I just wanted to take a moment and say hello to all. I've been reading as much as I can here as I have decided that at 46, I may be starting late to the bow hunting world, but I'm gonna start regardless!
When my bride and I started having kids 18 years ago, I thought I would be sharing upland bird hunts as well as fishing and my newly acquired wheel bow with the kids. Son number three was born with a multitude of special needs, which made that wish difficult, if not impossible. Well, Nicky is now 12 and although we still need to be on watch constantly, I started reading and found tradgang. I've always loved the look and history of the traditional bows. The wealth of knowledge here and feeling of camaraderie is refreshing. I also think that at the very least, I can pick up a bow and shoot in the back yard with the other three kids. If we get proficient enough, day trips for deer and turkey here in Northern Illinois probably wouldn't be out of the question.....
I'll stop rambling now, I just wanted to say hi. I doubt I'll be able to contribute much until I learn a little something and I apologize in advance if I ask too many stupid questions!

Thanks,

Hank

Welcome htaylor3,relatively new here myself. lots
can be learned here. northern Illinois huh,your
pretty close to Kzoo. Are you planning a trip?

Welcome,enjoy the journey.

Welcome to the gang  

Welcome.  

WELCOME! Tradgang has wonderful folks that are always willing to help.

WELCOME  

Never to old! Welcome and learn with the rest of us.

Didn't start archery until I was 47. Don't worry about it. Shoot lots. Learn more. Shoot again. Welcome.  

Welcome Hank. Enjoy the Gang.

Welcome from the other end of the the state.

Welcome, enjoy the journey

There no stupid questions....period.

Welcome to the tradgang family.

I hope you enjoy your journey along with the rest of us.

God bless,Mudd

PS: I am in awe of you as a father raising a child with special needs

Welcome, and don't worry I've got the stupid question asking covered and they havn't booted me off the site yet  

Have fun, tons of good stuff here.

Thanks for such a warm welcome guys!
I've read Sorrel's Beginner's Guide to Traditional Archery book. First step for number two son and I is to get bows! He's a lefty, so so we'll need two.
In the book, Brian warns strongly against buying a bow that's to heavy from the outset.
I guess question one is, "What's a good draw weight to start with?"
I'm a 210 pounder and while not really weak, I'm not what I used to be! Any advice would be appreciated.

P.S. to Mudd. Thanks for the kudos! However, as parents, I think we play the drawn hand with nothing to compare it to. We don't know any better LOL! The people I am constantly in awe of are the aides at school and the medical facilities who choose to work with these children for minimum wage. Talk about Angels on earth....

Thanks again!

Hank

Welcome; You're in a good place. Someone will know the answer to anything you need to know about traditional archery.
Good luck to you and your family.
Bob

Welcome Hank,

Pull up a chair and enjoy. It's a good place to hang around.

Welcome to the campfire and there are no stupid questions.  

Welcome,and enjoy the camaraderie .Some of my funnest memories of my sons when they were young flinging arrows at 3-D shoots.

Welcome Hank, I'm 46, started having children 18 years ago, have a child with special needs, and enjoy traditional bow hunting. We have alot in common already.