18 and trad for the better part of 6 years
56 now started at 10
I'm 22 but been shooting trad since I was about 17
I'm 23 and have been shooting trad on and off for the last 7 years. I have converted fully to trad this year and have taken a buck and doe already this season!!
39 went full on trad about a year ago
49
42 and full time trad for about 1.5 years now.
I am 23. And my wife is expecting a lil girl in 20 weeks so.. I have a daughter that is 20 weeks that shoots trad as well =P
50 now,learned trad around 6 7 years old till mid twentys. full time trad again forever since 08.
37
41, 3 years trad, not including the first 5 years from 8 on until I got my first compound.
35 here, I think the average age is scewed in our society currently...outside of this site anyways. With the release of Hunger games, LotR and Avengers a lot of younger kids jumped into archery as a fad, but I'm sure that will quickly fade.
I started out with training wheels for a few years and have been shooting traditional for the past 2 or so years.
62 on Halloween
I'll be 35 on Thanksgiving. Gave up the rifle and bought my first bow, a longbow two months ago. Will still get a rifle tag every year but the focus and main priority will always be traditional from now on.
I started after visiting Dan Quillian's shop one day 21 years ago. 45 now.
64 First Archery permit in 1966 - shooting a bow since 1958.
52 here.
I just turned 46. I've been bowhunting for 31 years now.
just turned 16
WOW there is a bunch of young whipper snappers here, :readit:
44 been 100% trad only for two years
55 full time trad 18 years
31 here. Got serious about switching to trad about 2 or 3 years ago.
51 and shooting trad for 22 years and had to drop 10# over the years. :)
43
Bow hunting 30 years, trad only for 5.
54 been trad for 3 years. Actually started outtrad at 16 but didn't have a clue. Some days I feel like I still don't!
69 pushing 70. Can't remember when I didn't shoot trad gear.
53 and Trad-Again for 3 years (7 more years trad from 11-18)
59
60, I just lever learned no better.
I am 47 will be 48 Jan 24
48 here
36 here
I'm 59, and there was no such thing as a compound bow when I started shooting 50+ years ago. I will admit to shooting a dozen shots with a yard sale compound...hated it. I also shot two arrows from my son's new to him compound. I couldn't get the dang thing to let-off on the third try. Three trips to the chiropractor getting my shoulder put back into place, and I've sworn off ever shooting another.
My 4 year-old grandson shoots an antique lemon wood bow...my first bow.
38
61
Just turned 63.
started at 29, now 49
56 Been shooting since I was 5 years old. 2 of my sons, 23 and 25 years old, both shoot traditional and they have never shoot a compound.
65. Walked out the door this morning at 4:45, got to my climber at 6:15 and didn't need a light when I got to the tree. Too tired to do it again this afternoon. Been doing it since the early 60's so may be wearing out.
headed for 61
will be 60 in March....
35 now. Been hunting big game with trad equipment since 2005. But have bowfished with recurves since I was about 9.
Will be 54 in February...God willing, I will live out west sometime during my 55th year....
59 1/2
Turnin' 40 next week.
Tom
46 I THINK
56 here
18 now and have been shooting sense I can remember.
Schafer
36, trad since I started
32 here
I am 43 and bought my first recurve at 16.
Almost 41.
58. :thumbsup:
I am 59 years old. Started shooting recurve at 18 for a couple years, then compounds for the next 30 years and been trad only since turning 50.
29 years 363 days. Holding on to my 20's. Birthday is Sat. 3rd Year of trad.
Nearing 59. Only started shooting bows in my 40's. Never owned a compound, only shot a handful of arrows through 'em. Still consider myself a novice, and barely ready to hunt whitetails ( as far as the bow goes. Wandered the woods since I was a kid).
32 trad only forget the wheels!
I started bowhunting before compounds, 64 now been trad sence when ever it started.
59, But some mornings I feel 3 days older than dirt. LOL. :confused:
62 years still loving it-
63 this past summer.
60 here and still going strong.
John
I'm 28 been trad for 2 and a half years now and no looking back
Just hit the half century mark this year . . .
Kingsnake
50 years young and only been into trad archery since Dec of 2011. Have already taken 2 hogs with my longbows and have had 3 close calls with deer. I'm hooked!
Bob C
Started in 57, that is right 1957 for you youngins, 63 next month.
A half century plus five years.
63 and having more fun shooting than ever :-)
55
30 been shooting for 25 years.
My average age is 51 but it keeps going up every year!!
Not sure what the average would be. Around here they seem to range from late teens to older than dirt. I guess the average would be in betwen there somewhere.
Bisch
I got curious as to the average age of those listed, so I added them up......133 people listed..... average age is 44.5 . Terrific to see quite a few young folks listed. Keep drawing!
me iam 60 there ya go i said it :laughing:
40 yo now. always been a big bow hunter...
Shot my first longbow ever last summer with my brother Dan. We both liked it so much we decided to try and shoot deer last fall with our new longbows buck or doe... I shot a spike, was thrilled! The next day Dan shoots his biggest buck to date... a beautiful 8pt at 10yds! Lol it was funny! This is my first year with no compound! There is no going back... I have $150 I wish I would have given to Snag before the season started! :)
69 as of last Friday. :scared: Man, I'm gettin' old!
66 as of 7-14 time sure flys when your having fun...
57 here.
30
Man, it hurts to type that
Started at 26, now I'm 53.
41 years old,this thread would be great in a poll form. Great first thread by the way. rat'
43
2683 weeks old. 18,781 days.
The average age of the trad bow hunter cannot be measured; for he is again in his youth every time he takes to the field.
29
63 here. I can tell people that I was born in the first half of the last century. :)
Not far off 41..........
,,Sam,,
In my family we have 4 Trad shooters with an average age of 30. I do skew the average upward a bit.
I'm 51. My wife is 51, as well. Oldest son is 28,(recurve only) and youngest stepson is 24 and flirts with trad, but still hunts a wheelie bow.
57 for a few more months....
Turned 54 on October 10th.
77 now - and still kickin' (not complainin', jus kickin' - LOL) :archer:
35 here
59
58 for a few more months.
I'm pleasantly surprised so many folks under 40 are discovering recurves and longbows.
I don't think we excite the archery manufacturers much though because we don't buy lots of accessories.
62 here.
54 but whose counting... ;)
51, also for just a couple more months.
30
56 and counting...
37
57
:readit: :archer:
32
57 today. Started shooting traditional bows in 1986 and nothing but trad since 1989.
The average age in our family of 3 is 25, in December the average will drop to 18.75, but the family size will increase.
49
I'm 47 years young.
25
54 Will be 55 in 3 months. Been shooting trad for 47 years.
Is anyone keeping a running average of ages?
62, started when it was just "archery"
I'm just a young pup, 64 here:) Been shooting bows since I was 8 years old.
58
46
45
30.
39. Compound 1 year. Trad 23 years.
I'm 62,......no wait,.. I'm 62,....What was the question again :confused:
44 started when I was 20 with traditional.
I'll be 51 next month
I'll be 54 in Dec. Started shooting when i was 8 getting ready to head to the stand now.
I'm 28, been in the trad game for two years now.
I'm 69, I have been a bowhunter since long before the compounders stole my name.
Jack
43
im 46 ,been shooting since age 12!
57
46
I am going to turn 65 next March, looking forward to the next 30 years of hunting. Feel like I am half that most of the time.
514 months and counting...
QuoteOriginally posted by jcar315:
46 years young and I too have noticed more "variety" in ages at shoots.
I'm sure most of us have seen or heard about the "stages of a hunter" and I wonder if this has anything to do with it: (As written elsewhere)
The Five Stages of Evolution of a Sport Hunter
As with all things in life, a hunter's perspective of his sport changes as time goes by. According to the Hunter's Education manual used by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the five stages of a hunter's life are (a) the Shooter Stage, (b) the Limiting-Out stage, (c) the Trophy stage, (d) the Method stage, and (e) the Sportsman stage.
As the sport of hunting itself changes through the years, so do the factors that determine what "successful hunting" is. Add to this the changes that take place in each hunter's life, and things can get a bit confusing. Some of the factors that can determine or influence what kinds of hunters we become are (a) the hunter's age, (b) his hunting companions, (c) his role models, (d) his personal ethics, and (e) his and years of hunting experience. All of these affect our ideas of "success." Where a hunter fits into one of the five groups may change as he progresses in his hunting career. What stage are you in now? What stage would you like to be in?
The Shooter Stage
A hunter who is in the Shooter Stage talks about satisfaction with hunting being closely tied to being able to "get-in some shooting." The beginning duck hunter says that he had an excellent day if he got-in a lot of shooting. The beginning deer hunter talks about the number of shooting opportunities. Missing game means little to hunters in this phase. A beginning hunter wants to pull the trigger and test the capability of his firearm. A hunter in this stage may be a dangerous hunting partner.
The Limiting-Out Stage
A hunter who is in the Limiting-Out Stage still talks about the satisfaction of shooting. But what seems more important to him is measuring success through the killing of game and the number of birds or animals that he has shot. Limiting-out or filling a tag is his absolute measure of success. Do not let your desire to limit-out be stronger than your concern for safe behavior at all times.
The Trophy Stage
The satisfaction of a hunter in the Trophy stage is determined by the selectivity of game. A duck hunter might take only greenheads. A deer hunter looks for one special deer. A hunter might travel far to find a real trophy animal. Shooting opportunity and skills become less important than finding and shooting the coveted trophy.
The Method Stage
When a hunter has reached the Method Stage, he has accumulated all the special equipment that he could conceivably need. Hunting has become one of the most important things in his life. His satisfaction comes from the method that enables him to take game. Taking game is important but secondary to how he takes it. This hunter studies long and hard how best to pick a blind site, how to lay-out decoys, and how to call-in waterfowl. A deer hunter goes one-on- one with a white-tail deer — studying sign, tracking, and the life habits of the deer. This hunter often handicaps himself intentionally by hunting only with black-powder firearms or bow and arrow. Bagging game, or limiting, still is a necessary part of the hunt during this phase.
The Sportsman Stage
Finally, as a hunter ages and after many years of hunting, he tends to "mellow out." He now finds satisfaction in the total hunting experience. Being in the field, enjoying the company of friends and family, and seeing nature outweigh the need for taking game.
Not all sport hunters go through all these stages, or go through them in this particular order. It is also possible for hunters who pursue several species of game to be in a different stage with regard to each species that he hunts. Some hunters feel that role models of good sportsmen, training, or reading books or magazines helped them pass more quickly through some of these stages.
There you have it, two studies with two very different ways of looking at hunters and how we approach our sport. Does one of these categories describe you? Where are you in your hunting career now? Where would you like to be? Each of us has to decide for himself what kind of hunter he wants to be, and to be the best hunter that he can be.
57 years young, or old, depending on my mood at the time.
i really enjoyed reading the "5 stages of evolution" a lot. I must admit I've been hunting long enough to have gone though this evolution a few times using different equipment, and have enjoyed the challenges along the way reaching small goals i set for myself.
it might be a fun project to write a collective book on "The evolution of an archer". There are many many archers out there that enjoy our sport to its fullest that are not hunters at all.
67 years old. but health issues have reduced me to hunting coyotes with a gun and not very far from a 4 wheeler at that. Get out and hunt while you can because you never know when you are on your last hunt. Good luck to all of you.
26 here. Only been shooting trad bows for a couple years but really enjoy it
31 years old been 100% trad since I could walk.
35
Have never shot anyhing but trad. Started as a kid. Took the teen years off due to attitude problems :)
I'm 39 for one more month.
-Jay
28 for 2 more months.
Will turn 70 in a couple weeks. Seems there are only a few of us old timers still shooting and hunting. Enjoyed nearly 60 years of archery. Hope each of you can shoot/ hunt many more!
43
58
this year I think I am 33.
has anyone found the average yet :dunno: :confused:
69
26 years old, This is my 3rd season hunting strictly with trad gear.
44
60
47 here...
Just turned 60
This is my first season, I'm 42
68 next week. No one in my family hunted, fished, etc. and especially not with a bow. I started in my 30s, bought a compound, then a friend gave me a Bear grizzly and I learned to shoot trad. Last year I tried to shoot my old compound and couldn't hit anything with it. I've been hunting trad. for about 8 years but haven't killed anything yet (with a bow).
56 started realy shooting bows in high school, never had a compond. Still have all my rifles. mostly only use them for predation stuff. And thier fun. But shooting my bows is just more fun and relaxing. And trad bows are just cool.
I'm 26
57. Just came back to trad a few years ago after messing around with wheels for a decade or so.
40 year old here!
How about some old timers, I'll be 68
44
65
61
Almost 55. Trad most of the last 35 years.
31
I'm crouching in the brush, ready to pounce on unsuspecting 63 in a few weeks. Hope I'll still be able to make the leap when the time comes. I'm baiting with brandy, so I should get a close range shot at an off-guard me.
36 years old
Started shooting a recurve in the 6th grade.
Took the years between 17-22 to chase women.
At 23, after having got some serious partying drugs, boozing, and hunting with a compound out of my system, I went back to trad.
Montana isn't a pick a weapon state (YET!) I'll admit it, I still hunt with a gun in rifle season. I feel like I'm about 5 years away from going full blown trad guy and never taking up a rifle again, unless Zombie Apacolypse happens.