Been away for awhile, hello to old and new friends!
New career position, daughter first year in college.... life's demand's...tough stuff!
My daughter's first year at Ithaca college in south-mid New York...how's this?
Screen writing is her major. Photography is one of her first classes. All others are submitting photos of School architecture, statues, structures etc.
My awesome little girl is submitting photos of whitetails, turkeys, fox, insects, leaves and nature.
At 11 years old she was behind my shoulder when I arrowed a bison. Then would not turn away when we processed the whole animal. And enjoyed a year of bison meat.
Although she is a long bow shooter, she does not hunt at this time. But adamantly explains the view of the natural hunting family to those who have been brought up without a clue to the reality of where meat comes from. I could not be more proud of her!
My two boys, Tom who is 16, and Tyler who is 10 are going to surely take the torch to the next level.
Tom shoots a Vermillion River Recurve( sooo unfortunately no longer in business)Bocote and Shedua riser, super figured bocote limb veneers, and sheep horn accents on the back of the riser.He made his own hip quiver, arm guard and tab.  Here in Eastern Massachusetts, trad shooting is a VERY minute group. His buddies all shoot compounds or know nothing of shooting at all...and I had no problem with him going this route if it be his choice. But he kept his recurve! He is indeed one of us! I will gladly give up prior commitments to take his buddies to the woods to show them the way.
The youngest..Tyler will be our master indeed.
Due to (minor)medical issues, he may not be the best at football, but this kid is an instinctive shot for us all to learn by. He was a traditional hunter before I ever started to teach him.
He has stalked Blue Jays, squirrels and small game since he could get up on two feet. Every weekend he yearns for our trip to our local hunting grounds. He has shown ME trails I missed, old rubs, deer droppings and his view on WHY deer no longer rub in this area. He is TEN years old!
I am so proud. I promise to all of you not to drop the ball on him. I will prioritize his education on our ways.
He shoots a Maddog left hand longbow. He wanted "cool" colors of red and black action wood. Then asked for my assistance on backing it with a tanned south american exotic snakesin. No sir, I was not to apply it for him! Show him the way and he demanded his own hands on installation.
Unfortunately he is not accepting to me applying it for him. I can deal with that!

That  is my up to date reason for not being around much, I'm sure you all understand.
Good luck to all on the upcoming and existing seasons! I'm glad to be back on Trad gang!

Great post - thanks for sharing.

Good to hear from you! Glad life is treating you well.    

David,enjoy your family and your time in the wood,I am glad to seeyou back here and well.

Missed ya David but can't think of better reasons to be away! Your raising them right. Keep it up.

Family first,and sounds like you have a great one,thanks for sharing.      

Sounds to me like you're still around, BIG time.
Way to go with your children. Archers, all.
Your youngest sounds like he'll be hard to keep up with. Lucky you.

Welcome back David.  You were missed!

Good you see ya back. You have some awesome kids there. Well done!

Fantastic post, The love and well deserved proudness shines through!!

One proud dad, with all the right reasons.  You've done well.  Keep the fire burning.
Thanks for sharing!
Johnny/JAG

Nice post. Good luck with all of it!