Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Sam and I am 19 years old. I found my way to this forum because of my passion for traditional archery. I am not a hunter, but plan on going on my first hunt this deer season. I, thus far have only been a target archer, mostly at S.C.A. events etc. Hunting never appealed to me too much, mostly because of the fact that most of the gun and compound shooters that I know seem to hunt, only to feel more manly(or something). They don't have very much respect for nature, nor do they have much respect for the animals that reside within nature. I came to this site expecting the same kind of people. I was completely wrong. The intuitive and thoughtful posts that so many of you trad gangers write, has completely changed my perspective. Unlike the aforementioned hunters, many, if not all, of you treat nature with such reverence. To you, archery is not only about being able to kill a deer at 30 yds, It is about an art, a passion for the sport. I appreciate all of the thoughts and the information that I have picked up in such a short time here. I am truly honored to be a part of such a fantastic group of people. Thank You.

Welcome aboard Sam!  Yep, lots of good folks hang out here.  Great place to ask questions.

By taking up hunting you've opened yourself to a whole new world.  I wish you many happy hours of hunting this Fall.

 Welcome.

Welcome aboard Sam.

It is great to have a 19 year old at the campfire.Thank you for your interest. I worry about our sport competing with I-phones, ESPN, rap music and the whole iwannabe ghetto/prison look a like.
Hunting for me has little to do with killing an animal as I said in another thread. I enjoy the process of limiting my capabilities with traditional gear to drink in more of life.

Great people here. I have had stuff sent to me for free from people I don't know or will never meet just cause they wanted to help. Pretty rare...like you.

Paul

Welcome to the campfire  

welcome my friend  glad to see you on here .      

Welcome Sam, i realy wish you the best with your hunting, i was lucky enough to have been exposed to hunting from a real young age and have been all over the world chasing adventure, im only 19 to and realy dont know what i would do if i could not hunt! if feel iv been fortunate for the things iv learnt hunting,i think its a great disipline, teaches respect and a different outlook on things that unfortunatly many do not get to see and unfortunatley many do not wish to understand.
we'r lucky to have some very Genuine, Honest people here that take the time to help us out, i realy appreciate that.. Thanks Tradgangers

     hi there, this is a good place
place.

Glad to have you.It is a different group here compared to some sites.Kip

Welcome Sam, I have learned a lot from these fine people.  

Glad to have you at the fire!  Hope you will stay a while.

Welcome Sam!!!

Remember one thing....the journey is more important than the destination. Soak up everything in the woods and worry about the kill last. Good luck and have fun.

Welcome Home Sam....          

Welcome! Pull up a chair and set a while.  

Hi there. Hap

   

Welcome to a fantastic site, Sam.  And welcome to traditional bowhunting.  There are many on here who can answer all of your archery questions.  Some are even medieval reenactors and SCAers as well.  The current mass market hunting philosophy truly is a sad situation, but please understand that there are good and bad representatives in all hunting, regardless of weapon choice.  This site certainly does have some of the best goodwill you can find on the web though!

Welcome Sam. We're neighbors, sort of. I'm in lower northeastern.

Welcome Sam. I admire a fellow who is passionate about the sport, but hesitant about the kill.

That last sentence might make more sense later...