Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: garythenuke on August 17, 2013, 04:30:00 PM

Title: Introduction from California
Post by: garythenuke on August 17, 2013, 04:30:00 PM: Hello Trad Gang,
I'm Gary from Kaliforniastan.

I'm 45 and wanting to get back into traditional archery. Up until about 15 years ago I was REALLY into it... I subscribed to Traditional Bowhunting and Primitive Archer. I was an associate member of the PBS for about 5 years and a member of my local bow club in Northern California. We had an amazing outdoor long course. I spent most days off there and countless hours shooting and walking.

My first trad bow as an adult was a 70# Martin Howatt takedown recurve that I still have. I also have a 50# Bear Kodiak Magnum recurve and a Darton Ranger recurve. My pride and joy is a 70# Shadow Longbow Eclipse in Hickory, Bamboo, and Osage.

My two "big" bows are "too big" for me now. At one time I could shoot them "all day" and in fact did many field courses with both of them. The upside is my 18 year old son is already stronger now that I ever way so he will be putting them to good use...

Now, though, as I am wanting to get back into the sport I am looking for a new bow. I'll do as much research and reading as I can on this forum. I plan to hunt so I'll likely settle on somewhere around #52-#58.

What a great place this is. I wish I had this sort of information and community available 25 years ago when I first started poking around with it all.

Thanks in advance for all the patient answers to my questions.. :pray:
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: macbow on August 17, 2013, 04:46:00 PM: Welcome back.
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: chall on August 17, 2013, 04:53:00 PM: Welcome from SoCal
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: Wannabe1 on August 17, 2013, 04:55:00 PM: Welcome from your northern neighbor! :wavey:
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: blakeschack5466 on August 17, 2013, 05:02:00 PM: welcome from redding.
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: garythenuke on August 17, 2013, 05:09:00 PM: Wow!! What an awesome response. Thanks everyone for the welcomes. In looking at the banners above I am reminded of a time when I drooled over a La Clair
takedown longbow called the shrew. I even traded some phone conversations with Ron. At least I think it was Ron... Anyway, back to reading... :)
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: Son of Texas on August 17, 2013, 05:16:00 PM: Welcome from Texas!!!
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: pdk25 on August 17, 2013, 05:23:00 PM: Welcome Gary. When I saw your user ID, I had to check your profile out. I see that you are a power plant operator. Did you go the traditional route in education or did you start in the Navy? I am also 45 years old and was a Reactor Operator in the Navy myself.
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: garythenuke on August 17, 2013, 05:37:00 PM: Hi PDK, No I'm not Navy. Though the vast majority of guys I work with are out of the nuclear Navy.

Were you on a sub or a target? :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: garythenuke on August 17, 2013, 05:38:00 PM: Oh yeah, I took the handle "nuke" for some of my internet handles to agitate some of the more arrogant co-workers of mine... It's petty, but what the heck huh???
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: Bjorn on August 17, 2013, 06:06:00 PM: Welcome aboard! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: Old Chief on August 17, 2013, 06:11:00 PM: Welcome from central California.
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: T-Bowhunter on August 17, 2013, 06:16:00 PM: Welcome from Florida!
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: RainyDayBows on August 17, 2013, 06:53:00 PM: Welcome neighbor I'm about 3 hrs. from Paso Robles.
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: pdk25 on August 17, 2013, 07:25:00 PM: Like the handle. I was on fast attack subs out of Point Loma. 594 class primarily. Lots of good folks and info here
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: Sam McMichael on August 17, 2013, 08:33:00 PM: Welcome. You will like Trad Gang.
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: Pointer on August 17, 2013, 09:18:00 PM: Welcome Gary
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on August 17, 2013, 09:24:00 PM: Welcome from NY. Pull up a log and sit a spell :wavey: :campfire:
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: garythenuke on August 18, 2013, 10:49:00 AM: Again, Thank you fellas for the greetings. I've been reading lots of threads. I need to dig out my jo-jans and Bitz jigs and see if I still know how to use them.. I'm gonna need some overtime here before long... :)
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: petalumapete on August 18, 2013, 11:22:00 AM: Hey Gary,
Welcome from Petaluma. I get down to your neck of the woods from time to time my daughter is going to school down there at Cal Poly.
If ya want to have a good time and meet a few hundred kindrid spirits there is a two day shoot comming up at the end of Sept. up here. The info is on line I believe on the Traditional Archers of California web site.
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: chall on August 18, 2013, 02:06:00 PM: Welcome from SoCal !
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: McDave on August 18, 2013, 02:27:00 PM: Hey Pete,

Do you have any links for the 2013 TAC shoot? I can't seem to find one, and the link I have for the TAC website doesn't seem to be working.

Thanks,

Dave
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: Richie on August 18, 2013, 11:07:00 PM: Welcome :campfire:
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: petalumapete on August 18, 2013, 11:27:00 PM: McDave,
It's Sept 28thand 29th out at Rancho Neblina here in Petaluma. I haven't seen any flyers yet but I can ask 'Marilyn and Steve where to find them. I'll post it as soon as I can.
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: petalumapete on August 18, 2013, 11:32:00 PM: Gary, if you come up to the shoot I mentioned there usually are quite a few bows and venders selling supplies. Come on up and bring the check book and credit cards!
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: T. W. Harris on August 19, 2013, 06:20:00 AM: Gary, ya need to give Mike Rash a call with Legends Bows. He's also in California. He makes a great bow, and super nice guy.

www.legendsbows.com (http://www.legendsbows.com)

Terry Harris

Oh by the way, welcome!!
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: KentuckyTJ on August 19, 2013, 09:25:00 AM: Welcome from Kentucky!
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: pamike on August 19, 2013, 10:23:00 AM: Welcome from PA

Also an Nuke Plant worker over on the east side!!
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: garythenuke on August 19, 2013, 06:25:00 PM: WOW!! I go to San Francisco for one night and miss all these awesome warm welcomes. Thank You!!
Pete, I worked for Clover Dairy for 13 years while going to Sonoma State and living in Rohnert Park. I LOVE Petaluma...

I will check out some of the bowyers you all are mentioning. I don't have a huge account for this, so I need to research twice and buy once.

Thank you again very much.
PaMIke, are you in OPS, RP, Security.. ? TMI?
Title: Re: Introduction from California
Post by: garythenuke on August 19, 2013, 09:57:00 PM: After poking around (talking with my wife) I'm discovering I have about $400 to get back into the game. That has to include the bow, sting, and complete arrows. I'll eventually build my own arrows as I'm quite a "tweaker". Plus I am REALLY interested in getting into the carbon arena. I've been down this road before and I know how the expenses can build quickly. Now I'm going to research r/d short longbows in the #50-ish range and heavy carbon arrows... :archer2: