I've really admired you trad shooters for a long time.  I've been on here for quite a while now (very silent) reading posts and taking notes.

It seemed like a gynormous decision, but I finally took the leap to ditch my "training wheels" and go traditional.  After looking over tons of bows, reading posts, reading magazines, and figuring out exactly what I wanted, I made the call.

I called James Berry of J.D. Berry bows today and placed my order.  I am so freakin pumped that I won't be able to sleep for a week!!!

I'd really like to thank Mr. Berry for all of his help.  I couldn't believe how knowledgeable this man was and how patient he was with me and all of my questions.

I'd also like to thank all of you for helping me make the decision to go trad.  I know you didn't have a clue that you were helping me but you did...  sooo much!

And lastly I'd like to thank the guy (wish I knew his name) that handed me his longbow on a 3-D course in Hendersonville, Tn. several years ago.

Sorry this is so long, but I had to get it all out!

Thanks again y'all!!

   

Welcome aboard...you'll enjoy the ride, wheels came off in Feb of 2007 and haven't looked back.

Josh

Thanks guys.  I really appreciate it!

That is an insperational story for sure,,                 It never fails when I'm at the local shop,,someone will watch me shoot,, and I'm hoping my A game is on,,LOL,, I'll start small talk and if they seem interested I'll  offer a couple shots with the bow and arrow,,Some bite and some shy away  but they always seem to have a lot of questions,,Very inspiring,,Keep at it,,JB

Oh by the way,,I'm soooo glad you took off your "training wheels" for a second I thought this post was about somethin else,,LOL,

I was scared to click on it, but I figured there were pics.

Killdeer      

          Welcome to the gang,  tossed my wheels away several years back and   glad I did!

It's ok, now.... take a big sigh of relief and enjoy the ride. You have been set free!    

So what did you order from Mr. Berry? I have a gorgeous Rennaissance and a Taipan on order. Congrats on the move to trad and on a great decision to go with a Berry!
Brian

it is LOVE this i know    WELCOME  TO TRAD      :cool:    

sucker!!!! You in for it now...


4Real, congrats... Good luck with Your new bow.

Welcome. It sure does bring the fun back into archery, when you keep it simple.

my wheels came off for good in 1985 ( they were only on for 2 seasons)

A lot easier to keep track of your gear when you've only got a stick and a string and a few twigs to shoot.

WELCOME

Itook my wheels off in the spring of 08 and finnally sold them a few months ago that way I CAN'T go back. Enjoy the ride, I have found that the Trad Gang world is always ready to help with great advice.

WHOPPEEEEEE..................          

Congrats on the newbow,and enjoy the journey.  

Welcome to the gang! I never put wheels on, but I came back to archery about three years ago after a long hiatus due to a knee that kept me from hunting. Got a new fake knee and a new love for archery.

A word of warning though, it doesn't stop here (see my signature).

You done good!   You won't go wrong with JD.  I had two of JD's bows previously, a Yahweh and a Sylphee, and had to part with them when I couldn't pull their weight any more.   I now have a Berry Viper I got last fall that is light weight to meet my physical needs.  

Yesterday I finished building a "shooting machine" and chrono'ed it, with the light arrow I shoot, at 201.  

As to JD himself, yeah, I'd say he's helpful all right.   I was with him at a shoot last year and told him about problems I was having with my strength and how sorry I was I had to sell my Yahweh and Sylphee. He questioned me at length about what I needed and built the bow above in very short order.   A bit later, I was talking with him on the phone and telling him about trying to get a bow of non-standard design built.  His response was, "Heck, Dick, come on over here and I'll help you build a form and teach you how to build the bow yourself!"   Which I did and he did.  I'm now set up in my own shop to build the bow I wanted.  I finished my first solo bow a week ago and am preparing to go for the second.

I have a link on the bow building page of my web site that shows JD and his shop when I went there:

http://dickwightman.com/archery/bowyering/bowyering.html

You can take a look and picture your bow being built!

Dick

Thanks Everybody!  Sorry about the "took them off" heading..  lol... just wanted everyone to see it so i could tell them thanks!

And i ordered a Viper.  66" 50# @ 28".

Oh and Dick I actually read your story!  That's one of the reasons i wanted a J.D. Berry!!