So as some of you may know I have had these 3 new (to me) trad bows sitting around that I have not been able to fire because they were not strung. Although I am a "Bowtech" guy, I have no knowledge of the trad stuff and did not trust myself stringing them. I have been staring at these 3 gorgeous bows for a week not able to enjoy them. Frustrating.

Today at 4:00 phone rings. It's Jimmy (Raineman on the site). Dude you wanna come over and we'll string those bows. Ummm... YEAH! SO I'm at his place by 4:10 ( I was a little excited to get there). He looks at my 3 bows. Compliments the 1970 Bear Kodiak Hunter. Says it might be the nicest Kodiak Hunter he has ever seen. This makes me feel real good!
He starts stringing these 3 bows. Meanwhile, I'm like what's brace height? Should I shoot 3 under or 2 and 1? WHat kind of silencers do I use? Where do babys come from? What kind of wood is this? I mean a million questions. This is the first time I've got somebody knowledgeable on this stuff in the same room as me. He answers all my questions with patience and kindness. Did I mention he really liked my Kodiak Hunter.

So he getsem all strung, replaces the rest on one, replaces the knoks on 2, checks brace height etc. Says to me "Let's go shootem!" Now he seems as excited as I am. We go into his back yard. On the way out I tell him he can shoot them but I have never fired a trad bow in my life and I want to practice before I shoot in front of him. I told him not only would I miss the target I would miss the oxygen. We get into the back yard and he gets out "the block". Fires the first bow -Nice, this one works. Second one - sweet.  A little loud we'll fix that later. Fires the 3rd one - strings shot. Don't shoot this one - get a new string. He fired 6 arrows and connects on the block with all 6. Now he hands me a bow and an arrow. I'm thinking JImmy I told you I wasn't gonna shoot. He looks at me like when I was 16 and my dad was teaching me how to drive and he says "You'll do fine." I knock the arrow. Pull back.. no site pin.... no nothing... what do I do. Getting dark I can't see... I get half way back and it just felt..... right. It just felt right! I get to the back of the draw, let the arrow fly and an amazing thing happens. I hit the target!

Tomorrow is going to be real fun.

Bill, you are in trouble now!!    Once you start you will never stop!! It is gonna be an amazing ride my friend!! Shawn

SHAWN IS RIGHT.ONCE THE BOWBUG BIGHTS.ITS IN YOUR BLOOD.HAVE FUN AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.  

Welcome....your an addict now...admit it!

Bill I'm afraid it may be too late already, but we can try to save you anyway. I want you to immediately pack those bows up, (carefully) and send them to me ASAP! If you shoot those bows again tomorrow you are a goner for sure. Your life will never be the same. Next thing you'll be thinking you need more than three bows. You'll be using all your free time scanning classifieds for more. You'll be endlessly scheming new ways to keep the wife from knowing how much you spend on trad stuff. You'll be shooting in the house when it's bad outside. Just look back at some of the posts on this site. These guys are sick!
  So, I'll keep those bows safe for you, especially that Kodiak. I'll even send you pictures once in awhile if you want. I promise to take them on long walks in the woods and carefully string and unstring them. You're much better off with the Bowtech anyway. LOL!!
  Welcome to the addiction my friend, enjoy! Oh, the rule is, (Man Law) we need to see those bows. (pics) In this case they aren't literally new to you, but you just really discovered them, so pics are in order.

Wow, you just summed up my first time shooting trad! Way cool, now sit back and enjoy the ride.

Keith

Congratulations Bill! There is no end to the fun.

You are ruined for life now.There is no escape.  

a pleasant sort of misery has betaken you

MAY-DAY!!!! MAY-DAY!!!! He's goin' in hot dumpin' fuel boys!!!!!          


Your in trooooooouble now my friend.....

But a little good advise regarding practicing.... practicing your shooting WITH someone who knows what good shooting form is, and missing the target completely......Is much, much, MUCH better than trying to teach yourself.....

boy did i learn that one the hard way this last year....its going to take me 3 months of shooting 3D this winter to straighten out all my bad habits.....              

Awwww. I was hoping your first time would be with me.  :(  

What bow needs a string?  :confused:  
Killdeer  

Welcome to the bright side.

Alan

You will have a great time this coming year, learning the meaning of Arch in Archery. Go for it and let em fly.

And so it begins. A late bloomer but better late then never.

DANNYBOWS THATS GOOD STUFF.THATS FUNNY I DONT CARE WHO YOU ARE.L O L  

DannyBows - Here's the pics.

Killi- I'm usually better the second time than the first.

Unfortunately the 1970 Kodiak Hunter with an AMO of 60" is the one that needs the string. The brace height is supposed to be 8 inches. It's not even 7- and it "twanged" Raineman pretty hard.






The one I actually made the shot with was the third bow pictured. The Red Wing Hunter.

Very nice. A Bear, a Pearson and a Red Wing. A very good start to your addiction. I had a Red Wing, good shooters, and I've always loved the looks of the riser on those Bear Kodiak Hunters. I'll bet she shoots real nice.
 These are fine bows to start you on your journey. We expect updates on your progress, and when that inevitable itch to buy another, then another etc. becomes too much to resist, remember you were warned and offered a way out. Oh, and don't forget the pics! LOL!
 Enjoy and welcome to ARCH-ery.

 P.S.  When I saw the title of your post I thought someone might be testing broadheads on an old chevy engine.

I used to have a 45#RWH just like that-wonderful bow to start with (and not bad to stick with)

Neat! Can I shoot your bows? I shot a Red Wing Hunter at ATAR last year, and loved the smoothness. Meanwhile, I'm looking for a 56" string...

Killdeer  

Killi-
   Of course you can shoot my bows. As far as the Redwing. I assumed it would be the "least great of the 3" for nothing more than it was the cheapest of the 3. But when Jimmy strung them up and I pulled back on them in his basement, the Redwing was the smoothest of the 3.
   Nebie questions here - What's an ATAR? As a kid I had an ATARI - would play Asteroids, Space Invaders, etc. If it's half as cool as that - I'm sold.