Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Bear Heart on December 13, 2013, 07:48:00 PM

Title: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: Bear Heart on December 13, 2013, 07:48:00 PM
I am blessed to own several bows. During this last year I have brought my collection down to a one piece McCullough Griffen, a 3 piece Bezaleel Real McCoy longbow, and a 3 piece recurve a fellow tradganger brought back from the dead for me.  I have also dwindled my firearms down to what I consider the esentials.

I have committed to myself to buy no bows (unless mine break) for the next eight years.  I will also limit my equipment purchases to necessities.

Why?

I just turned 32.  For my 40th birthday my wife and I are going to Africa for a hunt/photo safari. Hence the eight year thing.  My father and I are also planning a Newfoundland moose hunt for 2015.  I want to put my dollars into experiences and making memories with those I love.  Bows on the wall don't make you a bowhunter.

Sitting in the woods waiting for deer gives a guy lots of time to think about life.

Thanks to all on this site who have inspired me to chase my bowhunting dreams.
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: LV2HUNT on December 13, 2013, 07:54:00 PM
"I want to put my dollars into experiences and making memories with those I love. Bows on the wall don't make you a bowhunter."

Amen to that.
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: Jerry Russell on December 13, 2013, 08:14:00 PM
Sounds like you have a good plan. I have carried the same bow for almost two decades. Times with family, friends and that old bow in the camps I have shared are my most precious memories.
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: Jake Scott on December 13, 2013, 08:23:00 PM
Extremely well said!

Jake
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: Todd Cook on December 13, 2013, 08:44:00 PM
" Beware of the man that owns one gun( or bow), he probably knows how to shoot it."
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: Over&Under on December 13, 2013, 09:47:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Jake Scott:
Extremely well said!

Jake
X2
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: DEATHMASTER on December 13, 2013, 10:17:00 PM
X3
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: on December 13, 2013, 10:20:00 PM
I'm liking the way you think!

Bisch
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on December 13, 2013, 10:48:00 PM
Tim, I agree 100%  well said.
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: Izzy on December 14, 2013, 05:40:00 AM
Your onto something.
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: pghrich on December 14, 2013, 06:03:00 AM
i totally agree, thanks for the idea, but we still need others who are able to keep buying stuff as well, rich pyle
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: mcgroundstalker on December 14, 2013, 06:44:00 AM
Sounds like you have your ducks in a row... I'm also down to five bows from ten or twelve...  :dunno:  ... Anyway, a happy home is so much more important than archery... IMHO.

... mike ...
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: Bowwild on December 14, 2013, 07:46:00 AM
Yep, I wouldn't advise anyone to neglect family or actual hunting in favor of buying more stuff.

Of course it is possible to make God and family a priority, do the hunts you want, and have a wall full of bows. One bow, 5 bows, or 100 bows says nothing, good or bad about the hunter's ability.
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: coconutdave on December 14, 2013, 07:51:00 AM
Great plan!   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: agross1 on December 14, 2013, 08:26:00 AM
Very well put
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: matthewp on December 14, 2013, 08:28:00 AM
Awesome!
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: Ibow on December 14, 2013, 08:42:00 AM
Well thought out Bear Heart. A good plan. While there's always an instant attraction and endless pursuit of the "Holy Grail" in bows, after 4 decades of bowhunting, I came to the same conclusion.

It's always nice to treat yourself with something new and something special but after all that time, I've still stuck with two Widow MAIII's that hang on the wall - 46 & a 48 pounds, both made in the 90's.

It still boils down to one thing - it's not the bow, it's the guy holding it.    :)  Best wishes in your pursuits and future bowhunting adventures!
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: VictoryHunter on December 14, 2013, 08:44:00 AM
Well said!
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: Bear Heart on December 14, 2013, 10:27:00 AM
Thanks to all for the kind posts.
Not against having nice things. Lord knows I'm blessed to wake up in America every morning with a decent job and a great family.
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: elkken on December 14, 2013, 12:51:00 PM
Great plan young fella, most folks don't plan out eight weeks let alone eight years ... When I was working I used to put away a few $$ in a hunting account every month for when I retired, now I'm retired and can go hunting without trying to figure out how to afford it, it pays to plan. You should have a fine future    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: Gehrke145 on December 14, 2013, 04:45:00 PM
I hear ya, going to try and get my monthly payments to almost zero (assuming people are in the rentals.  I want some bigger hunts in the next year or 2
Title: Re: 8 year pledge to self
Post by: Altiman94 on December 14, 2013, 08:06:00 PM
I've always been a one bow type of guy.   That way there's no mental struggle on which one to take.  Plus, like you said, I'd rather put $ into the experiences than the gear (not that I dont have plenty of other gear!!).