QuoteOriginally posted by gregg dudley:
Randy,  I have a feeling our paths will cross on one hunt or the other. If not by chance we'll make it happen.      

Well, I don't really know what a "skinny string" is. Never read those threads. I still don't know what a skinny string is and don't feel curious enough to find out. When I needed a string, I always just mailed the string length, type of bow, colors and if it was B50 or FF I wanted along with the money to Linda Brackenbury and was always 100% happy with her work. I kept seeing all these threads for "single bevel" broadheads and had to read one to see what it was. I don't see the point (har, har, pardon the pun)---but that's just me. When I make arrows, I shoot them. Those that fly good and accurate are good. Those that don't become stumpers. But they don't become stumpers until I figure out it's the arrow and not me having an issue.

Too much techie tinker and Rube Goldberg is enough to drive a person, as my father's people say, meshugge. Really, if you look at some things from archery's past, they had a lot of gadgets that didn't make the cut and they're not around here anymore because of that. I mean, look at some of the wacky broadheads from several decades ago. Notice how, traditionally speaking, the things that survived are still used and still very effective like the basic two-blade broadhead, for instance. There's a thing called a point of dimishing returns when adding more gives you less in return. I think in traditional archery, we reached the point of diminishing returns some time back. Whatever trinket appears on the market now does one thing and one thing only effectively well---it separates the buyer from his hard-earned money.

Here, here! Thanks for sharing...hope it does something for what keeps running around in my head.

I wish everyone the simple satisfaction of having a decent bow and fine arrows. It really takes so little from the equipment side of the equation. What awaits is far more consuming, on a personal level...and of far more interest, IMO. Rick.

Great site.. Thanks Terry and all that keep it what it is..      

Not to ruffle any feathers, but how do the rest of the "Mods" feel about this, just Curious ...

Great site, I've learned alot and still have alot to learn at 56. One of the reasons I got into traditional archery is it simplicity and peacefulness, I think Terry's right!

A friend told me a looooong time ago when I first started shooting a bow....

Your first week or 2 will probably be your best shooting cause you don't know enough to mess with your head.....then you'll start trying new things even though it doesn't make you shoot better. This is when you'll shoot your worst. Then you'll settle back in......

I've always thought he was right.

I read an analogy of bows to a music instrument somewhere in all this........ and it had some merit.

But to a beginner, or even intermediate musician, they likely couldn't or wouldn't know the difference between an inexpensive or expensive instrument until they learned the basics, or even more so, got into the actual "being able to play stage".

I feel it's the same with archery. Sure, I feel that TECH is needed. But all the TECH you can muster ain't worth squat unless you know how to use it or what to do with it.

Don't post much here anymore.... but read the posts daily. This is the best post I've read in a while!

hnh

Terry: I think now I get what you are getting at. I often look at some of the threads and wonder where some of the posters have been. There is an awful lot of duplication of some topics. However, to be fair and this is just my observation, is that some of you moderators have fed into some of this. For example, take Dr. Ashby's reports....I have not seen on any other site the hype that he gets on Tradgang. You guys have even dedicated a special section to his findings and continue to add to it....at least the last time I looked. He is everywhere, TBM, etc. I think that his technical findings are fine as far as they go and I think, in all honesty, enough of him please. His point is well made in his very first reports and all his previous reports have not, for ME, have added any new insights.

However, I do have to say that Tradgang is probably one site where the average guy can go and get technical advice on any number of subjects if they just take the time to find it. The HOW TO forum is one example. I can't count on all my fingers and toes how many folks I have directed to Tradgang forums (from other sites) for such things as twisted bow limbs, how to make strings, how to sharpen various heads, etc. Don't forget, you have over 20,000 members and not all of them log on every day so it is pretty clear to me that certain things are going to be asked over and over again. And I will admit, I sometimes get glassy-eyed making the same recommendations over and over again based on my experience. I don't know what the answer is but when I start to feel a bit worn out by it all I just am thankful that you have so many members and so many newbies. Perhaps we are not a dying breed...and your list of sponsors grows every week, it seems.

So, I say, whenever you have a crisis you are also handed an opportunity if you care to view it that way. Hunting with trad archery equipment is tough....so is running your website. How can we members be helpful?

As for things getting too technical sometimes....don't quite know what to say. Archery is full of physics, geometry, and science.....which I find to be quite interesting....and fun!!!! It is not as simple as some would like it to be. It's like learning music or learning to play a musical instrument. I'm restarting guitar lessons from when I was a kid. I thought I knew a bit but I found a teacher from Berklee  and now I know how much I don't know. If I look at it as a challenge it is fun. If I keep  thinking that there is too much to learn  it depresses me....so I opt for the fun aspect. Somewhere in here is a connection to archery....there is more to it than meets the eye if you want to do it well, I suppose, and some people just don't want to do the work and they keep asking the same questions, getting the same answers and who knows what they do when they log off?

In part I think some of your frustration is that you may be not be seeing the forest for all the trees.....20,000+ members and you are still growing. You are doing a lot of things well...what can we do to keep it that way?

QuoteOriginally posted by Bill Carlsen:


In part I think some of your frustration is that you may be not be seeing the forest for all the trees.

No Bill....I can't see the TREES because of all the FOREST.  Read that again.      

Sounds good to me Terry.

Bill Carlsen.........very well said. I totally agree 100%. I've been tryin' to say the same thing but I haven't been able to do it as good as you.

NO COMPOUNDS! This is ironic as I was discussing with one of my friends today that it really does seem that technology is being shoved down our throats wither we want it or not!  Lets not have that here, surely there must be some place of refuge for "us" Luddites?!

what attracted me to this site a few years ago was the "building" side of archery. Come winter time, the majority of posts were self bows, primitive arrows, build a longs, etc. Loved it. Ferret, Dano, Timo, etc would ramp up the build a long posts and it was just a smorgasboard. This site has changed a lot since then. Don't see much of that anymore. Not to be critical here at all cause theres nothing wrong with this, but i see this site as more as the Stickbow site now without the name calling. Just my two cents

#2 of the three goals of TradGang.com, "2. To create a friendly atmosphere to all. Dedicated to the discussion of all topics that relate to traditional bowhunting."

So I guess what has to be defined is exactly what does "all topics that relate to traditional bowhunting" mean? Are we saying all topics except those related to technology? Technology has a broad definition. A B50 Dacron bow string is a technological advancement over say, a string made of hemp or sinew. A bow with glass lamination is a tech advancement over a solid hickory bow, not to say it's better, but it's more tech advanced. A high FOC weighted arrow is a technological discovery and most would agree through experimentation that it works. We discover and learn through technology. There's no way to avoid it. So if we're going to have discussions about traditional archery, then there has to be some discussion that includes technology.

Check the Bowyer's Bench, TradBowyer. I see it there quite a bit.

Thanks for saying it Terry. I hope to see some changes around here.  Most of this obessive tech talk is in my IMO--the little end of nothing,whittled down to a fine point.  I don't have anything against anyone who chooses to shoot a compound, but I have found that shooting w/them at 3D shoots, their obbession with equip, twiking etc. fretting, just sucks the joy out of it for me. I don't shoot w/them any more.  This tech obessive tech talk here, has a similar effect and IMO detracts from the simple joy of a low tech approach, which is what traditional archery is grounded in. Perhaps some should take time to recall what attracted them to trad. initally-- I doubt it was the tech. aspect.  Reading/re-reading books like "The Witchery of Archery" would re kindle the spirit-the exhuberence,of trad. archery-- not alot of aniexty about equip. to be found in their adventures.  I think all this tech talk eats away at the heart of trad. archery - its increase is Compound Baggage. Iam disturbed by it, in the same way I am shooting w/compounders on the 3D course-- Sucks the life right out of it.

I don't post here much but I do check this site out everyday, if but for a few minutes. I got into trad archery several years ago and have learned a lot from this site. I also enjoy reading the hunting storys and wishing I could be there. The majority of people on this site seem to be really nice and friendly folks willing to help those who are trying to learn. I know every site is not that way! I have to agree I don't like all the gadgetry and techno stuff. Thats why I like trad & primitive archery. I have also enjoyed learning how to make some of my own equipment the last couple of years. I know that the best thing that can improve my hunting and shooting is trying to improve the idiot holding the bow...ME!    Stay with your original vision Terry and thanks for a great site!      

Doug, I dont think it is the discussion of technology that is the issue, its the amount/redundancy of the technology based topics. Somedays POW WOW looks like you went to the "increase you bows performance by 10%" forum.

A new guy looks at all that and thinks " I thought they said this was supposed to be a simpler way"

Chuck Hoopes...well put

Eric

I agree Terry! I enjoy the posts that deal with building bows and arrows and leathercraft. To me the speed of a bow is not as important as the feel of the bow when it is shot. I think that bowhunting is a close range thing and it requires you to increase your hunting and stalking skills to get close. I hunt only from the ground and very much enjoy it that way. You have created a great site here and I for one certainly appreciate it and your efforts. Thanks for your efforts!