Hello Gang!

January 23, 2011, 07:45:00 PM

Hello Hank! Glad you are here!!

You asked a great and very important question: "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?"

One thing you can do if you haven't already is to follow the link on the "new to trad archery" at the top of the PowWow forum. Rob has put together a lot of good info that should help to get you going in the right direction.

When you have ingested that stuff, come on back and the Gang will most certainly walk you down the road in the right direction.

If you can get away for a day, you might run up to the Michigan Trad Expo in Kalamazoo. There you will find a great combination of expertise and equipment. It will open your eyes and probably generate more questions. Best thing is you can shoot a ton of different bows and the bowyers there. At least you can get a feel for the draw weight you can comfortably work with.

Don't be in a hurry!! Try to find a good used bow for your trainer..there are lots of 'em on sale here in the classifieds.

See you around!

michigan hunter · January 23, 2011, 09:06:00 PM

Welcome .I am fairly new here also . Great bunch of people here !!

SEMO_HUNTER · January 23, 2011, 09:33:00 PM

Welcome Taylor, never too late to start. Get a bow and start shooting it now and you'll be ready to hunt by this fall.

Friend · January 23, 2011, 09:36:00 PM

Welcome htaylor3,

As a family, we are still human and make errors from time to time.

As a family, we strive to overcome and are bonded more soundly than before.

As a family, we shall travel the journey by your side.

Cyclic-Rivers · January 23, 2011, 09:38:00 PM

Your never too old to have fun. Welcome!

I think if folks here may be able to help you and your son get set up with bows and such.

Best thing to do is shoot a few. Find a fellow Trad ganger or bow shop in the area and see what 40,45,an 50 lbs feels like. This way you will have a better idea what to look for.

My first day back into trad I shot a 40 lb bow and was quite sore after. It didnt take long to build up muscles for heavier bows.

Mudd · January 23, 2011, 10:11:00 PM

Hank I did 5 years as a para-educator for students with special needs so I know that I got nights and weekends off whereas parents are in it 24/7.

I think you might find traditional archery can be very therapeutic for everyone.

Plus I know for a fact that it's above all else... fun!!!

God bless,Mudd

J. Oles · January 23, 2011, 10:17:00 PM

Welcome to the forum!

droz il · January 23, 2011, 10:25:00 PM

Welcome aboard. Great forum.

straitera · January 23, 2011, 10:25:00 PM

Much welcome Hank! Have fun.

Butch L · January 23, 2011, 11:48:00 PM

Welcome to the journey.

Butch L

TWarrows · January 24, 2011, 01:01:00 AM

WELCOME..

htaylor3 · January 24, 2011, 07:55:00 AM

Thanks again to all for the fantastic welcome! This place is phenomenal.
I'm absorbing all of this and the advice is helping me out tremendously.
I think I'm going to try and break out for a day trip to the expo in Kalamazoo this weekend. Number two son turns sixteen on Friday. Chauffeuring dad on a four and a half hour trip to Michigan on Sunday would be good expressway experience for him! He's also looking over my shoulder quite a bit as I'm reading about bows and traditional archery hunting.
Will anybody from here be at the expo on Sunday?

Whip · January 24, 2011, 08:08:00 AM

Welcome Hank. Seems like you already know by now that you have come to the right place to get started. The trip to Kalamazoo would be well worth your time if you can make it. If you come on Sunday get there as early as possible - by early afternoon many of the vendors start packing up.

I'll be around - probably working in either the Compton booth or the PBS booth. If you get there make sure to look me up!

Where in N. IL are you located? I'm not that far north of the border, and generally have an assortment of used bows that I sell. Depending on what you're looking for that can be a good way to start out.

htaylor3 · January 24, 2011, 08:43:00 AM

Hi Whip!

I'm in Loves Park, right between Rockford and Beloit. Where are you in Lake Mills? I have a couple friends who have places at Topols campground up there.

Also sounds like I may want to get the kid his license on Friday if I want to maximize a trip to expo.......

leatherneck · January 24, 2011, 09:33:00 AM

Welcome and enjoy!!!

Whip · January 25, 2011, 01:50:00 PM

Hank, I live about 5 miles north of town. Lots of Rockford people out at Topels in the summer.

Did you see the thread about the bunny hunt on Super Bowl Sunday? It's near Monroe, which isn't far at all from you. There will be a bunch of trad guys around, and all kinds of bows to see. If you don't have one of your own by then let me know and I'm sure I can find something to bring along to shoot for the day.

Here is the thread for the bunny hunt:
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=099417

illwhttail · January 25, 2011, 03:46:00 PM

Hello from the middle of the state.

joe ashton · January 25, 2011, 05:22:00 PM

you find this a great place to hang out.